Diyari Deepavali

If we look at the Diwali day worship rituals performed at a Sindhi home almost all are similar and resembling with Hindu worship rituals but still a few things are different. The important difference is at Sindhi homes along with worship of Goddess Laxmi there is ritual of worshiping Hatadi a typical structure made of clay. In the olden day commercial or business pleases of Sindhi community were pronounced as Hat meaning shop in fact word Hatadi is derivation of this word Hat. Thus, we can conclude that Sindhi community have a tradition of worshiping their shops along with Goddess Laxmi on the Diwali day.

In the modern times at some places wooden Hatadi and at most of Sindhi homes small steel plates are used in place of clay and home-made Hatadi. The number of Hatadi at worship place varies from home to home and is directly connected with number of male members of family. In the olden days there was tradition of keeping one more Hatadi in hope of arrival of next male member of family but now-a-days these numbers are equal. On each Hatadi and wall, near which space is decorated for Laxmi Pooja there is special diagram is drawn  with the help of Sindoor [Red] and Guli [Blue- a substance used to bring shine in washed cloths] called Butada is drawn.

In the Butada red color is symbol of asking boon for the women of family to remain for entire life with living husband and blue color is for boon of more cleanness. Actually, this Butada is drawn for saving the home from devil spirits and negativity. A green wild fruit called Mitero in Sindhi is kept on each Hatadi as symbol of Greenery and wellbeing.

Before the start of worship small quantity of sweets brought are placed on each Hatadi which is eaten after completing worship. Almost more than half century ago this was custom of Sindhi families that only male members were allowed to performed Hatadi Pooja but now-a-days all the families members are worshiping.