Students of Lucknow University (LU) are conducting the first-ever comprehensive study on the city’s ‘Bada Mangal’ bhandara culture, documenting over 2,100 community feasts organised across the city so far. The initiative, led by the Anthropology Department, aims to analyse the social, cultural and religious dimensions of this long-standing tradition.
Study Methodology and Scope
According to Udai Pratap Singh, head of the Anthropology Department, the research team has been divided into eight groups, each assigned to specific zones covering all areas of Lucknow. This sample-based study has recorded approximately 1,000 bhandaras on the first Bada Mangal alone, with a total of nearly 2,100 documented this year.
Significance of the Tradition
Bada Mangal is a unique festival celebrated in Lucknow, featuring large community feasts known as bhandaras. These events are held on Tuesdays during the Hindu month of Jyeshtha and are deeply rooted in local culture. The study seeks to understand how these gatherings foster social cohesion, religious devotion, and cultural identity among residents.
Singh emphasized that the research is not just about counting feasts but also about exploring the underlying social networks, economic contributions, and ritualistic practices associated with the bhandaras. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the evolving nature of community traditions in urban settings.
