Navadhanya

{{Short description|Nine essential grains in Indian cuisine}} '''Navdhānya''' or '''Navadhaniyam''' refers to nine important food grains in Indian cuisine:<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine|year=2023|isbn=978-1-350-12865-1|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|page=331}}</ref> wheat, paddy, pigeon pea, hyacinth bean, chickpea, mung bean, sesame, black gram and horse gram.<ref>{{cite book|title=Southern Economist|volume=31|year=1992|first=Susheela|last=Subrahmanya|publisher=University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|page=26}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Hinduism and Nature|first=Nanditha|last=Krishna |year=2017|isbn=978-9-387-32654-5|publisher=Penguin Random House India}}</ref> The term Navdhānya literally means "nine grains" in several Indian languages.

==Hindu theology== In Hindu cosmology, Navdhānya are considered to represent the Navagraha (nine planets).<ref>{{cite book|title=Teaching Religion and Healing|first=Inés M.|last=Talamantez|year=2006|isbn=978-0-199-72737-7|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=71}}</ref> The grains represent the following nodes:<ref>{{cite book|title=The Makers of the World:Caste, Craft, and Mind of South Indian Artisans|first=Jan|last=Brouwer|year=1995|isbn=978-0-195-63091-6|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=89}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+Navagrahas: !No. !Image !Name !Western equivalent !Day !Food grain |- |1. |90px |Surya |Sun |Sunday |Wheat |- |2. |90px |Chandra |Moon |Monday |Paddy |- |3. |90px |Mangala |Mars |Tuesday |Chickpea |- |4. |90px |Budha |Mercury |Wednesday |Mung bean |- |5. |90px |Bṛhaspati |Jupiter |Thursday |Bengal gram |- |6. |90px |Shukra |Venus |Friday |White bean |- |7. |90px |Shani |Saturn |Saturday |Black sesame |- |8. |90px |Rahu |Ascending node of the Moon | |Black gram |- |9. |90px |Ketu |Descending node of the Moon | |Horse gram |}

==Worship and rituals== It is customary for Hindus to use Navdanya during certain rituals and auspicious events.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Makers of the World: Caste, Craft, and Mind of South Indian Artisans|author=Jan Brouwer|year=1995|isbn=978-0-195-63091-6|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=155}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Vedic Voices:Intimate Narratives of a Living Andhra Tradition|first=David M.|last=Knipe|year=2015|isbn=978-0-190-26673-8|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> Traditional Hindu initiation ceremonies such as Upanayana and Vidyāraṃbhaṃ involve the offering of navdhanya.<ref>{{cite book|title=Cultural Rhythms in Emotions, Narratives and Dance|first=Nita|last=Mathur|year=2002|isbn=978-8-121-50993-0|publisher=University of Michigan|page=62}}</ref> During festivals such as Saraswati Puja, a new scroll and writing equipment are placed on the navdhanya.<ref>{{cite book|title=Festivals of Tamil Nadu|first=Mu|last=Aruṇācalam|year=1980|publisher=University of Michigan|page=74}}</ref>

In Mariamman worship in South India, the sprouts of these food grains, traditionally known as ''mullaipaari'' forms an important part of festivals and rituals.<ref>{{cite book|title=Religious Experience in the Hindu Tradition|year=2019|isbn=978-3-039-21050-3|publisher=Mdpi AG|page=147}}</ref> The seeds are grown on temporary trays or pots and are either allowed to sprout in the temple or carried to the temples after sprouting. If the seeds sprout healthily, it is considered as a good sign and an indication of an upcoming good harvest.<ref>{{cite book|title=Journal for the Study of Religion|volume=18|year=2005|publisher=Association for the Study of Religion|page=56}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Navagraha Category:Hindu astronomy Category:Hindu astrology Category:Hindu theology Category:Indian cuisine