Hindu festivals 2004

By- www.all-indiatravel.com

JANUARY  2004

JANUARY IS A MONTH of severe cold in northern India. In the south, while the nights are chill, the days are certainly more clement and sun-warmed. In rural India, farmers look forward to the ripening of their crops of rice, wheat, sugarcane and a variety of pulses. This is also the time for millions of rural Indians to light bonfires of dried wood and hay in their courtyards and relax in the cold, star-studded twilight.

NEW YEAR : Ring In The New

The Christian New Year on the first day of January has become a national celebration irrespective of religion or creed. People in urban India stay awake to welcome the new year and merrymaking continues till the sun's first rays light up the eastern horizon. Prayers, parties and festoons welcome the advent of a new year. It is also the time to remember friends through the exchange of cards carrying good wishes.

NEW YEAR : Ring In The New

The Christian New Year on the first day of January has become a national celebration irrespective of religion or creed. People in urban India stay awake to welcome the new year and merrymaking continues till the sun's first rays light up the eastern horizon. Prayers, parties and festoons welcome the advent of a new year. It is also the time to remember friends through the exchange of cards carrying good wishes.

MAKAR SANKRANTI : The Sun Journeys

North In small-town India however~the first major festival in the month of January is Makar Sankranti, Lohri or PongaL According to the lunar calendar, the sun transits from the Tropic of Cancer into the Tropic of Capricorn from Dakshinayana into Uttarayana in the month Poush in mid-January. The sun thus begins to face the northern hemisphere of the earth.

THAI PUSAM : Thrnuah Faifh And Fire Thai is a Tamil month which coincides with Magh. It is most sacred to devotees of Kartikeya who is worshipped specially when the Pusam star rises in this month. At many south Indian temples, trenches of burning coals arc laid out for devotees to walk over. In a similar custom, Mariamman, a deity popular in southern India, is also worshipped with a fire walk.

FEBRUARY  2004

Mahashivaratri - Night of Shiva

On the 14th night of the dark half of Magh occurs the festival of Mahashivaratri. This is an important fast for devotees of the god Shiva, who stay awake throughout the night, spending time in prayer. The name of this festival literally means 'the great night of Shiva’.

Carnival Festival : Fun And Frolic In Goa

February heralds the Carnival, three days of abandon and hig spirits before the austerities of the 40-day lent begin in Goa. For three fun-filled days and nights, the legendary king Memo takes over the state and the streets are alive with colourful revelry. Dancing, music, eating and drinking continue all night while mock battles are fought and a procession of floats and banner wends its way through trunk roads. Dancers bring great scene of pageantry to Goa, with the red and black dancers of Panjim being a highlight of the Carnival which attracts hoards of India and foreign tourists every year.

MARCH  2004

HOLI : The Spring Festival Of Colours

With winter mists melting in the sunshine, Phalgun brings new life to every leaf and bud, announcing that Vasant Ritu or Springtime has come with its great display of flowers and fruits. While nature wears verdant new robes, the vernal equinox brings hope to farmers. This joyful new beginning is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalgun at the most colourful festival of India - Holi.

Thc night before the full moon, crowds of people gather in open spaces and light huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter) To fire-god Hutashani, they offer ears of corn, new vegetables, coconuts, butter, sweets, flowers and vermillion.

The Holi bonfire, often a community event, is also a commemoration of the Puranic legend in which the demoness Holika was burnt to death and the victory of good over evil was once again ensured.

Next morning, when the embers are cold, dhuli or the sacred dust of the bonfire is venerated. Coloured water and powders (gulal and kurnkum) are thrown over merrymakers to svrnholise the coming of spring.

Especially in villages, Holi, also called Phag or Shimga, is an important fortnight-long celebration

during which homes are renaired. harvests Planned weddings held and feast shared. In the northern, western, as well as eastern regions, Holi celebrates the joyful raasleela of Krishna and the gopis. They play phag which is a game of many colourful hues, among the newly fragrant Jasmine bowers. About this time the Silk Cotton or Kesaria trees burst into bloom with bunches of deep orange flowers. It is said that Krishna made a concoction of these flowers and used it to shower the gopis with colour. This tradition continues even today. The gesture of throwing colour over each other (in many Krishna temples, even the idols are given a bath or sprinkling of colour), is a joyous celebration of the rejuvenation of nature, and renewed hope of happiness and peaceful co-existence.

Metaphorically, Krishna is called the artist who dyes this world in the hues of bliss and joy and the devotee prays that he should be included in this divine grace and benevolence.

Holi is once again a time for feasting. Garlands of batashas or sugar discs in pink and white, are given to friends. Gujias with sweet fillings, puranpoUs with jaggery flavour, sanjoris filled with semolina halwa and different varieties of pancakes are eaten on this occasion. On festive occasions Parsis use this silverthaliiii with auspicious items: rose petals, a coconut, a rose water sprinkler, alamp, rice and vermillion. Though Parsi festivals are reminiscent of their central Asian origin, they also offer an insight into their total assimilation in India.

APRIL  2004

The gudi with a swastika-marked pot and silk cloth is a traditional tribute to the vernal sun. Raising a gudi is an act of declaring victory, first initiated by the victorious warriors of the Maratha army under Shivaji.

GUDI PADVA : A New Year Begins In The South

Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu calendar and the very first day of this month begins the new year in Maharashtra, Andhra and parts of Karnataka. This festival is called Gudi Padva or Ugadi.

VASANT NAVARATRI : Nine Days Of Devi Worship

The first day of Chaitra also begins the more quietly celebrated Vasant Navaratri dedicated to the goddess Gauri or Parvati. This is part of the month-long spring rites during which women wear festive garments and gather to share seasonal fruit and sweets.

RAMNAVAMI : The Birthday Of Rama

The ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra is the birthday of Rama. On the Ramnavami day, people sing devotional bhajans in praise of Rama and rock images of him in cradles to celebrate his birth. There are recitations of Tulsi Ramayan, the epic which recounts the story of this great king.

MAHAVIR JAYANTI : The Birth Of The Great Tirthankara

On the 13th day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra, falls the most important festival of the Jains. The birthday of their 24th Tirthankara, Mahavir, is celebrated with solemnity and worship.

HANUMAN JAYANTI : The Birthday Of Hanuman

Later in the month, the full moon of Chaitra brings Hanuman Jayanti, the birthday of Rama's greatest devotee and chief of the monkey army which fought Rama's war with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.

POORAM : A Procession Of Bejewelled Temple Elephants

At the beginning of April, the people of Kerala begin their search for the best elephants in the state. Each temple in Kerala sends a procession of decorated elephants to Trichur to participate in the Pooram festival.

EASTER SUNDAY : Celebration 0f New Life

During April, Christians the world over celebrate Easter, also a festival of the rejuvenation of life and living.

BAISAKHI : A Time To Dance

Guru Gobind Singh, honoured as the greatest Sikh leader after the founder of the faith, Guru Nanak, was the most dynamic of all the gurus who consolidated Sikhism and gave it the modern form it has today.

RAMZAN ID : Fasting And Feasting

All over the world, Muslims of all sects celebrate Ramzan as the most sacred and holy month in their year. They observe an austere lifestyle of restraint and duty, fasting from sunrise to sunset each day, not even drinking water. Once the moon is sighted over the horizon, their daily fast ends and all-night feasting and merriment is the norm till the new day dawns.

PESAKH: The Passover

Pesakh is the celebration of the escape of the Jews from Egypt under the leadership of Moses and with the guidance of Yahweh. An event which happened almost 3200 years ago lives fresh in the memory of Jews all over the world. On the Pesakh night, the whole family gets together for a meal of homemade bread and the produce of the springtime harvests. The special unleavened bread which is baked on this occasion is called Matzoh.

MAY  2004

AKSHAYA TRITIYA : An Auspicious Day

It is well known that Indians believe passionately in the theory of muhurts or auspicious times to perform sacraments, to make major purchases or to begin new ventures. Inspite of modern technology and changing lifeviews, this dedication to auspicious time is a prominent feature of Indian life. Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh, is considered one of the four most sacred days of the vear.

BUDDHA PURNIMA : Festival Of Peace

[Opposite page] The Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya has stood for centuries as a reminder of the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment. Gaya is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. Each year, the tree is venerated and the viharas nearby resound to the chants of Buddhist monks. The great celebration of the month of Vaishakh falls on the full moon day on which Gautama, the Buddha, was born.

JUNE  2004

GANGA DUSSEHRA : River Of Life

The river Ganga holds a uniquely significant place in Indian life and consciousness. It rises at Gangotri, high in the snow-clad Himalayas. Cascading down mighty boulders, it flows into the hot plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and finally meets the waters of the sea in the Bay of Bengal. At Allahabad, the Ganga merges with the river Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati.

RATHAYATRA : The Journey Of Jagannath

The English dictionary lists a word Juggernaut', which has originated from this festival celebrated in the temple town of lasannathpuri in Orissa. In this eastern state where there are more than 10,000 temples dedicated to various deities of the Vaishnava cult, June brings a procession or yatra of the chariot of Ta~annath held in Puri.

JULY  2004
An ancient sculpture of Vishnu sleeping on the coiled cosmic serpent Ananta. Having provided the earth with good harvests and life-giving water in the monsoon months, Vishnu then rests from Shayani Ekadashi to Prabodhini Ekadashi.

CHATURMAAS : The Four Holy Months

With the advent of July, the atmosphere is heavy with moisture. This is a time of waiting. Waiting for the downpour of cooling rain. Waiting for the carpet of summer flowers on wet forest floors. Waiting for the sounds of thunder and the flash of lightning. Waiting for the distant clouds on the silver-lined horizon to overcome the skv with exnectancv.

GURU PURNIMA : Homage To The Teacher

The full moon day in Ashadh is dedicated to all teachers and is called Guru Purnima. The Indian civilization venerates the guru or the master who guides his pupils in their search for enlightenment through knowledge and self-searching.

AUGUST   2004

SHRAVAN : The Holy Month

A time of rain storms and rain-drenched earth, Shravan is the holiest month of the year for Hindus. Each Monday of this month, known as Shravan Somvar, is a special day in Shiva temples where the dharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with water, day and night. Devotees pile the lmga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sundown, eating only root vegetables and'fruit. The nanda deep, Only a 24 hour lamp, burns steadily in the temples signifying the eternal prayers of devotees ascending to heaven.

NAGAPANCHAMI : The Snake Festival

On the fifth day of the bright half of Shravan, Nagapanchan the festival of snakes is celebrated. Snake worship is more common in peninsular India than in the north. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house with dormant cobras ense nced in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing.

RAKSHABANDHAN : Celebration Of Fraternal Love

Multi-hued rakhis present a festive appearance. A platter offered to a brother contains sweets, vermilhon and rakhis. The most widely celebrated festival of the month of Shravan occurs on its full moon day and is called Narali Purnima (Coconut Day) or Rakshabandhan. In the cycle of seasons, this full moon day marks the receding path of the monsoons. As the rains abate, sailors and fisherfolk worship a calmer sea, offering coconuts, flowers and sweets to it. In some parts of India, this day is reserved for changing the yagnyopavitor the sacred thread, when young boys discard their old yagnopavit and don a new one ritualistically.

JANMASHTAMI : The Birthday Of Krishna

Eight days after the full moon of Shravan, falls the festival of Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna. For centuries this story has been relived every year on this dark, rainy night. Krishna, the divine son of Devaki and Vasudeva was born on a stormy night in a prison because his parents were imprisoned by Karnsa, the wicked king of Mathura. Karnsa, who was the brother of Devaki, killed all her children at birth because he had been warned that her eighth child would kill him.

ONAM : Kerala’s Secular Pageant

In the coconut tree lined backwaters of Kerala, boat races are an event of great pageantry. Artistic flower pattern are made in front of each home on Onam. Among the most colourful community festivals of India is Onam, specific to Kerala. It is celebrated as a secular state event by all the people whichever religion they may belong to. Coming at the end of the monsoons, in the month of Shravan, it commemorates the return of king Mahabali, a powerful mythical ruler of Kerala, once again to his kingdom and his adoring subjects. Bah resides in the netherworld as ordained by Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu.

PATETI AND KHORDAD SAL : New Beginnings

The older sect of Parsis celebrates the first day of the month of Farvardm as their New Year. On this day the Parsis review their actions in the past year, make resolutions for the new year, recite Patet or the prayer of repentance, hence the name Pateti, and promise to live in the righteous manner prescribed by their religious teaching.

PARYUSHAN : Jams Remember Their Tirthankara

Once again in the month of August, Jains celebrate the birth of the 24th tirthankara Mahavir, during Paryushan, an eight-day festival.

SEPTEMBER  2004

GANESH CHATURTHI : Time Of Rejoicing And Reverence

Ganesha is the ever-present deity of India. On wedding invitations, at street come shrines, in carved doorway and in every temple, he is represented in many carvings sculptures and paintings. On the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapad, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi comes to India. Months ahead, with great excitement ana enthusiasm, hundreds ofusands of clay idols of Ganesha are made in Bombay, Pune and Pen, a village full of clay sculptors, near Bombay. Lorryloads of idols of every size, in every pose and colour, are brought to Bombay and other towns. These are worshipped at community or family festivals which last between one to ten days according to each group’s tradition.

OCTOBER  2004

NAVARATRI : Nine Nights Of Festivities

When the last showers of the monsoon are beginning to fall sparsely between spells of bright sunshine , comes the month of Ashwin. In this month/the festive season in India reaches a crescendo with the beginning of the nine-day Navaratri festival.

DURGA PUJA : Homage To The Mother Goddess

The Durga Puja of Bengal, performed during the nine days of Navaratri, is now a legendary celebration. Whole villages of idolmakers get busy months before, working with clay and hay, forming beautiful, lustrous idols of Durga, her sons Kartikeya and Ganesha and her daughters Lakshmi and Saraswati.

DUSSERA : Day Of Victory

Vijayadashami or Dussera, the 10th day of the bright half of Ashmn, is celebrated as the day of victory to rejoice about Durga's triumph over the demon Mahishasura. In Mysore, at the hiiltop Chamundi tempie, Dussera is a picturesque festival. The goddess is the maharaja's family deity and a procession of elephants, courtiers and court symbols attracts tourists by the thousands as it wends its circuituous way to the temple, decorated splendidly for the festival. With the decline of the royal family of Mysore however, this festival has lost some of its traditional lustre.

SHARAD PURNIMA : The Autumn Harvest Moon

By the time the autumn full moon is ready to rise on the dark horizon, Dussera festivals are over and the eyes of merrymakers are turned towards shops full of fireworks and sweets for Diwali. Sharad Purnima occurs exactly a fortnight before Diwali. This is a harvest festival when Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity, visits all homes to bring fortune and good luck to all people, young and old.

DIWALI : Lighting The Lamps

Every year, on the dark nights of Diwali the sound of firecrackers announces the celebration of the favourite festival of Indians. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps lit to create a world of fantasy. Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwaliis by far the most glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity. The ancient story of how Diwali evolved into such a widely celebrated festival is different in various regions.

NOVEMBER  2004

ONCE THE HECTIC days of Diwali are over, people all over India return to work and prepare for the coming winter. At the end of the year, there are a few festivals but the main season of Hindu festivities - the Chaturmaas- ends with the 11th day of Kartik or Kartik Ekadashi, the last day of fasting or feasting. Vishnu, resting on his cosmic snake Ananta, awakens on this day, called Prabodhini Ekadashi, to begin the work of maintaining the balance of the world. The Varkari Vaishnavas lead their last pilgrimage to the sacred Vitthala temple at Pandharpur, Maharashtra and return home to their routines.

TULSI VIVAHA : The Marriage Of Krishna

Kartik Dwadashi, the day after Kartik Ekadashi, is the celebration of the marriage of Rukmmi or Lakshmi with Krishna. This goddess is represented by the sacred plant, Tulsi. On the evening of this day, the markets are full of sugarcane, berries, tamarind, amlas as well as festive bridal clothes and gold paper headgear for the bride and groom.

GURU NANAK PURNIMA : Brotherhood Among Men

To the Sikhs and Hindus alike, the full moon of Kartik or Guru Nanak's birthday, is holy. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born in 1469 A.D. at a critical period of history when the people of India were divided into many castes and communities. In this time of misfortune, Guru Nanak came as a divine blessing to India.

DEV DIWALI : Lamps In The Moonlight

The full moon day in Kartik brings in the festival of Dev Diwali. Lamps are lit under the moonlit sky and a family feast celebrates the end of the Diwali fortnight.

DECEMBER  2004

TIRUPAVAI : The Devotion Of Andal

The month of Margashirsha is special to Vaishnav Hindus who worship Vishnu. In theBhagawad Gita, Krishna identifies himself with Margashirsha, which comes when the full moon is sighted near the stellar constellation of Mriga.

DATTA JAYANTI : The Worship Of Trimurti

The full moon day in the month of Margashirsha brings the festival ofDattaJayanti. Dattatreyais a crnsayz deity consisting of all the gods of the triad - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. He is a guru or teacher. He is often shown standing under a tree with cows and dogs wandering around him. He is a yogin whose supreme meditation makes him a lustrous deity.

HANUKKA : A Festival Of Lights

Among the last fcstivaJs of the year, Hanukka is a rirncofjoy. In the cold days of December, Jews celebrate Hernukka or I he festival of lights.

CHRISTMAS : A Season Of Good Cheer

For the whole month, churches and cathedrals in India are cleaned and decorated for the coming of Christinas, a festival for all Indians. The markets are full of gifts, Christmas trees and decorations. The churches have tableaux of nativity scenes showing baby Jesus in a crib with Mary and Joseph adoring him.

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