Stories from the field

Farming is often seen as labor and livelihood, but when I visited the fields with the Mallah community farmers, specially during my interaction with farmer Gajendra Ji, I realized it is also faith, tradition, and gratitude woven together.

As they took me to the makhana fields, I witnessed a deeply moving ritual that marks the beginning of every harvest. Before a single seed is touched or a plant is uprooted, the farmers perform a pious puja, offering prayers to Ganga Maiya—also known locally as Kamala Maiya.

Here, water is not just a natural resource—it is sacred. The farmers bow to the very ponds and rivers that nurture the makhana plants. Flowers, leaves, and offerings are gently placed on a small mound of earth, while prayers seek blessings for prosperity, protection, and abundance.

Listening to the farmers and watching them perform the ritual, I felt the depth of their connection with nature. For them, this act is not just tradition; it is a way of aligning their hard work with divine grace. It reminded me that agriculture, in its truest sense, is a partnership between human effort, nature’s rhythm, and faith in the unseen.

This experience left me with a powerful realization: in the Mallah community, farming is more than cultivation—it is a prayerful journey. Every harvest begins not with tools, but with folded hands, whispered chants, and a deep respect for the goddess who sustains life. The first harvest, then, is not just about food—it is about faith.