Vijayadashmi, Dassera/Dussehra , Navaratri – Indian festival of Victory

Dassera is also known “Vijayadashmi“. Dassera marks the end of Navratri, the festival of nine days. Different parts of India celebrate the festival in different ways. Some celebrate it as Navaratri, some as Vijaya-Dashami, and some as Dussehra, in worship of Goddess Durga or celebrating Rama’s victory over Rawana.

Navratri : “Nav” means nine and “ratri” means nights, therefore the word “Navratri“. Dassera : means the Tenth Day, The 9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight.

Stories/ Legends:

VICTORY OF RAMA OVER RAVANA - Daserra

1) Victory of Rama over Ravana:

Dassera marks the triumph of Lord Ram’s victory. After vanquishing him, Ram with Seeta and Laxman returned victorious to his kingdom of Ayodhya on Dassera day.

The Burning of the Ravana Statue:

On Dassera, the tenth day the celebration of good over evil is marked by burning the effigy of Ravana. The statue of the 10 headed demon Ravana is made of wood, hay etc with fireworks inside.

2) Victory of Durga over Mahisura:

VICTORY OF DURGA OVER MAHISURA

Celebration of the victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura.

CELEBRATIONS :

Simollanghan (Crossing the territory ): In this ritual the territory of a village is crossed in the third part (‘prahar’) of the day, that is in the afternoon.

Exchange of “Aptya Chi Pane” : There is ritual of exchanging “Shami leaves” or “aptya chi pane”. The leaves are exchanged among relatives & friends as gold by saying “Sone Gya Sonyasarakhe Raha” which means take gold and be like gold.

Shastrapuja (Worship of instruments ) Peoples clean their weapons, arrange them in a row and worship them. Farmers and artisans too worship their respective instruments.

Navaratri-Indian festivals

CELEBRATION in India:

Gujarat and western India: The most famous Navaratri celebrations are held in the western states of India (Gujarat and Maharashtra). Traditional dances in the form of Dandiya and Garba take place almost everywhere. The dancers move around in a circle, with different steps around a lamp, which signifies the Eternal Light of the Durga. Generally Gujarati men and women wearing colorful dresses dance around in a circle by clapping their hands or decorated sticks to the rhythm of the devotional songs.

In Maharashtra, celebrations are slightly different. Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga while the Vijayadashami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. Here, this day is considered auspicious to start education, buy new homes, and start new ventures.

In West-Bengal, Navaratri is celebrated in the form of Durga Puja. Celebrated with true devotion, huge idols of the Goddess Durga posed as killing the demon Mahishasura are worshipped everywhere in West Bengal. Huge ‘pandals’ are set up every where and devotees in large numbers visit to worship Goddess Durga.

Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The next three days are devoted to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days to Shakti (Durga).

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, women arrange ‘Bommai Kolu’, a special placing of dolls in various costumes decorated with flowers and ornaments on specially prepared steps.

Punjab: Navratri is celebrated in Punjab by fasting for seven days. On the eighth day or Ashtami, the fast is broken.

Sources:

http://festivalsofindia.in/navratri/Celebrations.asp
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/festive/dasara.htm
http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/festivals/navaratri/dasera.php

Ganpati Bappa Morya

Ganpati Bappa Morya..

We are forgetting the basics of Ganesh utsava and for our enjoyment we are hurting the God, hurting the human being, hurting our rich culture.

Enjoying the Ganapati Utsav is part of our tradition.

Competing with other MANDALs to have better Scenery is also a part of it. But nowadays it’s become a fad to have bigger and more attractive idols of GANAPATI, rather than competing for theme of the scenery!!!

This not only pollutes water in rivers and sea but also makes the horrible situation at the sea shore next morning. (Like the one shown in the below pictures).

We should do something as citizens of India to keep our country clean, to continue respecting GOD, our culture and to keep our tradition running!!!

Following are few suggestions, you can add few more to help(and more important is to follow it, which ever you find more correct):

1.Keep the idols small and theme BIG: Idol of GOD, whatever may be its size, we have same respect. Then why to have big idols polluting our rivers more!!!

2.No chemicals: Chemical colors/material used to make the idols should be avoided as far as possible.

The idols are made out of Plaster of Paris(PoP), which casts typically disintegrated water, thus making it necessary to be non-suitable for bathing, showering, or other activities involving contact with water. In addition, Plaster of Paris casts are not air permeable, and thus do not allow for the circulation of air beneath the cast which greatly facilitates the evaporation and removal of moisture trapped between cast and skin. This often leads to skin maceration, irritation, or infection.

These idols are then painted with ‘some’ dyes which contain poisonous elements like lead,mercury,carbon and cadmium.

3.Immersion in Tank: It is a good idea to have separate tanks for Immersion rather than immersing the idols in River/Sea.

After immersion, the bodies of kings lie scattered across the battlefield.

Shree Ganesha

 

Dont make the GOD angry.

Stop hurting GOD

 

more links:

http://trak.in/tags/business/2007/09/19/polluting-ganesh-festival-idols/

http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/untitled/1971229

Holi – Festival of Colours

The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March (Phalguna) every year. Holi celebration begins with lighting up of bonfire symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Dhulhendi (Dhulwad), people spend the day throwing coloured powder and water at each other.

This festival is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha, and Pralhad – bhakta of Lord Vishnu.
To know abt legends & stories associated with Holi Click here

In Maharashtra, Holi is called Shimga or Rangpanchami.

In Bengal, Holi features the Dolayatra.

In Punjab, they call it ‘Hola Mohalla’

Click Here to know Holi in different parts of India.

Scientific reason for celebrating the Holi,

1) The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenhiet. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrima (circumambulation or going around) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing it.

2) The day after the burning of Holika people put ash (Vibhuti) on their forehead and they would mix Chandan (sandalpaste) with the young leaves and flowers of the Mango tree and consume it to promote good health.

Click Here to know more about Holi, rituals,and all

Valentine’s day – 14 th February

Valentine’s Day – Day of Lover’s

14th February is the traditional day, on which lovers express their love.
14th February is Lover’s Day celebrated all over world with lots of love, energy, joy.
And St. Valentine is the saint of lovers.
Valentine’s Day started in the time of the Roman Empire.
To know about History of valentine, myths of valentine Click Here

Sources: Googleimages

http://zwani.com/

http://www.groovymachine.com/

26th january – India’s Republic Day- Proud to be an Indian

26th of January is celebrated as the Republic Day of India. 26th January 1950, on this day the constitution of India came into effect and India became a truly sovereign(self governing) state, and complete republican country.

To know More Click Here

On January 26, 1950, Rajendra Prasad was elected as the first president of India.

Republic Day is celebrated with the hoisting of the national flag, and parades by the armed forces and school children all over the country.
To know More Click Here

To know More Click Here

sources: Google images

Makar Sankranti – Festival of friendship

In India, in Hinduism, Every festival, every social custom has science behind it.
Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the Sun’s journey to the Northern Hemisphere called Uttarayana.
Makar stands for the constellation Capricorn and the Sankranti of a month is the day when the Sun passes into a new rashi (zodiac).
The day and night on Makar Sankrant are of exactly of equal hours.

Makara Sankranti is also celebrated throughout India as a
harvesting festival.It is a way of giving thanks to the elements of
nature. In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival
dedicated to Indra.

Celebration all over INdia:
In Maharashtra, when two persons greet each other on this festive day, they exchange a few grains of multi-coloured sugar (TilGul) and say “til-gul ghya, god god bola” means “accept these tilguls and speak sweet words”.(hereafter,let there be friendship between us).
In Gujarat, perfect weather conditions at this time of the year mean this day is celebrated as Patang Divas (Kite Flying Day).
In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, festival called as Pongal,the whole festival lasts for four days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.
In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.
In Punjab it is called Lohri.
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called “KICHERI“.
In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankrant is known by the name “SUKARAT” or “SAKARAT“.

On this day people eat “bajari” bread mixed with “til” (Sesamum). On the feast of Sankrant “til” is
given great importance, for in this season it is considered to have special nutritive and medicinal qualities. “Til” is a very oil-giving seed. Mixed with jaugari or sugar it becomes a very sticky
sweet which people exchange with one another as a sign of friendship. “Tilgul ghya, god bola.” (“Take tilgul and speak sweetly”) is the phrase on everybody’s lips.
Til-Gul is heat giving taht significant in winter days.

Throughout the year the sun passes through twelve constellations: Mesh (Ram, Aries), Vrishabh
(Bull, Taurus), Mithun (Couple, Gemini), Kark (Crab, Cancer), Sinh (Lion, Leo), Kanya (Girl, Virgo), Tula (Balance, Libra), Vrishchik (Scorpion), Dhanu (Bow, Saggitarius), Makar (Crocodile, Capricorn),
Kumbh (Wateijar, Aquarius), Min (Fish, Pisces).
When the sun does not cross any constellation then there is an extra month called “Adhik Mas“. The crossing of the Makar constellation takes place in the month of Paush.

sources:

http://www.indiamike.com/india/chai-and-chat-f73/makar-sankaranti-pongal-greetings-t9234/
http://www.cuhcs.org.uk/sanskaar.article.php?article=makar&year=2004

Christmas: season of Santa clause, Gift Giving and Joy

Marry Christmas:  X’MAS is a festival about/ of  Celebration, Joy, Gift Giving, Santa clause,  X’mas tree,  Saint Stephen, holidays and to be happy and make others too.

History:
Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter.
The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be his actual date of birth.
In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th.

The word “Christmas” originated as a contraction of “Christ’s mass.” It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter ? (chi), is the first letter of Christ. Since the mid-sixteenth century ?, or the similar Roman letter X, was used as an abbreviation for Christ. Hence, “Xmas” is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.

In most places around the world, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25. Christmas Eve is the preceding day, December 24. In the United Kingdom and many countries of the Commonwealth, Boxing Day is the following day, December 26. In Catholic countries, Saint Stephen’s Day or the Feast of St. Stephen is December 26. The Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6. Eastern Orthodox Churches that still use the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on the Julian version of 25 December, which is January 7 on the more widely used Gregorian calendar, because the two calendars are now 13 days apart.

Santa Claus:

jolly old man with a long white beard and wearing a red suit, Santa Claus is popular with children as a gift-giving person. There is myth, On Christmas Eve night he travels around the world, flying across the sky in a sleigh drawn by eight reindeer.He enters households by sliding down the chimney with his sack of toys. He places the gifts under the christmas tree or in socks, all this is done while the children sleep.
Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply “Santa” is a fictional folklore figure who, in Western cultures, is presented as bringing gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Saint Nicholas is the common name for Saint Nicholas, a Lycian saint and Bishop of Myra in Anatolia (in modern-day Antalya province,Turkey, though then it was a Greek-speaking Roman Province). He was born during the third century in the village of Patara. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, but is now commonly identified with Santa Claus.
The popular image of Santa Claus was created by the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840–1902), who drew a new image annually, beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nast’s Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.

pine tree is associated with Christmas.The evergreen pine is symbole of “life over death”

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

Googleimages

Diwali – Hindu Festival of Lights

The festival marks the victory of good over evil. Darkness represents ignorance, all negative forces, and light represents knowledge, that destructs all negative forces.

The festival is associated with many legends and beliefs. One of them is the killing of Narakasura, a demon, by Lord Krishna. Diwali also celebrates the return of Rama King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana from a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana.

Fireworks, Deep, Diva are associated with the festival.

Diwali is celebrated over five days

1) Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means “wealth” and Trayodashi means “13th day”. It is a day for shopping. Two legends are worshiped on this day. One of Lord Yamaraja to avoid untimely death and the other of Dhanvantri holding a pot of Amrit for good health.

2) Naraka Chaturdasi: Chaturdasi is the fourteenth day on which demon Narakasura was killed. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

3) Laxmi Pujan: People perform special Puja of Laxmi, godess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi visits everyone during Diwali and brings peace and prosperity to all.

4) Padawa: The day following the Amavasya is “Kartik Shuddh Padwa”.

Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly-married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents

5) The fifth day of Deepavali or Diwali is celebrated as Bhaiya Dooj or Bhau bij, popularly know as Bhai Dooj. A ritual involving brother and sister. The second day after the new moon. Day of love between brothers and sisters.

Hindu purchase gold, gifts, decorations, crackers (fireworks) and household appliances during this festival. On Deepavali day, the members of the mercantile community open and worship new account books and ledgers. This is because during Deepavali the Sun enters its second course and passes Libra, which is represented by the ‘Balance’ or ‘Scale’.

sources:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/deepavali.htm
http://www.hinduism.co.za/deepaval.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/diwali/diwali_rituals.shtml
http://www.diwalifestival.org