Dussehra 2024: Experts Dive Into The Significance Of Jau

As the ninth day of Navratri ends, the Hindu festival Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is celebrated to mark the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana. The celebration of good over evil is popularly celebrated by burning effigies of Ravana and his brothers across different parts of India. However, another significant ritual observed during this festival, which is often overlooked, is planting jau.

During Navratri, jau or barley seeds are planted in Indian households and are harvested for puja on Dussehra. To understand the cultural significance and the right ways to use jau on the Hindu festival, Vijaya Dashami, Slurrp interviewed Dr Jai Madaan, a celebrity astrologer and Vastu expert. Read on to learn about the age-old custom of using jau on Dussehra with this exclusive interview with Dr Jai Madaan.

What is the cultural significance of planting jau (barley) during Dussehra?

Religiously and culturally, barley is important for Indians as it is believed that barley was the first crop after creation, symbolising Brahma, and is offered during goddess worship. During Navratri, barley saplings, called "nortein" (meaning nine nights), are sown and pulled out on Dussehra, tied with mauli to symbolise prosperity. 

The growth of barley during Navratri is believed to predict the future. Healthy, rapid growth indicates blessings, while dense white growth symbolises Success. Stunted or black barley is seen as inauspicious. After nine days, the saplings are immersed in a river. Barley is also seen as a symbol of fertility and Mother Earth, and this tradition coincides with India's monsoon to post-monsoon transition, using seasonal rains to produce a successful crop. 

Also Read: Durga Puja 2024: The Significance Of Paan In Vijaya Dashami Rituals

Where does this tradition of planting jau during Dussehra originate from? 

Barley, cultivated in the Indus Valley Civilization around 3300-2500 BC, has been a staple for thousands of years. During Navratri, the Khetri (Kalash or Ghata) holds deep significance as a sacred symbol of Goddess Durga. It is a pot filled with water, adorned with leaves and a coconut, representing the goddess’s presence. The ritual of "Kalash Sthapana" marks the start of Navratri, with the water in the Khetri believed to absorb divine blessings, symbolising prayers for prosperity and protection.

The Khetri, an earthen pot filled with sand or soil, is used during Navratri to grow barley (jau) seeds with minimal water for nine days. Barley, believed to be the first crop of the universe, holds mythological significance, symbolising creation. During Navratri, devotees place the Khetri at home, observing fasts and performing rituals like Durga Saptashati Paath.

So, while Navratri brings peace and bliss to homes, sowing barley (jau) seeds to grow Khetri on the first day symbolises planting positivity and seeking the blessings of the Divine Mother.

Is there a mythological or symbolic connection between jau and Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana?

Jau does find mention in ancient texts. Upon reaching Ayodhyā, Lord Rāmacandra heard that in His absence, His brother Bharata was eating barley. His body was with the bark of trees, wearing matted locks of hair, and lying on a mattress of kuśa. The most merciful Lord very much lamented this.

Also, Panchavati, from where Sita was abducted, situated on the banks of the River Godavari, there was a forested plain called Samam which comprised of fruit yielding, flowery, aromatic and hardwood trees and cereals in this region like barley, wheat and sali rice.

In which parts of India is this practice still celebrated?

In agrarian India, sowing barley during Navratri symbolises the connection between nature, food, and spirituality. It expresses gratitude to the goddess for a fruitful harvest and seeks blessings for the coming season. The growing barley visually represents the land's fertility and the sustenance it provides, highlighting the need to live in harmony with nature.

Sowing barley seeds during Navratri is a traditional ritual, particularly in northern India, symbolising growth, prosperity, and good fortune. Devotees plant barley in earthen pots on the first day of Navratri, known as Pratipada, to seek Goddess Durga's blessings for a bountiful harvest. The growing barley represents renewal, fertility, and the nurturing power of the goddess. It reflects the agrarian roots of Indian society, with Navratri falling during key harvest seasons, aligning spiritual practices with the agricultural cycles. The sprouting seeds are seen as a metaphor for growth, success, and the cyclical nature of life.

Watching barley grow during Navratri reinforces patience and persistence, symbolising that spiritual and personal growth, like the barley, requires time, care, and effort. The nine-day festival is a spiritual journey, with the growing barley representing the soul's deepening connection to the divine. This ancient tradition merges the practical and spiritual, symbolising life, fertility, and prosperity while honouring the cyclical nature of existence and connecting to India’s enduring agricultural heritage.

What are the key rituals that involve jau during Dussehra?

Barley is significant in Hindu culture, indicating the upcoming harvest season and embodying renewal and the nurturing power of the goddess. For devotees, the sprouting seeds reflect their prayers for growth, success, and fulfilment, highlighting the balance between nature and spirituality. This symbolism of renewal and prosperity is central to understanding the ritual's importance.

The process of growing barley during Navratri starts with worshipping the Kalash or Ghatasthapana. A copper or brass pot is filled with clean soil, and barley seeds are sprinkled on top. In some regions, the seeds are soaked overnight for faster sprouting. The pot is then placed in the prayer area, serving as the nucleus of daily worship during the festival.

During Navratri, the ritual of planting barley seeds, known as Khetri or Ghatasthapana, takes place on the first day (Pratipada). The seeds germinate over nine days, with shoots appearing by the third day, symbolising the presence of Goddess Shakti and representing hope, fertility, and prosperity.

At the end of Navratri, barley plants are either immersed in flowing water, symbolising the completion of prayers, or used to decorate Goddess Durga's idols. In some regions, they are placed at home entrances to invite good fortune.

What are the practices to follow with jau during and after Dussehra?

When Lord Brahma created the earth, barley was the first crop to develop. The green shoots that sprout from barley when sown at home symbolise the wealth and prosperity of the household. On the other hand, if the barley turns yellow instead of green, it is considered inauspicious. On the first day of Navratri, barley is sown before the Goddess, and she showers her blessings on the family for the next nine days.

Once the barley sprouts, you should carefully take out a few grains. These grains should be wrapped in a red cloth and placed in your wallet or safe. If you wish to acquire knowledge, you can also place these grains in the books of children who are studying. If someone has been ill for a long time, the juice from these barley grains can be extracted and consumed.

The remaining barley and the soil in which they were sown should be immersed in flowing water on the tenth day. Remember that if you have sown barley at home, they should be immersed in water while they are still green. They should not be left to dry at home, as the barley represents the progress of the family and, thus, should not be allowed to dry.

Does jau also have significance in Ayurveda?

Barley, or Yava in Ayurveda, is the fourth most important cereal after wheat, maise, and rice, known for its high dietary fibre content. Barley grass juice aids in weight loss by reducing cholesterol, boosting metabolism, and curbing appetite. Its seeds act as a diuretic, supporting kidney health and preventing stone formation. 

In Ayurveda, Barley’s laxative properties help relieve constipation. Barley water can enhance breast milk production and digestion, though pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before use. Additionally, Barley seed paste with coconut oil benefits skin health, and young Barley leaves can promote skin whitening by inhibiting melanin production.