Encouraging Fasting to Protect Religious Traditions

In early twentieth-century Colonial India, a resurgence of religio-cultural self-awareness that endorsed traditions played a significant role in defining cultural identities.

- Chinmay Damle

This self-awareness existed alongside the diversities based on caste, ethnicity, and region. The encounter with modernization sharpened the expressions of cultural identity that differed from traditional religio-cultural conflicts.

Keshav V Datye of Shukravar Peth, Pune, wrote a letter to the Marathi daily "Dnyanaprakash" on July 29, 1940, that began with the criticism of the youth for indulging in frivolity by watching movies on the important festival of "Ashadhi Ekadashi." But his bigger consternation was the consumption of "soda-lemon," tea, and peanuts by a significant section of the audience before, during, and after the screenings, on the day they were supposed to stay away from food.

Datye worked at a printing press in Pune. He was also a founding member of an "Ekadashi Sanghatana." Members of such organizations fasted on every "Ekadashi" and donated the money thus saved to funds established for the welfare of Indian political prisoners. Readers of this column would remember an article I wrote last year about these "Ekadashi Sanghatanas," the fasts on "Ashadhi Ekadashi" and Muharram, and how they forged a bond between the two communities (Fasting brings people of faith together, July 18, 2024).

"Ekadashi," the eleventh day of the waxing and waning lunar cycles of the Hindu calendar, was a day of fasting for many Hindus. There were two "Ekadashis," and hence, two fasting days each month. While most men and women fasted for a day, some women kept the "Ekadashi" fast for three days. They lunched a day before "Ekadashi" and broke fast two days later after sunrise. Some chose to fast without water, while some ate only fruits.

"Ashadh Shuddha Ekadashi," also known as "Devashayani Ekadashi," the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of "Ashadh," was one of the most important of the "Ekadashis." Fasting was its essential aspect.