Other Indian Festivals Details
'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night', thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals but all of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. Though it is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis and one can see it in the zeal and fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion, next three to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan.
Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat while farmer sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. In olden times, this festival was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who feed us as her children. Sweetmeats are prepared for the celebrations and children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances. With commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than a religious or agrarian festival.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
In some communities people undergo rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of the festival, only to be opened on the tenth day of Dussehra. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Mother Goddess as they sing devotional songs and indulge in the gaieties of the season. This year celebrate Navratra from September 29th, 2008.
Other Indian Festivals Details
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Rakhi | Raksha Bandhan - Festival strengthening bond between Brothers and Sisters
Other Indian Festivals Details
India is a country of festivals. It is culturally so rich that it celebrates a festival almost every month. The people of India are so lively that they find a reason or the other for celebrations. One of such reasons is the sweet and sour relationship between a brother and a sister. Though brothers and sisters share and enjoy the bond of love between them throughout the year but Rakhi is the day when they get an opportunity to express their tender love and feelings towards each other. The Rakhi day is an opportunity for them to commemorate their loving memories, loyalty, closeness, trust and friendship that is lasting and true.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year on 'Shravan Purnima' (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), which generally falls in the month of August. On the holy day of Rakhi the sisters tie a sacred piece of thread (Known as Rakhi or 'Raksha-Sutra') on the wrist of their brothers. Then they sweeten each others mouths with delicious and mouth-watering sweets. The festival of Rakhi also includes a tradition of offering gifts to sisters by the brothers.
Other Indian Festivals Details
India is a country of festivals. It is culturally so rich that it celebrates a festival almost every month. The people of India are so lively that they find a reason or the other for celebrations. One of such reasons is the sweet and sour relationship between a brother and a sister. Though brothers and sisters share and enjoy the bond of love between them throughout the year but Rakhi is the day when they get an opportunity to express their tender love and feelings towards each other. The Rakhi day is an opportunity for them to commemorate their loving memories, loyalty, closeness, trust and friendship that is lasting and true.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year on 'Shravan Purnima' (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), which generally falls in the month of August. On the holy day of Rakhi the sisters tie a sacred piece of thread (Known as Rakhi or 'Raksha-Sutra') on the wrist of their brothers. Then they sweeten each others mouths with delicious and mouth-watering sweets. The festival of Rakhi also includes a tradition of offering gifts to sisters by the brothers.
Other Indian Festivals Details
Rama Navami - Birth day of Lord Rama
Other Indian Festivals Details
Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Rama or Ramachandra. On the ninth day of the first fortnight of Chaitra the birth of Rama is commemorated. The story of Rama was first written by Vaalmeeki in about the 4th century B.C. Rama is supposed to have lived during the 8th or 7th century B.C. The epic known as the Ramayana. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival, coinciding with the Vasanta Navaratri (see also Navaratri).
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 parts of India, especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, public gatherings called satsangs are organised to commemorate the birth of Rama. Excerpts from the Ramacharitamanas, extolling the glory of Rama, are recited. People of all castes and creeds participate in these gatherings to listen to the stories and their explanations offered by the learned.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Rama’s Birth:The country of Kosal was situated on the banks of the river Sharayu. Ayodhya was the capital founded by the king rishi Manu. During the reign of king Dasarath, Ayodhya reached a period of great prosperity. But Dasarath faced a big problem: he had no children. Therefore he decided to perform a sacrifice known as “ashvamedh”, or horse-sacrifice. Elaborate and difficult rituals had to be observed. A very holy man, rishi Rishyashring, was chosen to conduct the sacrifice with the utmost accuracy.
The performance of this sacrifice was a great event in Ayodhya. At the end Rishyashring recited a mantra and made an offering to the fire. Then the gods, gandharvas, siddhas, and rishis present arid began to pray to Brahma.
At that time Ravan, king of Lanka, was terrorizing the people, and all were longing for liberation from his menace. Ravan had acquired great power because he had obtained from god Brahma the boon that he would never die at the hands of gods, or gandharvas, or yakshas (demigods) or demons. As he was not afraid of men he did not care to include men in the list of his potential slayers. So Brahmadev declared that Ravan would die at the hands of a man. Then the gods went to Vishnu with the request, “Dasarath is a glorious king. Please, take birth in the wombs of his three queens in four different degrees of your divinity.”When Dasarath’s sacrifice came to an end a shining figure appeared over the sacrificial kund, and offered the king a divine beverage called “payasam” to be given to his queens Kausalya, Kaikayi, and Sumitra.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
In due time Kausalya gave birth to Rama, Kaikayi to Bharat and Sumitra to Laxman and Shatrugna. Rama was born at noon of the bright ninth day of Chaitra. He was believed to be the embodiment of half degree of Vishnu’s divinity, (ardha ounsh).Legend:Four storeys - even the original Ravana may not have been so tall. But this is the Kali Yuga, when evil is supposed to assume an even more terrifying form. Ravana has his moments of glory, and that too, on Rama Navami, the birthday of Rama.
The effigy of the ten-headed Ravana swaggers through the town, wearing a gaudy crown and exaggerated moustache, with shouting hordes following. But once Ravana reaches the open ground that is his final destination, he is suddenly deserted by most of his "followers" - because the noble Rama has made his appearance. In the end, righteousness does triumph, even in Kali Yuga. Rama engages him in battle, and finally pierces him with a potent arrow. And the huge effigy of Ravana, filled to bursting with firecrackers, is set alight, and explodes into a thousand bits amid loud cheers from the crowd and shouts of Jai Shri Ram.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
This ritual is an important part of the Rama Navami celebrations in most parts of North India. Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of the shukla paksha, or bright phase of the moon, in the lunar month of Chaitra (April-May). The first day of Chaitra , or Ugadi, also marks the beginning of the Indian year. Rama is one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, and one of the two most popular, along with Krishna. Consequently, Rama Navami is widely celebrated, though not on the scale of festivals like Diwali or Dussehra.
According to legend, Rama was born at noon. Rama is the epitome of perfection, the uttama purusha, fulfilling all his duties towards both family and subjects. Rama was the first of the four sons of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. When it was time for Rama to be made crown-prince, his stepmother, Kaikeyi, got Dasharatha to send him to the forest for 14 years. His wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana also accompanied him. In the forest, Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Rama, together with Hanuman and the monkey army, built a bridge to Lanka, killed Ravana, and brought Sita back.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is believed that listening to the story of Rama cleanses the soul. Meditating on the noble Rama and chanting his name is believed to ease the pains of life and lead one to moksha, or liberation. It is also common practice to chant the name of Rama while rocking babies to sleep. Significance:Though Rama Navami is a major festival for Vaishnavites, it is widely celebrated by worshippers of Shiva, too.
It is considered auspicious to undertake a fast on the day in the name of Rama. The more devout fast for nine days, from Ugadi to Rama Navami. The objective of the fast is not to ask for special favours of the deity but to seek perfection as a human being. Devotees perform elaborate pujas and chant the name of Rama. Temples of Rama have special services and bhajan sessions through the day. One significant and popular element of the celebration is the Ramayana parayana, a discourse on the Ramayana, by a pundit or a professional story-teller.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It usually lasts nine days, beginning on Ugadi and ending on Rama Navami. A skilled story-teller who can liven up the event by weaving in contemporary events attracts massive crowds. Since Rama is also one of the most sung-about deities in Indian classical music and literature, week-long (and sometimes, month-long) musical programmes are organised. Sacred places associated with Rama, like Ayodhya, Ujjain and Rameshwaram, draw tens of thousands of devotees.
In Rameshwaram, thousands take a ritual bath in the sea before worshipping at the Ramanathaswamy temple. Many places in North India host fairs in connection with the festival, culminating in spectacular fireworks on Rama Navami
Other Indian Festivals Details
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Rama or Ramachandra. On the ninth day of the first fortnight of Chaitra the birth of Rama is commemorated. The story of Rama was first written by Vaalmeeki in about the 4th century B.C. Rama is supposed to have lived during the 8th or 7th century B.C. The epic known as the Ramayana. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival, coinciding with the Vasanta Navaratri (see also Navaratri).
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 parts of India, especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, public gatherings called satsangs are organised to commemorate the birth of Rama. Excerpts from the Ramacharitamanas, extolling the glory of Rama, are recited. People of all castes and creeds participate in these gatherings to listen to the stories and their explanations offered by the learned.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Rama’s Birth:The country of Kosal was situated on the banks of the river Sharayu. Ayodhya was the capital founded by the king rishi Manu. During the reign of king Dasarath, Ayodhya reached a period of great prosperity. But Dasarath faced a big problem: he had no children. Therefore he decided to perform a sacrifice known as “ashvamedh”, or horse-sacrifice. Elaborate and difficult rituals had to be observed. A very holy man, rishi Rishyashring, was chosen to conduct the sacrifice with the utmost accuracy.
The performance of this sacrifice was a great event in Ayodhya. At the end Rishyashring recited a mantra and made an offering to the fire. Then the gods, gandharvas, siddhas, and rishis present arid began to pray to Brahma.
At that time Ravan, king of Lanka, was terrorizing the people, and all were longing for liberation from his menace. Ravan had acquired great power because he had obtained from god Brahma the boon that he would never die at the hands of gods, or gandharvas, or yakshas (demigods) or demons. As he was not afraid of men he did not care to include men in the list of his potential slayers. So Brahmadev declared that Ravan would die at the hands of a man. Then the gods went to Vishnu with the request, “Dasarath is a glorious king. Please, take birth in the wombs of his three queens in four different degrees of your divinity.”When Dasarath’s sacrifice came to an end a shining figure appeared over the sacrificial kund, and offered the king a divine beverage called “payasam” to be given to his queens Kausalya, Kaikayi, and Sumitra.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
In due time Kausalya gave birth to Rama, Kaikayi to Bharat and Sumitra to Laxman and Shatrugna. Rama was born at noon of the bright ninth day of Chaitra. He was believed to be the embodiment of half degree of Vishnu’s divinity, (ardha ounsh).Legend:Four storeys - even the original Ravana may not have been so tall. But this is the Kali Yuga, when evil is supposed to assume an even more terrifying form. Ravana has his moments of glory, and that too, on Rama Navami, the birthday of Rama.
The effigy of the ten-headed Ravana swaggers through the town, wearing a gaudy crown and exaggerated moustache, with shouting hordes following. But once Ravana reaches the open ground that is his final destination, he is suddenly deserted by most of his "followers" - because the noble Rama has made his appearance. In the end, righteousness does triumph, even in Kali Yuga. Rama engages him in battle, and finally pierces him with a potent arrow. And the huge effigy of Ravana, filled to bursting with firecrackers, is set alight, and explodes into a thousand bits amid loud cheers from the crowd and shouts of Jai Shri Ram.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
This ritual is an important part of the Rama Navami celebrations in most parts of North India. Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of the shukla paksha, or bright phase of the moon, in the lunar month of Chaitra (April-May). The first day of Chaitra , or Ugadi, also marks the beginning of the Indian year. Rama is one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, and one of the two most popular, along with Krishna. Consequently, Rama Navami is widely celebrated, though not on the scale of festivals like Diwali or Dussehra.
According to legend, Rama was born at noon. Rama is the epitome of perfection, the uttama purusha, fulfilling all his duties towards both family and subjects. Rama was the first of the four sons of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. When it was time for Rama to be made crown-prince, his stepmother, Kaikeyi, got Dasharatha to send him to the forest for 14 years. His wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana also accompanied him. In the forest, Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Rama, together with Hanuman and the monkey army, built a bridge to Lanka, killed Ravana, and brought Sita back.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is believed that listening to the story of Rama cleanses the soul. Meditating on the noble Rama and chanting his name is believed to ease the pains of life and lead one to moksha, or liberation. It is also common practice to chant the name of Rama while rocking babies to sleep. Significance:Though Rama Navami is a major festival for Vaishnavites, it is widely celebrated by worshippers of Shiva, too.
It is considered auspicious to undertake a fast on the day in the name of Rama. The more devout fast for nine days, from Ugadi to Rama Navami. The objective of the fast is not to ask for special favours of the deity but to seek perfection as a human being. Devotees perform elaborate pujas and chant the name of Rama. Temples of Rama have special services and bhajan sessions through the day. One significant and popular element of the celebration is the Ramayana parayana, a discourse on the Ramayana, by a pundit or a professional story-teller.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It usually lasts nine days, beginning on Ugadi and ending on Rama Navami. A skilled story-teller who can liven up the event by weaving in contemporary events attracts massive crowds. Since Rama is also one of the most sung-about deities in Indian classical music and literature, week-long (and sometimes, month-long) musical programmes are organised. Sacred places associated with Rama, like Ayodhya, Ujjain and Rameshwaram, draw tens of thousands of devotees.
In Rameshwaram, thousands take a ritual bath in the sea before worshipping at the Ramanathaswamy temple. Many places in North India host fairs in connection with the festival, culminating in spectacular fireworks on Rama Navami
Other Indian Festivals Details
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Naag Panchami - Hindu Festival of Lord Shiva
Other Indian Festivals Details
It is on the fifth day of the bright half of the Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated. The setting sun is witness to mile-long processions of gaily-decorated bullock carts, cheerfully trundling to the nearby Shiva temple. The excitement and merry-go-round of a fair takes over, lasting well into the night. The snakes that the men had captured from the deep forests the week before can now return to where they came from.Snake worship no doubt owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Hindu books are filled with stories and fables about snakes, and pictures and images of them meet you at every turn. Worshippers search for holes where snakes are likely to be found. When they have found a hole, they make periodic visits, placing before it milk, bananas, and other food that the snake is likely to fancy. Because of its cyclical moulting, the serpent is believed to be immortal by the Hindus, and eternity is thus illustrated in the form of a serpent eating its tail. Temples have also been erected in honour of snakes.
There is a particularly famous one in Mysore, at a place called Subramania, which is also the name of the great snake (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea), so often mentioned in Hindu fables. The Naga culture was fairly widespread in India before the Aryan invasion, and continues to be an important segment of worship in certain areas. After the invasion, the Indo-Aryans incorporated the worship of snakes into Hinduism, as is apparent in prevailing worship and mythology.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
The thousand-headed Ananta is Vishnu's couch and also holds up the earth, while snakes play an ornamental role in the case of Shiva. Snake worship is more common in peninsular India than in the north. On this day, ploughing a field is forbidden. Legend has it that on this day, while tilling his land, a farmer accidentally killed some young serpents. The mother of these serpents took revenge by biting and killing the farmer and his family, except one daughter, who happened to be praying to the Nagas.
This act of devotion resulted in the revival of the farmer and the rest of his family.On this day, the women draw figures of snakes on the walls of their houses using a mixture of black powder, cow dung and milk. Then offerings of milk, ghee, water and rice are made. It is believed that in reward for this worship, snakes will never bite any member of the family. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house carrying dormant cobras in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing.
This festival heralds the arrival of Ganesha, almost exactly one month later. In Kerala, snake temples are crowded on this day and worship is offered to stone or metal icons of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Sesha. Altars in many Kerala homes have a silver or copper cobra that is worshipped and offered milk and sweets as families pray for the welfare of their children and for prosperity. In Punjab, the festival is celebrated in September-October and is called Guga Naumi. A snake made of dough is taken round the village in a basket, and an offering of flour and butter is made from each house.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
The 'snake' is then buried. In West Bengal and parts of Assam and Orissa, the snake deity worshipped on Naga Panchami is the goddess Manasa. Lord Krishna and the Kaliya Snake: Nag Panchami is also connected with the following legend of Krishna. Young Krishna was playing with the other cowboys, when suddenly the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. But below the tree there was a deep part of the river Yamuna, in which the terrible snake Kaliya was living.
Everybody was afraid of that part of the river.Suddenly Krishna fell from the tree into the water. Then that terrible snake came up. But Krishna was ready and jumping on the snake’s head he caught it by the neck. Kaliya understood that Krishna was not an ordinary boy, and that it would not be easy to overcome him. So Kaliya pleaded with Krishna: “Please, do not kill me.” Krishna full of compassion asked the snake to promise that henceforth he would not harass anybody. Then he let the snake go free into the river again. On Nag Panchami day the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
For this reason Krishna is known as “Kaliya Mardan”. Snakes are believed to like milk. As this is the day of the serpents, devotees pour milk into all the holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate them. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee. The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm by all, especially women.As most rivers in India are in spate during the month of Shriven, poisonous snakes come out of their subterranean abodes and creep about in plenty all over the place.
Many also float on flooded rivers running through the countryside. Mortality from snakebites must have been considerable to prompt people to worship the nagas to seek protection from them. Because of the fear, nagas were elevated to a divine status by the Hindus. The serpents are believed to have the capability to change their shape at will. When in human form, they are depicted as beautiful women and handsome men.Naga Panchami is observed indifferent ways in different parts of India.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is one of the most ancient fasts, and finds mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families. In some parts of southern India, figures of snakes are drawn with red sandalwood paste on wooden boards, or clay images of snakes coloured yellow or black are purchased.
These are then worshipped and offered milk. Snake charmers wander about with all sorts of snakes, to which people offer milk. The snake charmers are paid some money for allowing this Serpent worship developed gradually from the fear of serpents that must have taken a heavy toll on life, particularly at the beginning of the rainy season. In the Ashvalayana Grihyasutra, the Paraskara Grihyasutra and other Grihyasutras, a rite called Sarpabali or 'offerings to serpents' was performed on the full moon night of Shriven. However the reason that it was moved from the full moon night to that of the fifth night of the bright fortnight is not apparent. It may be due to the slight change in the time of the onset of the rains.
Other Indian Festivals Details
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is on the fifth day of the bright half of the Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated. The setting sun is witness to mile-long processions of gaily-decorated bullock carts, cheerfully trundling to the nearby Shiva temple. The excitement and merry-go-round of a fair takes over, lasting well into the night. The snakes that the men had captured from the deep forests the week before can now return to where they came from.Snake worship no doubt owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Hindu books are filled with stories and fables about snakes, and pictures and images of them meet you at every turn. Worshippers search for holes where snakes are likely to be found. When they have found a hole, they make periodic visits, placing before it milk, bananas, and other food that the snake is likely to fancy. Because of its cyclical moulting, the serpent is believed to be immortal by the Hindus, and eternity is thus illustrated in the form of a serpent eating its tail. Temples have also been erected in honour of snakes.
There is a particularly famous one in Mysore, at a place called Subramania, which is also the name of the great snake (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea), so often mentioned in Hindu fables. The Naga culture was fairly widespread in India before the Aryan invasion, and continues to be an important segment of worship in certain areas. After the invasion, the Indo-Aryans incorporated the worship of snakes into Hinduism, as is apparent in prevailing worship and mythology.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
The thousand-headed Ananta is Vishnu's couch and also holds up the earth, while snakes play an ornamental role in the case of Shiva. Snake worship is more common in peninsular India than in the north. On this day, ploughing a field is forbidden. Legend has it that on this day, while tilling his land, a farmer accidentally killed some young serpents. The mother of these serpents took revenge by biting and killing the farmer and his family, except one daughter, who happened to be praying to the Nagas.
This act of devotion resulted in the revival of the farmer and the rest of his family.On this day, the women draw figures of snakes on the walls of their houses using a mixture of black powder, cow dung and milk. Then offerings of milk, ghee, water and rice are made. It is believed that in reward for this worship, snakes will never bite any member of the family. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house carrying dormant cobras in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing.
This festival heralds the arrival of Ganesha, almost exactly one month later. In Kerala, snake temples are crowded on this day and worship is offered to stone or metal icons of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Sesha. Altars in many Kerala homes have a silver or copper cobra that is worshipped and offered milk and sweets as families pray for the welfare of their children and for prosperity. In Punjab, the festival is celebrated in September-October and is called Guga Naumi. A snake made of dough is taken round the village in a basket, and an offering of flour and butter is made from each house.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
The 'snake' is then buried. In West Bengal and parts of Assam and Orissa, the snake deity worshipped on Naga Panchami is the goddess Manasa. Lord Krishna and the Kaliya Snake: Nag Panchami is also connected with the following legend of Krishna. Young Krishna was playing with the other cowboys, when suddenly the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. But below the tree there was a deep part of the river Yamuna, in which the terrible snake Kaliya was living.
Everybody was afraid of that part of the river.Suddenly Krishna fell from the tree into the water. Then that terrible snake came up. But Krishna was ready and jumping on the snake’s head he caught it by the neck. Kaliya understood that Krishna was not an ordinary boy, and that it would not be easy to overcome him. So Kaliya pleaded with Krishna: “Please, do not kill me.” Krishna full of compassion asked the snake to promise that henceforth he would not harass anybody. Then he let the snake go free into the river again. On Nag Panchami day the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
For this reason Krishna is known as “Kaliya Mardan”. Snakes are believed to like milk. As this is the day of the serpents, devotees pour milk into all the holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate them. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee. The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm by all, especially women.As most rivers in India are in spate during the month of Shriven, poisonous snakes come out of their subterranean abodes and creep about in plenty all over the place.
Many also float on flooded rivers running through the countryside. Mortality from snakebites must have been considerable to prompt people to worship the nagas to seek protection from them. Because of the fear, nagas were elevated to a divine status by the Hindus. The serpents are believed to have the capability to change their shape at will. When in human form, they are depicted as beautiful women and handsome men.Naga Panchami is observed indifferent ways in different parts of India.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is one of the most ancient fasts, and finds mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families. In some parts of southern India, figures of snakes are drawn with red sandalwood paste on wooden boards, or clay images of snakes coloured yellow or black are purchased.
These are then worshipped and offered milk. Snake charmers wander about with all sorts of snakes, to which people offer milk. The snake charmers are paid some money for allowing this Serpent worship developed gradually from the fear of serpents that must have taken a heavy toll on life, particularly at the beginning of the rainy season. In the Ashvalayana Grihyasutra, the Paraskara Grihyasutra and other Grihyasutras, a rite called Sarpabali or 'offerings to serpents' was performed on the full moon night of Shriven. However the reason that it was moved from the full moon night to that of the fifth night of the bright fortnight is not apparent. It may be due to the slight change in the time of the onset of the rains.
Other Indian Festivals Details
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Makar Sakaranti - Major Hindu Festival of India
Other Indian Festivals Details
According to the lunar calendar, the sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn, or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Poush in mid-January.This end of the winter solstice also coincides with the harvest season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. The movement of the earth from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti, and is celebrated as Makar, or Uttarayana, Sankranti, or Lohri, in the North, and as Pongal in the South. The word pongal, in both Telugu and Tamil, signifies the boiling over of the rice in the cooking pot.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Though little is known about the origin of Pongal, it is probably a Dravidian harvest festival that has survived for millennia.The Sankranti season ends with Ratha Saptami, the seventh day of the bright half of Magha, when the sun and his golden chariot are honoured. Pongal is a three-day festival. On the first day, Bhogi Pongal, celebrations are confined to the house. Evil spirits are driven out of the home and burned in bonfires, and the house is whitewashed.
The second day, Surya Pongal, honours the Sun god. Members of the family wear new clothes and cook - on a new stove and in new pots - a dish with the newly harvested rice, jaggery and moong dal. Sugarcane stalks characterise this festival, as do til, and sweets made from jaggery and peanuts.The third day is Maattu Pongal, honouring cattle. Cows and bullocks are washed, decorated, and worshipped for their role in ensuring a good harvest.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Punjab celebrates Lohri by feasting on sweets made of jaggery, peanuts and sesame seeds, and making a symbolic bonfire of the departing winter. In the days leading up to Lohri, children visit homes of neighbours, sing traditional Lohri songs, and ask for coins and sweets in return. While being Indian in spirit, this custom is similar to the tradition of singing Christmas carols.In Gujarat and other western states, people observe Uttarayana, when the winds change, by flying kites. The winter sky bursts into colour with thousands of paper kites.
The festivities conclude with a winter feast.In Maharashtra, people dress in new clothes and distribute sesame sweets. New brides are welcomed into the family with sugar ornaments and a turmeric-and-vermilion ceremony. In rural Maharashtra, feasts of the new harvest mark the festival.Assam celebrates the paddy harvest in winter with Magha or Bhogali Bihu. Pavilions with thatched roofs come up in the villages and there is feasting in the night. The pavilions are set afire in the morning.
The festivities continue for a week.At Ganga Sagar, where the Ganga enters the sea, a grand fair is held.The festival is also called Til Sankranti or Kichri Sankranti, after its main ingredient or preparation.In Thanjavur, Madurai, and Thiruchirapalli, in Tamil Nadu, Pongal is marked by jallikattu, or bull fights. A money bag is tied to the horns of a bull, and the man who succeeds in tethering the beast to the tree gets the money and a prize.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
According to the lunar calendar, the sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn, or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Poush in mid-January.This end of the winter solstice also coincides with the harvest season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. The movement of the earth from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti, and is celebrated as Makar, or Uttarayana, Sankranti, or Lohri, in the North, and as Pongal in the South. The word pongal, in both Telugu and Tamil, signifies the boiling over of the rice in the cooking pot.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Though little is known about the origin of Pongal, it is probably a Dravidian harvest festival that has survived for millennia.The Sankranti season ends with Ratha Saptami, the seventh day of the bright half of Magha, when the sun and his golden chariot are honoured. Pongal is a three-day festival. On the first day, Bhogi Pongal, celebrations are confined to the house. Evil spirits are driven out of the home and burned in bonfires, and the house is whitewashed.
The second day, Surya Pongal, honours the Sun god. Members of the family wear new clothes and cook - on a new stove and in new pots - a dish with the newly harvested rice, jaggery and moong dal. Sugarcane stalks characterise this festival, as do til, and sweets made from jaggery and peanuts.The third day is Maattu Pongal, honouring cattle. Cows and bullocks are washed, decorated, and worshipped for their role in ensuring a good harvest.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Punjab celebrates Lohri by feasting on sweets made of jaggery, peanuts and sesame seeds, and making a symbolic bonfire of the departing winter. In the days leading up to Lohri, children visit homes of neighbours, sing traditional Lohri songs, and ask for coins and sweets in return. While being Indian in spirit, this custom is similar to the tradition of singing Christmas carols.In Gujarat and other western states, people observe Uttarayana, when the winds change, by flying kites. The winter sky bursts into colour with thousands of paper kites.
The festivities conclude with a winter feast.In Maharashtra, people dress in new clothes and distribute sesame sweets. New brides are welcomed into the family with sugar ornaments and a turmeric-and-vermilion ceremony. In rural Maharashtra, feasts of the new harvest mark the festival.Assam celebrates the paddy harvest in winter with Magha or Bhogali Bihu. Pavilions with thatched roofs come up in the villages and there is feasting in the night. The pavilions are set afire in the morning.
The festivities continue for a week.At Ganga Sagar, where the Ganga enters the sea, a grand fair is held.The festival is also called Til Sankranti or Kichri Sankranti, after its main ingredient or preparation.In Thanjavur, Madurai, and Thiruchirapalli, in Tamil Nadu, Pongal is marked by jallikattu, or bull fights. A money bag is tied to the horns of a bull, and the man who succeeds in tethering the beast to the tree gets the money and a prize.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Karwa Chauth - Rigorous Fast Festival for North Indian Ladies
Other Indian Festivals Details
Karva Chauth is a very significant festival for the women of North Indian. Traditionally the Indian woman was expected to uphold family honour and repute. And in order to do that, she was compared to myriad goddesses and heroines in Hindu mythology whose personal and spiritual achievements thus set the way of life for every Indian woman who, in turn, was expected to emulate them. As a child she submitted to the dictates of the paterfamilias – the father, and after marriage to those of the husband.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Her failure to do so supposedly brought doom and dishonor upon the concerned families and their genealogical ramifications. The notion of female chastity, respectability, tolerance and demureness slowly but surely seeped into every layer of the Hindu society and literature, and great care was taken to glorify the woman, while the reigns of social control were firmly held by the mikado of morality – the male. In such a social construct, the woman’s identity hinged first on that of her father, and later and more importantly on that of her husband.
Therefore, in certain pockets of India, a widow was expected to immolate herself on the funeral pyre of her departed husband – an act hailed by many that guaranteed her the status of an ‘exalted woman’, a devi (roughly translated as a demigoddess). Hence, not only was her status, but even the mere survival of the woman was dependant on that of the man. The corollary was that the woman did everything within her means to ensure the well being of her patiparmeshwar, or ‘husbandalmighty’.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Today, however, the festival of Karva Chauth is not only a day when women pray to God for the long and prosperous lives of their husbands, but is also symbolic of their unflagging loyalty towards their spouses. The festival is celebrated nine days before Diwali, or the festival of lights, on the fourth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, around October-November. Married women, old and young, begin their fast on the day of Karva Chauth well before sunrise (around 4 a.m.), and eventually partake of food and water only after spotting the moon, which generally rises at about 8.30 p.m.
But this is not to say that it is a solemn day solely symbolic of privation, as a good measure of festivity, rituals and merriment complement its more serious implications. In fact many women do not adhere very strictly to the guidelines laid down for the fast, and while they choose to abstain from food, they drink water, tea and coffee.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Karva Chauth is a very significant festival for the women of North Indian. Traditionally the Indian woman was expected to uphold family honour and repute. And in order to do that, she was compared to myriad goddesses and heroines in Hindu mythology whose personal and spiritual achievements thus set the way of life for every Indian woman who, in turn, was expected to emulate them. As a child she submitted to the dictates of the paterfamilias – the father, and after marriage to those of the husband.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Her failure to do so supposedly brought doom and dishonor upon the concerned families and their genealogical ramifications. The notion of female chastity, respectability, tolerance and demureness slowly but surely seeped into every layer of the Hindu society and literature, and great care was taken to glorify the woman, while the reigns of social control were firmly held by the mikado of morality – the male. In such a social construct, the woman’s identity hinged first on that of her father, and later and more importantly on that of her husband.
Therefore, in certain pockets of India, a widow was expected to immolate herself on the funeral pyre of her departed husband – an act hailed by many that guaranteed her the status of an ‘exalted woman’, a devi (roughly translated as a demigoddess). Hence, not only was her status, but even the mere survival of the woman was dependant on that of the man. The corollary was that the woman did everything within her means to ensure the well being of her patiparmeshwar, or ‘husbandalmighty’.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Today, however, the festival of Karva Chauth is not only a day when women pray to God for the long and prosperous lives of their husbands, but is also symbolic of their unflagging loyalty towards their spouses. The festival is celebrated nine days before Diwali, or the festival of lights, on the fourth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, around October-November. Married women, old and young, begin their fast on the day of Karva Chauth well before sunrise (around 4 a.m.), and eventually partake of food and water only after spotting the moon, which generally rises at about 8.30 p.m.
But this is not to say that it is a solemn day solely symbolic of privation, as a good measure of festivity, rituals and merriment complement its more serious implications. In fact many women do not adhere very strictly to the guidelines laid down for the fast, and while they choose to abstain from food, they drink water, tea and coffee.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Krishna Janamashtami - Major Indian Hindu Festival
Other Indian Festivals Details
Gokulashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) on Ashtami day. This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Janmashtami. The actual day of celebration can be on two different days as the star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same day. This occurs between August and September on the Christian calendar.Krishna Jayanthi is also called as Janma Ashtami day, Gokula Ashtami and Sri Jayanthi.
The birthday of Krishna, who was born to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi is celebrated as a festival on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the English month of August-September. Therefore Gokuashtami means Gokul - Krishna and Ashtami - eight. Sri Krishna is Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar (incarnation) on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Even saying and remembering His name brings joy because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna.Since Sri Krishna lived in luxury throughout his life, Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with pomp and splendor. Plenty of sweets are made. Among these are laddus (yellu oonde), chakli, cheedai, payasam (kheer), and so on.
In addition, plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna's favorite childhood food, are given in offerings. A wide variety of fruits are also offered. The most common sweets made laddus and payasam.Great indeed are his many Leelas and the way in which he charms one and all. Several sages and seers have paid homage to him. Narada, Sri Kulashekara Azhwar, Andal, Tirumangai Azhawar, Nammazhwar have sung glorious verses in praise of Lord Krishna who embodies Shudda Satvam.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many Acharyas and Azhwars.The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviours and propounders of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kansa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna's life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over. He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.
Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine Teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy. The cultural aspects are represented by the traditionally dressed devotees.
The raas or dance is also done with devotees taking part with spiritual fervor. Sri Krishna who manifests all levels of joy, is also the source of spiritual joy, which overrides mental or emotional joy, just as emotional joy overrides physical joy. If all the three are integrated and interdependent, then the observance of the festival takes on the full meaning of Sri Krishnaarpanamastu - let everything be offered to Sri Krishna.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Gokulashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) on Ashtami day. This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Janmashtami. The actual day of celebration can be on two different days as the star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same day. This occurs between August and September on the Christian calendar.Krishna Jayanthi is also called as Janma Ashtami day, Gokula Ashtami and Sri Jayanthi.
The birthday of Krishna, who was born to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi is celebrated as a festival on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the English month of August-September. Therefore Gokuashtami means Gokul - Krishna and Ashtami - eight. Sri Krishna is Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar (incarnation) on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Even saying and remembering His name brings joy because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna.Since Sri Krishna lived in luxury throughout his life, Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with pomp and splendor. Plenty of sweets are made. Among these are laddus (yellu oonde), chakli, cheedai, payasam (kheer), and so on.
In addition, plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna's favorite childhood food, are given in offerings. A wide variety of fruits are also offered. The most common sweets made laddus and payasam.Great indeed are his many Leelas and the way in which he charms one and all. Several sages and seers have paid homage to him. Narada, Sri Kulashekara Azhwar, Andal, Tirumangai Azhawar, Nammazhwar have sung glorious verses in praise of Lord Krishna who embodies Shudda Satvam.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many Acharyas and Azhwars.The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviours and propounders of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kansa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna's life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over. He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.
Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine Teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy. The cultural aspects are represented by the traditionally dressed devotees.
The raas or dance is also done with devotees taking part with spiritual fervor. Sri Krishna who manifests all levels of joy, is also the source of spiritual joy, which overrides mental or emotional joy, just as emotional joy overrides physical joy. If all the three are integrated and interdependent, then the observance of the festival takes on the full meaning of Sri Krishnaarpanamastu - let everything be offered to Sri Krishna.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Durga Puja - East Indian Hindu Festival
Other Indian Festivals Details
Durga puja is the most prominent festival of Bengalis and Calcutta turns a new city during the last four days of the festival from Maha-Shashti (the sixth day), the day of Bodhon on Maha-Shashti to the day when the idols are immersed in the rivers, lakes and seas on the evening of Dashami. However, it is considered to immerse the idols in the sacred waters of the River Ganges.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is believed that the Mother Goddess descends to the Earth on Shashthi and returns to her abode on Dashmi. The fresh and cool air of the pleasant winters, the clear skies, mildly fragrant Shiuli (a type of flower), the bountiful harvest in the fields and chanting of mantras and shlokas to worship Shakti, all collectively set up the scene for the ten-day long festival of Durga Puja. The preparations are done long before the festival to clean and decorate homes, buy gifts for fiends and relatives and new clothes for the celebrations and prepare mouth-watering delicacies for the occasion.
However, Durgapuja festival is not merely religious in nature. With time, it has acquired the status of the biggest social even of the region as Bengalis use this time to socialize and make big plans for the four days of Durga Puja. Dances and performances organized, feasts and music reign the festivities and it is also the time for the teens and youths to catch up on the latest fashion trends, designer clothes, trendy footwear and catchy accessories. Businessmen sure cash in the festival and sales, discounts, free gifts jazz up the spirits of the people.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Shopping spree and traditional Bengali sweets help to loosen up the festive side of the peole. In short, Durga Puja is not only for the transition from the dull to a life of fun and gaiety but also to share this joy and happiness with friends and relatives.
Durga Puja 2007 :
The calendar or samay suchi for Durga Puja along with the timings is as follows :
October 18 Saptami
October 19 Mahashtami
October 20 Navami
October 21 Vijaya Dasami
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Durga puja is the most prominent festival of Bengalis and Calcutta turns a new city during the last four days of the festival from Maha-Shashti (the sixth day), the day of Bodhon on Maha-Shashti to the day when the idols are immersed in the rivers, lakes and seas on the evening of Dashami. However, it is considered to immerse the idols in the sacred waters of the River Ganges.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is believed that the Mother Goddess descends to the Earth on Shashthi and returns to her abode on Dashmi. The fresh and cool air of the pleasant winters, the clear skies, mildly fragrant Shiuli (a type of flower), the bountiful harvest in the fields and chanting of mantras and shlokas to worship Shakti, all collectively set up the scene for the ten-day long festival of Durga Puja. The preparations are done long before the festival to clean and decorate homes, buy gifts for fiends and relatives and new clothes for the celebrations and prepare mouth-watering delicacies for the occasion.
However, Durgapuja festival is not merely religious in nature. With time, it has acquired the status of the biggest social even of the region as Bengalis use this time to socialize and make big plans for the four days of Durga Puja. Dances and performances organized, feasts and music reign the festivities and it is also the time for the teens and youths to catch up on the latest fashion trends, designer clothes, trendy footwear and catchy accessories. Businessmen sure cash in the festival and sales, discounts, free gifts jazz up the spirits of the people.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Shopping spree and traditional Bengali sweets help to loosen up the festive side of the peole. In short, Durga Puja is not only for the transition from the dull to a life of fun and gaiety but also to share this joy and happiness with friends and relatives.
Durga Puja 2007 :
The calendar or samay suchi for Durga Puja along with the timings is as follows :
October 18 Saptami
October 19 Mahashtami
October 20 Navami
October 21 Vijaya Dasami
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Baisakhi - North Indian Festival - Hindu's Sikhs
Other Indian Festivals Details
It is a mega event - a religious festival, harvest festival and new year's day all rolled into one. In April, this day marks the beginning of the Hindu solar new year. In fact this day is celebrated all over the country as new year day under different names. It is also the time when the harvest is ready to cut and store or sell. For the Sikh community Baisakhi has a very special meaning.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It was on this day that the last Guru Gobind Singh organised the sikhs into Khalsa or the pure ones. By doing so, he eliminated the differences of high and low and established that all human beings were equal. Baisakhi has special significance for two of India's major religious groups. For Hindus, it's the start of the new year, and is celebrated with requisite bathing, partying, and worshipping. It's believed that the goddess Ganga descended to earth thousands of years ago, and in her honor many Hindus gather along the sacred Ganges River for ritual baths.
The action is centered in the holy cities along the Ganges in north India, or in Srinagar's Mughal Gardens, Jammu's Nagbani Temple, or anywhere in Tamil Nadu. Hindus plant poles wrapped in flags of god-embroidered silk in front of their homes, and hang pots of brass, copper or silver on top. Children wear garlands of flowers and run through the streets singing "May the new year come again and again!" In Kerala the festival is called Vishu, and includes fireworks, shopping for new clothes and interesting displays called Vishu Kani.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
These are arrangements of flowers, grains, fruits, cloth, gold, and money are viewed early in the morning, to ensure a year of prosperity. In Assam, the festival is called Bohag Bihu, and the community organizes massive feasts, music, and dancing.
Sikhs assign quite a different meaning to Baisakhi, and if you happen to be in a Punjabi village to catch the men performing the wild bhangra dance, you'll get the picture. This strenuous dance tells the story of the agricultural process, from tilling the soil through harvesting. As the dholak (drum) changes beats, the dancing sequence progresses, dramatizing plowing, sowing, weeding, reaping, and finally celebrating. Baisakhi also commemorates the day in 1689 when Guru Gobing Singh founded the Khalsa, the fighting Sikh brotherhood that donned the distinctive Sikh outfits. Sikhs visit temples, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where the holy Granth is read, commemorating the day on which the Guru asked five volunteers to offer their lives, then took them one at a time into a tent.
He emerged each time with a bloody sword, although he had in fact sacrificed a goat. In honor the "Beloved Five," a series of parades are held, in which sets of five men walk in front of the holy book with swords drawn. When the ceremony is over, a round of feasting, music-making, and dancing begins, amid the blossoming flowers and harvested grain.Celebrated In: In Punjab, Haryana and in all Sikh communes anywhere in India.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It is a mega event - a religious festival, harvest festival and new year's day all rolled into one. In April, this day marks the beginning of the Hindu solar new year. In fact this day is celebrated all over the country as new year day under different names. It is also the time when the harvest is ready to cut and store or sell. For the Sikh community Baisakhi has a very special meaning.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
It was on this day that the last Guru Gobind Singh organised the sikhs into Khalsa or the pure ones. By doing so, he eliminated the differences of high and low and established that all human beings were equal. Baisakhi has special significance for two of India's major religious groups. For Hindus, it's the start of the new year, and is celebrated with requisite bathing, partying, and worshipping. It's believed that the goddess Ganga descended to earth thousands of years ago, and in her honor many Hindus gather along the sacred Ganges River for ritual baths.
The action is centered in the holy cities along the Ganges in north India, or in Srinagar's Mughal Gardens, Jammu's Nagbani Temple, or anywhere in Tamil Nadu. Hindus plant poles wrapped in flags of god-embroidered silk in front of their homes, and hang pots of brass, copper or silver on top. Children wear garlands of flowers and run through the streets singing "May the new year come again and again!" In Kerala the festival is called Vishu, and includes fireworks, shopping for new clothes and interesting displays called Vishu Kani.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
These are arrangements of flowers, grains, fruits, cloth, gold, and money are viewed early in the morning, to ensure a year of prosperity. In Assam, the festival is called Bohag Bihu, and the community organizes massive feasts, music, and dancing.
Sikhs assign quite a different meaning to Baisakhi, and if you happen to be in a Punjabi village to catch the men performing the wild bhangra dance, you'll get the picture. This strenuous dance tells the story of the agricultural process, from tilling the soil through harvesting. As the dholak (drum) changes beats, the dancing sequence progresses, dramatizing plowing, sowing, weeding, reaping, and finally celebrating. Baisakhi also commemorates the day in 1689 when Guru Gobing Singh founded the Khalsa, the fighting Sikh brotherhood that donned the distinctive Sikh outfits. Sikhs visit temples, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where the holy Granth is read, commemorating the day on which the Guru asked five volunteers to offer their lives, then took them one at a time into a tent.
He emerged each time with a bloody sword, although he had in fact sacrificed a goat. In honor the "Beloved Five," a series of parades are held, in which sets of five men walk in front of the holy book with swords drawn. When the ceremony is over, a round of feasting, music-making, and dancing begins, amid the blossoming flowers and harvested grain.Celebrated In: In Punjab, Haryana and in all Sikh communes anywhere in India.
also know more about : - Diwali Festival - Holi Festival - Dussehra Festival - MahaShivaratri Festival - Baisakhi Festival - - Navaratri Festival - Rakhi Festival - RamaNavami Festival - Naag Panchami - Makar Sakaranti Festival - Karwa Chauth Fast Festival - Krishna Janamashtmi - Durga Puja
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Maha Shivaratri - Major Indian Festival
Indian festivals List
Mahashivaratri is one of the most important festivals / occasion for all the hindus through out the world it is celebrated on 14th day of the dark half of Magh the great night of Shiva is celebrated. On this day the devotees of Shiva observe fast.
also see - Diwali--- --Holi------Dussehra
Once a hunter set out for a hunt. He came near a pond, and for the purpose of hunting he climbed a “bel” tree (sacred to Shiva). Sitting on a branch he waited for game. But since the leaves obstructed his vision, he began to pluck a few leaves, which by chance fell on a Shiva Linga (“pindi”), which happened to be under that tree. Then a herd of deer came to drink water. The hunter took aim at a hind (female deer). But as she noticed the movement of the hunter, she cried out, “Please, wait a moment, before you shoot let me go home and meet my young ones for the last time. Afterwards you may take my life at your pleasure.”
The hunter gave the hind permission to go home, and re-mained sitting on the tree waiting for her to return. Waiting the whole night he was forced to observe fast. On the Shiva Linga he had inadvertently offered the “bel” leaves. With his mouth he uttered the name of Shiva, thus he fulfilled the conditions needed for the observance of the Maha Shiva Ratra vow. So without knowing how, his heart was changed and he was filled with sentiments of mercy.
Before dawn the mother deer came back with the entire herd. “Now you may take my life at your pleasure,” she said. Seeing the hind’s honesty the hunter’s heart was further softened, and he completely gave up his thought of killing the hind. Shankar was so pleased that immediately making all of them sit in a plane he took them to heaven. Both the hind and the hunter can be seen at night in the sky among the stars in the constellation of Orion (“Mrugshirsh nakshatra”).
Shiva the “God with three eyes”
“It is probable that, long before the arrival of the Aryans, the ‘great god’ (‘Mahadeva’ or ‘Maheshvara’) was wor-shipped in India.” Mount Kailas in the Himalayas is the abode of Shiva. “The Ganges came down from the heavens because Shiva bore on the matted locks of his head the forceful impact of her falling torrents.”
“He creates and destroys, he sustains the world, he at times obscures by his power of illusion (maya), or offers grace to the suffering world. These are the fivefold activities of Siva, symbolised by the five faces of the god (Pancanana). He sees the past, the present and the future by means of his three eyes (Trilocana). To save the earth, he drank the poison and his throat became dark-blue (Nilakantha). A moon’s crescent round or above his central eye (Candrasekhara), clad like an ascetic with a tiger-skin, he holds a trident (Pinaka) in his hand; he rides the bull Nandi.
Some of his images represent him as a four-armed person-age, two of the hands holding a battle-axe (khadga) and a deer, the two other hands in poses signifying assurance of safety and liberality; in some other representations, he carries a bow, a thunderbolt, an axe, a skull-capped staff, a drum.”
Shiva’s family is composed of his wife Uma (Sakti) and their two sons Ganesh and Kartikeya (Subrahmanya). Their respective mounts are the bull, the lion, the mouse and the peacock.
Male and Female
“In the full figure of Siva the male and female principles are united, and he himself is said to be half man and half woman. The emblem under which he particularly delights to be worshipped is the lingam or phallus, which is always erect. Lingam and yoni (the female organ) represent the totality of his nature and the totality of all created exist-ence.”
“Despite the fact that he (Siva) was later to inspire the tender love among his devotees, he remains a mysterium tremendum et fascinosum: he terrifies and he fascinates. Unlike Vishnu and his incarnations there is little that is human about him; he transcends humanity, and the vio-lence of the contradictions that he subsumes into himself gives him a sublimity and a mystery that no purely anthro-pomorphic figure could evoke. The Saktas of a later time sought to realize in themselves the perfect union of the male and female principles in the one by combining the strictest control of the senses with the sexual act itself.
A man and a woman, representing Siva and his Sakti, would be in close embrace but with the senses under such perfect control that no seminal discharge took place. Thus, it was claimed, the complete fusion of the male and female principles of Purusha and Prakrti, was realized in the One and indivis-ible Siva who, though ever chaste. In this close embrace which imitates the inseparable unity of Siva and Sakti, there is no distinction between liberation and creativity, between moksha and samsara, because the opposites are felt to have been transcended. The close union of the sexes is thus the most perfect representation in the sansaric world of the divine transcendence of all oppo-sites.”
Hindu's worship - Shiva Linga
The stone in its spherical form untouched by the sculptor, is the form nearest to the formless. And the sexual union of male and female is the farthest the human mind can reach to express the creative action of God. This action, as God Himself, remains a mystery to man. All that man can do is to look at nature and see how a new being comes into existence. Since nature is the work of God, it is logical to conclude that both the male and the female principles must be found in God Himself, the sexes being only a manifestation of God’s nature. At the level of symbolism, the Shiva Linga or the stone with the semi-spherical top, makes a positive contribution in man’s effort to express the Divine Mystery. Nilakantha
The demons and the celestials agreed to churn the ocean of milk. Mount Sumeru was the churning staff, the snake Vasuki the churning rope. They wanted to get ambrosia. But when they were about to get the desired nectar, poison came from the mouth of the snake. Frightened the gods and the demons ran away. They had recourse to Shiva, the Great God. Shiva out of compassion swal-lowed the deadly poison, which remained as a blue stain on his throat. Hence the name Nilakantha. Saved from the danger the Devas and Asuras resumed churning the ocean and shared the ambrosia that was obtained.
Twelve Jyotirlingas - of lord Shiva
The Shiva Linga is the most common object of worship all over India. But twelve such stones are considered more important and are known as Jyotirlinga. They are situated in the following places:
1. Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh
2. Rameshwar in Tamil Nadu
3. Bhimashankar in Daminyal near Pune in Maharashtra
4. Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh
5. Somanath in Saurashtra
6. Nageshwar in Dwarka
7. Mallika1 in Uttar Pradesh,
8. Kedarnath in the Himalayas,
9. Dhushmeshwar in Ellora near Aurangabad
10. Trimbakeshwar near Nashik
11. Vishvanath in Benares and
12. Vaidyanath in Parli in Marathvada.
Mahashivaratri is one of the most important festivals / occasion for all the hindus through out the world it is celebrated on 14th day of the dark half of Magh the great night of Shiva is celebrated. On this day the devotees of Shiva observe fast.
also see - Diwali--- --Holi------Dussehra
Once a hunter set out for a hunt. He came near a pond, and for the purpose of hunting he climbed a “bel” tree (sacred to Shiva). Sitting on a branch he waited for game. But since the leaves obstructed his vision, he began to pluck a few leaves, which by chance fell on a Shiva Linga (“pindi”), which happened to be under that tree. Then a herd of deer came to drink water. The hunter took aim at a hind (female deer). But as she noticed the movement of the hunter, she cried out, “Please, wait a moment, before you shoot let me go home and meet my young ones for the last time. Afterwards you may take my life at your pleasure.”
The hunter gave the hind permission to go home, and re-mained sitting on the tree waiting for her to return. Waiting the whole night he was forced to observe fast. On the Shiva Linga he had inadvertently offered the “bel” leaves. With his mouth he uttered the name of Shiva, thus he fulfilled the conditions needed for the observance of the Maha Shiva Ratra vow. So without knowing how, his heart was changed and he was filled with sentiments of mercy.
Before dawn the mother deer came back with the entire herd. “Now you may take my life at your pleasure,” she said. Seeing the hind’s honesty the hunter’s heart was further softened, and he completely gave up his thought of killing the hind. Shankar was so pleased that immediately making all of them sit in a plane he took them to heaven. Both the hind and the hunter can be seen at night in the sky among the stars in the constellation of Orion (“Mrugshirsh nakshatra”).
Shiva the “God with three eyes”
“It is probable that, long before the arrival of the Aryans, the ‘great god’ (‘Mahadeva’ or ‘Maheshvara’) was wor-shipped in India.” Mount Kailas in the Himalayas is the abode of Shiva. “The Ganges came down from the heavens because Shiva bore on the matted locks of his head the forceful impact of her falling torrents.”
“He creates and destroys, he sustains the world, he at times obscures by his power of illusion (maya), or offers grace to the suffering world. These are the fivefold activities of Siva, symbolised by the five faces of the god (Pancanana). He sees the past, the present and the future by means of his three eyes (Trilocana). To save the earth, he drank the poison and his throat became dark-blue (Nilakantha). A moon’s crescent round or above his central eye (Candrasekhara), clad like an ascetic with a tiger-skin, he holds a trident (Pinaka) in his hand; he rides the bull Nandi.
Some of his images represent him as a four-armed person-age, two of the hands holding a battle-axe (khadga) and a deer, the two other hands in poses signifying assurance of safety and liberality; in some other representations, he carries a bow, a thunderbolt, an axe, a skull-capped staff, a drum.”
Shiva’s family is composed of his wife Uma (Sakti) and their two sons Ganesh and Kartikeya (Subrahmanya). Their respective mounts are the bull, the lion, the mouse and the peacock.
Male and Female
“In the full figure of Siva the male and female principles are united, and he himself is said to be half man and half woman. The emblem under which he particularly delights to be worshipped is the lingam or phallus, which is always erect. Lingam and yoni (the female organ) represent the totality of his nature and the totality of all created exist-ence.”
“Despite the fact that he (Siva) was later to inspire the tender love among his devotees, he remains a mysterium tremendum et fascinosum: he terrifies and he fascinates. Unlike Vishnu and his incarnations there is little that is human about him; he transcends humanity, and the vio-lence of the contradictions that he subsumes into himself gives him a sublimity and a mystery that no purely anthro-pomorphic figure could evoke. The Saktas of a later time sought to realize in themselves the perfect union of the male and female principles in the one by combining the strictest control of the senses with the sexual act itself.
A man and a woman, representing Siva and his Sakti, would be in close embrace but with the senses under such perfect control that no seminal discharge took place. Thus, it was claimed, the complete fusion of the male and female principles of Purusha and Prakrti, was realized in the One and indivis-ible Siva who, though ever chaste. In this close embrace which imitates the inseparable unity of Siva and Sakti, there is no distinction between liberation and creativity, between moksha and samsara, because the opposites are felt to have been transcended. The close union of the sexes is thus the most perfect representation in the sansaric world of the divine transcendence of all oppo-sites.”
Hindu's worship - Shiva Linga
The stone in its spherical form untouched by the sculptor, is the form nearest to the formless. And the sexual union of male and female is the farthest the human mind can reach to express the creative action of God. This action, as God Himself, remains a mystery to man. All that man can do is to look at nature and see how a new being comes into existence. Since nature is the work of God, it is logical to conclude that both the male and the female principles must be found in God Himself, the sexes being only a manifestation of God’s nature. At the level of symbolism, the Shiva Linga or the stone with the semi-spherical top, makes a positive contribution in man’s effort to express the Divine Mystery. Nilakantha
The demons and the celestials agreed to churn the ocean of milk. Mount Sumeru was the churning staff, the snake Vasuki the churning rope. They wanted to get ambrosia. But when they were about to get the desired nectar, poison came from the mouth of the snake. Frightened the gods and the demons ran away. They had recourse to Shiva, the Great God. Shiva out of compassion swal-lowed the deadly poison, which remained as a blue stain on his throat. Hence the name Nilakantha. Saved from the danger the Devas and Asuras resumed churning the ocean and shared the ambrosia that was obtained.
Twelve Jyotirlingas - of lord Shiva
The Shiva Linga is the most common object of worship all over India. But twelve such stones are considered more important and are known as Jyotirlinga. They are situated in the following places:
1. Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh
2. Rameshwar in Tamil Nadu
3. Bhimashankar in Daminyal near Pune in Maharashtra
4. Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh
5. Somanath in Saurashtra
6. Nageshwar in Dwarka
7. Mallika1 in Uttar Pradesh,
8. Kedarnath in the Himalayas,
9. Dhushmeshwar in Ellora near Aurangabad
10. Trimbakeshwar near Nashik
11. Vishvanath in Benares and
12. Vaidyanath in Parli in Marathvada.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Dussehra - Major Indian hindu festival celebrated
back to list of indian festivals
Festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and show through out india, Dussehra is related with the festival of diwali (as both are part of same epic Ramayana - the legend of Prince Rama of Ayodhya) . Dussehra or Vijaydashmi is always celebrated 20 days before the festival of diwali according to Hindu calender.
Dussehra or Dassera is a popular festival celebrated by Hindus all over India, albeit with different names. It is also known as Vijayadashmi ('Vijay' meaning 'victory' and 'Dashmi meaning 'tenth day) as it is believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed the demon-king, Ravana and won over Lanka, his kingdom. In other words, it signifies the triumph of good over evil.
The legendary triumph is reenacted to the day. Huge effigies of Ravana, his giant brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad are placed in vast open grounds. Fireworks and crackers are placed inside these and actor dressed as Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana enact the final moments of the battle. The character playing Rama then shoots an arrow with a flaming tip at the effigies from a safe distance and the crowd bursts up in cheer as the crackers catch fire.
The enthusiasm and the cheers sometimes even drown the deafening blast. Merriment ensues as people indulge themselves in fairs and games, dance and music. However, Bengalis celebrate this festival as a part of their main festival Durga Puja.
This day marks the end of Durga Punja celebration, the fiest nine being collectively referred to as 'Navratri'. The festival is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti who incarnated in the form of Goddess Durga, a combined manifestation of the divine energies of the Holy Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and all the other devatas, when they summoned her to kill the mighty demon known as Mahishasur and free the world from his terror.
On this day, the idols of Goddess Durga are finally immersed into water after the nine days of festivities. It is said that the people of the earth here adopted Durga as the daughter and thus, she visits the home of her parents every year during the last four days of Navratri along with her sons Ganesha and Kartikeya and daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati. She finally leaves for her husband's place on the Vijayadashmi day.
Dussehera in 2008 - Dussehera will fall on 9th October in Year 2008.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Holi - The Festivals of Colours - Indian Festival
Other Indian Festivals
The Spring Festival of India, Holi - is a festival of colors. Celebrated in March or April according to the Hindu calendar, it was meant to welcome the spring and win the blessings of Gods for good harvests and fertility of the land. As with all the Hindu festivals, there are many interesting legends attached to Holi, the most popular being that of Prince Prahlad, who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu.
It is the second most important festival of India after Diwali. Holi in India is a festival of fun and frolic and has been associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable. Unlike all the other festivals of India, Hindu Holi festival is one such festival where one can put down the social taboos and indulge in the intoxicating drinks and sweets prepared by using opium. It is a festival of romance often represented by the love-play of Radha and Krishna.
Brij Holi is famous all over the world for its gaiety in spirit. Each year, young and old, men and women, all indulge themselves in the spirit of colors and for once forget the social taboos. There are mouthwatering delicacies to savor such as 'Gujhias' and 'Papris' and there are interesting traditions and customs of Holi that have their own regional variances. We will also talk about making natural and healthy colors and safety precautions that one must take to enjoy Holi.
Holi 2009: Holi will be celebrated on March 11th - 2009.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Diwali / Deepavali - the biggest and grandest Indian Festival
Back to Indian Festivals List
India is the land of festivals but Diwali (also called as Deepavali) is undoubtly the biggest and grandest indian festival celebrated all over India with equal enthusiasm and zeal. Diwali Festival is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit word 'Deepavali', which means 'rows of lights'.
The story behind celebration of deewali is of historic importace . One of the major Hindu festivals, it is celebrated to commemorate the returning of Rama and Sita to their kingdom Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. Though, Diwali is mainly a five- day festival but we can see people preparing Diwali weeks ahead by cleaning and decorating their households. The main festival day falls on the no-moon day of the dark half of Kartik, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Celebrated with vigour and gaiety by people of every religion Deepavali, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity.
Innumerable lamps are lit on the roofs and windowsills of the houses, thus, giving an ethereal and almost divine look to the whole scenario. It is said that Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth roams the earth on this day and enters the house that is pure, clean and brightly illuminated. Young and old, men and women, all dress up in new clothes and buy new utensils on this day. They worship the deities, Lakshmi and Ganesha, and share sweets and gifts with their relatives and friends. It is also the beginning of the new financial year for the business community.
However, it is the crackers and the fireworks that attract the kids the most and form the highlight of the festival. Deepawali symbolises the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. It is the celebartion of victory of good over evil - and the glory of light.
DIWALI 2008 : Diwali falls on a new moon day in the month of October or November. Since the precise moment of the new moon falls on different dates depending on geographical location, the date of Diwali also depends on one's location. In 2008 Diwali will be celebrated on 28th October.
India is the land of festivals but Diwali (also called as Deepavali) is undoubtly the biggest and grandest indian festival celebrated all over India with equal enthusiasm and zeal. Diwali Festival is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit word 'Deepavali', which means 'rows of lights'.
The story behind celebration of deewali is of historic importace . One of the major Hindu festivals, it is celebrated to commemorate the returning of Rama and Sita to their kingdom Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. Though, Diwali is mainly a five- day festival but we can see people preparing Diwali weeks ahead by cleaning and decorating their households. The main festival day falls on the no-moon day of the dark half of Kartik, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Celebrated with vigour and gaiety by people of every religion Deepavali, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity.
Innumerable lamps are lit on the roofs and windowsills of the houses, thus, giving an ethereal and almost divine look to the whole scenario. It is said that Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth roams the earth on this day and enters the house that is pure, clean and brightly illuminated. Young and old, men and women, all dress up in new clothes and buy new utensils on this day. They worship the deities, Lakshmi and Ganesha, and share sweets and gifts with their relatives and friends. It is also the beginning of the new financial year for the business community.
However, it is the crackers and the fireworks that attract the kids the most and form the highlight of the festival. Deepawali symbolises the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. It is the celebartion of victory of good over evil - and the glory of light.
DIWALI 2008 : Diwali falls on a new moon day in the month of October or November. Since the precise moment of the new moon falls on different dates depending on geographical location, the date of Diwali also depends on one's location. In 2008 Diwali will be celebrated on 28th October.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Regional Festivals of USA - Virginia | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming - Festivals list
It's a request to visitor's that if they know any special information about any of festivals mentioned below then kindly describe about the information in comments to the post - your kind act would help to create a reliable festival blog , don't forget to mention your name along with the comment.
List of Festivals celebrated in Virginia USA :
Virginia Beach - American Music Festival
Clifton - Clifton Day Festival
Berryville - International Tunes and Tastes Festival
Hampton - Hampton Bay Days
Alexandria - Alexandria Salutes-A USO Weekend
Floyd - FloydFest
Herndon - Blues Fest
Fredericksburg - Blues in the 'Burg
Galax - Leaf&String Festival
Abingdon - Barter Theatre
Portsmouth - Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Virginia Beach - Neptune Festival
Galax - Old Fiddlers Convention
Lexington - Music From the Shenandoah Valley
Norfolk - Fleet Week Concert
Leesburg - The Potomac Celtic Festival
Appomattox - Railroad Festival
Vienna - Vintage Virginia
Fredericksburg - Renaissance Fair
List of Festivals celebrated in West Virginia USA :
Bramwell - Oktoberfest
Buckhannon - Strawberry Festival
List of Festivals celebrated in Wisconsin USA :
Jefferson - Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival
Fitchburg - Fitchburg Days
La Crosse - Oktoberfest
Denmark - Danish Festival
Kaukauna - Fox Valley Bluesfest
Madison - Blues Festival
Wausau - Big Bull Falls Blues Festival
Prairie du Chien - Prairie Dog Blues Festival
Porterfield - Porterfield Country Inc.
Milwaukee - BlueJazz Barbeque
La Crosse - Great River Jazz Fest
Eau Claire - Country Jam USA
Ephraim - Peninsula Music Festival
Milwaukee - Arabian Fest
Milwaukee - Summerfest
Cadott - Rock Fest
Cadott - Country Fest
Cedarburg - Strawberry Festival
Hodag - Band Fesitval
Bayfield - Apple Festival
List of Festivals celebrated in Wyoming USA :
Alta - Spudfest Drive-In Family Film and Music Festival
Cheyenne(Curt Gowdy State Park) - Happy Jack Music Festival
Douglas - Laramie Peak Bluegrass Festival
Kemmerer - Oyster Ridge Music Festival
Jackson Hole - Wildlife Film Festival
List of Festivals celebrated in Washington DC USA :
Adams Morgan Festival
National Capital Barbecue Battle
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
DC101's Chili Cookoff (National Kidney Foundation Benefit)
Live On Penn
National Cherry Blossom Festival(r)
Taste of DCCapital Jazz Fest
List of Festivals celebrated in Virginia USA :
Virginia Beach - American Music Festival
Clifton - Clifton Day Festival
Berryville - International Tunes and Tastes Festival
Hampton - Hampton Bay Days
Alexandria - Alexandria Salutes-A USO Weekend
Floyd - FloydFest
Herndon - Blues Fest
Fredericksburg - Blues in the 'Burg
Galax - Leaf&String Festival
Abingdon - Barter Theatre
Portsmouth - Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Virginia Beach - Neptune Festival
Galax - Old Fiddlers Convention
Lexington - Music From the Shenandoah Valley
Norfolk - Fleet Week Concert
Leesburg - The Potomac Celtic Festival
Appomattox - Railroad Festival
Vienna - Vintage Virginia
Fredericksburg - Renaissance Fair
List of Festivals celebrated in West Virginia USA :
Bramwell - Oktoberfest
Buckhannon - Strawberry Festival
List of Festivals celebrated in Wisconsin USA :
Jefferson - Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival
Fitchburg - Fitchburg Days
La Crosse - Oktoberfest
Denmark - Danish Festival
Kaukauna - Fox Valley Bluesfest
Madison - Blues Festival
Wausau - Big Bull Falls Blues Festival
Prairie du Chien - Prairie Dog Blues Festival
Porterfield - Porterfield Country Inc.
Milwaukee - BlueJazz Barbeque
La Crosse - Great River Jazz Fest
Eau Claire - Country Jam USA
Ephraim - Peninsula Music Festival
Milwaukee - Arabian Fest
Milwaukee - Summerfest
Cadott - Rock Fest
Cadott - Country Fest
Cedarburg - Strawberry Festival
Hodag - Band Fesitval
Bayfield - Apple Festival
List of Festivals celebrated in Wyoming USA :
Alta - Spudfest Drive-In Family Film and Music Festival
Cheyenne(Curt Gowdy State Park) - Happy Jack Music Festival
Douglas - Laramie Peak Bluegrass Festival
Kemmerer - Oyster Ridge Music Festival
Jackson Hole - Wildlife Film Festival
List of Festivals celebrated in Washington DC USA :
Adams Morgan Festival
National Capital Barbecue Battle
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
DC101's Chili Cookoff (National Kidney Foundation Benefit)
Live On Penn
National Cherry Blossom Festival(r)
Taste of DCCapital Jazz Fest
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
