Bihu- The Largest Festival Of Assam

Assam, the land of red river and blue hills is an ancient land. Its colorful history traces back to the time of Mahabharata when it was known as Pragjyotishpura. But, during the reign of Ahom rulers, Assam gets its present name.

This “gateway of north-east India” and political epicenter of the region has its own share of festivals. Most of its festivals are linked with the harvesting of crops as Assam is a agriculturally inclined state. The main festival of Assam is Bihu which is very popular among all the communities residing in this beautiful state.

Bihu is a blend of three different secular festivals of the state. Though they owe their origins to the ancient rites and practices, but with the gradual passage of time Bihu became one of the best marketed festival of Assam. Several urban features and Bihu folk songs and dance competitions has added more color to the festival.

Bihu is derived from the term Visuvan, which describes all the Indian festivals that falls in the month of March. Bihu is a combination of three festivals namely Bhogali Bihu (or Magh Bihu), Rongali Bihu (or Bohag Bihu) and last but not the least, Kongali Bihu (or Kati Bihu). 

Rongali Bihu- Among all of them, Rongali Bihu is the most popular one which is celebrated to welcome the Assamese New Year (around 15 April) . It marks the beginning of the Hindu solar calender and observed in the entire state with utmost joy and gaiety. On the very same day, people of other parts of India celebrates festivals like Poila Baishkh(West Bengal), Baisakhi(Punjab), Vishu etc. Rongali Bihu is a festival of merriment and feasting and generally continues for a weak. On the very first day “Goru Bihu” is celebrated which is mainly dedicated to cow worship. It falls on the last day of previous year. On this day cattle are washed, smeared with turmeric powder and other pastes.

Second day of Rongali Bihu is known as Manuh Bihu. It is the new year day. On this day, young members of the family shows respect to elders by presenting them gifts like bihuwan (a gamosa), a hachoti (kerchief), a cheleng etc and seek their blessings. Children are given new clothes, and Husori singing begins on this day, and people visit their relatives, friends and savour Assamese dishes like Til pitha, Malpua, Narikolar ladu, Tel Pitha, Aam Pitha, Nimakhiya Pitha etc. Another main attraction of Rongali Bihu is the folk dance and song which are performed by the unmarried Assamese men and women. Attired in golden silk muga, they dance in the open fields on the beats of Flutes, Dhol, Taal, Pepa etc.

Bhogali Bihu- The word Bhogali comes from the the term bhog which means eating and enjoyment. It is a harvesting festival which marks the end of harvest season. Bhogali Bihu which also known as Maag Bihu, falls in mid-January. It coincides with other Indian festivals like Makar sankranti, Pongal, and Lohri. Uruka, the eve of the main festival falls on the last day of Pausa month. On this day, the younger generation more particularly young men prepares makeshift huts called Bhelaghar with the hay and the Meji. During the night, they prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. Throughout the night people sing Bihu songs and play various kinds of games. Next morning they take bath and burn the main Meji.

While burning the Meji, people gather around it and throw Pithas (rice cakes) and betel nuts to it. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Thereafter they come back home carrying pieces of half burnt firewood for being thrown among fruit trees for favourable results. All the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. Pithas which are made on this occasion are Sunga pitha, Til Pitha, Bhapot Diya Pitha, Narikolar pitha, Bhat Pitha, Tilor Laru etc. Different types of sports like Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight etc. are held throughout the day.

Kongali Bihu- Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu is celebrated in mid-October. There is less merriment on this occasion and it is celebrated in solemnity. During this time of the year, the paddy in the fields are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost empty. On this day, earthen lamps (saki) are lit at the foot of the household Tulsi plant, the granary, the garden and the paddy fields. To protect the maturing paddy, farmers whirl a piece of bamboo and recite chants of rowa-khowa chants and seek blessing of God, so that they can protect their crop from pests and evil eyes. On this occasion also people exchanges sweets and greetings to their friends and relatives.

By Jolly Mazumdar

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New Year Party

  Its party time!! say good bye to previous year and welcome the coming Year. Drinks, dance and music makes the moment more delightful. New Year eve is a great time to celebrate and enjoy at night clubs, homes or any party venue you wish to choose. Party halls are glittering with colorful shiny decorative items, serving some delicious snacks and drinks. During the party everybody gets into the mood of celebrations

New Year is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur. On the eve of new year celebration, people organizes gatherings, where they invite their friends and relatives. In the fervor of celebration, everybody tap their feet on the rhythm of loud electrifying fast beats.

Children have their own way of welcoming the new year. Some small games are arranged to entertain young kids. Antakshari, Musical Chair and many other interesting games forms an important part of the celebrations.

Celebration venues decorated with sparking materials, fills the mood with joy and excitement. Discotheques are crowded, specially with youngsters, each one of them enjoying every moment of the party. Relish at delicious dinner and make up your mood with different kinds of cocktails like whiskey, vodka, taquilla, alcohol and many varieties of mocktails.

Gifts and cards make the new year more lively. People exchange gifts and cards with their loved ones and friends and greet them for upcoming bright future. They leave behind all their gloomy days and welcomes the new year with warm heart. New year signifies a renewal of life, where the spirit of celebrations reaches the zenith.  

By- Nisha Kaur

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Karwa Chauth-a festival for wedded bliss

India is a country full of fairs and festivals. Here, in India every season or month is attached with one or more festivals. People of every community celebrates these festivals with utmost joy and enthusiasm.

Just few days back we have celebrated the ten days long Dusshera and Durga Puja festivals and now, its time for Karwa Chauth. It is going to observe on 7th October, 2009.

Karwa chauth is a festival that is mostly solemnized by the married Hindu and Sikh ladies of north-western India. This glorified festival falls in Autumn season and observe on the fourth day after the full moon in Kartik month of Hindu calender ie October or November.

Mostly married women celebrates this festival for bestowing wedded bliss. It is a celebration that invigorate the eternal love and devotion between both husband and wife. Few days before, Karva Chauth ladies purchase some new Karvas, the spherical clay pots and decorate them with beautiful designs. They keep bangles, ribbons, home-made sweets, make-up items, and small clothes like handkerchief etc inside the pot.

There are variations within regions, groups, and communities in India about rituals of starting and breaking the fast, and worshiping the moon. In Punjab, mother-in-law gives or sent sergi to her daughter-in-law during wee hours, which includes sweets, dry fruits like cashew nuts, pea nuts, pista, almonds, clothes, red bangles, bindis, red vermilion and some gold jeweleries.

After savoring food items that are included in sergi before dawn, ladies take bathe, wear new sari and adorned their palms with henna and other accessories and worship to God. They keep a whole day long fast without consuming any food or water for the longevity and welfare of their husbands.

In late afternoon, ladies gather at a common place and listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha (the legend) which is narrated to them by an elderly lady. After the moon rise, the women see its reflection in a thali of water, or through a dupatta or a sieve. Thereafter, they offer water to the moon and seek blessings from God for the safety, prosperity and long life of their husbands. After this, women breaks their fast by drinking some water from husband's hand. This mark the end of a day long fast.

Posted by Jolly Mazumdar

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SARAS Mela at Dilli Haat, Pitampura

With the onset of Autumn season, the countdown for several fairs and festivals started in India. People residing in various parts of our country, completely immersed themselves in festive mood. This is the time known for Navratri ( the festival of nine day long fasting) and Durga Puja. People belonging to various age group, caste and creed enjoy both these festivals with utmost joy and gaiety, forgetting all their worries.

To add more color to this festive season, Ministry of Rural Department, Government of India, for the first time has organized a fortnight long (19th September to 4 October, 2009) SARAS Mela. It is an outstanding exhibition-cum-sale fair that provides a golden opportunity to the rural artisans to showcase their skill at a marketing platform.

Inaugurated by Ms Agatha Sangma, the Union Minister of State For Rural Development, this year's(2009) venue for SARAS Mela is at Dilli Haat, Pitampura. Rural artisans, craftsmen, BPL families and Self Help Group(SHGs) from all over the country come together at Pitampura's Dilli haat to exhibit their handcrafted creations.

Sprawling across an area of 6 acres of land, Dilli haat at Pitampura is a true copy of its counterpart,Dilli Haat,opposite INA market,on Sri Aurobindu Marg, South Delhi.It is a traditional craft and food bazaar.Thanks to its internal ambiance, Dilli Haat of Pitampura serves as a perfect choice for 2009's SARAS Mela.

For the past few years, the Union Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), is organizing these SARAS Melas to provide a marketing platform to assist rural artisans in exhibiting and seling their products. This mela enable the poor and innocent artisans to get rid of the claws of middlemen, who always take away a hefty amount from their remuneration. This Mela also provides a helping hand to earn some additional money as well as wide scale direct interactions with the buyers and aid the artisians to understand the taste and preferences of the customers.

Around 195 SHGs representing 22 States and different parts of the county are participating in 2009 SARAS mela. Special attractions of this year's Mela are Metal work products from Madhya Pradesh, Sambalpur Saris from Orissa, Wood-works from Tamil Nadu, Bamboo Craft from Tripura, Madhubani paintings from Bihar, Terracotta’s from Chhattisgarh, Shawls & Carpets from Jammu & Kashmir and Kantha stitch work from West Bengal. Arrangements are also being made to set up attractive food stalls. Another major attraction of the mega event is the presentation of divergent cultural programmes of different States which will be held throughout the duration of the Mela.

Don't waste time any more and visit the red stone premise of Dilli Haat, Pitampura during this auspicious time, with all your family members.

Posted by Jolly Mazumdar

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Dusshera Festival in India

Dusshera is a popular Indian festival, also known as Vijaydashmi (vijay means victory and dashmi means the tenth day). Dusshera is celebrated all over the country by almost every religion, and its the special festival for the Hindus. There is a mythological story behind the celebration of the festival as it is believed that on this day Lord Rama returned from 14 years of exile after killing the demon Ravana and rescued his wife Sita.

Dussehera is the festival that actually signifies the triumph of the good will. When we will see the celebration in the country then we can find that the festival is celebrated in different ways. Like I am taking up Northern India, here huge dummies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarana and Meghanath is placed in the vast ground and in that fireworks and crackers are placed inside the dummies.

Similarly if we see the parts of Eastern part of India this day is celebrated as the Durga Puja. The day is celebrated as the end of Durga Puja. The ten days celebrations of Durga Puja is named as Navaratri. This eastern part of the country the day of Vijaydashmi is dedicated to the goddess of strength that is Durga which is said to be the combined manisfestation of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and from all other gods who created Durga to kill the demon Mahishasura and freed the world from terror. On this day of Vijaydashmi the idols of goddess is created. Similarly in the Southern part of India in Tamil Nadu and Kerela Vijaydashmi has the special significance. Although the day is celebrated in different ways in the country but the motive behind every celebration in this day is the same- to spread good will and to celebrate victory over the evil.

When it is Celebrated?
Dussherra is celebrated on the 10 th day of the famous Navratri festival, celebrated for nine days, according to the Hindu calendar 'Ashvin' (September- October). The festival is dedicated to the goddess Durga and to her nine forms. The last three days of Navratri is believed to be very auspicious and holy as goddess Laxmi and goddess Saraswati is worshiped along with goddess Durga.

Religious Significance of Dusshera:

The Dusshera festival has a special significance in the country. As India is diverse country therefore, the festival is celebrated in various ways. The northern part , involves the Ram Lila along with Navratra Puja, a drama that depicts the life of Lord Rama. On the tenth day of Ram Lila huge number of crackers are burnt and the dummies of Ravana and the two brothers Kumbhakarana and Meghanath is also burnt.


The country celebrates the festival in various ways as in West Bengal the day is celebrated as Durga Puja, and is celebrated in five days across the state. Devotees wear new clothes and celebrates the day with great enthusiasm. The cultural programmes, which takes place during the festival are popularly known as Dandiya Raas and Garba Raas, and people also observe Jaagran (waking through the night).

Legends of Dussehra:
As we all know that the festival has the various types of legends connected with them. In Hindu mythology the Lord Rama has killed the demon Ravana who has abducted his wife Sita with the help of his brother Laxman and his follower Hanuman and came home after the 14 years of exile. Therefore, the victory of Lord Rama is celebrated as Vijaydashmi.

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Teacher's Day on 5th September.

Teacher's day is a time of commemoration and celebration for Teachers. Different countries celebrate Teacher's day on various days of the year, in India 'The Teacher's Day' is celebrated on 5th September every year. It is the birthday of teacher and second President of India - Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. When he become the President of India, his students requested him to celebrate his birth day on 5th September. In reply Dr. Radhakrishnan said “Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as “Teachers Day”.

Teacher's Day is a time of honoring your favorite teachers, surprising them with gifts and crayon scribbled 'I lOVE YOU's'.

Teacher's day holds the great significance in the heart of every student. It is the opportunity for the students to express the gratitude for the hardships the teachers bear in educating a child and preparing them to face the world. A number of ancient cultures pay tribute to the teachers as the Goddess. An old saying in India ranks teacher on the 3rd position even before the God : Mata, Pitha, Guru, Daivam, that means mother, father and Teacher is God.

Teachers shape up the life of the students as the educations received from the teachers remains with the students throughout their life, that helps them in taking the right decision and chasing the right path. Teachers spend most of their lives in teaching the students so they should always be respected. Teachers need encouragement from the society to feel that their commitment and devotion to students is rewarded.

Celebrating Teachers day is the historical tradition in India. The day is not granted as the holiday in India. On this very day students go to school, dress up like their teachers and take lecturers. As the day passes the students perform the regular activities that are practiced by the teacher's every day. Sometimes the teachers also sit in the class and behave like the students, to make the students realize what they go through every day.

The day strengthens the bond between the students and the teachers. Teachers day is the opportunity for the students to convey the message that we respect and care for our teachers as much as they do. Apart from the celebrations the day promoted the healthy interactions between the students and teachers. Very often we forget to thank our teachers. So Teachers Day nice time to tell how special they are for you.

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MAHA KUMBH FAIR 2010

The most awaited religious fair for the Hindus, Maha Kumbh, offers a one of a kind experience. Kumbh mela takes place in four destinations of the country namely Ujjain, Allahabad, Haridwar and Nasik, owing to the mythological significance that these places hold, with Allhabad being the most sacred destination and the only one where Maha Kumbh is held.

Prayag in Allahabad witnesses a gathering of millions of devotees from all over the world during the Maha Kumbh. These also include Naga Saints, Urdhwavahurs, Parivajaks, Shirshasins, Kalpvasis etc who believe in taking severe penance to reach their ultimate goal of salvation. One can see priests performing yagyas, bathing in the Triveni waters, saints having long matted hair and skin covered with ashes, meditating for long hours on their heads.

TIME AND DURATION:

Maha Kumbh takes place once in every 12 years, the next one lined up in 2013. The festival goes on for more than a month, with Amavasya being the most important day for the holy dip into the Triveni waters.

MYTHOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

The origin of Kumbha Mela has been linked to the formation of the Universe with Samudra Manthan. It is believed that Gods were losing their powers, as a result of a curse, which made them lethargic and rendered them incapable. It was at this time that the creator of Universe, Lord Brahma, announced that only amrit or nector stored deep within the ocean can bring back their powers. For this, the Gods decided to churn the ocean using a mountain called Meru, as a churning stick and a snake named Vasuki, as a rope.

It was a tedious task which the Gods could not accomplish alone, so they decided to take the help of demons. They played a trick on them and promised them their share of nectar if they made their contribution. The demons agreed and as a result of the exercise, they successfully excavated nectar out of the ocean.

When Gods attempted to run with the amrit, demons fought for it, which led to falling of some drops of nectar on Earth at four places, namely Allahabad, Ujjain, Nasik and Haridwar, where Kumbh fair takes place every year. Gods drank the nectar but its droplets are still considered to be present in these sacred places, one of it being the Triveni waters of Allahabad.

RITUALS:

The site where the Maha Kumbh takes place, once in fourteen years, is called the Triveni Sangam, which is the point of confluence of the three most sacred rivers of India namely Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The water is considered to have droplets of nectar that fell during the formation of Universe and it is a famous belief of the people that a bath in its waters can cure several diseases and can free humans from the cycle of birth and death. A scientific reason for the healing properties of the river waters in that during the time of Maha Kumbh, Triveni waters are positively charged by electromagnetic radiation of the Sun, Jupiter and Moon.

Apart from the most important ritual of the fair, the holy bath, devotees also engage themselves in singing devotional songs and participating in morning and evening artis. Feeding the priests, saints and the poor is also considered as a sacred exercise that purifies one's souls.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

Apart from the Kumbh and Maha Kumbh fairs that make Allahabad the holy place of attaining Moksha or Salvation, the city is dotted with some of the most important tourist attractions of Uttar Pradesh. Someshwar Temple, Hanuman Temple, Nagbasuki Temple and Patalpuri temple are the important Hindu temples located in the city. Allahabad Fort which dates back to the 16th century, is one of the best examples of Mughal forts. Anand Bhavan, with rich historical memoirs of the Nehru family and the Allahabad Museum with its archaeological jewels of the 3rd century AD can give the traveler an insight into the various layers of Indian history.

The most important dates are 14 Jan, 12 & 13 Feb, 15 Mar and 14 April 2010

Please read the important details - http://www.kumbh2010haridwar.gov.in/bathdates.htm

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RAMADAN (RAMZAAN)

Ramadan is a month long festival, celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It generally starts in the third week of August. The festival marks the auspicious time when the holy Muslim epic Quran, consisting of the tenets of Allah for his people, was revealed by Prophet Muhammad.

The five pillars of Islam, according to the holy Quran, ask the followers of Islam to believe in only one God Allah, to offer prayers five times a day, to fast during the month of Ramzaan called Roza, to pay annual tax called Zakat to be distributed to the poor and to go for pilgrimage to Mecca.

Being the third pillar of Islam, it is considered highly auspicious for the Muslims to pray to the Lord and observe fast during the festival of Ramzan, to show respect to Allah. It is the month when Muslims get into self introspection and resist their desires to devote themselves completely in the service of the Lord.

Celebrations of the festival include a thirty day fast broken in three parts, or Ashra. These are Rahmat or the mercy of God, Maghfirat or the forgiveness of God and Nijat which means salvation. Fasting starts with the dawn and is broken at dusk with family and friends. This meal is called Iftaar. Fasting not just includes resistance from food and water, but also need Muslims to abstain from greed, lust, gossips, backstabbing and sarcastic remarks that may hurt others. The auspicious festival requires purity of both thoughts as well as actions.

After the new moon is sighted on the thirtieth day, Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated to mark an end to the fasting month. The festival brings all family and friends together. People wear new clothes and enjoy lavish meals, enjoying some happy moments together. The festive meal generally includes a sweet milk preparation called sevai and non vegetarian dishes like korma and kababs. Children are given money by their elders, as blessings. It is called Eidi. Charity is important on this festival and food and clothes are donated to the poor. This is known as Zakat-al-Fitr.

On this festival, the mosques are filled with crowds of people, who visit the mosque to offer their prayers to the lord, called Namaaz. They cover their heads with white caps and their heads and generally wear white pathani kurta-pyjama. Ladies wear salwar-suits and normally wear a burqa to cover their faces. Women offer their prayers at home only.

Ramadan is falling on 21st of August, 2009.

-by Shikha Priyadarshini

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Teej festival in India

With the advent of monsoon, the season of vibrant festivals begins in India. Teej festival is one of the most popular festival of Northern India that falls in this season of incessant rains.

With the onset of monsoon, North-Indian people especially the ladies gets ready to celebrate the colorful Teej festival. It is one of the major feativals of Hindus and mainly celebrated in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pardesh and Bihar with utmost joy and gaiety.

Coming 24 and 25 July is the auspicious date for this year's Teej Festival. Every year in the month of Shravan, people celebrates this festival as the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga, who were united after a penance of 100 years. Due to this, Teej festival is also known as the Sawan festival.

The royal state of Rajasthan is the most important destination of India where Teej festival is celebrated with utmost joy and gaiety. Both married and unmarried women celebrates this festival with great enthusiasm. Married women keeping whole day fasting for the well being and prosperity of their husbands whereas unmarried girls keep fasting to get a suitable groom.

On this occasion, ladies dressed up in their new attire, sparkling jewelry and color their hands and feet with heena. Ladies worships the decorated idol of Goddess Parvati and sings traditional Teel songs on this occasion. Colorful swings which are hung on the branches of the trees and processions of embellished elephants are the attractions of the Teej festival.

Jaipur's Teej festival is completely different from the rest of the places of Rajasthan. Here, in Jaipur idol of Goddess Parvati is taken out in a royal procession, so that the common people have a look and pay their homage to the deity. Colorful bullock carts, elephants, chariots are also part of Jaipur's Teej festival.

So, try to visit Jaipur during monsoon season, so that you can enjoy these merrymaking moments and remember them for your entire life.

By Jolly Mazumdar

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Hemis Festival of Ladakh

Ladakh boast a beautiful landscape and an interesting culture. It is amongst the best places in India that should be explored. The state is famous for number of reasons and Hemis Festival is one of them.

Also known as the Hemis Gompa festival, it is held in the month of June-July. Marked as the birth of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rimpoche, Hemis Festival in India is a two day fest observed every year.

It is the most popular festival of Ladakh and is held in Hemis Monastery in India. The Hemis festival takes on an auspicious hue every 12 years in the Tibetan Year of the Monkey, when the two-storey high 'Thankga' depicting Padmasambhava is displayed. This famous Thankga, richly embroidered with pearls and semi-precious stones, on rich brightly colored silk, is due to be displayed next in AD 2016.

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Puri Rath Yatra in Orissa

The city of Puri is famous for its imposing, sprawling Jagannath temple. The grandest of festivals ever, The Rath Yathra is the visit of Lord Jagannath to his garden palace for the annual summer vacation. The deities at the temple of Puri also include Lord Jagannath’s (Lord Krishna) brother Lord Balarama and sister Subhadra. The three deities head for their garden palace (garden temple, located outside the town centre called Gundicha) right at the height of Indian summer in enormously huge chariots pulled by thousands of devotees. Thousands of reverent men and women throng to see, and to pull the grand chariots from one temple to the other. The English word "Jagannaut" comes from the giant chariots of Lord Jagannath of Puri. The British were so surprised and amused by the size of the chariots; they coined a word for it!

The royal street leading from the main temple to the garden temple is very wide so as to accommodate the three chariots. It’s a vista of temples, ashrams, mansions of old aristocracy and inns. During the Rath Yathra all the buildings are decorated with bright and colorful flags, buntings and awnings. The whole of Puri throng the streets to catch a glimpse of their lord who seldom comes out of his shrine.

The siblings retreat from the buzz and bustle of the city, temple servants and the preists to their Vrindavan-like garden. They even leave behind their spouses on their way to the leafy summer abode. The temple routine in the garden temple is much more relaxed than in the main temple. Various festivities are organized as part of the deities’ vacation (Depending on the lunar cycle, the length of this festival ranges between 1 to 2 weeks). The return of the lord Jagannath is prodded by his wife, Godess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), who travels by the night in a closed palanquin to the garden temple to entreat the lord to return. The goddess makes her journey a day before the festival concludes.

Date - 24th June 2009

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Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is the birth aniversart of the Lord Buddha. It is an important festivals for Buddhist followers. The days is celeberated as commemoration of all the preaching given by the Buddhist pilgrim. On this day, Buddhist followers enroll themselves in prayers, meditation and chants. Learned Buddhists give sermon about the Life of Gautam Buddha. The purnima generally falls on the full monn of the fourth lunar month (month of Vaisakh) - ie April or May.

This day commemorates three important events of Buddha's life

- His birth in 623 BC.
- His enlightment i.e. attainment of supreme wisdom, in 588 BC.
- His attainment of Nirvana i.e. the complete extinction of his self at the age of 80.

Buddha Purnima will fall on 9th May on Tuesday in year 2009

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Mahavira Jayanti

It is the main Jain Festival of India. Born in 599 BC at Kshatriyakund near modern Patna in Bihar, Mahavirswami is the twenty-fourth Tirthankar.

Lord Mahavira parents, King Siddhartha, and his mother, Queen Trishla, were very religious people and werr great followers of Lord Parshwanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar. When Queen Trishla was expecting Mahavira, she had 14 beautiful dreams . When the learned scholars analysed these dreams, they said she was going to have an extraordinary child., one who will show the path to true happiness to humanity.

This festival is celebarated during the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra and it last for one day. The festival is celebarated on the thirteenth day of Chaitra(in the month of March and April), right around the time of the full moon. The religion of Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, and destroyer of the universe. Jainism explains that eight types of vargana and five bodies exist in the universe.

Mahavir Jayanti is Falling on April 07 2009

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Ram Navmi Festival

As the name suggest, Ram Navmi is dedicated to God Ram. It falls on the ninth day of Navmi. It is generally celebarated by Hindus. The day is celebarated as the birth of Lord Ram, who is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign. Ram Navmi generally falls in the month of Chaitya.

The public worship starts with morning ablutions, chanting Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu, and offering flowers and fruit to the god. People keep a fast throughout the day, breaking it only at midnight with fruit. In some part of Northern India, especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Ram Navmi is a major festival

Devotees of Ram generally adopt fasts, as it is the only easy mean of gaining happiness in the material world and achieving salvation at the same time.

Ram Navmi is falling on APRIL 3,2009.

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Holi - The Festival of Love

The festival of Colours ! Holi is one of the major festivals of India, held in the month of Phalgun, according to Hindu Calendar. The festival generally fall in the month of March and is majorly celeberated in the Northern part of India.

Holi is an exuberant festival associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. This festival is made differently in different parts of India.

History of Holi Festival

Holi is one of the oldest existing festivals of India. Its name being mentioned in Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras, redeems its importance in history.

Holi came from the legendary story of Prahalad and Hirnakashyap. Hirnakashyap was powerful king and considered himself as God. He wanted everybody to worship him because of the power he hold. Prahalad, being Hirnakashyap son, declined to do that and was great devotee of Lord Vishnu. This was unacceptable by Hirnakashyap and he asked his sister Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap.

Holika was blessed that she won't get burned in fire. She took her power as an advantage and took an extreme decision. But to the irony, Holika was burned alive and Prahalad was left unscathed. Since then Holika Dahan is being celebarated a day prior to Holi.


Where All Is Holi Celebrated ?

Holi is majorly celebarated in Northern part of India. Mathura and Vrindavan are known for Barsana Holi, a unique form of rejoicing Holi which is seen only in these two cities. Travellers visit this place just to have a look and feel of the place during Holi time.

How To Celebarate Holi?

Holi is festival of colour, joy and love. On this festival, people generally forget enemity and move ahead in life with great charm and amiability. People through coloured water and powders (Gulal and Kumkum) on each other. Singing and Dancing adds joy to the holi celebration.


What You Can Do on Holi?

Make Bhang : Holi is incomplete if you don’t make Bhang on the occassion. You can create Bhang drink or hot Buttered Bhand.

Play Holi with Natural Colours/ Flowers Petals: Being natural, safeguards you from many things. Using natural colours or flower petals would avoid harmful effect of chemicals. Since the colour are being used on the body it is advisable to use natural colours and protect your loved ones from harmful effect.

Enjoy Holi with Friendstravelindia.com

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