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Baisakhi – Festival of harvest

3/31/2018

Baisakhi – Festival of harvest

When Celebrated –
It is celebrated on first day of Vaisakh, second month of Hindu calendar (on 13 or 14 April), also known as Mesha Sankranti.

Why Celebrated - Significance

It is the harvest festival of North India, celebrating the winter or rabi crop.
In many states viz. Tamil Nadu (Puthandu), Kerala (Vishu), Odisha (Maha Vishuva Sankranti or Pana Sankranti), West Bengal (Naba Barsha or Pohela Boishakh), Assam (Rongali Bihu), Bihar (JurShital), Uttrakhand (Bikhu or Bikhauti), Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and others, Baisakhi is new year. (in bracket – different names of Baisakhi festival in respective states)

3. It marks the anniversary of khalsa founded by Guru Govind Singh in 1699. On this day, he chose his five devoted leaders Panj Piyare and established the five Ks of Sikkism – Kachha (Shorts), Kesh (long hairs), Kangha (small comb), Kirpan (dagger) and Kada (iron bangle).

How & Where Celebrated

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Gudi Padwa – the day of creation of universe

3/17/2018

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When Celebrated –
It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month of Hindu calendar and mark the beginning of the New Year. (March or April)

Why Celebrated - Significance

It signifies the arrival of spring and to the reaping of Rabi crops.
It commemorates the coronation of Rama in Ayodhya after his victory over Ravana.
It is the mythical day on which Hindu god Brahma created time and universe.
It also said that Vishnu Bhagwan incarnated as Matsya, the fish on this day.
It is first day of Vasanta Navaratri.

How & Where Celebrated

It is main festival in Maharashtra and celebrated in neighbouring states also. It is called Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Amvatsar Padvo in Konkan & Goa, Yugadi in Karnataka, Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Navreh or Navreh amongst Kashmiri Pandits and Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people, Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba in the North-East state of Manipur, as Thapna (Staphana) by Rajasthani and as starting of New Vikram Samwant Year in Haryana.
People decorate their houses with mango leaves and 'rangoli' designs, and pray for a prosperous new year.
Traditionally, in Maharashtra, they prepare special dish by mixing bitter neem leaves and sweet jaggery. It reminds that life is mix of bitter and sweet experiences and bitter ones are good. They also prepare dishes like Puran Poli, Shrikhand, Aam Panha (refreshing mango drink), Gulab Jamun and the dough for Puri.
Numerous Gudi (or Gudhi) arrangements are hoisted on every household. It is a bright colorful silk scarf-like cloth tied at the top of a long bamboo. On top of it, one or more boughs of neem leaves and mango leaves are attached along with a garland of flowers. This arrangement is capped with a silver, bronze or copper pot (handi or kalash) signifying victory. Gudi means flag of victory marked with Swastika. Padwa means crop in Sanskrit.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudi_Padwa

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Ram Navami – the day of birth of Purushottam

3/17/2018

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When Celebrated
Ram Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the Chaitra (March–April) of Hindu month. This coincides with Vasantha Navratri.

Why Celebrated - Significance

It is birthday of Shree Rama, incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu who was born to Kaushalya and Dasharatha in Ayodhya.
In South India, since the auspicious day is also considered as the marriage day of Rama and Sita, temple priests perform a wedding ceremony called "Kalyanotsavam".
Shree Rama is especially important to Vaishnavism. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana.
This festival celebration indicates the victory of goodness and defeat of evil power and establishment of the Dharma after removal of Adharma.
Shree Rama is called Purushottam as he idealize as son, step-son, brother, husband and king. He teaches loyalty, sacrifice of his comforts for father’s dignity & Kingdom, one wife principle, protect your wife, care for brothers, humility etc.

How & Where Celebrated

It is celebrated by reading and listening Shree Ramcharitra Manas, the Hindu epic, written by Sri Tulsidas.
Akhand Paath of the Ramacharitamanas for nine days is organised alongwith religious bhajan, havan, ritual kirtan and distribution of prasad after the puja and Aarti on 9th day.
Temples are decorated, traditional prayers are organised and fruits and sweets are distributed in order to get their problems removed and for lot of prosperity and success.
It is considered auspicious to undertake a fast on this day.
A grand celebration of the Ram Navami takes place by the thousands of devotees in the Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh; Sitamarhi, Bihar; Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Bhadrachalam, Andhra Pradesh etc.
At some places (like Ayodhya, Varanasi and etc), the Rathayatra means the chariot procession (Shobha yatra) of the Lord Rama, Mata Sita, Lakshman and God Hanuman is carried out by the thousands of people after taking a holy dip in the sacred river, Sarayu or Ganga.

Celebrated since when
Shree Rama is stated to have lived in the Treta yuga that their authors estimate existed before about 5,000 BCE.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama
http://www.indiacelebrating.com/festivals/ram-navami/

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FESTIVALS

Baisakhi – Festival of harvest

Gudi Padwa – the day of creation of universe

Ram Navami – the day of birth of Purushottam

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