Showing posts with label Indian Festivals. Show all posts
Vishu festival
Vishu is Malayalam festival celebrated in Kerala and some parts of the Tamil Nadu and it comes on the first day of Malayalam month of Medam (April-May). Vishu festival is also celebrated as Malayalam New Year day and therefore it has significance in Malayalam society. People take part in the celebration of the festival irrespective of their cast and religion.
Vishukkani is an important event in Vishu festival. Vishukkani literally means " the first things seen on the day of Vishu Festival after waking up”. Vishukkani contains the things for ritual arrangements like raw rice, fresh lemon, betel leaves, Metal mirror, golden cucumber, Arecanut, Konna (a kind of yellow flower) and holy text and coins. These things are supposed to be auspicious ones and are arranged in a bell metal vessel known as Uruli in the Pooja room (the room in which the worship is done) of the house. Nilavilakku, a lighted bell metal lamp, is kept along side. This preparation of Vishukkani is done on the pre eve of Vishu. The custom is that when people wake up in the next morning, they go to the pooja room with closed eyes to see these auspicious things as the first sight of the New Year. People also visit the nearby temples to pray to the gods for prosperous life in the New Year. The festival is celebrated by much pomp and show with children setting of the firecrackers and people wearing new cloths.
The festival of Vishu is celebrated all over the country but with different names and ways. It is celebrated as Baisakhi Punjab and as Bhiu in Assam.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Fair and Festivals in Amritsar
Events in Amritsar
Events in Amritsar are associated either with the Sikh religion, such as the birth anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus, or, with harvest season. Amritsar, the holy of city for the Sikhs celebrates three festivals mainly. They are Lohri, Vaishakhi and Holi. These festivals mark the change in the seasons. These festivals have been originated around the way of life led by the farming community in the Punjab region.
Lohri is celebrated on the 13th
of January marking the end of the winter season. The next day is the first day
of their month. The festival coincides with the Hindu festival Makara Sankranti
(celebrated on the 14th of January). Usual mode of celebrations
would include an offering done at Gurudwaras.
Viashakhi, or Baishakhi is a festival
of harvest that falls on the last day of their harvest season which is
celebrated with great fervor. The festival falls in the month of April (13th
and 14th). It is a harvest festival. Marking the harvest season’s
end the festival would be celebrated with their Bhangra dance. The day is
special for another reason. On the same day the Sikh Guru Govind Singh
initiated the order of Khalsa. Other
than the above mentioned festivals, there are other festivities celebrated in
the city of Amritsar. Rama Tirath Fair is one such event that is celebrated for
five days. This is celebrated after Diwali at Rama Tirath near Amritsar. Tullu
floating (diyas made of flour are let afloat in the tank), and acrobat shows
are the major attraction of the fair. People of Amritsar also celebrate the
Guru Purab festival. The festival falls twice in a year, once in November and
next in January. Guru Granth Sahib would be read without any gaps, and visits
would be made to Gurudwara. All the Sikh Gurus, especially Guru Govind Singh
would be remembered on this occasion.
On all these occasions the city of
Amritsar would gear up to celebrate with great enthusiasm. Fairs and concerts
especially for the ocassion would be arranged for the entertainment in the
city.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Fairs and Festivals of Jodhpur
The city of Jodhpur is known for its rich culture and
traditions. Fairs and festivals celebrated in the city form essential parts of
Jodhpur culture. Jodhpur hosts many colorful festivals and fairs with great
enthusiasm. Apart from the major national festivals like Deepawali, Dussera and
holi the city of Jodhpur hosts many vibrant and colorful fairs and festival
that attract thousands of visitors from across the country and from abroad as
well. Fairs and festivals here offer opportunities for the visitors to have
glimpses into the vibrant culture and traditions of the people of Jodhpur as
the celebration of the festivals also includes several cultural and
entertaining activities.
Marawar is prominent festival celebrated in the memory of
great rulers of the state. The festival was earlier known as Maand festival.
This two-day festival of Marwar comes in the month of Sept-Oct and includes the
activities like folk dance, folk music and other cultural and fun activities.
On the occasion of the festival Jodhpur is thronged by many domestic and
foreign tourists to be a part of the charming event of the festival.
Nagaur fair is major fair in Jodhpur. The fair is famous for
its cattle trading and is one of the biggest of its kind in the country. The
fair is held every year in the month of Jan-Feb and goes on for eight days. The
fair witness thousands bullocks, camels, horse being traded every year. Jodhpur
International kite Festival is another charming festival of Jodhpur. Jodhpur
hosts the festival every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti which comes on
14th January. The festival is participated by thousands of people
interested in kite flying from various
parts of the country and from abroad as well.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Gangaur festival,Rajasthan
Gangaur is one of the most important festivals of Rajasthan and it is celebrated for eighteen day from the day following the Holi, festival of colors. The festival is celebrated in honor of goddess Gauri, manifestation of goddess of Parvati, the consort of lord Shiva. The festival of Gangaur is celebrated throughout the state of Rajasthan and it is the occasion when young girls and married women are seen worshipping the goddess Gauri. Here during the celebration of the festival you will see young girl seeking the blessing from the goddess for getting a good husband while married women would be seen praying for the welfare of their husbands and happy married lives. On the occasion the images and idols of the goddess Gauri are adorned with beautiful cloth and jewelry. Gangaur is considered to be an auspicious occasion for the young people to choose their partners for life.
During the festival a processions are taken out in different parts of state of Rajasthan. The procession is accompanied by the local band adding charm to it. Beautifully decorated idols of Goddess are taken out in the procession. Celebrations of Gangaur festival in different of cities of the state have their own special features like the one in Udaipur where an amazing boat procession is taken out in Pichola Lake on the occasion of Gangaur. Gangaur festival provides an event for the tribal young men and young women when they are seen mingling with each other freely and selecting their life partners.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Fair and festival of Jabalpur
Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh is known for its rich tribal culture and tradition. Fairs and festivals celebrated in Jabalpur reflect the cultural life of its people. Though the city of Jabalpur celebrates all major Indian festivals, it celebrates them with distinct and unique ways. Jabalpur and surrounding region are mainly populated by Gond tribal community. Gond tribe is known for its unique folk dance forms which are mainly performed on the occasion of festivals and other cultural events.
Along with major the major festivals of India like Deepawali, Dussera and Holi Jabalpur also celebrates other festivals with great zeal and zest. Makar Sankranti, Bhai Dooj, Durga Pooja, etc are other prominent festivals celebrated in Jabalpur. These festivals are marked by several cultural activities like folk dances, songs, worshipping and praying. On the occasion of these festival people of Jabalpur usually gather at several common places in the city and perform their folk dance forms to the accompaniment of tradition musical instruments. People from other parts of Madhya Pradesh also visit Jabalpur on the occasion of several festivals to witnesses the unique and charming cultural activities of the people of Jabalpur.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Fair and Festivals in Gwalior
Fair and Festivals in Gwalior
Gwalior celebrates
all Indian festivals. However, it is
widely known for the Tansen Music
Festival it hosts every year. Tansen, one of the respected singers in the
court of Akbar was buried in Gwalior. He
is accredited with cult fame. He is one of the pioneers of the Hindisthani
classical music tradition in India. Legends say that he used to bring rains by
singing ‘Megh Malhar’ rag. In the memory
of this great singer, the Gwalior city hosts a music festival that would be
usually held in the months of November and December. The function would be held
at the tomb of Tansen.
This Sangeet Sammelan (Music
festival) lasts for five nights. Eminent vocalists would take part in this
festival and every year the Tansen Samman (award) would be bestowed upon one of
the greatest achievers in the field of music. This is a prestigious award given
by the Government of Madhya Pradesh for classical singers. Ajay Pohankar,
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Ustad Abdul Haleem Jafar Khan and Vani Jayaram
are some of them who have received this award. The festival would comprise of seminars,
workshops followed by musical concerts in the night.
Gwalior also hosts an International
Trade Fair that lasts for about a month in the city. This is known as Asia’s
second largest trade fair. Industrialists from all across the country, and even
foreign companies benefit from this fair. For farmers and small scale
entrepreneurs it is an opportunity to display their production. This fair will
be held in the month of December usually and lasts for about a month.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
khajuraho dance festival, Madhya pradesh
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| Image credit: Madhumita Raut |
'Khajuraho Dance Festival' is organized during February – March by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department to celebrate the cultural heritage of the temples of Khajuraho.
The Chitra Gupta temple or Vishwanath Temple forms the backdrop for the dance stage. The open place between the two temples becomes the backdrop for the dance performance. The whole temple complex is very beautifully decorated with colored lights and presents a grand stage to hold famous dance performances by Odissi, Kathakali, Bharathanatyam, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Kathak dancers of fame. An open air market fair with local crafts and articles are displayed for sale is another attraction of the Khajuraoh festival.
Entry for this festival is totally free.
In 2018 Khajuraho Dance Festival dates are February 20th to 26th.
Venue of the festival:-
Western Group of Temples Area,
Khajuraho, Chhatarpur (M.P.)
How to reach Khajuraho:
By Train:- Khajuraho has a railway station connected to Delhi, Agra, Jhansi and other major cities in the state. Khajuraho Temple is at a distance of approx. 10 km away from railway station and as there is no bus facility available for towards the temple, you have to go by auto or private vehicle.
By Road :- Khajuraho is well linked with other nearby cities in the state. Still it'll be good option to go from Satna and Jhansi. Because there is no direct bus services because of Jhansi does not have any direct bus facility for Khajuraho, we recommend you to hire online cab or taxi from Jhansi to Khajuraho.
By Air:- Khajuraho Airport which is just 5 km. away from the city is the nearest airport to Khajuraho.
If you have attended this festival before, we'd like to know about your experiences in the comments.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Fontainhas festival, Goa
The Fontainhas festival is an art and culture festival of Goa. The festival will be held in the month of February. It is an eight day event organized by the Goa Heritage Action Group every year. The Festival takes place at the old Goa settlements, known as Fontainhas. Fontainhas is a part of old Goa (one of the former Portuguese settlements) comprising of churches, chapels and residences. Narrow lane, houses built in the Portuguese style mark the place. The place is a part of Panaji city in Goa.
The Fontainhas festival is an attempt to create awareness about the Goan heritage among the youngsters. Artists from all across the area gather there to celebrate the festival. The festival is completely an attempt to revive the Goan heritage of music, dance and art. Singers and dancers from all across the world come here to perform on this occasion. The city would witness large number of visitors during that period. Everyday there would be musical and dance events and almost every house would look like an art gallery displaying the Goan heritage. The festival provides an opportunity for the artists to expand their network.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Culture of Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in Tamil Nadu.Madurai had a magnificent past and a glowing culture which is displayed in every sphere of performances it displays. Its richness in arts & crafts, handicrafts, Architectural splendor, glorious art work and enthralling dance, music and songs must be practically experienced for appreciating it. During present times Madurai is making a rapid progress in educational spheres and industrialization, it is becoming a commercial center of south India. The people of the city are greatly and rightly influenced by its culture, they live in social harmony with each other. They are slowly adapting to modern lifestyles. Though the major religion followed is Hinduism, there are followers of other beliefs also like Jainism, Christianity, and Islam. All the people live in great communal harmony setting an example for others. The main language spoken here is Tamil. Other language spoken here is Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and Urdu. The silk and other types of locally woven textile are very famous of this town.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Culture of Varanasi
Culture of Varanasi
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| Varansi |
Varanasi is a
city unique of its kind as it becomes a pilgrimage spot for Jains, Buddhists
and Hindus. Buddha gave his first sermon at Saranath, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism was born here
and it is the holy abode of Shiva and Parvati for the Hindus. River Ganges adds
to the sanctity. So, the culture of the city is predominantly religious (related
to rituals and devotion).
The city, with its narrow lanes; with
painted walls; with stalls selling puja articles; with ghats thronged by the bathing
devotees, appears very traditional. People speak Bhojpuri and Hindi.
The city hosts many learning centers
for those who are interested in knowing Sanskrit and Vedic texts. It is the home for many singers, dancers, and
scholars. Bismilla Khan, Kishan Maharaj, Kabir, Tulsidas, Sitara Devi, and
Bharatendu Harischandra lived in Varanasi and brought fame to the city. It is the home for the Banaras Gharana of
music. Kajari is a popular folk music of Varanasi.
Even Muslims dwell in the city
continuing their age old occupation i.e weaving. The famous Banaras Sarees are
woven by the Muslim community there.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Culture of Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Culture
Located in the northern region of
India Chandigarh should essentially have north Indian culture, hence basically
Punjabi culture is seen in Chandigarh. Chandigarh has several Government institutions;
it has branches of almost all the banks in the country, many research
institutes, big establishments of Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Because of posting
at so many government and semi government establishments there are people from
all over India working in Chandigarh. Literarily people from every state of
India can be found in Chandigarh, so there is a mix of different cultures here.
People here celebrate all the festivals and amicably mix up with each other.
There are temples and other places of worship with architecture of different
regional places (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Bengal styles). Various sabhas,
bhavans and committees are formed here, each with distinct traditions and
cultures everybody intermingle with each other thereby giving thrust to various
music, dance & art forms. People organize fairs, exhibitions, meetings and
competitions to promote their culture. The main language spoken here is Hindi,
and Punjabi, but Hinglish is used by the younger generation which is mixture of
Hindi & English. Cuisines of all styles and regions are available here for
the people to savor; there are many fast food joints, Chinese & South
Indian restaurants for the people to choose from.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,