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Makar Sankranti – Festival of kites, bullfights & bonfires

4/6/2018

When Celebrated –
The festival is celebrated on 14th of January, all over the country with festive fervour.

Why Celebrated - Significance

On this day, Sun travels from Tropic of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn (Makar). The movement is called Uttarayana.
The festival is an occasion of sharing and goodwill.
In many states, it is harvest season.
As per Hindu calendar, it is very auspicious.

How & Where Celebrated

In Punjab – The festival is called Lohri. It is celebrated on 13th January with huge bonfire and baked rice & sweets (Raveri) are offered to fire and distributed among friends & relatives.

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Baisakhi – Festival of harvest

3/31/2018

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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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Vasant (or Basant) Panchami

2/5/2018

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What is this festival about?

This festival is about remembering our goddess of knowledge, Saraswati
This also marks the beginning of spring season in India

When is it celebrated?

Like the name says, this festival is celebrated on 5th day (aka Panchami) of Spring (aka Vasant). Based on lunar calendar, this is celebrated on 5th day of Magh month. This typically comes in the month of January or February.

Why do we celebrate it (the story behind it)?

The reason comes directly from the fact that this is the beginning of spring season.

As for worshiping goddess Saraswati, this day is considered to be her birthday.

How do we celebrate?

In the morning, take bath and wear yellow (the color associated with goddess Saraswati) or white clothes
Prepare or get some sweets for offering (preferably yellow), like kesar halwa, sweet saffron rice, boondi laddu, kheer with saffron, ras-malai, peda petha, jalebi, kulfi.
With your family, start by cleaning your worship area, lighting diya and incense stick, and placing prasad and flowers.
First, perform arti of Lord Ganesha.
Next, perform arti of Goddess Saraswati.
That's it, enjoy prasad that you prepared earlier!

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RAKSHA BANDHAN – DAY OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS

10/9/2017

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Celebration Significance (Why)

Raksha bandhan (aka Rakhi festival) is the fun festival that celebrates the love between sisters and brothers. Putting it in terms of western philosophy, this will be the ‘Sister’s Day’ and ‘Brother’s Day’ of Hindu religion.
Hindu scriptures such as Bhagavata Puran, Vishnu Puran, Bhavishya Puran etc have the mention of celebrating Raksha Bandhan since time immemorial. In Mahabharata, Draupati tied cloth (by tearing her saree) to cover a wound of Sri Krishna. Sisters pray to brothers that in the time of need, you protect me from problems like Sri Krishna rescued Draupati from Dushasan, who brought her in rajsabha (court) and tried to remove her saree.

Celebrated on (When)

Rakhsa Bandhan (aka Rakhi festival) is celebrated on Puranmasi i.e. full moon of Shravan month of Hindu calendar. Shravan month is fifth month of Hindu Calendar, which usually comes in August.

Celebration Practice (How)

On the day of Raksha Bandhan, sisters visits their brother’s home and collect roli(kumkum – either made from turmeric or saffron), chawal (rice), mithai (sweets) etc in a thali (plate).

Thali

Sisters tie kalava i.e. sacred thread and well decorated rakhis on right hand of their brothers
Apply tilak of roli and chawal on forehead on their forehead
Offer sweets and pray to god for their well-being
Next comes the fun part. Brothers give gifts and money to their sisters.

If you are feeling adventurous and the brother is married, then sister can also tie rakhi to her sister-in-law.

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HARYALI TEEJ – THE DAUGHTER’S DAY

10/9/2017

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Celebrated on

Haryali Teej festival is celebrated on tritia i.e third day in shukl paksh of Shravan month of hindu calander. (Shravan month is fifth month of Hindu calendar which comes in August)

Celebration Practice

Haryali Teej is primarily a festival of ladies. During shravan, greenery spreads all over due monsoon. After hot summer, the weather becomes very pleasant and brings joy and festive spirit. Ladies of all ages gather in group and enjoy the festive spirit by swinging on the swings and singing songs. They decorate hands with henna (mehandi) with beautiful designs.
In Rajasthan, eastern UP and other northern states of India, gifts, sweets etc called Sindhara are sent by in-laws to their daughters.

Celebration Significance

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Forward>>

FESTIVALS

Makar Sankranti – Festival of kites, bullfights & bonfires

Baisakhi – Festival of harvest

Gudi Padwa – the day of creation of universe

Ram Navami – the day of birth of Purushottam

Vasant (or Basant) Panchami

RAKSHA BANDHAN – DAY OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS

HARYALI TEEJ – THE DAUGHTER’S DAY

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