The" KANDE POHE".....

The" KANDE POHE".....

While watching a cookery show few days back, I came across an episode where KANDE POHE was made as a special recipe from Maharashtrian basket of delicacies. You all may wonder what a big deal in watching an episode on KANDE POHE!! That's a very common breakfast every Maharashtrian eats on most of the days. Hold on for a moment, you all will be taken aback to discover that THE KANDE POHE which I am talking about is the routine MATCH FIXING CEREMONY that happens when the groom comes to SEE the bride before FIXING the marriage...This ceremony has it's roots derived  from Hindu mythology!!

   Krishna, the natkhat nandlal has a childhood buddy named KUCHELA...He is the poorest of the friends Krishna has.One day KUCHELA gathered courage and decided to meet his friend Krishna in his palace after he owned the throne.

     A poor, lean, debilitating old Brahmin with half torn dhoti(a piece of garment which covers the lower part of the body) entered Krishna's palace.On seeing each other both the beloved buddies couldn't hold their tears and Krishna welcomed his friend with utmost love and hospitality.

  After about 4 days of stay in the palace then came his time of departure from his friend. While KUCHELA was going back, Krishna noticed a small sack  knotted at the end of his uttarya(a piece of garment to cover the upper body).on asking about the sack KUCHELA refused to talk about it with the intension of hiding what was in it. On deep perseverance by krishna, KUCHELA opened the knot and with tears in his eyes gave a HANDFUL OF POHE which he bought from his house.

  Krishna was overwhelmed by the gesture and ate the POHA with utmost love and affection.Kuchela's happiness knew no bounds!! He was ashamed to give the sack of poha to his friend owing to his povery and the guilt of not bringing anything valuable as a token of their friendship was eating away his conscience.

  This episode of poha brings us back to the present day scenario of the Traditional KANDE POHE ceremony where the bride comes with a plate of  pohe in her hand to begin the ceremony. The main reason behind KANDE POHE per say, instead of any other recipe or a dessert is to indicate that the BRIDE To BE will bring the same love and affection to the family in a similar way where poha was an EPITOME of love and affection shared between KRISHNA and KUCHELA!!!

RANJITA SHASTRI