India is a land of contrasts, a land mass of humanity and a potpourri of different cultures, which make it really exciting for a tourist to visit India. Festivals in India can symbolize the welcoming of a season, the arrival of a full moon, the harvest, the birthday of a saint or the coming of a new year to name a few. And as the winter sets in, India gets ready to celebrate the multitude of events and festivals. After harsh summer and intermittent rains, the weather finally is cool and pleasant, which make it the right time for festivals in the country.
One of the grand festivals that celebrated is Deepawali, which marks the victory of good over evil. Diwali is also called festival of light, and is one of the most important festivals of the Hindus, held on the new moon between October 13th and November 14th. Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth is worshipped on this day. Dusshera celebrated before Deepawali witnesses the burning of effigies of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka and his brothers.
In the East of India, especially in West Bengal, Durga Puja is the mother of all festivals. The week-long festivities of Durga Pooja culminate with the immersion of Durga idols in rivers and sea. During the Pooja, Pandal hopping is the most common activity, people shop, visit pandal after pandal, eat and merry.
In the western-state of Gujarat, Dandia is a common and very popular dance, which is done during Navratris (nine nights). Kite Festival in Ahmedabad is another popular festival of Gujarat.
Rajasthan celebrates a number of festivals during winter season. Pushkar fair is one of the most popular fairs of Rajasthan. Pushkar Festival is celebrated in Oct-Nov. The fair not only attracts tourists from all over the country but a large number of foreign tourists also visit the fair.
Here are some of the festivals that you can still catch this winter:
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb) Camel Festival, Bikaner (January) Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb) Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb) Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March-April)
By: Rojar Mark
Posts Tagged ‘Demon King’
Upcoming Fairs and Festivals of India
February 17th, 2010Deepavali Festival in South India
October 29th, 2009
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is an important festival celebrated all over India. It usually falls around late October or early November on the new moon day. This year, (2008) it is celebrated on 27th October in South India and on 28th of October in North India, according to the calendars. This difference in day is due to the variation in regional calendars. Though there are different myths about this festival the central theme of all remains as one – Good wins over Evil.
It is a 3-day festival in South India, and in some parts it is celebrated for 5 days. Generally, Deepavali celebration in Tamil Nadu is to commemorate the killing of Narakasura, the demon king, by Lord Krishna. In Karnataka it is called as Bali Paadyami to mark the annual visit of King Bali to see his subjects. They also consider this occasion as Festival of Wealth and Prosperity. In Kerala, though celebrated, it is not a major festival like the other parts of South India. In Andhra Pradesh also this festival is celebrated.
Preparations for the celebration of this festival start weeks before with the spring cleaning of the home, and by purchasing new clothes and ornaments. Shopping for crackers and sparklers is a special occasion especially for the kids.
On the main festival day the houses are decorated with artistically laid kolams. The doorways are adorned with garlands of mango leaves and marigolds, known as “torans”. New clothes are bought and the womenfolk make various sweets, the favorite being murukku in Tamil Nadu.
Deepavali celebration starts in the very early morning. Waking up during the ‘Brahmamuhurta’ (at 4 a.m.) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement. One by one all family members take oil bath with seasame oil. It is a customary belief that having an oil bath in the morning on the day of diwali, before sunrise, is equivalent to taking bath in the Ganges.
After the bath they wear the new clothes and put on their new ornaments. Then the children start bursting crackers, symbolising the killing of the demon king Narakasur. Then puja is performed to the family deities before breakfast and offer the neivedyam. Many visit the temples to seek God’s blessings. Special sweets are made during Deepavali to rejoice the occasion. The other items prepared during this festival are ukkarai, velli appam, idly, chutney, sambhar, omapudi and boondhi. For lunch, jangri, pathir peni, or one variety of the poli are made.
In the evenings, deepas, also called as diyas, are lighted and kept in the corridors of each house, welcoming Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. It is followed by bursting crackers and lighting colorful sparklers, by the young and old alike.
Hindus also believe that departed souls return during this time. As a mark of respect to them, their favorite foods are prepared and placed on banana leaves before the photographs of the departed, and offer prayers to them.
Many companies offer great discounts during this festival. They open new account books on Deepavali, and also give sweets and bonus to their staff.
It is also a day for all to forget the enmity and forgive those who have hurt them, thus glorifying their inner soul with love, removing the darkness of ignorance and ill-feeling.
Another great achievement of celebrating festivals in India is that it strengthens the family unity and social relationships.
By: Lakshmi Menon
