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Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on the third day of the bright half of the pan Indian lunar month of Vaishakha of the traditional Hindu calendar, is one of the most important days of the year for the Hindus. Also known as Akha Teej or Navanna Parvam, it's in the month of late April or early May that Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated; a time when both sun and moon are in exalted positions and at their brightest best. Akshaya is a Sanskrit word meaning never diminishing or inexhaustible; the festival puts forth a belief, a belief in the almighty, that any undertaking any meaningful venture or good deed will bring back more of the same to the devotee in terms of success and prosperity, that will not diminish as time passes by. Buying and wearing jewelry made of gold is an important aspect of the day and is known to invite Devi Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth into the households.

It is on this day that people conduct special Pujas, bathe in holy rivers, make charity, and offer barley to the burning fire. There's also a tradition to sprinkle Tulsi water onto the idols of Gods while performing the aarti. It's the various mythological legends and traditions that have been carried forward for millenniums that lend more weightage to all of the above set of beliefs and more. Various Hindu deities like Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Devi Laxmi are worshipped on the day for different reasons. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before setting sails for any new venture or deed, Lord Krishna is worshipped for Salvation, Lord Shiva is worshipped for health and good luck, and Goddess Laxmi is worshipped for wealth. Jains, who observe a yearlong fast on an alternate day basis, end it on this day with sugarcane juice. Browse through the sections to know more about the festival of Akshaya Tritiya.

Akshay Tritiya 2012: April 24

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Akshaya Tritiya Celebrations

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious days in the Indian calendar and Indians celebrate it with much reverence. The word Akshaya, originating from Sanskrit, refers to one that continues forever and Tritiya is the Sanskrit word for third. The day is celebrated across the country on the third lunar day of Bright Half in the Hindu month of Vaishakha. India is a diversified country where diversity can be seen not only geographically but also culturally, and when it comes to celebrating Akshaya Tritiya, diversity is present in terms of beliefs, traditions and customs. At some places it is seen as the day when Lord Ganesha started to write the great epic Mahabharata to Ved Vyas's dictation. Known as the day when Treta Yuga (second Yuga according to Hindu mythology) began, this day is also believed to be the birthday of the sixth Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Sage Parashurama. Many others believe that in Dwapar Yuga (third of the four Yugas), Lord Krishna was gifted beaten rice (Poha) by his poor childhood friend Sudama in Dwarka on this very day. This diversity in beliefs leads to diversity in ways of looking at its significance, and activities and celebration patterns also vary accordingly.

Akshaya Tritiya Celebrations in India

North India
In Northern India, the day is majorly celebrated as the birthday of Sage Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this auspicious day, people make many kinds of charities which

include Jala Daanama, Vastra Daanama, Shayana Daanama, Chandana Daanama, Padaraksha, Chatra Daanama, Naarikela Daanama, Udakumbha Daanama, etc. They take dips in the holy river Ganges in order to wash off their sins. It is also a day to begin Yatras as it is believed that anything starting on Akshaya Tritiya definitely bears fruit and brings success; many Yatras to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Char Dhaam and other pilgrims starts on this day. The day is also considered auspicious for marriages and you will see many people tying knots on this day. Offering barley in fire and performing yagya are also common trends of Akshaya Tritiya celebration in North India.

South India
In South India, the day is celebrated with full enthusiasm considering Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi Kubera as the primary gods. On this day, Maha Vishnu Pooja and Lakshmi Kubera Homa are held, and charity in terms of offering food and clothing to poor and needy also go hand in hand. South Indians visit many temples like Tirupati Temple, Meenakshi Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple, etc. on this day for purity of their hearts and souls.

Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, the day is considered favorable to tie knots among couples and child marriages can still be seen taking place in many places. In places like Bikaner, people celebrate it by flying kites throughout the day.

Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, this day marks the end of the women-oriented Haldi Kumkum festival. On this day, married women organize get-togethers at their homes and invite other women, relatives and new acquaintances to be a part of the festivities. The hostess distributes nuts, coconuts, sweets, bangles, flowers, betel leaves and other things to the female guests and the lavishly prepared snacks include Vatli Dal and Kairiche Panhe (raw mango juice). The day is considered auspicious to start new ventures.

West Bengal
In order to pay tribute to this belief, people of West Bengal start new audit books called Halkhata after worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha with the expectation of
earning higher profits in their business. Many of them visit temples and also perform Satya Narayana Katha at their homes. Taking dips in sacred rivers is also a custom being practiced by Bengalis since ages.

Orissa
In Orissa, rural Oriya people celebrate it by worshipping Mother Earth. It is a ceremony called Muthi Chhuan or Muthi Anukula in which farmers go to their farms in new dresses, worship Mother Earth and plough and sow seeds in their farms. In urban areas of Orissa, the day is considered best for the purchase of gold and silver. The day is also considered significant in Orissa as the 42 days long Chandan Yatra begins on this day and chariot-making for famous Rath Yatra of Puri also commences on the same day. The tradition of making chariot for Puri Rath Yatra is well known as Rath Anukula.

The day is again of great importance for people belonging to the Jat community. As a custom, a male member of the family goes to the farm with a shovel as the sun starts to rise. It is believed that animals and birds encountered on the way are the omens which give directions and messages about predictions of rains and crops. The day is also known as Unboojha Muhurta for weddings and many mass marriage ceremonies can be seen taking place on this day in Jat communities.

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Akshaya Tritiya Date

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej, is one of the most auspicious days for Hindus and Jains and they celebrate it with much vigor and reverence. It's a special occasion that happens once every year whereby the Sun and the Moon are in exalted positions, at the peak of their brightness, which usually happens in the month of late April to early May on the Third (Tithi) of Bright Half of the pan Indian month of Vaishakha according to the traditional Hindu calendar. Derived from the Sanskrit word Akshaya, which means never diminishing, imperishable, and eternal, the day is believed to bring in good luck and success. However, it's the Akshaya Tritiya which falls on a Rohini Star Monday that is considered the most propitious. It's also believed that sacred deeds (Punya Karya) performed on this day never go unnoticed and that starting a new venture or investing in valuables like gold and diamonds doesn't end without fruitful rewards.

There are many mythological legends that are attached to the day. One legend has it that it was on this day that Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu: the Preserver God in the Hindu Trinity was born. According to another legend, it was on this very day, that the Treta Yug began and the sacred river Ganges descended from heaven onto the earth. Lord Ganesha, the obstacle-remover, started writing the epic Mahabharata to Rishi Ved Vyasa's dictation on this day. And then there's the most famous of Hindu mythological legend, according to which, Sudama: a poor Brahmin friend of Lord Krishna was treated like a king, when the former came to the latter to seek some financial help. Upon his return, Sudama found that not only had his old hut been transformed into a palace, but found his whole family dressed up in royal clothing.

On this day, people conduct special Pujas (worship rituals), bathe in holy rivers, make a charity or donation, offer eatables to the burning fire, and worship various Hindu deities. Praying to Lord Ganesha before starting any new venture on this day is believed to remove any incoming obstacles or hurdles. Devotees also pray to Lord Shiva for health, marriage, and saubhagya (good luck); Lord Krishna for moksha (salvation); and Devi Laxmi for wealth. They specifically wear gold and other jewelry on this day to invite Devi Laxmi into the house; charity in the form of rice, ghee, salt, sugar, vegetables, tamarind, fruit, clothes, and money is done by many people. Being an important festival for the Jain community as well, people who observe a year long fasting on alternative days finish their Tapasya on this day with sugarcane juice. In 2012, Akshaya Tritiya is on the 24th of April.

Akshay Tritiya in 2012: 24th April 2012

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Akshaya Tritiya Legend

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya, which is deemed as one of the most important for Hindus and Jains, is considered to be a promising occasion to start off any new venture or to invest in shares, gold and other jewelry. Because it is believed that doing so ends in fruitful outcomes: successful and prosperity. Firstly, because on this day and night, the Sun and the Moon are at their radiant best, which astrologically is considered an auspicious occasion, and secondly, because there are many legends or mythological stories running along the festival, lending it its significance makes it quite an awaited event according to the Hindu calendar. Falling on the third (tithi) of bright half of the pan Indian month of Vaishakha, Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated with much dedication and reverence. On this day, people observe fasts, indulge in charity, and pray to various Hindu deities for different reasons. But above everything, it's the legends behind the festival that once again are remembered and a tribute, in deeds and in silence worship is offered to the mythological figures associated with the festival of Akshaya Tritiya.

Akshaya Tritiya Legends & Stories

Lord Parashurama Legend
On the same day as Akshaya Tritiya, Parashurama Jayanti is also observed in several parts of the country, as legend has it that it was on this day that Lord Parashurama was born. In Hindu mythology, he is known to be the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu: the Preserver God in the Hindu trinity. According to the puranic scriptures, Lord Parashurama recaptured the land from the sea.

The Mahabharata Connection
According to this legend, it was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya that under Ved Vyasa's dictation, Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata. Even in the epic, Lord Krishna presented the Pandavas, during their exile, with an Akshaya Patra, a bowl that never went empty and provided with an unlimited supply of food on demand.

Krishna Sudama Legend
According to this legend, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, a childhood friend of Lord Krishna named Sudama came to his palace seeking for some financial aid, with only a handful of rice to offer. Lord Krishna followed this age old Hindu principle of Athithi Devo Bhava (Guest is like God) and treated Sudama nothing less than a king. Taken aback and overwhelmed by the treatment, Sudama couldn't ask for any help but when he returned home, he found his old hut transformed into a palace and received much more than he could have ever asked for from Lord Krishna.

Annapurna's Birth
It is believed, it was on this day that the Goddess of food known as Annapurna, a special avatar of Goddess Parvati, who feeds the hungry, was born. When Lord Shiva, disguised as a beggar, (representing all beggars) went to the Goddess, asking for food, it's said that Goddess Annapurna fed Lord Shiva herself.

Kubera's Appointment
As per the Hindu mythology, Kubera, known to be a banker in heaven, received all his wealth on the day of Akshaya Tritiya by worshipping the Lord Shiva in the temple at Sivapuram. And it was on this day that Lord Shiva blessed Goddess Laxmi with all the riches and made Kubera and Laxmi the custodians of wealth and prosperity.

Sacred Ganges Legend
As per this legend, it was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya that the sacred river Ganges descended from heaven onto the earth.

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Akshaya Tritiya Rituals

Akshaya Tritiya or Akha Teej, also known as Navanna Parvam, is celebrated with full enthusiasm amongst the Jain and Hindu people on the third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of the traditional Hindu month of Vaishakha. Astrologically, the day depicts unique planetary positions of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter, as all three of them unanimously come together in Mrigshira Nakshatra. The brightest level of glow of the Sun and Moon exhibits auspiciousness of the day. "Akshya", which is a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes or ends. The day is believed to bring success and good fortune, and it is considered that one doesn't need to seek shubh muhurta on this day to start something good as the whole day is appropriate to start new ventures. Purchasing of long-term assets like gold, silver, diamonds, including other precious stones and real estate on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya is also considered lucky.

Believed to be the beginning of the Treta Yuga, this day is considered auspicious in Hinduism and Jainism for various reasons. According to Hindu mythology, the day is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the Indian sage Parashurama, the sixth incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu. Akshaya Tritiya was the day when Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of Wisdom, started writing the epic Mahabharata to Ved Vyas's dictation. Hindus believe that on this day in Dwapar Yuga, a handful of beaten rice (poha) was gifted by the poor Brahmin Sudama to his childhood friend Lord Krishna in Dwarka as a token of love and friendship. Mahabharata excerpts that the Pandavas received the 'Akshya Pathram' (bowl) from Lord Krishna on this day. The day is of utmost importance for the Jains too, as the first Tirthankara of Jains, Rishabhadeva, ended his yea -long fast on this very day by taking the juice of sugar cane.

Traditions of Akshaya Tritiya

Gaja Pooja
This Pooja is referred to as "Gaja Dhanaakarshana pooja". To elaborate, Gaja stands for elephant, Dhan stands for wealth and prosperity, aakarshan stands for attraction and pooja stands for worship. This means Gaja pooja aims at worshipping the elephant to attract and sustain wealth and prosperity in one's life and in society. At the inception, the elephant is cleaned with pure water, dressed and decorated properly. Various mantras and chants are uttered by Vedic priests while the idol of an elephant is offered light, incense, flowers and food.

Ashwa Pooja
Master of Ashwa (horse) is planet Mars, which represents command and energy. The main ingredient of mental peace and positivity is the flow of positive energy and command over life. To gain this, Ashwa Pooja takes place, and in this pooja, Ashwa is treated as a king and after cleaning and decorating it, pooja is offered.

Go Pooja
Kind, calm, love and feeling of ever giving are the characteristics of a cow (Go). To attain these qualities in one's life and in family, Go Pooja is celebrated. While conducting this ritual, the cow and her calf/calves are cleaned, dressed and decorated first and then the pooja is offered in an appropriate way.

Sundara Mahalakshmi Grand 9 Priest Homa
This ritual is of utmost importance and is celebrated with grandeur to praise goddess Maa Sundara Mahalakshmi who, in her form, exhibits all 64 incarnations of the Goddess. It is conducted by nine priests who chant 1008 names of Goddess Lakshmi. This grand ritual takes place in two phases; the first phase begins at 7:30 AM and lasts till 1:30 PM and the second phase begins at 4:30 PM and ends at 8:30 PM.

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Akshaya Tritiya Significance

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most significant days, both, according to the Hindu calendar and mythology. Calendar wise (traditional Hindu), it falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakha (late April - early May), when the sun and the moon are in exalted positions and at the peak of their brightness. Such a phenomenon happens only once a year and is astrologically considered the perfect time to start any meaningful endeavor. And per various mythological legends that are linked to the day, it proved to be nothing but fruitful to many: sacred river Ganga descended onto the earth from heaven, Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Shiva being born, Pandavas getting unlimited supply of food from the Akshaya Patra, and Sudama getting blessed by Lord Krishna more than he could have asked for; all happened on this day.

Even according to the Sanskrit meaning of the word Akshaya: imperishable or never diminishing, the fruits that are borne on this day, keep on multiplying. It's precisely because of this reason and another, according to which the day is ruled by the Preserver God Vishnu, that any venture: be it a business or any personal quest for self improvement; gets fulfilled positively. Lord Vishnu sees the intention and preserves what has been started, in the long run. On this day, people buy and wear gold: an ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity, which is believed to invite the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi, into the households. It's even considered an auspicious time to make long term purchases in the form of gold or silver, real estate, diamonds and other precious stones, and shares and bonds.

Doing charity is one of the important aspects of Akshaya Tritiya and it's believed that specific items donated on this day like land, gold, umbrellas, hand fans, cool refreshing drinks and activities like feeding the poor, feeding the cow and calf, bring in blessings from the above. Blessing the money or the material, mentioned above or any other, to be given out on this day multiplies many times over. Another significant aspect of this is the worship of Goddess Laxmi with gold coins and other items kept in the Puja (ritualistic worship) makes the wealth accumulate all through the year. Also, bathing in the holy rivers, especially Ganga and Yamuna, charity in the form of giving out rice, wheat, ghee, salt, fruits, vegetables, tamarind, and clothes and remembering the departed ancestors is believed to do much good to the devotees. Irrespective of what section of the society does one belong to, the festival of Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated in all the parts of the country.

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Baisakhi Customs

The harvest festival of Baisakhi is celebrated with pomp and gaiety across the vibrant state of Punjab. It falls on the first day of the Indian calendar month, Vaishakh, which is usually April 13. Apart from being a harvest festival, it holds a special significance in the Sikh community, because it commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa (pure) order for the Sikhs. In Punjab, major activities are concentrated on the prayers conducted in Gurudwaras - the Sikh place of worship. Apart from prayers in Gurudwara, Baisakhi is celebrated as an energetic festival in the open fields of Punjab, with the colorful performances of gidda and bhangra dancers. Learn more about the customs associated with the celebration of Baisakhi, in the article.

Baisakhi Rituals
On the occasion of Baisakhi, all the gurudwaras across India hold prayer meetings. Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book of Sikhs, is ceremonially taken out, symbolically bathed with milk and water and placed on its throne. The book is then read out to the congregation of the gurudwara. Thereafter, the five priests (panch pyare) chant verses from the Holy Book. After chanting of the verses, Amrita (holy nectar), prepared in an iron vessel, is distributed among the devotees. The devotees sip the amrita five time and take a vow to work for fellowship - the Khalsa Panth.

Religious songs (kirtans) are sung after the amrita is sipped by the devotees. Later, Guru Granth Sahib is taken out in a procession, symbolizing the journey made by the five fearless devotees from their homes to Anandpur, to be baptized by Guru Gobind Singh. Traditional Punjabi folk dances - the Gidda and Bhangra - and mock duels are performed during the procession. The parade is typically Punjabi, with colorful drummers, bands playing religious tunes, people singing holy songs, and men swinging swords.

Loud Sikh chants such as 'Bole so nihal!' 'Deg teg fateh!' and rhythmic chants of 'Sat nam' and 'Wahe guru' ring out from the middle of the singing and drumming. Some men may wear the headgear (bana) of Guru Nanak, while others that of Guru Gobind Singh. At noon, the Karah Prasad or sweetened semolina is offered to the Guru to seek his blessings. Thereafter, the Prasad is distributed among the devotees gathered at the congregation. The ceremony culminates with a special guru-ka-lanmgar or the community lunch. People sit down in rows, with their heads covered, as volunteers serve them with vegetarian meal.

The farmers in Punjab celebrate Baisakhi with fun and fervor, as it is their harvest festival. The energetic performance of bhangra and gidda dance fills the atmosphere with the festive spirit, which is reflected from the eyes of the people. Women clad themselves in their traditional gidda dress, while men wear the customary attire for bhangra. They dance to the beat of dhol, in a very joyful atmosphere. The lush green farms, with fruits, pulses and vegetables ready to be harvested, set the backdrop for the vibrant festival of Baisakhi, in Punjab.

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Baisakhi Legends

Legends are associated with a number of festivals celebrated in India. Since agriculture is the backbone of India - it provides livelihood to majority of the people in the rural areas of the country - the festival of harvest are given special importance in the calendar of events. Baisakhi is one of the important festivals celebrated with fun and fervor by the people living in the northern parts of the country. Apart from being a harvest festival, it holds religious significance too. A number of legends that revolve around Guru Gobind Singh, their tenth Guru, are associated with Baisakhi. Explore the article to know about the legends of Baisakhi.

Legends Of Baisakhi Festival

Guru Granth Sahib
Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi as the day of the formation of the Sikh Khalsa, or brotherhood. On the day, in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh guru) called on the Sikhs to sacrifice themselves for their community. Sikhism, in its present form, owes its existence to that Baisakhi day. After the Baisakhi Day of 1699, the tradition of Gurus was put to an end by the Sikhs, who, thereafter, declared the Guru Granth Sahib as their eternal guide and their Holy Book. Baisakhi also prepares the people of Punjab for the joy of the harvest season, which begins on the following day. It is a day of feasting and merriment before the hard, tiring but fruitful time ahead.

The Story Of Five Sikhs
The most famous Sikh stories revolve around Baisakhi. Guru Gobind Singh, standing outside a tent, called for five Sikhs to sacrifice themselves for the community. When the first volunteer stepped up, the guru took him into the tent, and reappeared alone, carrying a blood stained sword. This happened with the four other people who volunteered. Later, the Guru revealed that he had been smearing the sword with the blood of a dead animal, and all the five people were safe. This is, perhaps, the most interesting legend connected to Baisakhi.

Other Legends

According to the legend associated with Baisakhi, in 1567, Guru Ram Das committed Baisakhi as one of the special days, when all the Sikhs would assemble to seek the blessings from Guru at Goindwal.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj on Baisakhi, in 1875. Therefore, Baisakhi is as special for the Hindus, as it is for Sikhs.

Apart from the Sikhs and Hindus, Baisakhi is an important day for the Buddhists as well. On the day, Gautam Buddha achieved Nirvana in the town of Gaya, under the Mahabodhi tree.

Many Sikhs believe that on the day of Baisakhi, martyr zed by the barbaric acts of the Muslim rulers. According to the legend, he was dumped into boiling oil, by the Muslim rulers.

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Baisakhi Celebrations

India is a land of festivals and celebrations, umpteen numbers of festivals are celebrated in the country throughout the year. One of the major festivals amongst them is Baisakhi. Celebrated every year on 13th April, this festival is of immense significance amongst Hindu and Sikh community in the country. Hindus regard this day as the sacred day when Goddess Ganga descended on earth to serve mankind. It also marks the beginning of their new year. Amongst Sikhs, it is considered as the day when their 10th Guru Gobind Singhji laid the foundation of the sacred Khalsa Panth. The festival of Baisakhi is also an immense joyous occasion for farmers whose long awaited time of harvesting comes along with this festival.

Baisakhi is celebrated in different parts of India in a different manner; however one thing that remains the same is the zeal and enthusiasm of celebrations. The festival witnesses joyful celebrations throughout the country. The date of Baisakhi coincides with 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala, more or less regional forms of the festival celebrated in order to mark the beginning of new harvesting season and new year. However, the lively Baisakhi of Punjab has a different appeal. People in this state celebrate this festival with exuberance and devotion.

As the festival is of great importance in the Sikh religion, major activities of this festival begin from Gurdwaras. People wake up early and take bath in the holy river to mark the auspicious occasion and visit the near by Gurudwaars for the special prayer meeting organized for the day. After the Baisakhi ardas is over, people gather together to receive specially prepared Kara Prasad. This Prasad is then followed by a ‘langar’ or community lunch at the Gurudwara. After the Langar is over, people come out with the Baisakhi procession under the leadership of Panj piaras. The procession roams all over the city singing religious songs and performing Bhangra and Gidda.

For the large farming community of the country, Baisakhi marks a New Year’s time as it is the season to harvest the rabi crop. On this occasion, the farmers of the country thank god for the plentiful crop and successful completion of their farming season. They also pray for good season ahead. They buy new clothes and feast along with their relatives and neighbors. The feast is accompanied by dancing and singing with the Nagara and Dhol music. At some places, a fair as well as wrestling bouts are organized to make the festival completely fun filled and enjoyable.

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Baisakhi Mela

India is land of festivals and unique traditions. People in this country celebrate any occasion with immense joy and elation. Baisakhi is one festival in the country which is celebrated with loud celebrations and merriment throughout the country. However, the zealous and vibrant celebrations in Punjab can’t be compared to the celebration at any other place in the country. One unique feature of the festical is the Baisakhi Mela (fair). One can explore the vivid and vibrant culture of the rural life of Punjab in such fairs. As most of the Punjab is a farming state, the farmers of the state happy with the harvest and the consequent prosperity make merry and participate in the Vaisakhi fair with joy and enthusiasm.

Baisakhi Mela in India
Baisakhi Fairs are tremendously popular in Punjab. It is one of the most awaited celebrations during the entire year. People from far off places come with their family and friends to take part in these colorful fairs. Most captivating features of these Vaisakhi Mela are the crazy bhangra and gidda performances. Other than this, you can also get to see activities like races, wrestling bouts, singing and acrobatics in the fair. Some rural folk artists with instruments like vanjli and algoza also entertain people.

Baisakhi Fairs are made more beautiful by the stalls of local handicrafts and items like bangles, toys, and other trinkets of domestic use. Food stalls selling scrumptious Punjabi dishes are also the key crowd-puller in the Mela. Baisakhi Fairs at the Talwandi Sabo is famous for its colorful celebrations all over the world. The popularity of the vibrant Baisakhi fair is not only limited to villages of Punjab, Baisakhi melas are equally awaited in the big cities and small towns of the other states in the country.

Baisakhi Fairs Around The World
With the migration of Punjabis all over the world, Vaisakhi fairs have also marked their presence in other countries of the world, where there is a significant Sikh population. This fair has now become almost a global occasion; thanks to the significant Sikh population spread every where in the world. In UK, the Baisakhi Fairs are organized with zest at Trafalgar Square in London. Liveliness and enthusiasm of these Baisakhi fairs pulls the people of various other communities, religion and ethnicity towards itself. Baisakhi celebrations in the city of Toronto, New York and New Jersey are also very popular. The participation of Bollywood stars and singers in the international Baisakhi Fairs makes this fair a glitzy and glamorous affair. Lively Bhangra and Gidda performances and the internationally acclaimed Punjabi cuisine are the major crowd pullers in the fair.

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Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami, also known as Shri Panchami, is a Hindu festival dedicated to goddess Saraswati. This popular festival is observed on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magh. Being an important Hindu festival, all Hindus celebrate this day with much enthusiasm and religious activities. Also known as Saraswati Puja, it is considered to be the birthday of goddess Saraswati. She is the deity of wisdom and learning. Along with goddess Parvati and Laxmi, she is one of the three most important deities in Hindu culture. She represents all kinds of knowledge including science, arts, crafts and other skills. Known for her calmness and serenity, she is often shown seated on a white lotus with four hands and wearing a pure silk white sari. The four hands of the deity symbolize the different sides of human personality in learning. When seated on a peacock, she signifies that wisdom suppresses ego.

On this day people observe various kinds of religious activities and large numbers of Hindus visit temples. Goddess Saraswati is dressed in yellow garments, yellow being the symbol of spiritual knowledge. People also dress up in yellow clothes and offer yellow flowers to deities in the temples. At homes people prepare yellow sweets and dishes such as Kesar Halwa and distribute among relatives and friends. Being an auspicious occasion, children are taught their first words, hence, marking the beginning of their learning period. Schools and colleges organize special pujas to worship goddess Saraswati. Students place their books at the deity's feet and seek her blessing for better learning. Other religious activities of the day include feeding Brahmans and performing the traditional ritual of ancestral worshipping known as Pitr-Tarpan. On this day, people also perform pujas to worship the God of Love, Kamadeva. Children fly kites on this day and a famous kite festival is observed in Ferozepur, Punjab. Basant Panchami symbolizes the beginning of spring, denoted by flowering and blooming of trees and crops. Signs of new and fresh life on trees and crops indicate the end of winter and beginning of happiness and joy.

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Basant Panchami & Goddess Saraswati

Basant Panchami is also denoted as Saraswati Puja by the Hindus in India. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of art, crafts and knowledge was born. She conferred upon humanity the greatest wealth that a human being can ever ask for, the gift of Knowledge. The Hindu mythology popularizes Goddess Saraswati as the immaculate power who bestows upon the worthy with the wealth of knowledge. The color white is associated with the goddess of knowledge as it is the symbol of peace and serenity. Images of goddess Saraswati with white adornments, sitting on a white lotus flower which blooms in a wide stretch of water are quite commonly seen on this day. Goddess Saraswati or Maa Saraswati, as called by the people of West Bengal, is worshipped on this auspicious day by the worshippers who are themselves clad in the color yellow, the color of spring. Prasad is offered to the goddess and later the same is distributed among the worshippers.

The popular festival is related to the goddess of knowledge; hence, children are initiated towards learning and gaining knowledge. This is significant because it is the birth day of goddess Saraswati. As the river Saraswati is associated with the goddess, rituals are performed on the banks of this holy river. Offerings are made but no sacrifices are conducted. Vegetarian food is cooked and had on this day and people abstain from non-vegetarian food. Goddess Saraswati is supposed to be the goddess of art, literature and speech too; hence, hymns are written and sung in praise of the goddess on Basant Panchami. Whenever a new teaching institution is started, goddess Saraswati is worshipped. A school is considered to be the temple of learning and hence, a temple of the goddess itself.

Schools and colleges organize special functions and cultural activities on this particular day and devote these to goddess Saraswati. Students offer a lot of flowers to the image of Saraswati. They keep all their study materials like books, articles, instruments of music and arts, earthen inkpots and bamboo quills in front of the deity. No one reads anything on this day; it is a way to show their reverence to the deity of knowledge. Most Hindu communities celebrate this festival with great pomp and show as this is the time of the year when goddess Saraswati is remembered by its followers.

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Basant Panchami Celebrations

The festival of Basant Panchami is a widely celebrated festival which marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring. Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of arts and knowledge, is the presiding deity of the festival. The festival falls on the fifth day of the Indian month of Magh and in the months of January-February according to the Gregorian calendar. The color which denotes the celebration of this festival is yellow and during the entire season, the whole atmosphere is filled with this vibrant color. People wear yellow clothes and prepare yellow sweets which are distributed among their loved ones. The goddess of knowledge is worshipped especially by students and academicians. Though it is celebrated primarily by the Hindus, Jains and Buddhists worship her too as she is the benefactor of all written and performed arts.

Basant Panchami Rituals & Tradition

The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in all parts of India. On this auspicious day, the Hindus get up early in the morning and worship the Sun God after taking bath, if possible, in the sacred river Ganges. Then they clad themselves in yellow, as it signifies spirituality and prosperity. The color yellow also signifies the color of the ripened spring crop. Festive sweets are prepared at home using saffron, as it helps in deriving the color yellow. The goddess is dressed in yellow and the deity is worshipped by the worshippers who are dressed in yellow too. Later, swings are tied to the trees and women have fun singing traditional folk songs to greet the beautiful season of spring. After these rituals, sweets are distributed among the loved ones. The traditional sweet which goes along with the spirit of the festival is 'Kesar Halwa' and 'Sweet Rice' which are prepared with saffron to add yellow color to the preparation.

Schools and other teaching institutions organize cultural programs on this day, including the worshipping of goddess Saraswati. Along with these rituals, another important part of this festival is introducing children to the world of knowledge, hence marking a beginning to their learning phase. Floral designs are made in front porch of houses to signify the arrival of spring. Colorful kites are arranged by children and the sky gets filled with numerous kites on this auspicious day. Basant Panchami is about celebration and Hindus in India and around the world celebrate it with pomp and show.

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Basant Panchami Date

Basant Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated at the advent of spring. This festival is devoted to goddess Saraswati, who is the deity of knowledge, music and art. Also known as Shree Panchami, it marks the end of the winter season and beginning of spring. According to Hindu mythology, goddess Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma, the creator of the world. It is believed that the goddess was evoked by him during the construction of the world. Basant Panchami is celebrated as the day of the birth of goddess Saraswati. She represents all kinds of knowledge including science, arts and other skills. She is generally depicted as a picture of serenity and calmness, with her eyes reflecting compassion. One of her hand is shown holding sacred scriptures and the other one holding a lotus, which symbolizes true knowledge. There is a veena held by the other two hands, with which she is believed to play the music of love and life.

Hindus all over the world celebrate Basant Panchami with a lot of enthusiasm. It is the day where various kinds of religious activities take place. People wear yellow clothes and visit temples to offer prayers to the deities. They prepare yellow sweets and distribute them among family members and friends. On this auspicious occasion, also known as Pitr-Tarpan, they feed Brahmans and perform rituals for the liberation of their deceased ancestors. This day also witnesses some people worshipping Kamadeva, the God of Love. People choose this day to teach their children the first words of education, to mark the beginning of a glorious period of learning. Schools and colleges organize special worships for goddess Saraswati, where students pray for their bright future.

Students place their books and stationeries in front of the picture/idol of goddess Saraswati so that they get her blessings to perform well academically. After worshipping Ganesha and the nine planets, goddess Saraswati is worshipped. Yellow flowers, garlands and vermilions are offered to the deity and gulaal is applied to the feet of the goddess. Apart from seasonal fruits and boondiyas, Malpua and Kheer are also offered to the deity. Basant Panchami marks the end of the winter season and the advent of spring, which brings new life to the trees and flowers. Nature brings fresh new lives with new shoots and new blossoms. The yellow fields of mustards add to the fervor of the festival. On this special day, all the Saraswati temples are adorned with attractive decorations and observe various religious activities. According to the Hindu calendar, Basant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the month of Magh.

Basant Panchami Date: 28 January, 2012.

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Basant Panchami Kite Festival

The festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the season of spring, a season when the earth replenishes itself. Spring also denotes pleasant weather, during which calm wind whistles in your ear and caresses your face with its light cool touch. It is the season when the weather is neither hot nor cold, when the wind has a cooling effect but not the kind to chill your bones. This kind of weather reminds you of a number of things including Basant Panchami, the primary festival of this season. It is one of the most colorful and wonderful festivals of this effervescent nation and is celebrated on the fifth day of the Indian month of Magh. The festival brings in a number of colors in the form of colorful attires. Being the color of spring, yellow gets into vogue as it also denotes prosperity, happiness, intellect and energy.

Flying kites is a sport much popular in India. In a clear and pleasant weather, you will see plenty of kites in the sky. Being a part of Basant Panchami, kite flying competitions take place during this festival. Fighter kites were designed in India and Pakistan for decades. Ferozepur, a small town in Punjab, is famous for this sport and a number of children including both girls and boys purchase kites and fly them. Popular among adults too, they get on to their building's terrace along with the children, play songs at high volume and dance with the rhythm while flying kites.

Basant Panchami Kite Flying

The event of kite flying is filled with a lot of enthusiasm and thrill. Both skilled and unskilled participants bring in their fancy colorful kites and the joy they receive when they cut their opponent's kite is a sight to cherish. With pomp and show the kites are flown and interesting kite fights take place thereafter. Children learn to fly kites from their elders, who themselves like flying them a lot. Kite fighting being the main attraction, people from around the world come to this place to experience the fun involved with this colorful festival. The kites are flown with the help of a string called 'Manjha'. There are a number of such competitions which are organized during the festival of Basant Panchami. The competition is always there to rule the sky and one has to keep his kite flying till the end to be the winner. There are judges too, some of whom decides which the most beautiful kite is while others decide which is the biggest. The festival brings with it colors in form of greenery and colorful kites.

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Basant Panchami Significance

Basant Panchami is a popular Hindu festival dedicated to goddess Saraswati, who is the deity of knowledge, art and music. This day falls on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magh, which is also the first day of spring. Goddess Saraswati denotes serenity and calmness. She is generally shown seated on a white lotus, wearing a pure white silk sari and holding a book in her lower left hand. The eyes of the goddess are full of compassion. Her four hands denote four facets of human personality namely mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The lotus on her hand symbolizes true knowledge. Her ride is a white swan which is known for its peculiar capability of separating water from the milk. The swan indicates that we should have the ability to discriminate the bad from the good.

Basant Panchami, also known as the Saraswati Day, is celebrated by the Hindus across the world with great enthusiasm and festivities. The devotees visit temples which are filled with various types of religious activities. Yellow color is given prominence on this day and people dress up in yellow garments and perform rituals. Yellow represents spiritual knowledge, increasing the significance of the festival. People eat yellow sweets and distribute the same among friends and relatives. People feed Brahmans on this occasion and also perform Pitra-Tarpan, the traditional ancestral worship. Basant Panchami is the day when children are taught their first words, making it an auspicious occasion which marks the beginning of their learning process. On this day, schools and colleges organize special worships for goddess Saraswati. Traditionally children place their books on the altar, at the goddess's feet. No one is allowed to touch the books during this period as they believe that goddess Saraswati is blessing the books.

Devotees believe that worshipping of goddess Saraswati will lead to spiritual enlightenment. It is generally said that there is no comparison between a king and a learned person as the king is honored only in his land but a learned person is respected everywhere. Saintly and learned people who are inclined towards spirituality know the importance of worshipping goddess Saraswati. Other activities performed on this day include worshipping of Kamadeva, the God of Love. On this occasion, people offers prayers to the Sun God and the deities associated with Ganges. The festivities of Basant Panchami include kite flying and a kite festival is observed in Ferozepur, Punjab. Basant Panchami marks the arrival of spring and can be noted from the colored blooms in trees and crops. This is the period when mango flowers start blossoming on trees, representing the beginning of a new life. Basant Panchami spiritually signifies that the days of ignorance and gloom are over and the period of joy and spiritual awakening has begun.

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Bihu History

Bihu is the most important festival of Assam. Though its inclination is more on the agricultural side than the religious, it nonetheless is celebrated with much joy and abundance by all the tribes and other people, regardless of what their faith or beliefs may be. Historically, it is believed that the festival of Bihu originated in the pre-Aryan days around the 3500 century BC. From then onwards to the following many centuries until the recent, celebrations used to last for a month or more, which now have been reduced to a week. Even the word "Bihu" is said to have been derived from the language of Dimasa Kacharis, an agrarian tribe that has existed from many a centuries. Since long, Bihu has been a festival to rejoice, offer thanks, and pray for a bountiful harvest.

Also, the folk songs known as Bihu geets or Bihu songs have been associated with the first and most popular of Bihus, Rongali Bihu, for long. Though the languages of these songs have changed from generation to generation, they have always been an integral part of Rongali Bihu celebrations. These songs are composed in couplets that rhyme and each couplet depicts a different emotion altogether. Farmers, from long, believed that the erotic nature of these songs would sexually arouse the earth's body, leading to an abundant harvest. For this very reason and for celebrations of course, many of such songs are still sung by the tribal farmers. The Bihu songs also had an influence on Assamese literature, and legend has it that Madhav Deva (early 15th century), whose outstanding contributions include Assamese rendering of the Adi Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana; and Sankar Deva (early 15th century), the great hymn composer could not escape from the influence of Bihu geets.

Today, though the form of celebrations and rites involving Bihu folk music vary among the different demographic groups of Assam, it is very much a part of the whole of Bihu jubilations. Even the no holds barred dances, also the most intriguing part of Bihu celebrations, symbolize the fertility rites of the original inhabitants of the people of northeast India. A few traditions like lighting the Akaxbonti lamps at the tip of the bamboo pole to show the way to the souls of the dead to heaven and recitations of Rowa Khowa chants to fend off pests and evil eyes from the paddy fields have also been followed for many years. The former one in particular, is a type of practice that has long been existent in many other communities of India as well. Historically rich and traditionally important, the festival of Bihu continues to be celebrated in Assam with as much pomp as it was celebrated in the earlier times.

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Bihu Significance

The festival of Bihu, celebrated three times in a year, is the most important festival for the people of Assam. Each of these Bihus represents a different and unique phase, not only of the harvest cycle in Assam but also a unique facet that is particular only to that very festival. The celebrations begin with Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, which is equivalent to the New Year celebrated in many states in the month of March or April according to the Hindi calendar. Rongali Bihu, which generally falls in the middle of the month of April, is the most popular of all the Bihus and signifies the beginning of not only the New Year but also of a new harvest cycle. The traditional food called Pitha Larus (made of Coconut and Rice) and Jolpan, cleaning up and wearing new set of clothes, and worshipping the cows and idols of Gods for blessings and prosperity in the year ahead is all a part of Rongali Bihu.

It's the Kongali Bihu, also known as Kati Bihu, which follows next and it generally falls in the middle of the month of October. At this time of the year, the paddy crops are in the growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are almost exhausted. The atmosphere of festivity that prevails on this day is relaxed and laidback, and there is comparatively less merriment and a sense of solemnity and constraint prevails. Also, as a ritual, people light up earthen lamps and set them at the foot of the tulsi plants that are planted almost in all of the houses. Farmers also whirl up bamboo sticks in the middle of the paddy fields, chanting Rowa Khowa to ward off pests and the evil eye from the fields. Then in the evening, Pitha is fed to the cattle. Another practice that takes place on this day is the lighting of Akaxbonti lamps at the tip a bamboo pole, which is believed to provide a way to the souls of the dead to find their way to the heaven.

Finally, the harvesting season comes to an end in the month of January, as in the mid of it Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated to mark the end of it. Its significance is same as that of festivals like Makar Sakranti or Pongal. Magh Bihu is important especially for the people belonging to the agrarian community. On the eve of the day, people set up the Meji and temporary hut-like structures made up of hay. These hut-like structures are called Bhelaghars and it is around them that various communities spend the night feasting, exchanging gifts and greetings, and singing Bihu songs and playing dhols. In the morning, after taking a bath, people burn these huts while praying to the God of fire to mark the end of the harvest cycle. The burnt firewood is then brought back and thrown among the fruit trees for favorable results.

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Types of Bihu

Assam is one of the most beautiful states in India in all apparent ways including the cultural and scenic beauty. Bihu is a festival of fun and frolic since it marks the Assamese New Year as well as the cycle of the paddy crop. The name of the festival Bihu is derived from the Sanskrit word Vishnu which is the name of a major Indian God. The festivities include dressing up in traditional costumes, preparing traditional eatables and dishes associated with Bihu festival and dancing on to foot tapping Bihu folk songs. Bihu is celebrated thrice every year, each time to denote a different stage of cultivation of the rice crop.

Rongali Bihu
The first type of Bihu, which is Rongali Bihu, is the major and the most popular Bihu celebrated in Assam. Celebrated in mid of April, this Bihu marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year, which is the first day of the year according to the traditional Hindu calendar. It is also celebrated in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc. though with different names.

Kongali Bihu
Celebrated in middle of October this Bihu is not celebrated with frivolous gaiety, instead it is celebrated with great somberness. The reason behind this is that the paddy crop is only growing at this time of the year and the granaries of the peasants are empty. The festival is supposed to be of the poor. Prayers are said and customary rites are followed during this Bihu in the evening.

Bhogali Bihu
This Bihu falls in the middle of January and is commonly known as Magh Bihu. The festival is celebrated to mark the paddy harvesting season and that is why the festival is called Bhogali Bihu, derived from the word "Bhog" which means feasting. Bihu songs are sung and dancers sway to the rhythms of these songs. The festivities take place till late at night and the youth of Assam make merry.

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Rongali Bihu

Among the many festivals that are celebrated in Assam, none hold as much importance as the Bihu festivals. And among all the three Bihu festivals, namely Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu that are celebrated in the months of April, October, and January respectively, it is Rongali Bihu that is the most popular one. Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is associated with the coming of the Assamese New Year according to the Hindu calendar and the beginning of the agricultural season when the fields are ploughed and new crops are sown. It also marks the beginning of the spring season when variety of colorful flowers begin to blossom, the chirping of melodious birds can be heard all around, and a gentle breeze blows through the environment making every living being feel fresh and new. What better season and a day to honor and start with newfound vigor? It's just picture perfect!

Beginning with bathing the cattle with a paste made of freshly harvested turmeric and black gram and feeding them with vegetables such as aubergine and laogourd, the rejoicing moves on to a revelling state and carries on for a good few days. People clean themselves up and appear in new clothes to partake in the ceremonial and other celebrations, starting with people paying respect to the elders by gifting them with hand woven towels and kerchiefs and seek their blessings for the next year. Bihu dances are also performed by young men and women, in streets as well as fields, to Bihu folk music (Bihu Geets) while traditional musical instruments like dhols, gagana, toka and pepas (flute made out of buffalo horn) lend the music a grandeur sense of rhythm. Along with the obvious mouth watering feasts, sweets and greetings are also exchanged among the neighbors, relatives and friends. Explore rest of the section to know more about Rongali Bihu.

Days of Rongali Bihu
Bihu is a festival which binds Assam, irrespective of the caste, creed and color of the people. The three types of Bihu, namely Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu, celebrates the different stages of life cycle of the paddy crop. Rongali Bihu celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year according to Hindu calendar and the sowing

Rongali Bihu Activities
Assam is a state renowned for its beauty and culture and this is evident from the traditional festivals which are observed here. Rongali Bihu is perhaps the most common type of Bihu which is celebrated in the state and it is the most popular too. This Bihu is celebrated to welcome the Assamese New Year and the festivities generally continue for

Rongali Bihu Date
Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is the most important of all the three Bihu festivals of Assam and marks the onset of the Assamese New Year, the spring season, and the new harvest season for the agrarian community. It falls in the mid of the month of April, generally around 15th April and is celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm. It is equivalent to the festivals like Ugadi, Gudi Padwa,

Rongali Bihu Significance
Rongali Bihu's significance to the people of Assam is same as that of Ugadi for the people of Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh or of Gudi Padwa for the people of Maharashtra or by many different names for different states, minus the religious aspect. Bihus, three in total, are the most important of festivals celebrated in Assam and Rongali Bihu is the most popular of them. Its significance

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Days of Rongali Bihu

Bihu is a festival which binds Assam, irrespective of the caste, creed and color of the people. The three types of Bihu, namely Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu, celebrates the different stages of life cycle of the paddy crop. Rongali Bihu celebrates the beginning of the Assamese New Year according to Hindu calendar and the sowing season of the rice crop. The next Bihu is Kongali Bihu which means the Bihu of the poor, as during this season the granaries of the peasants are empty. Bhogali Bihu comes during the harvest season when the paddy fields are about to be harvested. The major among these is the Rongali Bihu, which is celebrated during the mid of April and marks the beginning of spring season. We have listed below the days of Rongali Bihu and how they are celebrated.

Rongali Bihu Days

Goru Bihu
Goru Bihu is the first day of Rongali Bihu celebration but the last day according to Hindu lunisolar calendar. Goru means cow in Assamese and the day is dedicated to the cattle itself. Early in the morning on this day the cows are washed and applied a paste made up of fresh turmeric and other preparations, and Assamese songs are chanted speaking of the livestock to become big, healthy and productive. The old ropes tied to the necks of the cattle are done away with and fresh ropes are tied. Then these cattle are set free to roam anywhere according to their will.

Manuh Bihu
The second day is for humans and it is the first day of the year according to the Hindu calendar. Everyone takes a bath early in the morning and visit their elders to seek blessings from them. The elders are gifted with bihuwan, hachoti and cheleng; according to the Assamese culture, these items are the best way to express your gratitude. Children too are pampered well on this day and are gifted with new clothes. People also visit their relatives and friends.

Husori
Husori denotes the third day of Bihu when the elders of the village, only males, form a band and move from one household to another. They sing traditional folk songs in chorus and are welcomed to the courtyard by the hosts, after which they sings songs blessing the household and also perform traditional ring dance. The elders are thanked with a dakshina of betel nut and areka nut served on a brass dish.

Fat Bihu
This is perhaps the oldest form of Bihu which have survived the test of time and is still celebrated in its traditional form by the people who live in the Lakhimpur area of Assam. The legend has that this form of Bihu was first performed in front of the Ahom king, Sukaphaa, somewhere in the thirteenth century.

Beshma
This is the Bihu which is celebrated largely by the Koch tribe. There are a number of activities in which the bhurbhura and the shak tribes participate, propose feasts and make merry.

Mukoli Bihu
Mukoli Bihu is the celebration of womanhood where youngsters of the village adorn themselves in traditional dresses and go to empty fields and perform Bihu dance and sing Bihu songs. The theme of the songs is romance and sexual love.

Jeng Bihu
Jeng means a compartmentalized place made by digging bamboo into the soil. This used to be done so that the males of the society could not see the women perform the Bihu dance, as is not supposed to be danced or witnessed by men.

Baisago
This Bihu is celebrated by the Bodo-Kachari tribe who also celebrate Bihu but in a little different manner; though their Bihu songs follow the same theme.

Bihutoli Bihu
This is the modernized form of Bihu. Bihu is more of a folk dance which is performed by the tribes of Assam to celebrate the change of seasons, especially the start of a year. But this is a public display of Bihu performance where a stage is set and Bihu is performed on it. The elevated stage that is set for the performance itself is called Bihutoli.

Haat Bihu
Haat Bihu is another name for Rongali Bihu, which literally means seven Bihus. Rongali Bihu is of different types, namely, Chot Bihu, Raati Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Mela Bihu and Chera Bihu.

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Rongali Bihu Activities

Assam is a state renowned for its beauty and culture and this is evident from the traditional festivals which are observed here. Rongali Bihu is perhaps the most common type of Bihu which is celebrated in the state and it is the most popular too. This Bihu is celebrated to welcome the Assamese New Year and the festivities generally continue for seven days, each day celebrating the different colors of the festival. People of Assam dress themselves in traditional dresses for these seven days and perform a number of activities, each activity having a different meaning. People sing traditional songs, dance to folk beats and make merry; the environment is that of a carnival. Feasts are conducted, sweets are distributed, and even the cattle are worshipped to mark the sowing season. There are a number of activities which are followed during Bihu by the citizens of Assam.

Rongali Bihu Rituals & Customs
As the festival is conducted for seven days, different activities are conducted each day. People of all demographics participate in the festival indiscriminate of any of the social divides. On the first day, cattle are worshipped and this marks the last day of the year. The livestock are washed well before applying them with raw turmeric. The cattle are adorned with twigs of dighalati and makhiyati and songs are sung while worshipping the cattle, so that they live a healthy fruitful life. While worshipping the cattle, the people chant in their native language - "lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru". These chants too sing of health and fertility of the cows. The ropes of the cattle are discarded and new ropes are tied to their neck. The cattle are set free on this day and are allowed to roam according to their will.

On the third day, the village elders move from one house to another singing traditional songs called husoris. They are treated with respect and are given a dakshina of betel nut and areka nut in a brass dish, after which the band wishes the household and moves on. On the fifth day of the festival, traditional functions are arranged and the youth of the village adorn themselves in traditional attires and dance Bihu in open fields, singing of romance and sexual endeavors. The dance celebrates female sexuality. The next day is designated solely for women folk; the Bihu dance is performed and seen only by women. There are a number of activities which makes this festival so special and a grand colorful event.

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Rongali Bihu Date

Rongali Bihu, also known as Bohag Bihu, is the most important of all the three Bihu festivals of Assam and marks the onset of the Assamese New Year, the spring season, and the new harvest season for the agrarian community. It falls in the mid of the month of April, generally around 15th April and is celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm. It is equivalent to the festivals like Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, etc. that are celebrated all around India and marks the first day of the Hindu New Year. With a combination of standard customs and some unique tribe based traditions, the streets and communities of Assam pop out with the crowd immersed in festivities. Moreover, Rongali Bihu is celebrated over a period of few days than just one and there's never too much of the celebrations and the festive spirit.

When is Rongali Bihu
The first day is called Goru Bihu, on which cows are washed and smeared with ground turmeric and are worshipped. It usually falls on the 14th of April. On the next day, known as Manuh Bihu, respect is shown to the elders with gifts such as bihuwan (gamosa - a traditional Assamese hand woven cotton towel), a hachoti (kerchief), and cheleng etc. On the next day known as Husori, the village elders move from one household to another, singing Bihu geets and performing ring dances, at the end of which they bless the household for the coming year and move on to the next house. At the end of each performance, people are thanked with an offering of paan (betel leaf) and tamul (areka nut) in a xorai (brass dish with stand).

Fat Bihu is then celebrated on the next day and is probably the oldest form of Bihu. It is more popular in the Lakhimpur area of Assam and is celebrated with much spontaneity. On the fourth day comes Beshma Bihu, which is celebrated by the Kochas with merrymaking and feasting. The fifth day is Mukoli Bihu, whereby young unmarried men and women attire in traditional golden silk Muga and perform the Bihu dances to Bihu songs in the open fields. Themes of romance and sexual love, requited or unrequited, run through these Bihu songs and young women, through sensuous movements of hips, arms, etc call out and celebrate their fertility. It's for this reason that the dance is also called a mating ritual for the young men and women. Jeng Bihu, Baisago, and Bihutoli Bihu follow next. Also during the celebration period, community feasting on many dishes and sweets, traditional ones being Pitha Larus and Jolpan also continue with great fanfare. In 2012, Rongali Bihu falls on 14th of April.

Rongali Bihu in 2012

Start Date: 14 April

End Date: 16 April

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Rongali Bihu Significance

Rongali Bihu's significance to the people of Assam is same as that of Ugadi for the people of Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh or of Gudi Padwa for the people of Maharashtra or by many different names for different states, minus the religious aspect. Bihus, three in total, are the most important of festivals celebrated in Assam and Rongali Bihu is the most popular of them. Its significance is threefold: one, it marks the onset of a new harvest cycle; two, it marks the first day of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar; and three, it marks the beginning of spring season, which is considered an ideal time to leave the past behind and start afresh with new mindset. With all this in place, however, its significance remains more on the agricultural side. Great enthusiasm runs among the people and is expressed in the form of dances, songs, and other festivities.

Importance of Rongali Bihu
Known as Bohag Bihu too, it is celebrated over a period of several days in the month of April, generally around the 15th, also the first month according to the Assamese calendar. The first day is dedicated to the cattle and livestock. Cows and bulls are given a ritual bath in the nearby ponds or river banks with a paste of freshly harvested turmeric and black gram. Also the old cattle ropes are cast away through the legs and new ropes are tied to them and on this day, they are freed and are allowed to roam anywhere for the whole of the day. It's like a thanksgiving ritual to the cattle for providing the people with dairy products. A ritual song is also sung while giving them a bath that asks them to be healthy and productive. From the next day, celebrations begin that go for a several days.

During these days, Assam can be seen engulfed in the celebrations with hundreds of young men and women perform Bihu dances on Bihu folk music (Bihu Geets) and sing to the tune of drums, gagana, toka, pepas (flute made of buffalo horns). But before it starts, people get cleaned up, wear new clothes, and infuse themselves with new found energy to go in the New Year. On this day, people also pay respect to their elders by presenting them with Gamosas, which are traditional Assamese hand woven cotton towels with red designs. Also, community feats are organized, sweets and greetings are exchanged with neighbors, relatives, and friends; and traditional dishes like Pitha Larus (made f rice and coconut) and Jolpan are prepared. For each day of the celebrations, different events are organized. The colorful zeitgeist, with which the whole festival is celebrated and concluded, makes it one of the most endearing festivals to be a part of.

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Kongali Bihu

Bihu is one of the main festivals celebrated by the people living in Assam and they do it with pomp and show. The word Bihu is derived from the word Vishu which is a distorted version of the name of Lord Vishnu. Bihu is celebrated thrice a year, each time to mark a different stage in the life cycle of the paddy crop. Based on the time of the year these are celebrated, they have different themes behind the celebrations. The three Bihus which are celebrated in this state are Bhogali Bihu, Kongali Bihu and Rongali Bihu. While Rongali Bihu celebrates the sowing of the paddy seeds, Kongali Bihu celebrates relocation of the paddy saplings and Bhogali Bihu is celebrated during the harvest season. Kongali Bihu or the Kati Bihu is rather less of a celebration than other Bihus.

Kongali Bihu is celebrated during the Kati month of the Assamese calendar, which basically signifies the season in the life of the paddy crop when small saplings grow out of the water logged fields. At this time of the year the granaries are empty and the peasants are rather poor, perhaps that's the reason behind this Bihu being called Kongali Bihu - Bihu of poverty. During this Bihu, the cultivators work day and night to get a good yield of crop and on its eve a Saaki is prepared, which is a lamp. The reason the lamp is lit is because it attracts the pests from the crop towards it and they are burnt because of its flames. At the paddy field too a special kind of lamp is lit which is called Akaxbonti and peasants pray to their gods for a good yield of crops.

Kongali Bihu Activities
Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu falls right in the middle, when sowing of crops and fertilization process has been taken care of and the harvest season is yet to announce itself. On one hand, Rongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu are celebrated to mark the arrival and end of the harvest season respectively. Kongali Bihu on the other hand

Kongali Bihu Date
Bihu is the biggest festival celebrated in the state of Assam and easily one of the most colorful festivals of India which is celebrated with great fervor and zeal. This festival depends upon the crop cycle of paddy in Assam. Bihu is divided into three broad types depending on the time of the year during which it is celebrated and these three types

Kongali Bihu Significance
Bihus, the major festivals of Assam, are celebrated with great jest and zeal and the spirit of the people is at an all time high with the whole state coming together to make merry. It is a unique festival because it surpasses the barriers of caste, religion and class and people from all strata of life gather together to celebrate this colorful event. There are three types of Bihu which take place in Assam, namely, Bhogali Bihu.

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Kongali Bihu Activities

Kongali Bihu or Kati Bihu falls right in the middle, when sowing of crops and fertilization process has been taken care of and the harvest season is yet to announce itself. On one hand, Rongali Bihu and Bhogali Bihu are celebrated to mark the arrival and end of the harvest season respectively. Kongali Bihu on the other hand comes at a time when the granaries of the farmers are empty and there's nothing much to do but tend to the growing crops. It's derived from the word "Kongal", meaning Poor, for there is not much to eat around this time of the year. For this reason, Kongali Bihu, celebrated in the month of October, has an altogether different essence to it when compared to the other two Bihus. Though with much less fanfare and merrymaking, the dedication of people towards this festival manifests itself with a quiet but a flaming spirit with which it is celebrated. The reverence, in no way is less, even if the splendor of festivities is not there to seal the day. The significance of this Bihu, however, is more in the villages than in towns.

Kongali Bihu Rituals & Customs
On the day of Kongali Bihu, none other than Goddess Laxmi, who's considered the distributor of wealth to the mortal souls, is worshipped and welcomed into homes. Then in the evening, earthen lamps called sakis are lit at the foot of the Tulsi (basil) plant, which is considered sacred and auspicious according to Hindu religion and culture. Offerings are made to it in every household; moving on to lighting more earthen lamps in the granaries, gardens and the paddy fields; prayers are offered for an opulent crop. These lamps, along with whirling of bamboo sticks while reciting Rowa Khowa chants, is believed to keep the pests and evil eyes off the crops and promote a bountiful harvest. Also during the evening, the cattle are specifically fed with rice cakes known as Pitha, and another practice of lighting the Akaxbonti lamps (sky lamps) at the tip of the bamboo pole takes place. This ritualistic activity is believed to show the way to the souls of the dead to the heavens. After the ceremonial activity of lighting these lamps, people visit each other's houses and exchange greetings and sweets.

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Kongali Bihu Date

Bihu is the biggest festival celebrated in the state of Assam and easily one of the most colorful festivals of India which is celebrated with great fervor and zeal. This festival depends upon the crop cycle of paddy in Assam. Bihu is divided into three broad types depending on the time of the year during which it is celebrated and these three types of Bihus have its own significance. The first Bihu - Rongali Bihu, observed during the month of April, marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the sowing season of the paddy crop. The second Bihu - Kongali Bihu, celebrated during October, is less of a celebratory Bihu and more of worshipping is done during this festival. The last type of Bihu is the Bhogali Bihu which is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state and is falls during the month of January.

A number of activities take place during all the Bihus, the Bihu dance being the prime activity of the festival. However, during Kongali Bihu, there are minimal activities and Bihu dance is not performed during this festival; rather worships and other such rites take place. People refrain themselves from pleasures, as during this Bihu the granaries are empty and the atmosphere is of abstinence and self control. This makes the festival a wholesome festival as it not only celebrates the high points in life but also has in its core the respect for those days when life isn't that easy. Another activity which takes place during Kongali Bihu is the lighting of Akaxbonti which literally means sky lamps. Lighting these sky lamps is a symbolic ritual of showing the path to heaven to the ancestors who come to earth to bless their descendants during this thin time. These lamps are lighted on high bamboo sticks and are lined in a symmetrical row giving it a look of a path of light.

The Kongali Bihu is related to penance and during this Bihu the Assamese peasants pray to the ancestors and gods to keep away the evil spirits and bless them with a healthy yield.

Kongali Bihu 2012: Mid October

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Kongali Bihu Significance

Bihus, the major festivals of Assam, are celebrated with great jest and zeal and the spirit of the people is at an all time high with the whole state coming together to make merry. It is a unique festival because it surpasses the barriers of caste, religion and class and people from all strata of life gather together to celebrate this colorful event. There are three types of Bihu which take place in Assam, namely, Bhogali Bihu, Rongali Bihu and Kongali Bihu. All the three Bihus are celebrated at different phases of the life cycle of paddy crop. The first Bihu, which is the Rongali Bihu, is celebrated during the month of April and denotes the sowing season of the rice crop. The second one, which is Kongali Bihu, also known as Kati Bahu, signifies the season of relocation of the rice saplings. During this festival, the granaries of the farmers are empty, and so the name 'Kongali', which means poverty. The last one, which is Bhogali Bihu, is celebrated during the month of January and it marks the harvesting season of the paddy crops.

Importance of Kati Bihu
Each Bihu is significant in its own unique manner. The first Bihu, the Rongali Bihu, signifies the beginning of the New Year along with the arrival of spring season. The Second Bihu, which is the Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu, signifies the relocation of the rice crop, which is an important phase in the life of the paddy crop. Hence, the farmers light lamps at the foot of the Tulsi plant at their home and whirl a piece of bamboo in the fields and recite rowa-khowa chants to ward off the evil spirits and the pests. This day is also considered auspicious because it is believed that the spirits of the ancestors visit to give blessings, and so the Assamese peasants light lamps called Akaxbonti on top of bamboo sticks to show these spirits the path to heaven.

Though now a day this festival is celebrated in quite a different fashion than the earlier times, its core values remain intact. Like the Bihu dance is performed at all the Bihu festivals, even though Kati Bihu is more about penance and worship. Still this festival is celebrated with lot of vigor and enthusiasm.

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Bhogali Bihu

It's only fair that the thing which began with a grand opening ends too, with an equally stunning closing ceremony. It's much deserved to say the least! The people of Assam: farmers in particular, sweat year long to come up with a production of plentiful crops that's distributed nationwide, and earn them their living. The festival of Bhogali Bihu, the last of all the three Bihus, is celebrated for the very same purpose: after the yearlong hard work, it marks the end of the harvesting period and leaves the farmers with granaries filled to content. This time, and the coming few months, people look forward to a period of without want, and on this day, they start off with several days of feasting, fun, and frolic. Celebrated in the month of January, the theme of Bhogali Bihu is similar to the festivals of Makar Sakranti and Pongal.

While the preparations for the arrival of the festival begins a good few days before, the ladies of the households gets busy in getting ready an array of feats to munch on the actual day and around. Then on the eve of Bhogali Bihu, known as Uruka, young men go into the harvested fields and set up structures called Mejis, made of thatch and firewood. The entire night is spent around these Mejis and one big community feast known as Bhog takes place. Music, singing, and dancing to the tunes of Bihu geets and other entertaining games also take place around Mejis. Then at the break of dawn, after taking a bath, the Mejis are set ablaze and the Agni Devta (Hindu God of Fire) is worshipped. The festivities continue through the day with people exchanging greetings and sweets and being the witnesses to pulse racing sports of animals and birds fighting. Explore rest of the sections to learn more about various aspects related to Bhogali Bihu.

Bhogali Bihu Activities
Bihus are the most important festivals for the people of Assam; three Bihus are celebrated in a year, with each of it representing a different phase of farming. Rongali Bihu, first of the Bihus, represents the beginning of the harvest season and also the first day of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar, and is celebrated with

Bhogali Bihu Date
Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu is a traditional festival of the people of Assam and it is celebrated with much fervor and vigor. It's the last of the three Bihu festivals and is celebrated in the mid of January month: a time when winters start to diminish and give way to the upcoming spring season.

Bhogali Bihu Significance
Bhogali Bihu, also known as Magh Bihu, is the last of the three Bihu festivals that are celebrated in the state of Assam. Celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season, the significance of Bhogali Bihu to the people of Assam is same as that of the festivals of Makar Sakranti and Pongal.

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Bhogali Bihu Activities

Bihus are the most important festivals for the people of Assam; three Bihus are celebrated in a year, with each of it representing a different phase of farming. Rongali Bihu, first of the Bihus, represents the beginning of the harvest season and also the first day of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and splendor. Kongali Bihu, second of the Bihus, represents a season when the sowing and fertilization process of the crops is over. Though it is celebrated with much less festivities, the respectful integrity of it is maintained throughout. Celebrations, once again end on a high note with Bhogali Bihu, the last of the Bihus, marking the end of the harvest season and providing the rewards to the farmers for their laborious efforts throughout the year. In its premise, Bhogali Bihu is equivalent to Makar Sakranti and Pongal and is derived from the word "Bhog", which means eating.

Bhogali Bihu Rituals & Customs
A lot of both, ritualistic and fun activities take place on and around Bhogali Bihu, starting with the eve of the day called Uruka. At this time, the young men from the villages and communities move into the freshly harvested fields and set up Mejis, which are structures made up of thatch, firewood, and hay. Around these structures, temporary huts known as Bhelaghars are also prepared, in which the families stay and guard the Mejis through the night. Owing to the filled up granaries, people partake in a lot of feasting, which goes on for a few days. A grand community feasts comprising of Pitha (cake made of flour of rice), doi (curds), chira (dry rice), fish, meat, etc takes place on the eve of the day, which is accompanied by fun and games, singing and dancing to Bihu folk songs i.e. Bihu geets on the beats of dhols and other traditional musical instruments. Then at the break of dawn, people take a bath and then head back to the Mejis and light them on fire as a ritual.

The Hindu God of Fire i.e. Agni Devta is worshipped by throwing coconut and betel nuts into the fire. Thanking for the season that has gone and blessings for the season that is about to come are sought from the God, after which, the half burnt firewood is gathered by the people and thrown among the fruit bearing trees to seek a bountiful harvest. The celebrations don't just end here; they go on throughout the day with people visiting their neighbors, relatives, and friends and exchanging greetings and sweets. After this, people bear witness and also partake in different types of sports like buffalo fighting, cockfighting, and egg fighting, etc. The birds for the sport, captured ahead of time, are fed with nutritious foods and are trained for the fight. The winner gets Rs. 2001 and a trophy as a reward. All the birds are freed after the fight and the jubilations continue to go on for some more period.

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Bhogali Bihu Date

Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu is a traditional festival of the people of Assam and it is celebrated with much fervor and vigor. It's the last of the three Bihu festivals and is celebrated in the mid of January month: a time when winters start to diminish and give way to the upcoming spring season. Derived from the word "Bhog", which in itself means eating and enjoyment, Bhogali Bihu Bihu is the reward for the agrarian people of Assam for all the yearlong labor: beginning from sowing the seeds to looking after their growth to finally harvesting them in the month of January. It marks the end of the harvest season and is the Assamese equivalent of the festivals of Makar Sakranti and Pongal. Celebrations take place on a grand scale and since the granaries are full with the freshly harvested crops, sumptuous meals are prepared and every household partakes in personal as well as community feasting.

On the eve of Bhogali Bihu called Uruka, young men construct temporary structures, known as Meji, made up of thatch, firewood, and with the hay of the harvests, in the fields. To guard these structures, people also construct makeshift huts called Bhelaghar, in which they stay through the night. Great feasting and celebrations takes place around these Mejis: sweets and greetings are exchanged all around, people sing Bihu folk songs known as Bihu geets to the majestic sound of dhols (drums), and many other games like tambola and dancing competitions are organized to entertain the crowd. At the first rays of the dawn, people take baths and then proceed back to the Mejis and light them up with fire. Various types of edibles like coconut and betel nut etc are offered to the burning Mejis i.e. the Agni Devta (Hindu God of Fire). Also, around these burning Mejis, people feast on Pitha Larus (made of coconut and rice), narikol (coconut), sweet potatoes, and sesame laddus.

After the prayers have been offered to the God of Fire, people collect the half burnt pieces of Mejis and come back. These pieces are then thrown among the fruit trees to seek favorable results. The festivities don't end here though, and continue through the day as it is spent in visiting neighbors, relatives, and friends to convey the greetings, sharing hearty meals and sweets together, and in fun and games. Various types of traditional sports like egg fighting, buffalo fighting, and bird fighting are organized all around Assam: some being more popular in one community than the other. From children to young and to old, all people participate in these sports and are a pure joy to witness. The festival of Bhogali Bihu will fall on January 14.

Bhogali Bihu in 2012: January 14

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Bhogali Bihu Significance

Bhogali Bihu, also known as Magh Bihu, is the last of the three Bihu festivals that are celebrated in the state of Assam. Celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season, the significance of Bhogali Bihu to the people of Assam is same as that of the festivals of Makar Sakranti and Pongal to the rest of India. On this day, celebrated in the mid of January month, people not only offer their thanks to Gods for the harvest but also seek their blessings for a generous crop in the upcoming season too. At this time of the year, the granaries of the farmers are full, which to them calls for grand celebrations with much merrymaking and feasting. Even the word from which Bhogali is derived: Bhog, means eating. The celebrations, once started, go on for a several days with a few of the rituals holding semi-religious significance.

Importance of Magh Bihu
It all starts on the eve of the Bhogali Bihu day when young men move into the fields and set up Mejis: structures made of thatch, firewood, and hay, which are burnt on the following morning. Around these Mejis, temporary hut like structures called Bhelaghars are also set up. People, especially the agrarian community, spend the whole of the night in these Bhelaghars, guarding the Mejis through the night and partaking in community feasting, fun, games, music and dancing to Bihu geets. In the night, a grand feast is prepared and the whole community partakes in it. In the morning at sunrise, people move out from Bhelaghars, take a bath, and then return to light fire to Mejis. Edibles like coconuts and betel nuts are thrown into the fire which is like symbol of thanksgiving for the harvest that has been collected. People also pray to the Agni Devta and seek his blessing for the next harvest season.

The half burnt firewood gathered by the people is thrown among the fruit bearing trees to seek an abundant harvest. Then all the trees in the compound are tied to bamboo strips or paddy stems. The celebrations then go on for the rest of the day with more feasting and exciting sports, some of which are region specific, like buffalo fighting, cock fighting, and egg fighting. These however, have no religious significance and are played simply for some competitive enjoyment. The birds that are caught for the sports (few days before the events) are fed nutritiously and also trained. The owner of the winning bird or buffalo takes away a cash prize of Rs. 2001 and a trophy as collectible. In the end all the birds are freed and the celebrations continue for some more time, or days in a few culturally ethnic groups. Thus ends the festival of Bhogali Bihu and people await eagerly for a new beginning with Rongali Bihu.

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Kali Puja Activities

Kali Puja, or Shyama Puja, is one of the popular Hindu festivals. Dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali, Kali Puja falls in the month of October or November on the same day as Deepawali. According to the Bengali calendar, the ritualistic worship is performed on the night of Kartik Amavasya in the Hindu month of Ashwin, just a few days after Durga Puja. As the puja is performed at night, with devotees staying awake and meditating through the night, it is also known as Mahanisha. At present, along with Durga Puja, it is the biggest goddess festival in West Bengal and is celebrated with zestfulness. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Kali cleanses the body and the surroundings of all evil and negative energy. The blessings bestowed by Kali provide longevity and happiness to the worshipper and his family. It is with the same purpose that many a worshippers begin the night long ritual.

But before it all commences, devotees establish clay idols and images of Goddess Kali in their homes and the pandals (temporary shrines or open pavilions). In many homes and pandals, idols and images of Lord Shiva are also established for the reason that He was a consort of Kali. Also, Lord Shiva helped her regain her senses by throwing Himself in the way at the time when she lost sight of what and whom she was destructing in her quest to save the heaven and earth from the demons. Alpana, which are floral designs, are drawn at the entrance of the homes of the devotees, the pandals, or the shrines to welcome the Goddess. Offerings such as red hibiscus flowers, fruits, sweets, sweetmeat, and rice and lentils are also made to her. Some households also follow the tradition of ritualistically dressing Kali in her form of Adya Shakti Kali.

The ritual of sacrificing an animal and offering it to the Goddess Kali, though diminished over the years, still prevails in some parts and is followed by some devotees. At the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, thousands of devotees gather to offer sacrifices to the goddess. Most of the day is spent in preparing the offerings, sacrificing, decorating the entrances with alpanas, decorating the households and pandals with lights and candles, and eating and celebrating with the family and friends. At night before the puja commences; fireworks, magic shows, and theatre are common sights in the pandals and nearby. All these activities continue through the night. Also, devotees keep moving from one pandal to the other, offering their prayers to the Goddess. At night, the puja commences with tantric rites and mantras that are recited throughout the ritual, till dawn. All this has hardly changed over the period of time and the festival continues to be ever popular among the Bengali and devotees from neighboring states of Orissa and Assam.

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Kali Puja Customs

Kali Puja, also known as Shyama Puja, is a festival dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali. Celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin in Bengal, on the night of Kartik Amavasya according to the Bengali calendar, Kali Puja coincides with the festival of Laxmi Puja or Deepawali in the month of October or November, a few days after Durga Puja. Born from the forehead of the Goddess Durga, Kali, also known as Mahashakti, was the first of her 10 avatars. The avatar of Kali came into existence for the purpose of destroying the demons that had been troubling the Gods. Such was the havoc caused by the demons that the Gods were forced to hide in the Himalayan Mountains for survival. To serve the purpose, Kali started killing the demons in a rage but got completely carried away. As a result, anyone who came in her way died at her hands. To put an end to this destruction, Lord Shiva, her consort, threw himself in her path. Accidently stepping on the chest of Lord Shiva, Kali stopped then and there, with repentance.

This image of Goddess Kali, wearing a garland made of the heads of demons she slain, with one foot on the chest of Lord Shiva, has been depicted time and again in many images and been made into idols. Across the country, there are many shrines and temples with the same image that is worshipped by the devotees. The Kali Puja, just like Durga Puja, is a ritual performed by the devotees in their homes and in the pandals (open pavilions), particularly at every corner of Bengal. It's with tantric mantras and rituals that the clay idols and images of Goddess Kali are worshipped. It's a custom to make offerings of red hibiscus flowers, sweetmeats, rice and lentils. Animal sacrifices used to be a common practice that, though lessened in extent, has not completely vanished yet. It's also a tradition that the worshipper should meditate throughout the night, till dawn.

It is believed that for the first time, Kali Puja was ceremoniously started by the Maharaja Krishnachandra of Navadvipa, somewhere around the early 18th century. The tradition was taken forward by his grandson Ishwarchandra. Over the period of years, Kali Puja became one of the famous Goddess festivals in Bengal, along with Durga Puja and Laxmi Puja. On the day of Kali Puja, customs like fireworks, magic shows, and theatre have also gained popularity. Off late, a new custom to drink wine has also emerged. On this day, millions of people visit the temples and shrines dedicated to the Goddess Kali; some of the famous ones being the Kalighat Temple and Dakshineshwar Kali temple in Kolkata. A day before the Kali Puja, homes are decorated with 14 candles or clay diyas and on the day of Kali Puja, homes are adorned with beautiful lightings: artificial and candles. It is believed that the ritual, if performed with dedication and reverence, frees the mankind from all evils: inside and outside, and bestows eternal blessings and happiness to the worshippers.

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Kali Puja Date

Kali, the foremost of the ten incarnations of the Goddess Durga, is regarded as her aggressive form. It's the ancient texts of Devi Mahatmya composed in the 5th and 6th century that made her popular. In these texts, she is described to have been born out of Durga's brow or forehead during one of her battles with the demons. The legend has it that in the ancient times, demons had disturbed the peace of Gods, so much so that the latter had to hide in the Himalayas for survival. As such, they turned to Goddess Durga for help and Kali was born. Along with two of her escorts, Dakini and Jagini, Kali set out to kill demons, to restore peace on Earth and in Heavens. But she got so immersed in slaughtering the demons that anyone who came in her path was also destroyed. And to stop her, Lord Shiva blended with the demons and threw himself in her path.

Performing the dance of victory, she destroyed everyone and everything in sight. She, then, accidently stepped on Lord Shiva. Shocked at the sight of Lord Shiva lying under her foot, her tongue out, and with repentance, Kali came to her senses. It's this image, which has been made famous through years of depiction in paintings and idols that is worshipped by the devotees on the night of Kali Puja and otherwise. Millions of people, particularly in West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam, celebrate this festival with much fervor and spirit. Apart from homes, thousands of pandals (open pavilions) are set up across these states. Devotees visit these pandals throughout the night. Offerings of red hibiscus flowers, sweets, sweetmeat, and rice and lentils are made to the Goddess. Some homes also practice the tradition of ritual dressing of Goddess Kali in her form of Adi Shakti.

It's on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin in Bengal, on the night of Kartik Amavasya in October or November, a few days after Durga Puja that the ritual of Kali Puja is performed by the worshippers. It is believed that worshipping her helps one maintain sanity in the inner world, as much as it helps in elimination of evil from the outer world and bringing peace. Along with the idols of Goddess Kali, in many pandals and homes, the devotees also house images and idols of Lord Shiva, her consort. Before the puja begins, people also partake as performers and audience in magic shows and theatres. Fireworks run through the night! The puja commences at midnight and carries on till dawn. It's prescribed that the worshipper should carry on through the night, reciting mantra and performing rituals. In 2012, the Kali Puja falls on 13 November.

Kali Puja in 2012: 13 November

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Kali Puja History

On the day of Deepawali, along with the pan Indian Laxmi Puja, another Goddess is worshipped for the purpose of destroying all evil that is in the outside world and the world within us. She is altogether ferocious, associated with eternal energy, and is literally the redeemer of the universe. She is the Goddess Kali. Also known as Kalika, she is the first among the Dasa Mahavidyas, the ten fierce Tantric Goddesses. Her name is derived from Kala, which is name for Lord Shiva, meaning black, time, and death. It's because of this that she's also referred to as the consort of Lord Shiva.

The popular image that depicts Goddess Kali, wearing a garland of decapitated heads of demons and standing with one foot on the chest of Lord Shiva, originates from a legend. It's a legend, according to which, in the mythological times, two demons named Shambhu and Nishambhu, started creating havoc and disturbed the peace of Indra, the King of Gods, and his empire in heaven. Over a period, the demons grew stronger and the Gods had to take refuge in the holy mountains of Himalayas, the home of Lord Shiva and Parvati. There, they sought help from Goddess Durga.

To restore peace in heaven and on earth, Kali was born, out of Durga's forehead. Kali, with her two escorts: Dakini and Jagini; set out to end the war by killing the demons. After slaughtering all the demons, she made a garland of slain demon heads and wore it around her neck. But in her mission, she lost control and started killing anyone who came in her way. To put an end to this carnage, Lord Shiva devised a plan to come in between the rampaging path of Kali. It's when Kali unknowingly stepped on him that she recovered her senses.

This is the moment depicted in many images with her tongue hanging out, when she accidently stepped on Lord Shiva and repented. Although the legend is ancient, the festival is not from the ancient times and stared being celebrated only at the dawn of 18th century in Bengal by King Krishnachandra of Navadvipa. In the 19th century, the festival began to be celebrated on a grand scale. It was King Krishnachandra's grandson, Ishwarchandra, along with elitist and wealthy landowners of the Bengal who took the tradition forward. And slowly, Kali Puja, along with Durga Puja became the biggest Goddess worship festival in Bengal.

It has now become one of the most powerful forms of goddess worship in India, more so in the parts of Bengal, Orissa, and Assam. In spite of her fearful appearance, the worshippers share a very loving and intimate bond with her, like that of a mother and her child. Believed to be a manifestation of the supreme power, Goddess Kali is worshipped by many at various temples, shrines, and pilgrimages dedicated to her. But more than on any other day, it's the Kali Puja, a worship ritual celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin in Bengal, on the night of Kartik Amavasya in October or November, which is considered the greatest form of Kali worship.

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Kali Puja Significance

Kali Puja is a ritualistic worship of Goddess Durga's foremost avatar, Goddess Kali. Performed on night of Kartik Amavasya in the Hindu month of Ashwin according to the Bengali calendar, Kali Puja coincides with another popular Hindu festival called Deepawali in the month of October or November; a few days after the Durga Puja celebrations. Though mostly celebrated in the states of West Bengal, Orissa, and Assam; it is celebrated in other parts of the country as well. However, it wasn't until the early 18th century that Kali Puja began to be celebrated. It's believed that Maharaja Krishnachandra of Navadvipa started the first of the ritual and then ordered everyone in his domain to follow suit. The tradition of annual Kali Puja was taken forward by his grandson Ishwarchandra and the elite class of the Bengal of that time. Soon, along with Durga Puja, Kali Puja became one of the biggest festivals to be celebrated in Bengal.

The ritual of worshipping Goddess Kali, on the night of Deepawali, is performed with much gusto and millions of devotees make themselves a part of it; in their homes, in temples and shrines, and in pandals (temporary shrines or open pavilions) that are set up at every nook and corner of the streets. In each of these places, the clay idols and images of Goddess Kali are ritualistically established. In some places, idols and images of Lord Shiva are also established, since He is believed to be the consort of Kali. The puja begins late in the night, and goes on through the night till dawn with meditation and chanting of mantras. Offerings of red hibiscus flowers, sweets, sweetmeats, and flowers are made to the Goddess. And on the night, people decorate their homes with lights and candles. Firecrackers, magic shows, and theatre also common on the Kali Puja.

On this night, even when most of the country is engulfed in worshipping Goddess Laxmi, the significance of performing Kali Puja is no less for the millions of devotees. Despite her fearful appearance, the relationship that devotes share with her is that of a loving and caring mother. She is considered a manifestation of supreme power; the deity of time and eternity. It's believed that worshipping her cuts down all impurities, consumes all inequity and the darkness within the devotees. Moreover, with her eternal blessings, all the sorrow, misfortunes, and sufferings are wiped clean. It is also believed that worshipping her destroys all evil, both, that lies inside and outside of her devotees. Daily, but specifically on the day of Kali Puja, many devotees visit the Dakshineshwar Temple and Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, and Kamakhya Temple in Assam; dedicated to Goddess Kali.

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Two Days Of Kali Puja

Kali Puja is an auspicious Hindu festival dedicated to goddess Kali. Goddess Kali is the symbol of dark side of life and epitomizes strength. Kali Puja day falls on the new moon day of Ashwin in the month of October or November. According to a popular legend, goddess Durga and her assistants were fighting demon Raktabija and tried every way possible to kill the demon. The demon instead of getting killed or hurt was becoming strong as every drop of blood split from him was producing a clone of his. Thus, very soon the battlefield became filled with clones of Raktabija that were attacking goddess Durga and her assistants. In this hour of need, goddess Durga called Kali. Kali killed the demon, Raktabija by sorrying his blood and putting all his clones in her gaping mouth. It is said that Kali became so much engaged in killing that she went on to kill everything at sight. To stop this killing spree, Lord Shiva threw himself on her feet. The act of disrespecting her husband shocked her so much that out popped her tongue in repentance. It is this image of Kali that is seen in most of the temples and pandals. Kali Puja is also celebrated on other new moon days, prominent of these occasions being Ratanti Kali Puja and Phalaharini Kali Puja. Read further to know briefly about these two occasions.

Two Days Kali Puja Celebrations

Ratanti Kali Puja
Ratanti Kali Puja is celebrated on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Margashirsha. On this auspicious day, the goddess Kali is evoked with much pomp and show. The devotees arrange picnic on the temple courtyard of the goddess Kali. The next day, the puja committee offers meals to poor. A good number of devotees gather near the temple courtyard on this occasion. The offerings to the goddess include children's hair, goats, sheep, pigeon, blood in gold pots, eye made of gold and silver, and clothes. People seek blessings for their desires. Barren women come to the temple and bathe in nearby pond. They hang a piece of stone or brick on the bat tree adjacent to the temple and pray the goddess for children. Women who are blessed with offspring due to blessing of goddess Kali, visit temple and perform Mansik Puja. Apart from barren women, women whose children do not survive long, also visit the temple for long living offspring.

Phalaharini Kali Puja
Phalaharini Kali Puja is a religious occasion dedicated to goddess Kali and is observed on the new moon night of Jyeshtha in the Bengal and Hindu calendar. On this day, special puja rituals are performed in Bengal and in other Eastern parts of the country. In the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Phalaharini Kali Puja begins at 9.00 pm and continues well past 1.00 am. The offerings to the goddess at the temple include goats, vegetables, sugar cane and chalkumra, a kind of pumpkin.

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Chhath Puja Celebration

Chhath Puja is a festival of rituals and celebrations. This ritual is religiously carried on every year in the northern states of India since times immemorial. Chhath Puja is a demonstration of gratitude towards the Sun God, considered God of Energy and of the life-force. It is a festival of penance and prayers. The festival is special because prayers are offered to the setting sun and the rising sun, which is symbolic of death and rebirth. Not only Sun God is expected to bestow the worshippers with prosperity, progress and well-being, it is also said to cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends and elders.

During these days, celebrations take place in almost all the metros of India with similar spirits. In Patna, the festival is celebrated on the banks of pious River Ganges, while in Delhi; the festival takes place on the banks of River Yamuna. People propose offerings to the solar deity with open arms. The atmosphere becomes enchanting with the lines of earthen lamps floating on the evening waters of the rivers. Unlike the other festivals that require priest to sanctify the ceremony, Chhath Puja is a personal celebration and does not require a priest. However, given the fact, it should not be thought that following the rituals of Chhath is easy. In fact, the rituals which are followed are quite tough and need innate courage and will power. The four days of Chhath are celebrated with non-violence, forgiveness and compassion.

The four days of festival are divided on the base of the rituals that are followed on the particular day. The first day is devoted to cleansing hence the devotees go to any of the major rivers in their city/state, and take a dip in the holy water of the river. They also bring with them little containers filled water to prepare Prasad. The second day is reserved for fasting and worshiping the Sun God. The main fast starts from this particular day after the sunset. On the third day, the Parvaitin, along with the family members, leave for the pond/river where the Chhath Puja is supposed to be organized. The Parvaitin performs the sacred rites and folk songs are sung by the crowd.

Though now days the folk songs are replaced by remixed Bollywood numbers, the crowd still seems to enjoy the atmosphere of celebration created by those songs. On the final day of Chhath Puja, the Parvaitins and their family members reach the river bank before dawn and start worshipping the Sun God during sunrise. After this, celebrations take a further leap as people are engaged in wishing each other the goodness of the festival. The Parvaitin breaks bread with the family and the Prasad is distributed among friends and family and the. With this the festival comes to an end. In short it can be said that Chhath Puja festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in northern India and forwards just the right mix of religious rites and extravagant celebrations.

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Chhath Puja Custom

Only six days after Deepawali, another popular Hindu festival arrives, Chhath Puja. It is a festival dedicated to honoring and glorifying the Hindu Sun God (Surya), for sustaining all life on earth and also for fulfillment of certain wishes. A period of abstinence and ritualistic segregation from the main household for four days has to be followed by the worshipper. During this period, the worshipper observes ritual purity and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. The celebrations begin two days before the actual worship when the devotees take a cleansing dip in the water, preferably on the banks of River Ganges, and bring back some water to prepare the offerings. The whole household and surroundings are thoroughly cleaned.

On the next day, a fast is observed by the devotees and is broken only in the evening, a little after sunset, after performing the worship at home. Offerings typically comprise of rice porridge, puris, and bananas that are shared among the family, friends, and relatives. From this moment onwards, till the next day (third day), when actual Chhath Puja is performed, a 36 hour long fast begins. Much of whole of the third day is spent by the family members in preparing the offerings at home. It's the women of the household who are indulged in the preparations. Before the offerings are prepared, the whole of the kitchen including the stoves, utensils, and frying pans are ritualistically cleaned. A bath before entering the kitchen is also a must for everyone.

In the evening, the devotees move towards the river bank, a pond or a common water body to offer prayers and praises and to make offerings to the setting sun. It is at this phase of Chhath Puja that families, friends, and relatives gather together to seek blessings from the worshipper. It's also a ritual that the regional folk songs that have passed on from generations are sung by the devotees. These songs reflect the history, culture, and mythology of each state in which the ritual is performed. Modern day Chhath songs are also commonly played but the old tradition is still followed with much sincerity. On the evening of this day, the colorful event called Kosi takes place, after prayers and offerings have been made to the setting sun.

As per Kosi, it is a custom, especially if a marriage or childbirth has took place in a family, to light the earthen lamps placed on five sugarcane sticks, representing five great elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Ether. On the fourth and final day of Chhath Puja, the devotees once again move towards the river bank or other water body to offer prayers and make offerings to the rising sun. It is after this that the 36 hour long fast is broken by the devotees by eating the same offerings or Prasad. After this, the Prasad is distributed among the family members and friends, or anyone who asks for it. These offerings consist of deep fried sweet rolls of ground wheat flour, grapefruit, coconuts, bananas, and grains of lentils. Watching this multitude of devotees performing the ritual at the break of dawn is a sight to behold.

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Chhath Puja Date

The Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, is a Hindu festival in which a Puja (worship ritual) is performed to offer thanks to the Sun God, Surya, for supporting all the life on Earth. The Puja is performed with spirited enthusiasm and reverence, on Kartik Shukla Shashti i.e. 6th day of the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar, typically in the month of October or November (as per the Gregorian calendar), exactly 6 days after another famous Hindu festival called Deepawali. Interestingly, Chhath Puja is the only festival in the world where devotees offer salutations to the setting and rising sun to celebrate the significance of the cycle of birth, which starts with death. Being an age old festival, passed on from the Vedic age and the era of Mahabharata, Chhath Puja comprises of ritualistic abstinence from food and other worldly pleasures and comforts.

The festival, spread over four days, starts with the worshipper taking a dip in the holy water of river Ganges or any water body at sunrise. Some of the holy water is brought home by the worshipper for preparation of offerings (Prasad). From this day onwards, the worshipper, to observe ritualistic purity, is segregated from the main household for four days and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. The following morning, a fast is observed by the worshipper which ends a little after sunset. After eating, another fast that lasts 36 hours is observed by the worshipper. When the day of the ritual arrives, offerings (Prasad) are made to the setting sun and the rising sun, the following morning, and the fasting ends with distribution of the same offerings among the family, friends, and anyone who asks of it.

Apart from offering thanks and prayers to the Sun God for all the bounties of life, the worship is also believed to cure various diseases such as leprosy, and bestow long life, prosperity, and blessing to all the family and friends of the worshipper. It's not just the worshipper that partakes in the ritual; other members of the family contribute to it too. While women dedicate their time to prepare the offerings, children and other members too contribute by way of taking over the daily chores and cleaning the whole household. Though more ornately celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand, it is also celebrated in many other part of the country like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai, and Northeast regions of India. The important dates of Chhath Puja 2012 have been mentioned below.

Chhath Puja Vrat 2012

November 17, 2012 - Naha Kha (bathe and eat)
November 18, 2012 - Kharna/Lohanda (fasting, ending after sunset, followed by 36 hour long fast)
November 19, 2012 - Sandhya Argh (evening offerings)
November 20, 2012 - Suryodaya Argh (next morning offerings)
November 20, 2012 - Paran (breaking of the fast)

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Chhath Puja Fast

Chhath Puja falls on the sixth day of the Kartik month of Hindu lunar calendar and somewhere in the month of October or November according to the Christian calendar. The words Chhath means the number six of the Indian numeric system, as festival is celebrated on the sixth day of the Kartik month. The Chhath Puja has roots deep rooted in the Hindu mythology and there are different legends too which speak about such festivals. Rigveda the first Veda contains hymns which can be sung for worshipping the Sun God and it also describes some rituals which are similar to the Chhath rituals. The epic Mahabharata contains depictions of princess Draupadi observing similar rites on advice of the sage Dhaumya to regain the lost kingdom. A legend also states that Karna was the one who started the ritual of Chhath for pleasing his father the Sun God. In the ancient times, the rishis used to conduct the ritual of Chhath to gain energy directly from the sun and not from any other available source.

Chhath Puja vrat or the Chhath Puja fast is a ritualistic practice followed enthusiastically during the festival of Chhath. Also known as Dal Chhath, the festival is dedicated to Sun God. Sun is a major source of energy and hence is considered as a symbol of sustenance of life. Apart from it, Sun is also considered as the generous God of Prosperity and Wisdom. The rituals which are performed during the worship of the Sun God are supposed to cure leprosy and help the devotees in living a long prosperous life. The festivities consist of four days meant for fasting and penance by standing inside the water for long times. Chhath Puja vrat is observed for three days, starting from the second day. Worshippers observe fast or upvaas, known as Kharna, from sunrise until the evening, when the sun sets. Puja is performed and the deities are offered with kheer, sweets and fruits.

On the first day of Chhath, the Parvaitins are supposed to take only one meal during the day that too after the sunset. On the second day, the Parvaitins are supposed to fast the whole day and are supposed to break bread only after the sunset when they are done with the Puja. Thereafter, Parvaitins go on a fast for next 36 hours, without food and water. They open their fast on the fourth day after they offer prayers to the rising sun in the morning. Parvaitins along with their family members visit River Ganges before sun rise. With folded hands, they welcome the Sun, offering sandalwood, vermillion, rice and fruits covered in saffron colored cotton cloth. Chanting of the mantras and hymns are done continuously. Fasting, thus, is an integral part of this festival which is observed rigorously by the Parvaitins.

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Chhath Puja Significance

Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, is a popular Hindu festival celebrated in the northern regions of the India. These regions include Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Other places where Chhath Puja is observed are Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai, Nepal and Mauritius. Chhath is dedicated to Sun God which people believe sustains life on earth. Chhath Puja is also performed to seek blessings from the Sun God to promote prosperity and progress. The festival falls in the month of October or November. The traditional rituals followed by people are quite strenuous in nature and are observed for a period of four days. The customs associated with Chhath Puja include holy bathing, fasting and refraining from even drinking water. It also includes rigorous physical customs like standing in water for extended periods, and offering prayer and Prasad during the sun rise and sunset.

The origin of Chhath Puja dates back to Vedic times, as Vedic texts contains rituals associated with the worshipping of Sun. It is also believed that Draupadi, from the epic Mahabharata, used to perform similar rituals. Some people also believed that Chhath Puja was started by Son of Surya, Karna from Mahabharata. Chhath Puja is not only religiously significant, but also has several mental and physical benefits. Physically, the practice of Chhath facilitates in improving the immunity of the devotee. It is also believed that light rays emitted by sun are quite beneficial for the normal maintenance of the body. Being antiseptic in nature, the safe radiations from sun can help in curing fungal and bacterial skin infections. Sunlight received during Chhath provide energy that when get combined with blood streams enhances the performance of white blood cells, which further leads to improving fighting power of blood.

It is also believed that sunlight has significant effect the glands and helps in proper secretion of body hormones. The solar energy received from sunlight also meets the energy requirements of the body. The practice of Chhath also helps in providing a state of mental calmness. The regularized pranic flow of air during Chhath can help in reducing the frequency of anger, jealously and other negative emotions. The whole process of Chhath Puja leads to detoxification of the body and mind. Detoxification further enhances the energy levels in the body. The increased energy and immunity system serves in fighting the harmful toxins in the body. Some people believe that the Chhath process can improve eye sight, enhance the appearance of skin, and facilitate in slowing the ageing process. The devotees who sincerely and patiently practice the rituals of Chhath Puja are benefited by several psychic powers such as intuition, healing and telepathy. So, the next time when Chhath Puja comes, observe the fast and follow the rituals religiously and note that you would be benefited in more ways than one!

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Chhath Puja in Bihar

Chhath is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, along with other North Indian states. This festival is celebrated after the completion of Diwali, which generally falls in the months of October and November. Chhath Puja is dedicated to Sun God for supporting life on earth and ensuring prosperity and happiness in life. The history of the Chhath Puja dates back to ancient Vedic times as the hymns associated with the worshipping of Sun God are present in Vedic text Rigveda. Some people also believe that the rituals of Chhath Puja were started by Draupadi of epic Mahabharata. There is another theory regarding the origin of Chhath Puja, which also relates from Mahabharata. It is believed that Karna, the great warrior and the son of the Surya started the rituals of Chhath Puja.

According to Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartik month. Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, is a bathing festival followed by a four day period of abstinence and ritual purity. This festival is widely observed in Bihar where a large number of sun temples are present. These sun temples are generally surrounded by a surajkund, also known as sacred pool of sun, which constitute of the place of worship for the devotees. Traditionally, Chhath Puja is performed by women, however large number of men also register their presence during this festival.

Chhath Puja is a four-day long strict and spiritual observance. The first day of the Chhath Puja includes taking a dip in the holy river Ganges. People also take the water of Ganges to their home to perform special offerings and rituals. Houses are thoroughly cleaned on this day. The second day of Chhath, also known as Kharna, involves devotees to observe a day long fast which is broken in the late evening after performing the worship of Mother Earth. The offerings to the God include rice pudding (kheer) and fruits, which is distributed among family members and friends. The third day of Chhath goes in the preparation of the prasad (offerings) for the evening offerings, also known as Sanjhiya Arghya.

In the evening, large numbers of devotees gathers on the banks of river Ganga and make offerings (Arghya) to the setting sun. The folk songs are played in the evening displaying the culture and history of Bihar. Nowadays popular Bollywood songs are remixed and played during this occasion. The night of the third day witnesses a colorful event known as Kosi. A canopy is made from five sugarcane sticks and lighted earthen lamps are place inside canopy along with baskets filled prasad. On the fourth and final day of Chhath, family members and friends go to the banks of river before sunrise and make offerings (Aragh) to the rising sun. After this ritual, devotees break their fast and distribute prasad to neighbors and relatives.

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Four Days Of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a major festival which is celebrated in Northern India a few days after the Festival of Light, Diwali. The festival of Chhath Puja revolves around worshipping the Sun God and following a strict regimen of fasting and penance. Sun is a symbol for life hence the worshippers pray to both the setting and the rising sun; the setting sun thus meaning death and the rising sun meaning the rebirth. Many northern states of India have temples with ponds dedicated especially to the Sun God where the rituals related to this festival are conducted. The prime worshippers on this festival are women but a number of men too take part in the festivities. The festivities go on for four days and these days are called the four days of Chhath Puja.

Four Days Of Chhath Puja Festival

Day 1: Naha Kha
The first day on which festivities start is called Naha Kha, which literally means to bathe and eat. On this day, devotees go to a sacred river in their place and take a dip in the river, hence completing the first part of the ritual, snanam or bathing. Later on, devotees take home some water from the holy river to prepare offerings for the day. Preparations need to be done before the offerings are prepared. The house and compound nearby is conscientiously cleaned. The person who is fasting on this day, Parvaitins, is supposed to meal once this day.

Day 2: Kharna
On Pancahami, the fifth day according to the Hindu solar calendar, the Parvaitins observe fast for the complete day. They are not supposed to eat anything before the sunset. Just after sunrise, Mother Earth is worshipped and the offerings which comprise of Rasiao-kheer, puris, and bananas are distributed among the friends and relatives. After this, the Parvaitins break bread. From this time the Parvaitins go on a fast for the next 36 hours not even drinking a single draught of water.

Day 3: Chhath
The day is divided into to main parts which are called by two separate names depending on the time of the day these rituals are performed at.

Sanjhiya Arghya: The term Sanjhiya Arghya literally means evening offerings. The entire day is spent resting and preparing offerings at home. In the evening, the entire household accompanies the Parvaitins to the pond or a reservoir devised for the particular reason where he or she makes offerings to the setting sun. The whole atmosphere is that of a carnival. A huge crowd is present to receive blessing of the Parvaitins. Folk songs are sung which are passed from generation to generation through oral rendition. These folk songs reflect the culture, social structure, mythology and history of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Kosi: On the night of this third day an exotic and elaborate event is conducted. A canopy is made with the help of five sugarcane sticks; lighted lamps are put inside this canopy. These five sticks symbolize the five basic elements of nature from which the human body is cast, Panchatattva. This ritual is especially followed by the families where childbirth or marriage has taken place quite recently. The earthen lit lamps are symbolic of the solar energy which helps the sustenance. Firstly, the ritual is conducted in the courtyard of the house, making offering to the setting sun. Later, this is taken to the banks of a river where the ritual is continued and ends with worshipping the rising sun.

Day 4: Parna
The offerings given to the sun in the morning are called Bihaniya Aragh. The Parvaitin and the family members visit the bank of the sacred river before the sunrise to make offerings to the rising sun. The festival is concluded after the Parvaitins break their fast and the Prasad is distributed among the friends and family who visit the home of the Parvaitins.

The tradition is performed and followed by great reverence and after the festival is finished Prasad, consisting of sweets and fruits, is given to friends in small bamboo winnows. Emphasis is on purity of food, as no onions, garlic or table salt is used in the preparation of the Prasad.

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Chhath Puja History

The festival of honoring and offering praises to the Sun God, known as Chhath Puja, is believed to have been performed since the ancient times of Vedic. Etymologically, the word Chhath is made up of two rods: Chah, meaning 6 stages and Hath, meaning the science of Hath Yog (austerity). Combined together, Chhath means the process of obtaining solar energy from the sun through six stages. Rigveda, one of the four Hindu Vedas, contains hymns worshipping the Sun God and describes rituals of the similar kind that are performed on the day of Chhath. It's believed that Rishi Munis of those times used to abstain from food and absorb energy solely and directly from the rays of the sun.

Even the ancient Sanskrit texts of the epic Mahabharata contain references to Draupadi, worshipping the sun. It is said that following an advice from the noble sage Dhaumya, Draupadi resorted to Chhath Vrat after seeing Pandavas in unsolvable difficulty. Through this Sun God worship ritual, she was not only able to solve the immediate problems but later, also helped Pandavas regain their kingdom of Hastinapur (present day Delhi). It is said that Karna, son of Surya (sun), who fought against the Pandavas in the great war of Kurukshetra, also performed the ritual of Chhath. At some point of time during the history, it is believed that the ritual came to be recognized widely and has been carried forward through generations since then.

Today, Chhath Puja that is observed in many parts of the country and is a four day ritual of honoring the Sun God for granting bountifully, all the means of well being as well as fulfillment of certain wishes through prayers, praises, and abstinence from worldly pleasures. Popular belief also has it that worshipping the Sun God also cures diseases like leprosy and ensures longevity and prosperity of the family. It is with strict discipline, purity, and highest esteem that the ritual is performed. And once a family starts performing the Chhath Puja, it becomes their duty to pass on the tradition to the following generations. It's how the ancient ritual has arrived where it stands today in the highest regard among the devotees.

Considered as the the most grandeur form of Sun worship, millions across the country partake in the fasting and worshipping. Prayers and Prasad (food offering), including sweets and fruits, are offered by the devotees to the Sun God. The ritual is generally performed on the banks of rivers, mainly on the banks the river Ganges that flows through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. A huge gathering of devotees, which goes on for miles, can be seen o the banks of river Ganges. In other parts of India, any other river or a small water body like a pond is considered an ideal location to perform the ritual. It is in the month of October or November that Chhath Puja falls.

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When is Diwali

Diwali (Dipavali, Divali or Deepawali), also known as 'the festival of lights', is an Indian festival that brings a series of festivals with it. The people of all age groups and classes celebrate Diwali throughout India with equal zeal and enthusiasm. They put on new clothes and participate in the various activities that are related to Diwali celebrations. Diwali falls on the day of 'Amavasyaa' usually in the month of October or November. On this day, people light tiny diyas (earthen lamps) to illuminate their homes with bright light and create lovely designs all around their home with colorful rangoli art.

Diwali is a five-day long festival, each day being significant in its own terms. The celebrations commence on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and culminate on Kartika Shudha Vijaya. The first day of this festival is called 'Dhan Trayodashi' or 'Dhanteras', wherein people worship Goddess Lakshmi and purchase utensils made of silver. The second day of Diwali is called 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popular as 'Chhoti Diwali'. The third day of Diwali, which is also called 'Badi Diwali', is the main day of the celebrations of the festival. People perform Lakshmi Puja (worship of divine Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to her, to bless them with wealth and prosperity.

The fourth day of Diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). The fifth day of the Diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honor the brother-sister relationship. Bursting crackers, social gatherings, exchange of greetings, sweets and gifts with loved ones are also part of the festival. During the festival, people following Hinduism offer prayers, and worship their favorite deity. Worshipping of Goddess Lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Mother Kali, worship of Lord Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat is considered very auspicious for the occasion.

Diwali 2012
In 2012, Diwali will fall on 13 November.

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Diwali Significance

Diwali falls, the Indian festival of lights, falls on the day of 'Amavasyaa', when the moon does not rise and there is darkness all around. Light, being symbol of hope and positive energy, indicates the victory of good over evil. By spreading light in every corner of our premises, we try to destroy the reign of darkness, on the night of Diwali. People decorate their premises with diyas, electric bulbs and other decorative electric lighting fixtures, to make their surroundings filled with colorful light and to make it bright and beautiful. Go through the following lines to learn more about Diwali and its significance.

What Is Diwali
Deepavali - the very name of this festival reveals its meaning. The festival is all about the lighting diyas. Later the term 'Deepawali' became 'Diwali'. Deepawali or Diwali is also known as 'the festival of lights', because on this day, people illuminate their home and premises with diyas and colorful lights. Celebrated usually in the month of October or November, Diwali bears significance in the Hindu culture as well as among Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. The legends connected to the festival are different for different religions.

Importance of Diwali
Diwali is the Indian festival that brings a series of festivals with it. One after another, we get a chance to celebrate five ceremonious occasions. The people of all age groups and classes with equal zeal and enthusiasm celebrate Diwali throughout India. They put on new apparels and participate in the various activities that are related to Diwali celebrations. It is a festival of celebrations such as lightings, crackers, cleanliness, colorful rangoli making, social gatherings to exchange greetings and sharing sweets with your loved ones. Diwali is a festival filled with spiritualism and religious activities, such as worship of Goddess Lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Ma Kali, worship of Lord Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat.

The celebration of the five-day long festival, Diwali, begins on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shudha Vijaya. The first day of this festival begins with 'Dhan Trayodashi' or 'Dhanteras'. After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi the second day of Diwali is 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popular as 'Chhoti Diwali'. The third day of Diwali, which is also called 'Badi Diwali' is the main day of celebrations of the festival of Diwali. People perform Lakshmi Pujan (worship of divine Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to her to bless them with wealth and prosperity. The fourth day of Diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). The fifth day of the Diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honor the brother-sister relationship.

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History of Diwali

Five Days of Diwali Celebrations
The first day of this festival begins with 'Dhan Trayodashi' or 'Dhanteras'. After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi, the second day of Diwali is called 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popular as 'Chhoti Diwali'. The third day of Diwali, which is also called 'Badi Diwali' is the main day of celebrations of the festival of diwali. The fourth day of the festival is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). The fifth day of the festival is Bhai Dooj, the time to honor the brother-sister relationship.

Dhanteras History
The first day of Diwali celebration is marked by Dhanteras. According to the legends, during the churning of ocean by the Gods and the demons, Dhanvantari - the physician of the Gods came out of the ocean on the day of Dhanteras, with a pot of amrita that was meant for the welfare of the humankind. This day also marks the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi, which is celebrated by drawing small footprints of the deity, with rice flour and vermilion powder.

Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) History
One famous story behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the demon king Narakasur, who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province to the South of Nepal. During a war, he defeated Lord Indra and snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi, who was not only the ruler of Suraloka, but also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife - Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem. A day before Diwali, Lord Krishna killed Narakasur, released the jailed daughters and restored the precious earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi.

Diwali And Shri Ram of Ayodhyaa
The most famous legend behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the prince of Ayodhya Nagri - Lord Shri Ram. According to the legend, the king of Lanka, Ravan, kidnapped Lord Ram's wife (Sita) from the jungle, where they were staying as per the instructions of King Dashratha, father of Lord Ram. Then Ram attacked Lanka, killed Ravan and released Sita from the custody. He returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshamana after fourteen years.

Therefore, the people of Ayodhyaa decorated their homes as well as Ayodhyaa, by lighting tiny diyas, in order to welcome their beloved prince Shri Ram and Devi Sita. It was the day of 'Kartik Amavasyaa' when they also celebrated the victory of Shri Ram over the King of Lanka, Ravan. Ram is considered the symbol of good and the positive things and Ravan represents the evils. Therefore, Diwali is considered the festival, which establishes the victory of good over the evil. On the night of Diwali, people light diyas, which is again an icon of positive energy to conquer darkness, the is symbol of negative energy.

Govardhan Puja History
'Govardhan' is a small hillock situated at 'Braj', near Mathura. The legends in 'Vishnu Puraan' have it that the people of Gokul used to worship and offer prayers to Lord Indra for the rains, because they believed that it were He, who was responsible for rainfall for their welfare. However, Lord Krishna told them that it was Mount Govardhan (Govardhan Paevat) and not Lord Indra, who caused rains. Therefore, they should worship the former and not the latter.

People did the same, which made Lord Indra so furious that the people of Gokul had to face heavy rainfall because of his anger. Lord Krishna came forward to ensure their security and after performing worship and offering prayers to Mount Govardhan, he lifted it as an umbrella, on the little finger of his right hand, so that everyone could take shelter under it. After this event, Lord Krishna was also known as Giridhari or Govardhandhari.

Bhai Dooj History
According to the legends, Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, visited his sister Yamuna on the 'Shukla Paksha Dwitiya' day in the Hindi month of 'Kartik'. When Yamraj reached Yamuna's home, she welcomed him by performing his aarti, applying 'Tilak' on his forehead and by putting a garland around his neck. Yamuna also cooked varieties of dishes, prepared many sweets for her brother and offered all those to Him.

Lord Yamraj ate all those delicious dishes and when he was finished, he showered blessings on Yamuna and gave her a boon that if a brother visits his sister on this day, he would be blessed with health and wealth. This is why this day of Bhayya Duj is also known by the name of 'Yam-Dwitiya'. Thus, it has become a tradition that on the day of Bhai-Dooj for the brothers to visit their sisters' home and offer them gifts. Sisters also make various dishes for their brothers and give gifts to them.

History Of Sikh Community's Diwali
In the Sikh community, Diwali celebrations have special importance as for them it, is popular as the day when their sixth Guru, Guru Har Govind ji came back from the captivity of the fort of Gwalior city. The people illuminated lamps in the way to Shri Harmandhir Sahib, which is known by the name of 'the Golden Temple', to honor and welcome their beloved Guru.

History of Jain Community's Diwali
For the Jain community, the festival of Diwali has special significance. It is the day when the famous Jain prophet Bhagvaan Mahaveer, the founder of Jainism, attained 'Nirvana'. Therefore, the people of Jain community celebrate the festival of Diwali in remembrance of Lord Mahavira.

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Customs of Diwali

Many interesting rituals and traditions have been attached to the celebrations of Diwali. It is a five-day long festival, which is celebrated with fun and fervor. The blissful festival calls for the exchange of gifts, sweets and heartfelt wishes. Fire crackers are burst and people enjoy wearing new clothes, on the auspicious day. Although the way of merrymaking is different and the customs are different, the feel among the people across the length and breadth of the country remains the same - to spread good cheer. It is the time to celebrate brotherhood. In the following lines, we have provided complete information on the customs of Diwali.

Rituals of Dipavali

First Day of Diwali
The first day of Diwali is known as 'Dhanteras'. People renovate, decorate their houses and workplaces on this day and make traditional 'Rangoli' motifs on the entrance, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Lamps and candles are lit throughout the night. It is considered auspicious to buy gold and silver on this day. Many people opt for buying new utensils on this day. In Maharashtra, offerings of lightly pounded dry coriander seeds with jaggery are made to the Goddess. Rural people revere their cattle on this day and cows are considered especially auspicious.

Second Day of Diwali
On second day, people take bath before sunrise, anoint themselves with oil and 'Ubtan' (scrub made up of gram flour and fragrant powders). Bengalis believe that Goddess Kali killed the demon Raktavija on this day. A general customs followed during the second day of Diwali is to burst crackers. People illuminate their homes with diya, as to welcome the set the mood for celebrations in the following day.

Third Day of Diwali
The third day is the main day of the Diwali festival. Jains have their own religious significance of the day, because they believe that Lord Mahavir attained 'Nirvana' (or Eternal Bliss) on the day. Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the great saint who gave rise to Hindu Renaissance, also left the mortal world on this day. On this day, people wear new clothes and share gifts and sweets with their friends and relatives. Women prepare delicacies and whole house is illuminated with 'diyas' and candles. Fireworks and crackers are the kids' favorites on this day.

Fourth Day of Diwali
On the 4th day is the 'Govardhan-Puja' or 'Annakoot'. In the temples of Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are bathed with milk and adorned with precious clothes and ornaments. Then offerings of a large variety of delicacies are made to them.

Fifth Day of Diwali
The 5th day or the last day of this festival is called ' Bhai Duj '. On this day, sisters invite their brothers and their family to their homes and treat them with delicacies. In turn, brothers offer them with gifts and sweets.

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Story of Diwali

India, the land of rich cultural heritage, has one or the other festival for every month. It is the spiritual and religious richness in India that each festival is related to some or other deity. One of such festival is the 'festival of lights' - Deepawali. It is the glorious occasion that is not restricted to one day, but extended to a five-day celebration. All through these five days, people are in a festive mood. Adding to the festivity is the colorful display of lights. Like every other Hindu festival, stories from Mythology are associated with Diwali too. Given below is information on the celebrations of Diwali.

Stories & Legends of Deepavali

Return of Shri Ram To Ayodhyaa
The most famous legend behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the prince of Ayodhya Nagri - Lord Shri Ram. The king of Lanka, Ravana, kidnapped Ram's wife - Sita from the jungle, where they were staying as per the instructions of King Dashratha, father of Lord Ram. In order to freed Sita from Ravana's custody, Ram attacked him. This was followed by a war, in which, Ram defeated Ravan and released Sita from his custody. On the arrival of Lord Ram along with his wife Sita, people of Ayodhya decorated their homes as well as the city of Ayodhyaa by lighting tiny diyas all over, in order to welcome their beloved prince Shri Ram and Devi Sita.

Incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi
On the auspicious new moon day, which is 'Amavasyaa' of the Hindi month of Kartik, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity - Lakshmi was incarnated. She appeared during the churning of the ocean, which is known as 'Samudra Manthan', by the demons on one side and 'Devataas' (Gods) on the other side. Therefore, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Lakshmi Pujan, on the day of Diwali, became a tradition.

Lord Krishna Destroyed Demon Narakasur
One famous story behind the celebrations of Diwali is about the demon king Narakasur, who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province to the South of Nepal. After acquiring victory over Lord Indra during a war, Narakasur snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi, who was not only the ruler of Suraloka, but also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife - Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem. With the support of Lord Krishna, Satyabhama defeated Narakasur, released all the women from his harem and restored the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi.

The Return of The Pandavas
The great Hindu epic 'Mahabharata' has another interesting story related to the 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. According to the story, 'the Pandavas', the five brothers Yudhishthhira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahdeva, were sentenced to thirteen years exile as a result of their defeat against 'the Kauravas' - Duryodhana and his ninety nine brothers, at the game of dice. Therefore, the Pandavas spent thirteen years in the jungles and returned to their kingdom on the day of 'Kartik Amavasyaa'. On their return, the people of their kingdom welcomed the Pandavas by celebrating the event by lighting the earthen lamps all over in their city.

Coronation of King Vikramaditya
Another legend or story about Diwali celebrations relates to one of the greatest Hindu King - Vikramaditya. It was the day when he was coroneted and the people celebrated this event by lighting tiny earthen 'diyas'.

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Diwali Celebration

The festival of Diwali is celebrated by the Indians throughout the world with special enthusiasm and zeal. May be this is why, it is the most popular as well as liked festival in the country as well as abroad. This festival of lights brings along with itself immense enthusiasm and pleasure. Unlike other Indian festivals, the Diwali celebrations are not limited to just one-day but it brings a series of festivals and holidays with itself. As Diwali is the festival of Goddess Lakshmi,the goddess of wealth, it is celebrated with great pomp and show. Lights, crackers, sweets and abundant shopping are the most awaited features of the Diwali season. Diwali is the festival, which means celebration one after another, each day with a new philosophy. Given here is a list of events that Diwali brings along with itself.

Diwali Celebrations in India

First Day - Dhanteras
Diwali begins with Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi), which is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik. Dhanvantari Trayodashi is popularly known as Dhan-teras. Legends have it that Lord Dhanwantari (Lord Dhanwantari) came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic on this day for the welfare of the mankind. The people worship Lord Yamaraj, the God of death, on this day and light a 'Yama-Diya' in the night to offer prayers to Him. Purchasing a new utensil by the people on this day is also a tradition related with Dhanvantari Trayodashi.

Second Day - Choti Diwali
After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi the second day of Diwali is Narak Chaturdashi. Legends have it that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur on this day to make the mankind free from his fear. It is a tradition to massage the body with oil and to bathe on this day. According to an interesting saying it is believed that those who do not bathe on this day go to the Narak (hell).

Third Day - Badi Diwali or Lakshmi Puja
The third day of DIWALI also called Badi Diwali is the main day of celebrations of the festival of Diwali. People perform Lakshmi Pujan (worship of divine Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to her to bless them with wealth and prosperity. On this day people clean their homes and decorate it with various colorful lights and fire crackers to express their joy.

Fourth Day - Govardhan Puja (Gowardhan Puja) or Padwa
As the name itself suggests the fourth day of diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). Legends have it that Lord Shri Krishna once performed the Govardhan Pooja along with the people of Vraja for their protection from heavy rains. Since then it became a tradition for Hindus to worship Govardhan Parvat to honour that first Pooja on this day.

Fifth Day - Bhai Duj (Bhaiya Dooj) or Bhratri Dooj
The fifth day of the diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honour the brother-sister relationship. Legends have it that in the Vedic era, Lord Yamaraj (the God of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day and blessed her with a boon that if brothers visit their sisters on this day then they will be liberated from all their sins. Since then it is a tradition that brothers visit their sisters on this day and the sisters sweeten their mouths with variety of sweets. In the Bengali culture this day is celebrated as 'Bhai Fota'. The celebration of the Bhai Dooj marks the end of the five days long festivities of Diwali.

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Dhanteras

The festival of Dhanteras is also known as Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi). This festival marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations and that is why, it is considered the first day of five days long festivities of Diwali. The term 'Dhanteras' consists of two factors 'dhan', which means wealth and 'teras', which means thirteenth. Here thirteenth is meant to indicate the day 'Trayodashi', i.e. the thirteenth day of the month on which Dhanteras falls. Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi) is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik, which is two days before Diwali.

Dhanteras Celebrations
People worship Lord Yamaraj, the God of death, on this day and light a 'Yama-Diya' in the night to offer prayers to him to bless them with prosperity, well being and protection. They also purchase a new utensil, silver or gold coin or some other precious metal as a sign of good luck on the day of Dhanteras. The day of Dhanteras has great importance for the mercantile community of Western India. In Maharashtra, there is a peculiar custom to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya. In the rural areas the cultivators worship their cattle because they form the main source of their income and livelihood.

Dhanteras Legends
There are several popular legendary stories to explain the foundation of this celebration. One famous story is about Lord Dhanvantari and his service to mankind. Lord Dhanvantari, who is considered to be the physician of Gods and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, came out of the ocean that was churned by the Gods and the demons on the day of Dhanteras. Lord Dhanvantari appeared with Ayurvedic for the welfare of the mankind. It was because of this reason that the Dhanteras was celebrated in his honor.

Another interesting story famous about Dhanteras is related to the son of King Hima and his intelligent wife. It was predicted about King Hima that he would die on the fourth day of his marriage and the reason behind his death would be snakebite. When his wife came to know about such a prediction she decided not to let her husband die and for this she made a plan. On the fourth day of their marriage she collected all the jewelery and wealth at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted lamps all around the place and started telling stories and singing songs one after another in order to not let her husband sleep.

In the mid night Lord Yama, the God of death arrived there in guise of a snake. The bright lights of the lamps lit by the wife of the king's son blinded his eyes and he could not enter their chamber. Therefore, Lord Yama found a place to stay comfortable on top of the heap of the jewelry and wealth and kept sitting there for the whole night waiting to get a chance to bite the king's son but as the wife of the king's son kept telling stories and singing songs for the whole night therefore he could not get any chance and in the morning he left the place quietly. Thus, the wife saved her husband's life from the cruel clutches of death. Since then the day of dhanteras is also known as the day of 'Yamadeepdaan' and it has become a tradition to light a diya on dhanteras and to keep it burning throughout the night in reverential adoration of Lord Yama, the God of death.

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Chhoti Diwali

Diwali is a festival, which brings a series of festivals with it. One after another we get a chance to celebrate five festivals together. Narak Chaturdashi is one of these festivals and it is celebrated on the second day of Diwali celebrations, just one day before the actual Diwali celebrations. The Narak Chaturdashi, falls on the fourteenth day of the Hindi month, Kartik is more popular by the name of Chhoti Diwali. It is celebrated with same zeal and enthusiasm as the main Diwali but it is on comparatively lower scale. Just like Diwali people light diyas on Chhoti Diwali to fill their homes with light and worship Goddess Laxmi.

Legends
One famous story behind the celebrations of Chhoti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi is about the demon king Narakasur who was ruler of Pragjyotishpur, a province to the South of Nepal. During a war, he defeated Lord Indra and snatched away the magnificent earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi who was not only the ruler of Suraloka but also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife, Satyabhama. Narakasur also imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of Gods and saints in his harem.

When Satyabhama came to know about this malevolent act of Narakasur she got furious and she prayed to Lord Krishna to empower her so that she could destroy Narakasur. The legend also tells that Narakasur was under a curse that a woman would kill him. So, Lord Krishna empowered Satyabhama to fight with Narakasur and himself became the charioteer of her 'Ratha' in the battlefield. Thus, by the grace of Lord Krishna Satyabhama beheaded Narakasur on a day before to Narak Chaturdashi and released the imprisoned ladies from Narakasur's harem and also recovered the precious earrings of Mother Goddess Aditi.

In order to save all those imprisoned ladies from embarrassment Lord Krishna accepted them all as his wives. As a symbol of the victory over Narakasur, Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with this demon king's blood. Then Lord Krishna returned home with his new wives early morning of the Narak Chaturdashi day. The womenfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then, there is a custom to take bath before sunrise on the day of Narak Chaturdashi, especially in the state of Maharashtra. It is said that the mother of the Narakasura, Bhoodevi, declared that the death of her son should not be a day of mourning but an occasion for celebrations. Since then people celebrate Chhoti Diwali with joy and fun every year.

Another legend is about King Bali, who was king of the nether world. His power and increasing influence posed a threat to the security of all 'Devatas' so they prayed Lord Vishnu to help them out. To help Devatas and to curb King Bali's powers Lord Vishnu went to King Bali in the guise of a short-height 'Brahmin', who is known as incarnation of 'Batu Waman', and begged to give him only that much area of land that he could cover with in three steps because King Bali was well known for his philanthropy. King Bali saw just a short-height 'Brahmin' asking for a little piece of land so he proudly granted him his wish.

That very moment that short-height 'Brahmin' disappeared and there was almighty Lord Vishnu in place of him. In his first step, Lord Vishnu covered the heaven and in the second step the earth and asked King Bali where to put his third step. Then King Bali offered his head to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu put his third step on his head and pushed him deep into the underground. But at the same time being impressed by his generosity Lord Vishnu gave King Bali the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps.

Chhoti Diwali - The Narak Chaturdashi Celebrations
People wake up early in the morning break any bitter fruit and apply the kumkum-oil paste, which is called 'Ubtan', on their foreheads and then take bath. The breaking of the fruit represents the head of the demon King, Narakasur and the kumkum-oil paste symbolizes the blood that Lord Krishna smeared on his forehead. In the state of Maharashtra, people take the traditional early baths after applying the paste of gram flour, fragrant powders and oil on their foreheads. As long as the ritual of bath takes place, deafening sound of crackers and fireworks could be heard so that the children enjoy bathing. At dusk, people start lighting Diyas and candles in and around their house to mark the celebration of Chhoti Diwali.

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Lakshmi Pooja

Diwali is one of the most popular and liked Indian festival. This beautiful festival of light is celebrated by all the Indians around the globe. Lakshmi Pooja is one of the most important features of Diwali celebrations. Lakshmi, who is considered the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth, is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali to bring prosperity in the family. She is also worshiped to achieve success and fortune. It is however said that she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy and untidy or desire her only as wealth. That is why before the Lakshmi Pooja, people actively clean their home and worship her with immense devotion.

Lakshmi is said to be the daughter of the sage Bhrigu. Legends say that she took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn when Lord and Demon churned the ocean to get ‘Amrut’, the drink of immortality. However as the God had a glimpse of Lakshmi, they all fell in love with her mesmerizing exquisiteness. First of all, Shiva claimed Lakshmi as his wife, but as he had been given the Moon, Lakhsmi’s marriage was performed with Vishnu, who was also a preferred choice by the Goddess.

Steps of Lakshmi Pooja
Lakshmi Pooja is done in a very specific manner. First of all the entire place for the pooja is cleaned and a higher platform with a new cloth over at it is made realy for deity’s establishment. A kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta is then placed over it with handful of grains at the base. Three-fouth of the kalash is then filled with water and a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice is placed in it. The Kalash is then decorated with mango leaves and covered with a plate containing rice grains. It is auspicious to draw a lotus with turmeric powder (haldi) over the rice grains and then place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

Once the Goddess is established the Pooja is started in the presence of entire family. At most of the places, Lord Ganesha is also worshipped along with the Goddess. It is said that worshipping two of them together is very auspicious and it brings wisdom and wealth together. The idol of Ganesha is placed infront of the kalash, on the right (South-West direction). It is said that placing ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform in front of him will bring wisdom and knowledge.

The Pooja begins in the presence of entire family by lighting a lamp or diya. The deities are offered haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then Goddess Lakshmi is invoked by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. It is said that even if you do not remember mantras you can also invoke the Goddess by simply closing your eyes and remembering her with full devotion. Like other god and goddesses, you can also offer her flowers and bathe her in panchamrit, a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar). It is considered auspicious if Goddess Lakshmi is offered some gold ornament or a pearl.

If you want to do an extensive pooja you can offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( itr ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess along with a garland of cotton beads. Flowers specially marigold and leaves of Bel, wood apple is also considered to be the favorite of Goddess Laksmi. Along with earthen lamps, you can also light an incense stick, dhoop and perform an elaborate havan. At the end, the aarti for goddess Lakshmi should be performed.

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Diwali Activities

India is a land of diverse culture and traditions. Hundreds of festivals are celebrated here in a year, giving it at least one occasion for festivities and celebrations in every month. Despite a clutter of festivals, the Diwali festival in the country holds a special place. It is one of the most auspicious and grand occasions celebrated with great zeal and warmth among all races and religions in the country, not only from religious, but also from aesthetic aspects of this festival. People indulge themselves in a number of activities to utilize their holidays in the best possible way. In this article, we have provided the common activities of Diwali

Fun Activities For Deepavali

Playing Games
Playing cards is a good old tradition of Diwali. It is the one of the best pastimes for the occasion. While playing cards, be sure not to keep a lot of money on stake. You may play cards without gambling as well. Rummy is a popular game of cards. Apart from card games, you can utilize the time in playing indoor games such as 'dumb charades', 'pass the parcel', 'musical chair', and outdoor games such as 'scavenger hunt', 'hide and seek' etc.

Bursting Crackers
It is said that Diwali is incomplete without bursting crackers. Although people are well aware of the harmful effects of the chemical, noise and pollution emitted by the crackers, they would not mind bursting them, on the occasion of Diwali. The best way to ensure that you do not do much harm to your environment is to use crackers that do not make much noise and are safe to use. Children should burst crackers only under the guidance of adults.

Feasting
Diwali is a festival when people feast on lavish meal. Delicious sweets are prepared by the women, to serve on sumptuous dinner and lunch. You may call upon and host a dinner or lunch. Although feasting is not mandatory for Diwali, many households take immense pleasure in hosting lunch or dinner, because they get a chance to strengthen their social ties, through the get-together.

Cleaning And Decorating Home
The home is scrub cleaned few days prior to the festival, in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth. People ensure that every nook and corner of their home and premises is cleaned. Apart from cleaning, they would decorate their place with flower garlands, torans, wall hangings, embellishments made of bells and mirrors etc. Making rangoli is a beautiful aspect of the festival.

Making Crafts
Beautiful crafts are made on the occasion of Diwali. People who have a creative mind explore their surroundings and collect items that can be used to make beautiful embellishments for their home. Making diya is a popular activity, because it gives them the opportunity to illuminate their home with a wide variety of diyas. Kids especially feel special about making decorative items on their own.

Cooking
It can be said that cooking is an inevitable activity for Diwali. This is largely because during the season, numerous varieties of mouth-watering sweets are prepared. Cooking is something that keeps the people, who have interest in the culinary art, busy for many days.

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Diwali Decorations

Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Hindus across the globe. In India, it is a five-day festival that brings with it good cheers. It is the time to celebrate the victory of good over the evil. People clean and decorate their homes in the best possible way, so that Goddess Lakshmi enters their premises and showers blessings on them. There is a number of ways to decorate home during the festival. If you want some bright ideas, then read the article. In the following lines, we have provided some of the best décor tips and idea for Deepavali.

Diwali Home Decoration Ideas

Rangoli
On Diwali, colorful rangoli designs are made by women, on the floor of their living room or entranceway, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth. Commonly made with vibrant colors, rice flour or chawk, rangoli make magnificent piece of art. It is considered good luck symbol. Place an earthen diya at the center of the rangoli, to increase the overall appeal of the art.

Diyas
The traditional way of illuminating the home and premises on Diwali is to light diyas, the earthen lamps, made out of clay. In the present time, due to increase in the competition, a wide variety of diyas is available in the market. So, this Diwali, decorate your home and premises with beautiful diyas. Place them at the windowsill, doorstep, staircase and lobby, on the occasion.

Candles
Candles are equally important, when it comes to the home décor for Diwali. Make use of aroma candles for the interiors of your home. Cylindrical candles can serve the purpose for your windowsill, balcony and staircase. At the entrance way, arrange an assortment of diyas and candles, to welcome the guests and Goddess Lakshmi.

Electric Lamps
While candles and diyas have a special place in the list of decorative items for Diwali, electric lamps have also gained popularity. Brighten up your rooms with the use of decorative chandeliers. Make use of lanterns for the backyard or lobby. You may hang string of colorful LED lights at the entranceway. Lamps come in various shapes and sizes. Buy a number of these to brighten up your home this Diwali.

Torans
This Diwali, decorate your home with torans (hangings). Make use of mango leaf toran for the main door of your home, because mango leaves are considered auspicious for the occasion. You may also hang 'shubh laabh' hangings at the door. You may use torans made of fresh flowers or garlands for the purpose. Door hangings adorned with bells or mirror would look good.

Flowers
Flowers are great embellishments. Spread the aroma of flowers in your home, by hanging garlands made of flowers. You may choose marigold, lilies, rose, jasmine or exotic flowers like orchid and carnations, to decorate your home for Diwali. Fill a flower vase with aromatic fresh cut flowers and place it at your living room table.

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Diwali Legends

Diwali is a lively and sparkling occasion. It is a festival full of ecstasy and joy. This festival actually celebrates the abundance of autumn harvest and is dedicated to numerous gods and goddesses. It also marks the auspicious ceremony of the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after a long exile of fourteen years. Diwali is also regarded as the day of the rebirth of Goddess Laxmi from the ‘Samudra Manthan’ that the Gods and Demons performed together in order to get the ‘drink of immortality’. That is why this day is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. There are several other mythological stories related to Diwali. If you want to know more, read on.

Deepavali Legends & Stories

Goddess Lakshmi
It is said that the occasion of Diwali is actually the birth anniversary of Goddess Lakshmi. As per Legends, the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi was re-incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month while the samudra-manthan by the Gods and Demons. This is why Diwali is celebrated to mark the importance of this day and seek the blessings of Goddess of prosperity for a lucky and happy future ahead.

Lord Krishna
Some of the mythological books also relate the occasion of Diwali to Lord Krishna’s victory over Narkasur. It is said that on the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakasur and rescued 16,000 women from his imprisonment. Krishna then accepted these 16,000 women as his wife in order to save them from any kind of public embarrassment. This celebration of their freedom and victory of truth went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.

Pandavas
According to 'Mahabharata', Diwali is celebrated in order to mark the return of the Pandavas from 12 year exile. It is said that on the occasion of ‘Kartik Amavashya', the Pandavas were welcomed by the people of their hometown by lighting earthen lamps. Since then Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Pandava brothers after a long rigorous exile.

Lord Rama
According to the 'Ramayana', it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, along with his wife Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after killing the ten headed Ravana and conquering his empire ‘Lanka’ as well as establishing a kingdom of peace and prosperity there. The citizens of Ayodhya overjoyed by the return of their dear prince lightened the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before. It was when the first ‘ Diwali’ was celebrated.

Vikramaditya
It is said that the Diwali also marks the auspicious occasion of a legendary Hindu King Vikramaditya. It is said that it is also one of the reasons for which Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival for Hindus.

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Diwali Puja

Though we often recognize Diwali as a festival of lights, crackers and sweets, the most important part of the entire festival is the Diwali Poojan. As we consider Diwali as an auspicious festival which is said to bring prosperity, wealth and wisdom in home, we pray to the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi and the God of Wisdom, Ganesha for showering their blessings upon us. It is believed that on the eve of Diwali Goddess Laxmi visits everyone and brings peace and prosperity to those homes where she feels happy and pleased. That is why a traditional Diwali Pooja is performed after sunset in all the homes on the day of Diwali.

Traditional Deepavali Pooja
Diwali Pooja is performed in different families in a different way depending upon their regional and cultural customs. In villages, even the cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers on this occasion as they regard them as their main source of their income. In south India also, cows are offered special veneration this day as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. However, in most of the families the Pooja is done in a simple way by installing the idols of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha on the eve of Diwali.

The Pooja begins by the gathering of the entire family in the Pooja room and installation of the new idols of the deities in the small mandir at home. The senior most member of the family along with the priest of the family performs all the ritual. The ritual begins with the purification ceremony, each of the deities is bathed first with water, then with panchamitra (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee sugar & honey) and then with water again, this is actually a process of the purification of the idols before deities are invoked into it. After this, five pieces of ghee diyas are lit in front of the deities in order to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. The pooja thali containing all kids of prasads are then placed infront of the deities.

All the members of the family are then asked to close their eyes and chant the mantras as recited by the priest. Even if they do not know the mantra they can simply close their eyes and remember the deities with full devotion. It is said that if you remember the God by true heart, they certainly come to your place to bless you. Once the mantras are over, all the members of the family offer auspicious items like abir (red colour), sindoor (vermillion) and haldi (turmeric), flower and sweet dishes to the deities. They also light incense sticks and diyas infront of the deities and seek their blessings. People also offer silver or gold coins, nariyal and jewelries to the deities.

Once the offering and individual Pooja is over, people do arti and sing bhajans for welcoming the god in to their home and thanking them for being kind to their family till now. Ganesh Aarti is followed by Lakshmi Aarti. The aarti thali is then taken in each room of the home to purify the entire home. After the aarti is over, the priest of the family is presented with gifts and the process of lighting diyas in the entire home begins. After the lighting is done, people take the ‘prasad’ and burst crackers.

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Diwali Traditions

Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over the evil. In northern India, the festival is celebrated to honor the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Coming down to the southern parts of the country, people there celebrate the festival to venerate Lord Krishna, when he defeated Narakasura. In eastern India, particularly in Bengal, the victory of Goddess Kali over Bakasura is the reason behind the celebration of Diwali. Happiest of all the occasion, Diwali has its own traditions that have been followed since years. In this article, we have given information on the traditions of Diwali.

Traditions Of Deepavali Festival

Playing Cards
Playing cards is one of the oldest traditions of Diwali. According to the legends, Goddess Parvati was playing dice with her spouse Lord Shiva on this day. She enjoyed herself so much that she said that whoever would gamble on Diwali night, would remain prosperous throughout the year. Nowadays, dice has become outdated. It has been replaced by cards. However, many people put a limit to the stakes that can be played.

Bursting Crackers
Fireworks are one of the major attractions of Diwali. People of all ages - from children to the old one - enjoy bursting crackers on the occasion. Choti Diwali is exclusive for small children to express their happiness and enjoyment, by bursting crackers. Crackers are burst during the night time in northern parts of India, while in southern parts of the country Diwali is celebrated early in the morning. Crackers are traditionally burst to ward off the evil spirits.

Cleaning And Decorating Home
Days before the celebration of Diwali, people clean every nook and corner of their home and premises. It is believed that on Diwali, Goddess Lakshmi visits only those homes, which are kept spick and span. The homes and premises are decorated beautifully with thorans, flower garlands, strings of colorful LED lights, ribbons and streamers. Women sift powder through their fingers to make beautiful simple as well as intricate patterns of rangoli, on their living room floors and the front entrances, using vibrant colors of rice powder.

Exchanging Gifts And Sweets
Exchange of gifts and sweets is a good old tradition of Diwali. The festival is a golden opportunity for the people to revive their personal relationships and social ties, through the exchange of gifts and sweets. During the festive season, almost all the kitchens of the Indian household are filled with the enticing aroma of sweets, which are prepared to exchange with the acquaintances. Exchange of attractive gifts is a way to strengthen the bond of the relationships.

Shopping
Dhanteras, the first day of the five-day festival - Diwali - is considered auspicious to purchase jewelry and utensils made of silver. People shop for cutlery made of silver, steel, copper and other metals. The business of gold and silver coins is also at the peak, during the festive season. Apart from jewelry and utensils, people purchase many other things, such as kitchen appliances, gadgets, clothes and comforters. Purchasing new things on Diwali is regarded as auspicious.

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Govardhan Puja

The fourth day of Diwali celebrations is 'Padwa' or 'Varshapratipada'. In the North India, it is called as Govardhan Puja. This pooja is performed with great zeal and enthusiasm and in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In this pooja, there is a tradition of building cow dung hillocks, which symbolize the Mount Govardhan, the mountain which was once lifted by Lord Krishna. After making such hillocks people decorate them with flowers and then worship them. They move in a circle all round the cow dung hillocks and offer prayers to Lord Govardhan. Read on this article to explore more about the Govardhan Puja.

Govardhan Puja Legends
'Govardhan' is a small hillock situated at 'Braj', near Mathura. The legends in 'Vishnu Puraan' have it that the people of Gokul used to worship and offer prayer to Lord Indra for the rains because they believed that it was he who sent rains for their welfare but Lord Krishna told them that it was Mount Govardhan (Govardhan Paevat) and not Lord Indra who caused rains therefore they should worship the former and not the latter. People did the same and it made Lord Indra so furious that the people of Gokul had to face very heavy rains as a result of his anger. Then Lord Krishna came forward to ensure their security and after performing worship and offering prayers to Mount Govardhan lifted it as an umbrella on the little finger of his right hand so that everyone could take shelter under it. After this event Lord Krishna was also known as Giridhari or Govardhandhari.

Govardhan Pooja Celebrations

Anna-Koot
The fourth day of diwali celebrations is also observed as Anna-Koot, which literally means 'mountain of food'. On this auspicious day the people prepare fifty-six or one hundred and eight different varieties of delicious dishes to offer Lord Krishna as 'Bhog'. In the temples, specifically in Mathura and Nathdwara, the deities are given milk bath, dressed in new shining attires and decorated with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones and metals. Then they are worshipped, offered prayers and bhajans and also offered delicious sweets, fruits and eatables that are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the idols.

Padwa
The fourth day of diwali celebrations or the day following the 'Amavasya' is 'Kartik Shuddh Padwa', which is also the day when the King Bali would come out of the 'Patal Lok', the nether land and rule the 'Bhoo Lok', the world as per the boon given to him by 'Batu Waman', Lord Vishnu. Therefore this day is also known as 'Bali Padyami'. 'Padwa' or 'Varshapratipada' also marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya as 'Vikaram-Samvat' was started from this Padwa day.

Gudi Padwa
The day of Gudi Padwa has special significance for the Hindu families. There is a custom in which on this holy day the wife applies the 'Tilak' on the forehead of her husband, garlands him, performs his 'Aarti' and also prays for his long life. Then the husband gives her a gift in appreciation of all the tender care that his wife showers on him. Thus the Gudi Padwa is festival of celebrations and respect of love and devotion between the wife and the husband. People invite their newly married daughters with their husbands on this day of Gudi Padwa for special meals and give them gifts.

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Bhai Duj

Diwali, the vibrant festival of lights, brings with it a chance to revive relationships. The fifth day of the five-day festival is especially dedicated to honor the unique bond between brother and sister. Known as Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Duj, it falls on the second day after Diwali, that is, on 'Shukla Paksha Dwitiya' in the Hindi month of 'Kartik'. Thus, Bhayya Duj is the festival that marks the end of Diwali celebrations. This festival is popular in different regions with different names, such as 'Bhai-Dooj' in north India, 'Bhav-Bij' in Maharashtra, 'Bhai-Phota' in Bengal and 'Bhai-Teeka' in Nepal. Read on to know more about Bhai Duj.

The Legends
Like the other four days of Diwali, Bhai Duj finds its roots in mythology. According to the legends, Lord Yamraj, the God of Death, visited his sister Yamuna on the 'Shukla Paksha Dwitiya' day in the Hindi month of 'Kartik'. He was given a hearty welcome by his sister, when he visited her home. On his arrival, she performed aarti, applied tilak on his forehead and adorned his neck with a beautiful garland. She cooked delicious dishes and prepared sweets for him. Touched by her heartfelt welcome, Yamraj bestowed presents upon her and showered blessings on her. He gave her a boon that every time a brother visits his sister on this day, he would be prospered with health and wealth. This is why Bhayya Duj is also known as 'Yam-Dwitiya'.

One more story is associated with the celebrations of Bhai Duj. According to the story, after Bhagwaan Mahavir attained 'Nirvana', his brother Raja Nandi-Vardhan became very sad. He missed Bhagwaan Mahavir very badly. At that moment, his sister Sudarshana comforted him. Since then, the women have been revered during this festival, by their brothers. Therefore, Bhai Duj is not only significant for the people following Hinduism, but also important for the Buddhists of India. By celebrating Bhai Duj, they put an end to the celebration of the Nirvana of Lord Mahavir.

Bhaiya Duj Celebrations
On the auspicious day of Bhaiya-Dooj, brothers and sisters get up early in the morning and get ready for the day. On the arrival of their brothers, the sisters perform 'aarti' (of their brothers) and apply a beautiful 'Tilak' or 'Teeka' on their forehead. The sisters they sweeten the mouth of their brother, with mouth-watering eatables, such as ladoo. Thereafter, the brothers and sisters exchange gifts with each other. On the auspicious day of 'Yam-Dwitiya', the people of 'Kayastha' community of Hindus celebrate the holy function of worshipping Lord Chitragupta, the God who maintains the records of life and death of the living beings. The 'Kayastha' community also worships the pen, paper and ink on this day, in the honor of Lord Chitragupta.

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Diwali Milan

Diwali, the festival of lights and firecrackers, is a perfect occasion to revive personal relationships and social ties. Indians all over the world celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. The festivities associated with this festival encourage people to socialize and interact with each other. Such reunions are popularly called 'Diwali Milan'. The series of ceremonious occasions that Diwali brings with itself gives an opportunity to the people to pay visits to their relatives, friends, neighbors and business associates and exchange sweets and gifts with them. Go through the following lines to know more about Diwali Milan.

Diwali Milan is a significant affair, as it is the time when younger people express respect to the elder one and the latter shower blessings upon the former. A special friendly and pleasant atmosphere is created all around, where every one is busy greeting, wishing and exchanging gifts with one another. The 'Grihalakshmi' (leading woman of a family) prepares lots of snacks and sweets at home, especially for serving on Diwali Milan gatherings. The women share these snacks and sweets with their guests as well as their families. Thus, people cherish the sweet memories of this festival by sweetening each other's mouth with mouthwatering variety of eatables.

Till some time back, Diwali Milan was just the formal affair of paying a visit to the acquaintances' home and exchange gifts and sweets with them. As the time has changed and so has the trend, Diwali Milan has now taken the shape of a party, rather than just being a family get together. Enthralling parties are arranged by people, just a weekend before the festival, a few days prior to it or on the day itself (in some cases). Party halls are booked several days before the event. On the other extent, if it is a traditional family get together, then the host(s) would arrange a lavish dinner for the guests.

If you are planning to arrange a Diwali Milan for your close friends, relatives and business associates, then consider spending for the occasion wisely. In case you are planning to organize a lunch or dinner, then plan it beforehand. Be sure to select the food and beverages according to the general taste and preferences of the guests. Include one or two varieties of sweets in your menu. You may arrange some Diwali party games for the guests. Since Diwali is known for the game of playing cards, you may arrange it on the occasion, but be sure not to involve the bet of money in the game. At the end of the get together/party, you may present favors to your guests, such as, dinner set, table cloth, timepiece, photo frame, gift baskets, sweets etc.

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Diwali Around The World

Diwali is celebrated in almost all the regions of India. Apart from India, the festival is celebrated worldwide. It has become synonymous with the culture and celebrations of India. People in different parts of the world celebrate Diwali with zeal and enthusiasm. They consider the festival as the one that signifies the victory of good over the evil. It is believed that the evil spirits are destroyed into ashes by the fireworks. On the occasion, there are jubilations and feasts all around. The Hindus in Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Srilanka, Trinidad and Tobago as well as Britain, Indonesia, Singapore, Africa, Australia and even Southern America are known to celebrate Diwali. In the following lines, we have given information on worldwide Deepavali celebrations.

Diwali Celebrations Around The World

Diwali In India
Diwali is a five-day extravaganza in India. Diwali celebrations in India is marked by multi-colored display of Rangoli designs at the entranceway of residents, special pooja ceremonies, lines of colorful and sparkling lights and earthen lamps (diyas), exchange of sweets and gifts, fireworks and lots of shopping. Every home in the country shines with the glow of the dazzling lights and candles that are lit to welcome Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali.

Diwali In UK
In Britain, people indulge themselves in spring-cleaning their home. They wear new clothes and decorate their homes with fancy lights. The British city of Leicester is notable for the Diwali extravaganza. The official switch-on ceremony is the highlight of Diwali celebrations in Leicester. Thousands of people witness the ceremony.

Diwali In USA
Diwali celebrations in USA are akin to that witnessed in India. In USA, houses are decorated with earthen lamps. Spectacular display of sparkling electronic lights is the highlight of the celebrations. Colorful rangoli are also displayed. People in USA gather in the evenings, at a community hall nearby, where cultural events are organized. Fire crackers are burst and Diwali sweets and snacks are distributed among the family and friends.

Diwali In Australia
Diwali in Australia is marked by magnificent display of fireworks. The population of Australia, with Indian origin, celebrates the festival with much pomp and gaiety. Indians living in Australia use the opportunity to showcase their unity in diversity and the rich cultural heritage of India. They illuminate their homes with colorful lights and diyas.

Diwali In Mauritius
About 63% population in Mauritius has Indian origins and 80% of them are Hindus. Therefore, the celebration of Hindu festivals is a common sight in Mauritius. Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, after 14 years of exile. Much like India, earthen lamps are lit in rows, in Mauritius. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and crackers are burst to ward off the evil spirits

Diwali In Nepal
In Nepal, Diwali is known as 'Tihar' and celebrated for five days, in October/November. On the first day, cows are worshipped and given offerings. On the second day, dogs are revered and offered special food. On the third day, Diwali celebrations in Nepal are similar to that in India, with lights, lamps and social activities. On the fourth day Yama, the Lord of Death, is worshipped and appeased. On the fifth and final day, brothers and sisters meet and exchange gifts.

Diwali In Malaysia
Diwali is celebrated in most parts of Malaysia, except in the regions of Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan. Nearly 8% of the population of Malaysia comprises of Hindus, who celebrate 'Hari Diwali' that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Malaysian people start their Diwali celebrations with the traditional oil bath, visit the temples and offer prayers. Small earthen lamps with coconut oil are lit to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the demon-king Ravana.

Diwali In Indonesia
Although majority of the Indonesian population follows Islam - Hindus constitute only 2% of the population - Diwali is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety. The island of Bali is famous for Diwali celebrations, as majority of the Indians are concentrated there. They celebrate the festival by following rituals that are native to India. The celebrations in the country are similar to that of India.

Diwali In Trinidad
Diwali celebrations in Trinidad are marked by the colorful display of fireworks. Since 1966, the festival is celebrated for nine days and culminated with a national holiday. Indian classical music performances, Hindu devotional song renditions, dance shows are organized during the festival. People clad themselves in ethnic Indian attire, to take part in the merrymaking.

Diwali In Singapore
Serangoon Road in Singapore is famous for Diwali celebrations. This is the place where maximum people of Indian origin reside. During Diwali, the streets in Singapore are filled with families, who are busy shopping for the festival. The archways are decorated with flowers and garlands. Diyas are also lit. People visit Hindu temples in Singapore to offer prayers.

Diwali In Fiji
The people belonging to the Indo Fijian community decorate their homes with flashing lights. Apart from Hindus in the island nation, non-Hindus also take part in the festivities. Crackers are burst by children, who take part in various extracurricular activities held in their schools. Exchange of sweets and fireworks are part of the merrymaking. The diyas, candles and electric lights are lit in the evening. The celebrations are culminated by feasting.

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Diwali Aarti

Aartis are the special prayers that are sung to please the God. Through these prayers, we admire and appraise the Almighty and pray to bestow blessings upon us. In India, songs are sung in melodious tunes during the performance of aarti, which marks the culmination of any puja, jaagran or keertan. It is believed that these aartis please the Lord in the most convincing way. 'Bhajans' are also sung during the worship rituals. Singing devotional songs at the time of aarti creates a divine environment and fills everyone's heart with spiritualism.

Songs, either the traditional or the new ones, are sung at the time of aarti during Lakshmi Puja, Ganesha Puja and Kali Puja on Diwali. Either the devotees present in the puja sing the songs, or professional singers are called upon for the purpose. While bhajans are sung all through the kirtans, certain songs are especially sung during the performance of aarti. The tune of the very popular song 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' is in wide use for a number of aarti songs.

Jaya Aadya Shakti Ma Aarti
Puja is an important ritual in Hindu culture. It marks the beginning as well as the culmination of many customs. Pooja finds prominence in various Hindu festivals, such as Durga Pooja, Diwali, Dussehra etc. The ritual is regarded as the most convincing way to invoke a deity and seek his/her blessings. This is the reason why special arrangements are made for a pooja, so that the proceedings are carried on smoothly.

Maa Lakshmi Aarti
In order to please the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi puja is conducted on the third (main) day of the five-day festival, Diwali. On the day, people clean their home and premises, illuminate the place with earthen lamps (diya) and electric lights. In the evening, they offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and pray for good health and prosperity. During the puja, some like singing bhajans, while others chant mantras.

Om Jaya Jagadeesha Hare
One of the most popular Hindi aartis, 'Om Jai Jagadish Hare' is sung almost in every puja. The song was originally composed by Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri in Punjab, in 1870s. Hindus of all background are well acquainted with the tune of the song, which is used in many other Hindi aarti songs that have similar lyrics. According to the historical records, 'Om Jaya Jagadisha Hare' was inspired by Dashavatara section of Gita Govinda of Jayadeva, a lyrical composition that dates back to the 12th century, which has the same refrain.

Ganesh Aarti
Lord Ganesha, the elephant-deity, is one of the most worshipped Hindu idols. He is regarded as the God, who banishes all the obstacles, when worshipped with utmost sincerity and devotion. Known by as many as 108 names, Lord Ganesha is worshipped in innumerable temples that are especially dedicated to him. In fact, Ganesh Puja is performed before worshiping any other deity. After the puja is performed, aarti is done, which marks the culmination of the ritual.

Shri Ram Aarti
It is hard to see a Hindu, who doesn't have adoration for Lord Rama. Lord Rama is regarded as the epitome of humankind. Lord Rama is considered as the perfect husband, ideal son and adored father. According to the Hindu epic 'Ramayana', Lord Rama was born in the human form in the Tretha Yug, as the seventh incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. Lord Rama is worshipped with sincerity by his devotees. Temples dedicated to the deity conduct special pujas during occasions like Dussehra and Rama Navami.

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Jaya Aadya Shakti Ma Aarti

Puja is an important ritual in Hindu culture. It marks the beginning as well as the culmination of many customs. Pooja finds prominence in various Hindu festivals, such as Durga Pooja, Diwali, Dussehra etc. The ritual is regarded as the most convincing way to invoke a deity and seek his/her blessings. This is the reason why special arrangements are made for a pooja, so that the proceedings are carried on smoothly. Taking about the proceedings, aarti is an important part of pooja. Arti is performed at the end of every puja. When the aarti is done, the devotees would sing an aarti song, especially dedicated to the diety. In this article, we have given Jaya Aadya Shakti Ma aarti, sung in praise of Ma Shakti.

Jai Aadya Shakti Ma Arti

Jaya aadya shakti, ma jaya aadya shakti
Akhand brhamand dipavya, panave pragatya ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Dwitiya mehsarup shivshakti janu, ma shivshakti janu
Brahma ganapti gaye, brahma ganapti gaye
Hardayi har ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Trutiya tran sarup tribhuvan ma betha, ma tribhuvan ma betha
Daya thaki karveli, daya thaki karveli
Utarvenima
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Chouthe chatura malaxmi ma, sachrachal vyapya
Char bhuja cho disha, char bhuja cho disha
Pragtya dakshin ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Panchame panchrushi panchami gunpadma, ma panchami gunpadma
Panchtatv tya soshiye, panchtatv tya soshiye
Panchetatvo ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Shashthi tu narayani mahishasur maryo, ma mahishasur maryo
Narnari na rupe, narnari na rupe
Vyapaya saghale ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Saptami sapt patal sandhya savitri, ma sandhya savitri
Gau ganga gayatri, gau ganga gayatri
Gauri geeta ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Ashthmi ashtha bhujao ayi ananda, ma ayi ananda
Sunivar munivar janamya, sunivar munivar janamya
Dev daityoma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Navmi navkul nag seve navadurga, ma seve navadurga
Navratri na pujan, shivratri na archan
Kidha har brahma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Dashmi dash avtaar jay vijyalaxmi, ma jay vijyalaxmi
Rame ravan marya, rame ravan marya
Ravan maryo ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Ekadashi agiyar tatyanikama, ma tatyanikama
Kaldurga kalika, kaldurga kalika
Shama ne vama
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Barase kala rup bahuchar amba ma, ma bahuchar amba ma
Asur bhairav souie, kal bhairav soiye
Tara chhe tuj ma
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Terase tulja rup tu tarunimata, ma tu tarunimata
Brahma vishnu sadashiv, brahma vishnu sadashiv
Gun tara gata
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

Shivbhakti ni aarati je koi gaye, ma je koi gaye
Bhane shivannad swami, bhane shivannad swami
Sukh sampati pashe,
Har kaileshe jashe
Ma amba dukh harashe
Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

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Maa Lakshmi Aarti Song

In order to please the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi puja is conducted on the third (main) day of the five-day festival, Diwali. On the day, people clean their home and premises, illuminate the place with earthen lamps (diya) and electric lights. In the evening, they offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and pray for good health and prosperity. During the puja, some like singing bhajans, while others chant mantras. The puja is culminated by aarti, which is accompanied by a song.

Maa Lakshmi Aarti

Jai lakshmi maataa, maiyaa jai lakshmi maataa
Tumko nishadin dhyaavata, hara vishnu vidhaataa
Brahmaani, rudraani, kamlaa, tu hi hai jaga maataa
Surya chandramaa dhyaavata, naarada rishi gaataa
Durgaa rupaa nirantara, sukha sampati daataa
Jo koi tumko dhyaavata, riddhi siddhi dhana paataa
Tu hi hai paatala basanti, tu hi shubha daataa
Karma prabhaava prakaashaka, jaganidhi ke traataa
Jis ghara mein tum rahati, saba sadaguna aataa
Kara sake koii kara le, mana nahin ghabaraataa
Tuma bina yagya na hove, vastra na koii paataa
Khaana paana ka vaibhava, sab tumse hi aataa
Shubha guna mandira sundara, kshirodadhi jaataa
Ratana chaturdasha tuma hi, koii nahin paataa
Aartii lakshmii ji ki, jo koii nar gaataa
Ura aananda umanga ati, paap utar jaataa

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Om Jai Jagadish Hare Aarti

One of the most popular Hindi aartis, 'Om Jai Jagadish Hare' is sung almost in every puja. The song was originally composed by Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri in Punjab, in 1870s. Hindus of all background are well acquainted with the tune of the song, which is used in many other Hindi aarti songs that have similar lyrics. According to the historical records, 'Om Jaya Jagadisha Hare' was inspired by Dashavatara section of Gita Govinda of Jayadeva, a lyrical composition that dates back to the 12th century, which has the same refrain. 'Om Jai Jagadish Hare' is sung by the entire congregation of devotees, although they might not know the full lyrics of the song.

Om Jaya Jagadisha Hare Arti

Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Swami Jaya Jagadish Hare
Bhakta janon ke sankat

Bhakta janon ke sankat Kshan me door kar
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Jo dhyave phal paave
Dhukh vinashe man ka
Swami dhukh vinashe man ka
Sukha sampati Ghar aave
Sukha sampati Ghar aave
Kashht mite tan ka
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Mata pita tum mere
Sharan padun mai kis ki
Swami sharan padum mai kis ki
Tum bina aur na doojaa
Tum bina aur na doojaa
Asha karun mai kis ki
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Tum pooran Paramatma
Tum Antaryaami
Swami Tum Antaryaami
Para brahma Parameshwara
Para brahma Parameshwara
Tum sab ke Swami
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Tum karuna ke saagar
Tum palan karta
Swami Tum palan karta
Mai sevak tum swaami
Mai sevak tum swaami
Kripa karo bhartaa
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Tum ho ek agochar
Sab ke prana pati
Swami sab ke prana pati
Kis vidhi miloon dayamaya
Kisi vidhi miloon dayamaya
Tum ko mai kumati
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Deena bandhu dukh hartaa
Tum rakshak mere
Swami tum rakshak mere
Apane hast uthao
Apane hast uthao
Dwar khada mai tere
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Vishaya vikar mithao
Paap haro deva
Swami paap haro deva
Shraddha bhakti badhao
Shraddha bhakti badhao
Santan ki seva
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Tan man dhan sab kuch hai tera
Swami sab kuch hai tera
Tera tujh ko arpan
Tera tujh ko arpan
Kya laage mera
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Swami Jai Jagadish Hare
Bhakta janon ke sankat
Bhakta janon ke sankat
Kshan me door kare
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

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Durga Puja Customs

Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and geity in West Bengal and among the Bengalis all around the world. People enjoy all the ten days of the festival with a lot of fun and religious observance. In fact, Durga Puja is the most important festival for Bengalis. Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal, immerses itself in a week of amazing festivity. Pooja pandals (big tents) are set up in almost every street of the city. The seventh, eighth, ninth and the tenth day of the ten-day festival are prominent, when the important rituals of the occasion are conducted.

Rituals & Customs Of Durga Pooja

Maha Shashti
According to the mythology, Goddess Durga arrives to the mortal world from her heavenly adobe, with her children. Her arrival on earth is welcomed by the devotees with much fanfare, amidst the beats of dholak. The main ritual carried on this day is the unveiling of the face of the idol of Goddess Durga. The rituals of Bodhon, Amontron and Adibas are performed before the commencement of the puja.

Maha Saptami
With the first rays of the sun on Maha Saptami (the seventh day), a tree is dressed as the Goddess Durga herself in yellow silk cloth with a red border. The tree deemed to be the Goddess then becomes the spotlight attraction for the rest of the festival. The priest carries the tree in a grand procession to the Durga Puja pandal (big tent) accompanied by the drummers to welcome the Goddess. A platform is set up with an idol of Lord Ganesha already seated there.

The tree-goddess is then installed beside the God of good fortune and then worshipped. The Kola Bow or Nabapatrika receives a holy bath, which is performed well before the dawn, on saptami. In this ritual, nine types of plants are worshipped as a symbol of Goddess Durga. Kalparambho and Mahasnan are preceded by the mahasaptami puja.

Maha Ashtami
The next day or Ashtami was traditionally the buffalo sacrifice day to commemorate the victory of the Goddess over the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. However, there are no more sacrifices on the day, except for a few incidents that may occur at the orthodox villages in the remotest areas but the Indian government and the modern wave of animal love and compassion discourage them too.

The devotees of Goddess Durga start the celebrations of Maha Ashtami with the recital of Sanskrit hymns in community puja pandals. They offer anjali to the deity. The worship of little girls, called 'kumari puja, is the main attraction of the day. In the evening, Sandhi puja is conducted, which marks the inter-linking of the Maha Ashtami with Maha Navami.

Maha Navami
Maha Navami, the ninth day, is the main day of Durga Puja. The day begins after the end of Sandhi puja. 'Maha Arti' that is considered a formal end of religious customs. Merriment, music and dance fill the rest of the day. On Maha Navami, the navami bhog is offered to the deity. This food takes the shape of Prasad, which is partaken by the devotees.

Dashami
Dashami is the last day of Durga Puja, when a tearful farewell is offered to the deity. This process is called Visarjan, wherein a grand send-off is arranged by the devotees. The idol of Goddess Durga, amidst a long procession of devotees, is brought to the nearest river or lake, to immerse it. This event is also called Vijaya Dashami.

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Maa Durga Aarti

Durga means the one who is difficult to reach. Devi Durga in the Hindu religion is the name of the Goddess who is the reincarnation of ‘Shakti’. She is also known by many other names like Parvati, Ambika or Santoshi Mata. Destroyer of demons and demolisher of evil, she is worshipped during the ten days long festival of Durga puja. During this festival, people all over the country celebrate the pooja through community efforts. Idols of Maa Durga are established at temporary temples and a grand pooja is organized. Even in the temples, special Pooja is performed during the Navratras. Three times a day, the aarti of Maa Durga is performed along with bhajans and bhog. In the lines below, we have provided the lyrics for Maa Durga’s aarti song. You may sing the song to the tune of 'Om Jai Jagadish Hare'.

Maa Durga Aarti

Jai Ambe Gauri maiya, jaa Shyama Gauri
Nishdin tumko dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivji,
Jai Ambe....
Mang sindur birajat, tiko mrigmadko,
ujjvalse dou naina, chandravadan niko,
Jai Ambe....
Kanak saman kalevar, raktambar raje,
Raktapushp galmala, kanthhar saje,
Jai Ambe.... Kehari vahan rajat, khadg khappar dhari
sur nar munijan sevat, tinke dukhahari,
Jai Ambe....
Kanan kundal shobhit, nasagre moti
Kotik chandra divakar, samrajat jyoti,
Jai Ambe....
Shumbh- nishumbh vidare, MahishaSur ghatia
Dhumra-vilochan naina, nishdin madmati
Jai Ambe....
Brahmani, Rudrani tum Kamala Rani,
Agam-nigam bakhani. turn Shiv patrani,
Jai Ambe....
Chaunsath yogini gavat, nritya karat Bhairon,
Bajat tab mridanga, aur bajat damru,
Jai Ambe...
Tum ho jag ki mata, tum hi ho bharta,
Bhaktan ki dukh harta, sukh sampati karta,
Jai Ambe....
Bhuja char ati shobhit, var mudra dhari,
Manvanchhit phal pavat, sevat nar nari,
Jai Ambe....
kanchan thal virajat, agaru kapur bati
Malketu men rajat, kotiratan jyoti,
Jai Ambe....

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History of Durga Puja

Durga Puja also known as Durgotsab is an annual Hindu festival which celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess of power, Durga or Shakti. It is a nine days affair in which last six days are observed with complex rituals and intricate ceremonies as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami. The dates of Durga Puja celebrations are decided according to traditional Hindu calendar and generally fall between the months of September to November according to the Gregorian calendar. It is extensively celebrated in the Northern and Eastern states of India- West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura. Apart from these places states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Kashmir, Karnataka and Kerala also enthusiastically participate in the festival.

Durga Pooja has always been an integral part of the Hindu culture. However, the origin of public celebrations of grand Durga Puja can be traced back to the 16th century. With the ascent of the Mughals, Durga Puja became more of a status symbol in those days. Grand celebrations, gala feasts and huge fan fare was part of the very first 'Sharadiya Durgotsab' festivals organized by Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur and Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya in 1606. Annual festival of Durga Puja soon became the most celebrated festival and as a day for merriment with friends, relatives, neighbors and acquaintances. Opulence and extravagance became an inseparable part among the powerful and rich Bengalis. However, there were people who celebrated Durga Puja on their household level in a traditional manner, which were characterized by much more devotion and sentiments attached to the festival than the mere show off of the richer and more prosperous people.

Some of the households have been holding these celebrations for more than 250 years now and take pride in the fact of how old is their traditional worshipping set up. With time many cultural performances and shows became attached to Durga Puja for entertainment and religious purposes such as colorful procession known as 'Jatra', puppet dance, Kobi gaan (a type of songs), Kirtan or devotional songs and magic shows that are the favorites of the children and adults alike. Earlier, animal and even human sacrifices were very common on the eighth day of the festival but eventually; this tradition has now become obsolete. There was an additional custom of 'Baroyari' meaning a group of twelve friends that originated in 1790 in Guptipara in Hoogly in Bengal. It is also known as 'Sarbojanin puja'. Today, it has reached the masses of West Bengal and we can witness innumerable small-scale and grand-scale community pujas, flooded with funds with huge pandals and affluent décor. However, some people also believe that this lavishness mars the sanctity of the festival.

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Durga Puja Pandals

Durga Pooja is a ten days long festival celebrated with great pomp and show in Northern and Eastern part of India. The preparation for this pooja and celebrations begins days before the festival. Generally, the Durga Pooja is done on a community level and the idols and pandals (tents) for the Pooja are arranged by the pooja management committee of the area. Mesmerizing idols of the Goddess adorn the pandal. The ambience of the pandal is also taken care of and given a very religious and sanctified look. The idol of the goddess is set over a higher platform and sitting arrangements for the priest as well as devotees are done near the platform. Pooja is performed in these temporary pandals for ten days and after the immersion of idol in a sacred water body, the pandals are properly cleaned and removed. Read on if you are interested in exploring the idol and pandal making activity of Durga Pooja in detail.

Durga Puja Pandal Making
Pandals are like a temporary temple during the Pooja. The making of Pandal is also a complex and lengthy phenomenon. It has now become a trend to set pandals through community contribution in every colony and street. The trends of ‘Barwari Puja’ usually financed by the local land-owners or sponsored by the rich people have now become a feature of community contribution. Making of these pandals follow well-set plans that use bamboo poles, wooden planks and cloth. The designs of the Pandal are done in accordance with space available and the community’s population. It has now become a trend to set designer pandals with complex lightings and intricate patterns. Decorated by lights, flowers and several such items, the modern pandals at many places also look like film sets.

Idols in Durga Puja Pandals
Idols of West Bengal are the most mesmerizing and wonderful idols all over the country. They are famous for the skilled and traditional way in which they are created. The basic rule to be followed is that every thing to be used should come from a sacred water body. The clay artisans work hard for several months to create the wonderful idols and images of Goddess Durga at the festival time. The bamboo sticks are used to make the internal structure of the idol and provide it a basic shape. Then the structure is made using straw and jute ropes and strings to keep it in place.

This is a very lengthy process that requires diligence as well as skill. It requires patience to touch the ultimate perfection in idol making. These artisans are grouped for different functions because the creation of idol by a single artist would become an extremely tiring and lengthy phenomenon. So, some of them get engage in making the skeleton from bamboo and straw while the other group mixes clay and applies it. The most skilled of workers make the head, palms and feet of the idol. The application of clay is done in three steps.

The first step, clay coat solution is made in way that it has high percentage of water to fill the crevices of the idol's straw structure. The second layer needs caution, as it is responsible for the fine finishing of the idol. Here, the clay has to be very smooth and sans any impurities. Palms, head and feet are attached to the idol at the second stage of clay application. The third stage is the stage of application of thin coat of clay, applied by using pieces of cloth, to strengthen idol and fill up any cracks that may have develop after drying. The statue is finally painted with the white base earth color and then yellow color. The last earth color is that of red blood. At last, the features like eyes and nose are given detailing, by using color. The image is then dressed and ornamented with jewels.

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Durga Puja Origin

Durga Puja finds its origin in the Hindu mythology. Goddess Durga is regarded as the deity of power. She entered the earth with the aim to kill the demon Mahishasura, who set out to conquer the world with his tyranny and invincible power. Due to her victory over him, Goddess Durga is sometimes referred to as Mahishasura Mardini (the Goddess who killed Mahishasura). Durga Pooja is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over the evil. The festival attracts many visitors all over India and foreign tourists to West Bengal, where it is celebrated with much fanfare and fervor. All through the ten days, the streets in West Bengal are busy in the celebrations of the pooja. Read on to know about the story of Goddess Durga.

Story of Durga Pooja

The Emergence of Goddess Durga
In the Hindu mythology, Goddess Durga is personified as a beautiful warrior, seated upon a lion. According to the legends, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva summoned Goddess Durga, an avatar of Ma Shakti, to save the Devalok and living beings on earth from the tyranny of the monster-demon Mahishasura, as neither of the three could acquire triumph over the demon. Subsequently, Goddess Durga, with the weapons provided to her by the Gods of the Devalok, took over the talk of vanquishing Mahishasura and destroying his invincible strength that was acquired by terrific austerity.

Triumph Over Mahishasura
The aim of her miraculous arrival on earth was to kill the monster-demon Mahishasura. After fighting hard, Goddess Durga killed the ferocious Mahishasura and restored the heaven to the Gods, which was previously acquired by him. Since then, Ma Durga is invoked for protection from the powers of evil. The triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura symbolized the victory of good over the evil. Durga Puja is observed for her victory. Ma Durga has been worshiped from about 400 AC, or probably earlier than that, to the present time. She is the deity of power.

Durga Puja Legend
Ma Durga has been mentioned in one of Hinduism's greatest epics - Ramayana. According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama performed Chandi pooja to seek the blessings of powerful Goddess Durga. In order to worship Goddess Durga, Lord Rama needed 108 blue lotus flowers. However, he could manage only with 107. To attain the magical number, he decided to offer one of his eyes, which was lotus-shaped and blue in color, at the Goddess's feet. During the time, Goddess Durga appeared and satisfied with his devotion, blessed him. After receiving the blessings of Goddess Durga, Lord Rama fought hard and acquired victory over Ravana. It is believed that the blessings of Goddess Durga helped Lord Rama to kill Ravana, rescue his wife and return to Ayodhya.

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108 Names of Maa Durga

Goddess Durga is the personification of the divine force of the super power. The Durga means ‘the invincible’, so the Durga is regarded as the ever victorious warrior of the Gods lineage. Durga is the representation of courage, strength, ethics and protection. She is the destroyer of sin and evil and the savior of morality and ethics. Goddess Durga is a form of Divine Power, the Shakti. Durga is the confluence of the power, beauty and intelligence of Maha lakshmi, Maha Saraswati and Maha Kali. So, Durga is regarded as ‘the ultimate deity’. Regarded as the savior of needy and the destroyer of destructors, she is the mother of the entire universe as well as the slayer of evils. She is known by 108 different names according to quality she possesses. It is believed that Maa Durga gets pleased if, these names (Durga Shatnam Strotam) are chanted with devotion. Read on to know the 108 names of the Goddess along with their meaning.

Meaning Of 108 Durga Names

Sati - One who got burned alive

Saadhvi - The Sanguine

Bhavaprita - One who is loved by the universe

Bhavaani - The abode of the universe

Bhavamochani - The absolver of the universe

Aarya - Goddess

Durga - The Invincible

Jaya - The Victorious

Aadya - The Initial reality

Trinetra - One who has three-eyes

Shooldharini - One who holds a monodent

Pinaakadharini - One who holds the trident of Shiva

Chitra - The Picturesque

Chandaghanta - One who has mighty bells

Mahatapa - With severe penance

Manah - Mind

Buddhi - Intelligence

Ahankaara - One with Pride

Chittarupa - One who is in thought-state

Chita - Death-bed

Chiti - The thinking mind

Sarvamantramayi - One who possess all the instruments of thought

Satta - One who is above all

Satyanandasvarupini - Form of Eternal bliss

Ananta - One who is Infinite or beyond measure

Bhaavini - The Beautiful Woman

Bhaavya - Represents Future

Bhavya - With Magnificence

Abhavya - Improper or fear-causing

Sadagati - Always in motion, bestowing Moksha (salvation)

Shaambhavi - Consort of Shambhu

Devamata - Mother Goddess

Chinta - Tension

Ratnapriya - Adorned or loved by jewels

Sarvavidya - Knowledgeable

Dakshakanya - Daughter of Daksha

Dakshayajñavinaashini - Interrupter of the sacrifice of Daksha

Aparna - One who doesnt eat even leaves while fasting

Anekavarna - One who has many complexions

Paatala - Red in color

Paatalavati - Wearing red-color attire

Pattaambaraparidhaana - Wearing a dress made of leather

Kalamanjiiraranjini - Wearing a musical anklet

Ameyaa - One who is beyond measure

Vikrama - Violent

Krrooraa - Brutal (on demons)

Sundari - The Gorgeous

Sursundari - Extremely Beautiful

Vandurga - Goddess of forests

Maatangi - Goddess of Matanga

Matangamunipujita - Worshipped by Sage Matanga

Braahmi - Power of God Brahma

Maaheshvari - Power of Lord Mahesha (Shiva)

Aeindri - Power of God Indra

Kaumaari - The adolescent

Vaishnavi - The invincible

Chaamunda - Slayer of Chanda and Munda(demons)

Vaarahi - One who rides on Varaah

Lakshmi - Goddess of Wealth

Purushaakriti - One who takes the form of a man

Vimalauttkarshini - One who provides joy

Gyaana - Full of Knowledge

Kriya - Nitya- The eternal one

Buddhida - The bestower of wisdom

Bahula - One who is in various forms

Bahulaprema - One who is loved by all

Sarvavahanavahana - One who rides all vehicles

NishumbhaShumbhaHanani - Slayer of the demon-brothers Shumbha Nishumbha

MahishasuraMardini - Slayer of the bull-demon Mahishaasura

MadhuKaitabhaHantri - Slayer of the demon-duo Madhu and Kaitabha

ChandaMundaVinashini - Destroyer of the ferocious asuras Chanda and Munda

Sarvasuravinasha - Destroyer of all demons

Sarvadaanavaghaatini - Possessing the power to kill all the demons

Sarvashaastramayi - One who is deft in all theories

Satya - The truth

Sarvaastradhaarini - Possessor of all the missile weapons

Anekashastrahasta - Possessor of many hand weapons

AnekastraDhaarini - Possessor of many missile weapons

Komaari - The beautiful adolescent

Ekakanya - The girl child

Kaishori - The adolescent

Yuvati - The Woman

Yati - Ascetic, one who renounces the world

Apraudha - One who never gets old

Praudha - One who is old

Vriddhamaata - The old mother (loosely)

Balaprada - The bestower of strength

Mahodari - One who has huge belly which stores the universe

Muktakesha - One who has open tresses

Ghorarupa - Having a fierce outlook

Mahaabala - Having immense strength

Agnijwaala - One who is poignant like fire

Raudramukhi - One who has a fierce face like destroyer Rudra

Kaalaratri - Goddess who is black like night

Tapasvini - one who is engaged in penance

Narayani - The destructive aspect of Lord Narayana (Brahma)

Bhadrakaali - Fierce form of Kali

Vishnumaya - Spell of Lord Vishnu

Jalodari - Abode of the ethereal universe

Shivadooti - Ambassador of Lord Shiva

Karaali - The Violent

Ananta - The Infinite

Parameshvari - The Ultimate Goddess

Katyayani - One who is worshipped by sage Katyanan

Savitri - Daughter of the Sun God Savitr

Pratyaksha - One who is real

Brahmavaadini - One who is present everywhere

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Durga Bhajans

Durga Puja is celebrated with fun and fervor by Bengalis. All through the ten days of celebrations, people in West Bengal are busy in the merrymaking. They enjoy fasting and feasting with equal pleasure. Ma Durga, the deity of courage and strength, is worshipped for nine days and her idol is immersed at a nearby river or lake on the tenth (last) day of the festival. Bhajans are sung by the devotees at the puja pandal, all through the nine days. It is believed that Goddess Durga is provoked through bhajans, if they are sung with immense devotion. Given below are the lyrics of popular Goddess Durga Bhajans.

Ma Durga Bhajans

Aadi Divya Jyothi Mahaa Kaali Maa Namo
Devi Shakthi Mahaa Shakthi Kaali Maa Namo
Kaali Maa Namo, Sathya Sai Maa Namo
Shringa Shaila Vaasini Kaali Maa Namo
Sankata Haarini Mangala Kaarini Kaali Maa Namo
Kaali Maa Namo, Sathya Sai Maa Namo

Ambey Bhavani Maa Jai Ambey Gauri Sai Maatha
Kasht Nivaaro Maiyya Bhakth Janonke
Sankatahaarani Maa Jai Ambey Gauri Sai Maatha
Kasht Nivaaro Maiyya Bhakt Janonkey
Parthipuri Sai Maa Jai Ambey Gauri Sai Maatha
Prem Bhaav Sey Pooja Karey Theree

Shambhavi Shankari Namo Namo
Shanta Swaroopini Namo Namo
Sathya Sai Maheshwari Namo Namo
Namo Namo Namo Namo
Namo Namo Namo Namo

Naada Brahmamayee Sayeeshwari
Bhagavathi Maatha Kripa Saagari
Naada Brahmamayee Sayeeshwari
Varaahi Vaishnavi Vageeswari
Maathangi Mahaamaye Mookambikey
Parameshwari Hari Sodari
Bhava Bhaya Haarini Sathya Sayeeshwari

Dayaa Karo Dayaa Karo Dayaa Karo Maa
Rakshaa Karo Rakshaa Karo Sathya Sai Maa
Hey Maa Hey Maa
Dayaa Karo Krupaa Karo Sathya Sai Maa
Sathya Sai Maa Sathya Sai Maa

Durgati Nashini Durga Jai Jai
Kaala Vinashini Kaalini Jai Jai
Uma Rama Sarvaani Jai Jai
Seetha Radha Rukmini Jai Jai
Jai Jai Jai Hari Narayana Jai
Jai Jai Gopeejana Vallabha Jai Jai
Bhaktha Vatsala Sai Naathha Jai Jai

Durgey Durgey Durgey Jai Jai Maa
Karuna Saagari Maa
Kaali Kapaalini Maa
Jagadoddharini Maa
Jagadambey Jai Jai Maa

Dehi Sharanam Simha Vaahini
Dehi Sharanam Asura Vinaashini
Dehi Sharanam Bhava Bhaya Haarini
Dehi Sharanam Hari Naaraayani
Dehi Sharanam Brahma Sanaatani
Dehi Sharanam Sai Naaraayani

Devi Bhavaani Maa Sai Bhavaani Maa
Parthi Nivaasini Jaganmaata
Deena Dayaakari Parama Kripaakari (2)
Hey Jaga Vandini Maata
Mangala Kaarini Moksha Vidhaayini
Deena Samrakshini Maata

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Durga Puja Date

Durga Puja is an important Hindu festival in India. It is also known as 'Durgotsab' or 'Navratra'. It is basically a ten days long festival in which Durga or Shakti, the Goddess of power is worshipped. The Goddess is worshipped in nine different forms namely Shailputri, Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri in a long and intricate affair. Though this festival is celebrated throughout the country, the zeal and enthusiasm of the celebrations in the northern belt of the country in the state of West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Tripura is incomparable to any other place. The celebrations in the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata is renowned all over the world.

Durga Puja falls between the autumn months of September end to November beginning. The dates of the Pooja are decided according to the Hindu religious calendar. Most of the religions now follow either a solar calendar or a lunar calendar. But for the majority of Hindus, it is a combination of both and a sole decider of the dates of the religious celebrations. According to the Hindu solar calendar, Durga Pooja falls begins on the first day of Ashwin month and go on till the nine days of the month. The days are counted in accordance with sun rise and sun set. However, timings of all religious ceremonies are decided according to the lunar months.

The religious ceremonies of the Hindu Bengalis are as per the traditions and are scheduled in accordance with the timings of the moon's movement, which is called as 'Tithhi'. Thus, the entire schedule of the Puja is also structured on the basis of the 'Tithhi'. The Devi Paksha i.e. the fortnight in which the Puja falls is decided in with the auspicious occasion of the Mahalaya (the day which indicates the homecoming of Mother Goddess), which falls on the day of the New moon.

The Durga Pooja is celebrated for nine days. However the last six days are more festive than the first three. From the day of Shashti i.e the sixth day, community gathering, celebrations and feasts begin with immense fervor. The last four days of Puja begins from the sixth day of the full moon phase that follows the Mahalaya and finishes with the Dashami or the tenth day. In between these six days, there are different kinds of special ceremonies on Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami. In the wee hours of 'Saptami,' the 'Pran' or life of the Devi is brought from a nearby pond or river in a banana tree and installed inside the idol. Customs like 'Sandhikshan,' the crossover time between Ashtami and Navami are also done in accordance with the 'ghadi and tithi' as per the calendar. Then on the last day, Dashami is celebrated. It is four days short of the full moon night, called Kojagori Purnima.

Durga Puja 2012
20th October 2012 - Shashti
21st October 2012 - Saptami
22nd October 2012 - Ashtami
23rd October 2012 - Navami
24th October 2012 - Vijaya Dashmi

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Different Forms of Durga

The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated with religious observance by the Bengalis all over the world. During the festive season, the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped on the nine days, each symbolizing a religious significance. Named differently, each form of the deity had different goals, when they assumed their avatars. Worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Durga is considered auspicious, because the deity brings the qualities of power, wisdom and courage to her devotees. In this article, we have given comprehensive information on the different forms of Durga.

Nine Forms Of Goddess Durga

Shailputri
The first form of Goddess Durga is referred to as Shailputri or the Daughter of Mountain. She is a daughter of Himalayas. In the previous birth, she was born as Sati-Bhavani, the daughter of Daksha. She had married Lord Shiva, without her father's consent. One fine day, Daksha organized a Yagna, wherein he didn't invite Lord Shiva. Since Sati was obstinate, she went to her father's place and attended the Yagna. Thereupon, Daksha insulted Lord Shiva. Humiliated and angered by her father, because he insulted her husband, Sati burnt herself in the fire of the Yagna.

Brahmacharini
The second form of Goddess Durga is called 'Brahmacharini'. Her name is derived from the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. Brahmacharini is gorgeous and has a good conduct. She holder a rosary in her right hand, while Kamandal in her left hand. Full of merriment, Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Durga Puja. A famous story is associated with Brahmacharini. According to the legend, she was born as Parvati Hemavati, the daughter of Himvan. One fine day, when Parvati was playing with her friends, sage Narada approached her.

Sage Narada told that she would marry her husband from her previous birth on a condition that she would have to observe penance. After hearing this, she decided that she would tie the wedding knot with none other than Shambhu (Lord Shiva), her husband in the previous birth. After saying this, she went to observe penance. This is the reason, why she is referred as Tapacharini or Brahmnacharini. From that time, she also came to be known as Uma.

Chandraghanta
The third form of Goddess Durga, referred to as Chandraghanta, represents bravery. The charming, bright Chandraghanta looks gorgeous. She has a half-circular moon in her forehead, hence the name 'Chandraghanta'. With three eyes, she is golden in color. Ten types of weapons, including sword and arrows are held by her ten hands. Seated on a lion, she is always ready to go to war. The unprecedented bravery of Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Durga Puja.

Kushmanda
Kushmanda, the fourth form of Goddess Durga, resides in solar systems. It is believed that Kushmanda is the creator of the entire Universe. According to the legends, she created the Universe by merely laughing. She hands eight hands out of which, seven hold weapons and the eight one bears a string of beads. With rosary in her right hand, she sits on Lion. The deity is worshipped on the fourth day of Durga Pooja.

Skanda Mata
In her fifth form, Goddess Durga is known as 'Skanda Mata'. After observing penance, Goddess Parvati tied the wedding knot with Lord Shiva. Their son is Skanda, the leader of the army of Gods. Therefore, the fourth form of Goddess Durga is referred to as Skanda Mata, the Mother of Skanda. The deity of fire - Skanda Mata - is white in color, has three eyes and four hand. She is seated on a lion, with her son (Skanda), on her lap.

Katyayani
Katyayani is the sixth form of Goddess Durga. As per the legends, Rishi Katyayan was born in his 'Katya' lineage. He observed penance, because he wanted to get paramba as his daughter. Pleased with her prayers, Goddess Durga blessed him and took birth as his daughter. The daughter was then named as 'Katyayani'. Seated on her vehicle lion, Katyayani has three eyes and four hands.

Kalratri
The seventh form of Goddess Durga is popularly known as 'Kalratri'. As the name suggests, Kalrati is as black as a dark night. With bountiful unlocked hair, Kalratri wears necklaces that shine like lightening. She is personified as the deity of power, with large eyes and fire that is breathed by her. Kalratri is also referred to as Shubhamkari, as she makes her devotees fearless. She has four hands, with a sharp sword in her left hand and a burning torch in her lower left hand, her lower and upper right hand that shows blessings.

Maha Gauri
The eighth form of Ma Durga is called 'Maha Gauri'. She is as white as a conch and is eight years old. She is clad in a snow white cloth and is accessorized with white colored ornaments. With three eyes and four hands, she rides on a bull. Her left hand shows the fearless Mudra, while her lower left hand holds a Trishul. Calm and peaceful Maha Gauri observed penance. According to the legends, when she observed penance and got dirty due to dust, Lord Shiva cleansed her body with the Holy Water of Ganges, flowing through his head.

Siddhidatri
The ninth and last form of Goddess Durga is known as Siddhidatri. It is believed that Lord Shiva all the eight Siddhis (Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Lishitya and Vashitva) by offering prayers to Maha Shakti. With her gratitude, the half portion of the body of Lord Shiva became of Goddess Shakti. Hence, he is called 'Ardhanarishwaran'. Siddhidatri has all the eight Siddhis. She rides on a lotus. Siddhidatri is worshipped by all the other Gods and the Rishis-Munis, Siddhas, Sadhakas and Yogis. It is believed that worshipping her is best for attaining religious asset.

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Durga Chalisa

Durga Chalisa is a devotional 40 verse song written in the praise of Goddess Durga. It is more like an ode which includes praises regarding her beauty, strength and courage. It is said that recitation of Durga Chalisa by immense devotion pleases the deity. Many people religiously chant these mantras everyday. Durga Chalisa is said to bring auspiciousness to home and luck and pleasure to the family of those who regularly chant this chalisa. Given here is the Hindi as well as English translation of the Chalisa. Read on to explore the wonderful description of Maa Durga.

Durga Chalisa in Hindi

Namo Namo Durge Sukh karani,
Namo Namo ambe Dukh harani.

Nirakar hai jyoti tumhari,
Tihun lok pheli ujayari.

Shashi lalat mukh mahavishala,
Netra lal bhrikutee vikarala.

Roop Matu ko adhika suhave,
Daras karat jan ati sukh pave.

Tum sansar shakti laya kina,
Palan hetu anna dhan dina.

Annapurna hui jag pala,
Tumhi adi sundari Bala.

Pralaya kala sab nashan hari,
Tum gauri Shiv-Shankar pyari.

Shiv yogi tumhre guna gaven,
Brahma Vishnu tumhen nit dhyaven

Roop Saraswati ko tum dhara,
De subuddhi rishi munina ubara.

Dharyo roop Narsimha ko amba,
Pragat bhayin phar kar khamba.

Raksha kari Prahlaad bachayo,
Hiranakush ko swarga pathayo.

Lakshmi roop dharo jag mahin,
Shree Narayan anga samihahin.

Ksheer sindhu men karat vilasa,
Daya Sindhu, deeje man asa.

Hingalaja men tumhin Bhavani,
Mahima amit na jet bakhani.

Matangi Dhoomavati Mata,
Bhuvneshwari bagala sukhdata.

Shree Bhairav lara jog tarani,
Chhinna Bhala bhav dukh nivarani.

Kehari Vahan soh Bhavani,
Langur Veer Chalat agavani.

Kar men khappar khadag viraje,
Jako dekh kal dan bhaje.

Sohe astra aur trishoola,
Jase uthata shatru hiya shoola.

Nagarkot men tumhi virajat,
Tihun lok men danka bajat.

Shumbhu Nishumbhu Danuja tum mare,
Rakta-beeja shankhan samhare.

Mahishasur nripa ati abhimani
Jehi agha bhar mahi akulani.

Roop karal Kalika dhara,
Sen Sahita tum tin samhara.

Pan garha Santan par jab jab,
Bhayi sahaya Matu tum tab tab.

Amarpuni aru basava loka,
Tava Mahirna sab rahen asoka.

Jwala men hai jyoti tumhari,
Tumhen sada poojen nar nari.

Prem bhakti se Jo yash gave,
Dukh-daridra nikat nahin ave.

Dhyave tumhen jo nar man laee,
Janam-maran tako chuti jaee.

Jogi sur-muni kahat pukari,
Jog na ho bin shakti tumhari.

Shankar Aacharaj tap keenhon,
Kam, krodha jeet sab leenhon.

Nisidin dhyan dharo Shankar ko,
Kahu kal nahini sumiro tum ko.

Shakti roop ko maran na payo,
Shakti gayi tab man pachitayo.

Sharnagat hui keerti bakhani,
Jai jai jai Jagdamb Bhavani.

Bhayi prasanna Aadi Jagdamba,
Dayi shakti nahin keen vilamba.

Mokon Matu kashta ati ghero,
Tum bin kaun hare dukh mero.

Aasha trishna nipat sataven,
Moh madadik sab binsaven.

Shatru nash keeje Maharani,
Sumiron ekachita tumhen Bhavani.

Karo kripa Hey Matu dayala,
Riddhi-Siddhi de karahu nihala.

Jab lagi jiyoon daya phal paoon
Tumhro yash men sada sunaoon.

Durga Chalisa jo gave,
Sab sukh bhog parampad pave.

Devidas sharan nij jani
Karahoun kripa jagadamba bhavani

English Translation of Durga Chalisa

I bow to You O Goddess Durga, the bestower of happiness!
I bow to You O Goddess Amba, who ends all miseries.

The radiance of your light is infinite and all encompassing and all the three
realms (Earth, Heaven And the Nether World) are enlightened by Thee.

Your face is like the moon and mouth very huge. Your eyes shine with a
red glow and You have a Frightening frown.

O Mother! Your look is enchanting, the very sight of which ensures welfare
of the devout.

All the powers of the World repose in Thee and it is You who provide food and
wealth for the World's survival.

Like the feeding Mother Annapoorna, You nurture the whole universe and You are the one who appears like the timeless Bala Sundari (young girl of extreme beauty).

At the time of dissolution, it is You, O Mother, who destroys everything. You are the beloved Consort of Lord Shiva, Gauri (Parvati).

Lord Shiva and all yogis always chant your praise Brahma,
Vishnu and all other Gods ever meditate on you.

You appear in the form of Goddess Saraswati too,
to grant wisdom to the sages and thus ensure their Welfare.

O Mother Amba! It was you who appeared in the form
of Narsimha, sundering the pillar.

Thus you saved Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap also went to
Heaven as he was killed by your Hands.

In the form of Goddess Lakshmi, O Mother, you appear in
this world and repose by the side of Shree Narayan.

Dwelling in the ocean of milk, O Goddess, with Lord Vishnu,
please fulfill my desires.

O Bhavani, the famous Goddess of Hingalaja is no one else but
you. Illimitable is your Glory, defying description.

You are yourself Matangi and Dhoomavati Mata. It is you, who appear as
Bhuvaneshwari and Bagalamukhi Devi to bestow happiness to all the people of this earth

It is you, who redeem the wolrd, appearing in the form of Shree Bhairavi,
Taradevi and Chhinnamasta Devi, and end its sorrows.

Reposing gracefully uopn your vehicle, O Goddess Bhavani, You are welcome
by the brave Langour (Lord Hanuman).

When you appear in the form of Goddess Kali, with sword in one hand and a
cupel in the other, even time flees in panic.

Beholding you, well armed, with a trident in your hand, the enemy's
heart aches with the sting Of fear.

You also repose in the form of Devi at Nagarkot in Kangara. Thus all the
three realms shudder in the might of your glory.

You slayed the demons like Shumbh & Nishumb and massacred the
thousand forms of the dreaded Demon Raktabeej.

When the earth was severely distressed bearing the load of the sins
of the arrogant Mahishasur.

You assumed the dreadful form of Goddess Kali and
massacred him along with his army.

Thus, whenever the noble saints were distressed,
it is You O Mother, who came to their rescue.

All the realms including the Amarpuri (divine realm) remain
sorrow-less and happy by Your Grace. O Goddess!

It is the symbol of your glory that is burning brightly at Shree JwalaJi.
All me and women Ever worship You, O Mother!

He who sings your glory with devotion, love, and sincerity remains
beyond the reach of grief And poverty.

He who meditates upon your form with concentration goes
beyond the cycle of births and deaths.

All the yogis, gods and sages openly declare that without your
favor one can't establish communion with God.

Shankaracharya had performed once a special penance called
Aacharaj and by virtue of which he had subdued his anger and desire.

He ever worshipped Lord Shankar and never for a moment
concentrated his mind on You.

Since He did not realise your immense glory, all his powers
waned and then He repented hitherto.

Then he sought refuge in you, chanted your glory and
'victory, victory, victory to Thee, O Jagadamba Bhavani'.

Then, O Primal Goddess Jagadamba Ji, you were propitiated and
in no time You bestowed Him with his lost powers.

O Mother! Severe afflictions distress me and no one except your
honored Self can provide relief please end my afflictions.

Hopes and longings ever torture me. All sorts of passions and
lust ever torment my heart.

O Goddess Bhavani! I meditate only upon you Please
kill my enemies O Queen!

O Merciful Mother! Show me your favour and make me feel
happy by bestowing me with all sorts of riches and powers.

O Mother! May I be receptable of Your grace as long as I live,
ever recounting the feats of Your Glory to all.

This way, whoever sings this Durga Chalisa shall ever enjoy all
sorts of pleasures and shall attain the highest state in the end.

Deeming Devidas to have sought Your shelter, O Bhavani, grant me Your favor.
Jai Maa Bhagwati!

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Durga Puja in Kolkata

One of the biggest social events of India, Durga Puja is considered the main festival for Bengalis. It is a ten-day carnival in West Bengal, the eastern state of India. Magnificently created puja pandals are erected at every other street of Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal. Every pooja pandal is unique in its own terms, with beautiful patterns that are true delight to the eyes. A spurt of fanfare can be sensed all through the ten days, especially on the last four days of the festival. Bengalis in the metro city rejoice to their heart's content. They consider the festival as a wonderful occasion to reconnect to their family and friends. The air is filled with festivity, during the season. In the following lines, we have provided information on the celebrations of Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Durga Pooja Celebrations In Kolkata

Preparations
The preparations of the festival commence one or two months in advance. Puja bonus (extra money apart from the salary) is given to the employees of both government and private organizations, in Kolkata, since the bread-winner of the family brings in clothes and furbishes for the home, during the festive season. Pre-pooja bargain sales are displayed by shops, as they cash in a lot during the festival. Every household prepares itself to welcome the season, with great enthusiasm.

Pre-Puja Celebrations
Celebrations of the festival start with Mahalaya, the first phase of the waxing moon in Aswin. During the time, about thousands of people offer prayers to their ancestors at the city's river banks. This ritual is referred to as 'Tarpan'. The festive mood builds up in the people, when Dhakis (drummers) belonging to the countryside start gathering near the city. The local Puja organizers are attracted by the feathered drums played by the drummers.

Making Of Idol
While the festival was celebrated within the families some times back, it has taken the shape of a community festival, celebrated at Puja pandals. The construction of the deity of Goddess Durga and other gods start a couple of months prior to the festival. A place in the north Kolkata - Kumartuli is famous for the production of beautiful idols made of clay. This is the region, where expert artisans show their dexterity of making idols of Goddess Durga, the demon Mahisasura, Lord Kartik, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi, required for the festival.

Construction Of Puja Pandal
Puja pandal is the main attraction of Durga Puja. Many people are expert at making magnificent Puja pandal, (the covered huge stage for the Puja), by using paper, wood, bamboos, clothes and other materials. They come up with a number of innovative ideas every year and cash in a lot of money by erecting the Puja pandals that comprise of mesmerizing art work. Some pandals are also built as the replica of world-famous structures.

Celebrations On The Main Days Of Puja
The main days of Durga Puja are seventh, eight, ninth and the tenth day. The festival picks up pace on the sixth day - Maha Shashti. The long and details rituals of the Puja start on the seventh day. An expert priest is called upon to chant mantras, shlokas and perform aarti and offerings at the Puja pandal. Apart from the rituals, cultural activities such as song and dance competitions and games are also organized during the last four days of the festival. Professional singers are called upon to sing bhajans and stuti, to praise Goddess Durga. Outside the pandal, the city is illuminated with display of sparkling and colorful lights. Educational institutions and offices are closed during the four main days of Durga Puja. To put it in simple words, it can be said that Durga Pooja is the greatest festival of Kolkata.

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Durga Puja Fast

Durga Puja, the ten-day long festival, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. Apart from feasting, people indulge in fasting with sincerity, in order to show their dedication to the festival and their devotion to Goddess Durga. It is believed that fasting strengthens one's capacity of tolerance. Fasting doesn't mean that one has to starve all through the day. When people are fasting, they follow a diet that is formulated in such a way that they get enough energy to stay focused on the celebrations, without exhausting. If you want to know how people fast during Durga Pooja and the significance of fasting, then go through the following lines.

Fasting During Durga Pooja

Motive Of Fasting
People following Hinduism have high regards for Goddess Durga, as she is the deity of power, courage and strength. According to them, fasting is an important part of worship to any deity. The spiritual motive of fasting during Durga Pooja is to deny the physical needs of the body and attain spiritual gains, apart from the blessings of the Goddess. The process also helps gain a harmonious coordination between the body and the soul and increases the concentration and tolerance power as well. The scientific reason behind fasting during the festival is to give rest to the digestive organs and cleanse the body of toxic materials.

Fasting In Different Parts Of India
In northern India, particularly in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, there are people who fast for nine days of Durga Puja. In fact, it is a ritual for the people residing there, to fast during the festive season. Non-vegetarian food is completely avoided during fasting. The fast is broken only on the Maha Ashtami or Maha Navami by offering food to beggars and worshipping young girls. The people, who have hosted the feast, worship young girls, as they are regarded as the 'kanya avatar' of Goddess Durga.

Fasting during Durga Pooja in eastern and western parts of India is a bit different from that seed in northern part of the country. At several places in eastern India, there is a tradition of sowing barley seeds, when fasting is observed during the Durga Pooja. A small bed of mud is prepared in a little container, wherein small barley seeds are sown. During the fasting period, this container is placed in the Puja room. As the days pass by, the barley seeds begin to sprout. As the fast culminates, the seeds would reach a height of 3-5 inches, which would be pulled out and offers to devotees as a form of blessings by Goddess Durga.

Changing Trend
Over the passing years, the ritual of fasting has seen a drastic change. The perception of starving for the whole day, during a fast, has changed completely. Today, people do not want to run out of their energy levels. Therefore, they eat foods and snack items, such as vrat ke namkeen, vrat ki chaat, that are prepared using rock salt (sendha namak). Apart from fruits and milk, people also drink tea, in regular intervals. Restaurants in the metro cities also offer special menu for fasting during Durga Puja, to satisfy their taste buds.

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Durga Kawach

Durga Puja is a ceremonious occasion, wherein a number of rituals are performed to please the deity of power and courage - Goddess Durga. On the occasion, the devotees of the Goddess chant mantras and sing bhajans, to praise her. One of the very ancient mantras is Durga Kavach, which is a compilation of special shlokas from the Markandey Purana. A part of Durga Saptashti, the shlokas of Durga Kavach should be pronounced accurately, because it is said that wrong pronunciation decreases the power of the shlokas. Chanting Durga Kawach during the festival is considered auspicious by devotees of Ma Durga. So, this Durga Pooja, chant Shree Durga Kawach and seek the blessings of the deity. Given below is Shri Durga Kavach.

Shri Durga Kavach

Atha DevyaaH Kavacham.h
AUM Asya Shrii Chandii Kavachasya
Brahmaa RishhiH AnushhTup.h ChhandaH Chaamundaa Devataa
Angaanyaa Soktamaataro Biijam.h Digbandha Devataa Stattvam.h
Shri Jagadamba aPriityarthe Saptashatii PaathaaN Gatvena Jape Viniyogah
AUM Namash Chandikaayai

Maarkandeya Uvaacha
AUM YadhgoohyaM Paramam Loke
Sarva Rakshaakaram NRiNaam.h
Yaanna Kasyachidaakhyaatam
Tanme Bruuhi Pitaamaha

Brahmo Vaach
Asti Goohyatamam Vipra
Sarva bhuuto pakaarakam.h
Devyaastu kavacham punyam
takshinashva Mahaamune

Prathamam Shailaputrii cha
DvitiiyaM Brahmachaarinii
Tritiiyam Chandra ghanteti
Kushmaandeti Chaturthakam.h

Panchamam Skandamaateti
Shhashhtham Kaatyaayaniiti cha
Saptamam Kaalaraatriiti
Mahaagauriitichaashhtamam.h

Navamam Siddhidaatrii cha
Navadurgaah Prakiirtitaah
Uktaanyetaani naamaani
brahmanaiva mahaatmanaa

Agninaa Dahyamaanastu
Shatrumadhye Gato RaNe
Vishhame Durgame chaiva
bhayaarh Sharanam Gataah

Na Teshhaa.n Jaayate
KinchidashubhamranasamkaTe
Naapadam Tasya Pashyaami
Shokaduhkhabhayam na hi

Yaistu Bhaktyaa Smritaa Nuunam
Teshhaa.n vRiddhiH Prajaayate
Ye Tvaan Smaranti Deveshi
Rakshase Taanna Samshayah

Pretasamsthaa tu Chaamundaa
Vaaraahii Mahishhaasanaa
Aindrii GajasamaaruuDhaa
Vaishhnavii Garudaasanaa

Maaheshvarii vRishhaaruuDhaa
Kaumaarii Shikhivaahanaa
LakshmiiH Padmaasanaa
Devii Padmahastaa Hari Priyaa

Shvetaruupadharaa Devii
Iishvarii vRishhavaahanaa
Braahmii hamsasamaaruuDhaa
Sarvaabharanabhuushhitaa

Ityetaa Maatarah Sarvaah
Sarvayoga Samanvitaah
Naanaabharanashobhaaghyaa
naanaaratno pashobhitaah

dRitiyante RathamaaruuDhaa
Devyah Krodhasamaakulaah
ShaNkhaM Chakram Gadaa.n
Shakti.n Halamcha Musalaayudhamh

Khetakam Tomaram Chaiva
Parashu.n Paashameva cha
Kuntaayudham TrishuulaM cha
Shaaraamaayudhamuttamam.h

Daityaanaa.n Dehanaashaaya
Bhaktaanaamabhayaaya cha
DhaarayantyaayudhaaniitthaM
Devaanaa.n cha Hitaaya vai

Namaste.astu Mahaaraudre
Mahaaghoraparaakrame
Mahaabale Mahotsaahe
Mahaabhayavinaashini

Traahi maa.n Devi Dushhprekshye
Shatruunaa.n bhayavardhini
Praachyaa.n Rakshatu Maamaindrii
Aagneyyaamagnidevataa

Dakshine.avatu Vaaraahii
nairityaa.n khadgadhaarinii
Pratiichyaa.n Vaarunii Rakshed.h
Vaayavyaa.n mRigavaahinii

Udiichyaa.n Paatu Kaumaarii
Aishaanyaa.n Shuuladhaarinii
Uurdhva.n Brahmaani me Rakshe
dadhastaad.h Vaishhnavii Tathaa

Evam Dasha Disho Rakshechchaamundaa
Shavavaahanaa yaa me
Chaagratah Paatu Vijaya
Paatu pRishhThatah
Ajitaa Vaama Paarshve tu
Dakshine Chaaparaajitaa
Shikhaamudyotinii Rakshedumaa
Muurdhini Vyavasthitaa

Maalaadharii LalaaTe cha
Bhruvau Rakshed.h Yashasvinii
Trinetraa cha Bhruvormadhye
Yamaghantaa cha Naasike

ShaNkhinii chakshushhormadhye
Shrotrayorrdvaavaasinii
Kapolau Kaalikaa Rakshetkarnamuule
tu ShaaNkarii

Naasikaayaa.n Sugandhaa cha
Uttaroshhthe cha Charchikaa
Adhare ChaamRitakalaa
Jihvaayaa.n cha Sarasvatii

Dantaan.h Rakshatu Kaumarii
kanthadeshe tu chandikaa
Ghantikaa.n Chitraghantaa cha
Mahaamaayaa cha Taaluke

Kaamaakshii Chibukam Rakshed.h
Vaacham me SarvamaNgalaa
Griivaayaa.n Bhadrakaalii cha pRishh
Thavamshe Dhanurdharii

Niilagriivaa BahihkanThe
Nalikaa.n Nalakuubarii
Skandhayoh KhaNginii Rakshed.h
Baahuu me Vajradhaarinii

Hastayordandinii Rakshedambikaa
ChaaNguliishhu cha
NakhaaJNchhuuleshvarii
Rakshetkukshaurakshetkuleshvarii

Stanaurakshenmahaadevii
Manahshokavinaashinii
HRidaye Lalitaa Devii
Udare ShuuladhaariNii

Naabhau cha Kaaminii Rakshed.h
GuhyaM Guhyeshvarii tathaa
Puutanaa Kaamikaa me
DhraM Gude Mahishhavaahinii

KaTiyaa.n Bhagavatii Rakshejjaanunii
Vindhyavaasinii
JaNghe MahaabalaaRakshet
sarvakaamapradaayinii

Gulphayornaarasi.nhii cha
PaadapRishhThe tu Taijasii
PaadaaNguliishhu Shrii
Rakshetpaadaadhastalavaasinii

Nakhaan.h DamshhTraakaraalii cha
keshaa.nsh{}chaivo{dhva}.rkeshinii
Romakuupeshhu Kauberii
TvachaM Vaagiishvarii tathaa 33

Raktamajjaavasaamaansaan
yasthimedaa.nsi Paarvatii
Antraani Kaalaraatrishcha
Pittam cha Mukuteshvarii 34

Padmaavatii Padmakoshe Kaphe
ChuuDaamaNistathaa
Jvaalaamukhii Nakhajvaalaa
mabhedyaa Sarvasandhishhu 35

Shukram Brahmaani me
Rakshechchhaayaa.n
Chhatreshvarii tathaa Ahamkaaram
Mano Buddhi.n Rakshenme Dharmadhaarinii

PraaNaapaanau Tathaa
Vyaanamudaanam cha Samaanakam.h
Vajrahastaa cha meRakshet.h
praanam Kalyaanashobhanaa

Rase Ruupe cha Gandhe cha
Shabde Sparshe cha Yoginii
Sattvam Rajastamashchaiva
RakshennaaraayaNii sadaa

Aayuu Rakshatu Vaaraahii
Dharmam Rakshatu Vaishhnavii
Yashah Kiirti.n cha Lakshmii.n cha
Dhanam Vidyaa.n cha Chakrinii

Gotramindraani me Rakshet
pashuunme Raksha Chandike
Putraan.h Rakshenmahaalakshmiir
bhaaryaa.n Rakshatu Bhairavii

Panthaanam Supathaa rakshen
maargam Kshemakarii tathaa
Raajadvaare Mahaalakshmiir
vijayaa Sarvatah Sthitaa

Rakshaahiinam tu Yatsthaanam
Varjitam Kavachena tu
Tatsarvam Raksha me Devi
Jayantii Paapanaashinii

Padamekam na Gachchhettu
Yadiichchhechchhubhamaatmanah
Kavachenaa vRito NityaM
Yatra Yatraiva Gachchhati

Tatra Tatraarthalaabhashcha Vijayah Saarvakaamikah
Yam Yam Chintayate Kaamam
Tam Tam Praapnoti nishchitam.h
Paramaishvaryamatulam Praapsyate Bhuutale Pumaan.h

Nirbhayo Jaayate martyah
samgraameshhvaparaajitaH
Trailokye tu Bhavetpuujyah
KavachenaavRitah Pumaan.h

Idam tu Devyaah Kavacham
Devaanaamapi Durlabham.h
Yah PaThet.hprayato Nityam
Trisandhyam Shraddhayaanvitah

Daivii Kalaa Bhavettasya
Trailokyeshhvaparaajitah
Jiived.h Varshhashatam
saagramapamRityuvivarjitah

Nashyanti Vyaadhayah Sarve
LuutaavisphoTakaadayah
Sthaavaram JaNgamam Chaiva
KRitrimam Chaapi Yadvishham.h

Abhichaaraani Sarvaani
Mantrayantraani Bhuutale
Bhuucharaah Khecharaashchaiva
jalajaashchopadeshikaah

Sahajaa Kulajaa Maalaa
Daakinii Shaakinii Tathaa
Antarikshacharaa Ghoraa
Daakinyashcha MahaabalaaH

Grahabhuutapishaachaashcha
Yakshagandharvaraakshasaah
Brahmaraakshasavetaalaah
Kushhmaandaa Bhairavaadayah

Nashyanti Darshanaattasya
Kavache HRidi Samsthite
Maanonnatirbhaved.h Raag
yastejovRiddhikaram Param.h

Yashasaa varddharte so.api
Kiirti Manditabhuutale
Japetsaptashatii.n Chandii.n
kRitvaa tu Kavacham Puraa

Yaavadbhuumandalam
Dhatte Sashailavanakaananam.h
TaavattishhThati medinyaa.n
Santatih Putra Pautrikii

Dehaante Paramam Sthaanam
Yatsurairapi Durlabham.h
Praapnoti Purushho Nityam
Mahaamaayaa PrasaadataH

Labhate Paramam Ruupam
Shivena Saha Modate. AUM

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Story of Durga Puja

Durga Pooja is an integral part of the Hindu culture in India. Celebrated in between September to November throughout the country, this Pooja is considered to be one of the most complex and difficult Pooja out of all the Hindu ceremonies. It is a nine days long affair in which the Goddess of Power ‘ Maa Durga’ is worshipped in nine different forms namely Shailputri, Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. It is said that worshipping Goddess Durga with full devotion brings success, luck, health and prosperity to one’s family. There are also several legends and stories associated with this Pooja, to know them in detail, read on.

Legends of Durga Puja

Goddess Durga
Goddess Durga is considered to be a united front of all Divine forces against the evil and wickedness existing in the society. It is said that whenever the evil would upsurge on earth, the Gods will unite together to eliminate those forces and establish a kingdom of peace and prosperity. Likewise, when the terror of the buffalo headed ‘Mahishasur’ took a toll on the life of innocent and poor devotees of the Gods, the gods in heaven decided to create an all-powerful being to kill the demon king Mahishasur. As Mahishasur was destined to be killed only a women, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh created a beautiful, magnificent woman with ten hands with their power. All the gods then furnished her with their special weapons. She was then named Durga i.e ‘the invincible’. Durga ten fought against Mahishasur for nine days and finally killed him on the occasion of ‘Vijayadashmi’.

Pandavas
Another story associated with Durga Pooja has been taken from the great epic ‘Mahabharata’. It is said that on the occasion of Vijayadashmi, the Pandavas declared their true identity after spending their last year of exile in disguise. They brought down the weapons from the Shami tree which they had hung over there before entering the palace of King Virat and entering into the phase of disguise. It is said that since then the exchange of Shami leaves on the Vijayadashmi day became symbol of good, will and victory.

Lord Rama
The significance of Durga Pooja has also been inscribed in the great Hindu epic ‘Ramayana. It has been said that the Lord Ram before going on a war with the ten headed demon ‘Ravana’ did "chandi-puja and invoked the blessings of Durga so that he could become invincible. Durga, the Goddess of power then divulged the secret to Ram how he could kill Ravana.

Kautsa
Another interesting story associated with Durga Pooja is that of ‘Kautsa’, the young son of Devdatt. It is said that after completion of his studies he insisted on his guru Varatantu to accept ‘gurudakshina’. After lots of request his Guru, finally asked for 14 crore gold coins, one crore for each of the 14 sciences he taught Kautsa. Kautsa then went to king Raghuraj, the ancestor of Rama who was known for his generosity but just at that time he had emptied all his coffers on the Brahmins, after performing the Vishvajit sacrifice. So, Raghuraj went to Lord Indra and asked for some gold coins. Indra in return asked Kuber, the god of wealth to make rainfall of gold coins on the "shanu" and "apati" trees round Raghuraja's city of Ayodhya. In this manner Raghu was able to fulfill his promise to Kautsa. The remaining coins were lavishly dispersed to the people of Ayodhya city. As this event happened on the day of ‘Vijaya Dashmi’, it has become a custom of this day to collect "apati" leaves and exchange it as auspicious gifts.

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Durga Puja Songs

The festival of Durga Puja celebrates the greatness of Goddess Durga, the deity of power. On the occasion, the Bengalis of India and elsewhere worship Goddess Durga for courage, strength and wisdom. The atmosphere at the puja pandal is entirely religious, with the chanting of mantras and singing of songs. Bhajans are sung by both devotees and the traditional singers, at the puja pandals. Let it be a film song or an album, people ensure that the songs are sung with full devotion, so that Ma Durga showers blessings on them.

Popular Durga Pooja Songs

Jai Gauri Maa

Jai Jai Jai Giriraaj Kishori Jai Maheshmukh Chadrachakori
Jai Gauri Maa Teri Jai Ho Gauri Maa
Amar Suhaagan Jai Devi Maa

Maa Maiyaa Shrigaar Teraa Laal Hai - 2
Laal Mahavar Laal Laal Mehandi
Laal Sindoor To Laal Laal Chunari
Mrugmada Kaa Tilak Tere Bhaal Hai
Darshan Karake Ye Manavaa Nihaal Hai
Wo Gauri Shrigaar Teraa Laal Hai

Man Waanchit Var Denewaali Rakhiyo Amar Suhaag Ki Laali
(jai Gauri Maa Teri Jai Ho Gauri Maa
Amar Suhaagan Jai Devi Maa) - 2

Jai Jai Maa

Jai jai maa Jai jai maa
Shatnaam pravakshyaami shrinushwa kamlaanane,
Yasya prasaad maatren durgaa preetaa bhavet sati
Om sati saadhwi bhav preetaa bhavaani bhavmochini,
Aaryaa durgaa jayaa chaadyaa trinetraa shooldhaarini
Pinaak dhaarini chitraa chandra ghantaa mahaatapaah,
Mano budhir hankaaraa chitt roopaa chitaa chitih
Sarv mantra mayi sattaa satyaanand swarupini,
Anantaa bhaavini bhavya bhavya bhavyaa sadaagati
Shaambhavi dev maataa sha chintaa ratna priyaa sadaa,
Sarv vidyaa daksh kanyaa daksh yagya vinaashini
Aparnaa nek varnaa cha paatlaa paatlaavati,
Pittambar paridhaanaa kaal manjeer ranjini
Abhay vikramaa kruraa sundari sur sundari,
Van durgaa cha maatangi matang muni poojitaa
Braamhi maaheshwari chaindri kaumaari vaishnavi tathaa,
Chaamundaa chaiv vaaraahi lakshmeeshcha purushaa kritih
Vimlotkarshini gyaana kriyaa nityaa cha buddhidaa,
Bahulaa bahul premaa sarv vaahan vaahnaa
Nishumbh shumbh hanani mahishaa sur mardini,
Madhu kaitabh hantri cha chand mund vinaashini
Sarvaasur vinaashaa cha sarv daanav ghaatini,
Sarv shaastra mayi satyaa sarvaastra dhaarini tathaa
Aneshastra hastaa cha anekaastrasya dhaarini,
Kumaari chaik kanyaa cha kaishori yuvti yatih
Apradha chaiv praudhaa cha bridhmaataa balpradaa,
Mahodari muktkeshi ghor roopaa mahaabalaa
Agni jwaalaa raudra mukhi kaal raatristapaswini,
Naaraayani bhadrakaali Vishnu maayaa jalodari
Shivdooti karaali cha anantaa parmeshwari,
Kaatyaaini cha saavitri pratykshaa bramha vaadini
Ya idang prapathen-nityang durgaa naam shataashtakam,
Naasaadhyang vidyate devi trishu lokeshu paarvati!

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Durga Stuti

Durga Puja is celebrated with religious observance by the Bengalis all over the world. In India, the eastern state of West Bengal is the main location for the celebration of Durga Puja, as it is the main festival for the Bengalis. The idol of Ma Durga is brought to puja pandal, where a series of rituals are carried out as a part of the worship of the deity. At that time, chanting Shri Durga stuti is customary among the devotees. It is believed that by singing Durga stuti, the Goddess is pleased in the most convincing way.

Shri Durga Stuti

Miti Ka Tan Huaa Pavitra, Ganga Ke Asnan Se,
Ant Karan Ho Jaye Pavitra, Jagadambe Ke Dhyan Se

Sarve Mangal Mangalye, Shive Sarvarth Sadhike
Sharanye Trambake Gauri, Narayani Namo Stute.

Shakti Shakti Do Mujhe, Karoon Tumhara Dhyan,
Path Nirvignya Ho Tera, Mera Ho Kalyan.

Hridya Sinhasan Par Aa, Betho Meri Maa,
Suno Vinay Mam Din Ki, Jag Janani Vardan.

Sundar Deepak Ghee Bhara, Karoon Aaj Tayaar,
Gyan Ujala Maa Karo, Metto Moh Andhkaar.

Chandra Surya Ki Roshni, Chamke Chaman Akhand,
Sab Mein Vyapak Tej Hai, Jwala Ka Prachand.

Jwala Jag Janani Meri, Raksha Karo Humesh,
Dur Karo Maa Ambike, Mere Sabhi Kalesh.

Shradha Aur Vishwas Se, Teri Jyot Jalaoon,
Tera Hi Hai Aashra, Tere Hi Gun Gaoon.

Teri Adhabhut Gaat Ko, Padhoon Mein Nischay Dhar,
Sakshat Darshan Karoon, Tere Jagat Aadhar.

Man Chanchal Se Baat Ke, Samay Jo Aogun Hoye,
Dati Apni Daya Se, Dhyan Na Dena Koye.

Main Anjan Malin Man, Na Jano Koi Rit,
At Pat Vani Ko Hi Maa, Samjho Meri Prit.

Chaman Ke Aogun Bahot Hai, Karna Nahi Dhyan,
Sinhvahini Maa Ambike, Karo Mera Kalyan.

Dhanya Dhanya Maa Ambike, Shakti Shiva Vishal,
Angh Angh Mein Rum Rahi, Dati Din Dayal

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Durga Puja Traditions

Durga Puja is one of the most popular Hindu festivals in India. It is a ten days long celebration in which the Hindu goddess of power, Durga or Shakti is worshipped in nine different forms. Though this festival is celebrated throughout the country, it is immensely popular in the northern belt of the country in the state of West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Tripura. The concept of the nine day grand celebration began from the rich and famous circle of West Bengal from the 16th century and has now taken the form of community celebrations. Though the traditions and rituals have remained more or less the same, simply the celebrations have become more cosmopolitan in nature.

Durga Puja is also known as Navratra or Durgostab. It is a ten days affair in which last six days are the days of actual celebrations with elaborate rituals and intricate ceremonies as well as social get together. The Pooja begins from the very first day when the ‘Kalash’ is installed in a home. The person who takes the charge of the Pooja fasts for nine days. The intricate Pooja ceremony begins from the day of Mahalaya when the Goddess is invoked. The real celebrations also begin from this day onwards.

From the sixth day or Shashthi, the procedure of Pushpanjali (offering flowers) in the morning, and the aarti and bhog (offering food) three times a day becomes mandatory. There are also nine different kinds of flowers as well as bhog (food items) prescribed for the Pooja. Also there are different kinds of special ceremonies on Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami. In the wee hours of 'Saptami,' the 'Pran' or life of the Devi is said to have been brought from a nearby pond or river in a banana tree and established inside the image.

'Sandhikshan,' the crossover time between Ashtami and Navami is also an important ceremony when rows of earthen lamps are lightened throughout the night. In many homes, it is considered auspicious to offer food to nine virgin girls on the occasion of Maha Nabami. On the last day i.e. Vijayadashami, the Goddess is worshipped in the morning and in late after noon a processions of devotees along with the idol is taken throughout the city. The idol is then immersed into the sacred water and the Goddess is believed to have left for her universal abode.

The traditions of Pooja differ from state to state. In Gujarat the Navratra is accompanied by Garba and Dandia while in Bengal the drum-beats are an integral part of the Durga Puja. A special kind of the drum, known as 'Dhak,' mesmerizes the hearts of the people of Kolkata with its majestic rhythm right from the day of 'Sasthi.' This drum is held on the shoulder with the beating side in the bottom. It is beaten with two sticks, one thick and another thin and produces an exciting sound. The aarti in Kolkata accompanied by the Dhak is simply mesmerizing.

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Dussehra Celebrations

Dussehra is the culmination of Navaratis in India. Popularly known as Vijayadashmi, Dussehra is celebrated with great enthusiasm, all over India. It is observed differently in different parts of the country, depending upon the legend that is followed in each region. In North India, Ramlila forms the highlight of Dusshera, while in south India, it is the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura that is celebrated. Eastern state of West Bengal has its own story connected to the festival, while in Mysore the concept of Shami tree is centered. Learn about the celebrations of Dussehra in different parts of India, by going through the following lines.

Dusshera Celebrations In India

In North India
Ramlila is the backbone of the celebration of Dusshera in northern India, where the scenes from Rama's life are depicted, especially Bharat Milap, the reunion of Rama with his brother Bharat, the destruction of Ravana (the highlight of Dussehra) and the return of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to Ayodhya, their kingdom after fourteen years of exile. In Himachal Pradesh's Kulu valley, the very ceremonial festivities and grand processions of the village deities of the hill people marks Dussehra.

In Delhi and nearby states, oversized effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt in Ramlila, a mela that is organized by different committees, at huge grounds. It is a week long affair in the hill town of Kullu, in Himachal Pradesh. Deities are brought in process to 'maidan' in Kullu, to pay respect to the reigning deity of the place - Raghunathji. The huge procession consists of more than hundred deities that are mounted on the colorful palanquins. Ramlila is the next major attraction of Kullu Dusshera.

In South India
In Tamil Nadu, the nine days preceding Dussehra have been equally divided for worshipping the three Goddesses namely Lakshmi (the first three days are dedicated to the Goddess of wealth and prosperity), Saraswati (the next three days are dedicated to the Goddess of learning and arts) and Durga (the last three days are dedicated to Mother Goddess, Shakti). The women and children of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka arrange small statues and dolls, known as 'Bommai Kolu', on artificial steps and decorate the steps and the nearby place with beautiful lamps and flowers.

From the very first day of the festival, songs and stories form a part of the celebration and a dish made out of chickpeas known as 'choondal' is made for the dolls as prasad to relish on. Vijayadashmi is the day when the Bommai Kolu is taken down ceremoniously. On the day of Vijayadashami, vidya aarambh (vidyaarambam) is observed. The day is considered very auspicious, especially for the children to begin their education in academics as well as art. Saraswati puja is done on Vijayadashami. A similar tradition can be seen in Kerala as well.

Mysore is famous for a gala procession of richly bedecked elephants on the brightly lit streets of the city on Dussehra. In Mysore, effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt. The Mysore palace is illuminated for a whole month during the festive season of Dussehra. Caparisoned elephants lead a colorful procession through the vibrantly decorated streets of the princely city. In Andhra Pradesh, Dussehra is popularly referred to as Dasara.

In East India
In the eastern state of West Bengal, Vijayadashmi is celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the demon who ruled the swarglok and the earth with his invincible power. It is the last day of the ten-day festival - Durga Puja. On Vijayadashmi, the idol of Ma Durga is immersed in the nearby river or lake ceremoniously, by the devotees. This is called visarjan (submersion of diety). The idol is preceded by a huge procession of devotees. In Orissa, the festival is called Vijoya Dashami. The day is considered the last day of the Sharodiya Durga Puja. After offering the last ritual (Aparajita Puja) to the Goddess, a tearful farewell is bid to her. The immersion of diety is known as 'Bisarjan Jatra'. After immersing the idol, people in Orissa celebrate 'Ravan Podi', wherein the effigies of demon Ravana are burnt.

In West India
In Maharashtra, Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwin month, as per the Shaka Hindu Calendar. On the last day of Navratri, that is Dussehra, the idols installed on the first day of Navratri are immersed in water. Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. People celebrate the occasion with fun and fervor. They visit their friends and relatives and exchange sweets. Aapta tree is worshipped on this day. Exchange of leaves of aapta tree is considered auspicious. The legend of Shami tree, under which the Pandavas of Mahabharata stored their weapons during their 12 years of exile, is associated with the celebrations. As per the legend, the weapons were retrieved by them on this day. Dussehra is considered auspicious to start any new venture, according to the Maharashtrians.

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Dussehra Legends

Dussehra is celebrated with great fanfare in India. It is the culmination of Navaratri, observed for nine days. The tenth day of the festival is known as Dussehra or Vijayadashmi. Ramlila is the main event conducted during the day, in northern parts of the country. In the eastern state of West Bengal, Vijayadashmi is observed as the day of 'visarjan' (submersion) of the idols of Goddess Durga, after the celebrations of Durga Puja in the preceding nine days. A number of legends are connected to Dusshera, which commemorates the triumph of good over the evil. Go through the following lines to know about the legends of Dussehra.

Legends Of Dusshera
Dussehra is mainly associated with the story of Rama based on Ramayana, one of the two great Indian epics. Set around 1000 BCE in India, this epic attempts to establish the social ideals and explains the depth of human relationships. Lord Rama was the protagonist of the epic, while his wife Sita was its female lead. He has been idolized as the ideal son, husband and king, while she is the epitome of womanhood. Lord Rama was the eldest son of Dashratha, the king of Ayodhya and was beloved of all, because of his genial ways. The king decided to hand over his throne to him and retire.

Contrary to her husband's decision, Lord Rama's stepmother (Kaikayi) wanted her own son Bharata to be the king and forced Dashratha to banish Rama from Ayodhya, the kingdom and give him fourteen years of exile. Rama gladly accepted the stepmother's wishes and left the palace and the kingdom with his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana. The grief-stricken father soon died. When Bharata, who was on a visit to his maternal grandfather, came back and came to know what his mother had done, he immediately set out to being his brother back from the forest.

Rama was glad to welcome his brother Bharata, but he refused to go back to the kingdom before the completion of his exile. Rama had another loss at hand, as the demon-king Ravana, abducted his wife Sita and took her away to his kingdom. This became the reason behind the long search and the various events that followed, which led to the destruction of Ravana by the hands of Lord Rama, with the help of the monkey army he had befriended on his way to Lanka. Dussehra is the day, when Rama killed Ravana and won back his wife. Hence, Dusshera is also called Vijayadashmi.

Dussehra celebrates the victory of good (Rama) over the evil (Ravana). This is the reason why effigies of Ravana, Meghnatha and Kumbhkarna are burnt on Dusshera, all over northern India. Apart from this, Vijayadashmi also symbolizes the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the demon who held the earth and the swarglok (heaven) with his tyranny and invincible power. Hence, it can be said that two legends are connected to the celebration of Dussehra in India.

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Significance of Dussehra

Dussehra is one of the major Hindu festivals of India. It is celebrated throughout the country with great zeal and enthusiasm. People all over the country participate in the occasion in their own way. It is the day when Lord Rama killed the ten headed demon king Ravana and gave the throne of his kingdom Lanka to his brother Vibhishana. Since that day, the day of Vijaya Dashmi is considered to be auspicious and festive by the people of India and is celebrated as the day that symbolizes the victory of ‘Good over Evil’.

People throughout the country celebrate the occasion in their own way. The Dusshera of Mysore is very famous in terms of grandeur and splendor. Each region of the country has its own specialty in the celebrations. While at some places people engage in public processions, at some places people participate in Ram Lila and some people organize Ravan Dahan in the city. Feasting and busting crackers are also an important feature of the Dusshera celebrations. At many places in the country, colorful fairs and exhibitions are also organized on this occasion.

In most of the places in the country right from ten days before Dussehra, the whole Ramayana is enacted in various parts of India. The occasion is also celebrated in many countries where people of Hindu faith are residing in a very similar manner to that of India. It is on the tenth day that people come out in processions and chant the greatness of Lord Rama and enact the whole Rama-Ravana war on the streets. It is said that this is a way to remind people of the fact that truth always triumphs and motivate them to follow the path of ‘dharma’.

Dussehra symbolizes the conquest of good over evil. It is thus considered as an auspicious day. Even today after burning the effigy of Ravana along with his subordinates Meghanad and Kumbhkarana on the Dusshera celebrations, we simply symbolize the power of goodness and humanity is above all kind of powers. As Lord Rama fought a battle of ten days with Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita, the day of his victory is called ‘Vijaya Dashmi’, the tenth day of Victory. It is said that this day symbolizes not as the victory of Ram but also the victory of ‘mankind’. That is why this day is held in high regard by people who believe that whenever there will be chaos in the society and evil will try to take over humanity, God will appear in a the form of savior to protect his devotees.

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Dussehra Date

The festival of Dussehra, which marks the triumph of victory of good over the evil, is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half (waxing moon) of the Hindu month of Aswiyuja. The festivities of Dussehra also mark the commencement of the winter season after a long, scorching summer. The occasion commemorates the victory of Rama over Ravana as well as the triumph of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura. Fairs, known as Ramlila, are organized on many parts of the occasion. It is the culmination of the nine-day celebrations of Navratri, which precedes Dussehra.

Dussehra is a very auspicious day to start a new venture, learn art forms (such as music and dance) or pursue education. This is largely because in many parts of India, particularly in southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, Vidyarambam (beginning of study) is performed on Vijayadashmi (Dusshera). In addition to this, a number of rituals are performed on this day, such as, the exchange of shami leaves and apati leaves. Apart from this, Goddess Durga's idols are immersed into the nearby river or lake by the Bengalis, who celebrate Dussehra for the Goddess's victory over demon Mahishasura.

Ramlila is the main attraction of Dussehra in many parts of India, the most prominent being Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Mysore and Orissa. Though effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnath and brother Kumbhkarna are not burnt in the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the festival is celebrated with equal zeal there. Saraswati Puja is the main ritual of Vijayadashmi (Dussehra) in the southern states of India. During the entire day of Dusshera, the air is filled with festivity and people are in the mood to enjoy the festival along with their family, friends and relatives.

Dussehra 2012: 24th October.

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History of Dussehra

One of the popular Hindu festivals, Dussehra is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Since ages, a number of rituals are performed to please the Almighty, on the ceremonious occasion. It is the climax of the nine-day long celebrations of 'Navratris', which precede it. The festival commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Apart from the legend from the epic Ramayana, and the story of the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, a vibrant history is associated with the festival. In this article, we have provided interesting information on the history of Dussehra.

History & Origin Of Dusshera

Triumph Of Lord Rama Over Ravana
The celebration of Dussehra is rooted in the Hindu epic of Ramayana, according to which, Lord Rama, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killed the ten-headed demon Ravana, in Satyug. Ravan had abducted Rama's wife Sita. Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana, follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys, headed towards Lanka (Ravana's Kingdom) in order to enter a war with Ravana and rescue Sita. On his way to Lanka, Rama organized Chandi Pooja to seek the blessings of Ma Durga, the Goddess of power and courage. After seeking her blessings, Lord Rama defeated and killed Ravana, with the help of his fellow beings. Therefore, the day was celebrated to commemorate the victory of Rama over Ravana, which later came to be known as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.

Assassination Of Mahishasura By Goddess Durga
Another legend is connected to Goddess Durga. According to the story, all the Gods in swarglok and the living beings on earth were upset by the tyranny of the demon Mahishasura, because he had acquired invincible power to conquer the world. He was undefeatable, even by the mighty deities - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Therefore, all the Gods decided to create a power, which would destroy Mahishasura, freed the living beings from his despotism and restore the swaglok to them. This gave rise to the creation of Goddess Durga, an avatar of Ma Shakti. With the weapons given to her by the Gods, Goddess Durga went to fight against Mahishasura. She defeated the demon, successfully, and restored the swaglok to the Gods, as promised. Her victory is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, by many people following Hinduism.

Rain Of Gold Coins
According to a story, Kautsa, the young son of Devdatta (a Brahmin), was residing in the city of Paithan. After pursuing his education under the guidance of Rishi Varatantu, he wanted to offer a dakshina to his Guru. Although the guru refused initially, he later asked for 140 million gold coins. The student approached King Raghu for the coins, because he was renowned for his generosity. Within three days of the student's request, King Raghu asked the God of Wealth - Kuber - to create a rain of gold coins near the apati and shanu trees. After presenting the promised gold coins to his guru, Kautsa distributed the rest of the coins to the needy, on the day of Dussehra. Since then, people loot the leaves of apati trees and present to each other as a symbol of gold, on Dussehra.

Shami Tree
Another legend connected to the origin of Dusshera finds place in the greatest Hindu epic - Mahabharata. According to a story, Pandavas where banished by Kauravas for 12 years and 1 year of disguise, because the former were defeated in gambling (chausar) by the latter. Subsequently, Pandavas decided to spend their first 12 years of exile in the woods and the last year in disguise. Since they were asked to remain incognito during that period, Pandavas did not want to be exposed to others. Therefore, they lay aside their divine and powerful weapons during the exile. They concealed their weapons under the shami tree, situated close to the place of their residence. At the end of every year of the exile, Pandavas came to the shami tree to check whether their weapons were there.

Whenever Pandavas approached the tree, they worshipped it and Goddess Durga, the presiding deity. In the mean time, Kauravas were making every attempt to trace Pandavas, so that they could extend the exile time, because it was said that if they were found, they would have to spend another 12 years in the woods. However, the Kauravas could find the Pandavas only past the stipulated time. Subsequently, the Pandavas went to the shami tree, fetched their concealed weapons and went straight to the battle field to fight the Kauravas. Pandavas emerged victorious. The event took place in dasami and since good had achieved victory over the evil, it came to be known as Vijayadashmi. Since then, people hug each other under the shami tree and exchange its leaves.

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Dussehra Puja

The Hindu festival of Dussehra is celebrated with religious observance. The Hindus in India celebrate the festival with great fanfare. The occasion commemorates the victory of good over evil. Therefore, it is considered very auspicious by the Hindus. Since ages, the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are burnt in the northern parts of India, to symbolize the victory of Lord Rama and his army over the three. Another legend says that Goddess Durga assassinated demon Mahishasura and this is the reason why, the day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi in eastern parts of the country.

Dussehra consists of a number of rituals that are followed strictly by people, since ages. It is believed that by performing Dusshera pooja correctly, the Almighty showers blessings on the devotees. While the pooja is performed differently in different regions of India, the purpose of the people remains the same - to seek blessings of their deity and ensure health, wealth and prosperity all through the year. Dussehra puja can be performed by both men and women, provided they are equipped with all the supplies needed and know the correct procedure. Go through the following lines to know more about pooja on Dusshera festival.

Pooja On Dusshera Festival
Since the celebrations of Dusshera are related to the Hindu mythology, hence the puja performed on Dussehra is performed strictly according to the Hindu traditions and culture. While both men and women can perform the puja, people usually call upon a priest to perform the ritual. After providing him with all the materials required, which may include cow dung, limestone, rice, flowers, kheer and other puja items like dhoop, incense sticks, deep etc., the priest starts performing the Dussehra puja. First, he draws the image of any deity, preferably Lord Ganesh, using the cow dung. Two saucers are made out of the wet cow dung, each used for placing the pooja items such as coins, roli, fruit, jhuwara and roli.

The priest chants mantras and performs the pooja by offering flowers and prasad to the deity. Banana, jaggery, rice and radish are generally used to offer as the prasad. When the pooja is over, the priest is offered money (dakshina), while the prasad it offered to the poor. There is a tradition of offering food to the Brahmins of the locality. After attending the Dussehra puja, people start their celebrations of the day. While in north India, they would head towards the nearest Ramlila maidan. In other parts of India, typically in South India, people would indulge in the post Saraswati puja celebrations. In West Bengal, it is the time to take part in Visarjan, the ritual of immersing the idol of Goddess Durga in the nearest water body, such as river or lake.

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Dussehra Rituals

Dussehra is one of the important festivals for Hindus, celebrated with zeal. Also termed as Vijayadashmi, it is preceded by Navratri, which has religious significance associated with it. As per the legends, Dusshera is the day when Lord Rama killed Ravana and rescued his wife - Sita. Therefore, as a symbol of victory of good over evil, Dusshera holds a special place among the myriad festivals that are celebrated by the Hindus. A number of rituals are observed during the festival. The traditions associated with the celebration of the festival are very interesting to witness. In this article, we have given information on the customs and rituals of Dussehra.

Customs & Traditions Of Dusshera

Ramlila
A number of customs are common for Dussehra, in different parts of India, one of them being Ramlila. The tradition of burning the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath on Ramlila is followed since ages, in the northern parts of the country. During the festival, Ramlila is conducted at a huge ground or 'maidan'. It is a fair, witnessed by hundreds of people, every year. Oversized effigies (of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkarna) are constructed a month prior to the festival. They are filled with crackers and erected on the eve of Dussehra, at the Ramlila maidan.

Artists disguised as Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Ravana head towards the maidan, with the procession of people, amidst the bursting of crackers. After arriving at the maidan, a small drama is enacted by the artists, depicting the climax of the war between Lord Rama and Ravana. As the climax approaches, the artist, acting as Rama, shoots an arrow towards the effigy of Ravana, in order to set it on fire. Subsequently, the effigy catches fire and then bursts. This is witnessed by hundreds of people, who rejoice on the 'defeat' of Ravana by Rama.

Visarjan Of Idol
In the eastern parts of the country, particularly in West Bengal, Durga Puja celebrations precede Dusshera. On the tenth day of the Pooja, that is, the day of Vijayadashmi, idol of Goddess Durga is immersed into the nearby river or lake, by the devotees. The devotees bid the farewell to the deity very ceremoniously, amidst a procession that sings Devi Songs and dances to the tune of dholaks (traditional drums). This custom is called 'Visarjan'. In the region, Vijayadashmi is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Ma Durga over Mahishasura, whom she killed.

Vidyarambam
The tenth day or Vijayadashmi is also the day of Vidyarambam (beginning of study) in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. People in the region worship Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Wisdom, on Vijayadashmi. In the morning of the day, after a Puja, the books and implements (such as pen and musical instruments) are removed from the room. Thereafter, literates write a few alphabets on rice or sand and read out a few sentences from sacred books. It is considered auspicious to start learning any art form, such as music and dance, on this day.

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Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is the Marathi name of the festival Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which is celebrated by the Hindus on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. The day is an auspicious one as it marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. It is believed that this is the day of the creation of the universe and the legend states that Brahma, the god who created the universe and the life in it, chose this fine day to start. The celebration starts with the ritualistic bath, after which the doorway of the house is decorated with ceremonial Rangoli (designs created using powdered colors) and then "Gudi" is erected and worshipped at the doorway itself. Though the New Year is celebrated according to the international Gregorian calendar in most parts of India, still the festival of Gudi Padwa retains its value among the traditionalists.

There are scientific reasons too behind celebrating the festival of Gudi Padwa. People who believe in meditation and its benefits say that the Gudi should be worshipped within five to ten minutes of early sunrise. This is because the divine consciousness which emanates during the early sunrise, if absorbed, lasts longer. The principles state that, as it is the first day of the year and also the day of creation of the universe, the waves comprising of Tej tatva (the fire principle) flow especially during early sunrise. Gudi Padwa is celebrated during that time of the year when everyone dresses themselves up with clean clothing, which is symbolic to the colors of spring. The festival is an occasion when families sit together and worship the divine power.

Gudi Padwa 2012: 23 March

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Gudi Padwa Tradition

Gudi Padwa is an auspicious festival celebrated in India which marks the beginning of the Maharashtrian New Year. This day is considered pious because it is believed that on this particular day, Lord Brahma created the entire universe out of chaos. The festival is remarkable on the basis of seasonal change too, as this day announces the beginning of the spring season. The Hindu name for this day is Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and this festival is celebrated with great pomp and vigor in the state of Maharashtra. Not just in Maharashtra, it is celebrated in different states too with different names and there are a number of different activities which take place in all these states. A few main activities which take place on this occasion are as follows:

Gudi Padwa Traditional Activities

The Solar Bath
All family members take an early morning bath on this day and before they do that, they apply oil on their body. Then the skin is allowed to absorb the required quantity of oil, after which a bath is taken with warm water. Doing this relaxes the body as this bath rejuvenates the whole body. The remaining oil on the body after the bath helps the body to retain the elasticity of the skin and hence it is necessary to apply oil to the body prior to every bath.

Colored Designs on the Doorstep
People prepare rangolis on the doorsteps of their houses, which are beautiful designs made with dry colors. While decorating the doorsteps, mango leaves and red flowers are used as these are considered auspicious.

Ceremonial Prayers
Soon after the decorations are complete, ceremonial prayers and offerings are made to Lord Brahma, which include davna (a fragrant plant). Later "Havan", a sacrifice in the pious fire, is conducted during which offerings are made to the fire. These offerings are made to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped in number of forms.

Unfurling the Gudi
The Gudi is considered to be Lord Brahma"s flag and it is hoisted to show Lord Rama"s victory over Ravana and his return to Ayodhya. As it is the symbol of victory and the symbol of victory is always held high, so is the Gudi. A yellow cloth is tied to the Gudi along with red flowers and mango leaves. An inverted silver or copper pot is adorned on the top of the bamboo stick.

Panchang Shravan
After the Gudi is hoisted everyone religiously listens to the almanac, which charts the kind happenings during the year. Listening to this almanac is considered auspicious and it is believed to bestow upon the listener with merits equal to taking a dip in holiest of the holy river Ganges.

Tilling the Soil
On this propitious day, tilling the soil and donating the needy with money and other materialistic needs is considered really auspicious. People also visit and spend time with elders for their blessings.

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Gudi Padwa Customs

Gudi Padwa is a major Indian festival which is celebrated by a number of Indians in India and abroad. It is a unique festival because it is celebrated to announce the first day of the Hindu New Year. Though the International New Year is celebrated on the first of January, which is according to the Gregorian calendar, the festival of Gudi Padwa is celebrated according to the lunisolar Indian calendar. This festival is mainly celebrated by the people of Maharashtra. It is believed that religiously performing the rituals during this festival bestows the worshipper with divine energies. Each ritual is strictly conducted and has different ways for each of them; so, one needs to know in detail about the customs.

Gudi Padwa Rituals

The Auspicious Bath
The festival starts with an oil bath, which is done by applying oil to the body. Then the skin is allowed to absorb the required quantity of oil, after which a bath is taken with warm water. Taking bath with warm water pleases the body and helps it relax. The remaining oil on the body after the bath helps the body to retain the elasticity of the skin and hence it is necessary to apply oil to the body prior to taking a bath.

Rangoli on the doorstep
After taking an auspicious bath early in the morning, the next step is to decorate the entrance of the house. While decorating the doorstep, mango leaves and red colored flowers are used as these are considered auspicious.

Puja
Soon after the decorations are complete, the routine rituals are conducted. During these rituals, Lord Brahma is offered prayers and davna (a fragrant plant). Later, "Havan" is conducted during which offerings are made through fire. These offerings are made to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped in a number of forms.

Hoisting of the Gudi
The Gudi is considered to be Lord Brahma"s flag and it is hoisted to show Lord Rama"s victory over Ravana and his return to Ayodhya. As it is the symbol of victory and the symbol of victory is always held high, so is the Gudi. A yellow cloth is tied to the Gudi with red flowers and mango leaves. An inverted silver or copper pot is adorned on the top of the bamboo stick.

Panchang Shravan
After the Gudi is hoisted, everyone religiously listens to the almanac which charts the kind happenings during the year. Listening to this almanac is considered auspicious and it is considered to bestow upon the listener with merits equal to taking a dip in holiest of the holy river Ganges.

Prasadam is offered
During Gudi Padwa, it is considered that the Neem tree absorbs the Prajapati frequencies the most; hence this bitter plant too is offered among other offerings. Among other offerings Gram lentil, honey, cumin seeds and Asafetida are offered along with chanting of auspicious verses from scriptures.

Apart from tilling the soil and donating the needy with money and other materialistic needs, people also visit and spend time with elders to get their blessings.

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Gudi Padwa Date

India is known as the country of colors because of the numerous festivals celebrated here. All these festivals are the reminder of the secular unity of this country with rich cultural heritage. The Gudi Padwa festival marks the commencement of the Hindu luni-solar calendar year. Though a major Indian festival, not all Hindus celebrate this festival because the Indian culture varies from one part of the country to another. Almost every part of the country has different days assigned to start the year, depending on the calendar that used to be followed by the ancient civilizations of that part of the country. The festival marks the beginning of nature"s cycle too, as at this time of the year the weather changes and along with it changes the atmosphere around. A number of seasonal offerings are made while worshipping the Gudi.

The day of Gudi Padwa is an auspicious one because of different reasons, the first one being more of a scientific one. It was believed by ancient sages that on this particular day during the early sunrise, the divine consciousness emanating from the sun is absorbed the most. The Tej Tatva or the creative fire principle also emanates from the sun god. The Gudi, which is a fresh bamboo staff adorned with a yellow cloth, a garland of red flowers and an inverted copper pot on the top, is actually a human adaptation of the Sushumna Nadi which forms the base of the human torso. This stick should be hoisted on a clean ground and should be slightly tilted. While raising this Gudi, the balance of Shiva and Shakti should be invoked.

Gudi Padwa Festival Date
There are often confusions regarding the date of the festival as it is decided according to the Indian traditional lunisolar calendar. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival falls on the beginning of the Chaitra month, which is also the first month according to the Hindu calendar. The coming year will see Gudi Padwa being celebrated on March 23, which is a Friday. It announces the beginning of Nandana nama Samvatsar, Saka Samvatsar 1934 (2012-2013 according to Gregorian Calendar). It is believed that the first day of the Chaitra month is also the beginning of Vasant Rithu (spring season) and this day was chosen to be the first day of the year because it is considered to be the day when the universe was created by the creator god, Brahma.

Gudi Padwa Date: March 23, 2012

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Gudi Padwa History

Gudi Padwa is a festival which is celebrated in the southern parts of India and this festival is remarkable because it has a number of legends and stories associated with it. Though it is not a major festival in most parts of the country, people still take out time from their busy schedules to celebrate it. The festival indicates the beginning of the traditional Indian New Year. According to the Vedas, a year is divided into twelve months and this is followed by the entire world because Vedas are considered to be one of the most ancient texts known to man. The month of Chaitra is supposedly the first month of the year and there are a number of reasons to support this claim including natural, historical and spiritual. There are numerous references in the Hindu scriptures and mythology regarding this festival which supports the claims of it being considered as the first day of the year.

Gudi Padwa Festival History

The major reason behind this day being regarded as the first day of the year is that, during the first day of Chaitra month, the sun states itself at a position above Vasant intersection, which is the point of intersection of the equator and the meridians. This position of the sun denotes the commencement of the season of spring. The religious scripture of Bhagvad Gita states Lord Krishna saying, "Among the seasons, the exhilarating Vasant season is my manifestation." In this season nature rejuvenates itself. The day is also termed special because this was the day when Lord Ram Chandra killed the ape king Vali to crown his brother Sugriv the king of Kishkindha. This is also the day when after one year from slaying Vali, he came back to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and a number of his demon allies.

Another incident which makes this day auspicious is that, on this very day, the Sakas registered victory over the Huns. This day also marks the commencement of the Shalivahan calendar and this happened soon after Shalivahan vanquished his Hun enemies. If Brahma Puran is to be believed, then this is the day when Brahma created the universe out of chaos. These are the major historical and mythological instances because of which this pious day is celebrated.

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Gudi Padwa Significance

Gudi Padwa celebrates the beginning of the traditional Hindu year and the day of the festival is the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. It is the Marathi name for festival Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which is celebrated to welcome the Hindu New Year. This day also marks the descent of the spring season and thus the festival is a colorful one which is celebrated in most part of country with great pomp and show. The celebrations start even before sunrise when people take the auspicious bath after applying oil to their body. The main entrance of the house is decorated with mango leaves and red flowers which are considered favorable for this occasion. Prior to hoisting the Gudi, Lord Brahma is worshipped. He is worshipped because on this particular day he created the universe out of chaos, for which he is also known as the creator of the world.

Importance of Gudi Padwa
When the worship of Lord Brahma is complete, the Gudi is hoisted and Lord Vishnu is invoked to shower his blessings upon the worshipper and his family. The day is a significant one and there are a number of reasons behind it. It is said that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana and his allies on this day and the people of Ayodhya celebrated it as the beginning of a new era. History also states that the Gudi is hoisted on this particular day to commemorate the number of victories of Shivaji Maharaj. Thus, considered as the symbol of victory or a victory flag, the Gudi is adorned with mango leaves, a yellow silk cloth and a garland adornment along with red flowers as these things are considered auspicious. Rangolis are also made around the Gudi and at the entrance of houses.

History also has it that the Shakas defeated the Huns on this particular day. Hence, this day is also the first day of the Shalivahan calendar as this was the day king Shalivahan vanquished the Hun dynasty. The most important event though which makes this day so special is that, according to the Brahma Puran, this is the day when Lord Brahma created the universe and Satyug began. The day is also considered auspicious because the divine consciousness which emanates during the early sunrise, if absorbed, lasts longer.

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Gudi Padwa Songs

Gudi Padwa is a festival which is celebrated mainly by the people of Maharashtra. It is the first day of the Chaitra month of the traditional Hindu calendar and hence is celebrated as the New Year. At the same time, it also marks the arrival of the season of spring. Gudi Padwa is known by different names in different parts of the country, e.g., Nau Roz in Kashmir, Baisakhi in Punjab, Cheti Chand in Sindhi, Naba Barsha in Bengal, Goru Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Vishu in Kerala. The day is termed auspicious because it is believed that this was the day when Lord Brahma created the universe out of chaos. The Hindus in Maharashtra religiously follow the rites related to this festival by taking the auspicious bath, hoisting the Gudi, chanting prayers and singing songs in praise of the gods. There are a few songs which are associated with the festival and we are listing here a few out of those.

Gudi Padwa Songs Lyrics

Aakashi zhep ghe re
Aakashi zhep ghe re, pakhara
sodi sonyacha pinjara

tujbhavati vaibhav, mayaa
fala rashal milate khaya
sukhalolup zali kaya
ha tuthvar vedya ghesi aasara

ghar kasale hi tari kara
vishasman moti chara
mohche bandhan dvara
tuj aadavito ha kaisa, umbara

tuj pankh dile devane
kar vihar samrthyane
dari, dongar, hiravi raane
ja oalandun ya sarita, sagara

kashtavin fal na milate
tuj kalate, pari, na valate
hrudyat vyatha hi jadate
ka jiv bichara hoi bavara

ghamantun moti phulale
shramdev ghari avatarle
ghar prasannatene natale
ha yog jeevani aala, sajira

Amrutahuni god naam tuze

amrutahuni god naam tuze dewa
man maze keshwa ka ba n ghe

sang pandhariraya kai karu yashi
ka roop dhyanashi n ye tuze

kiratni baista nidre nagvile
man maze guntale vishysukha

haridas garjati harinamachy kirti
naye mazya chitti nama mahne

Paule chalati pandharichi wat

paule chalati pandharichi wat
sukhi sansarachi soduniya gath

ganjuniya bhari dukh daridryane
padata rikame bhakariche tat

aapt ist sare sagesoyare te
pahuniya sare phirwati path

gheta Prasad shri vittalacha
aasha daridryacha whawa naynat

man shant hota punha lage oodh
taisa aani god sansaracha that

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Significance of Gudi

The Hindus in India celebrate a number of festivals which signifies their rich cultural heritage and a long history of traditions. People in India take out time from their busy schedule to celebrate these festivals, as these festivals remind them of the earth they are grounded in. Similar is the festival of Gudi Padwa which marks the beginning of the traditional Hindu new calendar year, although, different people living in different parts of India celebrate New Year at different times of the year. This festival is unique because it is believed that Lord Brahma chose this particular day to create the universe. People follow a number of rituals which start even before the sun rises, like taking the auspicious bath which includes application of oil to the body before bathing. Later, the doorway is decorated with mango leaves and red flowers, rangoli is designed and the Gudi is hoisted. Lord Brahma is invoked and the worshippers absorb the divine consciousness emanating from the sun.

Importance of Gudi

Though a Hindu festival, only those Hindus who are related to a particular belief follow all the rituals related to this festival. The Hindus who are the followers of goddess Kundalini hoist the Gudi in front of their houses to invite her in. A Gudi is a bamboo stick on the top of which an inverted pitcher is placed; the pitcher is of a particular shape which denotes the form of the goddess. Yellow colored silk adornments are put on the Gudi along with garlands of red flowers and twigs of mango tree. The Gudi is hoisted at an angle towards the right hand side of the main entrance of the house; this is because the right side is considered to be the active part of the soul. The ground where the Gudi is hoisted is prepared with great care and a swastika is drawn where the Gudi is supposed to be hoisted.

The Gudi is also considered sacred because there are other significant symbols which are associated with it. Shiva Shakti, which is a major force present in the universe, is associated with the Gudi and is invoked while worshipping it. These are the forces which help the Gudi accept the divine energies emitting from the rising sun. The Gudi also symbolizes the Sushumna nadi of the body, which has a major role in reaching the divine consciousness. There are other symbols too which make the Gudi an important part of this festival.

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Onam Feast

Onam, the state festival of Kerala, is celebrated with great fanfare, by the Malayalees all over the world. While Thiruvonam (the tenth day) is the important day of the festival, the celebrations continue until chatayam, in many parts of the state. A number of rituals are followed during the festival. Although the rituals of Onam are purely Hindu, there is a tradition that is followed by people, irrespective of their cast and religion. It is the lavish Onam feast. 'Onasadya' or the traditional feast of Onam is an inevitable part of the festival. There is an old saying in Malayalam - 'Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam', which literally means that men go to the extend of selling their possessions to eat Onasadya on Thiruvonam.

Onasadya Feast

The Meal
Rice as its main course of Onasadya, a strictly vegetarian feast, which is accompanied by a variety of side dishes including as curries, uppaeries (dishes made of vegetables), pappadam (round crisp flour cake), uppilittathu/achaar (pickle) and pradhaman (pudding), arranged in a definite order and laid in a particular way. The feast is served on banana leaf. Traditionally, at least eleven side dishes are served in the feast. The number can go up to 13 or even 15 items.

There is no concept of spoon or fork in Onasadya, because the food is eaten with hands. A specific way of serving the dishes is followed. All the curries are served first and then rice is added. First, the rice is eaten with parippu (dal) and neyyu (clarified butter) then with sambar, followed by rasam. Thereafter, two kinds of payasam (popularly known as pradhaman) are served. Finally, the rice is served with moru (spiced buttermilk).

Dishes Of Onasadya

Erissery
Salt and chilies are added to raw plantains and yams sliced and boiled in water to make Erissery. One can also boil pulp of the coconut grounded with a little cumin seed. Later, a few mustard seeds along with scraped coconut pulp are fried in coconut oil and added to it for the flavor.

Kalan
Salt and chilies are added to raw banana known as nenthra-kaya and yams are sliced and boiled in water. The main ingredient of kalan is hung curd, which is mixed with ground coconut pulp and poured in proper time in the mixture. Mustard seeds fried in coconut oil are added for flavor.

Olan
Although the ingredients may vary from region to region, pumpkin and French beans are generally preferred for making Olan for Onasadya. The pumpkin and French beans are cooked in water, green chilies and salt. Fresh coconut milk is poured onto the mixture and then it is given a boil. After it is boiled on simmer, kariveppila (curry leaves) and fresh coconut oil are added for flavor.

Avial
All types of vegetables are boiled in water with salt and chilies. Tamarind and well grounded coconut pulp are added to the mixture, in proper time. Fresh coconut oil is poured at the end of the preparation and kariveppila (curry leaves) are added for flavor. Depending upon their taste, people may include or exclude Turmeric powder from the avial recipe.

Thoran
For preparing thoran, green beans, cabbage or beetroot can be used. The vegetable is sliced into tiny bits and then boiled in water, with salt and red or green chilies, until all the water evaporates. Later, a few mustard seeds along with scraped coconut pulp are fried in coconut oil and then added to it for the flavor.

List Of Other Dishes Of Onasadya
Parippu (Dal)
Sambhar
Rasam
Mulakushyam
Pachady
Kichady
Pappadam (Pappad)
Pradhaman (Pudding/Payasam)
Sharkara Upperi (Sweet of Jaggery)
Banana Chips
Acharu (Pickle)
Moru

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Onam Legends

Onam - the festival of harvest - is celebrated with high spirits and enthusiasm in Kerala and the Malayalees all over the world. The air is filled with festivity, which starts from Attam (the first day of the festival) and lasts until the culmination of the festival. Many days prior to the festival, the people indulge themselves in preparations for welcoming their Maharaja Mahabali, who, according to a legend, visits them every year on the occasion of Onam, to enquire about their wellbeing. Apart from the legend of Mahabali, a number of stories are connected to the harvest festival.

Legends Of Onam Festival

Return Of Mahabali
Once upon a time, there lived a benevolent and mighty Asura (demon) king Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlada. Mahabali was the ruler of Kerala. His people were happy to have him as the king and there was no sorrow, poverty, disease or premature death in his kingdom. Afraid of his rising popularity, the ever-jealous gods approached Lord Vishnu, with a request to put an end to his rule. Counting on his charitable nature, Vishnu disguised himself as a Brahmin dwarf called 'Vamana' and sought three steps of land from Mahabali. However, Vishnu then increased his size to cosmic proportions and covered the entire earth in one step and the entire heaven in the second. When he asked Mahabali, where to place his third step, he humbly offered his head to the divine deity. Pleased with his virtues, Vishnu made him the king of hell and granted a boon to him that he could visit his kingdom once a year. Thus, Onam is celebrated to welcome the legendary king returning annually to his earthly abode and kingdom.

Boat Palliodam
Once when some men were sailing on a boat called 'Palliodam', which was laden with food, it got stuck in the narrow turning of the river. The head oarsmen called Bhattathiripad set out to seek help from the hut near the river. However, when he reached there, he found a poor widow and her children weeping because of hunger and poverty. The kind-hearted man took some food from his boat and gave it to them. As soon as it was done, the boat could be easily maneuvered to the main course of river again. Since that day, it has become a tradition to feed a poor person at least on the day of Onam.

Vanishing Boy
Once upon a time, the head of Katoor Mana, the Nambuditi Brahmin family, was bathing on the near Aranmulla in river Pampa. After offering prayers to the Gods, he was waiting for a poor man to feed, to complete his religious duties. While waiting, he started praying to Lord Krishna. After some time, he saw a poor boy in rags standing before him. The Brahmin lovingly gave him a bath, dressed him and fed him well. However, it is said that the boy disappeared after eating and could be found nowhere. He spotted the boy near the Aranmulla Temple, just to lose him again. Brahmin concluded the boy to be the God himself and since then, Nambudiri Brahmins offer food to the deity in Aranmulla Temple on Onam, every year.

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Onam Celebrations

The state festival of Kerala - Onam - is celebrated with zeal by the Malayalees in the state as well as in different parts of the world. Marked with fun and fervor, the celebrations of the festival comprise of a wonderful spectrum of rituals and traditions followed by the people. The most important day of the festival is Thiruvonam (the tenth day of Onam), which is eagerly awaited by the people. Until some time back, the festival was only a private affair, a kind of family reunion. Today, it has taken the shape of a community function. Apart from the natives of Kerala, innumerable Malayalee Associations across India as well as abroad have taken the festival as the wonderful opportunity to rejuvenate the social ties, by organizing cultural programs during the festive season.

Onam Festival Celebrations

Pookkalam
Attam marks the beginning of Onam. From the very first day, people put pookkalam (floral rangoli) at their entranceway, using a number of flowers. It is a tradition and a part of the celebrations of Onam festival. In the Malayalee committees, pookkalam competitions are held. Various designs, both simple and intricate are made using flowers like marigold, roses, jasmine, etc. Small children take pleasure in gathering flowers from their premises. Apart from the use of flowers, people make use of colors to decorate their Pookkalam. Hectic preparations for the ten-day carnival start from Attam.

Dances Performances
Kaikotti kali (also known as Thiruvathira kali) is the main dance of Onam. This is the traditional dance, truly native to Kerala. Kaikotti kali is performed by middle-aged women, who stand around deepam (traditional Kerala deep). The women are clad in set saree (traditional Kerala dress) and accessorized with gold jewelry. Eight to twelve women can perform the dance. Another dance form that is performed during the season is known as 'Pulikali' or 'Kaduvakali'. In this dance, performers (mostly men) paint themselves like tigers in bright yellow, red and black colors and dance ferociously to the accompaniment of musical instruments such as 'udukku' and 'thakil'.

Playing Games
Onam is incomplete without games in it. The outdoor games such as 'Talappanthukali' (ball game), 'Kayyankali' (one-to-one fight between men, without using weapon), 'Attakalam' (fight between men, played in groups) Ambeyyal (Archery) and 'Kutu Kutu' (Kabaddi) are the popular Onam games, played with great enthusiasm and high level of energy, during the festive season of Onam. In some parts of Kerala, 'Kummattikali' is played by artists (typically men), wherein they clad themselves with the attire made by using plaited grass and wear a big wooden mask.

Feasting
Onam feast forms a prominent part of the celebration of the festival. Irrespective of the caste and religion, all the Malayalees feast on Thiruvonam. A number of lip-snacking dishes are prepared by people. Usually, a vegetarian meal is prepared, but non-veg items also form a part of the feast, in some parts of the state. Melt-in-the mouth payasams are made for the feast. It is believed that every Malayali should eat the Onam feast on the festival, even if he/she has to sell all the possessions.

Boat Race
Vallamkali or the popular snake boat race is a sporting event, organized at several parts of the state on uthratadhi nakshatram of Chingam (Malayalam month). Oarsmen take part enthusiastically in the Vallamkali. It is something is especially popular in the southern districts of Kerala. Apart from Onam, the vallamkali is organized annually at Aaranmula River situated in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala.

Shopping
Last, but not the least - Onam calls for shopping of clothes and furbishes for the home. It is a part of the tradition of Onam, to wear new clothes and buy attire for the family and friends. Apart from clothing, people enjoy shopping for new furniture. During the festive season, season sales outlets open up (such as Government-owned chain of Maveli stores - fair price shops), which provide myriad items at economical rates.

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Onam Games

Onam is one of the most important festivals of Kerala and it is celebrated with immense joy and fervor all over the state by people of all communities. It is said that Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit the state of Kerala at the time of Onam. As this festival falls during the fortnight of the Malayalam New Year, it is welcomed with a special enthusiasm and zest. The celebration goes on for ten days and the tenth day of the festival called Thiruvonam is celebrated with grand traditional cuisines, beautiful dances and classic music and Onakalikal – the traditional Onam games.

After the gala Onam feast, wonderful Kathakali dance performances, socializing and exchanging warm wishes, Onam celebrations are marked with lots of indoor and outdoor traditional sports and activities to indulge in, collectively known as 'Onakalikal'. Besides the usual games of chess, dice or cards, played by the old people there are football matches, personal combats, archery and boxing for the young and more energetic. These games add to the enthusiasm and vibrancy of the festival. People of all age groups participate in the festivals and enjoy the festivities.

Traditional Onam Games

Ball Games

Pantukali
The most popular outdoor game is Pantukali in which the ball is prepared by tying a few pebbles in the layers of dried-up plantain leaves with the help of a plantain or coconut fiber. The players are divided into two groups and a stick called 'natta' is planted at one end of the court. The court is basically an open space with lines drawn at to indicate the limit beyond which the ball should not be thrown. One party serves the ball and tries to hit the stick while others try to catch it. If the ball is caught then the man is out otherwise he gets another chance.

Combats

Kayyankali
Combats are usually of two kinds - those that are undertaken singly known as Kayyankali. It is a violent game and has all the risks of an ancient duel. However no weapons or horses are allowed. In this game there is a display of power. The participants fight one to one. This game is basically the display of power. There are fights, wounds, blood and even death at times.

Attakalam
Attakalam is another kind of combat which is comparatively less hazardous in nature compared to the Kayyankali. In this the game is not played individually rather the players are made to play into groups. A large circle is drawn on the plain sand floor and one group is placed inside the circle. A member of the second group tries to bring the former outside the circle and both are free to use force. However, once any member of the inside team steps of the circle, he is considered out. After all the members of a team are dragged out, the other team takes its position inside the circle. If a member of any team cannot be driven out, his party is declared victorious.

Ambeyyal
Ambeyyal is actually the game of ‘archery’. In this game, two groups of young men shoot blunted arrows at each other. It is a game to test the patience, skill and persistence of the players. However, since the arrows are strong and are delivered with force, they still manage to hurt many. The bows are made of about 18-inch long bamboo. There is a mark in the form of a little stick called 'cheppu' and those who hit this mark are allowed to carry all the arrows lying on the ground for their team.

Kutukutu
Popularly known as Kabbaddi in rest of India, Kutukutu is a simple group game. In this game, there are two teams with eight players each. It is played in a rectangular court which is divided into two halves, one for each team. One man from one group advances from the middle line towards the opponent's area uttering 'Kutu Kutu' in one continuous breath and try to touch the opponents and run back to the central line without being caught. However, if he is physically caught and is out of breath before touching the central line, he is out of the game.

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Onam Rituals

The harvest festival of Kerala - Onam - is celebrated with zeal and great fanfare by Malayalees all over the state, India and abroad. It is an enthralling carnival during the festive season, when people indulge themselves in merrymaking by playing a number of games, shopping, feasting, dances and taking part in the community events wherein cultural programs are organized. Since it is a harvest festival, a number of rituals are followed by people, especially the farmers. The customs of Onam may vary from region to region, because people in the southern state of Kerala are known for the performance of rituals that are native to their place.

Onam Customs

Onakazhcha
On the ninth day of Onam, tenants of the family, dependants and hangers-on present the fruits of their labor, such as vegetables and coconut oil, to 'Karanavar', (the eldest member of the family) in a ritual called 'Onakazhcha'. In return, they are treated with a sumptuous feast on the main day of Onam. It is also customary for the village artisans to present the Karanavar of each Nair Tarawad, a specimen of his handiwork in return of the presents of cloth or rice.

Maveli Puja
Maveli Puja is one of the prominent rituals of Onam. Specific to the Malabar (northern) part of Kerala, people residing there perform the Maveli Puja on the Uthradam (ninth day) and Thiruvonam (tenth day) of Onam. In order to perform the puja, three small sized figurines, made of red sand are erected, at the verandah of households. The puja is performed early in the morning as well as in the dusk, by the prominent man (generally the bread-winner) of the home. The three red sands are regarded as king Mahabali.

Thripunitura Athachamayam
Thripunitura Athachamayam is a grand procession held at Thripunithura, in Ernakulam district of Kerala. The custom is followed since ages. The grand procession marks the beginning of Onam celebrations in Kerala. According to the historical records, this was the royal tradition followed at the time, when Maharajas of erstwhile Kochi State traveled to Thripunithura Fort, accompanied by their entire entourage. Today, even in the absence of the King, the custom retains is legacy and charm. Caparisoned elephants are the highlight of the procession.

Onathallu
Onathallu is a mock fight performed to mark the advent of the festive season of Onam. Also referred to as Kayyankali, Onathallu is a very old ritual that is followed in many regions of Kerala. In the barehanded fight, the combatants are clad in mundu (dhoti) or plain white cotton cloth that is worn high, like tight shorts. The men are accessorized with a sort of bandage around their legs, which protects them from injury. Apart from being a ritual, Onathallu is an interesting game that is performed by the male members of the family, during Onam.

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Snake Boat Race

Snake Boat Race, known as Vallamkali in Kerala is the most captivating facet of the festival of Onam. It is also promoted as one of the major tourist attractions in the state and draws a lot of local, national as well as international crowd. Vamakalli or the boat race has now been an integral part of Kerala’s identity and its popularity has been soaring with each passing year. The credit of its growing popularity can be given to India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who was enamored by this event and in order to encourage it took initiatives to start a national competition for this sport.

The Legend
There is one interesting story attached with this event. It is said that once upon a time, there was a man named Katoor Mana who offered his daily prayers about 10 kilometers up the river Pamba from Aranmulla. One similar day after completing his worship, he was waiting to feed a poor man in order to complete his worship rituals. When even after waiting for long, he did not get any one; he simply closed his eyes and prayed to Lord Krishna.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a ragged boy standing near him. Katoor became very happy and lovingly offered all the scrumptious items to the boy. To his utter surprise, the boy disappeared after having the meal. He looked for the boy here and there and then spotted him at the Aranmulla Temple but he gain vanished from the spot. Katoor Mana then concluded that he was no ordinary boy but the god himself.

So in on order to commemorate this event, he started bringing food to Aranmulla temple every year during the time of Onam. In order to protect this food from the river pirates, he asked Kovilans or snake boats to accompany him to the place. As this news spread amongst people, more and more people came forward in snake boats to protect him during the voyage. This is how the custom of a grand carnival called Snake Boat Race began. It later took the form of an event on the Onam festival.

The Boat
Vallamkali boats are not ordinary boats. There is a standard scale to make it. It is about 100 feet long and has a seating capacity of 150 men. It is made up of Anjili (Artocarpus hirsuta), or Kadamb (Naucleacadamba) wood. The boat is designed in a way that its ends are shaped like cobra hoods. This is also the reason that the boats are named Snake Boats. The boats are treated religiously by the local people and thus meticulously crafted by skilled craftsmen with lots of patience and hard work. Only men are allowed to touch this boat and one can enter in to it only of he is bare feet (a token of regard).

Occasion of Onam
The exciting Snakeboat Races take place on the occasion of Onam at the Aranmulla temple. The temple is built on the shores of the river Pamba. The spectacular snakeboats or 'chundan vallams' that take part in the race are nearly 30 in number and are owned by the villagers residing in the hamlets bordering the river. The stretch of the race extends from the hills to the low lying plains that measure up to about 40 km.

A community event in itself, the race has the oarsmen dressed in white dhotis and turbans. They steer the boats while singing traditional boat songs to the rhythm of the splashing of their oars in the water. The boats often have a golden lace at the head and the flag and the ornamental umbrella at the center and form an important part of this visual extravaganza. This Snake Boat activity is considered to be much more important and pious than a mere game.

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Ten Days of Onam

The state festival of Kerala, Onam, is a ten-day carnival for all the Malayalees residing in different parts of India and abroad. The festivities, which start from the Attam nakshatram of Chingam (the first Malayalam month) last until Thiruvonam, the tenth day of Onam. In many parts of Kerala, Avittam and Chatayam (the days following Thiruvonam) are also considered important. Each day has its own significance. Various forms of dance, interesting games and feasting form the prominent parts of the festivity.

10 Days of Onam Festival

First Day - Attam
Attam marks the beginning of Onam festival. The day is considered holy and auspicious by the Malayalees. On the day, people get up early in the morning, take bath and offer players by visiting the nearby temple. After having breakfast, they start their celebrations for the day. A swing, adorned with flowers, is slung from a high branch at the lawn of every home. Youngsters and women take immense pleasure in swinging and singing oonjal (swing) songs. Pookkalam (floral carpet) is laid in the front courtyard of every household. From this day onwards, Pookkalam is laid for the following nine days of Onam.

Second Day - Chithira
Chithira is the second day of Onam and has a special significance in the celebrations. To seek the blessings of the Almighty, people take bath in the early morning and visit the local temples. Thereafter, they add new flowers to the Pookkalam that was laid in the previous day. People start making all their plans for the big day of Thiruvonam, right from this day. Every event is discusses in detail, so that nothing remains incomplete, for the important day. A long shopping list is prepared for the family. It is the time for the children to demand all their pending wishes, because they know that their wish would be granted on the occasion.

Third Day - Chodhi
Chodhi or Chothi is the third day of Onam festival. The day involves many activities, starting from Pookkalam to shopping. The day is marked by buzz and the marketplaces are filled with people, who shop for new clothes (Onakkodi) for the important day of Onam, that is, Thiruvonam. Gifts are also purchased for the loved ones, on the day. No rituals are set for the day. People add new flowers to their Pookkalam, making it even more attractive. Specific flowers are chosen for the day. Boys take pleasure in choosing the flowers for the floral carpet.

Fourth Day - Visakam
As the number of days for the big day is very few, excitement becomes overt amongst the people in Kerala. On Visakam, the fourth day of Onam festival, the streets are busy. Activities are brisk in the market as well as back home. In the marketplace, one can witness rush in the stores, because by this time, the shops would put up season sales for the festival. Maveli stores (government owned departmental stores, which offer fair price shopping) would display their latest offers and discounts on household items. Back home, the homemakers would be busy in the kitchen, making delicacies (sweets and pickles) for the festive season.

Fifth Day - Anizham
Anizham is the fifth and one of the important days of Onam festival. The highlight of the day is the grand Vallamkali (snake boat race), which is organized on the banks of Pamba River at Aranmulla, Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The event attracts tourists from the nook and corner of the country. International tourists also come to witness the race. In the households, more flowers are added to Pookkalam, in an attempt to make it look even more beautiful. One can witness the degree of enthusiasm and excitement increasing in the people, as there are only four days to go for the important day of Onam.

Sixth Day - Thriketa
On the sixth day of Onam - Thriketa - various cultural programs are organized by the committees. People take initiative to attend the events and take part in the cultural programs. No rituals are specific for Thriketa. People decorate their homes and add new flowers to their already laid Pookkalam. It is the time for family reunion, as the family members and acquaintances living outside the state and abroad visit Kerala, to take part in the celebrations. The air is filled with festivity, while people indulge in preparations for Thiruvonam.

Seventh Day - Moolam
Moolam is the seventh day of the ten day carnival of Onam. During the day, the commercial areas of the state are filled with the bright color of the festivities. People overcrowd the market places for their last-minute Onam shopping. By this time, the spirit of joy and happiness increases manifold and is clearly reflected from the eyes of the people of Kerala. People back home revamp their Pookkalam, giving it an entirely new look with special flowers. The design of the Pookkalam is made even more intricate.

Eighth Day - Pooradam
Pooradam, the eighth day of Onam, holds a special significance. The Athappookalam is increased in size, with the addition of special flowers. During the day, people clean their house and ensure that every nook and corner of the place is spick and span, as they expect the arrival of Onthappan. While the women of the home are busy in the kitchen, making pickles and other kinds of delicacies, the family members and relatives arrive at their home, on this day.

Ninth Day - Uthradam
Uthradam is the ninth day of Onam. By this time, people are in high spirits to welcome King Mahabali. In some regions of Kerala, full fledged preparations for Onam kick-start on Uthradam itself. On the day, Onakkazhcha is given by the tenants and farmers, to the Karnavar (eldest member of the family) of Nair Tharawad (Nair household). The farmers bring produce of their farms to the Nair Tharawad, in return of which, they are greeted and treated with sweets by the Karnavar. This is a very old tradition, followed in the interiors of the state. Uthradam is also known as Onnam Onam (first Onam).

Tenth Day - Thiruvonam
The tenth and the important day of Onam festival is Thiruvonam. Also known as Rendam Onam (Second Onam), Thiruvonam is marked by huge fanfare, with people all over Kerala indulged in the celebrations. People wake up in the early morning, smear oil all over their body and take bath at the nearby pond. People clad themselves in Onakkodi. Thereafter, the small children, women and young girls lay the Pookkalam at the veranda, to welcome King Mahabali (the legendary king of Kerala, who visits the state every year, on Onam). Special prayers are organized at households. In the noon, the grand feast (Onasadya) is prepared. Onnakkali (Onam games) are played thereafter.

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Onam Pookkalam

Onam is a colorful festival celebrated by Malayalees all over the world. It is the state festival of Kerala. Pookkalam, the floral decoration (also known as floral carpet) is one of the most important part of Onam, which is also a harvest festival. Simple as well as intricate floral designs are laid at the verandah of every household, on the wonderful occasion of Onam. Making Pookkalam is a tradition followed by people of Kerala, during the ten days of the festival. This is done to welcome their benevolent legendary king - Mahabali, as he visits Kerala every year on Onam, to enquire about their wellbeing.

What Is Pookkalam?
In Malayalam, the word 'Poo' means flower and 'Kalam' means artwork. Hence, Pookkalam is the artwork or design that is laid on floor. It is one of the main attractions of the festival. Pookkalam is laid on Attam, the first day of the ten-day carnival of Onam and continued for the following nine days of the festival. During the festive season, you can see one Pookkalam laid on each household in Kerala, irrespective of the caste and religion. This is mainly because of the fact that Onam is the state festival of Kerala.

Pookkalam Designs
Pookkalam designs can be both simple and intricate. Some of the common designs of Pookkalam may resemble birds such as peacock, parrot, theme such as the festival, Kerala and the image of King Mahabali. The face of Kathakali is a popular design chosen for Pookkalam. Apart from the popular ones, geometrical designs are also used for the same. People use their creative mind to the level best, to come up with beautiful intricate and unique designs for Pookkalam. Cultural dances of Kerala, including Mohiniyattam and Kathakali are some of the popular themes chosen for Pookkalam.

How Is Pookkalam Made?
Pookkalam is traditionally made using flowers. However, in the modern time, especially at Pookkalam competitions, people are allowed to make use of leaves and sepals (cut into small pieces) of the big flowers. Shredded coconut and artificial colors have become a part of the Pookkalam, though they are not permitted in most of the competitions. Wet cow dung is smeared and flower petals are placed on it. People in Kerala, who have been making the floral carpet since a long time, would start laying the flowers by conceiving the design in mind. On the other hand, the amateurs would draw a sketch of the design and fill the outline with flowers.

Pookkalam Competitions
Pookkalam competitions are some of the main attractions of Onam. During the festive season, a number of committees organize Pookkalam competitions for people of different age groups. The participants are provided space for the floral carpets, within which, they have to lay their design. The Pookkalam are adjudged upon their quality and the arrangement of flowers.

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Onam Rangoli

Rangoli or Kolam is one of the most popular arts in India. It is actually a kind of decorative motif made by using finely ground white powder, colors and flowers. A Rangoli can be either a wall art as well as floor art. The patterns in a traditional Rangoli are usually derived from nature. The most popular Rangoli motifs are peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. Traditionally the dyes for the Rangoli are derived from natural like barks of trees, leaves, indigo, rice flour, vermilion and turmeric powder etc. However, these days the use of synthetic dyes has become extremely popular. It is considered auspicious to make a Rangoli or Kolam on the festive occasions. In Kerala, Pookalam, the flower Rangoli is thus made on the occasion of Onam.

Onam Kolam
Onam is the state festival of Kerala. It is a ten days long festival in which the tenth day, the day of ‘Tiruvonam’ is considered extremely auspicious and fortunate. Malayalee families all over the world celebrate this occasion with great enthusiasm and gusto. People organize community celebrations and feasts for this occasion. They also decorate their home with flowers and torans. The most important part of Onam celebrations is the ‘Onam Kolam’ or the ‘Pookalam’. Pookalam is very similar to Rangoli; in fact it can be termed as form of Rangoli. ‘Poo’ means ‘flower’ and ‘Kalam’ means artwork. Made of flower and colors, it is a very beautiful decorative motif used as a floor decoration on most of the auspicious occasion.

On the occasion of Onam, Pookalam is made in most of the Malayalee homes. It is basically a colorful arrangement of flowers on the floor. Making a pookalam every day is like a ritual in every home during the ten-day-long (Atham to Thiruvonam) celebrations. Flowers are used on each day, as a particular flower is dedicated to each day of Onam. Beautiful motifs are made using these flowers along with naturally derived colors and cowdung.

How is Pookalam Made
For making a Pookalam, first of the entire floor is cleaned and all the dust is wiped out. Then, cow dung is spread over the entire area where the Pookalam is to be made. Once the cow dung is evenly spread, motifs on it are made using the hairline bamboo sticks or any pin like material. Generally, the Pookalam is made in ten rings, each representing a ‘God’. The flowers are then filled into the pattern made on the cowndung. Flowers that are commonly used in Pookalam include Thumba, Kakka Poovu, Thechipoovu, Mukkutti, Chemparathy, Aripoo or Konginipoo , Hanuman Kireedom and Chethi . Of all these flowers, Thumba flowers are considered the best as they are small in size and glitter in the soft rays of the sun. The design of the Pookolam can be simple or intricate depending upon the choice of the designer. It is generally made at the entrance or veranda of the home.

Significance
The Pookalam or floral Rangoli is made on the occasion of Onam in order to auspiciousness to one’s home. It is said that King Mahabali whose soul visits the state in the ten days during Onam becomes happy to see these beautiful patterns on the entrance of one’s home. Thus, the prosperity and happiness of that home is ensured for along time. Also at some places, the nakshatram of the day is used to be marked on the Pookalam as it stands as the representation of the Nakshatra. As for example on the Moolam day, Pookalam is made with four corners while on Thriketta, the representation of the nakshatram is done by making a protrusion on the circle in the form of a hand. It is also a popular belief that ten rings or steps of the Pookalam represent the ten deities in the Hindu pantheon. First step defines Ganesha, second defines Shiva and Shakti, third defines Shiva, fourth defines Brahma, fifth defines Pancha Boothangal, sixth defines Shanmughan or Muruga, seventh step defines Guru, eighth step is for ashta digpalakar, ninth defines for Indra and tenth defines Lord Vishnu.

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Onam History

Onam is the state festival of Kerala. Celebrated in the first month ‘chingam’ according to the Malayalee Calender, it is also the annual harvest festival of the state. The festival falls in the month of August to September according to the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations of Onam go ten days long up to Tiruvonam and in some cases to twelve days long until chatayam (twelfth day). The celebrations of Onam include elaborate rituals, music, dances, sports, boat races and of course scrumptious foods. There are several legends and stories attached with the festival.

Onam has been a part of Malayalee culture for centuries. The earliest record of the festival that has been found belongs to the reign of Kulasekhara Perumals around i.e. around 800 AD. However, there are great possibilities that the festival was celebrated before this period also. Any ways, due to lack of physical evidences, it has been assumed that the festival started somewhere around 800 A.D. as the harvest festival of the state. However, there are so many legends and stories attached with the day that it seems that the festival has been a part of the region ever since its origin.

Onam Celebrations has two most important significances in context of the Malayalee culture. First of all, it is celebrated as the harvest festival of the state. It reminds one of the golden age of prosperity when the entire month of Chingam (the month of Malayalee calendar that corresponds to the August- September time of Gregorian calendar) was celebrated as the Onam month. It was the time when the farms of the state produced excess of food grains and brought prosperity and riches to the state. Arriving after the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam (July-August), Chingam was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the people of Kerala.

The second and the most popularly quoted legend with the festival is related to the demon king, Mahabali. It is said that Mahabali was a generous and kind hearted king of Kerala. He was powered by a boon granted to him by Lord Brahma, he was invincible and thus gradually won over the entire earth. Soon after he won the earth, he also won the territory of heaven and became its king. He gradually rose up to become the undisputed ruler of all the three worlds. It was the time he inflicted violence upon the gods. Lord Vishnu then decided to overthrow Bali from his powers. He went to Bali in the form of a Brahman as he knew that the king rejoiced in doing good deeds and giving alms to the poor. He asked for three feet of land from the Demon king to which the king readily agreed.

Gradually, he Brahaman increased in size. In one step, he measured the entire earth and in the other he covered the entire heaven, he then asked Bali that where should he put the third step. Bali, a man of his words, then laid down his head and asked Brahman to step his foot on his head. Vishnu disguised in the form of Brahman, thus appeared in front of Bali and offered him the Kingdom of the nether world. However as Bali was very much in love with the people of his kingdom at earth, he asked Vishnu to give him a boon so that he can visit the earth once a year to which Vishu readily agreed. Bali, since then is believed to come to earth in the month of ‘chingam’ according to the Malayalee calendar and the entire festival is celebrated to welcome their dear king Mahabali to earth.

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Onam Date

Onam is the state festival of Kerala and it is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm and zeal throughout the state irrespective of caste, creed and community. It is celebrated in order to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali who is said to visit the place at the time of Onam. The festival is marked with wonderful celebrations including intricate rituals, grand feast, songs, dance, games and fairs. It is also known as the harvest festival of the state and is celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kolla Varsham) called ‘Chingam’. This month falls in August-September according to the Gregorian calendar and in Bhadrapada or Bhadon according to the Indian (Hindu) Calendar.

When Is Onam Celebrated
Onam is celebrated over ten days; it comes to an end with the grand celebrations on the tenth day called ‘Thiruvonam’. Onam celebrations start from the day of Atham and culminate on Thiruvonam. At some places the celebrations even extend to twelve days called as ‘Chatayam’. However, Atham and Thiru Onam are the most important days for Onam celebrations. The days for these celebrations are decided according to the position of stars. The festival is supposed to start from the appearance of the lunar asterism (a cluster of stars smaller than a constellation) Atham (Hastha), that appears ten days before asterism Thiruvonam. Thiruvonam actually corresponds to the Shravan day in the month of August or September and that is why it is also known as Sravanotsavam. At this time, the sun is also located in the Zodiac sign of Leo which in return happens to be located in the sun’s house as well.

Significance of Onam Day
Onam is celebrated in order to honor King Mahabali, one of the most respected kings of the state. The entire festival is celebrated in order to welcome his spirit to the place as he is supposed to visit the state during this period. It is believed that that it was on the this day in the month of Chingam when Lord Vishnu took in avatar of Vaamana, came to the state of King Mahabali and sent him to nether world. It is said that since that day the festival of Onam is celebrated in order to memorize his wonderful reign of peace and prosperity in the kingdom. In order to welcome their respected ruler, people lay flower mats (Pookalam) in the front courtyard, arrange grand feast (Onasadya), dance, play, and celebrate. All this is done to make the King feel that his people are still happy and prosperous. It is believed that Onam celebrations started during the Sangam period as some evidences of the celebrations related to the Kulasekhara Perumals (800 AD) have been found. It is said that during that time Onam was celebrated for a month.

Onam 2012: 29 August.

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Onam Decorations

The harvest festival of Onam is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People wait for the festive season very eagerly, because they get the opportunity to reconnect with their long lost friends and faraway acquaintances. According to the legends, King Mahabali visits every Malayalee household in Kerala, on the occasion of Onam, to enquire about their wellbeing. Therefore, in order to welcome their benevolent king, the Malayalees make sure that their home is kept spick and span and beautifully decorated, so that their king doesn't go back in dismay. Few days prior to Onam, the homes are scrub-cleaned and decorated beautifully.

Onam Decoration Ideas

Flowers play a prominent part during the harvest festival of Onam. Apart from pookkalam (the floral carpet laid on verandah, during Onam), people decorate their home with flowers.

For the festival, you may choose beautiful flower garlands made of marigold or jasmine. Clad the photo frames of deities with jasmine garlands. Put up a beautiful garlands of marigold, at the main door of your home.

Place a beautiful flower vase at the center table of your living room. Add some fresh cut flowers to the vase, so that it makes a beautiful and aromatic centerpiece. Do not forget to change the flowers daily.

For your dining table, you may place a beautiful centerpiece, such as, a fruit basket. Include some varieties of bananas in the basket, so that your guests can relish on the fruit after having the sumptuous Onam feast.

Remove the old table cloth and mats and replace them with the new or laundered ones. If you want to decorate your home as per a theme, then you may choose the floral theme for your interiors, because it is best suited for the harvest festival.

The bedroom décor may vary from person to person, depending upon the personal needs. Nonetheless, it is suggested that you should make your bedroom airy and well ventilated. You may place some throw pillows in you bed. Do not forget to change the bedspread!

Add wind chime at every dividing part of your home. For instance, at the divider of your living room and dining room, place a beautiful wind chime.

Curtains chosen for your room should be airy. Choose a light fabric for the curtains. Cotton would be the best bet. You may opt for pastel colors such as shades of green and blue or off-whites, whites or shades of yellow for the walls.

If you want to add more color to your Onam decorations, you may make use of festoons such as balloons and streamers. Hang a bunch of balloons from the ceiling fan of your living room. Hang a small banner reading 'onashamsakal' at the main door.

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Onam Dance

Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala, is a grand carnival that extends for ten days during August-September. Celebrated with fun and fervor, the highlights of the festival are songs, dances, Vallamkali (snake boat race), feasting and Pookkalam (floral carpet). Right from Attam (the first day of Onam), people are busy in the preparations for the big day - Thiruvonam, the tenth day of the festival. One of the traditions of Onam festival is performance of dance forms that are native to Kerala. Apart from being vibrant, the dances are very colorful. The mesmerizing performances of the artists leave the spectators simply awestruck.

Traditional Onam Dances

Kathakali
One of the popular dance forms of Kerala, Kathakali is performed by professional artists. If you visit Kerala on the festive season of Onam, you will get to see the performances of the dance-drama in Shornur, Kovalam and most importantly, Cheruthuruthy. Kathakali is a highly stylized classical dance, which involves the depiction of scenes from Hindu mythology, the most prominent being Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Kummatti Kali
A colorful mask-dance, Kummatti Kali is widely popular in South Malabar parts of Kerala. During Onam, the artists (generally men) of the folk dance clad themselves in skirts that are woven out of plaited grass. The artists wear heavily painted funny masks made of saprophyte, jack fruit tree, Alstonia scholaris, Hog Plum tree or the Coral tree. They go from door to door to entertain people, in return of which they collect small gifts. They generally depict characters from Hindu mythology, including Krishna, Narada, Kiratha, Darika, or hunters.

Pulikali / Kaduvakali
Also referred to as Kaduvakali, Pulikali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala, performed on Nalaam Onam (two days after Thiruvonam) by trained artists. During the folk dance, the artists (generally men) are painted like tigers and hunters in bright yellow, red and black color. They dance to the rhythmic beats of instruments including Udukku and Thakil. The artists are accompanied by a procession of many others. Pulikali is one of the highlights of Onam.

Thumbi Thullal
Thumbi thullal is a fascinating all-women folk dance, performed on the occasion of Onam. The lead performer of the dance is called 'Thumbi', who sits at the center of the circle of women. She starts to sing a song, while other women join her by clapping hands. As the dance proceeds, the tempo of the song increases. Thumbi, who holds a bunch of Thumba leaves, starts moving at her position, just like a possessed woman. The performance is culminated by decreasing the tempo of the song.

Kaikotti Kali
Also referred to as 'Thiruvathirakali', Kaikotti Kali is a famous folk dance of Kerala, performed by women. Eight to twelve women encircle a brass lamp. They are clad in traditional Kerala saree or set mundu, bedeck their tied hair with jasmine garlands and accessorize themselves with gold jewelry. The dancers bend downwards, move sideways in order to go in sync and clap with their fellow dancer. The graceful and symmetric steps of the group dance are backed by rhythmic music of the song that is sung in the background, by two to four women.

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Celebrating Holi

In India, the colorful festival of Holi is celebrated with fun and fervor. The festival marks the arrival of spring season, therefore, brings in warmth into the air. It is not just the season, which is changing, but also the mood of the people. The festival signifies the spirit of brotherhood and unity. It is often said that on the event of this festival, even enemies forget their differences and embrace, greeting each other. Holi festival is celebrated by the people of all caste, class or creed, without any distinction, in the northern parts of India. It treats everyone equally, wherein all the people drenched in different colors, lose their identity to become one.

Celebrating Holi Festival In India

Holi Milan Within Family
The vibrant colors of Holi bring people closer to even their foes and make them forget all the anguish of the past. After applying colors, people hug and greet each other. This tradition is called as 'Holi Milan'. Usually after a fun filled and action packed day, people dressed in new white colored clothes pay visit to their friends and relatives with sweets, typically Gujia. This helps in renewing and strengthening their social bonds. As per the custom, a plate decorated with tilak (vermillion) and sweets is kept ready for the guests.

People apply tilak, exchange sweets and hug each, while exchanging Holi wishes. They are reenergized by being in the company of near and dear ones. Those staying away from their families opt for greeting cards and telephone to greet each other. Special invitations are extended to new bride, which helps her to feel comfortable and mingle with the members of her new family. Special meal is prepared on the occasion to treat her well and to bless the newly wed couple.

Social Holi Milan
'Holi Milan Samaroh' or 'Holi Greeting Meets' are a special feature of the festival and are organized by various clubs and social organizations. This helps in strengthening the social fabric of the society, as people sit together and enjoy cultural programs like songs, dance, competitions and feasts. Hasya Kavi Sammelan (Comic Poetic gatherings) is also organized on Holi. Poets recite comic prose and poetry for the entertainment of the audience, which adds up to the fervor of the festival. Mouth watering sweets like gujiya, malpuas, mathri, puran poli and dahi badas are savored with full glasses of special thandai (cold drink made of almonds, spices, chilled milk and sugar) is served, in which bhang is mixed to create an alcoholic effect. It is a custom to serve bhang in many parts of the country. Apart from thandai, pakoras and vada made of bhang are also served.

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Holi Safety Tips

Celebrated in northern parts of India, Holi is a festival of joy and colors. On the joyous occasion, people follow the tradition of smearing color onto the faces of their friends and guests, playfully. While playing with colors is the essence of the festival and is what breathes in life to the occasion, it can be at times very dangerous, in case you do not take precautions. This is because, in the present time, the colors available for Holi are made of harmful chemicals, which may prove to be hazardous if not used properly, without precautions. Therefore, you should take safety measures, if you want to ensure a joyous and colorful Holi. In the following lines, we have provided some safety tips for Holi.

Safety Tips For Holi

While playing Holi, always wear old and ragged clothes that can be discarded immediately after the occasion. Brightly colored and dark colored clothes are preferable for the mood of the day. This way, you will save a lot of time in laundering your stained clothes.

Wear full-sleeved t-shirts or shirts and leggings that cover your legs fully, so that your sensitive body parts are not exposed to the harmful chemicals of the colors of Holi. Wearing socks on the occasion is a good idea too.

Since it is almost impossible to save yourself face from attack of colors on Holi, so while being attacked, keep your eyes and lips tightly closed.

If you are playing Holi, apply a thick layer of coconut or any oil on your body and hair until they glisten and you become slippery. The oily coat would protect you from the immediate effect of harmful chemicals of the colors of Holi. This will not only help in escaping from the frenzied mob attack, but also will help you to wash off colors easily, later on.

While washing off the color from your face, use lukewarm water and keep your eyes and lips tightly closed.

If you are traveling on Holi, keep the car windows tightly shut. It is still better to avoid traveling on the day of playing colors, because you never know, when balloons filled with colors and water might fall onto you.

Do not make use of harmful colors for Holi. This will not only prove harmful to your playmates, but also spoil your Holi. Make use of herbal colors for the festival.

Choose herbal colors that are easily available in the market, for Holi. You may also make herbal colors at home. For instance, red sandalwood powder can be used to make red color; henna powder can be put in best use to derive the bright green color, while yellow color can be made by making use of turmeric powder.

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Holi Customs

Holi, the colorful festival of spring, is the time for fun and pranks. It is a festival to let your hair down and do what you like, say what you like, meet, tease and play with colors with the people around you. The best part is that all the offences and anger are dissolved with one boisterous shout of 'Bura na mano, holi hai!' (Don't be angry, it is Holi!), which is considered to be a part of the tradition of the merrymaking. The festival is celebrated on the full-moon day of Phalguna in North India, while it is stretched up to a week in some parts of North-east India, typically Manipur. Go through the following lines to know more about the traditions of Holi.

Customs & Traditions Of Holi Festival
According to the traditions of Holi, the people gather around on a day before the festival as we know it, is the evening of bonfires. People light up bonfires of dead leaves, twigs and wooden sticks, dance and sing around it to welcome the spring season, commemorate the saving of Prahlad (a mythical character) and burning of his wicked aunt Holika. People take embers from this holy fire to kindle their own domestic fires. In some communities, barley seeds are roasted in the fire to eat. It is believed that the yield of the upcoming harvest season can be predicted by reading the direction of the flames or the state of the roasted barley seeds.

The ashes of the Holi fire are believed to have some medicinal properties. Next morning, it is 'Dhuledi' or the main festival of colors, when adults and kids smear colored powder on each other and splash water jets known as 'pichkaris'. Traditionally, only natural colors prepared from flowers and herbal products were used. However, today, artificial colors have taken over the herbal counterparts. Now, people often use colored foams and balloons filled with colored water to pop-up at anybody they can play prank upon. The color frenzy of oranges and reds, greens and blues and purples soon wash away all the enmity and hatred amongst the festival and serves to bring the community closer.

Mouthwatering sweets and delicacies form an important part of the festival. One can relish on a wide variety of lip-smacking sweets, the most prominent being 'Gujias' (in Northern India) and 'Puran Poli' (in Maharashtra). 'Thandai' (a cool drink made by mixing almonds, spices with chilled milk and sugar) is mixed with 'bhang' (an intoxicating substance that creates an alcoholic effect for a long time, after consumption) is served during Holi, as a part of its customs. People also relish on the pakoras and vadas made of Bhang. Although the consumption of bhang is intoxicating for the body, people do consume it on Holi, to de-stress themselves and enjoy the day without worrying about the drudgery of everyday life.

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Holi Around the World

Celebrated on the Phalgun month of the Hindu calendar, the festival of colors - Holi- is the time to have unlimited fun with the loved ones. On the occasion, people in India smear color on each other's face, splash water by using pichkaris and balloons, exchange wishes by hugging each other. Tilak is applied on the forehead of everyone who visits the homes, during Holi. Mouth watering sweets such as 'Gujia' are relished on, while people take immense pleasure in drinking 'thandai' (a cold drink made with almonds, spices, chilled milk and sugar) mixed with bhang, bhang pakoras and vadas made of bhang.

Though Holi is purely an Indian festival, it is gradually appealing to the international populace as well. The splendor and charisma of the festival is such that it is celebrated far beyond the boundaries of the country. The secular character of Holi is established by the fact that people residing in different parts of the world soak themselves in the colors of Holi. Indians have spread to the different corners of the globe, contributing to the fact that Holi festival is celebrated widely. This festival knows no bars, no boundaries. The gusto, with which it is celebrated, is simply worth seeing.

The festival of Holi abroad provides people an opportunity to mingle with each other, thereby improving their ties and bonds. The Indians settled abroad are even more eager to celebrate the festival, as it reminds them of their motherland and their loved ones. Like India, they also exchange sweets and greet each other. The spirit of festivity binds them to their roots. A break from the hum drum of daily life, Holi provides an opportunity to soak them in the colors of harmony and rejuvenate the memories of the celebrations of the festival back home. Know more about celebrations of Holi festival around the world, through the following lines.

Holi Festival Around The World

Holi In USA
Holi festival is celebrated with ardor in the countries like USA. A sizeable population of Indians can be found in the USA, which tells us the reason why the festival is observed with such gaiety there. In USA, religious organizations and societies take the responsibility of organizing the festival. Musical programs and meets are conducted to fill the air with the spirit of India. New York is completely dabbled by the colorful waters. Holi is marked by parades and attended by Indians, rejoicing, playing with colors in the midst.

Holi In UK
In UK, the revelry of Holi is seen profoundly at places with a large congregation of Indians. The British city of Leicester is particularly known for its love for celebrating Indian festivals. The enthusiasm reaches its peak on the occasion of Holi. The joyous festival is marked with social gatherings and exchange of sweets. People enjoy the day by smearing colors on each other and playing with water, just as it is done back home, in India. People apply tilak on each other's forehead to welcome and hug each other to wish.

Holi In South Africa
The Indians settled in South Africa have made it a point to keep the tradition of celebrating Holi alive in South Africa, the southernmost country of the continent of Africa. The Indians in South Africa play with colors, on the occasion of Holi. They sing songs, which is one of the prominent parts of the celebrations. People exchange gifts and greet each other. The evenings are spent in meeting friends and acquaintance living in different parts of the country.

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Significance of Holi

Holi is one of the most colorful and vibrant festivals celebrated in India. Like many other festivals, Holi has an ancient origin, the tradition of which is being followed since time immemorial. Considering the religious importance of the festival, it is associated with a number of mythological stories. The most popular amongst them is that of Radha and Lord Krishna, wherein, he playfully applied color on Radha's cheek, as she was fairer than him. This gave rise to the festival of Holi and the tradition of playing with colors. The significance of the festival has not diminished since then and even applies to the cultural, social and biological aspects of our lives. Know more about the signficance of Holi festival, with this article.

Importance Of Holi Festival

Cultural Significance
The cultural significance of Holi can be gauged from the fact that its origin derives reference from various mythological tales. This has led to a deep faith and respect towards the celebration of the festival, as Indians strongly believe in mythology. The moral behind all these stories is victory of good over evil, which is a lesson for the human race. The tales instill the faith of man into the ultimate power of God and his mercy over his devotees. Holi festival is the medium through which people are inspired to lead a virtuous life. Moreover, the festival is organized at the time when the harvest is at full bloom, giving people an opportunity to rejoice.

Social Significance
The social significance of Holi is seen in the form of the message of unity and brotherhood, it delivers. As per the custom and tradition, people pay visits to their friends and relatives, to give them wishes as well as to strengthen their bonds. The festival brings the nation together, as it is not just celebrated by Hindus but, also by the Sikhs, Christians, Jains as well. The festival is unique, as it does not discriminate against any section of the society and treats everyone equally. The social fabric and secular character of the society is strengthened, since people work on building cordial relations, forgiving their hard feelings for others.

Biological Significance
Apart from the cultural and social significance of the festival, Holi considerably affects the biological system of our body. The time, at which Holi is celebrated, is very crucial with respect to our body. During the festival, the season is going through a change - from winter to summer. It is the period when people feel lethargic and drowsy. Holi provides them the opportunity to wear off their laziness, by enjoying themselves thoroughly.

The dance performances and the music played during the festival rejuvenate the mind and soul. The color, especially Abeer, penetrates the body and strengthens the ions, improving health and beauty. During the tradition of Holika Dahan, people circumambulate around it the fire. This ritual kills the bacteria in the body and makes it clean. During Holi, people clean their houses and remove clutter, thereby ensuring flow of positive energy. Therefore, it can be said that apart from rejuvenating the social ties, Holi provides a wonderful opportunity to let loose all the tension and de-stress the mind.

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Holi Colors

Holi is the spring festival of India, celebrated by playing with vibrant colors. The colorful festival is the wonderful opportunity to reconnect to the family and friends and rejuvenate the social ties. During the festival, people smear color on each other's face and splash water, playfully. The festival is known for the generous use of colors, which are produced both naturally and artificially. While gulal is the main color of the festival, which is available in vibrant pink shades, red, green and yellow, other colors, which are a bit hard, have also occupied the market shelves. In this article, find out all about the rang/color of Holi festival.

Legend
There is a legend behind the use of colors on Holi. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna started the tradition of playing with colors during the festival. He was jealous of his soul mate - Radha's fair complexion, because he was dark in color. The young Krishna often complained about his dark skin tone to his mother - Yashoda. To placate the child, Yashoda asked him to smear color on Radha's face, so that her fair complexion is masked. Obeying his mother, Lord Krishna applied color on Radha's face, which changed her complexion. The playful and mischievous Krishna started the game of playing with colors and this is how, the celebration of Holi with colors was started.

Holi Festival Colors
Dry Holi colors known as 'Gulal' and wet colors or 'Rang' were originally prepared naturally from the flowers and other products that had dyeing properties. However, with time, in the quest of more long-lasting and strong colors, chemically enhanced and artificial colors have come in vogue. The harmful effects of these chemicals on our body and eyes have forced us to do a turn-about to the natural colors. However, you certainly don't need to disappoint as one can create beautiful reds, greens, blues, saffron, yellows and magentas at home, and that too naturally.

Types Of Holi Colors
There are various types of colors used for the festival of Holi. Out of the colors, gulal are the prominent ones. They are available in rose, red, green and yellow colors. They are generally scented, dry and applied on face. Being very soft color, gulal doesn’t cause much stain, even if it is mixed with water. The color is also used to apply tilak on the forehead of guests of Holi. Hard and long lasting colors in the shades of green are also available in the market, which are generally mixed with water and splashed using pichkari. Balloons are also filled with the colors. Apart from the dry and wet colors, certain latex paints in the color of black are also available in the market. Such colors are considered harmful and are suggested to avoid.

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History of Holi

Holi is one of the most ancient festivals in India and was originally named 'Holika’. Celebrated throughout the country with immense zeal and fervor, Holi is also one of the most popular Indian festivals abroad. The celebrations of Holi differ from region to region, however the zeal and gusto with which the festival is welcomed throughout the country remains the same. It is often said that the modern form of Holi was introduced in Mathura and Vridvana by Lord Krishna himself and that is why Holi holds a special significance in the eastern part of the country. Read on this article to explore the origin as well as the history of Holi in the country.

History of Holi
The exact origin of the festival can not be found, though several historians claim that the Holi celebration in the country was brought along with the Aryans. It is also quoted as a reason that Holi is still celebrated with great zeal in the more Aryan dominant Northern and Eastern India. There is also a detailed description of this festival in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. Several other religious and historical texts also discuss in detail about the festival.

It is said that Holi is celebrated in India, since an immemorial time, even in the period before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the eras and phases. Long ago, Holi was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness, well-being and prosperity of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped for bringing auspiciousness and pleasure. With time the way of celebration has changes. Also, the prominent legends related to the festival have changed with time.

Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions
Holi has a detailed description in the ancient Vedas and Puranas such as ‘Narad Purana’ and ‘Bhavishya Purana’. The festival of Holi also finds detailed descriptions in the Jaimini Mimansa. During an excavation, a stone inscription of 300 BC was found at Ramgarh and this stone inscription has mention of ‘Holikotsav’ i.e. the ‘celebrations of Holi’ written on it. This gives logic to the theories of the historian who believe Holi to be a celebration even before the birth of Christ. Other ancient references like the mention of holikotsav in King Harsha’s Ratnavali written during 7th century and the description of holikotsav in the travelogues of Ulbaruni, support the fact that Holi is not a nascent celebration in the country.

Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals
Apart from the reference in the religious and historical texts, Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century temple at Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagar (now in Karnataka) has a panel sculpted with the joyous scene of Holi celebrations. This painting illustrates a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids who are waiting with pichkaris to drench the couple in colored water. Another painting on the theme related to Holi, the Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music is found in Ahmednagar in Maharashta. This 16th century painting depicts a royal couple sitting on a huge swing, and several maidens surrounding them playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris.

There are several other illustrations and paintings belonging to medieval India that can be found in the temples and palaces of that era. An interesting painting of Mewar (circa 1755) illustrates the Maharana with his courtiers bestowing gifts and riches on his people while a merry dance is going on. Also, there is water tank filled with colored water in the center of his courtyard. Similarly, a Bundi miniature depicts a king seated on his tusker and some beautiful women showering Gulal (colored powders) on him. These are few of the examples which Holi has been an integral part of the country since ever. It existed here before Christ was born; it continued in the medieval era and is being celebrated in the country till now.

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Holi Celebrations in India

Holi is one of the major festivals of India and celebrated with immense joy and fervor throughout the country. It is celebrated in the month of Phalgun according to the Hindu calendar which commemorates with the month of March in the Gregorian calendar. The date of Holi is decided according to the Hindu calendar according to which the date lying on the Phalgun Purnima is considered the day for Holi. Though the festival is celebrated in most of the parts of the country, the celebrations have a regional influence in their rituals and traditions. The celebration of Holi is known as the ‘celebrations of colors and joys’. Holi starts at midnight with a bonfire of Holika and the celebrations come to climax in the morning when colors and music fill the entire atmosphere with zeal of joy and celebrations.

North India
North India is famous for its rough and tough kind of Holi. Legends say that Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood in Mathura and Vrindavana and he was the one to introduce the modern form of Holi in this part of the country. That is why Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm at these places for about a week. In North India, the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavana are specially known for its immense enthusiasm and zeal.

In Mathura and Vridavana, the major temples of the region dedicated to Krishna and Radha celebrate Holi on a different day. Very similar to these two places, in most of the North Indian states, Holi means getting drenched with colored water and gulal. It is considered auspicious as well as becomes quite enjoyable. The playful teasing by women and attempts by men to color them with 'gulal' and wet colors from 'pichkari', the attempts to escape and beating the men with sticks to scamper them away makes Holi very fun filling and enjoyable. These celebrations are accompanied with scrumptious food and lip smacking items.

Punjab and Haryana
In Punjab and Haryana, Holi is celebrated in a yet interested way. The brides of the families hang a pot of buttermilk high up in the streets and challenge to their brothers-in-law, who try to get to break the pot by forming a human pyramid. Women try to stop them by beating them with their saris rolled up as ropes. This mock-drama is staged to commemorate the playful pranks of child Krishna, who would steal milk, butter and curd from the maids' houses. In the evening, the brothers-in-law bring sweetmeats for the women of the house for their contribution in keeping the family united. The color play also takes place simultaneously.

Western India
Like Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat and other states of West India, also has mock-drama of Krishna trying to break the pots and steal the butter. Besides, this ‘Matka-breaking ceremony’, men in these states also takes out several grand processions singing Holi songs and poems. Soaked with colored water, they walk through the streets and sing to mock alert the people of the house in the locality to take care of their pots of butter and milk as Krishna may come in and steal them. At the time of evening, people visit each others home, exchange sweets and good wishes.

Eastern India
In eastern state of India, West Bengal has an interesting and different kind of Holi. In Bengal, Holi is called Dol Yatra (the Swing Festival) in which idols of Krishna and Radha are placed on swings and devotees take turns to swing them. Women perform devotional songs and dances around the swing as men spray colored water and 'Abeer' (colored powder) on them. However, the tradition is being lost gradually and the modern trend of playing with colored water and powders in the morning and then take out processions on the streets with music and drums has also influenced the Bengali Holi. In Orissa, traditions are similar to that of Bengal except for the fact that the idols of Jagannath is placed on the swing here instead of Krishna and Radha, who is believed to be another form of Krishna. The tradition of sweet exchange, feasting and color play has also become prominent in the state now.

'Vasanta Utsav' in Shantiniketan
Rabindranath Tagore, the Noble laureate from India, revived Holi as the Spring festival by introducing 'Vasanta Utsav' in his Shantiniketan or Bishwabharati University, which is celebrated here in a very special way. Students and youths dress up in bright colorful dresses such as yellow and stage a number of cultural programs involving group choreography, songs and dance followed by playing Holi with 'Abeer' (colored powder). Today, Vasanta Utsav has become an important part of the Bengali culture.

North East
If we talk about the North Esatern Holi, the Holi of Manipur is interesting enough to draw the attention. Holi is a six-day long in Manipur and commences on the full moon day of Phalguna. In the 18th century, it merged with the traditional and centuries-old Yaosang festival of Manipur. In earlier times, there were folk songs and dance performances under the moonlight accompanied by the indigenous drums. Today, modern musical instruments have replaced the drums and fluorescent lamps have replaced the moonlight.

Days before, people collect money from the community for the expenses on the festivities. A thatched hut of hay, twigs and sticks is built, only to be set ablaze. Next morning, groups of boys go to play 'gulal' with the girls and pay them money to get the favor. Devotees play 'gulal', sing devotional songs and dance in front of the Krishna temple dressed in the traditional white and yellow turban. On the last day of the festival, a grand procession is taken out to the main Krishna temple in the capital of Manipur, Imphal where multitude of cultural programs take place.

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Regional Holi Celebrations

India is a vast and diverse land, with people of different caste, creed and religion residing within its boundaries. The country is divided into many regions, which are culturally distinct from each other in so many respects. These geographical regions are known as states and union territories. Apart from observing the national holidays, the regions have their own fairs and festivals that are celebrated with great zeal. The spring festival of Holi is celebrated throughout the northern parts of the nation, with great fanfare. Though the basic aim and purpose behind the revelry is the same, the ways and means of rejoicing are varied.

Holi, called by different names in different parts of India, is even celebrated on different days. For instance, the Holi celebrations in Braj Bhoomi, the land of Lord Krishna, are the most spectacular. The enthralling experience of witnessing the enigmatic blend of festivity and divinity is simply awe-inspiring. On the other hand, the pot breaking sport of Maharashtra, the beats of Dhol (musical instrument) in Punjab and the thud of sticks in Uttar Pradesh, together reverberate, to pay homage to the Lord. Lathmaar Holi is celebrated in Barsana, a small village at a distance of about 15 km from Vrindavan. It is known throughout India for its traditional Holi celebrations. No other city in the country can match the grandeur of the festival here, except Mathura Vrindavan.

Holi in Maharashtra
Holi is a colorful festival celebrated during the spring season (March), in India. It is the time, when people let their hair down and enjoy the time with fun and fervor. As the festival falls on the transition stage from chilly winters to summers, it brings in a degree of warmth and fills the air with festivity. Few days prior to the festival, people indulge in the merrymaking.

Holi in Mathura Vrindavan
Holi is one of the most important festivals in India. It is celebrated with immense zeal and fervor throughout the length and breadth of the country. Though the celebrations take place everywhere in the country with extreme enthusiasm and zeal, the celebrations of various places have regional differences. The Holi in Kolkata is different from that of Orissa; the Holi in Bihar is different from that of Haryana. In West India, the Holi is entirely different from how it is celebrated in North Eastern state of Manipur.

Lathmaar Holi
Holi is one of the most ancient festivals in India. It was originally named as 'Holika’. It is celebrated in most of the parts of the country. The celebrations of Holi are full of immense zeal and fervor. It is also one of the most popular Indian festivals abroad. The celebrations of Holi differ from region to region, as if the Holi in Mathura and Vridavana, differs from those celebrated in Manipur, West Bengal and Orissa.

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Holi in Maharashtra

Holi is a colorful festival celebrated during the spring season (March), in India. It is the time, when people let their hair down and enjoy the time with fun and fervor. As the festival falls on the transition stage from chilly winters to summers, it brings in a degree of warmth and fills the air with festivity. Few days prior to the festival, people indulge in the merrymaking. They shop for new clothes and furbishes for the festival. Little children take immense pleasure in moving around the street and splashing water on the passers-by, using pichkaris.

The celebrations on Holi are not bound to the boundaries of North India. The festival is celebrated with great vigor in western parts of the country as well. The people of Maharashtra observe it in their unique and grand manner. To begin with, Holi is known as Rangapanchmi here. Unlike people in the north, the festival is celebrated five days after Phalgun Poornima. On this day, natives play with colors and drench themselves in the spirit of festivity. Bonfires, known as Holika, are burnt to symbolize the victory of good over evil. Read on to know more about Holi festival in Maharashtra.

Holi Festival In Maharashtra
During Holi, people in Maharashtra rejoice by treating themselves with mouth watering sweets and delicacies. 'Puran Poli' is the famous sweet dish, prepared on the occasion of Holi. In addition to this, people also drink sugarcane juice and feed children with watermelons. Holi is also popular amongst the fisher folk of the region. They celebrate the festival elaborately, by singing and dancing. Not to forget, the main attraction of the festival is the pot breaking sport. The sport has roots in the ancient Era of Lord Krishna.

It is celebrated to commemorate the innocence of Krishna as a child, who used to steal butter from the nearby houses in his village. The revelry of the festival reaches at its peak, when it comes to breaking the pot. Trained groups of youngsters form huge pyramids to break the pot, hung high on the streets. Restricting their access is the constant splashing of water on them, by the women folk. During the festival of Holi, you can see every street filled with people, who participate in the pot breaking sport, with much enthusiasm.

Significance
Historical significance is linked with the celebration of Holi in Maharashtra. According to the historical records, the festival was celebrated with great fanfare during the Maratha regime. It was on the festival that five-year-old Jijabhai, daughter of Lakhooji Jadhav, playfully splashed colored water and threw gulal on young Shahaji, son of Malajirao Bhowale. This gestured was considered auspicious and on the very same day, the engagement of the two children was announced. They tied the wedding knot soon. Later on, Shivaji, the founder of great Maratha Empire was born as the son of Jijabhai.

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Holi in Mathura Vrindavan

Holi is one of the most important festivals in India. It is celebrated with immense zeal and fervor throughout the length and breadth of the country. Though the celebrations take place everywhere in the country with extreme enthusiasm and zeal, the celebrations of various places have regional differences. The Holi in Kolkata is different from that of Orissa; the Holi in Bihar is different from that of Haryana. In West India, the Holi is entirely different from how it is celebrated in North Eastern state of Manipur. Every celebration has its own specialty. The Holi of Mathura and Vridavan is extremely famous throughout the country.

Legend
It is said that the tradition of playing colors on Holi originated from the ‘leela’ of Radha and Krishna. As Krishna was always jealous of Radha's fair complexion, he teasingly colored Radha's face with color. In a mischievous mood, Radha also ran behind him badly annoyed and shouting. This was how the tradition of applying color came in being and is religiously followed till date. People of Mathura and Vridavan associate Holi with the divine love of Krishna and Radha.

Celebrations
According to mythological records, it is said that Mathura is actually the birth place of Lord Krishna, whereas Vrindavan is the place where he spent the early days of his childhood and left behind tales of mysticism and divinity. This explains the enigma of Mathura Vrindavan, where one can still feel the divine presence of the Lord. This is the place where Lord Krishna introduced the modern form of Holi. This is the reason that Holi is celebrated with great zeal here.

Thousands of people visit the place, in search of peace, every year. The Holi celebrations present another reason for the admirers of the Lord to assemble at Mathura Vrindavan. They come to be a part of the colorful amalgamation of festivity and divinity. The main aim behind the festival of Holi is to rejoice in the love and devotion for the Supreme Being. The color and water washes away all the man made distinctions based on caste, creed, and other differences created by the society. Holy here is spiritually enlightening.

The celebrations of the festival go on for about a week in Mathura Vrindavan. One of the unique features of the festival here is that different temples of Lord Krishna celebrate Holi on different days. It is interesting as well as amazing, to watch devotees at the Banke-Bihari Temple of Vrindavan. The environment is filled with a unique thrill, with people passionately chanting the name of Lord Krishna and Radha. Interesting celebrations also takes place at Gulal-Kund in Braj where boys mock Krishna leela on the day of Holi.

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Lathmar Holi

Holi is one of the most ancient festivals in India. It was originally named as 'Holika’. It is celebrated in most of the parts of the country. The celebrations of Holi are full of immense zeal and fervor. It is also one of the most popular Indian festivals abroad. The celebrations of Holi differ from region to region, as if the Holi in Mathura and Vridavana, differs from those celebrated in Manipur, West Bengal and Orissa. It is said that the trend of colors and the modern form of Holi was introduced in Mathura and Vridavana by Lord Krishna himself and that is people of this region celebrate Holi religiously. One of the most famous kind of Holi celebrations in these areas are the ‘Lathmaar Holi’.

Lathmaar Holi is celebrated in Barsana, a small village at a distance of about 15 km from Vrindavan. It is known throughout India for its traditional Holi celebrations. No other city in the country can match the grandeur of the festival here. Barsana is actually the birth place of Lord Krishna's beloved and divine consort, Radha. This is also the place where Lord Krishna used to play pranks on his beloved and Gopis (Radha’s companion). This naughty festivity still reflects in the celebrations of Holi in this village. Holi here is regarded as the celebration of the divine love of Radha and Krishna.

According to the folklore and mythological tales, Krishna in one of his pranks, applied dark colors on the cheeks of Radha, as she was fairer than him. This initiated the tradition of celebrating Holi not only here but in the whole country. Following the tradition, men from Nandgaon, the place where Krishna spent his childhood and early days, come to play Holi with the women of Barsana. Here, women and girls welcome them not with colors, but with stout sticks.

All this takes place in pursuit of men, trying to put a flag on the temple dedicated to Radha Rani. To stop them from doing so, women beat them hard with sticks. Some of them are even made to wear saris and skirts, all in the spirit of the festival. On the other hand, men, knowing what awaits them, come fully padded, carrying shields to protect themselves. The sight of women beating men is electrifying. The environment echoes with the reverberating sound produced by the stick hammering the shields.

Lathmaar Holi is definitely an interesting Holi celebration, wherein men patiently face the charged womenfolk. This is considered the sweet revenge women take for the ancient pranks played by Lord Krishna on them. However, after all the women folk is tired and their game is over, it is now the chance for the men to reciprocate. They drench the women with the colors of kesudo (a natural dye) and palash, thereby balancing the deal. At the end of the day, the Holi celebrations at Barsana present an unforgettable life time experience, downed with the spirit of devotion and affection for the Lord.

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Eco Friendly Holi

Idyllically, the festival of Holi is meant for a joyous celebration with carefree attitude. It is done in order to welcome the colors of spring. However, unfortunately the meaning of Holi has not remained the same in last few decades owing to the ruthless commercialization and origin of hazardous Holi products. So, unluckily the modern Holi does not stand for everything beautiful. In fact it has become yet another source of environmental degradation. To de-pollute Holi and rechristen in again into an environment friendly festival, a lot is required to done. In this article we have given certain ways in which you can do little foorts from your side to change the Holi in your locality into an eco friendly Holi.

Environment Friendly Holi
Holi being a social celebration is not limited to one home, so in order to convert it into an environment friendly festival, contribution is required from every family of the society. The dream of an eco friendly and non- hazardous Holi can be true only when every individual who participates in the festival, do maximum efforts from his side not to hamper the environment in any way. For this, mass level awareness of people regarding an environment friendly celebrations is required. People need to understand that if some little changes in the celebration pattern can bring worth results for the environment, how they can then shift towards the change in the social sector.

Eco Friendly Holi Tips

Judicious Use Of Water
In a situation when most of the Indian cities are facing acute water scarcity, it is obviously a matter of concern that the precious commodity like water is being wasted in such a manner during the Holi celebrations. On the day of Holi, people out of enthusiasm and fun douse each other with buckets of water and children throw water balloons at each other, thus the water that could have used for next few weeks is finished in day creating more differences in the demand and supply of water. Though, if we just people to celebrate a dry Holi only with Gulal, it would seem an alien concept to most of the people. Though this celebration would have been ideal but as most of the people would not agree to it, the judicious use of water on the day is one thing that must be kept in concern if you wish to celebrate an eco friendly Holi.

Avoid Using Chemical Colors
Earlier the Holi colors were prepared from the flowers of trees like Indian Coral Tree (parijat) and the Flame of the Forest (Kesu). However, with the arrival of dry chemical colors, people stopped taking pence for extracting the flowers colors and with time the use of chemical and aluminum paints increased during the celebrations. These chemical dyes not only prove extremely dangerous to one’s skin but are also hazardous for environment as lots of pollution is caused during its preparation as well as after their mergence with water cycle.

Eco Friendly Bonfire
The burning of fuel wood in order to perform the Holi Bonfire or the Holika Dahan presents is another factor related to Holi that raises a factor of concern. Umpteen useful fuel wood is wasted during this ritual, this not only leads to the cutting of trees but also unnecessary pollution in return. In stead of wooden logs, it would be ideal if people use this Holika Dahan for burning their waste material.

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Holika Dahan

Holi is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of India with immense joy and enthusiasm. It is celebrated as the festival of the divine love of Krishna and Radha. Holi is also related with the story of Prahlad, Holika, and Hrinyakashyapa. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Falgun, which falls at the end of winter season and welcome of spring and commemorates with the Mid-February to Mid- March period of the Gregorian calendar. On the occasion of Holi, Hindu community all over the world celebrates this festival with immense joy and fervor. Apart from color playing, community gathering, feast, exchange of gifts and good wishes are vital elements of Holi celebrations.

The date of Holi is decided according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the date which commemorates with the Falgun Purnima day of the Hindu calendar. The celebration begins from the eve of Holi with the ritual of Holika Dahan. Holika Dahan, or burning of demon Holika, is the vital ritual during Holi festival. On a night before Holi, people collect wooden logs and waste materials like broken furniture, clothes, etc from their home and gather it together to burn Holika. This bonfire epitomizes the victory of good over evil. It is also even termed as the cleansing ceremony before the actual Holi festival.

Holika Story
Legends say it that it that there was a time when lived a brutal King named Hiranyakashyapa. This demon king Hiranyakashyapa was very cruel and thus forcefully suppressed all this subjects and make them his devotees. He tried to eliminate the existence of God from the earth and establish his own supremacy everywhere. All the citizens of his kingdom were forced to pray to Hiranyakashyapa and not to Vishnu. However his own son, Prahalad, the little never abided by his Kingdoms rule. He tried every way to stop Prahalad from worshipping Vishnu but the little devotee never stopped praying his almighty.

Out of frustration and anger, the demon king then decided to kill his son. Despite all his efforts, Prahalad remained safe by the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Finally, the Hiranyakashyapa decided to take help of his cruel sister Holika. Holika was blessed with a drape which protected her from burning into fire. As per the plan made by the brother and sister, the demon princess Holika sat with young Prahalad in a huge bowl of fire wearing the drape over her body. But this time, due to heavy wind the drape came over young Prahalada, saving him from burning and as a result Holika was burnt in fire and thus died on the spot. This incident thus reestablished the faith of people in the ultimate divine power and is thus celebrated as the day of eternal love, devotion, blessings and the victory of Good over evil.

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Holi Mela

The festival of Holi brings immense joy and fervor all over the country. Though it is celebrated in a different way at different places, the enthusiasm of Holi festival remains the same throughout the country. At some places in the country and abroad, a Holi fair is organized few days before the actual celebrations in order to infuse the feeling of festivity in the people of the surroundings. If the Holi fairs take places in the country, it becomes a major attraction for the foreign tourists who visit the country in this season. They are completely mesmerized by the aesthetic beauty of the festival as well as its celebrations.

Holi Festival Mela
Holi Mela is a perfect option for people who those who want to spend Holi in a different and more colorful way. As Holi is the occasion, color is the universal theme of the fair. The entire Mela is full of variety of colors and the atmosphere full of the exciting of aroma of these colors. Even the shopkeepers who install stalls color their face with various colors in order to enhance the spirit of the festival. The mini world inside the fair seems to be colored in the feelings of enjoyment, fun, thrill and zest.

Different stalls are lined up at the fair and most of them are based on the theme of Holi. Stalls of food selling Gujiya and Thandai receive maximum crowd. There are also stalls selling gulal, abeer, herbal colors, pichkari, balloons and all the things related to Holi. There are also stalls selling dresses and chuni that one can wear on Holi. Dresses of ‘chicken work’ are extremely in-demand at these Holi fair stalls. Apart from this, shops of junk and artificial jewelry also pull a lot of crowd on the eve of Holi. Shops of handicraft items are pull maximum foreigners who can’t resist buying wonderful Indian handicrafts.

Apart from all these, the one thing that draws maximum attention is the folk artist performances on the occasion. Artists from all over the country participate in Holi fairs organized at different places. They tell wonderful folklores related to the occasion and also, sing traditional songs and perform folk dances of the area. This makes Holi fair interesting for those people also who look beyond the hullabaloo on this occasion. Holi fairs are becoming quite popular gradually and as it seems, it will soon become a vital element of the Holi celebrations in the country.

Holi Fairs in India and Abroad
Holi fairs are more popular in villages than they are in cities and abroad more than in India. There are several reasons to it. In villages, it is popular because fairs are the popular source of enjoyment in villages. People there have time and they take keen interest in organizing the fair as unlike cities they do not have discos and hangout places on regular occasions. So, fairs at the time of festivals become an important source of entertainment and zone of enjoyment for them. The fairs are popular in abroad because there it is done in order to enhance the gathering of Hindu community to make the festival more interesting and enjoyable. Other than celebrating the festival with handful of people in their society, they prefer to book some place where they organize fair and celebrate the festival.

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Holi Rituals

Holi is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout the country. The wave of joy and verve fills the entire atmosphere. Not only the season starts draping a colorful and floral spirit of spring but the enthusiasm of the people towards this festival also brings colorfulness to the life of every creature in the atmosphere. The preparation of the festival also begins months before the actual celebrations and by the time of its arrival, the aroma of scrumptious dishes arouses the completely festive side of an individual. Though the festival is being celebrated in the country since time immemorial, it is waited every year with a new zeal and fervor. After all this is the only Indian festival with lots of scope for hullabaloo and enjoyment of the hidden crazy self.

Holi Rituals
Though the festival is a completely enjoyable and ‘happy go lucky’ kind of festival, it is the rituals of the festival that give a completely new definition to it. As the festival is being celebrated here since time immemorial, the rituals are also being practiced since then. These rituals are the reflection of the eternal spirit of Holi celebrations. These rituals remind people of the eternal Holi messages and commemorate the culture and traditions that have been defined by our ancestors. These rituals are religiously followed every year with care and enthusiasm throughout the country.

Customs & Tradition
Days before the actual festival begins, people start preparing for various rituals and customs. The gathering of wooden logs at the intersection points of two roads (choraha) and the preparation of scrumptious snacks recipes at the home all form vital part of the Holi rituals, which we have discussed in detail below. Though the rituals may vary a little from place to place, over all spirit of the festival remains the same every where.

Holika Dahan Celebrations
At the eve of Holi, the ritual of Holika Dahan takes place. It is actually the burning of the effigy of the devil sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap who tried to kill the devotee of Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad. Theis ritual marks the beginning of holi celebrations. This also symbolizes the victory of good over evil and also the victory of a true devotee. It is also known as Holi Bonfire.

Play of Colors
On the day of Holi, there is no ritual of Puja ceremony in the morning. However, the lot of enthusiasm and fun as very early in the morning the color play begins in the surroundings. People enthusiastically drench each other into water and colors. Some people also use color filled balloons and sprayers on the occasion to spray colors on others.

Matka Ceremony
In Mathura and Vridavana as well as the area near them, there is a unique ceremony called Matka ceremony. Though this ceremony was earlier exclusive of the Braj area, thanks to Bollywood it has become a trend all over the country. In the Matka ceremony, a big earthen pot of butter milk is tied at an unreachable height and then boys form human pyramid to reach up to the pot and break it. The women of the society then make ropes out of their sari and hit these guys from the roof top so that they become unsuccessful in their attempt. Along with this goes simultaneous color play and teasing.

Holi Procession
Holi Procession is taken out in most of the Indian states on the occasion of Holi. In this procession, guys who are badly drenched in colors roam around their colonies and stop to sing Holi songs at every house. They are then gifted Gujiya and Thandai at each door and the procession thus move forward to other places.

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When is Holi

The festival of colors, Holi marks the beginning of the spring season and is celebrated with much fun and fervor by Hindus across India and the world. This bright and lively festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil that was brought by burning and destructing the demoness called Holika by the young Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. Considered to be the most colorful festival, Holi is commemorated by throwing colors and colored powder on family members, friends and loved ones. Bonfires are lit a day before Holi to mark the annihilation of Holika. Colors are played and squirted on the next day using pichkaris. The Holi festival is also a commemoration of the end of the winter season and the start of the harvest period. Nonetheless, Holi is celebrated on a different date every year depending upon the appearance of the moon. Check out the date of Holi in the following lines.

Holi Date
Holi falls in the lunar month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar. This date corresponds in the months of February or March as per the Gregorian calendar. It is marked on the last full moon day (Phalgun Purnima). The festival of Holi is a celebration of unity and brotherhood wherein festivities are observed with high spirits irrespective of caste, creed, color, race, status or sex. The main day of the festival is known as Holi, also referred to as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi. This is observed by throwing and smearing colored powder on one another. The day before Holi is known as Holika Dahan, or Chhoti Holi, which means ‘burning of Holika’. This takes places on the night before Holi.

This is marked by lighting bonfires signifying the destruction of the demoness Holika. The demon-king Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika to carry his young son Prahlad in a blazing fire to end Prahlad’s devotion towards Lord Vishnu. Holika had a boon to escape unburnt even from fire. However, this boon ended as soon as Holika entered the fire and burnt into ashes while Prahlad came out unharmed. Hence, people light bonfires to mark the victory of goodness over evil on Holika Dahan. The next day brings in a lot of fun play with colors. Red, green, blue, yellow, black, and silver, all mix up in the festivity of unity highlighting the essence of the occasion.

Holi 2012
Holika Dahan will be celebrated on 07 March.
Holi will be celebrated on 08 March.

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Janmashtami Celebrations

Janmashtami festival is celebrated with great zeal by Hindus all over India. The festival, which falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Savan month, marks the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the favorite deities of Hindus. Lord Krishna was born under extraordinary circumstances on the day. People enjoy in the merrymaking at the midnight of ashtami, by singing devotional songs and dancing to the tune of bhajans. Apart from honoring the day with a special puja, people relish on lip smacking delicacies that are prepared especially for the festival. Cultural programs are also part of the celebrations.

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations
Janmashtami is a two-day celebration in many parts of India. The first two days are celebrated colorfully and the merrymaking reaches its peak at midnight of the first day, when Lord Krishna was born. To mark the birth of the deity, the idol of the infant Krishna is bathed and is cradled in the midnight time. Conch shell is blown and the devotees celebrate the birth of the Lord Krishna by singing devotional songs and by dancing with great joy. Thereafter, mouthwatering sweets and dishes are served to the devotees.

Lord Krishna temples situated at Vrindhavan, Mathura, Dwaraka are the most popular for the celebrations of Janmashtami, as it is believed that Lord Krishna lived there. In some part of the North India, Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated for three days. The first two days are celebrated in a colorful manner. Dance drama, known as Raslila, is performed. Incidents from Sri Krishna's life, especially his childhood, are depicted in the drama. On the second day of the festival, a popular ceremony known as 'Dahi Handi' takes place wherein the pot containing curd or butter or milk is broken by the youth.

The ritual of Dahi Handi is carried out with religious observance, in the northern parts of India. Maharashtra is especially popular for the ritual, wherein human pyramid tries to break the Handi (earthen pot filled with buttermilk) that is suspended from top, with the help of a rope. Onlookers throw water on the pyramid of boys in order to stop them from reaching the earthen pot. The process involves a lot of excitement. During Janmashtami, every other street of Mumbai organizes the Dahi Handi, as a part of the celebrations of the festival.

Various kinds of sweets are prepared to offer Lord Krishna on Janmashtami. Murukku and Vella Seedai are the specialties of Tamil Nadu, while in Kerala, people relish on Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer) and Neyyappam. Mathura is popular for Peda (sweet made of khoya - dried milk food). Milk and curd are the key ingredients of most of the recipes made for the festival. Apart from this, Shrikhand (Sweet Golden Yogurt), Singhade Ki Poori, and Gulabjamun are prepared for the festival.

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Janmashtami Customs

Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fun and fervor throughout the country. This day not simply signifies the birth of the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu but also the birth of a divine teacher who invoked the entire mankind with the divine knowledge and power. Thus, Janmashtami apart from its ritualistic celebrations also holds an eternal meaning to it. This festival is celebrated in various parts of the country though the customs and rituals vary from place to place. However, there are certain universal customs that are followed throughout the length and breadth of country.

Krishna Janmashtami Rituals & Traditions

Fasting
The most common and essential ritual followed on the day of Janmashtami is the fasting by devotees. Most of Lord Krsihna’s devotees fast for on this day and open the fast at midnight when it is assumed that Lord Krishna has been born. At the time of midnight also, the people who have observed fast whole day prefer to have only milk and milk products as they are considered auspicious as well pure. Some of the ardent devotees of Krishna observe the fat for the entire day even without consuming water- it is called ‘Nirjal Vrat’. There are other devotees who observe two day fast in the honor of Lord Krishna.

Chanting
It is said that chanting Lord Krishna’s name with entire devotion brings immense joy and pleasure in the life of the devotee. So, on the birthday of Lord Krishna, devotees indulge in continuous chanting of Krishna’s name for the entire day. They chant sholkas, mantras, richas from the Veda. They also read Bhagwat Geeta and sing bhajans in the name of Krishna. It is said that chanting 108 names of Lord Krishna brings auspiciousness in one’s life.

Devotional Songs & Dances
Bhajans are a vital custom of the Janmashtami celebrations. Devotees sing and dance with fervor in the name of Lord Krishna. In many temples of Mathura and Vridavana, you will find devotees mesmerized and overwhelmed with their love and devotion for Shri Krishna. In the midnight celebration, people gather at a place and sing several kinds of bhajans to highlight his feats and his divine characteristics.

Plays On Lord Krishna
Very much like the Ramleela, devotees of Lord Krishna organize plays on the life of Lord Krishna called Krishnaleela. In these plays organized by professional as well as amateur artists, several important deeds and legends associated with Lord Krishna are staged.

Offering Sweets
It is known to everybody that Lord Krishna was extremely fond of sweets and dairy products. So on the day of Krishnashtami, devotees of Lord Krishna prepare umpteen varieties of sweets and dairy products and offer them to the idols of Krishna. This ritual is called ‘bhog’. Later, these sweets are distributed amongst the devotees as ‘ Prasada’.

Swings
At many places in the country, devotees tie swings on the trees and take rides on that. It is said that taking a swing ride on the occasion of Janmashtami is considered auspicious. This ritual is extremely popular in the rural parts of the country.

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Janmashtami In Vrindavan

Janmashtami is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered the savior of humanity. The deity is worshipped for his extraordinary powers and unique charm. Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, took birth in the Dwapar Yug at the captivity of the demon King Kansa. According to the legends, Lord Krishna was born as the son of Devki (Kansa's sister) and Vasudev. Krishna was destined to kill Kansa and other demons and restore peace in the world. Born in Mathura, Krishna was brought up in Gokul, as the son of Nand and Yashoda. The small child was lovable brat, who wandered around with Gopis of the little town of Gokul. He spent his formative years in Vrindavan.

Krishna Janmashtami In Vrindavan
Vrindavan is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in North India. Located 15 km away from Mathura (the birthplace of Lord Krishna), Vrindavan is at its best on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. The place is location for as many as 5000 Hindu temples, both ancient and modern. The holy town of Vrindavan is situated along the banks of River Yamuna. It is significance in the history of Janmashtami, because Lord Krishna performed the rasleelas with his beloved Gopis at the place. On the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, Vrindavan is filled with devotees who visit the place from the nook and corner of India, to offer prayers to their lovable deity - Lord Krishna.

The sound of bhajans and mantras echoes in vrindavan, on the festive occasion of Janmashtami. There, people start celebrating some seven to ten days prior to the exact date of the festival, because such is the influence of the place. Various plays are staged at different places in the town. Professional artists are called upon to give their best performance on the festive season, so that they are showered the blessings of Lord Krishna. Excerpts from the story of Janmashtami are depicted in the dramas, which are conducted all through the festive season.

Some of the important temples of Vrindavan, which are visited during Janmashtami, include Banke Bihari Temple, Rangnathji Temple, Shri krishna Balram Temple, Radharaman Temple and ISCKON Temple. The timings are fixed for various ceremonies and pujas that are conducted all through the day, in the temples on the occasion of Janmashtami. One of the important rituals of the temples is Abhishek (holy bath) during which darshans are open for the devotees. Most of the devotees who visit the temples to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna would have kept fast for the entire day and would break it only at the midnight, after the special Janmashtami puja.

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Krishna Rasa Leela

Lord Krishna is one of the favorite deities of Hindus. He is worshipped for his immense power, captivating appearance, unique charm and playfulness. For some, he is the hero, a lover or the guide; while for others, he is a child. He resides in the heart of every devotee and fulfills everyone's wish, if he is worshipped with in-depth devotion. Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. It falls on the eighth day of Sravana month (August-September according to the Gregorian calendar).

The celebrations of Janmashtami are marked by cultural programs, chanting of bhajans and special pujas. Dance drama is performed by professional artists, or chosen kids, wherein the formative years of Lord Krishna's life are depicted. The dance, which is known as Shri Krishna Rasa leela, is one of the significant parts of the celebrations, as the decisive part of life was spent by Lord Krishna, amidst the Gopis in Vrindavan.

Shri Krishna Raslila

Legend
Raslila is a significant phase in the life of Lord Krishna, when he grew up from a child to a young teen. Before setting his trail to Mathura, in order to accomplish the task of his life (to kill his uncle, Kansa), he grew up by playing around with Gopis on the banks of River Yamuna, in Vrindavan. He was immensely loved by the Gopis due to his adorable mischief. The divine love for Lord Krishna was so strong that the Gopis forgot about the rest of the world, when they were playing and dancing with him. The Gopis performed constant smaran (remembrance) of Lord Krishna and were beloved by himself.

Performance
The Gopis would dance around with Lord Krishna and often play hide and seek. They would also sing songs in the glory of the deity. They considered themselves superior of other women, because they were privileged with the opportunity to dance with Lord Krishna. To teach the lesson of humility, Shri Krishna would hide himself during Raslila and would reappear only if Gopis plead to come back. While most of the time Shri Krishna stood at the center of all the Gopis, he would at times join hands with them and perform mesmerizing dance. All these delightful actions were often witnessed by the demigods like Gandharva, Yakshas and they would throw flowers from the sky, to shower blessings on the Gopis and the divine Shri Krishna.

Rasa Leela On Janmashtami
On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, the devotees of Lord Krishna would enjoy the scenes of Rasa leela performed by professional artists. Generally, Brahmin boys aged between 10 and 13 years are selected to enact as Lord Krishna in Raslila. The main theme of the dance drama revolves around the formative years of Lord Krishna. Apart from Raslila, other themes are also chosen for the performance. These may include Janamleela (the birth of Lord Krishna), Shanklarleela, Putanaleela (the assassination of the demon Putana) and Nagleela (the killing of serpent Kaliya). The troupes perform the dance drama with utmost devotion. In fact, Shri Krishna Rasa leela is one of the main forms of entertainment on Janmashtami.

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Janmashtami Rangoli

One of the most popular art forms in India, rangoli (kolam) is drawn at the entranceway in most of the Hindu festivals, because it is considered auspicious. On the ceremonious occasion of Janmashtami, people draw rangoli at their entranceway, to welcome Lord Krishna, as the festival commemorates his birth. The art form is a kind of decorative motif, which can be made by using finely ground white powder, colors or even flowers. On Janmashtami, people prefer adorning their verandah with alpana (another name of rangoli) with colors or chalk. In south India, kolam is usually drawn using rice flour.

Rangoli Designs
The designs chosen for a traditional Rangoli are usually derived from nature, because the practice of making designs of the art form is ancient. Some of the most popular Rangoli motifs are peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. Traditionally, the natural dyes derived form barks of trees and leaves were used for rangoli. However, in the modern age, people make use of synthetic colors for the rangoli. Today, colors, rice flour, turmeric powder and red vermilion are used to draw the rangoli motifs. Depending upon the preference, people choose to draw either huge motifs or simple designs, at their doorsteps.

How Is Rangoli Made
It is interesting to see people in south India to make use of rice flour to make simple as well as intricate kolams. On the wonderful occasion of Janmashtami, they would make sure that lord Krishna is welcomed at the best possible way. To serve the purpose, people clean their house, wash the entranceway and make kolam. Rice flour is used to make kolam. A particular design is considered in mind, before drawing the design. Then, the image is begun from a dot (the starting point). Usually, geometrical shapes such as oval, triangle, hexagon, pentagon etc are used to make kolam. With the increasing expertise, images of peacock and animals can be easily drawn.

Significance Of Rangoli
Rangoli or kolam forms a significant part of Janmashtami. This is because on the day, Lord Krishna is expected to visit the homes, which are kept neat and beautifully decorated. Since the devotees of lord Krishna expect his visit, they scrub-clean their house and premises, decorate the place with festoons and draw his footsteps, using rice flour, at the entranceway. The footsteps are considered complete, only when they are complemented by a beautiful kolam. This is the reason why on the occasion of Janmashtami, people draw kolam at their entranceway. Moreover, rangoli is considered auspicious for any Hindu festival. All the decorations are given a finishing touch by beautiful rangoli motifs.

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Janmashtami Puja

Janmashtami is celebrated across different parts of India and the world, with fun and fervor. The festival honors the birth of Lord Krishna, who was born on the eighth day of Sravana month, which corresponds to August-September as per the Gregorian calendar. Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born in the Dwaparyug with an aim to kill the demon King Kansa and restore harmony and peace in the world. The deity is one of the favorites of Hindus. Lord Krishna is personified as a friend, a guide, a lover or as a child, by his devotee. Janmashtami is an important day for the devotees of Lord Krishna, as the festival celebrates his birth.

The merrymaking is marked by colorful cultural programs and puja. Special pujas are conducted in many Lord Krishna temples of India, as well as homes, as a part of the celebrations. The pooja is done to invoke Lord Krishna and seek his blessings, on the wonderful festival of Janmashtami. While the main puja, including aarti, is conducted in the midnight of the festival, people also organize puja during the daytime, wherein mantras of Lord Krishna are chanted, bhajans and songs are sung.

Janmashtami Pooja

Puja Items
Janmashtami puja is done using the items that are required especially for the festival. It is believed that each puja item has a significance. This is primarily because of the fact that in order to worship the deity in a traditional way, all the puja items are required. Therefore, nothing should be missed out from the list of puja items for Janmashtami. Some of the very important puja items for Krishna Janmashtami include a puja thali, bell, diya (earthen lamp), rice, cardamom, betel nuts (pan supari), beetle leaves, roli, small container (lota) filled with Gangajal, honey, vermilion (sindoor), incense sticks, flowers and clarified butter (ghee). Apart from this, one also requires new clothes and jewelry for the deity as well as a small cradle. The items needed to make the Panchamrit include Gangajal, honey, ghee, milk and yogurt.

Process
Special puja is conducted at Lord Krishna temples on Janmashtami. The puja for the festival usually begins early in the morning, when a sacred bath is given to the idol of baby Krishna, using the holy water of Hindus - Ganga jal (water collected from River Ganga). After bathing, the idol is adorned with new clothes (that are decked with precious stone) that are made especially for embellishing it on the auspicious occasion. Yellow, orange and red may be the color of the clothes. Thereafter, the idol is clad with jewelry. The holy place is illuminated with diyas, while the devotees chant mantras and sing bhajans, praising Lord Krishna. Next, the idol is swung in a cradle, during which conches are blown. When the entire pooja is over, the devotees break their fast by having 'panchamrit'. Thereafter, the prasad is distributed among the devotees.

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Janmashtami In Mathura

Janmashtami is celebrated throughout the country with immense zeal and fervor in order to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. The celebration of Janmashtami is at its apex at the birth place of Lord Krishna i.e in Mathura. The city is about 145 kms from the national capital of India, New Delhi. It is said that it was one of the midnights of a Sharvan day, when Lord Krishna was born in the Rohini Nakshatra as the savior of humanity. Historians depict that this incident happened five thousand years back in the prison of the Demon King Kansa in Mathura. However, the holy land of Mathura still commemorates this pious and fortunate incident by grand celebration on this occasion.

The grand celebration at Mathura takes place at the actual birth place of Lord Krishna, which has now been rechristened into a grand temple known as Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir. Inside this temple, the statue of Lord's idol is placed in a room also known as the ‘Garbha Griha’. Here in Mathura, people celebrate all the Janmasthami celebrations at this temple. They religiously decorate the temple and their home in order to welcome their deity.

The celebration goes on for two days, in which they celebrate their first day by keeping day-long fast and celebrations and feast at midnight after the birth time of Bhagwan Krishna. The second day is also the day of celebratiosn and feasting. The entire city of Mathura is immersed in the devotion of Lord Krishna by singing, dancing and chanting in the names of Lord Krishna. It is expected that every year about 8 lakhs devotees turn up in Mathura on this occasion and the number is increasing day by day.

Janmashtami Celebrations

Krishna-Janmotsava (Midnight celebrations)
The midnight celebration is the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna. It comprises of Pooja and other rituals. During the Pooja, the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed with milk and curd (panchamrit) and then rocked in the cradle. It is said that if you make any holy wish while cradling Lord Krishna with full heart, it is certain to be fulfilled. The entire Mathura city of Mathura gets immersed in the devotion of Krishna and the echoes of Krishna bhajan and bells. Lord is here fed with prasad of ‘Chhapan Bhog’ (Fifty six dishes). Later the devotees break their fast with these ‘bhog’ and panchamrit.

Performance of Rasleelas
The entire city of Mathura is then flooded with performance of the Rasleelas of Krishna by professional and amateur artists. Some of them are so mesmerizing that the devotees get overwhelmed with their devotion for Lord Krishna.

Jhanki (Tableau)
A Jhanki is a series of scenes depicting the various phases of one’s life. In a Krishna Jhanki, the different stages of the life of Lord Krishna are shown all over the Mathura. They include interesting incidents like - Janmlila, Shankarlila, Putanalila and Naglila.

Jhulanotsav
It is only in the Mathura City that during Jhulanotsav, the swings are hanged in courtyard of temples and all the houses to welcome baby Lord Krishna. The swings are decorated with beautiful flowers and bells to give a festive look.

Ghatas
The celebration of Sri Krishna's birth in Mathura is incomplete without Ghatas. It is a month-long exclusive feature, wherein all the temples of Mathura are adorned with the same color as per the selected theme. Even the idol of Lord Krishna is decorated with the same color.

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History of Janmashtami

Celebrated on the eighth day of Savana month, Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The festival is celebrated across the length and breadth of India, by people following Hinduism. In fact, it is an important day for Hindus. The celebration goes on for two days. On the first day, the Raslila (dance drama) is performed, which depicts the important phases of Shri Krishna's life. The merrymaking reaches it peak at midnight stroke, when aarti is performed and bhajans are sung to praise the Lord. Small children are dresses as the young Krishna and his playmate Radha. Then there are folklores and stories which are recited on the occasion, they are generally connected to the history of Janmashtami, which can be traced back to the ancient era.

The history of Janmashtmi dates back to thousand years. There are also several legends and stories associated with this festival. If you start exploring the origin of the festival, you will end up listening to thousands of folklores related to Krishna and his birth. It is believed that Lord Krishna was the incarnation of Vishnu, one of the three most important Hindu Gods. It is commonly believed that he took birth for killing Kansa, the unreligious demon king of Mathura and other demons, to establish a kingdom of peace, prosperity and religion on earth and to spread the message of brotherhood and humanity.

In his preaching to Arjuna in the Holy Bhagvad Gita he says ‘Whenever the balance of the universe is disturbed by external interference from any of its parts, then I reveal myself as the Power of eternal balancing. For the protection of those who are in harmony, and the rectification of everything disharmonious, I incarnate myself at every juncture of time.’ So, it is assumed that the form of God will return back on earth for the establishment of peace, religion and prosperity in society once again when required. The celebration of Janmashtami is also a way to commemorate his holy deeds on earth for the mankind.

Historians calculate that the birth of Lord Krishna goes back to the Dwapar Yug. It is in the year of Visvavasu around 3227 BC when Lord Krishna was born. He was born on a dark, stormy night on the day eight day of the second fortnight of the month of Shravana which now corresponds to the month of August-September in the Gregorian calendar. Born in the prison of Demon Kansa, from Kansa’s sister Devaki and Vasudeva, Krishna was declared to be the savior of mankind and the end of Kansa even before his birth. Krishna, right from the day of birth exhibited that he was a special child and there was extraordinary powers with him. Throughout his childhood and adolescence in Gokul, he did many things which made people believe that he was a form of God. Since then, the people of Nandgaon celebrated the birth of Krishna as a day of fortune.

Even thousands of years after his heavenly abode, people observe this day as a day of fortune and commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna by fasting and feasting. People believe Krishna to be the ultimate savior of the world. One who unlike other gods, can be regarded, as a lover, friend, divine guru or one’s own child. People mesmerized with Krishna’s persona and deeds can be seen singing and dancing in the name of Krishna to eternity on the day of Janmashtami. It is the deep faith and devotion of people towards him that the festival is still celebrated with a great honor, joy as well as elation as it was celebrated thousands of years back.

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Janmashtami Fast

Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. Colorful cultural programs all conducted all through the day, while in the midnight, aarti is performed and bhajans praising Lord Krishna are sung. A number of cultural programs are organized all through the day, to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. Small children are dressed in Lord Krishna and his playmate Radha's costumes, during the cultural programs. In addition to this, Raslila (dance drama) is conducted by various communities. The dance drama depicts some of the important phases of Shri Krishna, with special emphasis on the days spent by him in Gokul.

People indulge in making delicious recipes to savor on, after worshipping Lord Krishna. Sweets and desserts are the most preferred dishes, because Lord Krishna was known for his sweet tooth. This is the reason why most of the dishes prepared on Janmashtami are sweet. Moreover, many people observe a fast during the day, as a part of the celebrations. Certain diet is formulated for fasting, which is considered auspicious, when observed on the ceremonious occasion. Also known as Upavasa, fasting originated as a part of the offering that one could give to Lord Krishna, on his birthday - Krishnashtami.

Types Of Fast

Nirjal Fast
The ardent followers of Lord Krishna celebrate Janmashtami by observing Nirjal fasts, which literally means starvation. They would not consume even a drop of water, all through the day of Janmashtami. The fast is broken only in the midnight, when aarti is performed and prasad are offered to the deity. It is believed that nirjal fasts would help them get closer to the Almighty.

Phalahar Fast
Phalahar vrat is another type of fast observed on Krishna Janmashtami. This is somewhat lenient than the nirjal fast, because the person can consume milk and fruits during phalahar vrat. However, they refrain from cereals and other kinds of food stuff. The fast is broken in the midnight, after Janmashtami Puja. During both the types of Janmashtami fast, people pass their time by singing bhajans of Lord Krishna and chant mantra.

Food For Janmashtami Fast
Since Lord Krishna is particularly fond of milk, a variety of dishes using milk and its products are made during the fast. Sweets like Peda, Shrikhand, Kalakand, Vella Seedai, Neyyappam are prepared by the devotees, to offer to Lord Krishna. Sweet dishes including desserts (preferably kheer) are made at the time, when people observe fast. However, they would not consume the sweet dishes or any other food unless and until they have been offered to Lord Krishna. They would consume the mouthwatering delicacies only after breaking the fast, during the midnight of ashtami.

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Janmashtami Decorations

The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Krishna who was born as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Dwapar Yug. It is celebrated on the eight day of the second fortnight of the Sravana month according to the Hindu calendar. This day corresponds to the August-September month of the Gregorian calendar. Lord Krishna who was born to proud parents Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura spent his entire childhood and most of his adolescence in Gokul. Right from his birth, he exhibited his extraordinary powers and thus his birthday was celebrated as the day of fortune in the country even thousands of years back.

Krishna was born as the savior of religion and promoter of mankind on earth. Thus, unlike other God Krishna became more of a friend and guide to most of his devotees. He in his life time also emerged as a promoter of brotherhood and friendship owing to his relation with Arjuna. Devotees of Krishna thus regard him as the ultimate deity, a god in all forms and commemorate his earthy presence by the celebration of Janmashtmi. On this day, the fasting and feasting at their home go hand in hand. During the two days celebration in the Janmostva of Krishna, they decorate their house and temples with flowers and decorate the cradle of Lord Krishna similar to ambience of heaven in order to welcome the Lord.

Krishna Janmashtami Decorations

Krishna Sculptures & Cradle
The statue of Lord Krishna and his cradle is decorated to the best in the Janmashtmi. The statue is decorated is bathed in panchamrit (honey, Gangajal and ghee) and decorated with new bright clothes and garlands. The cradle of Krishna is decorated with marigold and rose flowers and adorned with different kinds of bells and torans.

Wall & Door Hangings Of Lord Krishna
There are people who do not establish idols of the Lord rather decorate their home with the wall and door hangings with pictures of Lord Krishna pasted over them. Some people also decorate their home through using popular Janmashtmi symbols like flute, peacock feather etc. These decorative items create an ambience of the existence of Lord Krishna in their home.

Temple Decorations
During Janmashtami, temples of Lord Krishna are beautifully decorated. Generally, the temples are decorated with natural flowers and the tableaus depicting popular incidents from Lord Krishna's life. The grandeur of the decoration of Janmashtmi at Dwarakadheesh temple in Mathura is worth watching.

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Janmashtami Date

Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna, one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu born in the Dwapar Yug. The festival is celebrated throughout the country with immense zeal and gusto. Devotees of Lord Krishna all over the country observe fasting on this day. Though the celebrations of the festival differ a little in terms of rituals and traditions from place to place, the overall celebrations of the Janmashtami every where is full of zeal and enthusiasm. Colorful Pandals and temples decorated with beautiful idols of Krishna make the festival look like a beautiful celebration of joy all over the world.

Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, one of the most popular Hindu God also known as ‘Makhanchor’ and ‘Kanha’. Lord Krishna was born to King Vasudev and Mata Devki in the prison of Kansa, a demon king on a dark, stormy and windy night when moon entered the house of Vrishabha in the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) to end the rule of ‘adharma’ (unreligious forces) and establish peace, prosperity and religion on the earth. His preaching in Bhagvad Geeta, the holy text of Hindu religion is still a guiding light for the followers of the religion.

Thus as per the birth of Lord Krishna, Janmashtmi is celebrated on the eighth day of the second fortnight, in the month of Sravana every year. According to Barhapatyamana, the month of Sravana corresponds to the month of Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha and the month of Mid-August to Mid-September in the Gregorian calendar. According to estimation by some historians, Lord was born in the year of Visvavasu, appx. 5,227 years ago.

Now the birth festival of Lord Krishna is celebrated for over two days as ‘Rohini Nakshatra’ and ‘Ashtami’ may not fall on the same day. So the first day of the celebration is named as Krishnashtami and the the second day is known as Kalashtami. The day of Krishnashtami falls on the eighth day after Raksha Bandhan, generally in the month of August.

The celebrations of Janmashtmi takes place only at the midnight of Krishnashtami as the birth Sri Krishna took place on the conjunction point of both the days. Lot of hymns, arti, bhajans takes place and the rocking the cradle of Lord is done as a sign of his arrival. His idol is then bathed with milk, ghee, honey and Gangajal. He is also offered ‘bhog’ i.e. all the scrumptious ‘satvik’ (pure) food item that have been prepared by devotees all day long. Later all this is distributed amongst the devotees as ‘prasada’. It is the time when devotees open their fast by consuming the holy prasada.

Janmashtami 2012 - 10 August.

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Janmashtami Around The World

Janmashtami is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrated with pomp and gaiety by Hindus all over India. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna. Apart from India, the Hindus residing in other countries also celebrate the festival with equal enthusiasm. Initially, in foreign countries, the culture centric festivals like Janmashtami were celebrated on a very small scale with limited number of cultural programs. Over the passing years, different groups and religious communities are coming up in foreign countries to solemnize and enjoy the Hindu festivals in a great way. Whether it is USA, Canada, Nepal or Malaysia, Lord Krishna is invoked everywhere on Janmashtami.

Janmashtami Celebrations Around The World

Janmashtami In India
In India, Janmashtami is celebrated with fun and fervor. The festivities extend to six days or a week in some of the famous Lord Krishna temples located in Mathura and Vrindavan. People observe fast (either nirjal or phalahar) during the day time and break it at the midnight stroke of the eighth day of Savana month, when Lord Krishna was born. Cultural programs are organized by various committees. Sri Krishna Raslila, the dance drama depicting the important phases of the deity's life, is one of the highlights of the cultural programs. Mouthwatering sweets made of milk and milk products are served during the festival.

Janmashtami In USA
Since USA is home to a commendable population of Indians, important Indian festivals are solemnized with great enthusiasm. Krishna Janmashtami is a grand affair in the country. The celebrations start early in the morning. Like in India, the idol of baby Krishna is put in a cradle and conches are blown in the midnight, to honor the birth of the deity. During the daytime, people enjoy the festival by feasting. They visit the nearest temple to offer prayers to Lord Krishna. Colorful events and cultural programs are organized in the daytime, to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. The celebrations of Janmashtami in New York, Massachusetts, Orlando and California are worth watching.

Janmashtami In Nepal
Being the only Hindu kingdom in the world, Nepal is well known for the celebrations of Hindu festivals. A number of followers of Lord Krishna are residing in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. On the festival, a congregation of devotees offers prayers in the ancient Krishna temple located in old Patan Durbar Square, to honor the birth of Lord Krishna. The name of the deity is chanted. According to a customs, the devotees offer flowers, food and coins to Lord Krishna. The temple is filled with festivity and the rhythmic sound of mantras and songs that praise Lord Krishna, one of the favorite deities of Hindus.

Janmashtami In Canada
Janmashtami in Canada, especially Toronto, is recognized worldwide. The Indian community living in the country rejoices the birth of Lord Krishna with fun and fervor. The Hindu temple located in Richmond Hill organizes various cultural programs to commemorate the auspicious occasion. The air is filled with festivity and the sound of prayers and chanting of mantras. It is a day long affair in Canada and an important day for the Indian residents to meet and interact with other people of the community. The temple society organizes colorful programs, one of the prominent being musical concerts that promotes Janmashtami in Canada. The concert ensures maximum footfall of Indians living in Canada.

Janmashtami In France
In France, preparations for Janmashtami begin a couple of days prior to the festival. Located markets are flooded with decorating items that are used as embellishments for the local Hindu temples. Since a large chunk of Indian population is living in Paris, the capital city of France, Janmashtami celebrations in the city is worth watching. There, people visit temples to offer prayers to Lord Krishna. The merrymaking begins in the evening and continues until midnight. At midnight stroke, the baby idol of Lord Krishna is given a ceremonious bath with Gangajal (pure water of River Ganga), which is especially transported from India for the festival. After worshipping the deity, people relish on lip smacking delicacies that are prepared as prasad.

Janmashtami In Singapore
A land of diverse cultures, Singapore is known for its appreciation for the Hindu festivals celebrated by Indians. Seragoon Road is the busiest street during Janmashtami, when the shops that sell baby Krishna idols and other puja items are adorned with lots of decorations. Religious processions are carried out to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. Shree Lakshmi Narayan Temple located at Chander Road, Singapore, is well known for the celebrations of Janmashtami. The maximum number of Hindu population can be seen at the temple, during the festival. The 'Krishna Chanting competition' is one of the unique features of the celebrations of Janmashtami in Singapore.

Janmashtami In Malaysia
Although Malaysia is predominantly a Muslim country, a commendable population of Indian Hindus resides in the country. The celebration of the festival is at its peak at the Lord Krishna Temple in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Janmashtami is a day-long affair in the capital city, where maximum people of the Indian community gathers to take part in the merrymaking. A number of rituals that are followed in India can be seen in the city. There, the baby idol of Sri Krishna is given a holy bath in the midnight of Janmashtami. Thereafter, food offerings made to Lord Krishna (Prasad) are distributed among the devotees. The temple resounds with the chanting of mantras.

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Janmashtami Legends

Janmashtami is celebrated with pomp and gaiety by Hindus all over India, to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. Also referred to as Krishnashtami, the festival falls on Rohini nakshatra of Savana month. The celebration revolves around the story of the birth of Lord Krishna. Special Janmashtami puja is organized on the day. People enjoy cooking mouthwatering food, to celebrate the birth of their favorite deity. Small children are dressed like the young Krishna and his playmate Radha. Songs are sung to praise Lord Krishna. At times, story of Lord Krishna is also recited during cultural programs. If you want to know the interesting story of Lord Krishna, read the article.

Krishna Janmashtami Legends

Kansa
According to the legends, Kansa was a mighty and discourteous prince of Mathura. His father Ugrasen had chosen Vasudev, one of the highly ranked officials in his army, as the groom for his daughter - Devki (Kansa's sister). Agreeing to the decision, Kansa arranged a lavish wedding for his only sister. When Kansa was riding on a chariot along with the newly wed couple - Devki and Vasudev - a heavenly voice interrupted the journey. It predicted that Devki's eighth son would kill Kansa. Upon hearing the prophesy, the self-centered Kansa imprisoned the newly wed couple.

Apart from imprisoning Devki and Vasudev, Kansa also put his own father (the King of Mathura) behind bars. Consequently, Kansa took over as the King of Mathura. He waited until the arrival of the Devki's first child. The moment Kansa heard the news of the birth of Devki's first child; he headed towards the prison ferociously, got hold of the newborn and killed the child. The following six newborns of Devki were killed by Kansa in similar manner. When she was about to give birth to her eighth child, a heavenly voice commanded Vasudev to take the newborn to Gokul and exchange it with the newborn girl child of Nanda and Yashoda.

Birth Of Lord Krishna
The guards of the prison had fallen into deep slumber. They were unable to inform their master about the birth of Devki's eighth child. The shackles and the prison gate opened miraculously and Vasudev stepped out of the prison with the newborn, carried in a small basket. In the midnight, Vasudev carried the newborn in the basket and traveled through the waters of stormy Yamuna River. Since it was raining heavily, a huge snake known as Adisesha with its 2000 hoods, glided behind the father and the newborn, in order to act as a protective canopy for the divine child. When Vasudev returned from Gokul, the shackles fastened automatically, the doors of the prison closed and the guards woke up.

Upon hearing the news of the birth of Devki's eighth child, Kansa went to the cell and got hold of the newborn. Ironically, the child slipped out of his stranglehold and appeared as Goddess, laughing at him. She vanished after telling that the eighth son of Devki (Lord Krishna) had already born and was safe elsewhere. Lord Krishna grew up at Gokul as a mischievous prankster who was the heartbeat of Gokul and the favorite of Gopikas. He grew up as a lovable brat, who played around mischievously and looted fresh Makhan (homemade butter) from every household of Gokul. Year by year, people in Mathura, Gokul and elsewhere in India celebrate the birth of the favorite deity - Lord Krishna on the eighth day (asthami) of Savan month and name it as Janmashtami or Krishnashtami.

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Karwa Chauth Customs

Karwa Chauth is one of the most awaited festivals of North India, which is celebrated by the married women mainly. On this day, they keep a fast for the long life, well being and prosperity of their husband. Karwa chauth reflects joy, splendor, brightness and happiness of a married life. Thus, things that symbolize and reflect the marital status of a woman, such as jewelry, bangles, henna, bindi, and lehnga choli, are in high demand on this special occasion. The festival also brings people together and provides them an opportunity to socialize with friends and family members, exchange gifts and share home-cooked meals. Let us explore the customs of karva chauth in detail.

Karwa Chauth Rituals & Traditions

Sargi
The preparations for karva chauth start the day before the festival. Brides get beautifully wrapped baskets with the sargi (the food to be eaten before sunrise) from their mother-in-law. The fasting women of the neighborhood get together before sunrise, to eat the sargi, which mainly consists of thirst-quenching foods, like fruits, along with a main course of potatoes eaten with hot puris (a deep-fried Indian bread). Traditionally, a newly wed woman spends the day before the fast in her mother’s house and comes to her mother-in-law’s house only on the day of karwa chauth.

Baya
On karwa chauth, married women wear bright and beautiful clothes, heavy jewelry and bangles. They also get intricate patterns drawn, with henna, on their palms and feet. Traditionally, it is the mother who usually sends baya, which includes sweets, money, clothes and a karva (small earthen pitcher), to their married daughters’ houses. In the evening, the mother-in-law or any elderly women of the house accepts the baya, given to them by the younger married women of the family. Thus, the festival of karva chauth involves not only the married women, but other members of the household as well.

Puja
The women of the neighborhood usually gather in someone’s house and perform the puja together, in the evening. A small area is prepared for the ceremony, which can be performed in any part of the house as well as in the open. A small square platform is placed against the wall and kharia matti (powdery mud) is used to cleanse and to decorate the puja area. An idol of Gaur Mata, or Goddess Parvati (the consort of Lord Shiva), is placed on the consecrated spot. Traditionally, the tiny image of Gaur Mata was made from cow dung, though nowadays pictures or idols of Parvati are the norm.

Story
About an hour before moonrise, the women place their bayas and their karvas in a plate and sit around the puja area to pray, while an elderly lady narrates a tale about a young woman who, by an unfortunate twist of fate, was tricked into breaking her fast before moonrise. Her husband dropped dead the very instant his wife broke her fast. Enraged at the deception that led to her husband’s death, the girl implored Gaur Mata to resurrect her husband.

The husband finally came back to life after a period of seven karva chauths. The wife, with her unflinching love for her husband and belief in Goddess Parvati, achieved the ‘impossible’. While the story is read out to everyone, the women exchange their respective karvas, till each one gets her own karva back. During this time, they also chant the following prayer ,which is for the well being of the husband and for marital bliss:

"Addey-addey Krishna pakshe var
Tith Karva Chauth
Manse hain apne suhag ke liye
Yeh karva, mattri, halwa, sari, nagdi
Apne suhag ka liye rani ka sa raj dena
Gaur ka sa suhag dena Shri Krishna nimant."

The puja ends with the women showering rice and vermilion on Parvati and seeking her blessings. The younger women touch the feet of the elders, seek their blessings and offer their baya to them.

Breaking The Fast
In the evening, the women see the moon, while carrying a plate decorated with lit earthen lamps and a container of water. The moon is seen through a fine mesh or sieve. Water is offered to the moon, followed by some food women. Though the women are allowed to break their fast after they see the moon, it is preferred if they can also see the faces of their husbands before they eat or drink. So, the married men scurry back home from work as soon as possible, on this day. Thereafter, the family sits down for a grand meal and the celebration comes to end.

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Karwa Chauth Mehndi

Karwa chauth is an important festival for married women, dedicated to their husband's long life and prosperity. The rituals start one day before the festival, when the mother-in-law gives 'sargi' to her daughter-in-law. Sargi consist of mehndi, sindoor, bindi, red ribbon, coconut, saviya, sweets, almonds, etc. Henna or mehndi forms an important part of karva chauth and applying it on hands and feet is considered to be auspicious for married women. It is also said that the darker the color of mehndi is, the more love and care a woman will get from her husband.

Karwa chauth is one of the occasions when the henna business is at its peak. There are various ways of applying henna paste. On this day, each and every married woman gets henna designs made on her hands and, in some cases, feet as well. The women use toothpick or cones for the purpose, according to their convenience. Using cone is the best method, as they are disposable, less messy and inexpensive too. The best part is that these cones can be easily made at home, by following simple steps. If you want to explore the process of making cones as well as applying mehndi, check out the following lines.

How To Make Mehndi Cones

Supplies Needed

Small Freezer Bags (one will make 2 cones)

Scissors

Scotch Tape

Rubber Band

Method:

Cut the freezer bag into squares. The size you make the cones is up to you, but do not make it too big or it will be hard to handle.

Generally, the cones are made of 6" squares. Use a straight edge to make sure your corners are 90 degrees, as it will help in actual folding of cone.

Make a funnel shape out of the square. Do it very carefully as the plastic is very slippery and you will want to wrap the square around itself in such a way that it completely overlaps (leaving no open spaces for the paste to squeeze out).

At the same time, leave a small hole at the bottom of the funnel, just large enough to allow the paste to squeeze out without difficulty. This might take some practice.

After you get the funnel exactly how you want it to be, tape the side edges where the plastic overlaps. Be careful not to move the plastic when you do this, or you will have to start over again. It is better to keep a few small pieces of tape ready instead of trying to get it from the dispenser at this time. Now tape all the way from the bottom to the top of the funnel.

How To Apply Mehndi

Make a smooth henna paste so that there is no debris and has a mud-like firmness.

Now take a plastic cone, having a fine key-hole at the end and pour the paste into the cone.

Tie the broader end with a rubber band.

Gently squeeze the paste on the palm and start making patterns or designs that you like.

After you have applied the design, keep the palm horizontal and let the patterned-paste rest on it till dry. In fact, leave it on for as long as it takes to acquire deep color.

Dab a piece of cotton in sugar and lemon solution and apply lightly on the designs, so it further darkens to a reddish-brown hue that can last for weeks. Do it when it is almost dry.

After 2-4 hours, remove the mehndi and apply mustard oil to it so that it becomes dark.

Don't wash your hands with water for at least 12 hours.

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Karwa Chauth Legends

Karwa Chauth is the festival that holds a lot of significance for married Hindu women, who keep a fast for the long life of their husband, on this day. Though the basic aim behind the festival remains the same, the particular customs and rituals may vary a bit, depending on the region to which the women belong. Karva chauth has a tremendous social and cultural significance in India. It has a rich background and has several stories related to its existence. Some of the popular stories and legends associated with the festival have been described below:

Story Of Queen Veeravati
A beautiful girl Veeravati, the only sister of her seven loving brothers, got married to a king. On her first karva chauth, she went to her parents' house and a strict fast, waiting for the moon rise to break it. The seven brothers could not see their loving sister go hungry throughout the day. They decided to end her fast, by reflecting a mirror through peepal tree leaves and making her believe that it is moon. The sister fell for it and broke the fast. The moment she ate food, she got news of her husband's serious illness.

After coming to know that her husband is not well, she rushed to her palace and on her way, met Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It was them that she came to know that her brothers had shown her false moon and made her break her fast before moonrise. The queen asked for forgiveness and was granted the boon that the king would be revived only if she undertakes seven karva chauth fast strictly, following all the rituals. The queen agreed and strictly followed all the rituals of karva chauth the next seven times and got her husband back.

Other Legends

Legend Of Mahabharata
Karwa Chauth also has a story dating back to the pre-Mahabharata times. Draupadi used to observe this fast after her marriage. It so happened that once Arjun went to the Nilgiris for penance and in his absence, the rest of the Pandavas faced many problems. Draupadi asked Lord Krishna for help. The Lord reminded her about Goddess Parvati, who had sought Lord Shiva's guidance under similar circumstances and was advised to observe the fast of Karva Chauth. Draupadi followed the instructions and observed the fast with all its rituals and the Pandavas were able to overcome their problems.

Legends Of Satyavan and Savitri
Another story related to karwa chauth concerns the Satyavan and Savitri. When Lord Yama came to take away Satyavan's soul, Savitri begged him to spare her husband. He refused to do so. In order to gain back her husband's life, Savitri stopped eating and drinking anything. Finally, Yamraj relented and granted her, her husband's life. And from that day onwards, karva chauth has been celebrated with great faith and belief.

Legend Of Karva
Karva was a woman deeply devoted to her husband. It so happened that her husband was caught by a crocodile while bathing. Karva came running and bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. She then went to Yama and requested him to send the crocodile to hell. She threatened to curse him when Yama refused to do so. Afraid of the power of a devoted wife, Yama accepted and sent the crocodile to hell and blessed Karva's husband with long life.

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Karwa Chauth Thali Decoration

The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great pomp and show in various parts of the country. It is said that this is an auspicious festival that bring fortune as well as well being along with long life for one’s husband if she observes this fast with full faith. In the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., and Gujarat, the festival is celebrated in almost similar manner just nine days before Diwali i.e. on the fourth day of the Kartik month by the Hindu calendar. The rituals begin early morning from having ‘sargi’ (pre-dawn meal) and end by offering water to the moon.

Karva Chauth Pooja Thali Decoration
The fast of Karva Chauth is loaded with intricate rituals and customs. Thus, all the arrangements for the pooja material are done prior to the festival. One of the most important parts of this Pooja is the decoration of the Pooja thali so that every material is specified in accordance with the required quantity and order. It is also important because the decorated thali forms an important component of the Karva Chauth puja. These Pooja thali are interestingly decorated by the women who observe fast to give their Pooja thali an exclusive and special look.

The Karva Chauth Pooja Thali, better known as Baya, consists of the roli, vermilion, sacred water, dry fruits like almonds, pishta etc., earthen clay pots, diyas and different types of Indian sweets. The Thali may be a silver thali, brass thali or a steel thali depending upon your choice. In this Thali, every Pooja material is kept separately in katoris (small bowls). During the Pooja this thali is while the story is being narrated. After the puja, this thali is presented to the eldest member of the family who blesses the woman.

The Pooja Thali can be decorated in accordance to the creative skills and arts known to the decorator as there is no specific rule and regulation to how the thali should be decorated. Some people decorate thalis for puja by making ritualistic decoration like rangoli and alpana while some people opt for floral decorations with the help of flowers, leaves, color and multicolored pulses.

Karwa Chauth Thali Decoration Ideas
Here we have given an easy way to decorate the Pooja Thali with oil. You can easily decorate your Karwa Chauth Pooja Thali immediately before Pooja in this manner.

Steps

Dip an ear bud in oil and draw beautiful pctures on the Pooja Thali.

Spread some powdered sindoor/Haldi/any color on it

Shake the thali well so that the colors are properly spread.

Now turn the Thali in the opposite direction and dust out to remove excess color powder.

You will find design that you draw with oil embossed on plain Thali.

After pooja, you can wipe this and keep the same for next year.

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Karwa Chauth Katha

Karwa Chauth is celebrated with gusto by Hindu married women in the north and north western parts of India. It is a special day for them, because they pray for the longevity of their husband and seek blessings of Goddess Gauri to have a blissful married life. Special puja is conducted in the evening by the married women, wherein katha - story or legend associated with the celebration of the festival - is narrated by the elderly woman of the group. After watching the moon rise, the women would have a glimpse of their husband through the same sieve, which they used to watch the moon. Thereafter, they would break their fast by drinking water. In the article, we have given information on Karva Chauth ki kahani.

Karva Chauth Story
Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess named Veeravati. She was married to a king at the optimum marriageable age. After tying the wedding knot, she went to meet her parents on Karva Chauth. After sunrise, she observed a very stringent fast on the day, when she didn't drink even a drop of water. Since Veeravati was too delicate to withstand rigorous fasting, she fainted in the evening. The seven beloved brothers of the queen couldn’t stand the dilemma of their sister and decided to break her fast, by deceiving her. They made a fire at the nearby hill and asked her to catch a glimpse of the glow. They made her to believe that it was the glow of the moonlight and now that moon had risen, she could break her fast.

After watching the false moon, Veeravati broke her fast and ate dinner. The moment she ate her food, she received the bad news that her husband was no more. The heartbroken queen rushed to the palace to see her deceased husband. On her way to the palace, she came across Lord Shiva and his significant half - Goddess Parvati (also known as Ma Gauri). Parvati informed Veeravati that the king had died because she had broker her fast by watching a false moon. When the queen asked for mercy, the Goddess granted her the boon that the king would be brought back to life, but would be severely ill.

When the queen reached the palace, she found her husband lying unconscious, with hundreds of sharp needles pierced into his body. Each day, the queen was capable of removing one needle from the king's body. She could remove all the needles except one. By the time, it was next year, on the day of Karva Chauth. The king was still unconscious, with only one needle remaining inserted in his body. On the day, the queen once again observed a stringent fast and went to the market to purchase the karva (pitcher) for the puja. When she was away from the palace to fetch the karva, her maid removed the last needle from the king's body.

The moment Veeravati's maid removed the last needle from the king's body, the king regained consciousness. Ironically, he mistook the maid for his queen. When the real queen returned to the palace, she was made to serve as a maid. Nonetheless, Veeravati was true to her faith and continued to observe the Karwa Chauth vrat. One fine day, when king was going to other kingdom, he asked Veeravati (now turned maid) if she wanted anything. She asked to fetch a pair of identical dolls. While the king was obliged to bring her a pair of dolls, the queen kept singing a song "Roli ki Goli ho gayi.. Goli ki Roli ho gayi" (the queen has turned into maid and the maid has turned into queen).

When asked why she was repeatedly singing the song, she narrated the entire story. The king regretted and wanted to do good for his queen. Consequently, he restored the royal status to Veeravati. It is believed that her immense faith in the Almighty, her love and dedication to her husband had won her husband's affection and the blessings of Goddess Parvati. This is the reason why, every year, Karwa Chauth is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of Veeravati. Every year, on Kartik ki Chauth, married women observe stringent fast, worship Goddess Parvati for a long and pleasurable married life and pray for longevity of their husband.

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Karwa Chauth Significance

In India, the ritual of marriage is considered to be the ultimate ritual of life. Here tying knots means promising a companionship of seven lives. In a country with intricate rituals and customs, it is believed that there is nothing more pious and stronger than the relationship of marriage. Married women is said to be the companion of their better halves in all the hay as well as bad days. According to the ancient Hindu texts, the will power of a married lady to change her husband’s bad fortune into good is so strong that it can even change God’s ultimate decision. So, the relationship of man and his lady are eternal and blessed.

In a country like India where marriage is far beyond worldly affairs, the institution of marriage is strengthened through several means. One of them is the festival of Karva Chauth. Karwa Chauth is regarded as the biggest occasion for the entire married woman fraternity in the country. It is said that the successful completion of this tough fast ensures a long life and prosperous future for her husband. According to the belief of people in the country any kind of deceiving in the Karwa Chauth fasting and rituals can also endanger the life of your partner. So, the rituals are to be followed very carefully.

Karwa Chauth is a very difficult fast. A woman has to spend an entire day without any food or single drop of water till the moon rise. It is said that this pain taken by a wife helps her husband get a token of blessings by the almighty. There are different stories to why this festival came in being. Some people believe that this festival of Karva Chauth was actually the day to celebrate the season of autumn and enjoy the company of friends and relatives but later on, few mythological legends were associated with it to give it a religious existence.
However, thousands of people especially Hindus and Sikh of north-western India who believe in its religious existence have several folklores related to this festival. They often associate it with the legendary story of a devoted wife (pativrata nari), Karwa and her efforts to save her husbands life. They also quote the story of Satyavan and Sati, the couple who united again despite being destined to be separated due to Sati’s efforts to save Satyavan’s life from Yamdoota.

However, now the festivity of Karva Chauth has not been limited to the rituals, traditions and prayers. Due to immense glorification by Bollywood, the festival has commercialized to a great extent. The markets at the time of Karwa Chauth are flooded with offers and sales. So apart from being a social and seasonal festival and religious affair, with time, it has also become a commercialized affair. With time the trend of festival have changed, however the soul of festival like the other Indian festival remains the same- a prayer for blissful and carefree life.

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Karwa Chauth Rituals

The cultural diversity of India has paved the way to the celebration of a number of festivals. One of the prominent festivals of the north and north western parts of India is Karwa Chauth. Popularly referred to as a ladies-only festival, Karva Chauth is equally important for the husbands, because their wives especially dedicate the entire day in their remembrance, praying for their longevity and prosperity. On the wonderful occasion, married women clad themselves in beautiful dresses, apply henna on their palm and wear attractive jewelry. The festival is celebrated by following a number of rituals that are truly as per the Hindu culture and traditions. In the following lines, we have provided information on the rituals of Karwa Chauth.

Karva Chauth Traditions

Application Of Henna
Application of henna is considered auspicious for married woman and forms a mandatory part of Karva Chauth rituals. According to a popular belief, married woman, whose mehndi (henna) is gets dark, would get loads of love and care from her husband. In addition to this, henna symbolizes prosperity and good luck. Therefore, it can be said that it is a good luck charm for the married women in India. The auspicious ritual of the application of henna is performed on the day. However, nowadays, people also apply mehndi one day prior to the festival.

Fasting
Fasting is an important part of the celebrations of Karwa Chauth. After having the scrumptious meal called 'sargi' in the pre-dawn time, women observe a one-day fast for Karwa Chauth. Fasting symbolizes the ability of a woman to stay calm even after starving for a long time. Actually, on Karva Chauth, a married woman is bound to stay starve all through the day until the moon rise, without drinking even a drop of water. They break the fast only after having a glimpse of the moon rise (on their thali that is filled with water or through a sieve) and their husband.

Dressing Up For Karwa Chauth
As a part of the traditions, married women clad themselves in beautiful dress, on Karwa Chauth. The attire for the day is strictly traditional. Therefore, you would get to see variations in the traditional wear including sarees, lehenga and salwar-kameez. The chosen color for the dress is either red or maroon, because both the colors are considered auspicious for married women. The women would accessorize themselves with matching pieces of jewelry, including colorful bangles, heavy earrings and necklace.

Karwa Chauth Puja
One of the important traditions of Karwa Chauth is puja. The pooja is conducted somewhere between 4 pm and 5 pm, by the married women. One of them would call upon other married women to take part in the puja organized at her place. As a part of the tradition, a two-inch tall idol of Goddess Gauri is made using cow dung and a picture of the idol is kept aside, because she is the deity worshipped on the day. Songs are sung for Karwa Chauth puja aarti.

Ritual At Moon Rise
The ritual at moon rise marks the culmination of the festival. As the day proceeds, the women who have observed Karwa Chauth vrat (fast) would eagerly await for the moon to rise in the evening. The moment moon rises, they would have a glimpse of the moon through a sieve or look at the reflection of the moon in their thali. Thereafter, they would have a glimpse of their husband through the same sieve. Next, the women would drink water to break their fast. This marks the culmination of the rituals of Karva Chauth. This is followed by feasting.

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Karwa Chauth Puja

Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus in India. Typically, a festival of north and north western India, Karwa Chauth falls on nine days prior to Diwali, to be precise, on Kartik ki Chauth. Married women observe fast all through the day after eating the traditional meal 'sargi' early in the morning, before sunrise. The morning is spent by activities such as applying henna in hands and dressing up for the festival. In the evening, a group of brightly dressed married women gathers in a house or the nearby temple to conduct Karwa Chauth puja. At that time, they chant mantras, read Karwa Chauth katha (story) and sing songs that have been specifically composed for the festival. In the article, you will know all about Karva Chauth pooja.

Karva Chauth Pooja
During Karva Chauth pooja, the married women sit in a circle. At the center of, they place the two-inch tall idol of Goddess Gauri made by using fresh cow dung. A karva (holy pitcher) is placed beside the idol, on a raised platform. Then, the women apply tilak on the idol of Gauri Ma to seek her blessings and pray for a long, blissful and prospered married life. Thereafter, an elderly woman of the group narrates the Karva Chauth katha (story), a legend associated with the celebration of the festival. After the story is over, other women rotate a puja thali occasionally, reciting the Karwa Chauth song. After the pooja is over, women return to their respective homes.

The married woman would wait for the moon to rise in the evening. They would go to the place, with their individual puja thalis, where moon is clearly visible. Once the moon rises, they would see the moon through the sieve, offer prasad (dry fruits such as almonds and cashew nuts) or snacks such as mathi to the moon, and then see their husband through the same sieve. Thereafter, they would break their fast by drinking the water that they have kept in their thali.

Pooja Items & Pooja Thali
The items that are required for Karwa Chauth puja include idol of Goddess Gauri, Karwa (pitcher) filled with water, a diya (earthen lamp), flowers a handful of fruits and food grains. A part of fruits and food grains are offered to the deity, while the other half is served to the story teller. The puja thali (made of brass or stainless steel) would consist of incense sticks, kumkum (vermilion), chawal (rice), lota (a container filled with water) and an earthen lamp. The individual pooja thalis of the married woman is arranged in a special way, when it is the time to break the fast. During moonrise, women hold their puja thali, containing a lota (filled with water), an earthen lamp, a beautifully decorated sieve (chalni), dhoop, camphor, vermilion, rice, sandalwood powder and a fancy tissue veil to cover the thali.

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History of Karwa Chauth

The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated by married woman in many parts of India, to commemorate their marital relationship. Fast is observed by the married women, to seek blessings of the Almighty and pray for the wellbeing, prosperity and longevity of their husband. The celebration of Karwa Chauth starts from the pre-dawn time, when the married woman would take bath, worship the Almighty and have sargi (food prepared especially for the festival) in pre-dawn. Thereafter, they would observe a stringent fast for the wellness of their husband. All through the day, they would not consume a drop of water, unless the fast is broken in the evening.

While fast plays a prominent part of Karva Chauth, songs, narration of katha and puja are equally important. The narration of katha (story related to Karva Chauth) takes place during the puja, while women sing songs in the praise of the festival. It is a well known fact that the festivities of Karwa Chauth revolve around one and only cause - the wellness of husband, the significant half of a married woman. However, it is interesting to know that apart from it, there exists another thought, which finds a prominent place in the history of Karva Chauth. If you want to get some interesting information on the history and origin of Karwa Chauth, then go through the following lines.

History & Origin Of Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth originated as a festival of social importance. Mythical tales were later on added to the festival. Celebrated by the Hindus in north and north-western India, the idea behind Karwa Chauth sounds very noble. Originally, a custom started, according to which, when a girl is married, she befriend another woman in her in-law's residence. The woman would be regarded as her friend or sister for her life. This relationship was fondly called god-friends or god-sisters. The friendship between the two women was sanctified through a small Hindu ceremony, at the time of marriage of the girl. Once the bride and the woman in her in-law's home were declared god-friends or god-sisters, they would have to maintain the relationship for the rest of their life.

It was said that the woman would support her god-friend/sister all through the complexities of the latter's life, even if the matter is related to the husband or in-laws. The two women would confidently approach one another to solve the problems of their lives. Karva Chauth was started to commemorate the relationship of the god-friends/sisters, which later on came to be known as a ceremony wherein married woman observe fast for the wellbeing of their husband. Today, although the motive behind the celebration of the festival is predominantly related to the wellness of the husband, people still observe the occasion to honor the relationship of the god-friends/sisters.

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First Karwa Chauth

In India, the institution of marriage is held in high regard. It is considered to be a bond of seven lives. It is believed that there is nothing more pious and stronger than the relationship of husband and wife on this earth. Married Women are said to be luck and the fortune of their husband and it is believed that if they pray from true heart for the long life and success of their husband, their prayers are never unheard from God. The legendary story of a devoted wife (pativrata nari), Karwa and her efforts to save her husbands life is the foundation stone of this festival.

Karwa Chauth is regarded as the biggest occasion for the entire married woman fraternity who believe in Hindu customs. It is said that the successful completion of their fast ensures the well being of her husband. The first Karwa chauth is indeed very special in a woman’s life as it brings a new base of care and love in her married relationship. Also, a newly married woman is given the utmost importance on her first fast for the long life of her husband. She is showered with lots of blessings for a successful married life by all the elderly of the family.

First Karva Chauth Celebrations

First Sargi
Sargi is the pre-dawn Karva Chauth meal prepared by the mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law if she is observing her first Karwa chauth fast. Several scrumptious and sumptuous dishes are prepared even before the dawn. It is a token of best wishes and blessings from one’s mother-in-law for a blissful and successful married life. The newly wed bride is also gifted with traditional bridal jewelry and expensive gift items.

First Baya
Baya is also a kind of gift given to the new bride on the occasion of Karva Chauth by the mother-in-law. It comprises of eatables like salted mathris, dry-fruits and some gifts which are generally related to the marital use. On the first Baya, the mothers of newly wed daughters also present gifts to all the members in her daughter’s new family. Some utensils are also gifted to the newly wed in the baya which she later distributes amongst women who join her in the first Karva Chauth Puja as a token of auspiciousness.

Elaborate Puja Preparations
The Pooja rituals on the first Karwa chauth are also very much the same as the rest of the Karwa celebrations. However, all the rituals are done with immense gaiety and grandeur for the first time. All the married women from the family as well locality are invite to join in the first Karwa chauth Puja of a newly wed where there are rituals of Henna applications, Karwa Vrata Katha (legend of Karwa chauth) and the distribution of utensils from the baya.

Gifts from Husband
Though it is no religious ceremony but the when the wife observes a whole day fast without food and water for her better half, her husband also overloads her with variety of gifts and accolades. The gift on the first Karwa chauth by one’s husband is generally grand and thus becomes a keepsake for lifetime. This occasion also develops a special kind of bond between the newly wed cuple.

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Karwa Chauth Fast

In India, the fast of Karwa Chauth is observed as a very pious festival. It is said that it empowers a married women to even challenge the decision of the almighty. As it is kept in order to bring fortune as well as well being along with long life for one’s husband, almost every women in the country observes this fast. Though there may be regional variations in the name and rituals, the festival is celebrated with immense zeal and gusto throughout the country. The festival is celebrated just nine days before Diwali i.e. on the fourth day of the Kartik month by the Hindu calendar (fourth day of the waning moon or the dark fortnight). The festival is celebrated under the name of Karwa Chauth and the rituals given below are observed in states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., and Gujarat.

Karwa Chauth Vrat Vidhi

The Rituals
The day of Karwa Chauth begins very early morning when the women of the family have a sargi i.e. the pre-dawn meal. The sargi consists of several scrumptious dishes. Once the married woman has eaten her share of sargi, her phase of fast begins. Now on wards she is not supposed to eat or even drink water for the entire day. The entire day is celebrated like a festive occasion with community gathering, songs, henna rituals and other such things.

The Puja
The preparation for the Pooja begins days before the actual celebrations. All kinds of shopping for clothes and pooja material are brought much before Pooja. On the day of Puja, the married women arrange all the items like the shringar or the traditional adornments and the other pooja items like the karwa, matthi, heena etc. The pooja begins early morning when the Sargi is prepared and consumed before prior to the dawn. The festivities then proceed with other activities like decorating hand and feet with heena, decorating the pooja thali and meeting friends and relatives.

At the afternoon, when the mprning rituals are done and preparation for the festivities at the evening is complete, all the women of a community gather at a common place like temple or a garden or someones' place who has arranged the pooja. If there is someone’s first Karwa Chauth in the locality, all the celebrations take place at her place. All the woman are dresses in the auspicious colors of red, pink, maroon, and adorn themselves with all other symbols of a married women like, nose pin, tika, bindi, chonp, bangles, earrings etc. In the gathering, an elderly lady or a lady belonging to the priest community narrates the legend of Karwa Chouth.

All the woman of the community reach to the pooja spot with a special mud pot, that is considered a symbol of lord Ganesha, a metal urn filled with water, flowers, idols of Ambika Gaur Mata, Goddess Parwati and some fruits, mathi and food grains. At some places in the rural India, people make the idol of Gaur Mata using earth and cowdung instead of the idol of Goddess Parwati. Infront of this idol, the women who have observed fast light an earthen lamp in their thalis and listen to the Karwa story. Sindoor, incense sticks and rice are also placed along with it. Once the pooja is completed, a part of all this is offered to the deities and the narrator of the vrat katha (story).

At the dusk, all the women return to their home from the Pooja venue and wait for the moon to rise. They simultaneously also arrange the Pooja Thali with a sieve and water pot. Once the moon rises, the women see its reflection in a thali full of water, or through a dupatta or a sieve. It is said that a women should never see the moon directly on the day when she has observed the Karva chauth fast. She then offers water to the moon and seek its blessings. She now wishes for the safety, prosperity and long life of their husbands. At some places, this is how the festival ends but in some places it is a ritual to observe the fast till a woman sees her husband’s face. Though this culture has been popularized by the Bollywood tales, it has now become a ritual at the festival. This marks the end of the day long fast and the woman can now eat the special food prepared for her.

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Karwa Chauth Date

Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm by married women in north and northwestern India. It is a Hindu festival, which is celebrated about nine days prior to Diwali - the festival of lights. As per the Hindu calendar, Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, around October-November. On the day, married women dressed in bright red or maroon colored traditional dress (saree, salwar-kameez or lehenga), observe a stringent fast, worship Goddess Gauri and pray for a long life for their husband. The shops are filled with the fresh stocks of attire and accessories for women. Married women eagerly shop for colorful bangles and other accessories, traditional attire.

The air is filled with festivity, on the wonderful occasion of Karva Chauth. The celebrations of the festival begin early in the morning, before sunrise, when married women wake up and take bath. Thereafter, they pray to the Almighty and eat 'sargi', the traditional meal containing fruits and food grains that is offered by their mother-in-law. After consuming the meal, the married women would observe a stringent fast for the rest of the day. To pass the time during the daytime, they would indulge in their daily chores, play games, apply mehndi (henna) in their hands, chat with other women and do interesting activities.

In the evening, a gathering of married women assembles at one's home or the nearby temple to conduct Karwa Chauth puja. They sit in a circle, with a thali containing kumkum (vermilion), chandan (sandalwood powder), chawal (rice), a lota filled with water (preferably Gangajal) and diya (earthen lamp). At the center of the circle of women, a two-inch tall idol or the picture of Goddess Gauri is placed, with the Karva (pitcher) positioned nearby it. An elderly woman in the group narrates the Karwa Chauth katha (story), which is listened by others very carefully. Once the story is over, the women would pass on the puja thali, by singing Karwa Chauth song.

Once the puja is over, the women would return to their home and wait for the moon to rise, so that they could catch its glimpse and break their fast. To serve the purpose, they would go to a place from where the moon is clearly visible, preferably the terrace of their home. Once the moon rises, they would worship the moon, see it through a sieve and catch a glimpse of their husband through the same sieve. Thereafter, the Karwa Chauth fast is broken by drinking water. This is followed by a lavish dinner. Year by year, married Hindu women in the north and north western parts of India celebrate Karwa Chauth with pomp and gaiety. In 2012, it will be celebrated on 2nd November.

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Karwa Chauth Celebrations

Karwa Chauth is a wonderful occasion for the married women in India to pray for the longevity and prosperity of their husband. It is a ceremonious occasion wherein married women clad themselves in attractive attire and accessories. Beautiful designs of henna, both simple and intricate, are applied onto their palm. They conduct a puja, which is accompanied by singing of Karwa Chauth songs. The celebrations of the festival begin early in the morning and continue until the moon rises in the evening. All through the day, women observe fast, which is a significant part of the celebrations of the festival. Karwa Chauth is a day dedicated to the special bond of marriage and celebrated with gusto. Read on to know all about the celebrations of Karva Chauth.

Karva Chauth Festival Celebrations
Women in the north and north-western parts of India usually celebrate Karwa Chauth, because the festival is little known in the southern parts of the country. The married women, who celebrate the festival, wake up early in the morning, well before the dawn. After taking bath, they clad themselves in new clothes and have a meal, which is known as 'sargi'. As a part of the traditions of Karwa Chauth, 'sargi' is presented to the married woman by her mother-in-law. However, the woman, who observes fast, can also prepare the meal on her own. The meal consists of selected grains and fruits.

After having the sargi, the women observe a fast and do not consume even a drop of water for the entire day. In fact, it is believed that when a woman is bound to abstain from food and water, she actually adds more years to the life of her husband. Therefore, the married women observe a stringent fast on Karva Chauth, to ensure that their husband lives for long. Even if they observe fast, they would not restrict themselves from doing their daily chores. Woman used to take off for the day. However, today, they would also make it to the office and work, besides the fact that they starve for the whole day. Karwa Chauth puja is usually conducted somewhere between 4 pm or 5 pm.

The married woman calls upon other women in her locality to her place, to take part in Karwa Chauth pooja. Goddess Gauri is worshipped at the puja. A two-inch tall idol of Gauri Mata is made by using cow dung and a picture of the idol of Parvati is kept aside, in the puja. A song of Karwa Chauth is sung when women perform aarti. By the time the pooja is over, it would be the dusk. Women, along with their children, eagerly wait for the moon to rise. Once the moon rises, the women would see its reflection in a thali of water. They drink water to break the fast. The celebrations of Karva Chauth are culminated by feasting.

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Maha Shivaratri Celebrations

Mahashivaratri is celebrated with gusto by the Hindus all over India. It is an important day for the followers of Lord Shiva, as it honors their favorite deity. The celebrations are marked by fasting and the observance of a number of rituals. The festival is significant in many aspects. For instance, it bears mythological importance, because Lord Shiva is considered one of the deities of Hindu Trinity, the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. On Maha Shivaratri, the devotees of Lord Shiva observe a stringent fast, which is broken only during the next morning, after prasad is offered to the deity.

Maha Shivratri Festival Celebrations

In the Morning
The devotees of Lord Shiva wake up early in the morning to take a ceremonious bath, after which, they would wear new clothes, smear bhasm (holy ashes) on their forehead and head towards the nearest Lord Shiva temple to take part in the celebrations. On the other hand, if they are at home, they would conduct a puja in the morning, by offering Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands to the deity and thereafter, observe a fast for the entire day. A certain diet is formulated especially for the day, which consists of fruits and beverages (including tea, milk and coffee) as the food for the day.

Celebrations At Temple
Lord Shiva temples are decorated beautifully with festoons, on the wonderful occasion of Mahashivaratri. Apart from the usual pujas of the temple, special pujas are conducted to make the day different from the ordinary. On the festival, as many as six types of Abhisheks can be witnessed, each using milk, ghee, sugar, honey, water and sandalwood paste. The priest would chant mantras and conduct the pooja, while the devotees would queue up to have a glimpse of the rituals performed at the altar and offer prayers to the deity. The devotees would often offer incense sticks, dhoop, Bilwa leaves and garlands to the temple, which are offered to the Shiva Linga.

Celebrations In the Night
The merrymaking reaches its peak in the night of Mahashivratri, when devotees of Lord Shiva would sing songs, bhajans, chant mantras and offer prayers to the Almighty. The devotees would continue to observe their fast. In fact, they would remain at the temple premises all through the night, to take part in the keertans or jaagrans that are arranged by the temple authorities, for the festival. The devotees are served tea occasionally, to keep them awake during the night. Either the devotees themselves would sing the bhajans or professional singers are called upon on the festival, to serve the purpose. The celebrations of Maha Shivaratri would culminate only in the dawn of the next day, when the devotees would break their fast by eating the prasad that was offered to the deity in the previous night.

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Maha Shivaratri Legends

There are various legends related to the auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri. These legends are similar in one sense, as they all throw light on the greatness of Lord Shiva and his supremacy over all other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. They also explain the importance of fasting on Shivratri and chanting the name of Lord Shiva, while staying awake all night. The reasons behind worship may be many, but the motive is one, to make Lord Shiva happy. The day is considered to be extremely auspicious by the devotees of Lord Shiva and they celebrate it as Maha Shivratri - the grand night of Shiva.

Legends & Stories Of Maha Shivratri

Marriage of Shiva and Shakti
One of the most popular legends of Maha Shivratri is related to the marriage of Shiva and Shakti. The day Lord Shiva got married to Parvati is celebrated as Shivratri - the Night of Lord Shiva. It tells us how Lord Shiva got married a second time to Shakti, his divine consort. There is another version of the legend, according to which Goddess Parvati performed tapas and prayers on the auspicious moonless night of Shivratri, for the well being of her husband. Believing in this legend, married women began the custom of praying for the well being of their husbands and sons on Maha Shivratri, while, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal partner.

Samudra Manthan
There is another very popular Shivratri legend from Puranas, which explains why people stay awake all night on Shivratri and why Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha. According to the story, when the battle between devas and asuras took place, a pot of poison came out of the ocean and on the request of gods, Lord Shiva drank the poison. The poison was so potent that it changed the color of His neck to blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelkanth, where ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kantha’ means neck or throat. As part of the therapy, Lord Shiva was advised to awake during the night. Thus, to keep Shiva awake, the gods performed various dances and played music. Pleased with their devotion, He blessed them all, the next morning. Therefore, Shivratri is the celebration of this event in which Lord Shiva saved the world.

Legend of Shiva Linga
The legend of Shiva Linga is also deeply related to Maha Shivratri. According to the story, Brahma and Vishnu searched hard to discover the Aadi (beginning) and the Antha (end) of Lord Shiva. It has been believed that on the 14th day in the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna, Shiva first manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Since then, the day is considered to be extremely auspicious and is celebrated as Maha Shivratri - the grand night of Shiva. To celebrate this occasion, devotees of Lord Shiva keeps fast during the day and worship the Lord throughout the night. It is said that worshipping Lord Shiva on Shivratri bestows one with happiness and prosperity.

Legend of Ganga
The legend of Ganga is another popular legend which is related to Shivratri. Ganga's descent from the heavens to the earth has been narrated in the Hindu mythological epic of Ramayana. This legend explains the popular custom of giving bath to Shiv Linga on Shivratri festival. According to this legend, Lord Shiva held out his thick matted hair to catch the river ganga, as she descended from heaven. The meandering through Shiva’s lock softened Ganga’s journey to the earth and the holy waters washed away the ashes of Bhagirath’s ancestors. The Ganga, thus, became an attribute of Shiva and therefore Shiva is also known as Gangadhara. Believing in this legend, Shiva is given a bath with gangajal and devotees take a dip in the holy water of river Ganga, on Shivratri.

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Mahashivaratri Significance

Mahashivaratri is one of the important Hindu festivals celebrated with religious fervor across the length and breadth of India. Followers of Lord Shiva consider the festival very special, as it is the time to show their love and devotion to their favorite deity. It is significant in every devotee's life, as it also tests ones ability to abstain from food (because fast is observed on the day) and remain vigil in the night without sleeping (because one has to remain awake all through the night, on Mahashivratri). In addition to this, Maha Shivaratri bears significance in Hindu mythology.

Significance Of Maha Shivratri

Importance In Hinduism
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva declared that the rituals performed by his devotees on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun please him the most. Therefore, year by year, the day is observed as Mahashivratri, wherein devotees observe fast, sing songs and bhajans and offer prayers to the Almighty to seek his blessings. Pujas conducted in Lord Shiva temples during the day have significance too. This is because the rituals are conducted strictly in accordance with the method that is prescribed in Shiva Purana, a Hindu epic. According to the Purana, poojas are conducted once in every three hours, on Maha Shivaratri.

Importance In Human Lives
It is believed that the devotion of Lord Shiva on Mahashivaratri would freed the devotee from the past sins. Moreover, the devotee would reach the adobe of Lord Shiva and live there happily, because he/she is liberated from the cycle of birth and death, once he/she attains moksha or salvation. Therefore, all the devotees of Lord Shiva would flock the temples to offer their prayers. To serve the purpose, jujube fruits, stalks of Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands are offered to the Shiva Linga by the devotees. If the devotee celebrates the festival at home, he/she would perform the Mahashivratri Puja by taking a holy bath (in warm water) early in the morning, wearing new clothes and then smearing bhasm (holy ash) on their forehead.

Importance For Women
Maha Shivaratri is especially important for women. Ladies, both married and unmarried, would perform Shiva Puja and observe fast with great devotion and sincerity. This is predominantly done to appease Lord Shiva along with his consort Goddess Parvati, who is often called Ma Gauri. It is believed that Ma Gauri bestows marital bliss on unmarried women and blesses the married women with healthy and blissful married life. Since Lord Shiva is regarded as the ideal husband by the Hindu women, the unmarried women would not miss to observe the stringent fast on Shivaratri.

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Shiva Chalisa

Mahashivaratri is a special day for the devotees of Lord Shiva. On the festival, people would observe a fast for the entire day and sing bhajans and songs in the praise of the deity. Lord Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, as special puja is conducted all through the day. Different types of Abhishek are performed, with the use of honey, ghee, milk, rose water, sandalwood paste and yogurt. During the time, many devotees would sing the traditional, Shiva Chalisa - a prayer for Lord Shiva. The lyrics of the chalisa have been written many years ago, with the aim to invoke the Lord and ask for his help in removing the hardships of his devotees. In the following lines, we have given the lyrics of Shiva Chalisa.

Lord Shiv Chalisa

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan
Mangal Mul Sujan
Kahat Ayodhya Das Tum Dev Abhaya Varadan

Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala
Sada Karat Santan Pratipala
Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike Kanan Kundal Nagaphani Ke

Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye
Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye
Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain Chhavi Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain

Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari
Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari
Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari Karat Sada Shatrun Chhayakari

Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise
Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise
Kartik Shyam Aur Ganara-U Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jata Na Ka-U

Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara
Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari Devan Sab Mili Tumahi Juhari

Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau
Lava-Ni-Mesh Mahan Mari Girayau
Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara Suyash Tumhara Vidit Sansara

Danin Mahan Tum Sama Kou Nahin
Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin
Veda Nam Mahima Tab Ga-I Akatha Anandi Bhed Nahin Pa-I

Pragate Udadhi Mantan Men Jvala
Jarat Sura-Sur Bhaye Vihala
Kinha Daya Tahan Kari Sara-I Nilakantha Tab Nam Kaha-I

Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha
Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi
Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari Kinha Pariksha Tabahin Purari

Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi
Kushal-Nain Pujan Chaha Soi
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar Bhaye Prasanna Diye-Ichchhit Var

Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi
Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi
Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai
Bhramat Rahe Mohin Chain Na Avai

Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro
Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro
Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro

Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi
Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi
Svami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari
Ava Harahu Aba Sankat Bhari

Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin
Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahin
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari
Kshamahu Nath Aba Chuka Hamari

Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nishan
Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan
Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain

Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya
Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya
Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai
Tapar Hota Hai Shambhu Saha-I

Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari
Patha Karai So Pavan Hari
Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi
Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi

Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai
Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai
Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha
Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha

Dhupa Dipa Naivedya Charhavai
Anta Vasa Shivapur Men Pavai
Kahai Ayodhya Asha Tumhari
Jani Sakal Dukha Harahu Hamari

Nitya Nema kari Pratahi
Patha karau Chalis
Tum Meri Man Kamana
Purna Karahu Jagadish

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Maha Shivaratri Rituals

Mahashivaratri celebrations in India are marked with immense devotion, colorful rituals and religious fervor. The Hindus across the length and breadth of the country celebrate the festival with gusto. Fasting and night vigil are the highlights of Maha Shivaratri. The devotees would observe a stringent fast and sing bhajans all through the night, during the festival. Special pujas are performed in Lord Shiva temples. Right from the dawn of the day through the night, the devotees observe a number of rituals on Mahashivratri. Go through the following lines to know all about the traditions of Maha Shivaratri.

Maha Shivratri Customs & Traditions

Holy Bath
On Mahashivratri, the devotees wake up early in the morning and take a ceremonious bath, by using black sesame seeds. It is believed that bathing purifies one's body. Thereafter, they would offer prayers to Sun God, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, as a part of the purification rituals that is observed on all the important Hindu festivals. After wearing new washed clothes, the devotees would head towards the nearest Lord Shiva temple to worship the deity. During the festival, the temples with Lord Shiva as the deity are flocked by devotees. Special pujas are conducted on the day.

Rituals At Shiva Temples
Lord Shiva temples are thronged by devotees on the glorious occasion of Mahashivaratri, because it is the day to honor the deity. The traditional Shiva Linga pooja is performed, while the devotees seek blessings from the God. Holy water (Gangajal) is poured over the Shiva Linga, as a part of the ritual. According to the rituals prescribed in the Shiva Purana (mythology), Shiva Linga is given a ceremonious bath with milk, yogurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose water, every three hours on Mahashivaratri. Therefore, the priest in the temple would perform the ritual without fail. While performing the Abhishek, bells are rung and the devotees would chant the names of Lord Shiva.

After the ritual of Abhishek is over, kumkum (vermilion) is applied on the Shiva Linga, to mark the culmination of the previous ritual and pave the way for the next. Traditionally, the leaves of Bilwa (Aegle marmelos) are used for the performance of Shiva pooja. Therefore, a stalk of three Bilwa leaves is placed on the top of the Shiva Linga. Jujube fruit is offered to the deity. Flowers and garlands can also be offered to the Linga. Many devotees offer incense sticks and fruits to the deity. Special pujas are performed in the temples, where bhajans of Maha Shivaratri are sung.

Merrymaking is at its peak at the night of Maha Shivaratri. Devotees awake all through the night of the festival. They spend the whole night in Shiva temples, in the worship of the God. Singing of hymns, bhajans and verses in the praise of Lord Shiva is one of the traditions of Mahashivaratri, besides the chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya'. Special food is prepared by using fruits, root vegetables and coconuts. The devotees, who have observed the Mahashivratri vrat, would break the fast early in the next morning by eating the prasad that was offered to Lord Shiva, in the previous night.

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Maha Shivaratri Pooja

Maha Shivaratri is a ceremonious occasion celebrated with religious fervor by Hindus all over India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the festival involves fasting and rigorous vigil in the night. Devotees of the deity get up early in the morning, take a holy bath and then indulge themselves in the merrymaking, which is all about worshipping Lord Shiva with immense devotion. People enjoy singing bhajans and songs all through the night, when they are awake to commemorate the festival. Special puja is conducted in Lord Shiva temples, as a part of the traditions. Go through the article to know all about Mahashivratri puja vidhi.

Maha Shivratri Pooja

Pooja At Home
After waking up early in the morning on Mahashivaratri, the devotees of Lord Shiva would take a ceremonious bath, using warm water and seeds of black sesame. It is a popular belief that by bathing in warm water, with few seeds of black sesame, the body is purified. After wearing new clothes, the devotees would smear bhasma (holy ash) on their forehead. One may worship Lord Shiva at home by offering Bilwa leaves to the deity and by chanting mantra - 'Om Namah Shivaya'. Apart from Bilwa leaves, flowers and garlands can also be offered to the deity.

Pooja In Temples
Special pujas are performed at Lord Shiva temples on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. In many temples the pooja is conducted strictly according to the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, according to which, Shiva Linga should be given ceremonious bath and puja should conducted every three hours on Mahashivratri. Abhisheks are done using milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, sandalwood paste and rose water. Each item is poured over the Shiva Linga, to symbolize different meanings. Milk stands for piousness, while yogurt symbolizes prosperity. Abhishek is done with honey to acquire a sweet speech, while ghee is used to represent victory. It is said that sugar symbolizes happiness and water is the symbol of purity.

After the Abhisheks are performed, the Shiva Linga is adorned with a stalk of three Bilwa leaves, to mark the culmination of the previous ritual. Thereafter, kumkum (vermilion) is applied on the Shiva Linga. Apart from Bilwa leaves, one can see devotees offering beetle leaves to the deity. Jujube fruit is a favorite of the deity, and hence, it is also offered by the devotees. In the mean time, the devotees indulge in immense chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya'. Sounds of bells add to the festive mood in the temples. The air is filled with the aroma of incense sticks and dhoop.

Pooja Items
The main items needed for Shiva Puja on Mahashivratri include vermilion, haldi (turmeric powder), Aguru (holy perfume), Vibhuti/Bhasm (sacred ash made using dried cow dung), Rudraaksha Mala (prayer beads made of the dark berries of Elaeocarpus ganitrus, to chant Om Namah Shivaya), Akshata (uncooked rice) and a stalk of Bilwa (Bael) leaves. Incense sticks, fresh flowers and camphor are other requisites for the pooja. Earthen lamp and lota (container filled with holy water) is also required for the puja.

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Maha Mrityunjay Mantra

One of the ancient Sanskrit mantras, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a verse of Yajurveda. It is the great death-conquering mantra, which is popularly referred to as Tryambakam Mantra, as it is identified with the three-eyed Hindu deity - Lord Shiva. The Mantra has many names and forms. It is sometimes called the Rudra Mantra, with reference to the furious face of Lord Shiva. On the other hand, when it is called the Tryambakam Mantra, then it is referred to the alluding three eyes of Lord Shiva. When it comes to life, it is Mrityunjaya Mantra is called the Mrita-Sanjivini Mantra.

Mrityunjaya Mantra holds the highest place among the Sanskrit mantras used for meditation. The recital of Mrityunjaya Mantra is beneficial for the body and soul in many ways. According to Yajurveda, if the mantra is chanted with immense concentration and devotion, then it purifies the karmas of the soul. Mental, emotional and physical health can be improvised by the regular chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. In the following lines, we have provided the Mrityunjaya Mantra.

Mrityunjaya Mantra

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat

English Translation

"OM. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality." - by Arthur Berriedale Keith

Word By Word Translation

Tri-ambaka-m - The three-eyed-one
Yaja-mahe - We praise
Sugandhi-m - The fragrant
Pusti-vardhana-m - The prosperity-increaser
Urvaruka-m - Disease, attachment, obstacles in life, and resulting depression”
iva “-like
Bandhanat - From attachment Stem (of the gourd);
but more generally, unhealthy attachment
Mrtyor - From death
Mukshiya - May you liberate
Ma - Not
Amritat - Realization of immortality

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Maha Shivaratri Fast

Maha Shivaratri is the wonderful opportunity for the followers of Lord Shiva, to praise the God and seek his blessings. In fact, for the devotees of Lord Shiva, nothing is more important that fasting on Mahashivaratri, when it comes to showing their honor and love to the deity. On the festival, people observe a stringent fast, when they would not consume anything other than the diet formulated especially for the occasion. It is said that if a devotee observes fast on Mahashivratri, with sincerity, pure devotion and love, he/she would be blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivratri Vrat

Significance
Hindu mythology suggests that the observance of vrat on Mahashivratri helps one to attain control over the two great forces that afflict man - rajas guna (the quality of passionate activity) and tamas guna (the quality of ignorance). When the devotee observes a fast with discipline and spends the entire day at the feet of Lord Shiva, his/her mind is controlled. Moreover, evils like lust, anger and greed are subdued, thereby acquiring control over rajas guna. When he/she wakes vigil throughout the night of Maha Shivaratri, he/she develops the ability to conquer the evils of tamas guna too. Therefore, Mahashivratri vrat is significant.

Fasting Rules
Traditionally, people who observe fast on Mahashivaratri would take bath early in the morning, with warm water and black sesame seeds. However, nowadays, people prefer to take a hot water shower, in the morning. By bathing, it is believed that the bodily impurities are washed away. After wearing new laundered clothes, the devotees would visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to worship the deity. The ritual of bathing Shiva Linga with milk and honey takes place in temples of the diety, on the festival. While in the temple, the devotees would sing devotional songs and bhajans, to invoke Lord Shiva. All through the day and night during the festival, they would indulge in chanting of three words 'Om Namah Shivaya'.

Food For Mahashivratri Vrat
A diet is followed by the devotees of Lord Shiva, on Maha Shivaratri. On the day, they would abstain from food made with rice, pulses or wheat. However, the devotees may eat fruits and drink tea, milk or coffee during the fast, if they have not observed nirahar vrat (fast without the consumption of any form of foodstuff). In the evening, after performing puja, they would break the fast by eating rotis made of singhare ka atta (kuttu ka atta) and sabut dana kheer (dessert made of sago). Sendha namak (rock salt) is used to cook food for the fast. To offer the deity, people would prepare dishes such as potato pumpkin pancakes, lauki ka halwa (sweet dish made of bottle guard), thandai etc.

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Maha Shivaratri Date

Mahashivaratri is one of the important Hindu festivals, celebrated with pomp and gaiety. It is celebrated on 13th or the 14th night of the new moon during Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to February-March in Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated on moonless night. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mahashivratri honors the goodness and power of the Almighty. Since Lord Shiva is one among the Hindu Trinity (the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu), he is worshipped by almost everyone, who has faith in Hinduism (Vaishnavas being the exception). Lord Shiva is known for his short-temper, which is often brought down by the pacifying effect of his significant half - Goddess Parvati.

On the glorious occasion of Mahashivratri, the temples worshipping Lord Shiva is flocked by the devotees of the deity. All through the day, they would indulge in the worshipping of the lord, by conducting special pujas in temples or their home and chant the divine mantra of 'Om Namah Shivaya'. Many devotees would observe a stringent fast for the entire day, when they would not consume anything other than the specific diet formulated for the day. Mostly, the diet for the fast consists of fruits and beverages including tea, coffee and milk. Non-vegetarian food is strictly not included in the diet. People abstain from any foodstuff made of common salt. In fact, sendha namak (rock salt) is used to make recipes for the day.

Pujas are conducted in Lord Shiva temples to commemorate the festival. According to the Shiva Purana, special pujas should be conducted every three hours, through the day of Mahashivratri. A significant part of the pujas is Abhisheks, wherein milk, yogurt, water, ghee, sugar and honey are poured over Shiva Linga. Celebrations of Maha Shivaratri mainly take place during the night, when the devotees would sing bhajans and chant mantras of the name of the Almighty. The devotees would be awake for the entire night of Mahashivratri, to show their devotion to the deity. Year by year, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with gusto and great fanfare in India.

Maha Shivaratri Date 2012 - 20 February.

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Shiva Aarti

Reciting Lord Shiva Aarti on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri is believed to invoke divine blessings of Lord Shiva. This aarti is sung in the praise of the Lord and is recited by Shiv bhakts (devotees) around the world. If daily recited at the time of puja, the aarti is said to provide you the special blessings of the Lord and help you liberate yourself from all the sins. It is also believed that this aarti makes the Lord happy and in return, He fills your live with happiness and prosperity. For better understanding of this aarti, we are providing English translation, along with the Hindi verses Aarti.

Lord Shiva Aarti

Jai Shiv Onkara Har Shiv Onkara,
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Arddhagni Dhara.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Glory to you, O Shiva! Glory to you, O Omkaara! May Brahma, Vishnu and the assembly of other gods, including the great Lord Shiva, relieve me of my afflictions!

Ekanan Chaturanan Panchanan Rajai,
Hansanan Garudasan Vrishvahan Sajai.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Being the Absolute, True being, Consciousness and Bliss, you play the roles of all the three Gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. As Vishnu, you have but one face, as Brahma four and as Shiva five. They gladden the sight of all who behold them. As Brahma you prefer the back of the swan for your seat, as Vishnu you like to ensconce yourself on the back of Garuda (A large mythological eagle - like bird believed to be the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) and as Shiva you make the sacred bull your conveyance; all these stand ready. O Great Lord, pray rid me of my afflictions!

Do Bhuj Char Chaturbhuj Das Bhuj Te Sohai,
Tinon Roop Nirakhta Tribhuvan Jan Mohai.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - As Brahma, you possess two arms, as Vishnu four and as Shiva (Dashabaahu) ten, all of which look matchlessly lovely. No sooner do the inhabitants of the three spheres behold you than they are all enchanted. O great Lord Omkaara, pray rid me of my afflictions.

Akshaymala Vanmala Mundmala Dhari,
Chadan Mrigmad Sohai Bhale Shashi Dhari.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - You are, O great Lord Omkaara, wearing a garland of Rudraaksha, another of forest flowers the third of skulls; your forehead, glistening in the moonlight which it holds, is smeared with sandal-paste and musk. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Shvetambar Pitambar Baghambar Ange,
Sankadik Brahmadik Bhootadik Sange.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - O great Lord Omkaara, your body is attired in white and yellow silken clothes and in tiger skin, while in your company are troops of goblins, gods like Brahma and divine seers like Sanaka. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Kar Men Shreshth Kamandalu Chakra Trishooldharta,
Jagkarta Jagharta Jag Palankarta.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - O great Lord Omkaara, you hold akamandalu (the mendicants water-jar) in one of your hands and in another a trident; you bring joy to all, destroy all distress and sustain the whole world. May you rid me of all my afflictions!

Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv Janat Aviveka,
Pranvakshar Ke Madhye Yah Tinon Eka.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - The ignorant (unwise and stupid) know Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as three individual gods, but they are all indistinguishably fused into a single mystic syllable ‘OM’. Pray rid me of my afflictions.

Trigun Shiv Ki Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gave,
Kahat Shivanand Swami Manvanchhit Phal Pave.
Om hara hara Mahaadevaa...

Meaning - Says Swami Shivananda, “He who recites this Aarti to the Lord of the three gunas-sattva, rajas and tamas - attains fulfillment of his heart’s desire”. O great Lord Omkaara, may you rid me of my afflictions.

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Maha Shivaratri Bhajans

Mahashivaratri is an auspicious occasion for Hindus. It is the festival when Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity (the other two being Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu), is worshipped with immense devotion. The ceremonious occasion, which honors Lord Shiva, falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. The celebrations begin in the morning and continue all through the night, as the devotees observe fast and remain awake. Bhajans are sung in the praise of the Almighty, on Mahashivratri.

Maha Shivratri Bhajans

Arunaachala Shiva Sai Shankara

Arunaachala Shiva Sai Shankara
Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Bhasma Bhooshana Naagaabharana Nacho Hey Shiva Raaj
Thaandava Priya Kara, Natana Nateshwara, Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Dama Dama Dama Dama Damaroo Bajaavo
Jhana Jhana Jhana Jhana Paayaliyaa
Dhimiki Dhimiki Dhimi, Dhimiki Dhimiki Dhimi,
Nacho Hey Nataraaj
Nacho Hey Nataraaj

Bhola Naathha Hare Jagadeesha

Bhola Naathha Hare Jagadeesha
Shaileshwara Hara Uma Mahesha
Bhola Naathha Hare Jagadeesha
Bhava Bhaya Haari Hey Tripuraari
Shiva Gangaadhara Sai Muraari
Bhola Naath Bhola Naath
Sai Naath Sai Naath

Darshana Do Shiva Shankara Deva

Darshana Do Shiva Shankara Deva
Darshana Do Sai Shankara Deva... (Darshana Do…)
Gaja Charmaambara Hey Pralayankara
Hey Pralayankara, Hey Abhayankara... (Gaja Charmaamnara…)
Hey Tripuraari Trinetra Dhaari
Parvathi Ramana Paataka Harana
Hey Bhuvaneshwara Dayaa Karo

Brahma Murari Sadaa Poojitha

Brahma Murari Sadaa Poojitha
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Bilvaacharana Priya Bhavaani Shankara
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Mruthyunjaya Mahadeva Maheshwara
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Bhasmo Dhulitha Thejo Vigraha
Namah Shivaaya Namaha Shivaaya
Lingodbhavakara Sai Maheshwara
Namah Shivaaya Namah Shivaaya
Namah Shivaaya, Namah Shivaaya
Om Namah Shivaaya, Shivaaya Nama Om

Dama Dama Damaru Damuru Naathha Shiva

Dhimika Dhimika Dhimi Gauri Naathha Shiva
Dama Dama Damaru Damuru Naathha Shiva
Natana Manohara Nataraja Shiva
Hara Hara Bhum Bhum Bhola Naathha Shiva
Shambho Shankara Viswanatha Shiva
Shivaya Namah Shiva Sai Naathha Shiva (low & high)

Jaago Jaago Shankara

Jaago Jaago Sayeeshwara
Jaago Jaago Jaago Shankara
Halahal Dhar Hey Parmesha
Hey Tripuraari Jai Partheesha
Ganga Dhara Shankara
Shiva Gauri Vara Shankara
Hara Ganga Dhara Shankara
Sathya Sayeeshwara Shankara

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Makar Sankranti History

Makar Sankranthi, or Sankranti is a popular Indian festival. It is celebrated in many parts of the country and also in some other parts of the world with great zeal and enthusiasm. It is a harvest festival which is basically celebrated in the Hindu communities. In Indian, the states of Bihar, Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu celebrate the festival with great fervor and gusto.In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Pongal, in Assam as Bhogali Bihu, in Punjab, as Lohiri, in Gujarat and Rajasthan, as Uttararayan. Outside India, the festival is given due importance in the countries like Nepal where it is celebrated as Maghe Sakrati or Maghi, in Thailand where it is named as Songkran and in Myanmar where it is called Thingyan.

The festival of Makar Sankranti marks the day when the sun begins its northward journey and enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn) from the Tropic of Cancer. It is like the movement of sun from Dakshinayana (south) to Uttarayana (north) hemisphere. It is the one of the few chosen Indian Hindu festivals which has a fixed date. This day falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Hindu Solar Calendar. The festival is considered to be a day from where onwards all the auspicious ritualistic ceremonies can be solemnized in any Hindu family. This is thus considered as the holy phase of transition.

Shankranti means transmigration of Sun from one zodiac in Indian astrology to the other. As per Hindu customary beliefs, there are 12 such Sankrantis in all. But the festival is celebrated only on the occasion of Makara Sankaranti i.e. the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius ('Dhanu' Rashi ) to Capricorn('Makara' Rasi). In this case, the zodiacs are measured sidereally, and not tropically, in order to account the Earth's precession. That is why the festival falls about 21 days after the tropical winter solstice which lies between December 20 and 23rd. Here the sun marks the starting of Uttarayana, which means northern progress of Sun.

Makar Sankranti holds special significance as on this day the solar calendar measures the day and night to be of equal durations on this day. From this day onwards, the days become longer and warmer. It is the day when people of northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period when the sun is getting closer to them. The importance of the day was signified by the Aryans who started celebrating this day as an auspicious day for festivities. The reason behind this may be the fact that it marked the onset of harvest season. Even in the epic of Mahabharata, an episode mentions how people in that era also considered the day as auspicious. Bhishma Pitamah even after being wounded in the Mahabharata war lingered on till Uttarayan set in, so that he can attain heavenly abode in auspiciuous times. It is said that death on this day to brings Moksha or salvation to the deceased.

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Makar Sankranti Date

Makar Sankranti is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals for the Hindus. It is celebrated in various parts of the country with extreme zeal and fervor. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known Uttararayan while in Northern part of the country; it is known as Sankranti, in Tamil Nadu, it is known as Pongal. Apart from India, it is also celebrated in Nepal, Malaysia and Thailand. It is celebrated with great devotion, fervor and gaiety as the harvest festival of the state at many places in the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the few chosen Indian festivals which are celebrated on the same date every year i.e. on 14th January.

When Is Makar Sankranti
Sankranti means 'change' and 'Makar' means 'Capricorn', thus Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. It is when Sun transits from Sagittarius and goes to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana). This event has socio-religious impact on the Indian society. At some places the festival is celebrated merely as a harvest festival, however in many parts of the country, it is considered as an occasion from when all the auspicious Hindu festivals can be solemnized.

For some people it signifies an event wherein the Sun-God seems to remind his devotees a popular saying that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya' which means 'may you go higher and higher, to more and more light and never to darkness. As Sun signifies knowledge, divine spiritual light and wisdom to Hindu community, this festival of Sun God gives a message that the real spirit of life is to get over from the darkness of delusion and begin the search of a more brighter and aware side of our persona. People often relate the festival to auspiciousness, wisdom, and knowledge.

Makar Sankranti 2012
Unlike most of the other Indian Hindu festivals, the date of Makar Sankranti is fixed. It is celebrated on 14th January every year. In 2012, the Makar Sankranti is falling on Saturday. The festival is celebrated throughout the country with different names and different rituals. At some places, it is considered auspicious to fly kites, while at other places eating 'Khichdi' (instant rice-daal mix) is considered fortunate. Til and Rice are said to be the vital ingredients of this festival. In the rice-eating belt of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, most of the festive dishes are rice-centric. A popular fair named Gangasagar Mela, is also organized on this occasion on banks of river Hooghly, near Calcutta. In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti occasion is considered 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The entire event lasts for four days, the first day called Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.

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Makar Sankranti Customs

Makar Sankranti is an important Hindu festival celebrated with religious fervor in almost all parts of India. The festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of the bountiful harvest season after few months of chilly winter. It falls on January 14, every year, as per the Solar calendar. Both geographic and religious significance are associated with the festival. On the day, Sun begins to travel northwards, by leaving the Tropic of Cancer in order to enter the Tropic of Capricorn (corresponding to the zodiac sign 'Makar' meaning Capricorn). The traditions observed during the festival are different according to different regions of India. Read on to get information about the rituals of Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti Customs & Traditions

In Maharashtra, there is a custom of exchanging sweets made of jaggery, as the first sugarcane crop for the year is harvested during the period.According to a tradition, the Marathis wear black clothes, because they consider the black sesame as auspicious. Til Gul (Sesame-Jaggery sweet) is prepared and exchanged on the day.

Flying kite is one of the popular Makar Sankranti traditions of Maharashtra. Colorful kites, made of different shapes and sizes, are also flown in Gujarat, as a part of the celebrations of Makar Sankranti. This is primarily because, the festival coincides with the International Kite Festival held at Ahmedabad (capital city of Gujarat), on January 14.

Charity forms a significant part of the traditions of Makar Sankranti. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, one can witness people donating Khichdi (rice cooked with lentils) to the poor and needy. People in Andhra Pradesh also indulge themselves in charity of clothes.

Taking a holy dip on the day is considered auspicious and hence, it is a popular custom followed in Uttar Pradesh, where people flock the religious places in the state to take a ceremonious bath in holy River Ganga. It is believed that taking dip in holy rivers provides moksha (salvation) from all the sins done previously.

Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. There, it is a three-day festival, starting from January 13 until January 15. January 13 is celebrated as Bhogi, followed by Makara Pongal (Sankranti) and then culminated by Mattu Pongal on the next day. Similar tradition is seen in Andhra Pradesh, where the third day of Makar Sankranti is known as 'Kanuma'.

The customs followed in villages of India, on Makar Sankranti, have a unique charm. Varied festivities including singing and dancing mark the celebrations of the harvest festival. Courtyards and swept and sprinkled with a mixture of water and cow dung, while the homes are scrub-cleaned for the festival. People would make Rangoli or Kolam in their courtyard. The villagers extend their gratitude to Mother Nature for a good crop.

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Makar Sankranti Celebrations

Makar Sankranti festival holds special significance in India. It is one of the important Hindu festivals, celebrated with pomp and gaiety across the length and breadth of the country, with different names and of course, by observing different rituals. The festival marks the commencement of Sun's journey to the northern hemisphere, thereby making the days warmer and longer than the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the culmination of winter season and beginning of harvest or spring season. All over India, Makar Sankranti is observed with great fanfare. The celebrations of Makar Sankranti in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka deserve special mention. Read on to know more about Makar Sankranti celebrations in different parts of India.

Makar Sankranti Festival Celebrations

In Maharashtra
On Makar Sankranti, people in Maharashtra enjoy their first sugarcane harvest for the year. They would reap the sugarcane convert it into fresh jaggery. In fact, sweets made of jaggery are distributed during the festival, as a part of the traditions of Makar Sankranti. People exchange Til Gul (Sesame-Jaggery sweet) that is specialty of the festival. Kite flying is one of the highlights of the merrymaking, in the Marathi state. Women would wear new clothes and accessorize themselves with new bangles, to take part in the celebrations.

In Andhra Pradesh
Makar Sankranti is a three-day festival in Andhra Pradesh. Celebrated on January 14 every year, Sankranti is preceded by Bhogi, when people follow the tradition of burning unwanted matter. Kanuma is celebrated on January 15, wherein people would worship cow. According to the legends, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Gokulam on Kanuma. Kanuma is dedicated to cows, bulls and other animals. On Makar Sankranti day, people would prepare Pongali (similar to Pongal in Tamil Nadu), a dish prepared by using the recent rice harvest. The dish is offered to Sankranti Lakshmi first, and then consumed by the devotees.

In Karnataka
People in Karnataka wear colorful dresses and visit their friends and relatives, on the festive occasion of Makar Sankranti. There is a popular tradition of exchanging pieces of sugarcane that has been harvested fresh, on Makar Sankranti. In addition to this, people exchange a mixture of fried sesame seeds, molasses, pieces of dry coconuts, fried gram and peanuts as a part of the good old tradition. On Makar Sanskranti, animals are also honored. Domestic cows and bulls are given a lavish bath, while their horns are painted with bright colors and decorated with garland, as a part of the celebrations.

Gujarat
Makarsankranti is a two-day festival in Gujarat. It is celebrated with great fanfare. Kite flying is one of the important traditions of Makar Sankranti in the coastal state. On the day, the sky is dotted with colorful kites of various shapes and sizes. The International Kite Festival held at Ahmedabad on January 14 coincides with the festival. There is a custom of giving gifts to relatives, on the festival. Pundits consider the day auspicious and hence, grant scholarships for their disciples to pursue further studies in various disciplines, such as astrology and philosophy.

In Uttar Pradesh
People residing in Uttar Pradesh celebrate Makar Sankranti with religious fervor. As per the traditions, they take a ritual bath in the holy River Ganga. Thereafter, they would worship their favorite good, seeking a good harvest year after year. Donating Khichdi (a cooked mixture of rice and lentils) on Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious, and hence, a popular tradition followed in the northern state. A big fair is organized at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, as a part of the celebrations of Makar Sankranti. This fair is known as Magha Mela. Places of pilgrimage including Haridwar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh are flocked by devotees on Makar Sankranti and go there to take a holy dip in the river.

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Naga Panchami

It is on the fifth day of the bright half of the Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated in India. Snake worship, no doubt, owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles. However, in Hindu culture, they own a prominent place. Hindu mythologies are filled with stories and fables about snakes, the most important being the Sheshnaga of Lord Vishnu (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea). Thus, it is quite understandable that a festival called Naga Panchami is observed in India, in the honor of snakes, every year.

Naga Panchami is one of the most ancient fasts in India and also 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 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. As per a legend, on the day of Naga Panchami, ploughing a field is forbidden.

There are a number of legends associated with Naga pancahmi. One 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. Since then, Nag Panchami has been celebrated in India. It is believed that in reward for worship, snakes will never bite any member of the family.

There is yet another legend related to the festival. It goes that young Lord Krishna was playing with the other cowboys near river Yamuna, when the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. Below the tree, a terrible snake Kaliya used to live in the river. Suddenly Krishna fell from the tree into the water. The terrible snake came up with anger, but Krishna started jumping on its head. Finally, Kaliya said sorry to Lord Krishna and He forgave the snake and let it go free. Since then, on Nag Panchami day, the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated.

In India, snakes are so revered that temples have also been erected in their honor. There is a particularly famous one in Mysore, at a place called Subramania (Sheshnaga). 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. 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. Naga panchami is another form of honoring the snakes.

Naga Panchami 2012: 24 July.

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Naga Panchami Story

Human beings soon after stabilizing from nomadic venture started the ritual of worshipping the nature and everything that was helpful to them in one or another way. It helped them construct a system that was derived from the beliefs in social organizations, local cults and deities. Humans thus started exploring nature and started sorting a culture to abide by. Things like sun, river, mountain and snake have been thought of as important element of simultaneous existence since then. Snake worship has also been a part of the culture of India ever since then. Nag Panchami is one of the most important festivals in India celebrated to commemorate the existence of the snake god.

Celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar, this festival falls in the month of July /August according to the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated in various parts of the country amongst the community where it has been prevalent for long. The grandest celebrations can be seen in the southern India and in the states of Bengal and Maharashtra. The festival has religious significance too. It is believed that Snakes have been the savior of human race from the wrath of demons and also, that the earth is balanced on the head of on Shesh Naag. There are also several legends and stories associated with the festival, one of the most important one is given below.

Stories & Legends Of Nag Panchami
It is said that long before Aryans arrived in India, a clan named Nagaas lived in India. It was a highly developed clan. It is said that the snake-worship amongst the Nagas, was extremely popular and it can be proved according to the evidences derived from the Indus Valley civilization of 3000 B.C. After the Naga culture gradually got incorporated into Hinduism, the Indo-Aryans also gradually accepted many of the snake deities as their God too. The prominent Cobra snakes mentioned in the Puranas that are to be worshipped are Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padma, Kanwal, Karkotak, Kalia, Aswatar, Takshak, Sankhpal, Dhritarashtra and Pingal. However, some of the historians claim that they were not snakes but Naaga Kings of various kingdoms which were worshipped as Gods.

It is also a popular belief amongst people in Hindu religion that thousand-headed Shesh Nag who symbolizes Eternity holds the entire spherical earth on it head. Also, that it is the resting couch of Lord Vishnu, one of three most important gods of Hindu religion. In Jainism and Buddhism snake is regarded as sacred creature with divine qualities. It is because some ancient texts say that a Cobra snake saved the life of Buddha and the Jain Muni Parshwanath.

Stories of snakes association with Hindu gods also enhance the stature of these reptiles in Hindu culture. A popular legend says that the elder brother of Lord Krishna, Balram was the incarnation of Seshnag on earth. Snake is also given due importance because it is considered to be the ornament of Lord Shiva around his neck. The celebration of Nag Panchami in the month of Shrawan (considered as the month of Lord Shiva in Hindu religion) also explains the deep association of Shiva and commemoration of snake as his companion.

It is believed that even the ancient architecture exhibit the evidence of the importance of snakes in the Indian culture. On the caves of Ajanta, the images of the rituals of snake worship have been found. Even Indian literature is full of stories of the virtue of snake. The famous author Kautilya, in his "Arthashastra" has given detailed description of the cobra snakes. It is said that it was also the wide belief of people in ancient India that if they worship snake, they won't cause harm to them and their family. So, there is no one specific legend to why the Naga Panchami started in India, it is being for too long due to the religious significance and social importance of this unique reptile.

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Naga Panchami Rituals

Naga Panchami is one of the prominent Hindu festivals of India. It falls on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to July-August as per the Gregorian calendar. Historical records suggest that the worship of snakes was wide-spread even before the Aryan civilization, when the Naga culture was incorporated into Hinduism. It is believed that the culture of worshipping a number of snake deities was begun by the Indo-Aryans. According to a popular legend, snakes take shelter in gardens and homes, whenever their holes are flooded with rainwater.

Since snakes pose a great threat to humankind due to their venom, they are worshipped by the Hindus, on Nag Panchami. The festival was initially observed to worship the forces of Mother Nature, later on a day to honor God's ferocious creation - snakes. Snakes are worshipped on Nag Panchami, with immense devotion. The devotees visit temples dedicated to snakes, to offer prayers. Since it is celebrated with religious fervor, a number of customs are related to the festivals. Go through the following lines to know more about Naga Panchami rituals.

Nag Panchami Customs & Traditions
The temples dedicated snakes (sarpa) are flocked by devotees, who carry milk and turmeric powder as offerings for the deity. In fact, in some part of the country, Nag Panchami is called 'snake day'. In some regions, live cobras are given a ceremonious bath in milk and offered rice, because it is believed that by treating them properly, one could get immunity from their bites. Women also take part in the celebrations. They would get up early in the morning, take bath and head to the nearest Snake temple, carrying pots of milk and flowers to the deity. According to the legends, if a snake drinks milk, then it is a symbol of good luck.

In many parts of Bengal, Mansa (the Queen of Snakes) is worshipped during Naga Panchami. The snake Goddess is worshipped to obtain respite from other snakes. Raw milk and five plantains are offered to the Goddess, by her devotees. Generally, women are the followers of Goddess Manasa. The tradition of worshipping Goddess Manasa is still prevalent in some parts of Bengal. Another tradition associated with the celebration of Nag Panchami is smearing of red sandalwood paste on wooden boards and clay images of snakes. The images would be colored in usually yellow or black. They are personified as idols of snake and worshipped on the festival.

The rituals followed in different parts of India, for Naga Panchami, are unique in their own terms. For instance, in Punjab, one can see a large dough snake being created and then paraded around the villages of the state. The parade is often accompanied by singing and dancing. The virtual snake is buried at the end of the parade, to mark the culmination of the ritual. Coming to Maharashtra, women offer milk, flowers, haldi (turmeric powder) and kumkum to the dangerous snakes that are carried by snake charmers. It is interesting, yet fearsome to see that on Naga Panchami, snake charmers carry pots containing cobras to a central temple, where they are released and worshipped.

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Naga Panchami Date

Naga Panchami is a popular Hindu festival celebrated in India. It is celebrated in most of the parts of the country. However the celebrations are at its best in Bengal, Maharashtra and Southern part of the country. The tradition of worshipping snake is very long in India, even before the arrival of Aryans in India. The five Nagas that are worshipped on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Vasuki, Taxak, Karkotaka and Pingala. The Pooja of Nag Panchami is done on the similar lines in all the parts of the country. The snake god is offered milk and turmeric on this day and prayed on this day.

According to the Puranic myth, it is said that the origin of Nagas have been directly related to Brahma and that is why they are considered auspicious. It is believed that Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. His first wife is the mother of all Devas, second to Garudas, third to Nagas and fourth to Daityas. The third wife of Kashyapa, who was named Kadroo gave birth to Nagas after whom the Nagas are also known as Kadrooja. They were once the rulers of nether world, the Patal Loka.

The Naga Panchami, which falls on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar (July /August according to the Gregorian calendar), is celebrated in order to commemorate the existence of the Nagas. It is said that the prominent Nagas in the Puranas that are to be worshipped are Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padma, Kanwal, Karkotak, Kalia, Aswatar, Takshak, Sankhpal, Dhritarashtra and Pingal. Though, some historians claim that these were not snakes but Naga Kings of various kingdoms which were worshipped as Gods.

The association of snakes, gods and human in Indian legends have also promoted the widespread believe of the fact that snakes have an eternal attachment with the Hindu religion. It is evident from the Hindu mythologies that how snakes have been associated with Lord Krisha, Shiva and Vishnu in various stages of their existence. The existence of snakes in the ancient Hindu puranas and texts also prove the long association of Human race and the snakes.

On the day of Naga Panchami in Shravan month, followers of Nagas worship Naga Devata (Cobras) with full devotion. They visit ttemples and snake pits and offer prayers to the snakes. Milk and silver jewelry is offered to the Cobras in order to please them and seek their protection from all evils. The devotees also observe a full day fast on this day. Swings are put up in the villages and people enjoy themselves while singing shravan songs.

Naga Panchami 2012: 24 July.

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Naga Panchami Celebrations

It is on the fifth day of the bright half of the Shravan that Naga Panchami, or the festival of snakes, is celebrated in India. Snake worship, no doubt, owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles. However, in Hindu culture, they own a prominent place. Hindu mythologies are filled with stories and fables about snakes, the most important being the Sheshnaga of Lord Vishnu (it is on this snake that Lord Vishnu reclines while sleeping in the sea). Thus, it is quite understandable that a festival called Naga Panchami is observed in India, in the honor of snakes, every year.

Naga Panchami is one of the most ancient fasts in India and also 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 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. As per a legend, on the day of Naga Panchami, ploughing a field is forbidden.

There are a number of legends associated with Naga pancahmi. One 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. Since then, Nag Panchami has been celebrated in India. It is believed that in reward for worship, snakes will never bite any member of the family.

There is yet another legend related to the festival. It goes that young Lord Krishna was playing with the other cowboys near river Yamuna, when the ball got entangled in the high branch of a tree. Krishna volunteered to climb the tree and fetch the ball. Below the tree, a terrible snake Kaliya used to live in the river. Suddenly Krishna fell from the tree into the water. The terrible snake came up with anger, but Krishna started jumping on its head. Finally, Kaliya said sorry to Lord Krishna and He forgave the snake and let it go free. Since then, on Nag Panchami day, the victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated.

In India, snakes are so revered that temples have also been erected in their honor. There is a particularly famous one in Mysore, at a place called Subramania (Sheshnaga). 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. 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. Naga panchami is another form of honoring the snakes.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Aarti

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm all over India. It is an important festival for the Hindus in the country. The celebrations of this festival in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are well known for their grandeur every where. The devotees of Ganesha observe a whole day fast on this occasion. People gather together for the celebration at some common place like temple or temporarily arranged Pandal to worship their deity. They also sing songs, burst crackers and dance to the tune of traditional drums. Aarti forms an important part of the Ganesh Pooja. Here we have given the lyrics of some of the popular Ganesh aarti, you can use this is the coming Ganesh Chaturthi.

Arti For Ganesha Chaturthi

Jai Ganesha Devaa

Jai ganesha jai ganesha jai ganesha devaa
Maataa jaakii paarvatii, pitaa mahaadevaa
Eka danta dayaavanta, caara bhujaa dhaarii
Maathe sinduura sohai, muuse kii savaari
Jai ganeshaa...

Andhana ko aankha deta
Korhina ko kaayaa
Baanjhana ko putra deta
Nirdhana ko maayaa
Jai ganeshaa...

Paana carhe, phuula carhe
Aura carhe mevaa
Ladduana ko bhoga lage
Santa karen sevaa
Jai ganesha...

Aarti Kare Jai Ganeshji Ki

Jai ganesh ji ki
Aarti karein hum sab ganesh ji ki

App hai swami dhukh harta
Dukhiyon ke palankarta
App hai bhagwan sukh data
Om jai jai sri gadnatha
Hum sab sharan mein hai bhagwan
O shiva gad muskhak vahan

Jai ganesh ji ki
Aarti karein hum sab ganesh ji ki

App to hai gauri nandan
App to hai maan se vandan
App to hai jansukhdayak
Kehti hai duniya Gadnayak
App ki puja ghar ghar mein
Kastnivare pal bhar mein

Jai ganesh ji ki
Aarti karein hum sab ganesh ji ki

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Ganesh Chaturthi Bhajans

Ganesha Chaturthi is an important Hindu festival in the country. It is the day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati is worshipped with immense zeal and enthusiasm. It is believed that Lord Ganesha is present on the earth to shower his devotees with blessings on this auspicious day. This day is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi. It is celebrated to commemorate the auspicious birth of Lord Ganesha. Celebrated in the month of Bhaadrapada, on the fourth day of the waxing moon period, this festival according to the Gregorian calendar falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festivals celebrated for 10 days with extreme grandeur especially in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Devotees of Ganesha gather at a common place in their community and celebrate the occasion with immense gusto. They echo of Ganesh Bhajans makes the entire atmosphere pious. We have given below few of these popular Ganesh Chaturthi Bhajans.

Lord Ganesha Bhajans

Gaja Vadana
Gaja vadana gajaanana gauri thanaya gajaanana jai jai jai gajaanana jai jai jai gajaanana devaadhi deva gajaanana gauri thanaya gajaanana

Gaja vadana shree gananatha ambika thanaya paahi prabhu ..(gaja vadana..) Siddhi vinaayaka kaivalya daatha paashaankusha dhara paahi prabhu namaami nithyam smaraami nithyam deena sharanya paahi prabhu

Ganapathi om jaya ganapathi om gajamukha varada ganapathi om mooshika vaahana gajaanana modakahastha gajaanana paramaniranjana gajaanana paada namaste gajaanana

Gauri ganesh uma ganesh parvathi nandana shree ganesh sharanam ganesh sharanam ganesh shiva nandana ganapathi ganesh

Hey shiva nandana bhava bhaya bhanjana vighna vinaashaka gajaanana gaja vadana gana naatha vishwa vandya shiva shambhu kumaara parvathi tanaya ganeshwara gana naatha shubha daatha pahi prabhu

Jai jai jai gana naayaka jai jai vighna vinaashaka jai shubha mangala daayaka vidhya buddhi pradaayaka gaja vadanaa gauri nandana (2x) gangaadhara shiva shambho nandana

Mangalam Mangalam
Mangalam mangalam ganesham mangalam mangalam - 2
Devaa... Ganpati devaa... Ganpati deva... Ganpati deva...
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 4
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2

Ma ma ga ma ...

(tu hi aadi tu hi hain anth
Deva mahima teri hain anant) - 2
Gajananan bhut ganadhi devitam uma shutam shav vinash kare kam
Mangalam ganesha
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2

Ni sa ni sa...

(tu hi shakti tu hi vidhan
Deva tu hi ved puran) - 2
Gajananan bhut ganadhi devitam uma shutam shav vinash kare kam
Mangalam ganesha
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 2
Vighna vinashak jan sukh dayak - 2 mangalam ganesham
Deva ho deva ganpati deva mangalam ganesham - 6

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Ganesh Chaturthi Date

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to honor Lord Ganesha. The festival falls in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). This corresponds to the month of August - September, according to the Gregorian calendar. It is believed Lord Ganesha, the Hindu elephant-deity, should be worshipped first. By doing so, all the obstacles are banished, whenever one commences something fresh and new. Therefore, people head towards Lord Ganesha temple to worship the deity, whenever they are about to undertake any new thing, say a project, business or education.

Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the God, who is known by as many as 108 different names some of the popular names of Lord Ganesha are 'Gajanana' (Elephant faced deity), 'Ganapati' (Lord of All Ganas), 'Vinayak' (Lord of all). The festival is also called Vinayaka Chaturthi. It is believed that on the day, Lord Ganesha bestows his presence on earth to bless his devotees. The festival is celebrated with great fanfare and religious observance. People celebrated the birthday of Lord Ganesha (Ganesha Chaturthi) by dedicating the entire day to the worship of the deity.

Artistically sculpted oversized idols of Lord Ganesha are made out of clay, mud or Plaster of Paris especially for Vinayaka Chaturthi, few months prior to the festival. Huge puja pandals (canopy) are raised to offer prayers. The idol is taken out on a procession during the day, amidst a long congregation of devotees. The devotees dance to the tune of traditional drums and sing Lord Ganesha, while they take their deity on the procession. This may take almost a couple of hours, because the idol is taken to almost every street of the city, where the puja pandal is set up.

The idol of Lord Ganesha is installed at the pandal in the evening, when prayers are offered by the devotees. Bhajans are sung either by a professional troupe of musicians or by the devotees themselves. The puja culminates by an extensive aarti and feasting. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across different parts of the country. It is one of the very important festivals in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh. Ganesh Chaturthi is the biggest festival for the Konkanis in Goa. People observe fast for the entire day and break it only after offering puja to the deity, in the evening.

Ganesh Chaturthi In 2012
In 2012, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 19 September.

Ganesh Chaturthi Dates
2013 - Monday, 9th September
2014 - Friday, 29th August
2015 - Thursday, 17th September

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Ganesh Chaturthi Decorations

Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival in the India. It is celebrated with extreme zeal and passion amongst the Hindus in the country. The objective of this festive celebration is to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. This celebration was a homely affair before the year 1893 when Lokmanya Tilak made it a community festival to promote the interactions between brahmin and non-brahmin community in Maharashtra. Now, the community celebrations of this festival in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are well known for their exceptional grandeur throughout the country

The festive celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi festival goes on for ten days. It starts in the month of Bhaadrapada, on the fourth day of the waxing moon period, this festival according to the Gregorian calendar falls between 20 August and 15 September The final day of the celebration witnesses' extreme enthusiasm. The devotees of Ganesha observe a whole day fast and take out a long procession of the Lord throughout the city. During these ten days, all the devotees gather in the community Pandals for the celebration every day. The Pooja, celebrations and feasts are arranged at the Pandal for the entire ten days. People of various communities share a common platform to celebrate this festival. These Pandals are beautifully decorated and does look no less than a grand film set.

The concept of community celebrations has given way to huge grandeur in the celebrations. On this occasion, the community pandals are arranged where the ten days Pooja is carried on. This Pandal is like a temporary abode for the deity. This is also the common place for feasts and celebrations for the devotees. The Pooja is carried on in this Pandal in a very interesting way. Half the Pandal is decorated for the Pooja and half of it is arranged for sitting arrangements, get-togethers, feasting and celebrations of the devotees. The making of Pandals for the Pooja begins day before the actual Pooja starts.

The making of Pandal is also a complex and lengthy phenomenon. It is an intricate affair of arranging a beautiful and temporary shelter for ten days celebrations. The entire cost of arrangement of the Pandals is met by community donations. Making of the Pooja Pandals follows pre-decided plans that use bamboo poles, wooden planks and clothes. The use of colorful clothes and fresh flowers for ambiences enhance the beauty of the Pandal. The decorations of the Pandal are done in accordance with space available and the expected gathering.

It has now become a fashion to set Pooja Pandals through community contribution in every colony and street especially in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The trend of designer Pandals with complex lightings and intricate patterns are also in extreme demands on this occasion. Decorated by lights, flowers and several such items, the modern Pandals give a grand look. The Pandals all over the city give a mesmerizing look to the city as well as extreme enthusiasm and grandeur to the festival.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Fast

Ganesh chaturthi is one of the well known Hindu festivals of India, celebrated with gusto. Just as Durga Puja is for Bengalis, Onam for Malayalees and Pongal for Tamilians, Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival for Marathis in the country. Hence, the festival is celebrated with great fanfare across Maharashtra. In addition to this, the Telugu people in Andhra Pradesh celebrate this fervor with religious observance, just like that done in Maharashtra. People, in both the States, dance around beautifully sculpted oversized idols of Lord Ganesha. A temporary puja pandal (canopy) is set up, where the idol of Lord Ganesha is worshipped.

Communities compete with each other to put up a more outstanding pandal and idol of Lord Ganesha, thus paving the way to a lot of variety. Amidst much fanfare and festivities, the priest installs the idol into the respective pooja pandal, after the idol is taken on a grand procession. Apart from the pandals, people also flock into the temples that are dedicated to Lord Ganesha. They offer modak (ladoo, a sweetmeat made of flour and sugar) to the deity, as it is his favorite. A day-long fast is observed by the devotees, which is broken only after the Ganesha puja and aarti in the evening. In this article, you will know all about Ganesh Chaturthi vrat (fast).

Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat

The devotees of Lord Ganesha, who intend to observe a fast on Ganesha Chaturthi, would wake up early in the morning and take bath. After wearing laundered clothes, they would head towards the nearest temple or perform a small puja at their home, to offer prayers to the deity. In the temples, special puja would be conducted. The devotees would offer prasad to the deity. The temples are filled with the sacred chants and mantras. Bhajans are sung. This creates a perfect festive mood for the devotees, who flock the religious place to invoke Lord Ganesha and seek his blessings.

When people are on a fast on the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, they may opt for either the nirjal vrat (a stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). As a general fact, the devotees who have observed vrat on the festival are allowed to consume sweets including Til ka Ladoo (sesame sweetmeat), gajak and rewari (sweets made of sesame and jaggery), along with tea and coffee. They generally abstain from other forms of food, while non-vegetarian food is strictly not allowed, when someone is on a fast. In order to stay concentrated, the devotees would chant mantras invoking Lord Ganesha and sing bhajans on his praise. It is believed that if one observes fast on Ganesha Chaturthi with sincerity, he/she would be blessed with health, wealth and prosperity.

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Ganesh Chaturthi History

Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most important Hindu festival in India. It is the day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati was born. The day thus marks the auspicious birth of one of the most important Hindu God. This day is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in many parts of the country. It is celebrated on of fourth day of the waxing moon period in the month of Bhaadrapada according to the Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, this day falls between 20 August and 15 September. The festival is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for ten days. If you want to explore the origin and history of this festival, you can refer to the article given here.

Origin
According to the legend, the festival marks the auspicious day of the birth of Lord Ganesha. The story goes as follows- Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of resolution, was away from Kailash due to some work. As Parvati was alone at home, she felt the necessity of some one to guard the door to her house while she took bath. When she did not get any one, she conceived of the idea of creating a son who could guard her. She then created Ganesha out of her sandalwood paste and breathed life into the idol. She then asked him to stand on the gate and do not let any body enter until she came out. Unfortunately, Shiva returned home in the meantime. As, Ganesha did recognize him, he stopped Shiva from entering as per his mother's advice. This badly enraged Lord Shiva, who cut off Ganesha's head by his trident. When Parvati saw beheaded Ganesha, took on the form of the Goddess Kali and threatened to destruct all the three worlds.

The earth, the heaven, the nether world, all was shaken and every body ran to Shiva for solution. In order to appease Lord Parvati and save the world from destruction, Lord Shiva sent out his followers to find a child whose mother is facing another direction in negligence, cut off his head and bring it quickly. The first such child that came in the eyes of the Shiva followers was an elephant, so they brought the head of this elephant and Shiva placed it on the trunk of Parvati's son and gave life into him. Parvati was the overwhelmed with happiness and embraced her son. They named her Ganesha i.e the Lord of all Ganas (followers).

History
Though the festival is being celebrated since times immemorial, the present kind of celebrations of Ganesha Chaturthi came in fashion in 1893, Lokmanya Tilak, an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer reshaped the annual Ganesh festival from a private family celebration into a community event. The day was conceived to be the National Festival in order to bridge the gap between the Brahmins and the non-Brahmins in the society. Tilak chose this festival for this purpose because Lord Ganesh was considered to be the ' God of Everyman'. It then served as a meeting ground for people of all community and religion on a public platform. Since then the festival has served its cause of existence. Even now people irrespective of caste and community barriers celebrate this festival with great joy.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm in India. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is celebrated with immense zeal and fervor throughout the country, however the celebrations of this festival in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are well known for their exceptional grandeur every where. The entire celebration of this festival goes on for ten days. On the final day of the festival, the devotees of Ganesha observe a whole day fast and take out a long procession of the Lord in the city. During these ten days, the devotees gather together for the celebration every day at the temporarily arranged Pandal to worship their deity. They also sing songs, burst crackers and dance to the tune of traditional drums in order to express their gaiety.

Puja On Ganesha Chaturthi
It is generally preferable to do Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day at the noon, however you can perform the pooja as per your wish whenever all the members of your family are present. In order to carry on the pooja, you will require following items- A Clay image of Lord Ganesha, flowers, druva grass blades, sweets (preferably Modak), coconut, sandalwood paste and incense sticks. The Pooja begins with the establishment of idol on a higher platform and giving it a bathe with Panchamrit. You can now pray to Lord Ganesh and recite all the mantras or bhajans dedicated to Lord Ganesha. You now have to invoke Lord Ganesha through your prayers and bring life in the idol. The mantra for this can be found in the in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.

Once you invoke life in the idol, you need to light lamp and incense sticks in order to please Lord Ganesha. After this, you need to perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha. In this you need to offer 21 blades of druva grass, 21 modakas, and flowers to Lord Ganesha. You need to apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste to idol and keep the coconut along with the idol. After you have offered your best possible prasada to the Lord, you simply need to recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha. All the family members can then bow down to Ganesha and seek his blessings. The puja is performed in a similar way even if it is a community fest. You need not to exceptionally elaborate the rituals of the Pooja rather all you need to do is pray with a clean heart and pious objective.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Katha

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great fanfare by Hindus across different parts of India. The celebrations of the festival in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh (known as Vinayaka Chaturthi in the state) are worth special mention. People indulge in the merrymaking by observing fast for the entire day. Idols of Lord Ganesha are made few months prior to the festival. The devotees sing songs, burst crackers and dance to the tune of traditional drums, as the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken on a procession. The streets are filled with the devotees of Lord Ganesha. The air is filled with festivity on the occasion. The devotees of Lord Ganesha visit the nearest temple of the deity, on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Special pujas are performed at temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha or the puja pandals (temporarily built for the occasion), in the honor of the deity. Modak (laddoo, a sweet) is offered to the god, as it is his favorite. The devotees, who want to show their immense love and honor to the idol, observe a fast for the entire day. It is believed that by observing fast on Ganesh Chaturthi with sincerity and devotion, Lord Ganesha blesses his devotees with health, wealth and prosperity. Since vrat is an important part of the celebrations, vrat katha (the story narrated during Ganesha puja) is also prominent. In the article, we have provided the vrat katha of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Ganesha Chaturthi Vrat Katha
According to the legends, Goddess Parvati was taking bath. While bathing, she created an idol made of mud, named it Lord Ganesha and placed it at the entranceway. She breathed in life to the idol and hence, Lord Ganesha was born. She instructed him to act as a guard and not allow anybody inside, unless she has finished bathing. After some time, Lord Shiva, the consort of Goddess Parvati, entered home. He was very thirsty. As he was approaching Goddess Parvati to quench his thirst, he was stopped by Lord Ganesha.

Stubborn Lord Ganesha didn't allow Lord Shiva to enter the premises, where Goddess Parvati was taking bath. This made Lord Shiva very angry and consequently, he beheaded Lord Ganesha. When Goddess Parvati came to know this, she became intensely angry and grew ferocious and strong enough to destruct the world. All the Gods from swarglok and Lord Shiva himself requested the highly aggressive Goddess Parvati to calm down. In order to pacify her, Lord Shiva fixed the head of an elephant onto Lord Ganesha's body. Not satisfied with it, Goddess Parvati asked that Lord Ganesha should be worshipped before all the other gods. Since then, Lord Ganesha is invoked first, before worshipping any other deity. This story makes the foundation for the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in different parts of India.

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Ganesh Chaturthi In India

Ganesh Chaturthi is a spectacular festival, honoring the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is celebrated all over India, but the maximum grandeur is witnessed at Maharashtra. This festival witnesses various cultural events, which bring the public together and enhance the sense of belongingness and togetherness. The celebration ends with the immersion of the Lord Ganesha's idol into the water. Huge processions of people carry the idol to a river, lake or ocean, accompanied by the chant of Ganapati Bappa Morya. Ganesh Chaturthi is the significant festival of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Celebrations in Maharashtra
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in almost each and every household of Maharashtra, with great faith and belief, for around ten days. The celebrations take place at both individual and community level. Huge pandals are set up and the idol of Ganesha is worshipped by the entire community together, with pomp and show. The celebrations begin with the installation of a Lord Ganesha idol in home, which is worshipped daily by the family members as well as their friends, relatives and even neighbors, who come to have darshan of the Lord. Various cultural events are also organized during these ten days. The celebration ends on the tenth day, when all the people go to the river or sea, to immerse the idol.

Celebrations in Karnataka
In Karnataka, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with prayers offered to Gauri, the mother of Lord Ganesh. The married women pray to Goddess Gauri, to get blessings ofeir long lasting married life. It is celebrated in different temples of Lord Ganesh, where prayers are offered to the Lord and Gauri. In Karnataka, Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and is counted amongst the popularly celebrated festivals.

Celebrations in Gujarat
In Ahmedabad, the capital city of Gujarat, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great pomp and show. Offerings are made to Lord Ganesh at numerous temples. Elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration and Ganeshji is fervently worshipped for about 7-10 days. On the day of the Chaturthi, i.e. the last of the ten days dedicated to God, idols are immersed at river Sabarmati and Kankaria Lake. Firecrackers are let off and huge images of Ganeshji are carried in grand procession for 'Ganesh Visarjan' (immersion), accompanied by the sound of devotional songs and drums.

Celebrations in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan, on Ganesh Chaturthi, an image of Ganesh is bathed in red kumkum and a garland of red flowers is put on the idol, placed by many households right outside their entrance. A small thaal, with haldi and kumkum, is also placed at the entrance, so that the visiting people take a pinch of each and put it on their foreheads and throat. Ladoos are usually kept in the house, to be first offered to Ganeshji and then distributed as prasad to the devotees.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Customs

Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi. It is a very famous festival in India and is especially celebrated in a grand manner in Maharashtra. It marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. The festival falls in the month of Bhadrapada, generally between August and September, and lasts for 10 days. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by following a number of traditional customs and rituals, some of which have been listed in the following lines.

Ganesh Chaturthi Customs & Rituals

Two to three months before Ganesh Chaturthi, clay models of Lord Ganesha are prepared for sale, by especially skilled artisans. They decorate and depict the Lord in various poses, to match the religious theme. The height of the statues varies from ¾ inch to over 25 feet.

A day before the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the house is cleaned and whitewashed, especially the place where the idol is to be placed, in order to attain the sense of purity.

Ganesha idols, after being brought, are carried with their faces covered with a saffron cloth. The idol is accompanied by chanting and sound of cymbals.

In the evening of the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, sthapana (installation) of the idol takes place. The idol is installed in the place of worship. All the members of the household gather around the decorated altar and the priests perform a ritual, by which the idol is said to be filled with life.

After the installation, traditional puja takes place at the chosen time. The worshipper sips the holy water and performs the pranayama and bows to Ganesha and all the other gods. The process continues with Ganapati Aarti and devotional chanting, sung along with the sound of cymbals, bells and clapping.

During the puja, a sweet called “modak” is offered to the god, along with the flowers, completing the ritual of the first day. After the pooja is over, the distribution of sweets, offered to Lord Ganesha, takes places amongst devotees, as prasad.

Throughout the ten days of Ganesh Chtaurthi, the idol is worshipped with simple recitations of the devotional songs, offering of flowers and lamps, along with the sweets.

Ganesh Chtaurthi celebration comes to an end on the tenth day. The idol of Ganesha is carried to a water source, in the final procession, accompanied by the chanting 'Ganapati Bappa Morya'. Finally, the idol is immersed in the water.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Legends

Lord Ganesh is considered to be the God who has the ability to bestow wisdom and wealth upon humans. All the new undertakings, whether at place of work or at home, start by reciting the mantra of Lord Ganesha. He is known as the God of good luck and prosperity. Therefore, before any auspicious occasion, Hindus performs the puja of Lord Ganesha, to achieve success in it. Ganesh Chaturthi, the day marking the birth of the Lord, is celebrated in a grand manner in Maharashtra as well as other parts of India. It falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadra and lasts over a period of ten days. One of the most loving festivals of India, Ganesh Chaturthi has many legends associated with it. Given below are the legends from Shiv and Skanda Purana.

Legend From Shiv Purana
The most popular legend associated with Lord Ganesha can be found in the Shiv Purana. It says that Lord Ganapati was created out of the dough that Goddess Parvati used for her bath. The Goddess wanted a door-keeper, to prevent the coming of any visitors when she took a bath. So, she created a doll from the dough and breathed life into him. The day she did this came to be known as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, which we today celebrate as Ganesh Chaturthi.

On day, while Goddess Parvati was taking her bath, Lord Shiva happened to visit her. Ganesha did not know him, so he did not allow the Lord to enter the house. This made Lord Shiva angry and he beheaded Ganesha. Later, when he came to know the truth, he fixed the head of an elephant in place of Ganesha's head. With this, the appearance of Lord Ganesha changed and he came to have the head of an elephant.

Legend From Skanda Purana
There is yet another popular legend associated with Ganesh Chaturthi, arising from Skanda Purana. It goes that once Ganesha was invited for a feast in Chandralok. He ate many Ladoos and later, as he got up to walk after the meal, he could not balance himself, because of his huge stomach, and slipped. His stomach burst and all the laddoos came rolling out. Seeing this, the moon could not control himself and began laughing. Ganesha got angry and cursed the moon that it will vanish from the universe.

Because of moon's absence, the whole world began to wane. The gods asked Lord Shiva to get Ganesha to change his mind. The moon also apologized for his misbehavior. Finally, Ganesha modified his curse saying that the moon would be invisible on only one day of a month and would be partially seen on Ganesha Chaturthi. He also added that anyone who watches moon on Ganesha Chaturthi would face a false accusation. This is the reason why, even today, it is considered inauspicious to look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi.

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Lord Ganesh

Lord Ganesh is the elephant-headed God, who is known as Lord of Beginnings and the Lord of Obstacles. He is regarded as the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The image of the Lord has four hands, elephant's head and a big belly. His charioteer is a tiny mouse, which shows a unique combination of wisdom, intelligence and presence of mind. Lord Ganesh is worshipped before starting any new venture. In fact, his names and aarti are recited before starting any auspicious work, in order to achieve success in it.

Origin
It is said that Lord Ganapati originated from the mud of Goddess Partvati's Body. She placed Him at the entrance of the house, as the door-keeper, while she took a bath. It so happened that Lord Shiva came to visit the Goddess at that time and Ganesha did not allow him to enter the house. This made Lord Shiva angry and he beheaded Ganesh. When Shiva came to know about the truth, he fixed the head of an elephant in place of Ganesha's head. With this, image of Lord Ganesha became as we know of today.

Names
Lord Ganesh is known by 108 names, given in relation to his appearance, nature and charioteer. These names are:

Akhurath, Alampata, Amit, Anantachidrupamayam, Avaneesh, Avighna, Balaganapati, Bhalchandra, Bheema, Bhupati, Bhuvanpati, Buddhinath, Buddhipriya, Buddhividhata, Chaturbhuj, Devadeva, Devantakanashakarin, Devavrata, Devendrashika, Dharmik, Dhoomravarna, Durja, Dvaimatura, Ekaakshara, Ekadanta, Ekadrishta, Eshanputra, Gadadhara, Gajakarna, Gajanana, Gajananeti, Gajavakra, Gajavaktra, Ganadhakshya, Ganadhyakshina, Ganapati, Gaurisuta, Gunina, Haridra, Heramba, Kapila, Kaveesha, Kriti, Kripalu, Krishapingaksha, Kshamkaram, Kshipra, Lambakarna, Lambodara,Mahabala, Mahaganapati, Maheshwaram, Mangalamurti, Manomay, Mrityuanjaya, Mundakarama, Muktidaya, Musikvahana, Nadapratithishta, Namasthetu, Nandana, Nideeshwaram, Omkara, Pitambara, Pramoda, Prathameshwara, Purush, Rakta, Rudrapriya, Sarvadevatman, Sarvasiddhanta, Sarvatman, Hambhavi, Shashivarnam, Shoorpakarna, Shuban, Shubhagunakanan, Shweta, Siddhidhata, Siddhipriya, Skandapurvaja, Sumukha, Sureshwaram, Swaroop, Tarun, Uddanda, Umaputra, Vakratunda, Varaganapati, Varaprada, Varadavinayaka, Veeraganapati, Vidyavaridhi, Vighnahara, Vignaharta, Vighnaraja, Vighnarajendra, Vighnavinashanaya, Vigneshwara, Vikat, Vinayaka, Vishwamukha, Vishwaraja, Yagnakaya, Yashaskaram, Yashvasin, Yogadhipa and Siddhivinayaka.

Aarti of Lord Ganesha

Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva

Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe par tilak sohe, muse ki savari
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva...

Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant kare seva
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva...

Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya
Surya shaam sharan aye, safal kije seva
Jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh, jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva…

Translation of Aarti

Glory to you, O Lord Ganesha!
Born of Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, and the great Shiva.
O Lord of compassion, you have a single tusk, four arms,
A vermilion mark of on your forehead, and ride on a mouse.
People offer you betel leaves, blossoms, fruits
And sweets, while saints and seers worship you.
Glory to you, O Lord Ganesha!
Born of Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, and the great Shiva.
You bestow vision on the blind, chastened body on the leprous,
Children on the sterile and wealth on the destitute.
We pray to thee day and night, please bestow success upon us.
Glory to you, O Lord Ganesha!
Born of Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, and the great Shiva.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Myths

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the popular festivals of Hindus, celebrated across India. It marks the birthday of Lord Ganesh, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It starts with Lord Ganesha idols being installed in the house and ends with the immersion of the worshipped idols, in the sea, river or lake. Just like other Indian festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi also has certain myths and beliefs associated to it. Lets us know more about them.

Myths

Do Not Look At The Moon On The Night Of The Ganesh Chaturthi
There is a myth which says that anyone who looks at the moon on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely accused of something. If a person happens to see the moon unintentionally, listening to or reciting the story of the syamantaka jewel (found in the Puranas) can help ward off trouble. If the incident is intentional, then the person will have to face the consequences. The basis of this myth is in a very popular legend related to Lord Ganesha, who is known to be very fond of sweet, especially laddoos.

Lord Ganesha, on one of His birthdays, was going around house to house, accepting the offerings of sweets. He ate a good number of the sweets and set out at night, on his mouse. Suddenly, the mouse stumbled, as it saw a snake and became frightened. The result was that Ganeshji fell down. His stomach burst open and all the sweets came out. However, Ganeshji stuffed them back into his stomach and caught hold of the snake and tied it around his belly.

The moon saw Lord Ganesha doing all this and started laughing his heart out. This behavior of the moon annoyed the Lord immensely. So, he pulled out one of his tusks and hurled it against the moon. At the same time, Ganeshji cursed the moon that no one would look at it, on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. If anyone does, he will surely earn a bad name. Since then, people refrain from looking at the moon, on the night of the festival.

Beliefs

Ganeshji Removes Obstacles And Brings Prosperity
Lord Ganesha is the favorite God of the masses. In India, a new venture is never started without worshipping the Lord. Ganeshji is worshipped first on all auspicious occasions, whether it is a marriage or a religious function. Ganeshji is the foremost god of the Hindu Pantheon. Any new project or venture that a Hindu family undertakes has to start with His name. In fact, most of the housewives utter His name before even starting a small chore, as He is believed to be the remover of all sankat (obstacles).

Lord Ganesha is believed to fulfill the wishes and dreams of all those who pray to him sincerely. He has long been associated with commerce and merchants pay homage to him every day. If an Indian business or bank fails, all the images of Ganeshji in the offices will be turned upside down, signifying bad luck. In households, it's common for small offerings of money, flowers and food to be placed before the image of Ganeshji. These tokens please him and He brings more prosperity, wealth and peace to the family.

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Ganesh Chaturthi and Tilak

Ganesh Chaturthi is a major festival of Maharashtra, where thousands of gigantic idols of lord Ganesh are immersed by huge processions of worshipers shouting, Ganpati Bapa Morya. With time, the festival has now gained popularity all over India, with celebrations in south India and Gujarat being no less spectacular than those of Maharashtra. The year 1893 brought a major change in the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. It was in this year that Lokmanya Tilak, an Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter reformed the annual Ganesh festival, from being a private celebration into a grand public event.

Till 1893, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were a private affair, not done on a public scale. People used to celebrate it in a traditional manner. It was Lokmanya Tilak who popularized Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival, after visualizing its cultural importance. The reason for this was to enhance the sense of belongingness as well as togetherness among the citizens. It was also done with an aim to build a new grassroots unity between the Brahmins and the non-Brahmins.

History
Ganesh Chaturthi was an important festival during the Peshwa rule in Maharashtra. It acquired a more organized form all over India during the Swaraj movement, when Lord Ganesha was chosen as a rallying point for protest against British rule, because of his wide appeal as "the God for Everyman". One of Tilak's strongest movements to evoke nationalism, through religious passions, was the organization of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, which inspired feelings of Hindu unity in the state.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was the first person to install large public images of Ganesha in pavilions and he was the one who established the practice of submerging all the public images on the tenth day of the festival. Ganesh Chaturthi soon started seeing community participation and involvement, in the form of cultural events. It also served as a meeting point for common people of all castes and communities, at a time when social and political gatherings were forbidden by the British Rule.

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Navratri Customs

Navratri is a very important and popular festival of India. It comes twice on a year, once around March-April and the second time, around September-October. The nine days and nights of Navratri are entirely devoted to Mother Goddess. Throughout this period, fasts, strictly vegetarian diets, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti), religious hymns, prayer, meditation and recitation of sacred texts related to Devi Maa (Mother Goddess) form the order of the day. Apart from this, there are a number of other customs and rituals as well, which are associated with the festival. Let us know more about them.

Customs & Rituals of Navratri

The main ritual of Navratri, celebrated on September-October, consists of placing images of Goddess Durga, in homes and temples. The devotees offer fruits and flowers to the Goddess. They also sing bhajans in her honor.

The first three days of Navratri are devoted exclusively to the worship of Goddess Durga, when her energy and power are worshipped. Each day is dedicated to a different appearance of Durga, namely Kumari, Parvati and Kali.

There is also a custom of planting barley seeds in a small bed of mud on the first day of puja. The shoots, when grown, are given to the attendees, as a blessing from Goddess, after the puja ceremony.

These fourth, fifth and sixth days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the
Goddess of Wealth & Prosperity. Goddess Saraswati is also prayed to, on the fifth day, which is known as Lalita Panchami.

The seventh day is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Goddess of Art and Knowledge is worshipped on the eight day and a yagna is also performed.

The ninth day is the final day of Navratri celebrations, which is also known as 'Mahanavami'. On this day, Kanya puja is performed, where nine young, who have not yet reached the stage of puberty, are worshipped. Each of these nine girls symbolizes one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The feet of the girls are washed, to welcome the goddess and show respect to her. Thereafter, the girls are offered food and a set of new clothes, as a gift from the devotees.

The nine-day Navratra celebrations, which fall in September-October, come to an end with the immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga in water.

Dandiya and Garba are the featured dances performed on the evenings of Navratri, mainly in Gujarat. Garba is performed before the 'aarti', as devotional performance in the honor of the Goddess, while Dandiya is performed after it, as a part of the celebrations.

In case of September-October Navratri celebrations, the tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra. On this day, devotees perform 'Saraswati Puja', for blessings of knowledge and mental peace. On the day, the burning of the dummy of demon king Ravana also takes place.

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Navratri Aarti

India is a land of colorful and vibrant festivals. Out of the clutter of festivals, Navratri stands as a prominent occasion, celebrated by people across the length and breadth of the country. It is celebrated in different ways, though the reason is the same - to commemorate the victory of good over the evil. Ma Durga and her avatars are worshipped all through the nine days of the festival. Special pujas are performed to invoke the deity and seek her blessings. According to the Hindu culture, every puja should be culminated with aarti. While performing the arti, a traditional song is sung, in the praise of the idol. In this article, we have provided the lyrics of some of the popular Navratri aarti songs.

Navaratri Arti Songs

Jai Ambe Gauri Maiyaa

Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri
Nishdin tumko dhyaavat, Hari Brahmaa Shivji,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Maang sindur biraajat, tiko mrigmadko,
Ujjvalse do naina, chandravadan niko,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Kanak saman kalevar, raktaambar raje,
Raktapushp galmaala, kanthhaar saje,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Kehari vaahan rajat, khadg khappar dhari
sur nar munijan sevat, tinke dukhahaari,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Kaanan kundal shobhit, naasagre moti
Kotik chandra divaakar, samraajat jyoti,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Shumbh- nishumbh vidaare, MahishaaSur ghatia
Dhumra-vilochan naina, nishdin madmati
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Brahmaani, Rudraani tum Kamalaa Raani,
Agam-nigam bakhaani. tum Shiv patraani,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Chaunsath yogini gaavat, nritya karat Bhairon,
Baajat tab mridanga, aur bajat damru,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Tum ho jag ki maataa, tum hi ho bhartaa,
Bhaktan ki dukh hartaa, sukh sampati kartaa,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Bhujaa char ati shobhit, var mudraa dhaari,
Manvaanchhit phal paavat, sevak nar naari,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Kanchan thaal virajat, agaru kapur baati
Malketu men rajat, kotiratan jyoti,
Jai Ambe Gauri maiyaa, jai Shyaama Gauri

Ma Jay Aadya Shakti

Mataji ni aarti.. Jaya aadhya shakti,
Maa jaya aadhya shakti,
Akhand brahmand nibhavyan (2x),
Padave pragatyan ma,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Dwitiya bay swaroop,
Shiva shakti janoo,
Maa shiva shakti janoo,
Bramha ganapati gaavun (2x),
Har gaavun har maa
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Tritiya tran swaroop,
Tribhuvan man betha,
Maa tribhuvan man betha,
Traya thaki taraveni (2x),
Tun taraveni maa,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Chote chatura mahalaxmi,
Sacharachar vyapya,
Maa sacharachar vyapya,
Char bhuja chau deesha (2x),
Pragatya dakshina maa,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Panchame pancha rushi,
Panchame goon padame,
Maa panchame goon padame,
Pancha sahast tyan sohiya (2x),
Panche tatwo maa,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Shasthi tun narayani,
Mahisasur maaryo,
Maa mahisasur maaryo,
Nar naree na roope (2x),
Vyapa saghade maa,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Saptami sapta pataal,
Sandhya saveetri,
Maa sandhya saveetri,
Gau ganga gayatree (2x),
Gauri geeta maa,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Asthami astha bhooja,
Aayee ananda,
Maa ayee ananda,
Surinar moonivar janamya (2x),
Devo daityo maa,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Navami navakul naag,
Seve navadurga,
Maa seve navadurga,
Navaratri naa poojan,
Shivratri naa arachan,
Kidha nar brahma,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Dashami dash avatar,
Jay vijaya dashmi,
Maa jay vijaya dashmi,
Rame ram ramadya (2x),
Ravan rodyo maa,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe.

Ekadashi agiyarash,
Katyayani kaamaa,
Maa katyayani kaamaa,
Kaam doorga kalika(2x),
Shyama ne raama,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe.

Barase bala roop,
Bahuchari amba maa,
Maa bahuchari amba maa,
Batuk bhairava sohiye (2x),
Tara chhe tuja,
Maa jay om jay om maa jagadambe.

Terase tulaja roop,
Tun taruni mata,
Maa tun taruni mata,
Brahma vishnu sadashiv (2x),
Guna tara gata,
Om Jay Om Jay Om Maa Jagadambe

Chaudashe chauda roop,
Chandi chamunda,
Maa chandi chamunda,
Bhava bhakti kain aapo,
Potani kai stapho,
Sinha vahani,
Maa jay om jay om maa jagadambe.

Shivashakti ne aarti,
Je koyee gaashe,
Maa je bhaave gaashe,
Bhane shivananda swami(2x),
Sukha sampati thaassey,
Har kailashe jaashe,
Maa amba dukha harashe,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Eke ek swaroop,
Antar nava darasho,
Maa antar nava darasho,
Bhola bhoodar na bhajata,
Maa amba ne bhajata,
Bhavasaagar tarasho,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe

Bhava na janoo,
Bhakti na janoo seva,
Maa na janoo seva,
Mata na daas ne raakho(2x),
Charnamrit leva,
Om jay om jay om maa jagadambe.

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Navratri Bhajans

There are two Navratri celebrations in India. The first Navaratri is called the Chaitra Navratrai and the second is called Ashwin Navratri. The first one is celebrated in the month of March- April and the second is celebrated in the month of September – October according to the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations of both these Navratri is full of devotion, joy and passion in the country. The nine days festive celebrations fill the entire atmosphere with colors of devotion and love for the deity. Devotees of Maa Durga observe fast for the nine days. They fill the surroundings with mantras, sholkas and bhajans dedeicated to Mata Rani and make the entire atmosphere pious and sanctified. Lyrics of few of the popular Navratri devotional songs are given below, you can sing them in the coming Navratri celebrations.

Bhajans For Navratri

Jaya Aadya Shakti

Jaya Aadya Shakti
Ma Jaya Aadya Shakti
Akhand Brhamand dipavya
panave pragatya ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Dwitiya Mehsarup Shivshakti janu
ma shivshakti janu
brahma ganapti gaye
brahma ganapti gaye
hardayi har ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Trutiya tran sarup tribhuvan ma betha
ma tribhuvan ma betha
daya thaki karveli
daya thaki karveli
utarvenima
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Chouthe chatura malaxmi ma
sachrachal vyapya
ma sachrachal vyapya
char bhuja cho disha
char bhuja cho disha
pragtya dakshin ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Panchame panchrushi panchami gunpadma
ma panchami gunpadma
panchtatv tya soshiye
panchtatv tya soshiye
panchetatvo ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Shashthi tu narayani mahishasur maryo
ma mahishasur maryo
narnari na rupe
narnari na rupe
vyapaya saghale ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Saptami sapt patal sandhya savitri
ma sandhya savitri
gau ganga gayatri
gau ganga gayatri
gauri geeta ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Ashthmi ashtha bhujao ayi ananda
ma ayi ananda
sunivar munivar janamya
sunivar munivar janamya
dev daityoma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Navmi navkul nag seve navadurga
ma seve navadurga
navratri na pujan
shivratri na archan
kidha har brahma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Dashmi dash avtaar jay vijyalaxmi
ma jay vijyalaxmi
rame ravan marya
rame ravan marya
ravan maryo ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Ekadashi agiyar tatyanikama
ma tatyanikama
kaldurga kalika
kaldurga kalika
shama ne vama
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Barase kala rup bahuchar amba ma
ma bahuchar amba ma
asur bhairav souie
kal bhairav soiye
tara chhe tuj ma
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Terase tulja rup tu tarunimata
ma tu tarunimata
brahma vishnu sadashiv
brahma vishnu sadashiv
gun tara gata
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Shivbhakti ni aarati je koi gaye
ma je koi gaye
bhane shivannad swami
bhane shivannad swami
sukh sampati pashe
har kaileshe jashe
ma amba dukh harashe
Om Jayo Jayo Ma Jagdambe

Maa teri mamta

Maa teri mamta kitni pyaree, Kitna pyar jagaate hai
Swaas swaas ke raksha karti, Pag pag praan bachati hai
Tu maato say bhaag jagaaday, Bhaagi Bhaagi aati hai
Tu Kali Maha Kali Durga, Tu hai baal Bhavani hai
Tu puran kaa saar Saradaa, Tu Vedo ki baani hai
Tu baalak goad may lay Kar, Jeewan geet sunaati hai
Tu Rishiyo ke Riddhi Siddhi, Tu Brahma ke bhaktu Maa
Tu Vishnu ke mayaa devi, Tu Shankar ke Shakti Maa
Maa teri mamta kitni pyaree, Kitna pyar jagaate hai

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Navratri Date

Navratri is an important Hindu festival, celebrated with religious fervor and great enthusiasm by the Hindus in different parts of the country. It is celebrated twice a year - in March-April (as Chaitra Navratri) and in October-November. While the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ram Navami, the festival celebrated in September-October commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Though a number of legends are associated with the conception of Navratri, just like all the other Hindu festivals, the deity Goddess Shakti and her various forms are worshipped in both the cases.

Navaratri holds a special significance in Gujarat and West Bengal. In Gujarat, the festival is celebrated to worship Goddess Jagdamba, while in West Bengal it takes the shape of Durga Puja. Coming down to the southern parts of the country, the Navratri in October-November is dedicated to the three avatars of Goddess Shakti - the first three days to Goddess Durga (the Warrior Goddess), the next three days to Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth) and the last three days to Goddess Saraswati (the Goddess of Knowledge). Bomma Kolu (display of small statuettes and idols of Gods) is the important ritual of Navratri in South India.

Fasting is one of the highlights of Navratri. People observe fast for either seven or eight days, to honor Goddess Shakti. While many people break their fast on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Navratri by worshipping young girls, others do the same thing on the ninth day (Navami) of the festival, to culminate the celebrations. All through the seven or eight days of fasting, the people would survive on a diet especially formulated for the fast. It typically consists of fruits, milk and its products, sago recipes, potato recipes (both cooked without spices). Sendha namak (rock salt) is used for the recipes of Navratri fast. On the day when they break fast, they would worship young girls, seek their blessings in return of which, the devotees would offer money and prasad as the dakshina.

The celebrations of Navratri are characterized by the worship of Goddess Shakti. Although people in different regions celebrate the festival in different ways, according to their indigenous customs, the thought among everyone is the same - to invoke Goddess Shakti and seek her blessings. In Maharashtra, the nine nights of Navratri are dedicated to worship of the deity and dance performances, typically dandiya (a folk dance performed by men and women). In Gujarat, Garba dance is performed during the festival, while in South India, worship of the deity is given importance. It is interesting to see the Hindu people, belonging to different regions of India, to celebrate Navratri with equal enthusiasm, every year.

Navaratri Festival 2012

Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri: March 23, 2012 to April 1, 2012
Sharad Navratri: October 16, 2012 to October 23, 2012

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Navratri Fast

The Hindu festival of Navratri, which extends for nine days, is celebrated with gusto in different regions of the country. In the eastern state of West Bengal, the festival takes the shape of Durga Puja, when the devotees of the deity celebrate the triumph of good over evil. There, Ma Durga is worshipped as Goddess Shakti. In north India, Maharashtra and Gujarat, people observe a seven day fast during Navratri and break their fast on Ashtami (the eighth day of the festival) by worshiping young girls. However, some people observe fast until the Ashtami and break their fast only on Navami (the ninth day). If you want to know more about Navratri fast, then explore the article.

Navratri Fasting Procedure

On the festive occasion of Navratri, fast is observed by people for seven or eight days, depending upon when they want to conduct the Kanchika Pujan (when young girls are worshipped). The devotees, who have observed fast, would get up early in the morning, take bath and offer prayers to the deity. People follow a specific diet for Navratri, if they haven't observed a nirahar (waterless) fast. Most people nowadays perform partial fasting. They would abstain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol and those dishes that are made of common salt or any kind of spice. Singhare ka atta (kuttu ka atta) is used to prepare rotis or puris, for the fast.

One may drink beverages like tea, coffee and milk, on Navratri. Dishes made of sago and potato is generally consumed by the people, when they observe fast on Navratri. Sendha namak (rock salt) is used instead of common salt, for cooking on the festival. All fruits and foodstuff made of fruits are eaten during the seven days. Nowadays, ready-to-eat snacks are available in the stores, especially prepared for Navratri. In addition to this, certain restaurants in the northern parts of India would offer special menu for the people, who have observed fast on Navratri.

After seven days of fasting, people would break their fast on the eighth day - Ashtami - by worshipping young girls. The ritual of offering prasad to the young girls is called Kanchika Pujan. As per the tradition, puris (deep fried Indian bread), halwa (sweet dish made of suji) and Bengal gram curry are served to the young girls, called upon by the people who have observed fast. After seeking the blessings of the young girls (kanchikayen), the devotees would break their fast by consuming the prasad (puri, halwa and sabzi) that they have prepared for them. While this is the tradition followed by majority of people, Navratri fast is also broken on ninth day (Navami), wherein the fast is observed until Ashtami. The same procedure is followed in that case as well.

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Navratri Garba

Navratri is celebrated in myriad ways, by the Hindus across India. The celebrations seen in north India would be exactly the opposite of the merrymaking of people in South India. The mood of people in the eastern state of West Bengal is entirely different during the festive season of Navratri, as the occasion is celebrated as the triumph of goodness (Ma Durga) over the evil (demon Mahishasura). While in the western state of Gujarat, it is a nine-day carnival, with glowing city lights, scintillating dance performances and grooving music. The performance of Garba, a popular folk dance of Gujarat, is the highlight of the celebrations of Navratri in the state. In the following lines, you will learn all about Garba dance of Navratri.

Navratri Garba Dance
In Gujarat, Garba is performed on festive occasions like Navratri, Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchami and Holi. When the folk dance is performed during the nine nights of Navratri, it symbolizes the worship of Goddess Jagdamba. The dance is performed by generally women, but men also take part nowadays. The performers stand in a circular form, to perform the dance. The word 'Garba' is derived from 'Garbha Deep', a lamp placed inside a perforated earthen pot or Garba. The perforated pot is illuminated by the lamp inside it, which represents the embryonic life. According to the legends, Usha, the grand daughter-in-law of Lord Krishna, popularized Lasya Nritya, which is today known by the name - Garba.

In the primitive form of Garba dance, the women place the pot 'Garba', with lamp on their head and move in a circular motion. They sing and clap their hands simultaneously and synchronize their circular steps, very gracefully. The dance is accompanied by folk instruments. The pot is filled with a betel nut and a silver coin. On top of it, a coconut is place, giving it the appearance of a holy 'Kumbh'. In the interiors of Gujarat, there exists a tradition, according to which, women place the perforated earthen pot (with the lamp inside it) at the center on a stool and dance around it, by clapping their hands and singing songs in the praise of Goddess Jagdamba.

During the festive season of Navratri, Garba dance performances begin at the night. The performances are arranged by different clubs and cultural committees. During the 'Garba night', the participants gather at an open space, a club or at street corners. They stand in a circle, around an idol or photograph of the goddess that is kept in the center. The dance begins with beats in slow tempo. As the dance proceeds, the energy level of the participants is heightened due to the fast beat and tempo of the music. The music is synchronized by a drummer, who sits in the center of the dancers.

Navratri Garba is the most colorful form of the dance. The performers, both men and women, would clad themselves in colorful and magnetically attractive traditional attire. The most chosen attire for the dance is sari, worn in the typical Gujarati style. In Saurashtra region, the performers would wear magnificently embroidered petticoats (Ghaghara) with a backless choli (kapdu), accessorized with a head cover (odhani). They would adorn themselves with lots of silver jewelry on their head. Their male counterpart would wear kediyum (shirt) and vajani (trouser), with a rumal (printed headpiece). Drum, harmonium and naal are the musical instruments usually used for Garba dance.

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Navratri Katha

The festival of Navratra is celebrated twice in India. Once in the Hindi month of Chaitra which is the month of March-April according to the Gregorian calendar and again in the month of Ashwin i.e. September-October according to the English calendar. It is a nine days long festival in which the Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine different forms. People all over the country celebrate this festival with immense joy and enthusiasm. Devotees of Maa Durga observe a rigorous fast of nine days during this period. This festival in Hindu religion is considered to be an eternally enlightening festival. Like most of the Hindu festivals this worship also involves reading or hearing Katha or stories related to the festival. Explore an interesting story about Navratri here, in this article.

Navaratri Story
The story associated with Navratri can be found in various Hindu religious texts like Markandeya Purana, Vamana Purana, Varaha Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagavatam and Kalika Purana. The story of Navratra is the symbolic message of the fact that however glorious and powerful the evil become, at the end it is the goodness that wins over all of the evil. The story is associated with Maa Durga and Mahisasura, the buffalo headed demon.

The story begins from the life of two sons of Danu called Rambha and Karambha who performed austerities by to gain extreme power and authority. When their prayers became deeper and austerities became exceptional, the King of the heaven God Indra got perturbed. Out of fear, he killed Karambha. Rambha, who came to know about his brother’s death, became more stubborn to win over the Gods. He increased the intensity of his austerities and finally got several boons from gods like great brilliance, beauty, invincibility in war. He also asked a special wish of not being killed by either humans or Gods or Asuras.

He then considered himself immortal and started freely roaming in the garden of Yaksha where he saw a female-buffalo and fell in love with her. To express his love, Rambha disguised in the form of a male-buffalo and copulated with the female buffalo. However, soon after that a real male buffalo discovered Rambha mating with the she-buffalo and killed him. It was due to Rambha’s inflated ego that killed him, out of which he has not asked his death to be spared from the wrath of animals. As the pyre of Rambha was organized, the female-buffalo, who was copulated with him jumped into the funeral pyre of Rambha to prove her love. She was pregnant at that time. Thus, demon came out of the with the head of a buffalo and human body and he was named Mahisasura (the buffalo headed demon).

Mahishasura was extremely powerful. He defeated the gods and the demons and acruierd power over the entire world. He even won over the heaven and threw devtas outside it. He captured the throne of Indra and declared himself to be the the lord of the gods. The gods led by Brahma approached Vishnu and Shiva and evaluated them of the situation. In order to save the Gods, the three supreme deities emerged a light of anger, which combined to the take the shape of a terrible form and this was Durga. All the gods then granted this Goddess of power with all the supreme weapons they had. This is why; Durga is called the brilliance of all the Gods.

When the goddess was seen by Mahishasura, he was mesmerized by her beauty. Her then fell in love with her and proposed to marry her. The goddess said she will marry him, if he defeated her in the battle. Then began a scary and terrible battle between both of then which continued for nine days. Finally, on the last day, Durga took the form of Chandika and stood over the chest of Mahishasura and smashed him down with her foot. She then pierced his neck with her spear and cut off his head off with her sword. It is the day when Vijayadashmi is celebrated.

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Navratri Legends

Navratri is celebrated with fun and religious fervor by Hindus across India. The festival is celebrated twice a year. As per the Gregorian calendar, Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in March-April, while Sharadeya Navratri is celebrated in October-November. Both the celebrations concentrate on the worship of Goddess Shakti. The merrymaking is different in different regions of the country, depending upon which legend the people would follow, for the festival. This clearly shows that Navratri is purely religious, although it involves many fun filled activities like scintillating dance performances (Garba and Dandiya). In the following lines, we have provided the detailed description of the legends of Navratri.

Navaratri Festival Legends

Victory Over Mahishasura
According to a very popular legend, Mahishasura, the mighty demon worshipped Lord Shiva and obtained invincible power. Soon, he started killing the innocent lives on earth and set out to win the seven lokas. He acquired the swarglok. Nobody could save the living creatures from his tyranny. Even the three mighty gods of the Hindu Trinity - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva - were unable to defeat him. Therefore, all the gods, including the Hindu Trinity, united their supreme powers and created a divine being called Ma Shakti or Durga, the Warrior Goddess.

With all the accumulated power and the weapons given by the gods, Goddess Durga set her trail to defeat Mahishasura. To accomplish the task, she entered a war with him, which extended for nine days. After fighting hard with him for nine days, Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura on the tenth day. Consequently, she lifted the tyranny of the demon off the innocent lives on earth and restored the swarglok to the devatas (Gods). Therefore, Navratri is celebrated to commemorate her victory over the demon, which symbolizes the victory of the good over the evil. The nine nights of Navratri symbolize the nine nights of the war between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura.

Legend of Sati
According to a story in the Hindu mythology, King Daksha of Himalayas was blessed with a beautiful and virtuous daughter, named Uma. She wished to marry Lord Shiva. In order to tie the wedding knot with the god, Uma worshipped him and pleased him. Consequently, Lord Shiva married Uma. One fine day, Uma, now the consort of Lord Shiva, wished to take part in a Yagna conducted by her father. Since her father was not in good terms with him, Lord Shiva refused her to witness the Yagna.

When she turned up at the Yagna, her father - King Daksha - insulted Lord Shiva. Unable to withstand the insult, the angry Uma decided to end her life by jumping into the agni kund. Soon after doing this, she was united with the eternity. Therefore, Uma came to be known as Sati. Sati was reborn again. In the second birth, Sati married Lord Shiva and the divine couple lived happily, thereafter. It is believed that Sati comes to stay with her parents for nine days, every year. This is celebrated as Navratri.

Other Legends
A story says that in the ancient times, the Kshatriyas abstained from taking part in any warlike activities during the monsoon season. Once the season was over, they made a fresh start with their war activities. Therefore, before their commence their new activities, they would worship different avatars of Ma Durga, the Goddess of Warriors, for nine whole days, which is now celebrated as Navratri.

A popular legend associated with the celebration of Navratri is the story of Lord Rama, who wanted to rescue his wife Sita, from the demon king- Ravana. To freed her from the clutches of the demon king, Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga in her nine different forms, for nine days, so that he gets all the strength and power to kill Ravana. All the nine days became Navratri and hence, celebrated every year. On the tenth day, Rama killed Ravana and that day is called Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.

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Navratri Mantra

The nine-days of Navratri festival are dedicated to the Almighty. The devotees of Ma Durga would perform special pujas to invoke the deity and pray for peace, prosperity and happiness. Fasting and singing bhajans are the two highlights of the festival. While the way of celebrating the occasion might be different in different regions of the country, but the thought among all remains the same - to praise the Lord and seek her blessings. Goddess Durga temples are flocked by devotees, where they offer prayers, perform aarti and chant mantras. Talking about Navratri mantra, it is chanted during the puja by the devotees, to protect themselves from evil. In the following lines, we have given Navratri mantra.

Mantras For Navaratri

Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha!

Sarva mangala maangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike
Sharanye trayambake Gauri
Narayani namosthute

Namoh devyai mahadevyai shivayai satatam namah
Namah prakrutyai bhadraayai niyataah pranataahsma taam

Annapoorne sadapoorne shankarah praanavallabhe
Njana vairaagya sidhyardham bhikshaam dehi cha parvati

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Navratri Pooja

The Hindu festival of Navratri is celebrated twice a year. The first Navratri of the year is known as Chaitra Navratra, as it falls in March-April. The second Navratri is held in October-November, which coincides Durga Puja. The nights of Navratri are devoted to the reverence of Goddess Durga, who is worshipped in many forms. Prayers are offered to Goddess Durga, as she is considered the manifestation of the absolute energy that pervades the Universe. All through the nine days, the devotees would chant mantras, sing songs and bhajans in the praise of the deity. Fasting on Navratri is considered auspicious. To celebrate the festival, a number of pujas are conducted all through the nine days. Go through the following lines to get the vidhi (procedure) of Navratri pooja.

Navaratri Puja Vidhi

Certain items are required to perform the Navratri pooja. These may include the idol or picture of Goddess Durga, Durga Sapthashati book, water in Kalash (pitcher), fresh washed mango leaves, one coconut, roli (red color for tilak), moli (red sacred thread), chawal (rice), paan (betel leaves), supari (beetle nuts), cloves, cardamom, kumkum (vermilion) and gulal. You will also need few incense sticks, a deep and matchstick. The flowers used for Navratri puja may include rose, lotus and red hibiscus. Stalks of Bilwa (bael) leaves are also used for the puja. You may offer fresh pomegranate and sweets such as laddoo and peda, as prasad. You will require a Panchpatra containing spoon and water, bael leaves. Take a mat as well, to sit.

In order to perform the puja, take bath in the morning and wear laundered clothes. Then, fill the kalash with water and place mango leaves on its mouth. Place a coconut inside the kalash. Now, tie moli on the neck of the pitcher. Place the idol or picture of Ma Durga at your puja room and then worship the deity with roli, rice, flowers, balepatra, kumkum and gulal. Thereafter, you may add burning coal to a clay pot and pour ghee (clarified butter) over it. Offer a small piece of the sweetmeat to the fire. Keep adding ghee to the fire at regular intervals. Make sure that you maintain the light throughout your puja. Once the puja is over, fold your hands and encircle the flame for three times. Light the incense sticks and deep and perform the aarti. You may sing arti song while doing the aarti. You may chant Durga Saptashati or Devi Kavach or ask a pundit to do it, to conclude the puja.

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Navratri Thali

In India, Navratri is celebrated twice- once in Chaitra as Chaitra Navratrai and then in Ashwin as Shardey Navratri. According to the Gregorian calendar, the first one falls in March- April and the second one comes in the month of September – October. The celebrations of both these Navratri in India is full of extreme zest and enthusiasm. Apart from the celebrations, there is immense devotion, joy and passion in the country about the arrival of the Goddess of Shakti. In both these Navratri, the devotees of Maa Durga observe fast for the nine days and please Mata Rani with various sholkas and bhajans dedicated to her. In this article, we have dealt with a special aspect of the Pooja, the Pooja Thali and Vrat Bhijan Thali. Read this article to know more about the Navratri pooja thali and Navratri vrat thali in detail.

Navratri Pooja Thali
In order to accumulate the entire Pooja material, it is always better to arrange all the little things required during Pooja into a Pooja Thali. This may consist of things like roli, vermilion, flowers, sacred water, bhog materials like dry fruits and sweets etc. Generally people decorate this Thali in a very artistic manner in order to give more aesthetic look to the pooja. So, once you have arranged all the Pooja items, you simply need to arrange it in a beautiful Thali. The decoration of Thali is not a tedious task either. All you need to do is simply decide what kind of thali you are looking for. Silver, brass or a steel thali, any of them is perfectly fine. You can decorate the Pooja thali by using beautiful clothes, gulal powder or flowers.

Navaratri Vrat Thali
A Vrat Thali is basically the thali that includes of food items for the devotees who observe fast. As, during the fast, it is compulsory to eat only satvik food, there are limited options available for the fast-observers. However, now days, cookery experts have come up with extremely scrumptious recipes out of these limited options. Even in hotels, there is a specific satvik thali available by the name of Navratri Vrat Thali which consists of special food for the people on fast. A Vrat Thali may consist of items like Aloo Sabudane Ki Tikki, Palak Paneer, Sookhi Arbi, Dahi Pudine Wale Aloo, Makhane Ki Sabzi, Shakarkandi Ki Chaat, Pudina Raita, Aloo Papad, Sago Papad, Sawank Ke Chawal, Kuttu Ki Poori among others. You can thus also prepare the satvik thali or Navratri thali as per you own choice.

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History of Navratri

Navratri is a very important Hindu festival celebrated in India, which is devoted to Goddess Durga. The festival is celebrated with great reverence and faith across the country. It stretches over a period of nine days, with each of the nine days being dedicated to one of the nine forms of the Goddess. Talking about the history of Navratri festival, it can be explained through the stories mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. In case you want to know more about them, explore the information given below

History & Origin Of Navratri
In different parts of India, different legends describe the history of Navratri:

North India
The legend in North India goes that Mahishasura, the mighty demon, worshipped Lord Shiva and obtained the power of eternity. Soon, he started killing and harassing innocent people and set out to win all the three lokas. The gods in swargaloka appealed to Lord Shiva, to find a way to get rid of the demon. To protect the world from the atrocities of Mahishasura, the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva united their powers and created a divine female warrior, known as Goddess Durga. Mahishasura, when he saw the divine beauty of Goddess Durga, got mesmerized.

So fascinated was Mahishasura by Goddess Durga's beauty that he approached her with the intention of marriage. The goddess agreed to marry him, but put forth a condition - Mahishasura would have to win over her in a battle. Mahishasura, proud as he was, agreed immediately! The battle continued for 9 nights and at the end of the ninth night, Goddess Durga beheaded Mahishasura. The nine nights came to be known as Navratri, while the tenth day was called Vijayadashmi, the tenth day that brought the triumph of good over evil.

Eastern Belief
As per the legend prevalent in East India, Daksha, the king of the Himalayas, had a beautiful and virtuous daughter called Uma. She wished to marry Lord Shiva, since her childhood. In order to win over the Lord, she worshipped him and managed to please him as well. When Shiva finally came to marry her, the tiger-skin clad groom displeased Daksha and he broke off all the relationships with his daughter and son-in-law. One fine day, Daksha organized a yagna, but did not invite Lord Shiva for the same.

Uma got so angry at her father's rude behavior, towards her husband, that she decided to end her life by jumping into the agnikund of the yagna, where she was united with eternity (since then, she came to be known as Sati). However, she took re-birth and again won Shiva as her groom and peace was restored. It is believed that since then, Uma comes every year with Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati and Laxmi and two of her best friends or 'sakhis', called Jaya and Bijaya, to visit her parent's home during Navratri.

Another Legend - Ram and Ravana
Yet another legend of Navratri relates to the Hindu epic Ramayana. It goes that Lord Rama worshipped Goddess Durga in nine aspects, for nine days, in order to gather the strength and power to kill Ravana. He wanted to release Sita from the clutches of powerful demon king Ravana, who had abducted her. Those nine nights became to be known as Navratri and the tenth day, on which Lord Rama killed Ravana, came to be called Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, signifying Rama's (good) triumph over Ravana (evil).

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Dandiya Raas in Navratri

Among the several forms of Raas, the most popular one is "Dandiya Raas", which is performed during Navratri. In fact, it holds a significant place in Navratri celebrations. It is known for setting the festive mood. Dandiya Raas is the featured and most popular dance of Navratri evenings in Gujarat. The dance form is not just restricted to Gujarat. It is performed in many other states, during the festive season of Navratri. Dandiya Raas is performed in the honor of Goddess Durga. It is the dramatization of a mock fight between the Goddess and Mahishasura - the mighty demon-king. The sticks of the dance represent the sword of Durga. Women normally perform it in a graceful and rhythmic manner in a circle as they rotate around the 'mandvi'.

Traditionally, Dandiya Raas is performed after aarti (ritual of worshipping the diety). Hence, Dandiya Rass is an important part of the merriment. The special characteristic of the dance is the colorful costume worn by the dancers and the colorful sticks carried by them. Both men and women love to be seen dressed in their best traditional attire. The women wear traditional dresses such as colorful embroidered choli, ghagra and bandhani dupattas glittering with mirror work and heavy jewellery, while men look very attractive in their traditional colorful kedias. The dresses for the dance were stitched in until sometime back, when readymade outfits started appearing in the shops, especially for Dandiya Raas.

The colorful sticks, used as prop of Dandiya Raas, are usually made of bamboo. This is the reason why it is also known as 'stick dance'. The circular movements of Dandiya Raas to some extent are very complex, which can be done only with skill in the art form. The dancers strike the sticks with their partners and dance in circular motion, to the rhythm of the music played in the background. A large number of people are involved in Dandiya Raas and two circles are formed by the dancers.

Out of the two circles made to perform Dandiya Raas, one of the circles revolves clockwise, while the other revolves anti clockwise. The dance is a very lively, active and fast paced art form, thus leaving no scope for laziness. There is an instrumentalist, playing a 'meddale' drum, who accompanies the dancers. The person stands in the center of the two circles and leads the dancers with his beats. The dancers spin and move their feet and arms in a choreographed manner to the tune of the music, with lots of drum beats. Dandiya Raas in Navratri is a mesmerizing thing to watch as well as to participate in.

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Significance of Navratri

India is a country of festivals and celebration. It has a very rich historical and cultural background. Each Indian festival has a proper meaning, reason and significance behind its celebration. Fun and enjoyment are the aspects of the festivals, which sets the festive mood. Navratri, as the name suggests, means nine nights. It is one of the important Hindu festivals. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, the deity of Power. Like other festivals of India, Navratri also has a significance and meaning attached to it. Each day of the nine-day festival are dedicated to the worship of different forms of Goddess Durga, which unfolds the religious importance of the occasion. Go through the following lines to know more about the significance of Navratri festival.

Significance of Navratri

The First Three Days of Navratri
The first three days of Navratri are devoted to the worship of the Goddess Durga. This is the period, when her energy and power are worshipped. Each day is dedicated to a different appearance of Durga. Kumari, which signifies the girl child, is worshipped on the first day of the festival. Parvati, who is the embodiment of a young woman, is worshipped on the second day. The destructive aspects of Goddess Durga symbolize the commitment to acquire triumph over all the evil tendencies. Hence, on the third day of Navratri, Goddess Kali is worshipped, who represents the woman who has reached the stage of maturity.

Fourth to Sixth Days of Navratri
When a person acquires triumph over evil tendencies of ego, anger, lust and other animal instincts, he/she experiences a void. This void is filled with spiritual wealth. For the purpose, the person approaches Goddess Lakshmi, to acquire all the materialistic, spiritual wealth and prosperity. This is the reason why the fourth, fifth and sixth day of Navratri are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi - the goddess of prosperity and peace.

Although the individual has acquired victory over evil tendencies and wealth, he is still deprived of true knowledge. Knowledge is required to live the life of a humane, even though he/she is prospered with power and wealth. Therefore, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. All the books and other literature materials are gathered in one place and a 'diya' (earthen lamp) is lit in front of the deity, to invoke the goddess and seek her blessings. Till the time the books are kept at the puja room, the students would not study.

Seventh and Eighth Day of Navratri
The seventh day is dedicated to worshipping Saraswati, the goddess of art and knowledge. Prayers are offered with an aim to seek spiritual knowledge. A 'yagna' is performed on the eight day. This comprises of a sacrifice honoring goddess Durga as well as bids her farewell. The sacrifice or offering is made out of clarified butter (ghee), rice pudding known as kheer and sesame seeds.

Ninth Day of Navratri
The ninth day is the final day of Navratri celebrations. It is also known as 'Mahanavami'. On the day, Kanya puja is performed to worship nine young girls, who have not yet reached the stage of puberty. These nine girls symbolize one of the nine forms of goddess Durga. The feet of girls are washed to welcome the goddess and show respect to her. The girls are offered a set of new clothes as a gift from the devotees at the end of the puja.

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Navaratri Celebrations

The nine days and nights of Navratri are dedicated to Mother Goddess. The celebrations of the festival include fasts, strictly vegetarian diet, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti) and recitation of religious hymns, prayer, meditation and sacred texts related to Goddess Durga. Navratri is celebrated twice a year - once in the month of Chaitra (April-May) and again in the month of Ashwin (September-October). On both the occasions, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. In the September-October celebrations, the main ritual consists of placing images of the Goddess in homes and temples. On the tenth day, the idol is immersed in water. Numerous other celebrations are also associated with Navratri festival. Let us know more about the celebrations of Navratri.

Navaratri Celebrations

Bengal
During Navratri, Bengalis in India worship huge idols of the Goddess, perform devotional songs and dances and finally take out grand processions on the tenth day, when the idols are immersed in water. The last four days of the festival are most important for them. People worship pre-pubescent young girls, known as 'kanyas', as the embodiments of Goddess Durga. 'Ayudha Puja' is performed on the ninth day, where one worships the tools, implements of their livelihood and places it on the altar of the Goddess for her blessings of success and prosperity. Even children place their study books and writing tools on the altar and the families spend whole day in contemplation of the Goddess. On the tenth day of Dussehra, devotees perform 'Saraswati Puja' for blessings of knowledge and mental peace. During Navratri, thousands of devotees visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkota, West Bengal.

Gujarat
In Gujarat, Navratri is a community event, where people perform devotional songs and dances that are popular by the names of 'Dandiya Raas' and 'Garba Raas', and observe Jaagran (waking through the night), to please the Goddess. Amba Mata Temple at Junagarh, Gujarat, is a favorite pilgrim for devotees, during Navratri. Here, painted earthen pots are used to represent the Goddess and Garba dances are performed by the Gujarati women around those pots, in circles. The pots are valued as the abode of the Goddess. The Rasa has its origin in the life scenes of Lord Krishna and is associated with the agricultural rites, while Garba is performed only by men and is related with the agricultural fertility.

Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Goddess Durga is worshipped continuously for nine days of Navratri. On the tenth day, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped and on this day, school-going children worship the tantrik symbol of the goddess for her blessing in their studies. This day is also considered auspicious to begin any new thing or to buy new ornaments. Puja is performed on each day of Navratri and devotees offer the flower garland to the idol or image of the goddess Durga. In Mumbai, people visit various temples including the Ayyappa Temple at Goregaon.

Kashmir
In Kashmir, Hindu minorities of Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Navratri. People generally observe fast for nine days and stay on water and fruits or eat the food specifically made for the fast, only in the evening. They usually visit the temple of their guardian goddess Kheer Bhawani, on all nine days of Navratri. Aarti is held on the last day of Navratri at the temple and it is only after which, people break their fast. Many devotees also go to the mountain cave of the Vaishno Devi Temple, during Navratri.

Kerala
In Kerala, there is a tradition of beginning of formal education for every child aged 3-5 years on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja. On Ashtami, according to the custom, tools are not used and are worshiped on this day. Goddess Saraswati is honored by worshiping the books and records at home, on Navami. Thousands of devotees visit Saraswati temple at Kottayam, during Navratri, to take a dip in the mysterious holy pond. People also visit the famous temples at Thekkegram (Palghat).

Mysore, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
In Mysore, Chamundi, the royal deity of the Mysore royalty is worshipped during Navratri, with pomp and pageantry. There is a magnificent procession of elephants, horses, chariots and costumed attendants on the tenth day, when Maharaja goes to worship the hilltop temple of the goddess. In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, women arrange 'Bommai Kolu', a special placing of dolls decorated with flowers and ornaments on specially prepared steps. Nine young 'kanyas' or virgins are offered new clothes and sweets. The married women share flowers, kumkum and snacks among themselves. Thus, Navratri is celebrated in almost every region of India, with little difference.

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Nine Days of Navratri

'Nava-ratri' is one of the most important Hindu festivals in the country. It is celebrated with immense zeal and enthusiasm all over the country. It is celebrated twice a year -once in Chaitra (March-April) and the other in Ashwin (September-October). Navartra literally means 'nine auspicious nights'. It is actually the worship of the Goddess of power in order to seek her protection from any possible kind of threat and calamities that may destroy the peaceful life of people on earth. As she is the goddess of power, she is believed to have the power of creation, preservation and destruction.

Nine Days Navaratri Celebrations
Navaratri is separated into sets of three days i.e. into three sets. These sets are made in order to adore different facets of the supreme goddess. On the initial three days, the Goddess is invoked as the supreme powerful force called Durga. Goddess Durga is meant to all our contaminations, evils and defects. On the next three days, she is worshipped as the mother of spiritual wealth, Goddess Lakshmi, She is the one who is considered to have the power of showering on her devotees with the blessings of never-ending wealth. In the final set of three days, the Goddess is worshipped as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. The one is responsible for spiritual enlightenment and overall success in life.

She is also worshipped under nine different names for the nine days in Navratri. Every day, she assumes a new character, a new look and a new duty. She is worshipped as Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri. For the initial six the Pooja celebrations are limited to home. The celebrations acquire a festive form since the seventh day when the festivities of Navratri surround the atmosphere.

First Day Pooja
The first form of Goddess Durga is called Shailputri . She is considered the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva.

Second Day Pooja
The second form of Goddess Durga is known as 'Brahmacharini'. Her name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. She is also a form of Uma or Parvati, a form of Mata Shakti.

Third Day Pooja
On the third day the goddess is worshipped as Chandraghanta. She is the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.

Fourth Day Pooja
Kushmanda, is the form of the goddess which is worshipped on the fourth day. It is believed that Kushmanda is the creator of the entire Universe and she has created the entire Universe by her laugh.

Fifth Day Pooja
On the fifth day, the form of Goddess is called Skand Mata. She is actually called so because she is here represented as the mother of Skanda, the chief warrior of the Gods army.

Sixth Day Pooja
On the sixth day, the goddess is worshipped as Katyayani. Seated on her vehicle lion, Katyayani has three eyes and four hands.

Seventh Day Pooja
On the seventh day, the Goddess is worshipped as 'Kalratri'. As the name suggests, Kalrati is as black as a dark night. She has four hands, she is meant to make the devotees fearless.

Eighth Day Pooja
On the eight day, the Mata Rani is worshipped as 'Maha Gauri'. She is considered to extremely beautiful, white like snow and accessorized with white colored ornaments. She represents calmness and exhibits wisdom.

Ninth Day Pooja
On the ninth day, Durga is worshipped as Siddhidatri. It is believed she consists of all the eight siddhis. She lives on lotus and is worshipped by all the Rishis-Munis, Siddhas, Sadhakas and Yogis.

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Pongal Customs

The word Pongal, in both Telugu and Tamil, signifies the boiling over of the rice in the cooking pot. Though little is known about the origin of Pongal, it is known to a Dravidian harvest festival that has survived for ages. Pongal also marks the beginning of a New Year and is the day to praise and thank God with full devotion, faith and sincerity. The festival covers all living beings, including humans, cattle and birds and crops. Falling just after the winter solstice and a bountiful harvest, Pongal marks the season of celebration and joyous activities and is celebrated continuously for four days.

Bhogi Pongal
The first day of Pongal, known as 'Bhogi Pongal', is a day for family gathering and is dedicated to Lord Indra, the King of the deities and God of the Clouds and Rains. Offerings are made to please him, so that he blesses the devotees with the plentiful harvest. Pongal also signifies the beginning of a New Year, according to the Malayalam calendar. A huge bonfire is lit at home and kept burning throughout the night. Boys beat little buffalo-hide drums, known as 'Bhogi Kottus', whiel lighting the fire and make merry. The houses are then cleaned till they shine and decorated with Kolams, using rice flour. Yellow pumpkin flowers are set in cow-dung balls, in the middle of these designs. The harvest of rice, turmeric and sugarcane is brought in for the next day.

Surya Pongal
The second day of Pongal, known as 'Surya Pongal', is dedicated to the Sun God. Since the word 'Ponga' means 'to boil', representing plentiful and excess yield, a special dish is cooked on this day, in a new mud-pot that comes in innovative shapes and have artistic designs on them, called 'Pongapani'. The special dish is called 'Sarkkarai Pongal' and is offered to Sun God, with sugarcane sticks. A colorful sugarcane market is also set up on this day. It is said that Lord Sundareshwar performed a miracle in the Madurai temple, on this day, and breathed life into a stone elephant that ate sugarcanes. One can see the depiction of the event in the Meenakshi temple.

Mattu Pongal
The third day, known as 'Mattu Pongal', is dedicated to the cattle and other domestic animals. Shepherds pay thanks to their cows and bulls, wash them, paint their horns and cover them with shining metal caps. They are fed 'pongal' and tinkling bells are tied around their neck. Cattle races are also conducted and in the game called 'Manji Virattu', groups of young men chase running bulls. Bull fights called 'Jallikattu' are also arranged at some places, where young men have to lay their hands on the money bags tied to the horns of ferocious bulls single-handedly. Lord Ganesha and Goddess Parvati are also worshipped on this day. At some places, this day is celebrated as Kanu Pongal, when girls feed colored balls of cooked rice to birds and crows and pray for their brothers' happiness.

Kaanum Pongal
The fourth day of the festival is celebrated as Kaanum Pongal. Kaanum Pongal is known as Karinaal in some parts of Tamil Nadu. Sun God is worshipped on the day. Along with the prasads made for the festival, the deity is also offered Sarkarai Pongal, a sweet dish prepared by using rice and jaggery. In addition to this, sugarcane is also offered to the lord. Thereafter, the Sarkarai Pongal, prasad and sugar cane are offered to the people, who have gathered while performing the rituals. People in Tamil Nadu consider Kaanum Pongal as an auspicious day to visit their long lost friends and far away relatives. The performance of folk dances and folk songs on Kaanum Pongal is part of the celebrations.

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Four Days of Pongal

Pongal is a four-day harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, celebrated with gusto and fervor, by the Tamil in the state. All the four days of the festival (from 13th of January to 16th of January) are thoroughly enjoyed by the people. The festival is dedicated to Mother Nature, as farmers thank her for blessing them with bountiful crop. Each day of the four-day festival bears significance in one way or the other. Extensive Pongal rituals are performed by people. In the following lines, we have given information on the four days of Pongal.

Four Days of Pongal Celebrations

Day One - Bhogi
The celebrations of Pongal festival start with Bhogi/Bogi, which usually falls on 13th of January. One day prior to Bhogi, the households are clean, so that the premises become pious for the celebrations. People wake up early in the morning, take bath and make beautiful designs of kolam at the verandah of their home. On this day, people worship Sun God and agricultural equipments that are used to cut the crop. Thereafter, they would use the equipments to cut their paddy crop, which would ready to harvest. On Bhogi, people throw unwanted and old materials into fire, which symbolizes the end of old things and the beginning of the new.

Day Two - Surya Pongal
The second day is the main day of Pongal festival and is celebrated as Surya Pongal. On this day, people wake up early in the morning, take bath and worship Sun God. Women would draw beautiful kolam at the entrance of their house. New rice, which was harvested in the previous day, is cooked on Surya Pongal. A new clay pot is used for the purpose. The rice is cooked with milk and jaggery, over the stove, in an open area.

The Pongal thus made is offered to Sun God. The rice-milk-jaggery mixture is allowed to boil well, until the rice falls. This is termed as Pongal. When the boiled Pongal overflows the pot, people would say loudly 'Pongalo Pongal'! After the Pongal is offered to Sun God, people would relish on several Pongal dishes that are prepared especially for the day and then greet each other, wishing a very happy Pongal.

Day Three - Mattu Pongal
Mattu Pongal is the third day of the festival. This day is dedicated to farm animals including cow and ox, because they help the farmers to raise a crop and harvest it, successfully. On Mattu Pongal, the farm animals are bathed and then adorned in a beautiful way. Their horns are often painted and garland is wrapped around the horns. After applying tilak on the forehead of the cattle, people would offer Pongal to the animal. The farmers often take their farm animals for a round in the entire village.

Day Four - Kaanum Pongal
The fourth and the last day of Pongal is known as Kaanum Pongal. In some parts of Tamil Nadu, Kaanum Pongal is also known as Karinaal. Sun God is worshipped on the day and people offer food along with Sarkarai Pongal. Sugarcane is offered to the deity as well as exchange among people to symbolize sweetness and joy in life. Kaanum Pongal is the time for people to pay visits to their loved ones and faraway acquaintances. Pongal songs and folk dances are performed by people, on Kaanum Pongal.

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Pongal Around The World

The festival of Pongal is celebrated with zeal and fervor by the Tamilians in India as well as in any part of the world they reside. As this harvest festival is considered very auspicious, even the Tamils living abroad celebrate this festival with the wish of prosperity as well as for keeping their cultural ties with their native place alive. It is interesting to note that not only the elderly or middle aged section of the Tamil population but also the even younger generations of Tamils living abroad participate in this harvest festival with equal zeal. Through this celebration, they maintain and nurture the cultural distinctiveness despite being in an alien land. Occasions like Pongal also help in bonding of the Tamil community living in other parts of the world.

With the presence of Tamil population all over the world, Pongal has become a globally celebrated festival. Tamilians are spread over fifty countries of the world. Countries like Mauritius, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia Thailand and Britain have a large chunk of Tamil population. For the Tamilians living outside their native land, this celebration is of immense importance as it means connecting to their own roots and culture. Read on to explore more about the celebrations of Pongal around the world.

Pongal Celebrations Around The World

Pongal in South East Asia
Pongal due to the Indian connection is celebrated with high regards in various countries of South East Asia where there is a sizeable Tamil population. In countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar, the festival of Pongal is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated on a national scale. There are umpteen numbers of Hindu temples are spread over in these small and diverse immigrant countries. Very much like their Indian counterparts, Tamils in the other parts of South Asia celebrate a four day long festival. The festival begins with the morning ritual of cooking rice in new pots. Offering vegetables, sugar cane and spices to Gods is also popular at these places. Dance and Music specially meant for Pongal are a vital part of the celebrations here.

Pongal in Africa
In Africa, the Pongal celebrations are most visible in the Mauritius. There are about 250 temples in Mauritius and Pongal is celebrated on a national level as it is declared public holiday in the country. About 120,000 Tamils celebrate this festival in Mauritius. Here, the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam and Navasakthi Vinayagar temple have acted as vital forces in reuniting the Tamil community. Even, in South Africa, the Pongal celebrations are aesthetic and traditional.

Pongal In Oceania
Even in the countries like Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Pongal is celebrated by the existing Tamil community with zeal and fervor. Though, the celebrations are not very traditional as their Indian counterparts, the efforts to relate to their cultural ties are indeed praiseworthy on these alien lands. The festival is celebrated here in the existing temple and is organized by the local official Tamil committees and organizations.

Pongal in the Gulf
In the Gulf counties like Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the Pongal celebrations are basically organized for creating fondness amongst the Hindu people living over there. In Oman and Dubai, the celebrations have reached a praiseworthy level. The recent migrations of Tamils in these places have given boost up to the existing Pongal celebrations of the place.

Pongal in Europe
Pongal celebrations in Europe are visible in countries like Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Denmark. In Britain and France, Hindu temples organize the Pongal celebration for the Tamil community. Generally, like other foreign countries, Pongal here is more of a community festival in order to create a sense of relation in the existing Tamil Diaspora.

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Pongal Celebrations

Pongal is a popular harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated on 14th of January every year, coinciding with the Lohri of Punjab, Bhogali Bihu of Assam and Makar Sankranti of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Pongal is mainly celebrated for giving thanks to nature, for a bountiful harvest. This four-day festival is celebrated in the season when rice (and other cereals), sugar-cane and turmeric are harvested. Pongal marks the beginning of Thai, a month of hope and joy, considered auspicious for marriages. As a part of Pongal celebrations, entanceways to the houses are decorated with beautiful Kolams (patterns made with rice flour), to feed the insects and gain their blessings for the household. New clothes are bought and sweets and delicacies are prepared. Bull fights, bird fights and community dinners are also arranged on this day.

Pongal Celebrations

The First Day
The first day of Pongal is devoted to Lord Indra, who is the supreme ruler of clouds that give rain. People pay homage to Lord Indra for the abundance of harvest and prosperity to the land. There is a custom of throwing useless household articles into a fire, made of wood and cow-dung cakes. Girls are seen dancing around the bonfire and singing songs in praise of the God.

The Second Day
On the second day of Pongal, a puja is performed. Rice is boiled in milk, outdoors - in an earthenware pot, and is symbolically offered to the Sun God, along with other oblations. On this day, husband and wife dispose off elegant ritual utensils, specially used for the puja. There is a ritual of tying turmeric plant around the pot in which the rice will be boiled. The offerings include coconut and bananas in a dish, with two sticks of sugar-cane in background.

The Third Day
It is also known as Mattu Pongal, the day when cattle are worshipped. The cattle are decorated with multi-colored beads, tinkling bells, sheaves of corn and flower garlands. They are fed with Pongal and taken to the village center, where the young men race each other's cattle. It makes the atmosphere more festive and full of fun. Later on, aarti is performed.

The Fourth Day
The final day of Pongal celebration is known as Knau or Kannum Pongal. On this day, a turmeric leaf is washed and kept on ground. The left over of sweet Pongal and Venn Pongal, ordinary rice as well as rice colored red and yellow, betel leaves, betel nuts, two pieces of sugarcane, turmeric leaves, and plantains are placed on it. All the women assemble in the courtyard and pray for the prosperity of their brother. An aarti is performed with turmeric water, limestone and rice and the items are sprinkled on the kolam in front of the house.

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Pongal Dance

Pongal is one of the most important festivals in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is the only Hindu festival that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on a fixed date i.e. the fourteenth of January every year. It is a harvest festival and celebrated in North India as Makar Sankranti. It also has an astronomical significance as it marks the beginning of Uttarayana i.e. the movement of sun in the northern hemisphere. This festival is celebrated for four days in all the Tamil families around the globe. Apart from feasting, people sing and dance on this occasion to express their elation and a beginning of the phase of prosperity and riches. Several kinds of popular Tamil folk dances are performed on this occasion in the temples or at community gatherings. Here in this article, we have discussed few of the dance forms performed on auspicious occasions like Pongal. Read more to know in detail.

Folk Dances On Pongal

Karagaattam
Karagam is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu. It is basically a rural dance which is done along with music either individually or in a pair of two. It is basically a performance of balancing a pot on the head. It is of two types- Aatta Karagam and the other 'Sakthi Karagam'.

Kummi
Kummi is one of the most popular dances that are performed on the occasion of Pongal. It is also one of the most ancient dances of Tamil Nadu and it is said that it evolved as a dance form even before music. It is a group dance in which women stand in a circle and dance clapping their hands rhythmically to lifting songs.

Mayil Attam
This is also one interesting kind of dance performed by the girls of the state on auspicious occasions. In this dance, the dancer is supposedly dressed as a peacock, with peacock feathers and a sparkling head-dress complete with a beak.

Oyil Kummi
Oyil Kummi is an ancient folk dance form of the state. It is very popular in Trichi, Salem, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore and Periyar districts. This dance is performed exclusively by men without any musical instruments except the ankle-bells. This is popularly performed during all the temple festivals.

Kali Attam
Kali Attam is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu that is performed by both men and women during auspicious days, weddings and joyous festivals like Pongal. Kali literally means joy or fun and games and the dance of Kali Attam is very much a reflection of its name. It is performed along with a stick and is very much an exhibition of quickness and alertness.

Puli Attam
Puli Attam is another Tamilk folk dance that is performed on temple festivals and auspicious occasions like Pongal. This is an entertaining dance form with the main dancer dressed like a lion.

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Pongal Date

The word Pongal literally means the boiling over of the rice in the cooking pot. It is considered to be an auspicious activity in the southern parts of India. Though there is not much known about the history and origin of Pongal, it is assumed that it is a Dravidian harvest festival that is being celebrated from hundreds of years. It is a four days festival in Tamil Nadu, which is celebrated with extreme zeal and fervor throughout the state. Feasting and celebrations form a vital part of the Pongal celebrations. The celebrations of Pongal festival have now also become global with lots of Tamilians residing in various part of the world.

Pongal is celebrated in the month of Thai according to the Tamil calendar. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season or spring. The date of the Pongal festival remains the same as it is considered according to the solar calendar compared to the other Hindu festivals which are decided according to the lunar calendar. According to the Solar calendar, when the sun enters the Makaram Rashi or the Tropic of Capricorn from the Tropic of Cancer, it marks the beginning of a very auspicious phase in the Hindu culture. It is the phase when sun begins its journey northwards (Uttarayan) for a period of six months as opposed to southwards (Dakshinayan) movement.

According to the Gregorian calendar, the Pongal festival has a fixed date of beginning i.e. 14th January. As per Tamil calendar, it celebrated for four continuous days beginning from the last day of Tamil month of Maargazhi (December-January) and lasting up to the third day of Thai. The second of Pongal celebrations is treated as the main Pongal day of Surya Pongal, which marks the beginning of Tamil month of Thai. Apart from socio-geographical significance, the festival also holds scientific as well as eternal significance to it. Scientifically, the festival brings respite to the people as this day onwards the warmth and length of the day increases and that of the night shortens in the Northern Hemisphere. Eternally, as the festival is related to Sun God, this festival has divinity and wisdom attached to it.

On the first day, i.e 14th of Januray, the festival starts with the Bhogi Pongal. On this day, the celebrations are limited to the house. On this day, basically the evil spirits are driven out of the home and the entire home is cleaned and whitewashed. All the dirt and waste materials collected from home is burnt into bonfire. On the second day, Surya Pongal, there is commemoration of the Sun god. This is the main day of the celebrations when people wear new clothes and cook food with newly harvested cereals in new pots on new stoves. The third day is Maattu Pongal, which is meant to honor cattle. Pets like cows, buffalo, ox and bullocks are bathed with clean water and worshipped for their contribution in farming and related activities. The festival ends with the fourth day celebrations of Kaanum Pongal.

Pongal 2012

Bhogi Pongal: 14th January.
Surya Pongal: 15th January
Maatu Pongal: 16th January
Kaanum Pongal: 17th January

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Pongal History

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated with religious fervor across Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. Thai Pongal, as it is popularly called, is synonymous to Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival celebrated in various regions of India, on 14th of January, every year. Pongal is typically celebrated from 13th of January to 16th of January, every year. The merrymaking starts with Bhogi, the first day of Thai Pongal. Observed as thanksgiving occasion to Lord Indra (the God of Heaven), Bhogi is the day when people burn the old and unwanted materials, like clothing and furbishes. The next day is observed as Surya Pongal, the day dedicated to honor Sun God.

The third day of Pongal is known as Mattu Pongal, wherein people worship farm animals. The fourth day is observed as Kaanum Pongal, which is also known by the name of Karinaal or Thiruvalluvar Day in few places. Sarkarai Pongal is offered to Sun God, as it is one of the important rituals of the fourth day of the festival. Often referred to as 'Tamil Thirunal' (the festival of Tamils), Pongal removes the barrier of caste and religion. People, irrespective of their community, celebrate the festival with gusto. Pongal boasts of a vibrant history, which dates back to many centuries. Go through the following lines to get information on the history and origin of Pongal.

History & Origin Of Pongal Festival
The origin of Pongal can be traced back to Sangam Age, a period extending from 200 BC to 300 AD. The festival was celebrated as Thai Niradal. During the period, unmarried girls prayed for agricultural prosperity of the country and for the purpose, they observed penance during the Tamil month of Margazhi, corresponding (December-January). All through the month, they abstained themselves from the consumption of milk and milk products. They didn't oil their hair throughout the month. The use of harsh words was strictly refrained by them. Ceremonial bath in the early morning was part of the ritual of the penance.

The unmarried women worshipped Goddess Katyayani, one of the nine forms of Ma Durga. They carved image of the deity out of sand. The women broke their fast on the first day of the month of Thai (January-February). It was believed that the fast would bring abundant wealth, prosperity and bountiful crop for the year ahead. Tamil literature has mentioned the celebration of the festival of Thai Niradal and the observance of the penance, known as Pavai Nonbu. Both the festival and the penance were vividly described in Andal's Tiruppavai and Manickavachakar's Tiruvembavai. Chola King Kiluttunga used to present lands to the Veeraraghava temple at Tiruvallur, especially for the celebration of Pongal.

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Pongal Kolam

Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, is celebrated with fun and fervor. It is the time, when farmer thank Mother Nature for blessing them with a bountiful harvest. During the festive season, people ensure that their home and premises are kept spick and span. They would get up early in the morning, offer prayers to their favorite deity and make a beautiful kolam (rangoli) at their entranceway. Kolam is an art of drawing images and geometrical shapes on floor, by synchronizing with dots. Drawing kolam is considered auspicious. In fact, no verandah of a Tamil household is left without kolam. Making both simple and intricate designs of kolam on Pongal is a tradition followed since long. Check out more about Pongal rangoli designs, in the following lines.

Pongal Rangoli Designs
Several types of kolam designs are popular for Pongal. You can draw line kolam, which involves free hand drawing of lines, to make a geometrical pattern. Pulli (dots) are arranged in a specific sequence, which is joined to make the particular kolam design. Apart from drawing lines, people also make twisted chains by linking one loop of the kolam with the next, thereby forming wonderful designs. Such a pattern of kolam is popularly referred to as 'Chuzhi Kolam'. The art is also popular in other states, where it is known by different names. In Bengal, it is known as Alpana, while in Rajasthan, it is popularly known by the name 'Mandana'. People in Andhra Pradesh call it 'Muggulu', while in Maharashtra and Karnataka it is called 'Rangoli'.

Although the designs may vary, the basic idea of kolam remains the same - to draw beautiful designs on floor, using dry colors of rice flour. The tradition of making kolams on Pongal is not new to the Tamil people. Its history can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization in 2500 BC, when people used to make elaborate designs of kolam are made using white and other color powders and rice flour. According to the legends, Gopis used to make rangoli to lessen their pain for not having Lord Krishna with them. Since a long time, kolam has been made in ceremonious occasions in Tamil Nadu.

Significance
When it comes to making kolam in Pongal, the drawing art deserves special mention. During the festive occasion, people indulge in making the aesthetic art of kolam at their veranda. Rice flour is used to make different patterns of kolam for Pongal. It is a popular belief that the bright red color, which is used to border the kolam, wards off evil spirits. Not only the women, but also the rest of the family members get engrossed with the task of making beautiful kolam designs, for the festival. Apart from the households, kolam is also made outside shops and offices, on the festive occasion of Pongal.

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Pongal Legends

Pongal is one of the most awaited harvest festivals of South India. The festival signifies a period of plenty, peace and happiness. It lasts for a period of three days, with each day having a special meaning and reason behind it. Almost every festival in India has some stories and legends associated with it and Pongal is no exception to this. The festival also has some interesting stories and legends related to it, two of which have been mentioned below.

Legend of Mount Govardhan
The first legend is associated with the first day of the festival i.e. Bhogi Ponga. It is related to Lord Indra, the God of Clouds and Rains, and Lord Krishna. The honor given by people to Lord Indra made him proud and arrogant. He started considering himself as the most powerful of all beings. When Lord Krishna came to know about this, he thought of teaching Indra a lesson. He convinced his cowherd friends to worship Mt. Govardhan rather than Lord Indra. This angered Lord Indra and he sent the clouds to generate non-stop thunder, lightning, heavy rains and flood the land where Krishna lived.

Lord Krishna had other plans in mind and he lifted up the Govardhan Mountain on his little finger, to protect village people and their cattle. The rains continued for three days. At last, Indra realized his mistake and divine power of the young boy. He promised humility and begged Krishna's forgiveness. Since then, Krishna allowed Bhogi (first day of Pongal) celebrations in honor of Indra. Since then, the festival of Pongal came into being. In other words, this day gave the starting point to the Pongal celebration and the festival got another name of Indran, from this legendary story

Legend of Lord Shiva
Another legend is associated with Mattu Pongal (the third day of Pongal). It involves Lord Shiva and his mount, Nandi the bull. It is said that once Shiva ordered Nandi to go to the Earth and deliver his message to the people that they should take oil bath every day and eat food once a month. However, the dozing Nandi could not hear the message right and told the people to eat everyday and take oil bath once a month. Shiva was furious, as due to Nandi's mistake, there will be lack of grains on earth. Now, Nandi would have to remain on earth to help humans plough the fields. Since then, 'Mattu Pongal' came to be dedicated to cattle and other domestic animals.

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Pongal Preparation

Pongal is one of the most important festivals for Tamilians all over the world. It is basically a harvest festival being celebrated in the Dravidian clan for ages. It is one of the few Hindu festivals which is decided according to the solar calendar and celebrated on a fixed date i.e. the fourteenth of January every year. Scientifically, Pongal marks the transitions of the Sun in the northern hemisphere making the days longer and warmer in this hemisphere. It also marks the end of winter and marks the arrival of a new harvest season. It is celebrated for four days in all the Tamil families all around the world. On this occasion, Tamilians all over the world engage in feasting, people sing and dance on this occasion to express their elation and a beginning of the phase of prosperity and riches.

The preparation of Pongal festival is very elaborate and starts days before the actual festival arrives. In Tamil Nadu, it is one of the most awaited days of the year. On this occasion, people all over the state engage in merry making and joyous celebrations. It is the festival when people do not wait for the day of celebration to begin the decorations of their home; rather whitewashing and painting begin months before the festival arrives. As the Pongal comes closer, all the dirt, filth and unwanted materials of the home are thrown out and burnt in he bonfire. Preparations for deciding rangoli pattern also begin much before Pongal arrives.

While preparing for the arrival of Pongal, the houses and courtyards of the home are cleaned and the house is decorated with new torans made of a new string of fresh mango leaves on the entry gate of the house. New clothes are brought for all the members of the family. Also, the preparation of traditional sweets begins at home before the arrival of Pongal. People also engage in buying new furniture items, curtains, bed sheets and interior decoration pieces for the home. Last but not the least, gifts for all the near and dear ones are bought for this occasion, days before the celebrations.

People also buy new cereal grains, new utensils and new stoves as it is a tradition to make food with new grains in new utensils on a new stove on the Pongal day. Even the homes of the cattles are cleaned and cattles are bathed properly as the festival arrives. Not only human beings but cattles are also included in these celebrations as they are regarded as the faithful companion of the successful harvest season. The Pongal festivities begin from the day of Bhogi Pongal which is basically an extension of the cleaning and decoration procedure and gain climax at the second day, the Surya Pongal which is the actual day for festivities.

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Pongal Songs

Pongal is the most important festival of Tamilians all over the world. It is celebrated all over the state of Tamil Nadu in India with immense joy and fervor. Feasting and joyful celebrations are vital part of Pongal celebrations. On this occasion, people engage in merry making and sing and dance to exhibit their elation. There are lots of popular Pongal songs that are sung on this occasion. These songs consist of the literary and artistic quality of the Tamil culture, and are at very striking and characteristic.

Based on the themes of love and war, wealth and poverty, mythology and religion, these songs reflect the history and the traditions of Tamil culture. Every Village in Tamil Nadu has hundreds of popular Pongal songs and every temple in the state has a specific Pongal song of its own. These songs represent the individuality of the area and their traditions of worship. If you are interesting in exploring more about these Pongal songs, the lyrics of few of them are given below.

Popular Pongal Songs

Pongalo Pongal
Pongalo Pongal!
Thai pongal!
karumbu soru yarukku
yenakku
sarkarai satham yaruku
ungalluku
Pongalo Pongal!
Mattu Pongal!
nandasoru yaruku
mattuku
Pongalo Pongal!
yenna machan
paal pongiyacha
pongalo pongal
Contributed by: Srinivasan

Thalaivar Pongal
Podhuvaaha en manasu thangon
Oru poattiyinnu vandhuputta singon
Unmaya solvaen nallatha seiven
vetri mel vetri varum...
aaduvom paaduvom kondaaduvom
aanandham kaanuvom ennaalumae

Vandhaendaa paal kaaraen
adadaaaaa
Pasumaatta paththi paada poaraen
Oru paattu katti aada poaraen
Pullu kuduththaa paalu kudukkum
unnaala mudiyaathu thambi
Hey Paadhi pulla porakkuthappaaa
Pasumbaala thai paala nambiiii

Sakalakalavallavan
'amman kovil kizhakkale
anna vayal merkale
namma ooru naduvale nikkuthadi
nathu sanam nammai kandu sokkuthadi

angala ammanukku
adiyile pongal vacha......'

Thanda Nana
Thanda nana....
Thanda nana...
Thanda naa naa..aaa.. hoi

Bogi idhu Bogi idhu nandha laalaaaa... hoi...
Bogi idhu Bogi idhu nandha laalaaaa... hoi...

katukuyilu manasukkulla paatukonnum panjamilla paadathaan
kavalaikattu vittuputtu thavilaith thattu thullikittu aadathan
ellorum moththathile sandhosha saththathilea
onnaana naerathile ullasa nenjathilae

Podaa ellam vittuthallu pazhasaiyellam suttuthallu
pudhusaa ippa porandhomunnu ennikollada

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History of Rakhi Festival

Hindu scriptures and mythology is the source of all the Hindu rituals and festivals. In fact, one can find explanations for all the Hindu traditions and customs in the religious epics. Even the origin of Rakhi celebrations is rooted in the Hindu mythology. There is no confirmed date and time available about the history of Rakhi festival, but the stories are many. Started as the 'different tradition' of tying the thread to the husband, it has evolved to having the sisters tying the thread to their brother. The different stories related to this festival, which explain the history behind it, go as follows...

In the Vedic period, on a 'Shravan Poornima' day (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), the deities and demons were fighting a battle against each other. Unfortunately the demons were in a stronger position, as compared to the deities. The king of the deities, Lord Indra, was very much worried about the result of the battle. His wife Indrani (also known as Shashikala) could not see him worried and prayed to the almighty to help her husband. Indrani was a religious lady, so she prepared a talisman with her religious power and tied it around Indra's right wrist.

Indrani believed that her talisman will safeguard Indra from the attack of demons. Eventually, she proved right, as that day, the deities won the battle and Lord Indra escaped unhurt. As the talisman had the power of protecting the person who wore it, it came to be known as 'Raksha Sutra' and the ceremony of tying it was called 'Raksha Bandhan'. Since this particular act of tying the talisman took place on 'Shravan Poornima' day, it has become a tradition to celebrate 'Raksha Bandhan' on the 'Shravan Poornima' day every year. With time, the festival came to comprise of brother-sister duo, rather than husband-wife.

It is said that when Alexander invaded India in 326 B.C., his wife tied a Rakhi to the king Porus and in return, Porus promised to protect her and her husband. We also have various such examples of tying knots or threads, especially in the history of Rajputana. The most famous of them is the story of the Queen Karnavati of Chittor, who sent a Rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun, to save her kingdom from the invasion of Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. That particular day of Purnima was celebrated as Raksha Bandhan first in Marwar and then, all over Rajasthan. Finally, it came to celebrated all over India.

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How to Make Rakhi

Rakhi is the sacred amulet that not only comprises of a sister's love and emotions, but also reflects her good wishes for her brother's long life and well-being. By tying a rakhi at the wrist of their brother, sisters pray for their long life and in return, they get a promise that their brother will always help them when they are in need. A more intimate touch can be added to this amulet by taking a little pain and making a homemade rakhi for your beloved brothers. So, this year, try this simple and easy method of Rakhi making and impress your brothers with your creativity.

Homemade Rakhis

Anmol Handmade Rakhi

Materials Required

1 Silk Thread Reel (color of your choice, preferably red or green)

1 Cotton Thread Reel (matching to the silk reel color)

1 Toothbrush (an old one)

Scissors

Glue

10-12 small Artificial Pearls

Method

Take the silk thread reel and cut its 20-25 pieces, each one around 25 inches long.

Hold all the pieces in such a way that both of their ends meet each other and then fold the entire bundle of threads at the mid point.

Take the cotton reel and tie the bundle with the help of cotton thread just 4-5 inches below the mid point.

Divide the longer portion of the thread bundle into two equal parts.

Plait both the divided portions separately and tie a small piece of cotton thread at both the ends leaving a margin of 2 inches. Thus the longer portion makes the string part of Rakhi.

The smaller part of the Rakhi is still in loops because of the fold. Take the scissors and cut the loops right at its center. This will make the central part of the Rakhi.

Take the toothbrush and comb that central part in all the directions in such a manner that a circle of the tiny threads is prepared.

Both the ends of the strings must also be brushed. Brushing the threads will make it even softer and give it a feathery look.

Finally stick the small pearls on the central part of the Rakhi with the help of glue.

Special Remarks

The pearls stuck in a random way will appear as dew on the flower with the red silk thread background.

While the same pearls stuck on green silk thread background will look like dew on the grass.

This central part of the Rakhi can be decorated in various creative ways with different decorative materials.

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Rakhi Customs

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on 'Shravan Purnima' (full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan), which generally falls in the month of August, every year. The auspicious day commemorates the unique bond between a brother and a sister. This festival reflects the pure love of brother and sister for each other. Every brother, even if far away, tries to reach his sister on this special day. It is a truly religious festival, which inculcates the performance of customs that are followed since ages. In many parts of India, sisters would tie Rakhi on their brothers' wrist on a 'Shubh-Muhurt', the auspicious time of the day to perform the custom. Read on to know more about the customs of Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha Bandhan Traditions

On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, sisters would decorate a puja thali (a plate). All the necessary pooja items including roli (for tilak), akshat (rice grains for tilak), diya or deep (for performing the aarti of their brother), sweets and the Rakhi are beautifully arranged in the thali. First, the sisters would put tilak on the forehead of their brother and then stick some of the akshat to the same tilak. Thereafter, they would perform an Aarti of their brothers. After that, they tie the Rakhi on the right wrist of their brothers. While performing the ritual, sisters generally chant the following 'mantra':

"Suraj shakhan chhodian, Mooli chhodia beej
Behen ne rakhi bandhi / Bhai tu chir jug jee"

This is the blessings of a sister for her brother, which means:

"The sun radiates its sunlight; the radish spreads its seeds, I tie the Rakhi to you O brother and wish that may you live long."

After her prayer for a long life for her brother, she says that she is tying the ever-protective Raksha to her brother's wrist and chants the mantra:

"Yena baddho Balee raajaa daanavendro mahaabalah
tena twaam anubadhnaami rakshe maa chala maa chala"

This is a 'mantra' mentioned in the 'Hindu Shastras' and means:

"I am tying a Rakhi on you, like the one on mighty demon king Bali. Be firm, O Rakhi, do not falter."

After tying the Rakhi, the sisters sweeten the mouth of their brothers with sweets. Then, it is brother's turn to give some gifts to their sisters in return of the beautiful Rakhi. This gift can be either in cash or in kind. Sometimes sisters also give return gifts to their brothers. Thus, on the festive occasion of Rakhi brothers and sisters wish happy long life, success, prosperity and health to each other. At last they seek the blessings of their parents and other elderly people in their family. After that, they went to visit their relatives to enjoy this special festival with them.

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Rakhi Celebrations

India is the only country where the love of a brother-sister duo is respected so much that a festival, called Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan, is especially dedicated to it. Rakhi is celebrated with a lot of fun and frolic in India. Besides tying Rakhis on the brother's hand, gift exchange, relishing tempting and mouth watering sweets, lots of other elements are also a part of the festivities. These acts make the Rakhi festival all the more interesting and one is always looking forward for this day to arrive. Let us know all about Rakhi celebrations in India.

Rakhi Celebrations In India

Mehendi
Ladies in India have always been fond of putting Mehendi on their hands. However, on the festival of Rakhi, the tradition has special importance. On the day, women decorate each others' palms with different styles of mehendi, such as Marwadi, Shekhawati or Mumbaiya style. As married women apply mehndi on Karwa Chauth, unmarried girls apply mehndi on the occasion of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan. In fact, mehendi has now also become a part of the Rakhi festival.

Traditional Dressing
On the auspicious day of Rakhi, guys usually prefer to go for traditional outfits like kurta-pajamas. At times, they wear formal outfits as well, like shirt with trousers or shirt with jeans, depending on their choice. On the other hand, sisters, if married, mostly love to tie designer saris, with light or heavy work. The unmarried sisters go for salwar-kurta, chudidaar-kurta, saree, lehengas, and other traditional apparels.

Cards
In modern times, when a large number of brothers and sisters stay away from each other, due to their educational, job or married life responsibilities, they send Rakhi cards to each other. They express their feelings towards each other with the help of these cards, available in the market. The sisters, who are not able to reach their brothers on this auspicious day, send the Rakhi for their brothers through postal or courier services.

Markets
On the festive occasion of Rakhi, the markets are decorated profusely. Wide variety of colorful and beautiful fancy and designer rakhis is available in the market. These are made of resham or zari threads and decorated with different items, like beads, semi-precious stones or imitation jewelry. Sometimes, these rakhis are also decorated with silver and gold. The price of rakhis varies according to the materials used in making them. However, one thing remains the same in every rakhi, the love and blessings of the sister for her brother.

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Rakhi in India

Rakhi is one of the very important festivals celebrated in India. Eagerly awaited by the Hindu community in India and abroad, it surely marks an auspicious occasion. Rakhi comes in the month of Shravan, which falls between July and August, and is celebrated with much eagerness and joy all across the world. The festival of Rakhi communicates the message of brotherhood, as it is the day on which a sister ties a rakhi thread on the wrist of her brother and he, in return, vows to protect her from all troubles. The festival is of great importance in the Hindu culture and is celebrated all over the country, though the ways of celebration vary from one region to the other. The name of this festival also changes as soon as one enters into a new region. Let use know about celebrating Rakhi in different parts of India.

Raksha Bandhan In India

North India
Rakhi festival is popularly called 'Raksha-Bandhan' all over the country. However, it is known by one more name in some parts of North India and that is 'Kajri-Poornima'. In northern parts of the country, this day is propitious because marks the day farmers start sowing the grain seeds, in their farms. Since a new beginning is there, people worship 'Goddess Bhagwati' on this day.

East India
In the eastern part of the country, the significance of Raksha Bandhan is indicated by the cultural richness of famous institute 'Shanti-Niketan.' The founder of this institute was the great Nobel Laureate Rabindro Nath Thhakur. He initiated the 'Rakhi Utsava' (Rakhi tying ceremony) there long back. But the custom is continued till date by the pupils of the 'Shanti-Niketan'.

South India
In some parts of the South India, Rakhi is celebrated by the name of 'Avanee-Avittum', whereas in other parts, it is known as 'Opakramam'. This day has special significance for the Brahmins, as they tie the sacred string on their patron's wrist and in turn, the patrons offer them gifts in cash or kind. 'Shravan Poornima' is yet another name of Rakhi in this part of the country.

West India
In the western region of India, Raksha Bandhan is popularly known by the name of 'Naariyal Poornima' (the 'Coconut Full Moon Day'). Since ancient times, it has been believed that people worship Lord Varuna (the God of Sea) on this day. They offer the 'Naariyals' (coconuts) to the Lord, by proffering them into the sea.

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Rakhi Legends

Rakhi is a popular festival of India, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. The festival has a tremendous social and cultural significance. It is the celebration of the love amongst siblings. There are various legends associated with the origin of this festival. In fact, the festival has a rich background and has several stories related to its existence. Some of the popular ones have been given in the lines below.

Indra and Indrani:
In the Vedic period, on a 'Shravan Poornima' day (Full Moon Day of the Hindu month of Shravan), the deities and the demons were fighting a battle against each other. Unfortunately, the demons were in a stronger position then the deities. The king of the deities, Lord Indra, was very much worried about the result of the battle. His wife Indrani (also known as Shashikala) could not see him worried and prayed to the almighty. She prepared a talisman with her religious power and tied it around Indra's right wrist, to safeguard Indra from the attack made by the demons. The talisman kept her belief and on that particular day, deities won the battle and Lord Indra escaped unhurt.

Yama and Yamuna:
Yamuna was the sister of Lord Yama, the God of death. On every "Shravan Purnima", Yamuna used to tie a sacred thread (Rakhi) to Lord Yama. Since then, it has become a tradition for sisters to tie Rakhi to their brothers on this day. In return, the brothers bestow blessings on their sisters and promise to protect them all the problems and difficulties that they might ever face.

King Bali and Goddess Laxmi:
According to the mythology, Raja Bali was such a great devotee of Lord Vishnu that Lord Indra felt insecure. Indra worshipped Vishnu and asked the Lord to help him save his throne. Vishnu accepted Indra's prayer and overthrew Bali. Later, Vishnu gave Bali the boon of immortality and also promised to take care of his kingdom. To keep his promise, Vishnu left his residence, 'Vaikunthdham', and went to safeguard Bali's kingdom

Soon, Goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Vishnu, went to Raja Bali, as a poor Brahmin lady, and requested him for shelter. She regarded Bali as her brother and tied a Rakhi on to his wrist, on the 'Shravan Poornima' day. When Bali wished to give her some present, she told him her true identity and the reason for her arrival. She also asked Bali to send Lord Vishnu back to Vaikunthdham. Raja Bali immediately requested Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi to return.

King Porus and Alexander's Wife:
The ancient history of India tells us that when Alexander the great came to India, to make it a part of his kingdom, he was resisted by the brave King Porus. The bravery of Porus led the Alexander's wife to doubt the safety of her husband. Soon, she sent Porus a rakhi and became his sister. This is the reason why Porus never harmed Alexander.

Maharani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun:
In the Medieval Indian history, the tale of Maharani Karnawati and Mughal Emperor Humayun relates to the tradition of Rakhi. Maharani Karnawati was the queen of the Rajput Kingdom, Chittor, in Rajasthan. When Chittor was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar, the Maharani sent a Rakhi to Humayun, the Mughal Emperor of Delhi, and called him for help. Humayun was aware of the significance of Rakhi in the Hindu community, so he immediately accepted her request to protect her.

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Rakhi Significance

Rakhi is a festival dedicated to all the brothers and sisters In India, symbolizing the love and emotional bond shared by them. The graceful relationship between brothers and sisters has so much regard and magnitude for Hindus that an entire day of the year is devoted by them for the celebration of this pious relationship. Hindu community celebrates this special day like a festival and calls it 'Rakhi' or 'Raksha-Bandhan'. The literal meaning of 'Raksha-Bandhan' is 'the bond of protection'.

On Rakhi, it is a custom for the sisters to tie a scared thread, called Rakhi, on their brother's wrist. The brothers, in turn, promise their sisters to protect and safeguard them against all the evil forces. Though Rakhi festival has special importance for the brothers and sisters, it is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the entire family. Thus, the festival of Raksha Bandhan represents not only the siblings' emotional bond, but also an occasion of family get-togethers and reviving relationships.

There are several examples that show that Rakhi has a much broader connotation. The sacred thread of Rakhi is not just limited to brothers and sisters, but can be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. Rishis also used to tie the sacred bond to the people who came to seek their blessings, thus signifying protection from any evil. The festival of Rakhi also signifies peaceful coexistence, which is obvious when neighbors and friends tie Rakhi on each other's wrists. Rakhi also holds an oath of practicing moral, spiritual and cultural values.

The values and the sentiments attached to Raksha Bandhan show the traditional as well as broader significance of the festival. Since the ancient times, Rakhi has been a symbol of seeking help or protection from the powerful ones, by the weaker souls. In due course of time the moods of this festival's celebrations have changed, a lot but the basic idea of 'a bond of protection' has remained unchanged. Even in the modern times the festival is beyond the difference of caste, race, religious, haves and have-nots, and even national boundaries.

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Rakhi Thali Decoration

Rakhi is celebrated with pomp and gaiety by Hindus in different parts of India. The ceremonious occasion commemorates the strong bond between brother and sister. On the festival of Rakhi/Raksha Bandhan, sisters would conduct an aarti and apply tilak on their brothers' forehead, before tying the Rakhi (sacred thread) on their brothers' wrist. All the puja items are beautifully arranged on a plate, which is called puja thali. The materials commonly placed in the pooja thali may include a diya (earthen lamp) for performing the aarti, sweets, roli (sacred color used for tilak), rice (for Akshat) and Rakhi. The beautifully decorated Rakhi thalis gives an impression of the sister's love and care for her brother. While the basic puja items remain the same, the puja thali can be decorated in a number of ways. In the article, we have given few ideas for Rakhi thali decoration.

Rakhi Thali Decoration Ideas

Floral Thali
Place the puja items including diya, rice and roli and sweetmeat in a bronze or stainless steel thali in which petals of flowers are arranged as the base. You can decorate the puja thali with an assortment of fresh colorful flowers. Either fill the entire thali with the flowers, or decorate them only on the thali's rim. The thali can be decorated by single color flowers also. Instead of an entire flower, make use of only the petals of the flowers, so that the thali looks pretty.

Dry-fruits Thali
Decorate your puja thali for Rakhi with dry fruits like cashew nuts, chestnuts, raisins, cocoa nut, pistachio or almond. One after another, many circles of different dry- fruits can be made in the thali, which gives a colorful look. Another idea is to make an entire base of mixed dry fruits in the thali, and then place the puja items. For the purpose, you may make use of a stainless steel thali.

Roli-Turmeric Thali
Roli-turmeric thali is one of the basic types of puja thalis for Rakha Bandhan. Take a bronze thali. Now, mix roli with turmeric powder, so that it becomes a thin paste. The red and yellow combination of these two would give a traditional look to your pooja thali. Smear the thali with the fresh roli-turmeric paste. After the paste is dried, place the puja items in the thali, including diya, sweetmeat and rice.

Collage Thali
You may make use of different colorful paper cuttings your Rakhi puja thali decoration. Although the thali will wear a look of collage painting, it is definite that it would look unique and catch the immediate attention of your brother. Make use of paper cut outs from a magazine or newspaper, for the purpose. The papers used in such decoration could be plain papers with single color or the printed papers containing some or other pictures on them.

Choco-Toffee Thali
This Rakhi, come up with unique ideas for the puja thali decoration and please your brother, on the auspicious occasion. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, then go for choco-toffee thali decoration. Divide the area of the thali by drawing lines of chocolates and toffees. In every division, place one puja item. This would look very different from the traditional puja thalis.

Sweets Rakhi Thali
Sweets can be used as decorative items for pooja thali. Either put full pieces of the sweets in a decorative manner in the thali, or put small pieces of sweets by cutting them into different shapes. You can also use a combination of both the ideas. Place the puja items in between the sweets.

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Types of Rakhi

Rakhi or Rakhsha Bandhan is a festival which is celebrated by all classes of people in India. It is basically a Hindu festival, which is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana. It is basically to commemorate the relationship of brother and sister. On this occasion, a sister ties Rakhi (holy thread) on the hand of his brother and his brother in return promises to protect her from all the evils of the world. In yesteryears, the Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan was only a holy thread (made of silk); however with time various kinds of Rakhi have come in fashion. People these days also go for designer Rakhis. If you are interested in exploring various varieties of Rakhis, read the following paragraphs.

Different Types Of Rakhi

Cartoon Rakhi
In such types of Rakhis, the cartoon characters are prominent designs over the Rakhi thread. These characters are generally popular cartons like Micky mouse, Donald duck, Tweety, Mogli, Casper, Shaktiman or any other character popular among the children. These kinds of Rakhis are meant for kids.

Sandalwood Rakhi
These Rakhis are made by using sandalwood pieces in various decorative forms. There may be small animals, flowers or some idols made of sandalwood. Sometimes sandalwood beads are also used to give an ethnic look to the Rakhis. The sweet smell of sandalwood also adds extra freshness to the Rakhi festival.

Musical Rakhi
Musical Rakhis are those which play special kind of music when touched. These consist of sensors which get active and play melodious or surprising music. These Rakhis are also a craze amongst children.

Floral Rakhi
These are the Rakhis which have a touch of ancientness. These Rakhis give a complete traditional look. Use of different colorful small and big flowers makes such Rakhis extremely beautiful. These Rakhis are naturally filled with sweet fragrance.

Zari Rakhi
These Rakhis are made of Zari threads. Apart using the zari as thread, it also uses it in making the central motif of the Rakhi. The zari is generally silver or golden therefore it appears shiny and gives a very royal look.

Resham Rakhi
Resham Rakhis or Reshami Rakhis are those Rakhis which are made by Resham (silk) threads. Such Rakhis are soft in touch and look bright. All kinds of Resham Rakhis, be it a simple Dori or a heavily decorated one, are well-liked by each age-group.

Mouli
A special kind of thread is used in Hindu Dharma rituals, for tying onto the wrists of the participants of any Hindu rites as an auspicious symbol. This special thread is also known as 'Kalava'. This 'Mouli' is also used as Rakhi because of its auspiciousness.

Gold-Siver coated Rakhi
When Rakhis are prepared by using coatings of the precious metals like silver and gold then they automatically give a royal look. At times, these metals are also used in the different shapes like flowers, Indian Gods and Goddesses and even beads while preparing the Rakhis. These Rakhis also have keepsake value.

Shree-Om Rakhi
Rakhis containing the symbols of Hindu Dharma, like the 'Shree' sign, the 'Om' sign and the 'Swastika' signs are also in demand. Such Rakhis leave a religious impression. So, these Rakhis are especially popular among the old people.

Ram Rakhi
Sometimes Rakhis are made of simple silk threads. They are very simple Doris only with no decorations at all. Just a flower made of same thread in the middle of the Dori. .

Beads Rakhi
The Rakhis that have beads embedded into their threads or embedded on top of the Rakhi base in the middle of the Rakhi thread are put into this category. Such Rakhis give a unique tribal appearance.

Currency Note Rakhi
Such Rakhis have different denominations of currency notes like Rupees or Dollars attached to them. These currency notes can be made of plastic or even real. These Rakhis are simply used for fun.

Stones Rakhi
The Rakhis that are made by using the pieces of precious and semi-precious stones like opal, emerald, ruby or topaz are called stone Rakhis. A Rakhi decorated with various kinds of glittering stone pieces looks just marvelous.

Special Rakhis

Mysore: Sandalwood Rakhis.

Mumbai: Cartoon Rakhis.

Gujarat: Silver Rakhis.

Calcutta: Handmade Rakhis.

Punjab: Resham Rakhis.

South India: Zari Rakhis.

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Rakhi Around The World

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in a grand manner in India. It is celebrated with extreme zeal and enthusiasm throughout the country. This festival is given great importance in the country as it commemorates the unique relation shared by brothers and sisters. It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Shravan which corresponds to the July- August month of the Gregorian calendar. Apart from India, this festival is also celebrated in various parts of the world where Hindu population resides. Interestingly, many non- Hindu families opt for celebrating this festival because with time, this occasion has become a Universal celebration of the unbreakable thread of love between brothers and sisters. Explore more about worldwide Raksha Bandhan celebrations, through the lines given below.

Rakhi Celebrations Around The World

Rakhi In Europe
Rakhi is also celebrated with great zeal in various countries of Europe. It is celebrated by the South East Asian population residing here. People from different parts of the city gather at a common place at times to give festive touch to this occasion. As there are several people who live in these foreign states alone, they have developed brotherhood amongst themselves. Girls tie Rakhis to boys who are not their real brothers but their foster brothers.

Rakhi In Nepal
Nepal is the only Hindu Country in the world. There are also many Indians residing in the country. So, in Nepal you will feel homelike on the Indian festivals like Rakhi. Very similar to India, in Nepal also people celebrate this occasion as a commemoration of brother-sister relationship. The festival begins with the ceremony of tying Raksha Sutra on brother's hand and comes to an end with feasting and family get-togethers.

Rakhi In Australia
There is also commendable Asian population in Australia. Most of them are Indian students and professionals. So, on the occasion of Rakhi, these people generally celebrate it by community gathering and feasting. In countries like Australia, where the native population is completely alien to any such festival getting Raksha sutra in market is a little difficult, so people preferably tie bands or bracelets around bother's hand. Very much like European Asian community, people here also have the concept of foster brothers and sisters as most of the people live away from their family.

Rakhi In Gulf Countries
The concept of Rakhi in Gulf countries is very new. Since, the time Indians have started moving in these countries for working in Oil companies and factories, they have also introduced the concept of Indian festivals like Rakhi in the Gulf culture. Though the native people do not celebrate this festival, the Indians here nake this occasion look like festival in their community. Many communities of Indian origin who do not have the Rakhi culture back home enthusiastically participate in this festival to increase warmth and love in their relations with the fellow Indians living abroad.

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Rakhi Date

Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is a popular Indian festival. It is celebrated in order to commemorate the sacred relationship of a brother and sister. On this occasion, a sister tied an auspicious thread called Raksha Sutra, Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi on her brother's hands. This sacred thread is the symbol of the unbreakable tie of love between the siblings. A sister ties Rakhi on her brother's hand to seek his protection and care throughout her life. There is also a trend of presenting a gift or money by brothers in return as a token of love.

When Is Rakhi
The festival of Rakhi is celebrated in almost all the Hindu families around the world. Nowadays even some non-Hindu families now celebrate this festival as Rakhi has now become a universal celebration beyond religion to commemorate the pious threads of love between brother and sister. According to the Hindu calendar, Raksha Bandhan falls on the purnima or full moon day in the holy month of Shravana, the fifth month of a Hindu calendar. This day corresponds to the July-August month according to the Gregorian calendar.

The preparation for Rakhi celebrations begin days before the actual celebrations. People wear new dresses and prepare lots of scrumptious items on this day. Those brothers who stay away from their sisters visit their sister's place to celebrate this occasion. In some families, this festival also becomes a reason for mini get-together. This day stands as the epitome of the eternal bonding of love and affection among siblings.

The festival of Rakhi is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. It is awaited by every body in the family. It becomes extra special when sisters get married and go away to some other place, as this becomes the occasion for the reunion of brother and sister. Though several changes have come in the recent years in terms of celebrations, the piousness of the festival remains the same. It is like the thread of Rakhi- beautiful, auspicious and unbreakable.

Raksha Bandhan Date
2012 - 02 August.

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Ram Aarti

Aarti refer to the song sung in praise of the deity. Aarti is performed and sung to develop the highest love for God. "Aa" means "towards or to", and "rati" means "right or virtue" in Sanskrit language. In the other words, it is a song praising the virtues of the deity. Aarti is generally performed at the end of a puja or bhajan session. It is sung, as a part of the puja ceremony, on almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. While communal aarti is performed in the mandir; devotees also perform it individually, in their home. Hinduism has a long tradition of aarti songs and there are different aartis for different Hindu Gods. In this article we have listed the aarti of Lord Rama.

Ram Aarti

Shri Ramachandra kripalu bhaju man,
haran bhav bhai darunam.
Nav kanj lochan, kanj mukh,
kar kanj pad kanjarunam
Kandarp aganit amit chhavi,
Navvnil jiraj sundaram,
pat pit manahun tadit ruchi,
Suchi naumi Janakasutavaram.
Bhuj din bandu dinesh danav,
dusht dalan nikandanam,
Raghunand anand kand Kaushal,
chandra Dashrath nandanam.
Sir krit kundaltilak charu,
udar ang vibhushanam,
Ajanubhuj san-chap dhar,
sangramajit kharadushanam.
iti badit Tulasidas Shankar,
shesh muni man ranjanam,
Mam hridai kanj nivas kar,
kamadi khal dal bhanjanam.
Manujahi racheu milahi so bar sahaj sundarsanvaro,
Karuna nidhan sujan silu sanehu janat ravaro.
Ehi bhanti Gauri asis suni,
Siya sahit hiya harshin ali,
TuIsi bhavanihin puji-puni mudit man mandir chali.
Jani Gauri anukal,
Siya hiya harshu na jai kahi,
Manjul mangal mul,
bam ang pharkan lage.

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Ram Chalisa

Ram chalisa is a usual practice in Hindu houses, where Shri Rama is regarded as the main deity. Especially after the puja or after the recitation of Ramayan or Ramcharitmanasa, the chalisa is performed at the end, along with the Ram Aarti. It is believed that reading or even listening to Ram Chalisa daily liberates a person from the sins of life and helps him attain moksha. It is also believed that the person who reads Ram chalisa gets special blessings from the Lord. You can also read the Ram Chalisa given below and recite it while praying to the Lord.

Ram Chalisa

Ganapati charan saroj gahi
Charanodak dhari bhal,
Likhau vimal Ramavali, sumiri Anjanilal.
Ram charit varnan Karaun, Ramahin hridai manai.
Madan kadan ral rakhishir, man kahan tap mitai.

Ram Ramapati Raghupati jai jai
Maha-Lokpati Jagpati jai jai.
Rajit Janak dulari jai jai
Mahinandan Prabhu-pyari jai jai.
Ratihun divas Ram dhun jahin
Magan rahat man, tan dukh nahin.
Ram saneh jasu ur hoi
Maha bhagyashali nar soi.
Rakshas dal sanhari jai jai
Maha patit tanu tari jai jai.
Ram nam jo nishdin gavat
Man vanchhit phal nishchai pavat.
Ramayudhsar jehin kar sajat
Man manoj lakhi kotihun Iajat.
Rakhahu laj hamari jai jai
Mahima agam tumhari jai jai
Rajiv nayan munin man mohai
mukut manohar shir par sohai.
Rajit mridul gat shuchi anan
Makarakrit kundal duhun kanan.
Ramchandra sarvottam jai jai
Maryada Purshottam jai jai
Ram nam gun agam ananta
Manan karat sharad shruti santa.
Rati divas dhyavahu man Rama
Man ranjan bhanjan bhav dama.
Raj bhavan, sang men nahin jaihain
Man ke hi man men rahi jaihain
Ramhin nam ant sukh daihain
Man gadhant gap kam na aihain.
Ram kahani Ramahin sunihain
Mahima Ram tabai man gunhain.
Ramhi mahan jo nit chit rakhihain
Madhukar saris madhur ras chakhihain.
Rag rang kahun kirtan thani hain
Mamta tyagi ek ras janihain.
Ram kripa tinhin par hvai hain
Man vanchhit phal abhimal paihain.
Rakshas daman kiyo jo chhan men
Maha banhu bani vicharyo van men.
Ravanadi hati gati, dai dinhyo
Mahi Ravanahin Siya vadh kinhyo.
Ram ban sut sursari dhara
Maha patkihun gati dai dara.
Ram ramit jag amit ananta
Mahima kahi na sakahin shruti santa.
Ram nam joi det bhulai
Maha nisha soi let bulai.
Ram bina ur hot andhera
man sohi dukh sahat ghanera.
Ramahi adi anadi kahavat
Mahavrti Shankar-gun gavat.
Ram nam lahi Brahma apara
Mahikar bhar shesh shir dhara.
Rakhi Ram hiya Shambhu sujana
Maha ghor vish kinhyo pana.
Ramahi mahi-lakhi lekh Maheshu
Maha pujya kari diyo Ganeshu.
Ram ramit ras ghatit bhakti ghat
Man ke bhajatahin khulat prem pat
Rajit Ram jinahin ur antar
Mahavir sam bhakta nirantar.
Ramahi linha ek sahara
Maha sindhu Kapi kinha para
Ram nam rasna ras shobha
Mardan kam krodh mad lobha.
Ram charit bhaji bhayo sugyata
Mahadeva mukti ke data.
Ramahi japat mitat bhav shula
Ram mantra yah mangal mula.
Ram nam japi jo na sudhara
Man pishach so nipat ganvara.
Ram ki mahima kahan lag gaun
mati malin man par na paun.
Ramavaii as likhi chalisa
Mati anusar dhyan Gaurisa.
Ramahi sundar rachi ras paga Math Durvasa nikat Prayaga.
Ram bhakt yahin jo nit dhyavahin
Man vanchhit phal nischai pavahin.

Doha
Ram nam nit bhajahu man. ratihun din chitlai.
Mamta matsar malinata. manastap miti jai.
Ram ka tithi budh Rohiini, Ramavali kiyabhas.
Man sahastra bhuj drug samat, magsar Sundardas.

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Ram Navami Bhajans

Ram Navami is celebrated with immense joy and fervor by all the Ram devotees throughout the world. Despite being one of the most ancient festivals in the world, Ram Navami does not involve extreme intricate rituals and traditions. Though, it is made a highly vibrant and gusto affair by the Ram devotees, traditionally Ram Navami does not call for any special preparation. It is simply about remembering Ram and following the path of dharma (religion) that he showed us. People on this day observe fast, chant Ram's name and sing Ram bhajan entire Ramnavami day. If you also want to explore some interesting Ram bhajans, here are few.

Popular Rama Navami Bhajans

Hey Ram

Hey Ram, hey Ram, hey Ram, hey Ram,
Jag Mein Sacho Tero Naam. Hey Ram...

Tu Hi Mata, Tu Hi Pita Hai;
Tu hi hai Radha ka Shyam.

Tu antaryami, saba ka Swami;
tere charno me charo dham.

Tu hi bigare, tu hi savare,
es jag ke sare kaam.

Tu Hi Jagdatta, Vishava Vidhata;
Tu Hi Subah Ho, Tu Hi Sham

Hey Ram, Hey Ram, Hey Ram, Hey Ram,
Jag Me Sacho Tero Naam

Mangal Bhawan Amangal Haari

Mangal Bhawan Amangal Haari
Dhurvhu sudasrath achar bihari
Ram siya Ram siya Ram
Jai Jai Ram.

Ho, hoihee wohi jo Ram rucj rakha
ko kare taraf badhaye sakha

Ho, dheeraj dharam mitra aru nari
aapad kal parakhiye chari

Ho, Jahike jehi par satya sanehu
So tehi milay na kachu sandehu

Ho jaki rahi bhavna jaisi
raghu murati dekhi tin taisi

Raghukul reet sada chali aayi
Pran jaye par vachan na jai
Ram siya Ram siya Ram
Jai Jai Ram.

Ho, hari anant hari katha ananta
kehhi sunehi bahuvidhi sab santa
Ram siya Ram siya Ram
Jai Jai Ram.

Ram Apni Kripa se

Ram apni kripa se
Ram apni kripa se mujhe bhakti de
Ram apni kripa se mujhe shakti de..

Naam japta rahu, kaam karta rahu
Tan se seva karu, man se sayam karu

Naam japta rahu, kaam karta rahu
Shree ram jai ram jai jai ram

Ram japo ram dekho
Ram japo ram dekho, ram ke bharose raho
Ram kaaj karte raho, ram ke bharose raho

Ram japo ram dekho, ram ke bharose raho
Ram kaaj karte raho, ram ko rijhate raho

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Ram Navami Celebrations

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival celebrated with fun and religious fervor by Hindus across different parts of India. The festival commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, one of the most worshipped Hindu Gods. He is regarded as the epitome of humankind, the ideal son, husband and father. Every year, Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the Chaitra month of Hindu lunar year in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon, which corresponds to March-April as per the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations of the festival are marked by stringent fasting by the devotees of Lord Rama. The festival marks the end of the nine-day festivities of Chaitra Navratri. Know more about the celebrations of Rama Navami, in the article.

Rama Navami Festival Celebrations
The celebrations of Rama Navami start with the worship of Sun God. On the day, people wake up early in the morning, take bath and pay honors to Sun God. Thereafter, they would chant mantras of Lord Rama and offers fruits and flowers to the deity. The devotees of Lord Rama would observe a whole-day fast on the festival, which they would break only in the midnight, by eating a fruit. In many parts of India, satsangs are organized by cultural committees to commemorate the birth of Lord Rama. The congregation of the devotees would sing bhajans, chant mantras in the praise of the God and listen to the legendary stories.

As a part of the celebrations, people would keep their home clean and decorate it beautifully. In the households where pujas are conducted, the pictures of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman are hung. The devotees would offer flowers, burn dhoop and incense sticks. A thali used for the performance of the pooja would typically contain prasad and other items necessary for the ritual, including roli (sacred tilak), rice, lota (container filled with water), flowers, a bell, earthen lamp or deep and a conch. Everyone in a family takes part in the puja, which is conducted by the elderly member of the family. While worshipping the deity, songs are sung. When the puja is over, prasad is distributed among all the people gathered for the worship of Lord Rama.

In many parts of India, typically South India, small idols of Lord Rama and Sita are worshipped in the households, which are take to a procession on the streets, in the evening. In many temples, Kalyanam' (a ceremonial wedding) is performed by the temple priests. Panakam, a sweet drink prepared by mixing jaggery with ginger and pepper, is a specialty of Ram Navami in southern parts of India. The dish is prepared as a prasad. It is first offered to the deity, and then distributed amongst the devotees. When the idols of the deity are taken to a procession, the devotees often play with water and colors, to mark the birth of the God.

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Ram Navami Date

The festival of Ram Navami is dedicated to Lord Ram. It is celebrated with immense zeal and enthusiasm throughout India. On this occasion, all the people following the Hindu religion pray and chant the name of Lord Ram. Even Hindus who are living outside Indian observe this day as an auspicious and festive occasion. Pooja is organized in several temples and the devotees of Lord Ram immerse themselves completely in the colors of his devotion. They narrate and listen to the legends of Ram, chant his name, recite sholkas and mantras associated with him and dance to the tunes of Ram bhajans.

When is Rama Navami
Though the festival is celebrated in a grand manner everywhere in the country, the Ramnavami festival at Ayodhya, the birth place of Shree Ram is celebrated with extreme zeal and enthusiasm. Every year on Ramnavami, people of Ayodhya take out a chariot procession (Rath Yatra) in order to commemorate the existence of the almighty on earth. On the ninth day of Chaitra month (the first month of a Hindu calender) when Lord Rama was born, Hindus all over the world celebrate this festival. The date of Ramnavami is decided according to the Hindu lunar calendar. As per the Gregorian calendar, the month of Chaitra corresponds to the month of March-April.

On Ramnavami, the celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. A special prayer is arranged for the midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born. Throughout the day, couplets of Ramayana and Ramscharit Manas are narrated in the temples. People sing bhajans, chant the Ramnam (name of Ram), and seek the blessings of the almighty. Many of the devotees also observe a whole day fast on this occasion.

In north India, especially in Ayodhya, the devotees of Lord Rama take out Ramnavami procession. This procession consists of a merrily decorated chariot with four persons dressed up as Rama, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman. The chariot is accompanied by thousands of Ram devotees. They move with the procession of Ram and Sita throughout the city and chant the name of Shree Ram with great vigor and enthusiasm. The entire procession is a gusty affair with all the devotees echoing the happy days of Rama's reign.

Ram Navami Date

Ram Navami 2012: 1st April.

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Ram Navami Fast

Ram Navami is one of the prominent festivals of Hindus in India. The festival, which marks the birth of Lord Rama - the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu - is celebrated with gusto, by people in different parts of the country. According to the legends, Lord Rama was born as the eldest son of Dashratha, the king of Ayodhya, and Kaushalya. Lord Rama is worshiped as one of the most influential deities - he is regarded the epitome of humankind, a perfect son, an ideal husband and father. In fact, he is one among the most worshipped Gods of Hinduism. Many Hindu temples in India are especially dedicated to the deity. On the auspicious occasion of Rama Navami, Lord Rama temples are flocked by his devotees.

The celebrations of Ram Navami are marked by fasting, chanting mantras and singing bhajans in the praise of Lord Rama. Although people in different parts of the country celebrate the festival in their own ways, the thought amongst them remains one and the same - to offer their prayers to the deity and honor his birth. Out of the traditions of Ram Navami, fasting stands out as one of the most popular ones, followed since ages. On the wonderful occasion of Rama Navami, the devotees of Lord Rama observe a whole-day fast, as a part of the festivities. After offering prayers to the deity, they break the fast in the midnight, by eating fruit. Explore the article to know more about Ram Navami fast (vrat).

Ram Navami Vrat
The followers of Lord Rama would observe a whole-day fast on the festival of Ram Navami. The fast is also called vrat. Although it is not mandatory to observe a waterless fast (nirahar vrat), many people observe a stringent fast, when they would not drink a drop of water until midnight, when they break the fast. On the other hand, those who prefer to follow a particular diet for the fast, are recommended to eat certain foodstuffs including potatoes made in any form without haldi (turmeric), garlic, ginger or onion. Sendha namak (rock salt) is used for the preparation of food for Rama Navami fast. While on a fast, the person can also eat curd, milk, tea, coffee, fruits and root vegetanbles.

Significance Of Fasting On Ram Navami
Like most of the Hindu festivals, fasting holds special significance in the celebrations of Ram Navami too. It is believed that when a devotee observes fast on Rama Navami, with sincerity and immense devotion, he/she is blessed with health, wealth and prosperity for the year ahead. Therefore, it has been a tradition since a long time to observe fast on the festival. This perception has been supported by the ancient religious texts of Hinduism, according to which, fasting is the only mean of gaining happiness it the material world and achieving salvation at the same time. Moreover, Rama Navami vrat is considered as the five of the most important fasts in the ancient times.

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Ram Navami History

Ram Navami is a popular Hindu festival. It is celebrated on the ninth day (Navami) of the Chaitra month of Hindu lunar year in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon. This festival is celebrated in order to commemorate the birth of Marayada Purshottam Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This day also known as Sri Rama Navami, marks the end of nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations. The festival of Ram Navami is held in high regard not only by the people in India but also by the Hindu community living in the other parts of the world. The festival is celebrated with immense joy and enthusiasm. Many devotees also fast on this occasion. It is believed that all the devotees who fast on this day are showered with immense happiness and good luck by Lord Rama. Read on, if you want to explore about the origin and history if this festival.

Origin Of Rama Navami
According to the great epic Ramayana, once upon a time there lived a King named Dasarath, then king of Ayodhya, who had three wives named Kaushalya, Sumithra and Kaikeyi. As even long after his marriages, Dasarath was not blessed with a child, this has become a question of worry for him. Even the people of Ayodhya were disheartened because they had not heir to their kingdom. At this stage, Rishi Vasistha suggests Dasarath to perform Puthra Kamesti Yagna, through which he can have a desired child.

Soon King Dasharath agreed to do the Yagya and headed to Maharshi Rushya Shrunga's ashram, to get him for performing the yagya. Maharshi agreed and accompanied Dasharath to Ayodhya to solemnize the perform Puthra Kamesti Yagna. As the result of yagna, Yagneshwar appeared and hands Dasarath a bowl of kheer and asked him to feed this to his three wives. Dasarath did the same. He gave one half of the kheer to his elder wife Kausalya, and another half to his younger wife Kaikeyi. These two gave one half each of their kheer to Sumithra.

After few days all the three Queens conceived Dasratha's child. On the ninth day (Navami) of Chaithra Masa (first month in Hindu calendar), at noon Kaushlya gave birth to Lord Sri Ram, Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharath, and Sumithra gave birth to twins, Lakshman and Shatrughan. It was the day of joyous celebrations in Ayodhya. This day since then is celebrated as an auspicious occasion by the devotees.

History Of Ramnavami
Ram Navami is one of the most ancient festivals celebrated in India. It is said that the date of Ram Navami can be traced back to the pre-christian era, as Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world. The reference of Ramnavami can also be found in the Kalika puran. It is said in the earlier times, when caste system was prevalent in India; Ramnavami was one of the few festivals that the lower castes (shudras) were allowed to celebrate. In Hindu religion, it is considered to one of the five major sacred festivals and it is said that, properly observing this fast leads to the attainment of salvation.

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Ram Navami Legends

Ram Navami is a famous Hindu festival, which celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. It falls on the ninth day of the shukla paksha, or bright phase of the moon, in the lunar month of Chaitra (April-May). Rama is amongst the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu and also one of the two most popular avatars, along with Lord Krishna. Consequently, Rama Navami is widely celebrated across India. Lord Rama is considered to be the epitome of perfection, the uttama purusha, fulfilling all his duties towards both family and subjects.

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. The public worship starts from the early morning on the auspicious day of Ram Navami. People keep a fast throughout the day, breaking it only at midnight with fruit. In some parts of India, public gatherings called satsangs are organized to commemorate the birth of Rama. People of all castes and creeds participate in these gatherings to listen to the stories and their explanations offered by the learned.

Legends Of Ram Navami

Birth Of Lord Rama
The country of Kosal was situated on the banks of the river Sharayu. During the reign of king Dasarath, Ayodhya reached a period of great prosperity. However, 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 Lord Brahma, the Creator of Hindu Trinity.

At that time, Ravana (king of Lanka) was terrorizing the people, and all were longing for liberation from his menace. Ravana was invincible, because Lord Brahma gave him a boon according to which, he would never die at the hands of gods, or Gandharvas, Or Yakshas (demigods) or demons. As he was not afraid of humankind, he did not care to include men in the list of his potential slayers. Therefore, 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 ended, a shining figure appeared over the sacrificial homa kund, and offered the king a divine beverage called “payasam” to be given to his queens Kausalya, Kaikayi, and Sumitra. 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). His birth is celebrated as Ram Navami, with pomp and geity.

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Ram Navami Mantra

Ram Navami is celebrated in order to commemorate the birth of Lord Rama. As Rama was considered the seventh incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu, the festival is held in high regard by Hindus all over the world. On this day, the devotees of Ram all over the world observe fast and engage in the worship of Ram. It is said that Ram Navami is one of the most ancient festivals in the country and when, there was class division in the society Ramnavami was one of the few festival that the shudras (lower class) people were allowed to celebrate, so from time immemorial, Ram Navami is the festival of masses.

Apart from God or avtar (incarnation) of God, Lord Ram is regarded as an ideal king, ideal son, ideal husband and an ideal brother. It is said that Ram naam (the name of Lord Rama) in itself is a divine mantra and simply chanting this Ram (Ra ma) helps one to attain salvation. The Mantra ‘Ra ma’ is called the Thaaraka mantra. It is a combination of 'Namasivaya mantra' and the 'Om Namo Narayanaya maha mantra' thereby representing the union of Shiva and Narayana. Another popular mantra of Rama is "Shri Ram, Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram". Few other Ram mantras are-

Shri Rama Mantras

Rama Mantra
Neelambhuj shyamalkomlang Sita Samaropitvambhagam
Pano Mahasaikacharoochapam
Namame Ramam Raghuvanshnatham

Rama Gayatri Mantra
Om Daserathaya Vidhmahe
Sita Vallabhaya Dheemahe
Thanno Rama Prachodayath.

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Ram Navami Pooja

Ram Navami is celebrated with great zeal by Hindus all over the world. It is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Lord Rama, the son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya is regarded as the avatara (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, one of the supreme Hindu deity. According to the old Indian epics, Ram was born after a lot of prayers and yagya (holy bonfire) and as he was born as the royal inheritor of Ayodhya, his birth day was a joyous occasion in Ayodhya. It was very much like a dream come true for Dasharath as the lack of an heir was a big trouble for him even long after his marriage.

Reason Behind Rama Navami Puja
It is said that Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Rama when he saw the growing havoc of the invincible Ravana on earth. As it is said, when the troubles created by Ravana started increasing on earth, Lord Brahma started receiving complaints from all the gods about the mayhem that Ravana was inflicting on earth. However, as Lord had granted Ravana an exceptional boon that he could never be killed by a god, all the Gods in heaven had become helpless.

However as soon as Gods realized the loophole in his boon that Ravana had not asked for invincibility from a human being, Lord Vishnu decided to go to earth in the guise of Maryada Pushottam Ram, the son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya to save the earth and his devotees from the wrathes of Ravana and his unreligious measures. This great legend is known to every Indian irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Lord Rama is worshipped in the country as an epitome of an ideal man. One who is good and true and the one who is ideal in every regard- a perfect son, an ideal brother, a wonderful husband, a mighty king and a great father. He is not simply thought of a hero, but as someone who is the true representation of a flawless man. Therefore, it is no surprise that his birthday is celebrated year after year with great enthusiasm on the ninth day after the new moon in Shukal Paksh (the waxing moon), which falls sometime in the month of April.

Doing Pooja On Ramnavmi
Ramnavami Pooja is held in high regards by all the Hindus all over the world. Most of the people prefer to observe a whole day fast on this day. Generally devotees prefers to be on a satvik food without salt, however there are people who also go for Nirjal fast that is fast even without water. Those who are satvik fast consume potatoes made in any form without haldi (turmeric), garlic, ginger or onion. He can also eat fruit and root vegetables of any kind. Curd, tea, coffee, milk, and water are also permitted.

There is no very specific ritual to perform pooja. People visit temples and listen to stories of Ram janam (Rama's birth) and various other legends from Ramayana. Devotees also sing bhajans praising the deeds of Lord Rama, his loyal brother Lakshman, his devoted wife Sita and Rama's greatest devotee Hanuman. If the pooja is preformed at home, the home is first of all cleaned properly and pictures of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman are put on a dais in preparation for the puja.

All the members of the family together worship the deity on his birthday. Devotees offer flowers, sweets and light diyas and incense sticks in order to please Lord Rama and his consort. Two thaalis are kept ready infront of the deities. One thali containing the prasada and the other containing necessary items like roli, aipun, rice, water, flowers, bell and conch for the pooja rituals. After lighting the diyas and incense sticks, devotees sprinkle holy water, roli, and aipun and rice on the deities. They also read out holy mantras in order to please thje deity. After the pooja is done, an aarti is performed and the holy water from the pooja is sprinkled over the devotees as a sign of blessing and auspiciousness from God. The youngest female member of the family then applies teeka to all the male members of the family. At the last the holy prasad is distributed among all the people who have gathered for worship.

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Ram Navami Rituals

Ram Navami is a sacred Hindu festival celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm all over the country. It is celebrated on the ninth day (Navami) of the Chaitra month (first month of Hindu lunar calendar) in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon. This festival is observed in order to celebrate the birth of Marayada Purshottam Ram, considered to be a form of Lord Vishnu, one of the prime deities of Hindu trio. It is said that, Lord Rama is not only god but also the ideal figure for a human being. He is considered to be an ideal son, a doting husband, a mighty king, a wonderful brother and a great father. On the occasion of Ramnavami, mot only the people in India but also the Hindu community living in the other parts of the world celebrate this great day with immense joy and fervor. Read on, if you want to explore about the traditional and rituals of this festival.

Rama Navami Traditions & Customs

Pooja
On the occasion of Ram Navami, all the devotees of Lord Rama worship to appease him. All the members of the family worship together, in order to celebrate the auspicious birthday of Lord Rama. The Pooja begins with the establishment of the idols or pictures of Lord Rama, Laxmana, Sita and Hanuman. All of these Gods and Goddess are then welcomed by lighting diyas and incense sticks. Then they are worshipped with the auspicious pooja materials like roli, aipun, rice, water, flowers, bell and conch and are also offered scrumptious sweets. At last, an aarti is performed and all the devotees in the Pooja are sprinkled with holy water as a sign of blessing and auspiciousness from God. The youngest female member of the family applies teeka to all the male members of the family. At the last the prasad is distributed to all the devotees.

Bhajan
Bhajans are also an important ritual of Ram Navami Pooja. The devotees of Lord Rama make the entire atmosphere pious by singing the bhajans and choupais of Ramcharit Manas. A holy priest narrates the story of Ran Janama (Lord Rama's birth) to all the devotees who observe fast on this day. Continuous chanting of holy mantras and Ramnam (Ram's name) makes the occasion highly religious as well as spiritual.

Fast
The followers of Lord Rama also observe a whole-day fast on the festival of Ram Navami. Many of the devotees go for a fast on satvik food i.e. holy food without salt and other adulterated materials. However many of them also observe a waterless fast (nirjal vrat). Those who prefer to have satvik food can have potatoes made in any form without haldi (turmeric), garlic, ginger or onion. Sendha namak (rock salt) is allowed for usage in fast. While on a fast, the person can also eat curd, milk, tea, coffee, fruits and root vegetables. The Ram Navami fast is opened on midnight if one has observed a waterless fast (nirjal vrat).

Rath Yatra
On the occasion of Ram Navami, a Rath Yatra or a chariot procession is also taken out in Ayodhya, the birth place of Ram. The Ram Rath Yatra also consists of idols of Sita, Laxman and Hanuman. The Rath Yatra is taken out by many of the temples in the city and is followed with the chanting of Ram Nama ( Rama's holy name) by the devotees. Many foreigners who are seeking spiritual enlightenment also attend this chariot procession as it is said to bring spiritual enlightenment and good luck forever in life.

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Significance Of Ram Navami

The festival of Ram Navami is celebrated as the birthday of the Hindu God Rama, who is believed to be one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the ninth day of the Chaitra month, which is the spring season. Though Rama Navami is a major festival which celebrates birth of Lord Rama, it is widely celebrated by the worshippers of Shiva, too. It is considered auspicious to undertake a fast on the day of Ram Navami, in the name of Rama. The objective of the fast is not to ask for special favors of the deity, but to seek perfection as a human being.

Devotees perform elaborate pujas and chant the name of Rama for whole day. Temples of Rama are specially decorated and satsangs and bhajan sessions are organized in most of the temples, through the day. Discourse on the Ramayana, are recited by a pundit or a professional story-teller on this day. At some places of India, 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. Thus, people of India celebrate Ram Navami with great joy and devotion.

Since Rama is also one of the most sung-about deities in Indian classical music and literature, week-long (and sometimes, month-long) musical programs are also organized at some places. Sacred places associated with Rama, like Ayodhya, Ujjain and Rameshwaram, draw thousands of devotees on this festival of Ram Navami. In Rameshwaram, people 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.

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Ugadi

Ugadi or Yugadi is one of the most important Hindu festivals which have derived its name from two Sanskrit words: Yug and Adi, meaning Age and New Beginning respectively, which on putting together means "The Beginning of New Age". The day on which it is celebrated is the start of the New Year as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It is believed that it was on this day that Lord Brahma gave shape to the entire universe, including earth and the life which sustains within. That's why Ugadi is the official New Year for people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. However, its celebrations are not just limited to these two states but extend to other states as well: Maharashtra, Punjab, Bengal, Assam, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Sindh province of Pakistan, though it goes by different names. Ugadi falls on different dates each year, but always in either the month of March or April.

Before the actual day of Ugadi, a few days or a week before, people painstakingly start cleaning their homes and start shopping for new clothes and other items that go with the celebrations. Then on the day, devotees wake up before the sun rises and take ritualistic oil baths and decorate their homes with rangolis and mango leaves. It is believed that doing so brings in good tidings and general well-being in the New Year. Family gatherings and indulging in wholesome dishes, including the traditional Ugadi Pachhadi, leaves the devotees filled and contented with whatever unrequited has passed by and whatever glad tidings may befriend them in future. Chanting of mantras, predictions for the New Year, Kavi Sammelans (poetic recitations), Carnatic music and classical dances in the evening constitutes rest of the day. The day is also considered to be an auspicious and blessed one to start afresh with positivity, leaving behind all that is gone, for the rest of the year ahead. Explore this section to know more about this Hindu New year festival called Ugadi.

Ugadi 2012: 23 March

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Ugadi Songs

According to Hindu mythology, the first day of the lunar month of Chaitra is believed to be the day of the commencement of New Year. This day is celebrated in the Deccan region of India with full fun and fervor; however, it is celebrated at other states too but with different names. The festival also known as Samvatsradi, is known as Yugadi/ Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra's mass calls it Gudi Padwa whereas Sindhis takes it as Cheti Chand and Manipuris celebrate it as Sajibu Cheiraoba. Following are some of the songs that can be sung in the evening of Ugadi, the first day of Hindu calendar:

Popular Ugadi Song Lyrics

Ugadi Ugadi Oh Swamy! Raavaa, maakai neevu
Raagaalivi poovulai neekai ponge maalo evo ||

Bhaavaalivigo palike svaagatham
Virodhivo Saadhuvo kaalaaniki levule
Bhedaalilalo tharachi choodagaa ||

Nee vaaramu snehamuto unnaamu kadaa
Kashtaallo Soukhyaallo vishvaasamuto
Unname nee maate vinname innaalloo
Elaa elaa lokamlo dvesham rosham kondamtha ||

Velgondenu Shukrunde Raaje ganuka
Ee Yedu etlainaa Shaanthe geluchu
Sadbhaavam Satsangam Saddharmam uppongu
Paadee Pantaa Poornamgaa Sachchidaanandam Pandinchu ||

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yuga yugAdi kaLedarU yugAdi maraLi barutide
hosa varushake hosa harushava hosatu hosatu tarutide

honge hUva tongalalli bhrungada sangIta kEli matte kELabarutide
bEvina kahi bALinalli hUvina nasugampu sUsi jIvakaLeya tarutide

varushakondu hosatu janma harushakondu hosatu neleyu akhila jIvajAtake
onde ondu janmadali onde bAlya onde haraya namagadashTE EtakO

niddegomme nitya maraNa edda sala navIna janana namage Eke bAradOelE sanatkumAradEva elE sAhasi chiranjIva ninage lIle sEradO

yuga yugAdi kaLedarU yugAdi maraLi barutide
hosa varushake hosa harushava hosatu hosatu tarutide nammanashTe maretide.

***************************
Ugadi vela chilipiga kokilamma vese eelate
Karigina panjaralalona palikina panchadara veena

Kondalu taki chali konalu soki
Allari chese nemalendalalona
Ye vanavillu rege nalo
Pavada katti toli prayamu nade
Vakili teese priya vanchalu nede
Uyyalaluge uhalenno
Jalakamulade chilakamma
Puli yeduraite parugamma
Vetadagi pata medi verri bhamalu

Neeti nere selayekiti yerai
Cheeraga mari chilikintalalona
Cheammakaina chengu jare
Nelati reve cherasalaga mari
Chakkiliginte tagilinchina vela
Ye kondagalo kongulage
Puli yevarantaa chali komma
Gilipedutundi yedalona
Sheeghrameva vyaghramoste dikku ledule

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Significance of Ugadi

According to the Gregorian calendar, the whole world may celebrate New Year on 31st December - 1st January, but according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, the New Year falls in the month of March or April. This New Year, also known as Ugadi, is celebrated in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and by other names in many other states of India. The significance of Ugadi stems from mythological times when Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, began a series of wonderful creations, including that of the earth and all the life forms that live in it. The festival of Ugadi is celebrated to acknowledge that very day on which Lord Brahma started with the task. It is not only a New Year according to the Hindu calendar, but also sets the new astronomical cycle into motion. The celebrations and prayers that follow fill people's hearts with joy and contentment.

Leaving the past behind and starting afresh with positive expectation is one of the key aspects of Ugadi. The day also marks the beginning of spring season, which is considered to be the first of all seasons, with plants, shoots, and leaves coming to life and therefore, the day is believed to set things rolling for a fresh and successful new beginning. Devotees perform ritualistic pujas and seek blessings from God for health, wealth, prosperity, and success in businesses and work as well. It is for this reason that it is considered the best time to take on new ventures or personal goals for betterment of oneself. The day is preceded by the pre-Ugadi preparations that begin a few days before the actual day. It includes thoroughly cleaning the entire household and shopping for new clothes and other items that go with the requirements of the festival.

The day starts with devotees waking up before dawn and taking oil baths according to the ritual, after which they decorate their houses: the front with extensively prepared colorful rangolis and the doors and windows with strings of mango leaves that signify good crop and general well-being over the year. Ugadi Pachhadi, a unique dish of six different tastes, from sweet to bitter, is prepared on the day, which is also the first dish to be eaten by the devotees. Made up of neem buds, jaggery, green chili, salt, tamarind juice and unripe mango, the dish signifies different experiences in life that should be absorbed and to keep walking the good walk. It is also a day when mantras, chants and predictions for the coming year are made by the pundits. Apart from people visiting the temples and other gatherings to hear these predictions, live telecast of it from various religious places is aired on television. Family gatherings, feasts, and fanfare follow on this auspicious day of Ugadi.

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Ugadi Celebrations

Ugadi or Yugadi, the festival reserved to celebrate the commencement of New Year, is a day especially celebrated with huge fun and fervor in Deccan regions of India. It is assumed that Lord Brahma, the creator of the world began His creation on this day. The first day of bright half of the lunar month Chaitra is considered to be the day for Ugadi celebration, which generally falls in the months of March - April of the English calendar. The festival of Ugadi also welcomes the spring season when nature seem to be immersed in the festive mood and new leaves and new buds along with fresh breeze of spring manifold the Ugadi spirit. Scroll down the article to learn how the festivity is honored and rejoiced in several parts of India. Have a look.

Ugadi Celebrations in India

Andhra Pradesh
The day is dedicated to Lord Brahma, the great creator of the world who began creation on this very day. It is also a belief among Hindus that Lord Vishnu incarnated in Matsya avatar on this day. As one of the major festivals of Andhra Pradesh, it gathers huge attention of public as well as the media. Celebration includes cleaning of house and surrounding, decorating entrances with green mango leaves, buying new clothes for family and various other rituals. They wake up early morning and use Sesame oil to massage their head and body, post which they take head wash and visit temples to offer their prayers. People make delicious dishes on this day which they share with their loved ones. Some places like Telangana celebrate the festival for three days.

Karnataka
The day marks the beginning of the New Year and is considered to bring new hopes and happiness in life. At this auspicious occasion of commencement of spring, people make garlands of sweet scented Jasmine and offer them to God. They visit temples and offer prayers with sincerity while priests chant various mantras, developing spiritual aroma in surroundings. People whitewash their homes and decorate them with fresh mango leaves and flowers and they also practice the ritual of placing Kalasha beside their doors with coconut leave on it. For peace and harmony of their homes, they sprinkle cow dung water in front of their homes and make attractive Rangolis. Delicious dishes including Ugadi Pachchadi, Puliogure and Holidge are prepared for this occasion. At many places Bhakti songs and Kavi Sammelan are also held to give a platform to new blood so that they can reflect their literature and culture.

Maharashtra
Ugadi is famous as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, where it is believed that new ventures started on this day or purchases made give fruitful results. In Maharashtra, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is remembered on this day, so the day is seen as one depicting valiant Marathas who return home after a glorious victory in war. They raise swastika marked metal pot tied with a silk cloth which exhibits their victory and joy after successful expeditions in war.
On this day, after washing and cleaning their home, people decorate it with fresh green mango leaves and rangolis. They visit temples to offer prayers and distribute bitter Neem leaves as Prasad.

Sindhis
The day is known as 'Cheti Chand' among Sindhi people and it is seen as the birthday of Water God, (Varun devta) Sai Uderolal or Jhulelal. He is considered to appear on material earth to protect Sindhis from dictatorship of a ruler and saved Sindhi culture and Hinduism. The day is celebrated by worshipping water gods - Lord Jhulelal and Behrano Sahib; Chej, the folk dance of Sindhis is also performed on this day.

Manipur
Manipur knows Ugadi by 'Sajibu Cheiraoba', where 'Sajibu' refers to first of all the six seasons that make a year and 'Cheiraoba' means end of a year leading to beginning of another. Hence, the spirit and motive behind the celebration is same in Manipur as in other states, only the way of celebration and the name of festival differ.

On the day of Sajibu Cheiraoba, Manipuri people start rituals very early in the morning. Women of the house prepare Athelpot with the help of fine whole rice, raw vegetables, flowers and fruits of new season which is meant for offering to Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Ima Sidabi placed on southwest and middle north corner of the house respectively. Post prayers, food is cooked and offered to God spirits Hanu-Kokchao and Hanu Leikham with a prayer to protect the well-being of their house. At the fire place, Emoinu Ima is offered food in round-cut plantain leaves to defend the family from sorrows in the coming year. After rituals and prayers, whole family dines together, while married people visit their parents; this way the festival serves in strengthening the bonds in family.

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Ugadi Date

Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with much vigor. Yug means new era and Adi means beginning; together it means beginning of a new era. In other words, it also means the beginning of a new astronomical cycle. The festival falls in the spring season and marks the first day of the New Year, which is the first day of Chaitra (March or April), the first month of the traditional Hindu calendar. But since the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar, Ugadi falls on different dates every year and is also one of the most important festivals of the Hindus. Legend has it that it was on this day that the Creator of Hindu Pantheon, Lord Brahma, began his auspicious creation and created the Earth, and set days, nights, dates, weeks, fortnights, months, seasons and years to count the time.

Preparation for Ugadi begins a day or two before the actual date with people washing and cleaning their houses; buying new clothes is also one of the many traditions. On the day of Ugadi, people, especially of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, take an extensive ritualistic shower or oil bath followed by partaking in prayers for good health and prosperity in the coming year. Then as the day moves on, people decorate their houses with mango leaves and rangolis, and Ugadi Pachhadi (Telegu) or Bevu Bella (Kannada), a unique dish of a specific mixture with six different tastes is also prepared. The dish symbolizes different experiences ranging from sweet to bitter and that everyone should learn from these experiences and continue with life's journey. Later in the day, the event of Panchanga Sravanam is organized in many temples and cultural and religious gatherings are held, whereby predictions for the coming year are made.

Also held in many parts of these two states are Kavi Sammelans (poetic recitals), literary discussions, appreciation of authors for their literary work through awards and recognitions, and recitals of Carnatic music and classical dances. The day is considered a promising one to begin new ventures. Apart from being celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Ugadi is also celebrated in many other states of India and goes by different names. In Maharashtra it goes by the name of Gudi Padwa, Sindhis celebrate it on the same day as Cheti Chand, in Punjab it is celebrated as Baisakhi, as Vishu in Kerala, and as Puthandu in Tamil Nadu. Names may be different, but one common thing that connects all the states with this festival is that, it is celebrated with much fanfare, sumptuous feasts, and delightful family gatherings. In 2012, Ugadi falls on 23rd of March, which is a Friday.

Ugadi in 2012: Friday, March 23, 2012

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Ugadi Rituals

Ugadi, one of the most important of the Hindu festivals, marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The festival falls on different dates in either the month of March or April every year. Though particularly celebrated by that name in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it is also celebrated under different names in many other states such as Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Bengal, Assam, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and also the province of Sindh in Pakistan. Derived from Yuga and Adi, meaning Age and Beginning respectively, Ugadi means the beginning of a new age, wherein this day also sets the beginning of a new astronomical cycle. This meaning stems from the myth that it was on this day that Lord Brahma (the creator of all universe) began the creation cycle and set everything from an hour to a year to seasons to keep a record of time.

Ugadi Customs & Traditions
According to the traditions and rituals, preparations for the day of Ugadi begins a day or two prior to the actual date with ritualistic washing and cleaning of the houses, every inch and corner. Shopping for decorative items and new clothes to wear on the day is also an important custom that has been followed since one can remember. When the day dawns, ritualistic showers or oil baths are taken by the devotees; followed by prayers and chanting of mantras to facilitate good tidings in the year ahead. It is also believed that any venture that is started on this day ends in a success. After the baths, people start decorating their homes with colorful rangolis or Kolams that are drawn in the front and stringing together mango leaves on the doors and windows. According to an ancient tradition, people flock at the temples to listen to the predictions made by the pundits; this tradition is known as Panchanga Sravanam, which is still very popular as devotees eagerly wait for yearly forecast to be made. However, with the advent of technology and vast media coverage, many people prefer to watch this event on their television sets at homes.

Another inseparable ritual that has been followed for many years or maybe centuries is the preparation of a dish called Ugadi Pachhadi (Telegu). Also known as Bevu Bella in Kannada, the dish is a unique mixture of six different tastes, representing different experiences in life, which every individual should learn to respect and accept and move ahead unrelentingly. It's also the first dish that people have on this day. Made from Neem buds, symbolizing sadness for its bitter taste; Jaggery, symbolizing happiness for sweetness; green chili or pepper, symbolizing anger for its hotness; salt, symbolizing fear for its saltiness; Tamarind juice, symbolizing disgust for its sourness; and unripened mango, symbolizing surprise for its tanginess. Other special dishes like Obbattu and Bobbatlu are prepared in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh respectively. Off late, literary discussions, Kavi Sammelans (poetic recitations), recognition of authors through awards and cultural programs for their contribution to literary works, and recitals of Carnatic music and dance programs in the evening have also become a custom on the day of Ugadi.

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Vishwakarma Puja

Vishwakarma Puja is a day to honor the master craftsman; the one who orchestrated it all-from the three-way universe to the cities of gods to the very weapons with which they fought off all the evil and to celestial chariots on which they rode through the air like the wind itself. It is Lord Vishwakarma, the divine engineer, who is considered as the presiding deity of all the architects. On the day, the otherwise mundane industries, factories and offices don on a whole different look as they prepare for the Puja and related rituals and traditions; many of them even remain close. Huge pandals (temporary tents) are set up, mostly inside the premises, and idols and images of Lord Vishwakarma, represented with a water pot, the Vedas, a noose, and craftsmen's tools in each of his four hands are ritualistically established. With everything wrapped up in the festive spirit, Vishwakarma Puja begins.

One key aspect that shines out in this festival is that, all - from management to employees to workers sit together for the Puja; even the family members of each person related to work are invited to attend the rituals. It's one grand get together to worship the one because of whom their living is earned. Tools, particular to each person's profession are also worshipped in the name of Lord Vishwakarma and his blessings are sought for success, prosperity, and good working conditions. Prasad (offerings) are then distributed among everyone and a final feast is held where, again, everybody participates gleefully irrespective of what his position is in the workforce. Apart from this, there's also quite an engaging tradition whereby kite fighting takes place. The festival of Vishwakarma Puja is held on the day after Diwali and in some parts of the country, it's also held on 17th September every year. Explore through rest of the sections to know more about the festival of Vishwakarma Puja; its history, significance, and much more.

Vishwakarma Puja 2012: 17 September

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Vishwakarma Puja Date

Vishwakarma Puja is a festival dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma, who according to the Hindu mythology is the Lord of Creation and the Principal Universal Architect who designed the divine architecture of the entire universe - the heaven and the earth. With his representation - sitting on the back of his elephant, and holding a water pot, the Vedas, a noose and craftsmen's tools in each of his four hands, he is highly regarded as the Patron God of all workers and professionals. It is believed that it was he who revealed the mysteries of sciences of the industry to mankind and therefore, is revered as the supreme worker with excellence in craftsmanship.

Also known as Vishwakarma Day, it is not only celebrated by the engineering and architectural community, but also by other professionals like artisans, craftsmen, weavers, mechanics, smiths, welders, industrial workers and factory workers. It's because according to the religious texts, he is said to be the designer of all flying chariots of Gods and their weapons, tools and their divine attributes. Which is why on this day, idols and images of Lord Vishwakarma and his faithful elephant are established in every workplace and factories which are beautifully decorated with pandals wherein the Puja takes place.

Even the family members of the workers and employees come together to be a part of the Puja and the dull premises of the factories and industries come alive with the celebrations. Everybody gathers together under the pandal to perform the Puja and thereafter Prasad (offerings) are distributed among all the people. Apart from this, each professional's respective tools are also worshipped in Vishwakarma's name and blessings are sought for a better future, safe working environment, and success in their respective fields. The tools which are worshipped in His name aren't put to work on this day and all work remains closed.

There's also a tradition to fly multi-colored kites because of which the sky becomes a war zone and the competitive spirit reaches an all time high as each one tries to cut the other's kite and yell "Ibo Kaata" on top of his voice. Celebrated in all parts of India, Vishwakarma Puja falls on Padyami, the first day of Kartika Masa and is performed on the fourth day of Diwali, i.e. the day after Diwali. However, in some states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Orissa, Vishwakarma Puja is also celebrated on the 17th of September every year and doesn't change according to the dates of the lunar calendar.

Vishwakarma Puja Date 2012: 17th September 2012 and 14 November.

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Vishwakarma Puja History

Vishwakarma Puja, also known as Vishwakarma Day, is celebrated every year on the 17th of September and the day after Diwali. On these days, Lord Vishwakarma is worshipped, who alone constitutes the entire history with which this festival is linked. According to the religious texts, Lord Vishwakarma is known as "Devashilpi" or "The Architect of Gods" and considered to be the sole architect and craftsman of Triloka or The Tripartite Universe - heavenly realms and their worlds, the mortal realms and their worlds, and the netherworldly and other celestial realms and worlds. His master craftsmanship however is deemed to be limitless as it is believed that he also created the flying chariots and weapons of Gods that were used in the mythological times, including the sacred weapon of Lord Indra known as Vajra which is made from the bones of sage Dadhichi. He is also believed to have given divine attributes to each of the weapon he created.

The sacred Hindu texts also describe many of Lord Vishwakarma's architectural marvels, towns and palaces for the Gods, through the four ages. Some of them are Swarga (Heaven) in the Satya Yuga; Sone ki Lanka (Golden Lanka), where demon king Ravana dwelled in the Treta Yuga; the city of Dwarka, the capital of Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga; the town of Hastinapur, the capital of Pandavas and Kauravas from the Mahabharata; and the town of Indraprastha for the Pandavas. Even the texts of Mahabharata describe Lord Vishwakarma as "The Lord of Arts, Executor of a thousand Handicrafts, the Carpenter of the Gods, the most eminent of Artisans, the Fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great and immortal God..." Represented in idols and images with a water pot, the Vedas, a noose, and craftsmen's tools in each of his four hands, he is the divine engineer of the world.

The historical relevance related to Vishwakarma Day gains more weightage as not only is Lord Vishwakarma associated with creation but also with the manifestation of the sciences of industry to the humankind. It's because of this history that he is much revered by the devotees, more so by professionals like engineers, architects, artisans, craftsmen, weavers, mechanics, smiths, welders, industrial workers, and factory workers who make their living through their craftsmanship. And therefore on Vishwakarma Day, pandals are set up inside the premises of industries and factories and inside these pandals, images and idols of Lord Vishwakarma are established. The whole workforce, along with each employee's and worker's family, celebrates Vishwakarma Puja in unison. Even the tools, particular to each person's relative field, are worshipped in the name of Lord Vishwakarma and aren't used throughout the day. It's their day off! Then after the Puja is performed and the ritual is complete, Prasad (offerings) are distributed among everybody.

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Vishwakarma Puja Songs

Lord Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of the festival called Vishwakarma Puja. He is the builder god who built almost all of the creations including the heaven itself. A lot of scriptures have discussed about him in details, including the great epic Mahabharata in which he is described as, "The Lord of the Arts, Executor of a thousand Handicrafts, the Carpenter of the Gods, the most eminent of Artisans, the Fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great and immortal God..." This day is considered to be the birthday of this craftsman god. Though celebrated in all the states of India, this festival is observed especially in the states of West Bengal and Rajasthan. On this day, the craftsmen don't work; they worship their tools instead. In factories, lord Vishwakarma is worshipped and it is a no-working day for the workers. Songs are sung to invoke Lord Vishwakarma; if you are unaware of any such song, then you can pick from the songs we have chosen for you.

Vishwakarma Puja Bhajan

"Vishwakarma Aarti"

Jai shree Vishwakarma prabhu jai shri Vishwakarma.
Sakal Shrishti ke karta rakshak suttee dharma.
Aadi shridhti me vidhi ko shruti updesh dia.
Jeev maatra ka jag me gyaan vikas kia.
Rishi Angira tap se shaanti nahi paayi.
Rog grast raja ne jub aashray leena.
Sankat Mochan banker dukg door kina.
Jai shri Vishwakarma...
Jab rathkar dampati tumhari ter kari.
Sunkar deen prarthana vipat hari sagri.
Ekaanan, Chaturaanan, Panchaanan raaje.
Dwibhuj, Chaturbhuj, Dashbhuj sakal roop saaje.
Dhyan dharay tab pad ka, sakal siddhi aave.
Mann duvidha mit jaave, atal shakti pave.
Shree Vishwakarma ki aarti jo koi gave.
Bhajan gajanand swami such sampati pave.
Jai shri Vishwakarma...

"Vishwakarma Bhajan"

Tum hamare the Prabhu ji, tum hamare ho.
Tum hamare hi rahoge ,oh mere priyatam.
Hum tumhare the Prabhu ji, hum tumhare hai.
Hum tumhare hi rahenge, oh mere priyatam.
Tumhe chor sun Prabhu,koi na mit hamaro.
Tumhe chor sun Prabhu,koi na mit hamaro.
Kiske dware jaye pukaru,aur na koi saharo.
Ab to anke baho pakadlo,oh mere priyatam.
Tum hamare the Prabhu ji,tum hamare ho.
Tum hamare hi rahoge,oh mere Priyatam.
Tere karan sab jag chora,tum sang nata jora.
Tere karan saab jag chora,tum sang nata jora.
Ek bar Prabhu hans ke kehdo,Tu mera main tera.
Sanchi preet ki reet nibhalo,oh mere Priyatam.
Tum hamare the Prabhu ji,Tum hamare ho.
Tum hamare hi rahoge,oh mere Priyatam.
Das ki binti sun li jo,Prabhu Pyare.
Das ki binti sun li jo,Prabhu Pyare.
Ankhri aash yeh hi jiban ki,puran karna peyare.
Ankhri aash yeh hi jiban ki,puran karna peyare.
Ek bar hriday se lagalo,oh mere priyatam.
Ek bar hriday se lagalo,oh mere priyatam.
Tum hamare the Prabhu ji,tum hamare ho.
Tum hamare hi rahoge,oh mere Priyatam.
Hum tumhare the Prabhu ji, hum tumhare hai.
Hum tumhare hi rahenge, oh mere priyatam.

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Vishwakarma Puja Celebration

Vishwakarma Puja festival is perhaps the only festival celebrated in remembrance of the architect god Vishwakarma. He is the divine craftsman who created all the palaces of gods along with their vehicles and weapons, including Lord Indra's weapon - the Vajra. This festival day, which is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma, is a major festival for artisans and craftsmen and most of the factories and shops remain closed. The celebrations start with the Aarti early in the morning to invoke the craftsman god, asking for his benevolence and inspiration to create and innovate. Usually, this Puja takes place in the factory premises or within the shop. On this day, all artisans and craftsmen worship their tools and keep them in front of the idol of Lord Vishwakarma, so that the divine grace of the god is bestowed upon them.

Vishwakarma Day Celebrations

Only a few people have proper knowledge about this festival, though it is quite a popular one especially in Orissa, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. That's why only few people know that there are two days on which the Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated. The first one is celebrated on 16th or 17th of September and the next takes place exactly a day after the festival of Diwali. Both days are remembered as the birth day of lord Vishwakarma. The two days on which this Puja is celebrated are:

Rishi Panchami Dinam
It is celebrated on the next day of Diwali. The literal meaning of this day is the day of solidarity of five rishis (sages). This day is celebrated by the followers who believe that this day is not the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma, as according to their belief, a god is immortal and hence cannot die or take birth. According to the myth, this is the day when the five sons of Lord Vishwakarma came together and invoked their father; the day is celebrated in commemoration of that event. As it is celebrated according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, it is celebrated on different dates every year.

Viswakarma Jayanti
Between the two days of Vishwakarma Puja celebration, this is the day which is more popular among the Hindus who celebrate it with pomp and show. It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma and is observed on 17th September every year. This day is also commemorated as the day when Vishwakarma people crafted and gifted the plough to humanity. The plough gradually gave birth to civilization as the wanderers became cultivators and later these cultivators settled down to form society and civilization. So this day is celebrated to commemorate Lord Vishwakarma as well as to honor the early Vishwakarma people.

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Vishwakarma Puja Significance

To acknowledge that lord Vishwakarma alone is the creator of all universe and the things within, and to offer worship and thankfulness to him on the Vishwakarma day, is what Vishwakarma Puja is all about. This is what lends the festival of Vishwakarma Puja its significance. The religious texts have it that it was he who brought the tripartite universe - heavenly realms and their worlds, the mortal realm and their worlds, and the netherworldly and other celestial realms and worlds into existence. It was he who created Swarga (Heaven) in the Satya Yuga; Sone ki Lanka (Golden Lanka) in the Treta Yuga; the city of Dwarka, the capital of Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga; and many other architectural marvels into existence out of thin air. It was he who formed the chariots and various weapons of Gods and gave each its unique divine attributes. And it was he who revealed the sciences of industry to us because of which we see the progress that has been made.

Lord Vishwakarma is described as the ultimate reality in the Rig Veda, whose name in Sanskrit means "All Accomplishing", and who is believed by the Hindus to be the "Principal Universal Architect" who gave form to the celestial architecture of all that is in this universe with his own hands. And as a mark of reverence, he is worshipped as the patron of all the engineers, architects, artisans, craftsmen, weavers, mechanics, smiths, welders, industrial workers, and factory workers. Falling on Padyami, the first day of Kartika Masa, Vishwakarma Puja is observed on the fourth day of Diwali, i.e. the day after Diwali. In some parts of the country including Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Orissa, Vishwakarma Puja is observed on 17th September every year and doesn't change according to the lunar calendar.

On the day of Vishwakarma Puja, the industries and factories observe a no-work day; but, are heartily open for the entire workforce and their families to come and participate in the rituals. During the day of the puja or a day before, colorful pandals are set up inside the premises of industries and factories after which the decorated idols and images of Lord Vishwakarma are brought inside the pandals and are established ritualistically. The entire unit - management, employees, and workers, along with their families come together to perform the puja. Even the tools, particular to each person's profession, are worshipped in the name of Lord Vishwakarma but aren't put to use until the next day. Thereafter, Prasad (offerings) is distributed among everyone, post which everybody sits together for lunch. There's also a competitive tradition of flying colorful kites and engaging in mid-air battles, cutting each others' kites and shouting "Ibo Kaata".

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ENGLISH => GENERAL => Topic started by: MysteRy on May 01, 2012, 10:28:49 AM