Swinging is commonly thought of as a recreational pastime, but did you realize it has a long history? Swings have long been a popular attraction for Hindu festivals such as Janmashtami, Hindola, and Rajo praba.
This story begins when Lord Krishna was a child, and he used to sleep in the swing known as Parna. Every year on the auspicious day of Janmashtami when Lord Krishna was born, worshipers from all over the world gather to swing Lord Krishna. As a result of this, every Indian home had a Parna or cradle to provide their children with a peaceful sleep like Lord Krishna.
Even Women across Orissa celebrate a festival called “Rajo Praba.” This event commemorates the menstruation of mother earth, Lord Jagannatha’s wife, by having women swing on swings ornamented with leaves and flowers. Jhula or parna is passed down from generation to generation as a blessing. In the festivities of Ramanavami, Krishna Janmashtami, or Mahavir Jayanti, swings represent the god’s birth. During the Holi festival, the same swings represent real joy. This one object beautifully expresses a variety of emotions in a variety of settings.
In the past, every little occasion was connected with swings, like every lullaby that our mothers sang for us, like how we battled for the special seat we wanted to take every time we swung, like how every special occasion would lead to gathering around the jhula.
Return to a time when every other home had a swing, but as our lives grew larger, our square feet decreased, and so did the swings in every home.
Swings were just an essential element of each home. Remember the times we used to spend our time swinging along with our friends at the banyan tree. These memories will stay with us throughout our lives.
Let’s not only remember those beautiful times but cherish their importance by teaching our kids how fun it is to swing a jhula. And as we know the importance of swings, Dhknd brings to you an ultimate collection of swings and parna’s, to bring the future closer to life and culture.
Heema Dalwadi
( CFO of Dhknd Management Inc )