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Showing posts with label hindu festivals list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hindu festivals list. Show all posts

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Hindu Festivals of India

Holiday Observed in
Bhogi Andhra Pradesh
Pongal

(Tamil New Year)
Andaman & Nicobar, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Puduchery, Tamil Nadu
Thiruvalluvar Day Puduchery, Tamil Nadu
Uzhavar Thirunal

(Farmers' Day)
Tamil Nadu
Vasant Panchami Orissa, Tripura, West Bengal
Maha Shivaratri Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
Holi all states and territories except Karnataka, Kerala, Nagaland, Puduchery, Tamil Nadu and Tripura
Cheti Chand

(Sindhi New Year)
Uttar Pradesh
Gudi Padva

(Marathi New Year)
Goa, Maharashtra
Ugadi
(Telugu New Year)
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Puduchery, Tamil Nadu
Rama Navami Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
Bihu
(Assamese New Year)
Assam
Pohela Boishakh
(Bengali New Year)
Tripura, West Bengal
Maharishi Parasuram Jayanti Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh
Raksha Bandhan Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh
Krishna Janmashtami Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra
Ganesh Chaturthi Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh,Puduchery, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
Onam Kerala, Puduchery
Mahalaya Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam
Dussehra all states and territories except Punjab

observed for 2 days in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Nagaland, Orissa, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh

observed for 3 days in Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura

observed for 4 days in West Bengal
Lakshmi Puja Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Maharashtra
Diwali all states and territories

observed for 2 days in Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh
Bhai Duj Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Navaratri - Grest Indian Hindu festival celebrated throughout

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

Rakhi | Raksha Bandhan - Festival strengthening bond between Brothers and Sisters

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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

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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

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
 
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