Shahdol: Demand for 'Padora' surges for Harchhath due to religious tradition; market price surges to ₹320 per kg in MP's Vindhya
Shahdol: In the Vindhya region, the festival of Harchhath is regarded not merely as an occasion of faith but also as a celebration of traditional dietary practices rooted in nature. Consequently, the demand for indigenous and wild Padora (a type of wild gourd/vegetable) has spiked in the markets for the festival. Large numbers of women were seen purchasing Padora in the vegetable markets of Shahdol.
According to religious belief, women observing the Harchhath fast consume only those fruits, vegetables, and forest produce that grow naturally—without the use of a plough—in forests, on hills, in fields, or along the embankments of ponds. This is why Padora holds special significance during this festival.
The surge in demand also impacted prices. Padora, which usually sells for ₹200 to ₹240 per kilogram, saw its price rise to ₹320 per kilogram on Harchhath. Local vendor Rampratap Sahu said that the small, indigenous variety of Padora was in highest demand.
Astrologer Pandit Sushil Shukla Shastri explains that consuming naturally grown produce during Harchhath is an integral part of the religious tradition. Padora, available during the monsoon season, is not only used in worship rituals but is also a vital element of the Vindhya region's traditional lifestyle and rural culinary heritage. The increased demand for it during Harchhath reflects the people's deep connection with nature and tradition.