Chumavan
| चुमावन | |
|---|---|
| Chumaan | |
Conducting chumavan ritual at a Maithil Upanayan ceremony in the Mithila region | |
| Classification | |
| Sanskar ritual | |
| Sanskar | |
| Region | Mithila region and Bhojpuri region |
| Occasions | Bhojpuri Vivah, Maithil Vivah, Upanayan, Kojagra, Mundan, etc |
| Rituals and Blessings | Chumavan Geet, Durwakshat Mantra |
| Materials for ritual | Coloured rice grains with turmeric, durva grass, and curd |
Chumavan or Chumaon[1][2] (Maithili: चुमाओन) (Bhojpuri: चुमावन) is an auspicious ritual performed during weddings, sacred thread ceremonies, Kojagra and other auspicious ceremonies in the Mithila regions of Indian subcontinent.[3] It is also practiced in some villages of Bhojpuri speaking region. It involves anointing with rice grains coloured with turmeric, durva grass, and curd. During the ritual process, women sing folk songs in the regional languages of Maithili and Bhojpuri. These folk songs are known as Chumavan Geet,[4]. In the Mithila region, the elders of the family give blessings by chanting Durwakshat Mantra. It is based on folklore in the region.[5][6][7][8][9]
Description
[edit]In the Mithila region as well as Bhojpuri speaking areas of the Indian subcontinent, the Chumavan is an auspicious ritual practiced during some auspicious occasions in the families. It is generally observed on the occasion of Upanayan, mundan, marriage, Maithil Vivah, and Kojagra, etc.[10][5][9]
During the wedding ceremony, it is performed for the physical examination of the bride and groom. During the Chumavan ritual, the women attending the ceremony examine the body parts of the bride and groom by touching them secretly. In the ritual, the women sing Chumavan Geet and one by one they touch five parts of the body with akshat (rice grains) and finally impart blessings to the wedding couple.[7] The Chumavan Geet are blessings songs sung for the couple.[5]
In the Bhojpuri region, Chumawan is performed by married women, usually close relatives of the bride or bridegroom. During the ceremony, they hold uncooked rice in their hands, touch the bride's or bridegroom's hands, knees, and shoulders, and then throw the rice behind them. The ritual is repeated three, five, or seven times while traditional Bhojpuri Chumawan Geet are sung. It symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and auspiciousness, and is performed to invoke blessings for the couple's health, protection, abundance, and a prosperous married life, while also expressing the family's affection and goodwill.[11]


In the Mithila region, the items or money that the invited person gives to his relatives to fulfill the invitation during the auspicious occasions is also called Chumavan.[5]
References
[edit]- ↑ Rakesh, Ram Dayal (1990). Folk Culture of Nepal: An Analytical Study. Nirala Publications. p. 87.
- ↑ Choudhary, Indra Kumar (1988). Some Aspects of Social Life of Medieval Mithila, 1350-1750 A.D.: With a Special Reference to Contemporary Literatures. Kashi Prasad Jayaswal Research Institute. p. 140.
- ↑ Bhojapurī ke vivāha gīta: vibhinna vidhi-vidhānoṃ kī vyākhyā sahita 108 gīta (in Hindi). Bhāskara Sāhitya Bhāratī. 1995.
- ↑ Srivastava, Dr Manorama (2024-11-04). भृगुक्षेत्रे बागी बलिया (in Hindi). Blue Rose Publishers.
- 1 2 3 4 Śrīvāstava, Lakshmī Prasāda (1990). Bihāra loka saṃskrti kośa: Mithilā khanḍạ (in Hindi). Sītārāma Prakāśana.
- ↑ Bharat, E. T. V. (2025-10-06). "Sharad Purnima Attains Regional Flavour Of Kojagara In Mithilanchal". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- 1 2 "शादी-ब्याह से पहले इस रस्म में दर्द से कराह उठता है दूल्हा, जानें चुमावन वाली रस्म की खास परंपरा". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ↑ "Ram Sita Vivah: मैथिली चुमावन के साथ धूमधाम से मनाया गया राम सीता विवाह, आयोजन में जुटे लाखों श्रद्धालु". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- 1 2 Folk-lore. Indian Publications. 1965.
- ↑ Misra, Jayadeva (1981). Chanda Jha. Sahitya Akademi. p. 48.
- ↑ Boodhoo, Dr Sarita (2023-01-19). Geet Gawai (Bhojpuri Folk Songs In Mauritius): Geet Gawai Bhojpuri Folk Songs in Mauritius by Boodhoo, Dr. Sarita: Preserving the Rich Cultural Heritage of Bhojpuri Music in Mauritius. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-95386-74-6.