Maha Shivratri 2010

Festival Time: 12^th February

Celebration Venue: All over India

Highlights: Performing rituals, observing fast, bhajan & kirtan, prasad distribution.

Maha Shivratri is on 12^th February and only a few days are left to make best preparation for it. With following the Hindu tradition, devotees keep no stone unturned to observe the rituals. Cleaning houses, washing clothes and collecting stuffs for the puja starts a few days prior to the festival. On the very day, ardent devotees keep fast and offer prayer in the sacred Shiv temples . The festivity is greatly celebrated in every nook and corner of India.

Shivratri Puja Preparations

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is observed by both men and women of Hindu communities. Performing the sacred bathing rituals and observing fast are main activities on the day. Honey, milk, holy water(Ganga Jal), bilwa leaves, bilwa fruit and flowers are must-offer items. Each offering is performed with chanting mantra- “OM NAMAH SHIVA”.

According to religious Purana, offering bath to the divine Shiva-lingam should be performed after every three hours. While offering bilwa leaves, care should be taken if there is a complete stalk with three leaves and vermillion paste smeared on each one. The puja completes after performing Shiv aarti. Incense sticks and ghee-filled earthen lamps are lighten to let the festive ambiance glow and captivate devotees with holy fragrance.

Celebrating Maha Shivratri

Shivratri is highly followed by female groups. With performing rituals, married women believe to seek blessing for the long-life of their husband. Besides, unmarried lass take part in the festival so as to receive blessing for a perfect soul-mate.

A visit to West Bengal, provides the best scene of festival celebration. Girls dress themselves in beautiful 'Taat Sarees' and keep fast with full dedication. Temple areas get extended and devotees arrange platforms for religious activities such as 'Sangeet Sammelan', bhajan and kirtan. Also, tasty recipes like Laudi Ki Halwa, Kheer, Sago Saboodana, Kaju Barfi etc are prepared for the occasion. They are offered before the lord and are evenly distributed after the fasting session gets over.

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Goa Carnival 2010

February heralds the grand carnival festival at Goa. The streets turns out to be more lively and colorful with the preparations of festival. Though it is a Christian festival yet it is celebrated by people of religions. This event was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled Goa for than 500 years. One can have a glimpse of Konkani culture, in folk dance and music of the region.

The celebration is marked with lively procession, playing of guitars and graceful dance performances. Festive fervor fills the whole ambiance with happiness and joy. Spirit of festivity is spread all over the place just before Easter Sunday. People starts decorating Goa with shimmery items like streamers, ribbons and papers.

Carnival began with a vibrant display of colorful floats. Three days of extravaganza displays exciting events, for instance prize distribution where the best float is rewarded, colossal parades, religious services, music bands and street play on historic themes. Group of masked revelers, dressed in bright colored costumes sing and tap their feet on the tunes of musicians.

The festival becomes more exciting and remarkable by the special arrangements made by the local clubs. It organizes red and black dance, in which people takes active participation. In addition decorated chariots on the streets and dramas depicting the story of King Momo, who introduced the festival in 18^th century are held during the festival celebrations. Goa Carnival is marked with fun and frolic. People throw flour, egg, fruits, water etc on each other and at the passer's by.


By
Nisha Kaur

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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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