Gujarati Story of Valentine's Day

[Guest guest]

Finally the origin of the tradition revealed:

The Gujarati 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 Gujarat!!

It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels,

continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis).

One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave

Pateliani, 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 Gujarati 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 Anand

and Ahmedabad. The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to

behave more respectfully with their Patelianis.

Thereafter, on 14th February, every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat 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 Gujju men realised 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 Gujarat 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 anglisised to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'.

And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day!

manish kothari