Ram Navami

Ram Navami is a festival celebrating the day of the Divine birth of Shree Ramachandra, an avatar of the Supreme Lord. Ram Navami is observed on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March - April).

Origin

The demon king Ravan was a great devotee of Lord Shiv. He performed severe penance to become invincible. However, he soon grew very arrogant, and misused his powers against the celestial gods themselves. The celestial gods prayed to the Supreme Lord, who agreed to take birth on the earth, kill Ravan, and protect His devotees.Meanwhile, King Dashrath of the Surya dynasty had three wives, but no children.

He performed the Putreshti Yagna to beget children. God blessed the king and decided to take birth as Dashrath’s son. Soon, the king was blessed with four children – Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna. Ram was the eldest of the brothers. He was brave, wise, handsome, and the favorite of the entire kingdom. Lord Ram fulfilled the condition for Seeta’s svayamvar by breaking the bow of Lord Shiv, and got married to Seeta. The day before His coronation as king, to keep his father’s word, He went into to the forest for fourteen years exile. When Ravan kidnapped Mother Seeta, Lord Ram went to Lanka and killed Ravan and other demons in battle, to fulfill His mission. He then ruled the throne of Ayodhya for many years as a perfect king. Ramnavami celebrates the day of His appearance on the earth.

Ram Navami festival

Celebration

The festival is celebrated on a grand scale at the temples of Shree Ram, where a procession is taken out with deities of Shree Ram, Lakshman and Sita, or people dressed up as them. Devotees singing songs in praise of Lord Ramachandra accompany them.

At homes, people pray to Shree Ram and make offerings of delicacies loved by Him. In south India, the main offerings are buttermilk, panaka (a concoction of jaggery, water, lime and pepper) and kosumalli (soaked lentils with a bit of lime, salt and coconut).

In nothern India, the celebrations start days in advance, with people reading the Ramayan over a period of nine days and celebrating Ram Navami on the tenth day. At some places, the entire epic is enacted in plays, called “Ram Leela,” just as in the Dashera celebrations. In some temples, a small deity of Shree Ram is placed on a swing and rocked with love and devotion.

In some temples in southern India, the marriage of Shree Ram and Seeta is re-enacted on this day.

The celebrations are many and varied, depending on the region. No matter how it is celebrated, Ram Navami is a day of joyous celebration, for it commemorates the birth of a universally loved avatar of the Supreme Lord.

Holi festival

Holi is the spring festival of India and is also known as the Festival of Colors. It is celebrated at the end of the winter season, on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalgun (February - March). In West Bengal, it is known as Dol Yatra or Basant-utsav. The most joyous celebrations are in the land of Braj, in district of Mathura, where tourists especially throng during the Holi festival.

Origin

There are many stories associated with Holi. The demon king Hiranyakashipu performed penance for a long time and got a boon from Lord Brahma that he should not be killed under any of the following conditions: in the day or night, inside the house or outside the house, by a man or an animal, in the sky or on earth.

Holi festival

Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahlad was a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu. In the face of severe opposition from his father, Prahlad was always absorbed in devotion to Lord Vishnu and he always spoke about God. Hiranyakashipu was not happy with his behavior. When Hiranyakashipu’s repeated attempts to wean Prahlad away from devotion to Vishnu failed, Hiranyakashipu adopted different means to kill Prahlad. He was given poison, but it turned into nectar instead of killing him. Prahlad was left in a closed room with many poisonous snakes, but they did not harm him. Huge elephants were set loose in an attempt to trample Prahlad, but they too could not kill him.

Finally, Hiranyakashipu’s sister Holika’s help was taken. Holika had a boon, whereby she could not be burnt by fire. She took Prahlad in her lap and sat in a blazing fire. Prahlad kept chanting the name of Lord Vishnu and remained unharmed, while Holika got burnt. Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika, and celebrates the protection that God granted to his pure devotee. Later, Lord Vishnu appeared as Narasingh, having the body of man and the face of a lion (He was neither man nor animal). He killed Hiranyakashipu at the doorway to his house (which was neither inside nor outside the house), at twilight (which was neither day nor night), and by placing him on his lap (which was neither sky nor earth).

Holi festival

Holi figures prominently in the leelas (divine pastimes) of Shree Krishna. As a child, Shree Krishna was very playful and mischievous. He complained to his mother about the difference between his dark skin and Radha’s fair complexion. To appease Him, His mother asked Him to apply dark color on Radha’s face. This festival is celebrated remembering this incident, and the Divine love between Radha and Krishna.

Shree Krishna popularized the festival in Braj by His playful pranks, where He applied color on Radha and the gopis using water jets called pichkaris (a domestic syringe-like toy). The celebrations gained acceptance and popularity. Slowly, the use of colors and pichkaris in Holi became rampant. This pastime is wonderfully brought alive each year all over India. In fact, the entire country is drenched in colored water for Holi.

The beautiful scenes of Krishna’s pranks, in which he played color with Radha and other gopis, have been depicted in a number of paintings and murals. In some states of India, there is also a tradition to place the deities of Radha and Krishna in a decorated palanquin, which is then carried along the main streets of the city. All this while, devotees chant Shree Krishna’s name, sing devotional hymns and dance in bliss.

Celebration

Holi is surely one of the most vibrant and joy-filled festivals of India. It is unmatched in terms of fervor, family participation, excitement and revelry. Holi celebrations start with a bonfire on the eve of Holi. This bonfire signifies the burning of Holika in the fire. From the bonfire of Holi, people take a little fire to their homes. It is believed that by following this custom their homes will be rendered pure and their bodies will be free from disease. At several places, there is also a tradition of cleaning homes, removing all dirty articles from around the house and burning them.

In Vrindaban and Mathura, where Shree Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for sixteen days, as each major temple organizes a Holi celebration on a different day.

Holi festival

On the day of Holi, people enjoy throwing colors on each other. People play Holi with great elation and spray colored water everywhere. One can hear the shouts and laughter of people shouting “Holi hai! Holi hai!” Color powders are thrown in the air and colored water is sprayed on each other using a pichkari. People usually wear white garments on this day. Many sweets are prepared and exchanged. People gather on the streets and throw colored water on everybody’s clothes, even on strangers who pass by, no matter whether they are rich or poor. Differences of any sort are drowned in the colored waters of Holi, and enemies forgive and hug each other on this day.

In certain places of India, another game is played on Holi day. Women run behind men and tear their shirts. This is celebrated in remembrance of the Lord Krishna and His mischievous games with the gopies. To further enhance the festive spirit of Holi celebrations, people dance to the rhythm of the dholak and sing traditional folk songs in the loudest possible pitch. Children particularly enjoy the festival as they throw water-filled balloons. In the midst of these coloring games, mouth watering Holi specialties like bhujiya, malpua, matthi, puran puri, dahi bada, etc and downed with glasses full of thandai.

After a wild and eventful day, evenings are spent visiting friends and relatives. People exchange sweets and hug each other conveying warm good wishes for Holi.

Holi is very popular in the whole of North India, particularly in Braj region - Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana that are closely connected with Lord Krishna. Holi is also celebrated with great intensity in Western India as well as Orissa and Bengal.

Outside India, Holi is celebrated by people in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and countries with large Hindu communities, such as Suriname, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, UK, USA, Mauritius, and Fiji.

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri, or the great night of Lord Shiv, is the most important festival celebrated by Shaivites or followers of Lord Shiv. This festival falls on the thirteenth or fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Maagh (February - March). People stay up the whole night singing songs in praise of Lord Shiv, performing abhishek (sacred bathing) of the Shivling, or simply remembering Him by chanting His name repeatedly.

Maha Shivratri festival

About Lord Shiv

“Shiv” means “The Auspicious One.” Lord Shiv is one of the three forms of God, along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, who take care of the affairs of the material universe. Lord Shiv looks after the process of annihilation of the universe. He is also the source of fertility in all beings. Thus, He maintains the balance of life in the universe. His abode is Mount Kailash, where He lives with his Divine consort, Goddess Parvati, engaged in deep meditation.

Lord Shiv is usually clad in tiger skin and elephant skin. His hair is tied in a knot on top of His head, where He holds the Ganga, the holiest of all the rivers. Also on His head is the crescent of the fifth day moon. His favorite weapon is the Trishul, or the trident fork. The sound He loves is the beating of the Damru, a small drum that He holds in His palm, and shakes in a rhythmic manner while singing devotional songs. It also indicates His position as the creator of alphabets, language, grammar and music.
Lord Shiv is pleased by sincere devotion, and He accepts even the simplest offerings such as water and the sacred Bilva leaves, if they are given with love.

Origin

There are many stories related to the festival of Shivratri, and they vary from region to region.

Some consider this day to be the one when Shiv married Parvati. Shiv was engaged in meditation for so long and the Gods were impatient for Him to marry, for His offspring would be the only one who could rid them of their prime enemy, the demon Taraka. They were so pleased when Parvati won the heart of Lord Shiv through Her love and single-minded devotion that they celebrated all night long. Even today, Shivratri is celebrated in some temples in India by reenacting the Divine marriage at midnight.

For some, this is the day when the ocean was churned by the celestial gods and the demons for the divine nectar that had the power of granting immortality. However, before the nectar could come out, there emerged “Halahal”, the terrible poison, which started suffocating the entire world. Lord Shiv drank the poison and confined it in his neck, earning the name “Neelkanth.” Maha Shivratri is celebrated on this day, as a thanksgiving to the Lord for saving the world.

There are even more stories related to this sacred day. This is the day when Lord Shiv danced the Tandava dance all through the night. This festival is also linked to the story about the discussion between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu regarding the greatness of Lord Shiv. Lord Shiv appeared before them in the form of a pillar, but they were unable to locate either the base or the top of the gigantic pillar. At last, He appeared before them in His personal form on Shivratri day. There are many such stories in different parts of the country, but they all illustrate the greatness of Lord Shiv.

Offerings to Lord Shiv

Lord Shiv is known as “Abhishek Priya.” He loves being bathed by milk, water and other cooling things, since it helps cool down the effect of the poison He holds in his throat. However, His favorite is the sacred leaf, known as Bilva or Bael. There is even a story to illustrate this.

Once, a hunter was returning home through the jungle, and found himself being pursued by a tiger. He climbed up a tree, but the tiger would not give up, and sat under the tree. As night fell, the hunter was scared that he would fall down and be eaten by the tiger. So, he started plucking leaves from the tree and throwing them down, just to pass the time. That night happened to be Maha Shivratri, and the tree happened to be a Bilva tree. Moreover, there was a lingam underneath the tree, and the leaves plucked by the hunter rained on the Lingam all night long. Lord Shiv was so pleased by this offering, that He appeared in front of the hunter, and blessed both him and the tiger, emancipating them. Such is the power of prayers to Lord Shiv on Maha Shivratri!

Among the other items used to bathe the Lord, the most important are milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar and honey. Vibhooti (sacred ash) and water are also used in large amounts.

Celebration

All over India, people wake up early for the ritual bath. After that, they begin their prayers to Lord Shiv and abstain from food. The whole day is spent in chanting the Lord’s name, and when night falls, devotees visit the temple to participate in the Abhishek there. Most temples are kept open all night long on this day, and prayers continue throughout the night.

Maha Shivratri festival

Singing songs and repeating the name of the Lord, along with other devotees, makes it easier to stay awake, and so Shivratri is essentially a community festival. While the older people in the family actively participate in the prayers inside the temple, there are also activities to keep the children and the youngsters engaged outside the temple. Plays and dramas with religious themes are staged at many places. Thus, the whole family spends the night remembering the Lord.

Basant Panchami

Basant or Vasant is the beginning of the season of spring, and it is to welcome the season that the festival of Basant Panchami is observed. Basant Panchami falls on the fifth day, of the bright fortnight, of the Hindu month of Magh (January - February). This festival is enthusiastically celebrated in the northern and eastern parts of India. It is not observed in the South, which has a very short spring, before a long summer and a mild winter, with a long spell of monsoon separating them.

Basant panchami

Importance

Basant Panchami is one of the few Indian festivals with no story associated with its celebration. It is simply celebrated for the joy the spring season brings, and all the customs and traditions are related to the season and its produce.

Celebration

In Haryana and Punjab, the celebrations are exceptionally grand, since the festival marks the end of winter, which is very severe, and the beginning of the pleasant months of spring. The fields are covered with mustard flowers at this time of the year, and present a beautiful sight. It is as if the ground has been covered with a layer of yellow velvet! Yellow is naturally the color of the season, and people traditionally wear yellow to celebrate the festival. The feast also has a prominent yellow flavor – sweet rice with saffron, which is yellow in color. It is a day of celebration and fun, with the main activity being kite flying, and here too, the color yellow is predominantly visible.

Bengal and the other Eastern states also celebrate Basant Panchami on a grand scale, but in their own distinctive style. Here, the main deity associated with the festival is Mother Saraswati, the Goddess of learning and knowledge. In this celebration too, the color yellow is omnipresent, with Mother Saraswati being dressed in yellow, the people wearing yellow clothes, and even distributing yellow sweets! This is considered an auspicious day for beginning ones education, and children are taught to read and write on this day. Hence, it is even celebrated in schools and colleges. Writing implements and paper are placed at the feet of Mother Saraswati and then taken for use. The influence of Saraswati is not restricted to education alone, but to all branches of learning, even the arts such as music, dance, poetry and literature. People who play musical instruments also pray to the Goddess, placing their instruments at her feet.

Basant panchami

Basant Panchami is a festival celebrating the season of spring, but it all about thanking nature for all the gifts she has bestowed on us. This is the reason we try to mimic the nature we see all around us as we celebrate this festival.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival of India. It is also known as the Thanksgiving festival of India. It is a very popular festival that is celebrated across the country under various names. This special day marks the transition of the Sun into Makar Rashi, the zodiac sign of Capricorn. From this day, begins the six-month long Uttarayan, the northern journey of the Sun, which is considered an auspicious period. The unique feature of this festival is that it is always celebrated on the same day of every year – January 14. People thank Suryadev, the Sun God, for ensuring a good harvest and dedicate the first grain to him.

Makar sankranti 

Religious Importance

People pray to Suryadev on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. He is worshipped as the giver of light, the conqueror of darkness (ignorance), and the embodiment of strength.

The Puranas say that on this day, Suryadev visits the house of his son Shani, who is the master of Makar Rashi. It is said that father and son do not get along well, but Suryadev sets aside all differences and makes it a point to meet his son on this day.

It was on this day that Lord Vishnu ended the ever-increasing powers of the Asuras by defeating them and burying their heads under the Mandarachal Mountain. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.

The importance of this day was highlighted during the Mahabharat war, when the great grandsire, Bheeshma, declared his intent to leave his mortal body on this day.

In recent times, a very special event took place on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. Shree Kripaluji Maharaj was invited by the Kashi Vidvat Parishat, the supreme body of 500 Vedic scholars at that time. He spoke before them in sophisticated Sanskrit language for ten days, and revealed the true knowledge of all the Vedic scriptures. When the entire assembly realized that his knowledge was deeper than the combined knowledge of all of them, they unanimously conferred upon him the title of “Jagadguru.” This historic event took place on January 14, 1957. Prior to this, only four personalities had received the original title of Jagadguru: Jagadguru Shree Shankaracharya, Jagadguru Shree Nimbarkacharya, Jagadguru Shree Ramanujacharya, Jagadguru Shree Madhvacharya. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj became the fifth original Jagadguru in history. This day is celebrated by his devotees as “Jagadguru Diwas (Day of the Jagadguru).”

Celebration

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural styles depending upon the region, with great fervor and devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar (place where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag (Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh), and pray to Suryadev. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated. In many parts of India, kolams
(colourful ground patterns made out of rice flour) are made in the front courtyards of houses. New clothes for the whole family are bought to mark the festivities. The cattle are decorated with beads, bells and flowers. Their horns are painted and capped with shining metals. Since the festival is celebrated in mid winter, the food prepared for this festival is high in energy. Laddu made of til (sesame seeds) and jaggery is a specialty of the festival. People visit each other and exchange sweets and delicacies.

Celebration in South India

Although Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India, it is most elaborate, colorful and vibrant in the southern states of India. This festival is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu which derives its name from the ritual of boiling a mixture of rice, milk and jaggery, and allowing it to spill over. It is also very popular in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as “Sankranti.”

In some parts of Karnataka, it is celebrated as “Yellu-Bella”. Yellu is sesame seeds and ‘Bella’ is jaggery. The womenfolk of each household distribute a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut and groundnuts to relatives and friends. The display of cows and cattle in many colorful costumes in an open field is quite popular. Cows are decorated for the occasion and taken on a procession.

In Tamil Nadu, the celebration lasts for four full days. The first day is celebrated as “Bhogi Pongal” or just “Bhogi”. It is usually meant for domestic activities and family get-togethers. This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds and the give rains. The important ritual observed on this day is “Bhogi”, when useless household articles are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes. This ritual also symbolizes the destruction of evil and elimination of bad thoughts.

The second day of the festival is known as “Pongal”. It is called “Pedda Panduga” (big festival) in Andhra Pradesh. Prayers are offered to the Sun god early in the morning. Family members gather outside their house and cook “Pongal” in clay pots. New pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers and mango leaves. When the rice inside the pot overflows, the people rejoice saying, “Pongal O Pongal!”, as the overflow of rice symbolizes a prosperous farming for them. People worship Sun god on this day by offering both Pongal and sugarcane. Sugarcane is offered as a symbol of sweetness and happiness in life.

The third day of the festival is known as “Maatu Pongal.” This day is considered as the day of Pongal for cows. For the villagers, the cow, a giver of milk and the bull which ploughs the fields are very valuable and therefore the farmers honor them by dedicating this day for them. It is a day of thanks-giving for these two animals. The cattle are washed and their horns are decorated with flowers and painted with many colors.

A bull taming sport called “Jallikattu” is played on this day. In this sport, a bull is left to run in an open ground. Young men display their bravery by attempting to jump on the bull and control it using its horns. It  is an extremely dangerous sport, as the men ride the bulls with their bare hands and with no protection. The raging bulls have very strong and razor sharp horns. People gather in hundreds and thousands to watch this sport.

Makar sankranti

The fourth day of Pongal celebrations is called Kaanum Pongal. In some places, this day is also known as Karinaal or Thiruvalluvar Day. This day is very similar to Rakhsa Bandhan and Bhai Dhooj that is celebrated in Northern India. It is predominantly a festival where women offer prayers for the wellbeing of their brothers. On this day, people travel to see other family members and the younger members of the family pay homage to the elders, and the elders thank them by giving token money. Another ritual many women follow is leave food out on banana leaves for birds to eat.

Celebration in other parts India

In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by taking a dip in a holy river. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, people of all ages celebrate Makar Sankranti by flying kites and holding kite flying contests. In Rajasthan, this festival is known as “Sakrat” while in Gujarat it is known as “Uttarayan”. In the western Indian state of Maharashtra it is called “Tilgul”. This is a special day for married women who are invited for a get-together called “Haldi-Kumkum” and given gifts including utensils.

In the Punjab, this festival is celebrated as “Lohri”. It is also celebrated as “Bhogali Bihu” in Assam and “Shishir Sankraat” in Kashmir. In Bengal, it is celebrated as “Poush Sankranti”. On this occasion, pilgrims gather at Gangasagar, the point where the holy river Ganga meets the sea, to take a dip and wash away all the earthly sins.

Importance

Makar Sankranti symbolizes a new and auspicious beginning for all. It is an occasion to forget the past and allow new light to enter one’s life. It is an opportunity for families to get together and offer their respects to the land and animals that feed them on a daily basis. It gives us a chance to pray to God for the overall prosperity and wellbeing throughout year.

Khasi festival

The Khasi, Jayantis and Garos of Meghalaya celebrate many festivals that are directly and indirectly associated with religion. They are filled with joy and happiness which are expressed externally in the form of dance, feast and pooja.

Shad Suk  Mynsiem Dance

In every religious rite of the Khasi tribe, the grand finale is the performance of a dance, a thank-youd dance called Shad fur, which is now called "Shad Suk  mynsies". Religious rituals or ceremonies may be related to some families, clans, villages, raiyas, or states (Hima).

Shad Suk Mynsiem

Shad Suk Marnsim Dance

In every religious rite of the Khasi tribe, the grand finale is a dance show, a thank-youd dance called Shad Far, now called "Shad Suk Marnes". Religious rituals or ceremonies may be related to some families, clans, villages, rais or states (Hima).

Shad Sook Merci shows the matrilineal and patriarchal aspects of the society. Men with whips and swords encircle the virgin, because the patrons of women's rights have power and resources, while men have twelve powers and resources. Shad Suk Merces is celebrated in the month of April in Shiklang and other places of Meghalaya.

Nongkrem dance

Nongkrem dance

Driving experience through narrow alleys for hills and smithers, which first pass visitors, where the legendary drama drama Hima Khairium (Head of Khairium) is organized in the courtyard of the CEM, it is exciting and fun . For students of "serious traveler" and culture and history, there is a lot to learn and store from this dance tribe, which is held every year in Smile, which is 15 kms away from Shillong.

It is one of the most important festivals of the tribe and it is celebrated with pomp and happiness. Hundreds of travelers have visited the festival from different parts of this country and from abroad, traditional style CEM, head of Khasi State, and CEEM, Samsung, Cam Priests, who are considered to be carers, all religious ceremonies, ministers and mango People celebrate the fourth day of the festival when most visitors come in the courtyard and look at some of the most beautiful traditional costumes performed by women and men Are decorated for Young virgin girls wear expensive silks and shad kintai dances in the inner circle of gold ornaments area, while the turban wearing dhoti with full sleeve shirt, sleeve coat and sword owners is the legacy of the outer circle.

Phulaich festival

The Phulaich fair is organized every year in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is organized in the month of September in Kinnaur district. Although the State of Himachal Pradesh is famous for its fairs and festivals, especially for the feeling of its local people. The phulaich fair is the best of its kind in Himachal Pradesh.

According to the Hindu calendar, it is organized in the month of Bhadrapad, which spreads the monsoon. The fair is basically associated with the festival of flowers showing the flower of Ukeyang in Kinnaur Valley.

Phulaich festival

The Phulaich Festival, also called the Phulaich Festival, is associated with the task of remembering those who have died. During the fair, the village comes alive. Participants of colorful stalls and surrounding areas increased the venue during the festival. There is a proper taste for tourists or outside visitors

The Phulaich Mela or Fulaich is celebrated with great enthusiasm by local people of the fair place. Festivals usually start with the villagers who go to the top of the mountain and collect the flowers of the villagers. The villagers also sacrifice animals. The fair is linked to the task of remembering the people who have passed, and in this way relatives give their liquor, rice and food to the dead, which are later divided among the poor.

After this ritual, the villagers gather to visit the house of the Dhanangpa family and to show their respect by wearing garlands to family members. Apart from this, the people of the village are playing drums and bubbles flying to congratulate the heroic team who is climbing the top of the hill to collect flowers.

In the proper number of dances by the people of the village, the scenes of the ancient warriors are shown with the weapons of war.

History of phulaich festival

On the special day (16th day of the Hindu month of 'Bhadrapad'), Ten Rajputs (with the warrior family) climbed to choose some wonderful and influential flowers.

He spent all day and the next day on the beautiful hill of colorful flowers.

The batch of Rajputs came back with the classification of flowers and fragrances. Sweet aroma was really attractive. The people who were experiencing the smell for the first time felt very excited and excited. The villagers, who visited the famous forests for these sweet and aromatic flowers, fell in love with the aroma of the mind-boggling flowers and blossoming flowers. The universe was fascinating around and the power to mess up the mind and spirit. All residents danced and celebrated with charismatic music under the pine trees on the 18th night. This horrible festival of Himachal Pradesh continues for one week.

The return of the villagers was celebrated as a flower festival. The varieties and varieties of rich wild flowers are the main attractions and attractions of the festival.

Komuravelli Mallanna Jaathara festival

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple Komuravelli is popularly known as the temple of a Hindu temple on a hill in the village of Siddipet Komuravelli in the district of Komuravelli Mallanna, Telangana. The primary Goddess Mallanna or Mallikarjuna is the incarnation of Swami Lord Shiva. It is located near Siddipet on SH-1 Rajiv road. The god is also called Khandoba by the Maharashtrians. The temple is located 85 km from Hyderabad.

Komuravelli Mallanna Jaathara festival

Mallana is accompanied by his commerce Gaula Kethamma, Devi Ganga and Maddhamma, Goddess Parvati in the main temple. Ogu legend singers sing the story of Mallanna here The devotees pray to Mallana with the help of Ogu Pujaris, who draw a Rangoli in front of Lord Mallanna and Patnam (a form of prayer to God) in the verandah of the temple, inside the temple.

During Maha Shivaratri a large number of devotees come during the celebration of Pedda Patnam and before the Udayi Agni Gundalu come to the temple of Mallanna during the celebration of the festival. The festival season, known as Jatara, begins with the Sankranthi and continues till the time of Udayadi. A large number of devotees pray to the Gods on all Sundays coming between Sankranti and Ugadi.

Another temple is near Konda Pochamma Temple, which is visited by devotees going to the Mallanna temple.

Komuravelli Mallanna story

There is no written script for the story of Lord Mallana. Mallanna's story is sung in "Oug Katha". In this Ogu legend, Swami Mallanna married Devi Meddalma, who was facing situations laid down by her brothers. Goddess Medlalma is also called Bramerambika, who is the wife of Lord Shiva.

Losar festival

Losar festival celebrate in the Arunachal Pradesh by the monpa and other community. Other community like Sherdukpens, Memba, Khamba and Nah. Mainly this festival known as new year festival for tibetan Buddhism. This is a annual festival for tibetan Buddhism. Losar festival mainly celebrate in three day by monpa community and started this festival February 11 each year.

Losar festival

In the first day of losar he prepare feast among his families and the priests make offering to the highest priest called the Dharmapala, whereas the masses visit friends and family and wish them Tashi Delek.Also according to the local cultural, sprouted barley seeds and other grains are offered on home altars to ensure a good harvest.

Losar festival dance

In the second day of losar known as Gyalpo Losar. This day national leaders and kings are honoured. On this day people are exchange gifts among with family and relatives. Third day of losar festival known as Choe Kyong Losar. The people make offerings to Dharmapala and tie prayer flags on rooftops and across the locality and celebrate the festival among the community. Although the spiritual observance ends on the third day.

History of the Loser Festival

Losar festival is the date of ex-Buddhist Bon Era in Tibet. Historically, the Buddhist festival of Losar is celebrated during the winter solstice, but Ladakh adheres to a different set of rules while celebrating their Losar festival. There is an interesting story on the root of the loser gatherings in Ladakh. On the eve of the establishment of a campaign against the Balastar forces in winter, King Jameong Namgyal was advised not to lead the campaign before the new year. To solve the problem, in relation to the advice, he celebrated New Year in Ladakh for two months.

It was established as a tradition and since then, on the first day of the eleventh month (according to the lunar calendar) is celebrated every year. During this festival people provide adequate sunlight to promote local deities and spirits. Later, this event was converted into an annual Buddhist festival which was probably started during the tenure of the ninth Tibetan King, Pud Gongyal.

During festival young boys and girls perform the colourful traditional dance of monpa community.

Goncha festival

Goncha Festival is Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra (chariot) festival, which is similar to Puri Rath Yatra (chariot). This is the second largest charioteer after Puri. The word nondha is taken from the word gundicha in Puri. This annual festival is celebrated in Bastar in the Ashad Shukla diitiya (second day in the bright fortnight of Ashad (June-July) month).

Goncha Festival image

Three different chariots are built for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra. After Puri, Lord Jagannath is the second largest chariot in the world. Chariots are made by a separate tribal community.

Celebrating the Goncha Festival

Goncha festival mainly reflects the cultural traits of the tribal community which are gathered from different parts of Bastar. The festival exhibits the rich culture of tribal people in the region. Various traditions and apparel are associated with the celebration of Gonko festival.

In Chhattisgarh, the Gancha festival is organized every year with great enthusiasm and high spirit. Goncha, one type of fruit and trunk, which means that a bamboo is used as a celebration device. A dummy pistol with a fake pistol is made of trunky. Bamboo gun is used as a weapon and fruit gonch is used as a bullet. Traditional tradition is to hit each other in a fake shootout to mark the tradition of Berta tribal. This encounter is very entertaining for the audience and is also the source of unlimited happiness to see each person as well as to participate in the event.

The Ganga Festival brings fresh enthusiasm and emotion and keeps people alive who are already ready for the festival. Tourists get a chance to become part of the festival, which is unique in this way. When people celebrate festivals, people are tied in their traditional sense and drown. The Goma Festival in Chhattisgarh is marked by the greeting of good wishes and brotherhood.

It also exhibits the indispensable tribal culture of Bastar. Strong and enthusiastic bliss that marks the Goncha Festival is remarkable. The enthusiasm and heartfelt feeling of the tribes from different parts of Bastar participating in this festival are unbelievable.

People play with Tupki (small pistol) in honor of Lord Jagannath. This pistol made of bamboo and penguin fruits is used as a bullet. In the shape of a pistol, a bamboo stick is cut and there is a fruit to attack each. It is not intended to hurt anyone, but to be a part of a fake encounter. The people of Bastar used to dance in front of the chariot.

As part of the Rath Yatra, the gods of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken out in the procession in Gundicha temple (Sirsara) and they remain there for nine days. Then the Gods or the Rath Yatra returns to the Jagannath temple. Return journey is known as brave goncha. The enthusiasm and enthusiasm of the people of Bastar during the celebration of this festival are commendable. If you go to Jagdalpur at the time of the Ganoka Festival, then you can become a part of the festival.

Time to celebrate the Gancha Festival in Chhattisgarh

According to the Hindu Calendar, during the Rath Yatra, the festival of Goncha is celebrated. It usually falls in the month of July according to the Gregorian calendar. If you go to Chhattisgarh state at the time of Ganoka Festival, then you can become a part of the festival.

Peerla Panduga festival

Muharram, also called Pirla Panduga in Telalana state, is an important festival. Muharram is a festival which is marked by process. During this occasion, a remnant named Alam is taken out as a procession. Representing a group of Sufi Shrine, the Ashrakhana is a region where there is a procession, many Muslims and even Hindus participate in this festival while chanting yes hussain because they participate eagerly in this procession.

Peerla Panduga festival

In Dabarpura area of ​​Hyderabad, Hindus are considered to be the Alegararda, which means standard holders in the famous temple of Bibi addition. Hindus have relied on thousands of people to worship the sacred relics of Alam because it is believed that the philosophy of this Alam gives them peace and peace of mind. On this special day of Muharram, Hindus visit the Sufi temples. Pirla Panduja is indeed an opportunity to grieve when Hindu devotees respect the feelings of their Islamic brothers and participate in a serious procession.

Peerla Panduga festival

Gods are brought from the forest to a place for a period of 10-12 days when more than 10 million devotees give prayers and gifts 'Bangaram', which is a pure doll for the gods. The whole place changes with Divine Mantras and for this Jatha there is a detailed arrangement with thousands of buses coming along with pilgrims.

In Badakhali, there is a rich history of 400 years in the Badakhali Ashrakhana, and during this festival there is the house of the maximum crowd. Thousands of Hindus go to this temple, especially during the 9th and 10th days of the festival. Many foreign tourists also see the proceedings of these festivals. In the last day, Alam is taken over an elephant as well as a march towards Masjid-e-Elahi besides Bibi. Festivals are celebrated in many rural areas of Telangana near Sufi temples or Durgahs.

Sarhul festival

Sarhul is celebrated during the spring and trees of the year get new flowers on their branches. This village is worship of the deity which is considered to be the guardian of the tribes. When new flowers appear, people sing and dance. Devas are worshiped with seal flowers.

Saruhul festival

The village priest or wife lives for two days. In the morning, he takes a bath and puts a dhoti made of virgin cotton (Kutch cloud). Last evening, wearing three new pottery utensils and filling them with fresh water; The next morning, he sees these pottery and water level inside. If the water level decreases, then it predicts that there will be famine or less rainfall, and if the level of water is normal, it is a sign of good rainfall. Before the worship begins, the wife of the wash wipes her feet and receives her blessings.

In Pooja, the three young roster of different colors provides for Singlaong or Dharmesh for one, because Munda, Ho and Orans respectively address them; Second for the village gods; And third for the ancestors This worship is surrounded by Sarna place during the villagers.

The traditional drum "Drum, Nagra and Turi" drumming the drummer and playing with devan while playing with the worn. When the puja is over, the boys take the garment over their shoulders and dancing girls forward to take them home, where their wife welcomes them by washing their feet. Then wear your wife and the villagers year flowers. These flowers represent brotherhood and friendship between villagers and Puahan priests, distributing year flowers to every village.

He also keeps flowers on the roof of every home for years, which is called "flower khonasi". Along with that Prasad, a rice beer beer has been built, which is distributed among the villagers. And the entire village celebrates this festival of Sarhul with singing and dancing. It runs for weeks in this area of ​​Chhotanagpur. In the field of Kolhan, it is called "Ba Porob", which means flower festival. This is a festival of deep joy.

History And Legends of Sarhul Festival

Sirhul is an important festival of the Oren tribe of Jharkhand region of India. The worshipers of nature celebrate the Sarhul festival, when the trees of the year get new branches, leaves and flowers. Another largest tribe of Jharkhand, Santal also celebrates the festival as "the festival of flowers". This is called "Baha". Tribes use years and mahua flowers for rituals.

The Sarhul festival is celebrated during the spring. The history of the Sarhul festival is according to the legends of Sarhul festival, for the period of Mahabharata. The history of the Sarhul festival shows that this festival is celebrated in the spring. This happens when the rural people pray to the God God, the guardian of the tribe. With the onset of spring and blossoming of flowers, the villagers started their celebration with music and dance.

The year's tree and its leaves play an important role in festivals. Sal flowers are used to worship the deity. Wear (village priest) lasts for a few days during the festival. One day before the main worship and rituals of the festival, three new utensils made from wrought cloth and filled them with water.

After bathing early in the morning, the priest wears dhoti made of pure cotton. Then he sees the level of water inside pottery. Estimation of the reduction in water level is the center of famine or low rainfall, and if the level is the same, it is a symbol of sufficient rain.

Before the commencement of religious ceremonies, the Wearing Wife dives his feet and demands his blessings. During the rituals the villagers surrounded the sarna or worship area. Then the priest offers three young rosters of different colors, one Almighty God, which is Munda, and Orasan tribes are known as Singabanga or Dharmesh; Another village for gods and goddesses; And third for the ancestors of tribes.

While wearing chanting of prayers, tribal drummers constantly play traditional drums, including drums, nagra and turi. After worship, the boys are taken home by the boys where they are greeted by their wives. Wear gives flower flowers to the tree flowers and flowers of the villagers and also keeps the flowers on the roof of each house, which is called "flowers". These flowers are symbols of brotherhood and friendship among the villagers.

After the end of all rituals on rice made from rice, which is presented to the villagers as "Prasad" of prayers, who sing and celebrate this festival and celebrate with great enthusiasm for weeks. It is believed that after this festival, the earth becomes fertile and the sowing process starts.

Among the people of the Ohron tribes there are many legends of the popular Sirohul festival. One of the many traditions of Sarhula mentioned in the folk; Saremabudhi was killed by a brave son of a widow with simple tools and weapons such as weapons from a tribal village to some tribal villages. Therefore, this festival is also called "Khadar Gahikhadhi" or the festival of children. Slowly this news spread to different villages, people celebrated and celebrated. Therefore, the festival is celebrated on various days of spring.

The history of the Sarhul festival shows many other folklores and Sarhul stories which highlight the lives and beliefs of the Oren tribe. The "fagoon" or march "jath" or june is celebrated, there are many reasons for this festive celebration. Some of the Sahihul stories belong to nature and its grandeur. These Sarhul stories emphasize the importance of nature on their protection and development. Some stories describe the struggle and happiness of life after achieving the desired goal, which brings you to the mood of the festival. Some of the traditional Sarhul stories also show the importance of family and the bond of love, care and respect, in which every family should have it. They also tell about the advent of the new generation and the joy that they bring. Apart from this, it can be said that all the history and legends of the Sarhul festival celebrated a new beginning, new life, new birth, happiness and prosperity.

Importance of Saruhul Festival

The Saruhul festival has been marked with the worship of the salad tree which is providing shelter, wood timber and weather protection. The belief is that Mother nature (Sanskrit word 'nature') lives on this tree and therefore is offered on the feet of a few select trees that can be found in the forest or within the circumference of the settlement. These year's trees are called 'Jahar', which means holy grove.

This festival comes in the middle of April when the winter decides to decisively and spring is established. The first offerings of fruits, vegetables and even paddy are given to the deity and only after the gift ceremony, tribals will consume these gifts. The deity's appeal is the most important aspect of this festival.

However, like all festivals, this Sirhul also ends with songs and dance, but until the ceremony ends and the priest (locally called 'Wear') has completed all the rituals. The significance of the Sarhul festival is evident in the disciplined manner of coming together for worship of the deity and it is the main purpose of the festival. After this festival, the seeds are sown with hope that Mother Nature will give them a gift of a generous crop.

Ritual of Saruhul Festival

In this festival, the performances of many rituals under the holy grove of the year's tree are duly performed by the Dutta Pujari ('Wear') by the help of Pulbhara or priest's assistant. The belief is that Mahadev or Lord Dharmesh is the controller of the universe and is pleased to offer birds such as white-colored animals and white goats, white birds, etc.

The main ritual begins with the washing of the feet of the deity as a sign of welcome. This act is done by the wife of the priest and after the reception of the deity the actual worship ceremony starts. Prasad also includes milk and some cotton cloth besides white animals and birds.

Prasad of the tree of the year tree is later taken to the homes of the tribe members and kept in the houses as a mark of good luck for the families. The priest also places some grain on the head of a selected chicken - if the hen eats grain when it falls on the ground it means that there will be good and sufficient rainfall. Otherwise, if the hen goes away without eating them, then it is the mantra of disaster.

There are many assumptions but the basic aspect is the discipline with which tribal members celebrate with drinks, dances and pleasures derived from rice processing along with other additives. This practice has been going on for centuries and continues to be strong till now. In fact, in other parts of North Eastern India, those traditions are also being adopted where the trees of the year grow in abundance.