One of the most important fasts observed by Dogra women on Sankat/Sankashti Chaturthi is Pugga Vrat, a fast/Sankalp undertaken for the long life of their children and to ward off the evil eye.
Legends:
There are many legends associated with this Vrat. According to one legend, a rich Jethani mistreated her poorer dewarani. Once, because of the callous Jethani, Dewarani and her children had to go to bed hungry. Dewarani, a pious woman, prepared Tilkut, drank water, and offered prayer before sleeping. Lord Ganesha visited her house in the guise of a Brahman and asked for food. She offered him the tilkut. Lord Ganesha blessed her, and the next day her house was full of food, and she was adorned in precious jewels.
According to another legend, which traces its roots to the times of Raja Harishchandra, a woman used to observe this fast and pray to Lord Ganesha. Her only child survived an attempt on his life because of her piety and devotion. Yet another legend tells the story of a childless Sahukarni who observed this fast and was blessed with a child. One legend says Yudhishthir used to keep this fast.
Ritual:
On this day, women fast the whole day without taking water and food. They worship Lord Ganesha by bathing his idol with panchamrit containing milk, curd, water, ghee, and honey. Fruits and red-colored flowers are offered to Lord Ganesha. During the day, people prepare ‘Pugga’ by grinding and mixing til, alsi, seul, gur, etc. Women break their fast by giving argha to Chandra Devta. They break their fast by taking water, pugga, fruit, sugarcane, etc., but in no case is any grain consumed. Some pugga is also kept aside in the name of their children. Radish and sugarcane are also offered at the time of Puja. Some of the pugga is distributed to relatives, friends, neighbors, girls, and Purohits.
Prakriti & Lok Parampara :
This festival also marks the change of season and an end to harsh winters. Farmers offer Ladoos of til/sesame and gur/jaggery as a token of gratitude to Lord Ganesha for bumper harvest of sesame and jaggery. Both Sesame & Jaggery also very beneficial in this season.
On this day, it is advisable to chant ‘Om Shri Ganeshaya Namaha’ 108 times to obtain the blessings of the Lord.
डुग्गर देस दे महत्वपूर्ण पर्व – पुग्गे (संकट चतुर्थी) दे व्रत दियाँ सारें मावें ते ऊंदे जागतें गी मति मति मबरखाँ।
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