Pola or Bial Pola is one of the widely celebrated festivals dedicated to cattle in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and some parts of other North Indian states. Pola is celebrated on Pithroti Amavasya, the new moon day in Shravan month (August – September). In 2009, the date of Pola or Bail Pola is August 20.
Though in every aspect of agriculture famers use mechanical equipments for farming, in many places of India bullocks are used for farming the land. This is the very festive occasion for the farmers to pay their respect towards their bullocks. That is the reason why Pola is also called Bail Pola.
How is Bail Pola celebrated? Rituals and customs of Bail Pola
Pithori Amavasya or Pitori Amavas is the festival observed on the Amavasya (No Moon day) during Bhadrapad or Bhadra month. In 2009, the date of Pithori Amavasya is August 20, Thursday. As per Marati Calendar, Pithori Amavasya, also celebrated as Pola, falls on Amavasya in the Sravana month.
Pithori Amavasya is an observance performed by married woman for their children health and prosperity. ‘Pith’ means flour by which the name comes into existence. On Pitori Amavas, married women, especially mothers, worship 64 Goddesses for their children long life. In the past, idols of these 64 Goddesses were made of ‘Pith’ and some special recipes were offered to the Goddesses.
In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Shravan Amavasya is observed as Polala Amavasya. On Pithori Amavasya, performing Pitru Tharpan or the Pinda daan to dead ancestors is highly meritorious.