Tamdeh is one of the most important holidays in the Duggar tradition, and it is celebrated with tremendous delight and fervour on Ashad Sankranti. It is believed that the Sun (Surya) is the Chief of the grahas, and that it stays in each zodiac sign (Rashis) for a month before changing 12 zodiac signs in a year.

As a result, there are 12 Sankrantis throughout the year, during which the Sun resides in various zodiac signs and constellations, influencing human actions and activities. For the Dogras, every Sankranti is a holy day, and people, especially ladies, believe it auspicious to fast and pray on this day.

The Sun, which is considered the source of all energy for this globe, is through various changes on this day. Ashad Sankranti is the day on which Tamdeh is commemorated. The name ‘Tamdey’ is thought to be derived from the Hindi word ‘Dharam Dhiada,’ which means’religious day.’ Worshiping the Sun God is especially helpful on this day and is said to bring good fortune to the family.

When this day arrives, people, including children, bathe in a holy river or lake and present water to the Sun God in exchange for family prosperity and good health.

Offering red flowers to God, praying with copper utensils, and donating garments, grains, fruits, and money to the poor are all considered auspicious. When it comes to sun worship and devotion, red is the colour of choice.

Brahmins are also invited to eat and receive dakshina. Aside from its religious importance, pitchers, hand fans, utensils, fruits, sugar, grains, steel containers for storing flour/rice, and other items are presented to married daughters and sisters on this eve.

Local potters in the villages used to provide as many earthen pitchers to each home as the number of daughters they had married in the beautiful days gone by.

As they usually visited their paternal houses on this day, these pitchers would be filled with grains, sugar, or locally manufactured jaggery and then handed to them. The potter was given grains or money in exchange. It used to be a time for the girls to travel long distances to see their parents, siblings, and other relatives, as well as a time of celebration for the entire family. People used to present the married daughters of their neighbours something on this joyous occasion since people’s relationships were fairly informal and strong back then.

While married daughters were given pitchers and other gifts on this day, unmarried daughters sow grains, pulses, and other seeds in the ‘Raadas’ in the broken pitchers’ necks, water them every morning after a bath, decorate them with locally made biodegradable colours & cook delicious food every Sunday, sing and enjoy amidst fun and frolic, and finally immerse them in the rivers and streams on the eve of the Minjraan festival on Saavan However, it is unfortunate that this important event, which was previously celebrated with tremendous zeal, is losing its allure among the younger population.

Though this holiday is observed in cities as well, the excitement, passion, and ardour exhibited in rural areas are seldom replicated in towns and cities. In today’s world, married girls are frequently given other valuable items instead of earthen pitchers, and the tradition of sowing Raades is only practised in a few rural houses.

In Dogra tradition, married daughters and sisters are known as Kuldevis and are given clay pots, steel utensils, sugar, and fruits in exchange for blessings for the family’s well-being. All of this leads to the straining of various relationships. This event is observed for a variety of reasons. There were limited modes of transportation, communication, and connectivity in the past.

As a result, there was no information about the well-being of diverse relationships. Such celebrations were once held to bring together distant relatives and share their joys and sorrows. Furthermore, because it was mango, muskmelons, and melons season, these fruits were also given to the married daughters and sisters.

Raades were seeded in the past to predict which crop will provide the most output in a given season. It was also a symbol of fertility and expansion. On this day, the atmosphere would be filled with excitement and energy as exquisite traditional Dogra food such as Keurs, Khamires, Babroos, Madra, Auria, and others were enjoyed with raw ‘Mango Chutney’ and pickle, among other things.

However, such socially significant festivals are losing their allure among the younger population. Today’s young are tied to their laptops, cellphones, video games, and other electronic devices, leaving little time to appreciate our culture and enjoy traditional festivals. It is the responsibility of parents to expose their children to our rich culture and urge them to participate actively in fairs and traditional festivals in order to preserve and convey our rich culture to future generations.