Culture and Festivals
Dasara or Dusshera is the main festival in Savji community during which goddess of power or Shakti is worshiped. Special culinary dishes like edimi (prepared of wheat flour, gram flour), arithi (prepared of wheat flour in shape of Diyas) and offer lalpani (intoxicants) to the Goddess Bhavani. On every Kartika month Sapthami tithi in Shravana Nakshatra Savjis celebrate the birthday of Sri Sahastrarjun called “Sahastrarjuna Jayanti” with much pomp and gaiety. Procession of Sahastrarjun’s idol is taken out in many places on the Sahastrarjuna Jayanti. Other festivals that are celebrated are Diwali, Holi and other traditional Hindu festivals. Every year communities in some places organize social gathering and deity prayer called “Bhandara”. The function is preceded with prayer, bhajan and aarti of the deity, followed by meals in the form of Prasad. The meal served during the function is mostly vegetarian food.
Like Brahmins, Savjis perform the thread ceremony (Upanayana). Marriages follow the traditional Vedic wedding and happens for three days with all the rituals like deity pooja, engagement, “Gandh”, “Haldi” etc. Offering dowry in any form is strictly forbidden in the community. This is a notable feature of Savji community which they take lot of pride in. Moreover, the marriage ceremony is performed by the bride groom’s side. In many places mass marriages and upanayanas are conducted for the welfare of poor samaj people. During marriage the bride and groom side look for the Lagna and Janma Kundli to match between the boy and the girl, and also for the matching Gotra. Wedding date is fixed based on the Panchang for auspicious day. Inter caste marriages are not very common in the community. Marriages mostly happen within the community and in some cases between far relatives. Because of this close association, the community has also managed to preserve its distinct culture and tradition.
Traditionally men in the community appended “sa” and women “bai” to their names, for example: Yellosa, Pitambarsa, Ambubai etc. It is also considered respectful among elders to call someone of their age with the “sa” or “bai” appended to their name when referring or addressing them.
Most places have a committee called the “Punch” formed with elders in the community. The “Punch” committee takes care of organizing social events, gatherings and functions in those places, finances for the welfare of the community etc. Most marriages are registered with the “Punch” for record. The “Punch” also helps to resolve community issues, family issues when required. Before going to court or legal system, the members of the community discuss the matter with the “Punch” and take their advice and try to resolve the issue within themselves. Because of these social works, the “Punch” committee is highly respected in the community. Most of the community functions happen in community center or in temple halls after taking the blessings of the deity.
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