Showing posts with label Indian Festivals. Show all posts
Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti is one of the Indian festivals celebrating the birth of Hanuman deity. It falls on the 15th day of the Chaitra month (in the month of April) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. The day would be usually a full moon day. But, in some parts of India (Tamil Nadu) the birth of Hanuman (Aanjaneya) would be celebrated on an Amvasya day (no moon day) of the Margashirsh month (falls between December and January). It is also celebrated during the month of Vaishakh (end of April and the beginning of May) in some other parts. The variation depends upon which calendar one would be referring to.
Hanuman (also known as Aanjaneya) was a staunch devotee of Lord Rama as the legends state. He was the son of Vayu (air deity) and helped Rama to rescue Seetha from Ravana’s clutches. Hanuman is revered for various reasons. For some he is the symbol of strength. For some he is the protector from evil spirits. Especially people who are affected by Shani (deity of mal-effects) would go to Hanuman temples on Saturdays to get rid of their problem. According to legends Hanuman is the only deity whom Shani would not dare to affect. So, Hanuman is revered for protection over distressing negative energies.
On the day of his birth the devotees would visit Hanuman temples, would hold spiritual discourses and would do puja at home by chanting mantras. Hanuman Chalesa is the special mantra that would be recited to appease Aanjaneya. Devotees would apply ‘sindhoor’ (vermillion) on their foreheads and the rituals would be done at dawn since Hanuman was born at dawn.
Hanuman (also known as Aanjaneya) was a staunch devotee of Lord Rama as the legends state. He was the son of Vayu (air deity) and helped Rama to rescue Seetha from Ravana’s clutches. Hanuman is revered for various reasons. For some he is the symbol of strength. For some he is the protector from evil spirits. Especially people who are affected by Shani (deity of mal-effects) would go to Hanuman temples on Saturdays to get rid of their problem. According to legends Hanuman is the only deity whom Shani would not dare to affect. So, Hanuman is revered for protection over distressing negative energies.
On the day of his birth the devotees would visit Hanuman temples, would hold spiritual discourses and would do puja at home by chanting mantras. Hanuman Chalesa is the special mantra that would be recited to appease Aanjaneya. Devotees would apply ‘sindhoor’ (vermillion) on their foreheads and the rituals would be done at dawn since Hanuman was born at dawn.
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Indian Festivals,
Shri Ram Navami
Ram Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of lord Sri Rama –the ideal King of Ayodhya. The festival commences on the ninth day of the Chaitra Navaratri (Vasant Navratri) and it is celebrated with great fervor all across India. Lord Rama is the celebrated hero of the epic Ramayana. Rama is said to be an ideal king/son/husband. Thus, a celebration of his birth day has been a part of Indian festivities. He was born on the ninth day of the Chaitra month (according to the lunar calendar) to Dasharatha and Kausalya.
Many people take up fast from the first day of the Vasant Navratri (Gudi Padwa) in the name of Lord Rama and end their fast on the ninth day, the day when Rama was born. On that day processions of Ram idol along with Sita Mata and Lakshman take place and people distribute a type of drink called ‘Paanaka’ (Sharbat made out of jiggery and lemon juice mixed with pepper powder). In some parts of India on this day some people will hold the ‘kalyanotsava’ (marriage of Lord Rama and Sita). At noon, a coconut draped in cloth would be placed on a cradle to rock; this ritual is done to mark the birth Lord Rama. Rama Navami will be celebrated by holding spiritual discourses and processions. Usually it falls in March and April.
Many people take up fast from the first day of the Vasant Navratri (Gudi Padwa) in the name of Lord Rama and end their fast on the ninth day, the day when Rama was born. On that day processions of Ram idol along with Sita Mata and Lakshman take place and people distribute a type of drink called ‘Paanaka’ (Sharbat made out of jiggery and lemon juice mixed with pepper powder). In some parts of India on this day some people will hold the ‘kalyanotsava’ (marriage of Lord Rama and Sita). At noon, a coconut draped in cloth would be placed on a cradle to rock; this ritual is done to mark the birth Lord Rama. Rama Navami will be celebrated by holding spiritual discourses and processions. Usually it falls in March and April.
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Indian Festivals,
Konkan Fruit Festival
As the name suggests the Konkan fruit festival is all about the fruits of Konkan region of India. The festival is organized every year in Panjim, Goa. The festival is exhibition -cum sale of the fruits of Konkan region. This three day summer festival is organized by Botanical society of Goa in association with City Corporation of Panjim. Fruit eating and fruit carving contest and other completions of homemade fruit items like jams, wines, squashes etc are fun activities of the festival.
Konkan fruit festival witnesses the wide response from thousands people who are seen visiting the festival and enjoying the event. You can also see at the festival wide variety plants and seedling and edible items made of fruits being sold on large scale. Many stalls set up for the occasion are seen displaying wide variety different fruits of Konkan region. You can have the choice of buying these delicious fruits as they are also available for sell. Though the festival is all about Konkan fruits, it also offers the visitors other entertaining activities like music and dance programs and fancy dress competition thus attracting more and more tourists to witness the amazing event
Tag :
Indian Festivals,