Agera (festival)

Agera (East Indian:आगेरा) is a thanksgiving harvest festival celebrated by the Roman Catholic community of Mumbai primarily the Bombay East Indians. This festival is also celebrated in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Vasai.[1]

Agera
Harvested Wheat distributed during Agera Festival at Holy Cross Church, Kurla.
Official nameAgera, आगेरा
Observed byEast Indian Catholics
SignificanceCommemorates the Harvest festival in Mumbai.
Celebrationscommunity gathering, recitation of scriptures, blessing of harvest, sharing of harvest.
DateFirst Sunday in October
2022 dateOctober 02, 2022
2023 dateOctober 01, 2023
2024 dateOctober 06, 2024
2025 dateOctober 05, 2025
FrequencyAnnual
Related toThanksgiving, Harvest festival

This traditional harvest festival is held in the beginning of October, when the grain would be ready for harvest, and lasted for five days. This Festival was celebrated by East Indian families all over Mumbai. This festival would commence with the priest in every community, going down to the fields to bless the newly harvested crop and giving thanks to God, along with the farmers and villagers. After coming together in prayer, the community would celebrate with delicious food, singing and dance.[2]

Etymology

The word Agera is derived from Latin words Ager which means field or farm[3] and Agricola which means Farmer[4]

Date

Agera falls on the first Sunday of October.[5] It is normally called the Harvest festival where farmers cut the crops and offer the first fruits to God.[6] It is normally seen throughout India where different communities celebrate this festive in their own ways.

Celebrations

The East Indians were the people who were engaged in agricultural activities.[7] In the observed festival, paddy is harvested and subsequently brought to local churches in a ceremonial procession. This procession is characteristically accompanied by the East Indian Band. Members of the Catholic community transport the paddy on horse-drawn or bullock carts, culminating in its presentation at the church.[8] Upon arrival, priests bestow blessings upon the harvest.[9][10] Following the religious services, the blessed harvest is distributed to the households in attendance. The festival culminates with East Indian cultural events held in various villages, including Kurla, Marol, and others.[11]

References
  1. Sen, Sukanya (5 January 2022). "18 Popular Harvest Festivals Of India In 2022".
  2. "Archdiocese of Bombay". archdioceseofbombay.org. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  3. "Latin Word Study Tool". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  4. "Latin Word Study Tool". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  5. "AGERA: TRADITIONAL FEAST V/S THANKSGIVING, THE MODERN DAY VERSION;". SILENT VOICE. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  6. "The East Indian Community". The East Indian Community. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  7. "East Indians celebrate traditional harvest festival - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  8. "Agera fest sees a revival in city's churches". The Times of India. 6 October 2008.
  9. Church, I. C. "Immaculate Conception Church (Borivali, Mumbai)". Immaculate Conception Church (Borivali, Mumbai).
  10. "Announcements Our Lady of Lourdes church ( Orlem Malad Parish) Mumbai". ollcorlem.
  11. Mid, day. "Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier". Mid-day.


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