Understanding the Philosophy and Science of Avala Navami (Festival of Indian Culture) - from the Perspective of Addressing Individual and Global Challenges

Contemporary society is experiencing a surge in physical, mental, and spiritual ailments, attributable to factors such as irregular lifestyles, diminished consumption of natural foods and herbs, and reduced interaction with the natural world. Concurrently, humanity faces formidable global challenges, such as environmental degradation, owing to narrow-minded materialistic mindset, intolerance, excessive exploitation of natural resources, deforestation, etc. In contrast, such issues were not generally seen in the ancient Indian culture, as it was characterized by profound empathy for all living beings. To make this ethos an integral part of the culture, the ancient Indian sages instituted various practices within the social framework, of which an important one was - festivals. Festivals not only fostered conviviality and collectivity in life, but also instilled idealism and cultivated empathy towards nature and all sentient beings. Therefore, comprehension of the epistemology (philosophy and science) of festivals may offer avenues for resolving contemporary individual and global predicaments. In this vein, the present research paper elucidates the epistemology (philosophy and science) of 'Avala Navami', a festival characterized by the veneration/worship of the Avala tree. The ritualistic worship entails profound inspirations, such as recognizing the importance of enhancing greenery and committing to its preservation; consuming medicinal herbs for better health; and, engaging in cooperative and joyful worship. Furthermore, the pivotal role of women (imbued with heightened empathy), in the protection and enrichment of nature, has resonated with scholars of contemporary cultural ecofeminism. Thus, proper understanding and assimilation of the epistemology (philosophy and science) of 'Avala Navami' can potentially contribute to the mitigation of various challenges.