Maha Shivaratri festival
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated to remember lord Shiva and take his blessings for personal well being in this life and after. The shivratri is observed a day before the amavasya in the phalgun month according to Hindu calendar. The devotees of Shiva stay awake on 13Th night, generally walking / travelling to some Shiva temple, singing/chanting panchakshari mantra and praising the lord Shiva. They fast on 14Th day as a penance and offering to lord Shiva, people generally restrain themselves from eating grains on this day, only some fruits, milk and milk products and some items like sabudana (sago), nuts and dry fruits can be savored while fasting. Some people take a complete fasting and restrain themselves from eating anything and some even fast without water known as nirjala fast. Bael leaves, flowers, ghee lamp, incense sticks and bhoga are offered at the temples. This is the biggest devotional event among the Hindus and devotees all around the country(India) observe this day with great religious obligations.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Nandi Hills - Tourist attraction
Nandi Hills is hill station situated in the state of Karnataka, India. The hill falls in the district of Chikkaballapur. It is just 10 km from Chikkaballapur and 60 km away from Bangalore, capital city of the state. Located at the altitude of 1478 m, Nandi Hills was summer resort of Tipu Sultan. It has pleasant weather throughout the year. Nandi Hills is a popular tourist spot in the state. It is also known as Nandidurg. It was the Mysore Fort before it was conquered by the British in 1791
Tipu’s Drop is popular tourist attraction in Nandi Hills. It is 600 m high cliff situated on the Hills. It is said that the prisoners who were sentenced to death were thrown down off this cliff. The cliff offers beautiful views of the city. Nandi temple is place of worship located at the foothills of Nandi Hills. Built by Kempe Gowda, a local ruler during Vijayanagara Kings the temple has many beautiful pillars and attractive metal works. It is believed that Nandi Hills has derived its name from this temple.
Yoganandeeshwara Temple is another place of worship in Nandi Hills. The temple was established by Cholas and is perched on the top of the hill. The temple has beautiful structure and architecture.
Brahmashram is another place of interest near Nandi Hills. It is beautiful and attractive cave. The place is believed to be meditating place of sage Ramkrishana Paramhansa who was one of the greatest devotee of Goddess Kali. Cool weather near the cave attracts many tourists.
Nandi Hills is well linked by road to other parts of the state and the country. Many state run buses and other private vehicles are available from Nadigarama, Bangalore, Chikkaballapur and other cities and towns of the state and the country. Chikkaballapur railway station serves nearest rail head to Nandi Hills. The railway station is well connected to other cities and towns of the state and the country. Bangalore International Airport is closest airbase to Nandi Hills and it is well linked by several flights to other major cities of India and other countries.
Tipu’s Drop is popular tourist attraction in Nandi Hills. It is 600 m high cliff situated on the Hills. It is said that the prisoners who were sentenced to death were thrown down off this cliff. The cliff offers beautiful views of the city. Nandi temple is place of worship located at the foothills of Nandi Hills. Built by Kempe Gowda, a local ruler during Vijayanagara Kings the temple has many beautiful pillars and attractive metal works. It is believed that Nandi Hills has derived its name from this temple.
Yoganandeeshwara Temple is another place of worship in Nandi Hills. The temple was established by Cholas and is perched on the top of the hill. The temple has beautiful structure and architecture.
Brahmashram is another place of interest near Nandi Hills. It is beautiful and attractive cave. The place is believed to be meditating place of sage Ramkrishana Paramhansa who was one of the greatest devotee of Goddess Kali. Cool weather near the cave attracts many tourists.
Nandi Hills is well linked by road to other parts of the state and the country. Many state run buses and other private vehicles are available from Nadigarama, Bangalore, Chikkaballapur and other cities and towns of the state and the country. Chikkaballapur railway station serves nearest rail head to Nandi Hills. The railway station is well connected to other cities and towns of the state and the country. Bangalore International Airport is closest airbase to Nandi Hills and it is well linked by several flights to other major cities of India and other countries.
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Best of India,
Vasant Panchami - a festival devoted to Goddess Saraswati
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| Vasant Panchami |
Vasant Panchami is a festival celebrated by the Hindus all over the world. The festival celebrates the goddess of Saraswati which is known to be the goddess of Knowledge. Goddess Saraswati is a consort of the lord Brahma who is according to Hindu mythology, considered to be the creator of the whole universe. Devi Saraswati is known to be goddess of learning and wisdom. The Goddess Saraswati symbolizes the Knowledge.
The word Panchami literally means five and the festival falls on the fifth day of Mag (Jan- Feb) month of the Indian Calendar. The day is supposed to be auspicious to teach the children to write their first word in their life. On the occasion of Vasant Panchami Brahmins are invited to home and fed. Yellow color gets importance on this day. People usually try to wear yellow dress on this festival. India’s crop fields are filled with the color yellow, as the yellow mustard flowers bloom at this time of the year.The goddess Saraswati is also adorned with yellow cloths and worshiped.
Pitri Tarpan is done on the occasion of Vasant Panchami. Pitri Tarpan means worshiping ancestors. Kamdev (the god of love) is also worshipped on this holy event. Sweets are exchanged with relatives and friends. Children like to fly kites on this day. Vasant Panchami has a great religious and social importance in Indian society and hence the festival is celebrated with great fervor.
Vasant Panchami is celebrated in Punjab with more fascinating way. First of all the festival is known as Basant Panchami here. On the occasion children and many young boys and girls fly the colorful kites. Thousands of colorful kites presents amazing look in the sky. This is largely seen in Ferozepur (Punjab) where the festival is also known as Kite Festival.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Kumbh Mela - The largest religious gathering on earth
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| Kumbh Mela |
Kumbha Mela is a religious fair held every twelve years at four different holy riverside sites by rotation. According to an account in the scriptures, during the churning of the ksheera Sagar (the holy ocean of milk) when the pot of Amrit (Elxir) was obtained from the ocean, a quarrel broke between the Devtas and the Asuras. Lord Vishnu fled with the Kumbh (Urn of Amrit) some drops of elixir fell in four places: Haridwar, Nasik, Allahabad and Ujjain. Therefore Kumbh Mela is held at Allahabad (Prayag), Nasik (Trimbkeshwar), Haridwar and Ujjain. Half or Ardh kumbh is held after six years. And a Maha Kumbh is held at Prayag (Allahabad) after twelve Purna kumbh or 144 years. The last Ardha Kumbh was held for 45 days starting in January at Allahabad in the year 2007. It attracted about 7 Crore (70 Million) people. The last Maha Kumbh was held at Allahabad in the year 2001; it was attended by at least 60 million people at that time which by any count was recorded as the largest single gathering of human beings anywhere in the world. People generally take an auspicious bath on the days prescribed in the Shastras; other rituals are also performed at the place of Kumbh Melas.
In the year 2013 Mahakumbh mela is held at Allahabad from 27th. January to 10th March.
Upcoming Kumbh Mela Venues:
2015 Nashik Kumbh Mela
2016 Ujjain (Simhastha) Kumbh Mela
2016 Haridwar Ardh Kumb Mela
2019 Allahabad (Prayag) Ardha Kumbh Mela
Next Kumbh Mela to be held in Nasik in the year 2015 between August 14th to September 25th. August 14th to September 25th are regarded to be the peak of the festival days of the Kumbh Mela 2015. Millions of pilgrims are expected to take part in the royal procession and holy baths in the holy water of the sacred rivers so to help you better plan and safety travel there is a best way to hire a car to reach to this Kumbh Mela comfortably.In the year 2013 Mahakumbh mela is held at Allahabad from 27th. January to 10th March.
Kumbha Mela 2013 Dates
- 14th January 2013 (Monday) Makar Sankranti
- 27th January 2013(Sunday) Paush Purnima
- 10th February 2013(Sunday) Mauni Amavasya Snan (Main Bathing Day)
- 15th February 2013(Friday) Basant Panchami Snan
- 25th February 2013 (Monday) Maghi Purnima Snan
- 10th March 2013(Sunday) Maha Shivratri
- 15th February 2013(Friday) Basant Panchami Snan
- 25th February 2013 (Monday) Maghi Purnima Snan
- 10th March 2013(Sunday) Maha Shivratri
Upcoming Kumbh Mela Venues:
2015 Nashik Kumbh Mela
2016 Ujjain (Simhastha) Kumbh Mela
2016 Haridwar Ardh Kumb Mela
2019 Allahabad (Prayag) Ardha Kumbh Mela
Schedule of events for the Nasik Kumbh Mela 2015:
Ujjain Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv 2016:
Now next Kumbh Mela is going to held in Ujjain from April 24th to May 21st 2016. Kumbh Mela at Ujjain is called as 'Simhasth'.
An auspicious dates of Ujjain Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv 2016 :
| DATE | DATE | EVENT |
| 22nd April 2016 | Friday | Shahi Snaan |
| 3rd May 2016 | Tueday | Vratparv Varuthini |
| 6th May 2016 | Friday | First Pramukh Snaan |
| 9th May 2016 | Monday | Second Pramukh Snaan on Akshaya Tritiya |
| 11th May 2016 | Wednesday | Shankaracharya Jayanti |
| 15th May 2016 | Sunday | Vrishabh Sankranti |
| 17th May 2016 | Tuesday | Mohini Ekadashi |
| 19th May 2016 | Thursday | Pradosh |
| 20th May 2016 | Friday | Nursigh Jayanti |
| 21th May 2016 | Saturday | Pramukh Shahi Snaan |
Tag :
Pilgrimage,
Tourist places in Bhilwara
Bhilwara is a city located in Mewar region of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is known for its cloth industries. It is also called as the City of Cloth, Culture and Calmness. It is the head quarter of the district of the same name ‘’Bhilwara District’’. Major industry in Bhilwara is textile industry with more than 4000 units in the town. The city is also known as textile city of India. It is the largest manufacturer of suiting, fabric and yarn in India. It accounts about 50 % of total products of polyester/viscose fabrics (suiting) in India.
Places to visit: There are many places of attraction in and around Bhilwara. The old fort and the city of Bijolia are situated just 50 km away on Bundi and Chittaurgarh road. It was known as Vindhyavali in ancient times.
Hajaresvara :
On the eastern side of the city there are three beautiful temples. Among them the temple of Hajaresvera is a prominent religious place. The temple is surrounded by thousands of small Lingas and hence it is called as Hajaresvara or Sahastralinga.
Menal :
Known for beautiful waterfall, Menal is located just 80km away from Bhil wara. The height of the water fall is about 150 feet and it is in V shaped valley. The water falls with great force and sound of it can be heard from a long distance.
Shahpura :
Shahapura is famous for 700 year old Painting. It is situated 55 km away on Jahajpur- Devli road. Built by Rana Kumbha, Mandalgarh fort is situated about 52 km from Bhilwara. The fort is 1 m long and elevated at the height of 1850 feet. There are number of temples in the vicinity of the fort.
Triveni :
Triveni is located 40 km from Bhilwara on Kota Road. The place is popularly known as Triveni Chauhara where three rivers meet. The temple of Shiva is situated in the coast line and it remains submerged most of the time during rainy season. On the occasion of Poornima, Amavasa, Kartik and Magh month, people from other places come to take a dip in this holy water. One of the most beautiful forts of Rajasthan, Badnore Fort is situated 70 km away from Bhilwara. The fort is seven storied and one of the best examples of medieval military style of architecture.
Meja Dam :
Meja Dam is one of the major tourist places around Bhilwara. It is situated about 17km away from Bhilwara. It is a major water reservoir for Bhilwara residents. Surrounding area is full of beautiful natural sights.
How to reach:
Rail and road connect the city to many other parts of the state and country. Many state run buses and private luxury buses are available to visit Bhilwara from other cities and towns of the state and the country. Trains connect Bhilwara to Ajmer, Kota, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi, Bharatur, Agra, Gwalior and many other cities and towns of the state and the country. Nearest airport is situated at Udaipur which is about 165 km away from Bhilwara.
Other details:
Many popular fairs are organized in and around Bhilwara. These fairs attract many tourists from other parts of the country as well. Tejaji Mela (Fair), Phool Dol Mela and Sawai Bhoj ka Mela are some of them.
Tag :
Best of India,