‘Boats are like family, as sacred as rivers to us’
PRAYAGARAJ: Members of the boatmen and fishermen community are upset over damage done to their boats in Baswar village allegedly by police on February 4 not only because they are costly and their sole means for making a livelihood but also because the community reveres these boats.
A special puja is performed when the boats enter the water for the first time. Community members are invited on the auspicious occasion. Many boatmen perform puja of their boats every year to mark the day, they claim.
Mostly settled in the villages on the banks of Rivers Ganga and Yamuna, this community is mostly dependent on their boats for their livelihood which they earn by ferrying people across the rivers at different ghats and by catching fish for selling etc. Hundreds of them ferry pilgrims to Sangam during Kumbh, magh melas and even on normal days.
As the community depends on boats for living since ages, they have a special bonding with their boats which they consider equal to their family members.
Since ancient times, many myths and rituals have been connected to boats along with special folk songs which are sung when new boat is taken into the river said Vandana Nishad, a resident of Baswar.
“A special puja is performed when a new boat takes shape and is about to enter the river.
The boat is decorated, and vermillion is smeared on it by the priests amidst presence of the owner of the boat and other members of the community.
“The women and children then take a ride in the boat and sing ancient folk songs to please Mother Ganga and Yamuna to keep their boat safe and protect them from calamities. A community feast is also organized by owner of new boat according to his capacity,” she added.
“It was Nishadraj who ferried Lord Ram across the river and received a boon that Lord Ram will take us across from this world to another same as Nishadraj has taken him across the river” said Dwarika Nishad, one of the 18 boats men whose boat was allegedly damaged by police during crackdown on illegal mining.
“Boats are sacred as they move in Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Every time we enter our boats, we bow to it and pay respect. The nail which is installed in boat at its temple is considered to be holy and is said to be carrying mystical healing powers and is sometimes wore as a ring for good luck, said Lalji, another boatman.
“Damaging the boats has not only affected the livelihood of some boatmen but has hurt the sentiments of all community members. Boat is equally sacred to us as the rivers and worshipped as Goddess Laxmi,” said corporator Ranjeev Nishad of Daraganj.
Ranjeev said that manufacturing cost of a small boat is between Rs 1 to 1.50 lakh while big boats may cost even upto Rs 5 to 6 lakh.