Momin (UK) replied on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 03:31 PM
The Punjabi Story of Valentine's Day‏!
The Punjabi Story of Valentine's Day. In spite of what you have been told
by everyone, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years
ago, in India, and to top it all, in Punjab!!
It is a well known fact that Punjabi men continually mistreat and disrespect
their wives. One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave
Punjaban, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to
rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin).
Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him....only
this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened. This was
a momentous occasion for all Punjabi women and a revolt soon spread, like wild
fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the
Velan.
There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over
Jallandhar and Chandigarh. The Punjabi men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and
started to behave more respectfully with their wives.
Thereafter, on 14th February, every year, the womenfolk of Punjab would beat up
their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day. The wives having the
satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the
supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved. Soon the Punjabi
men realized that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to
their wives....they brought flowers and sweetmeats. Hence the tradition began.
As Punjab fell under the influence of Western culture, that day was called
'Velan time' day. The ritual soon spread to Britain
and many other
Western countries, specifically, the catch words 'Velan time!'. Of
course in their foreign tongues, it was first pronounced to 'Velantime'
and then to 'Valentine'. And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be
known as Valentine's Day !! |
