The holy taste of May Tuesdays in Lucknow
![]() |
Bada Mangal, when the streets become temples, where kindness is served warm, and devotion flows with every bowl.” |
Do you think being in the sticky, sweltering heat of Lucknow in May-June sounds like a tragic miscalculation? Ordinarily, yes. But if you happen to find yourself here on a Tuesday in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, you’ve stumbled into a heartwarming loophole in summer’s tyranny.
No,
this is certainly not a weather miracle, and Tuesdays aren’t any cooler. But
what you get is a sight as rare as a breeze in the noon sun: crowds standing
patiently (mostly otherwise though) in front of small shamiyanas, the
flat tents, for a free-meal and buttermilk or sherbet (flavoured,
non-dairy, sweet drink). The generosity is not like a flash sale; the whole
affair goes on for hours.
That is the celebration of Bada/Budhwa
Mangal (Big/Old Tuesday), a festival unique to Lucknow and celebrated on the
Tuesdays falling in this month. This year Jyeshtha has five Tuesdays. The third
one passed earlier this week, but there are still two more to go.
The reason for this celebration?
Some say Lord Hanuman (monkey god for easy recognition for those who do not know) met Lord Rama for the first time on a Tuesday in the month of Jyeshtha. Thus, the belief is that all Jyeshtha Tuesdays are auspicious.
The city celebrates the festival
for another totally different reason too. Lucknow has a sizeable population of
both Hindus and Muslims, and believe it or not, whatever might happen outside,
they have lived happily together.
It is said the young son of the last
Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah, fell ill. He tried all kinds of doctors and medicine,
but to no avail. The boy’s condition kept worsening. The
Begum, the wife of the Nawab, distraught over her child’s failing health, asked
everyone she could, for help, willing to try anything, however unlikely.
Then some people advised her to
visit the old temple of Lord Hanuman in Aliganj area on a Tuesday and pay her
obeisance. The worried and anxious mother did as she was told. Slowly, the
condition of the boy began to improve and soon enough, he was fit and healthy.
That was a hot summer Tuesday in
the month of Jyeshtha.
Grateful and joyous, she offered gur
(jaggery) as prasad (offering) to the deity and distributed it among the
subjects. The couple became devotees of Lord Hanuman and ordered the
reconstruction of the temple. For a century and a half now, this festival is
being celebrated in the city.
Popular belief is that worshipping
Hanuman especially on these days, removes all sorrows and problems in life.
People turn extra generous and try to feed as many as possible without looking
or asking for their religion or faith. The spirit of the day is not in
worshipping, but in giving.
I was told that last Tuesday, May 27,
was doubly auspicious because it was also the day of Shani Jayanti, i.e., birth
of Saturn, to Chhaaya
(also means shadow), and Sun god.
So, those
who believe in astrology and are supposedly suffering the wrath of Saturn,
would have benefitted from the worship of Hanuman.
Why?
The story goes that demon king Ravana once kidnapped
Lord Shani Dev and put him in jail where he kept him for a considerably long
time. The helpless Shani finally worshipped Lord Hanuman who came and freed
him. In gratitude, Shani promised to pardon anyone who worshipped Hanuman with
full faith.
People desirous of pleasing Hanuman or expressing their gratitude for the boons he has bestowed upon them, organise bhandaras (large free community meals). They set up tents on roadsides, perform pooja (worship) of Lord hanuman with oil lamps, flowers, and red cloth, and make the offering. There are no public declarations or announcements, billboards or advertisements beforehand, just pop-up structures for the occasion!
The usual prasad is poori/kachori
(fried/lentils stuffed and fried Indian bread) with spicy kaddu (pumpkin)
or potato curry or sometimes karhi-chawal (chickpea soup with chickpea
flour dumplings-rice), boondi (sugar syrup-dipped fried droplets of
chickpea batter) or halwa. The curry is put at the bottom in
environment-friendly done (bowls made of dried leaves) and two to four
thick pooris placed on top.
But it is not a quiet occasion.
Loudspeakers start blaring at the bhandara venues hours before the
actual distribution begins. Depending on the management, there are long orderly
queues or huddled noisy crowds. People await their turn and don’t be surprised
if you see them strategically getting into the queue again, to get more.
Whether it is an expression of a mother's love, a
testament to interfaith harmony, an act of charity, or a reflection of Lord
Hanuman’s boundless grace, Bada Mangal holds a special place in the
heart of Lucknow. It gently reminds us to
stay grounded, to serve others without hesitation, and to believe in the quiet
strength of prayer. Above all, it celebrates the spirit of coming together of
community, compassion, and shared humanity.
Even
if you’re like me, more spiritually curious than ritualistically inclined, and
are here mostly for the cultural intel (plus the spicy eats), I’d still suggest
you to plan your Lucknow visit around a Tuesday in the next fortnight. The
prasad is generous, the vibe is unforgettable, and spiritual enlightenment
might just come served in a dona.
FYI-The next Bada Mangal is on June 3 and the last one on June 10.
Leftovers of gratitude: Devotion: 100. Civic sense: 0. Should the civic authorities invoke Lord Hanuman to teach people cleanliness?
- Anupama S Mani
जस्ट speech less joyfull ness of प्रसादम amazing taste without any second thought of how it is prepared just out side
ReplyDeleteI eagerly wait for Bara Mangal each year.
ReplyDeleteNicely explained especially the definition of prasads and idioms related to conventional thoughts...deep rooted knowledge of Hindu culture and society discussed 💐🙏
ReplyDeleteHa ha.Great to read the stor(ies) behind the big event.😃😍 Akg
DeleteA delightful blend of devotion and civic reflection… and the closing image of leftover food says it all.
ReplyDelete“Leftovers of gratitude: Devotion 100. Civic sense: 0.” ....what a brilliant ironic punchline! Sharp, witty, and it leaves us smiling and squirming all at once. 😄
For me, GOD is in your heart. No showmanship. I find well known rich persons lay bada mangal as a ritual. I don't believe in such rituals.
ReplyDeleteThis is heart warming. Nice to learn about this festival which fosters communal harmony.
ReplyDeleteLucknow civil authorities must visit Indore to acquire knowledge for cleanliness and how residents can be involved in keeping the city clean.
ReplyDeleteWelll.explained.
Very well written ma'am... You have given s detailed account of bada mangal...
ReplyDeleteMurti Puja is strictly banned in Islam and you are mentioning that Begum visted temple to pray to a Idol? please do research ..
ReplyDeleteMa'am’s blog “The Holy Taste of May Tuesdays in Lucknow” beautifully captures the soulful essence of Bada Mangal. Amid scorching heat, Lucknow radiates communal harmony as locals set up bhandaras offering free meals and drinks to all. Rooted in legends ranging from Lord Hanuman’s meeting with Lord Rama to the Nawabi era, the festival reflects gratitude and selfless giving. Ma'am highlights how faith and compassion turn the city into a celebration of shared humanity with no fanfare, just pure devotion and generosity.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to know about this [prasad distribution. Thanks for the blog.
ReplyDelete