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Kumbh Mela
All festivals of Hindus are primarily religious in significance and character, and Kumbh Mela is one of the main festivals for Hindus. It has been sometimes recorded to be one of the largest gatherings to be held anywhere on the planet.
Unlike all other festivals, Kumbh Mela is not an annual festival. This festival is held four times in every twelve years. Kumbh means a pot and mela means fair. The legend says that ages ago, demigods and demons, who are usually always at odds, signed a temporary deal to work together for churning the milk ocean and extracting the nectar of immortality from the lap of the ocean. Demigods and demons worked together to churn the ocean and finally the nectar of immortality appeared. However, the demons ran away with this kumbha or pot without giving demigods their rightful share on the nectar. Then ensued a fight for nectar that lasted for twelve days, and during this battle some drops of the nectar from the kumbha fell at four different places on this earth and they were Nasik, Haridwar, Prayag and Ujjain. The Kumbha Mela is organized at these four places during the twelve year period.
The ardh or half Kumbh Mela is observed every six years at Prayag and Haridwar. The purna or complete Kumbh Mela is held every twelve years at four places: Haridwar, Ujjain, Prayag or Nasik. And the maha or the greatest Kumbh Mela is held once every 144 years (after 12 purna Kumbh Melas) at Prayag. The last Maha Kumbh Mela to be held was in year 2001 and saw over 60 million people gathering to take a dip in holy waters.
Taking ritual bath in the holy waters is the major event of the festival. This is the only time when one can get to see holy men, who usually hide themselves in cave of Himalayas, coming down to take a dip in the holy waters. A lot of westerns who happened to attend one of the Kumbh Melas have talked about it as a life changing experience. There is definitely something divine to this fare.
Posted in India, Indian Festivals
Tagged Haridwar, Kumbh Mela, Nasik, Prayag, Ujjain.
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Dussehra – Vijaydashami
Dussehra or Vijaydashami is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated all across India and Nepal and also some parts of Bangladesh. Vijay in Hindi means victory and dashami means the tenth day; the festival observes victory of Lord Ram over the ten-headed demon king Ravana, and this particular day happened to fall on tenth day of the bright fortnight of Hindu month of Ashvin (September-October) and hence the name Vijaydashami. The celebrations are actually ten days long, Dussehra being the tenth and the last day. The first nine days are also called Navratre during which Goddess Durga is worshipped in her many forms.
It is believed that the powerful demon king Ravana was tormenting the saintly people during that time and Lord Ram, believed to be seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, took advent specifically to kill this evil demon and protect the saintly people. To cut the long story small, Lord Ram was exiled to forest for 14 years by His step mother, and during the 13th year of their exile, Ravana abducted Mother Sita, the consort of Lord Ram. Thus ensued a fierce battle, which ended with the killing of the demon king and the day he was killed, is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaydashami.
Effigies of Ravana are burnt during this day during the evening time. A lot of outdoor fairs are organised and large parades are also taken out depicting different events of Lord Ram’s life. Throughout Northern India, Ram-lilas’ (dramatic version of epic Ramayana) are organised which go on for all ten days of the festival and are a big attraction both for children and adults. Ardent Hindus also offer special worship to Deities and it is not unusual to see people with a red vermillion mark on their forhead.
It is believed that the powerful demon king Ravana was tormenting the saintly people during that time and Lord Ram, believed to be seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, took advent specifically to kill this evil demon and protect the saintly people. To cut the long story small, Lord Ram was exiled to forest for 14 years by His step mother, and during the 13th year of their exile, Ravana abducted Mother Sita, the consort of Lord Ram. Thus ensued a fierce battle, which ended with the killing of the demon king and the day he was killed, is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaydashami.
Effigies of Ravana are burnt during this day during the evening time. A lot of outdoor fairs are organised and large parades are also taken out depicting different events of Lord Ram’s life. Throughout Northern India, Ram-lilas’ (dramatic version of epic Ramayana) are organised which go on for all ten days of the festival and are a big attraction both for children and adults. Ardent Hindus also offer special worship to Deities and it is not unusual to see people with a red vermillion mark on their forhead.
Posted in Dussehra – Vijaydashami
Tagged Dussehra, Ravana effigy burning, Vijaydashami
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India-Republic Day
Indian Republic Day
Governor/Chief Minister of the State in the public function at their respective state capitals. This day is also observed in all the schools, colleges and educational institutions of the country where the head of the institution hoists the national flag and takes the salute of their students.
Every Indian citizen is proud to be a part of such a rich, cultural and democratic country. People all over the country come together and celebrates this day with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm.
Baladeva Purnima – The birthday of Lord Balram
Balram is the elder brother of Lord Krishna and Balram Purnima is considered to be His birthday. Balram Purnima falls on the full moon day of Hindu month of Bhadra and is followed by Sri Krishna’ birth on the eighth day of the same month.
Balram was son of Vasudeva and Devaki and Kamsa had imprisoned them both as one prediction said that the eighth child of Vasudeva and Devaki would be the reason of Kamsa’s death. Evil Kamsa, out of scariness, imprisoned his own sister and brother-in-law so that he could kill all the children born of the couple. Balram was the seventh child of Devaki and Vasudev; however, by divine arrangement, He was transferred from womb of Devaki to womb of Rohini, who was the other wife of Vasudeva and was residing in Vrindavan at that time. Because of this reason, one other name of Balram is Sankarshan, which means that he was transferred from one womb to another.
The Hindu scripture Srimad Bhagavatam says that Krishna is the fountain head of all incarnations and there is no other truth superior to Him. The same scripture says that Balram is the first expansion of Lord Krishna and it is from Balram that all other Vishnu incarnations appear. Thus, Balram Prabhu is also Supreme Lord and is second to none but Krishna.
Devotees observe fasting on this day and read about various pastimes of Lord Balram, who is famously called Haldhar, or the one who carries plough. He is also considered to be original Spiritual Master, and He is the one who can guide devotees on the right path so that they can meet Krishna and end their repeated cycle of birth and death. Thus devotees on this day pray for Lord Balram’s mercy.
Balram was son of Vasudeva and Devaki and Kamsa had imprisoned them both as one prediction said that the eighth child of Vasudeva and Devaki would be the reason of Kamsa’s death. Evil Kamsa, out of scariness, imprisoned his own sister and brother-in-law so that he could kill all the children born of the couple. Balram was the seventh child of Devaki and Vasudev; however, by divine arrangement, He was transferred from womb of Devaki to womb of Rohini, who was the other wife of Vasudeva and was residing in Vrindavan at that time. Because of this reason, one other name of Balram is Sankarshan, which means that he was transferred from one womb to another.
The Hindu scripture Srimad Bhagavatam says that Krishna is the fountain head of all incarnations and there is no other truth superior to Him. The same scripture says that Balram is the first expansion of Lord Krishna and it is from Balram that all other Vishnu incarnations appear. Thus, Balram Prabhu is also Supreme Lord and is second to none but Krishna.
Devotees observe fasting on this day and read about various pastimes of Lord Balram, who is famously called Haldhar, or the one who carries plough. He is also considered to be original Spiritual Master, and He is the one who can guide devotees on the right path so that they can meet Krishna and end their repeated cycle of birth and death. Thus devotees on this day pray for Lord Balram’s mercy.
Posted in Hindu rituals, Indian Festivals, Mythology
Tagged Baladeva purnima, Evil Kamsa, Srimad Bhagavatam
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Durga Puja
Most of the Hindu festivals are connected to worshipping of divine or some of the pastimes of divine. Durga Puja is no exception. Durga Puja is one of the very important festivals for Hindus and is the biggest festival in Bengal. Durga Devi or Goddess Durga is presiding deity of material energy. The festival of Durga Puja lasts for nine days in total, and thus the festival is also called navratre in many parts of the country; the last day of the festival sees the ritual of immersing the deity of Goddess Durga in a water body like river, lake or ocean.
Three different forms of Goddess are worshipped during the nine days. The initial three days of the navratre, it is Goddess Durga that is worshipped - the Goddess sitting on a giant lion and holding different weapons in her ten arms. Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Narayan or Vishnu, is worshipped during the following three days and the last three days of the festival sees the worship of Goddess Saraswati – the Goddess of learning and knowledge. This culminates the nine days festival; however the next day or tenth day is the festival of Vijaydashami – the festival to celebrate the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana; and thus the festival becomes ten days long instead of nine.
Many different rituals are observed during the nine days dedicated to the worship of
Goddess Durga. Many people abstain from eating grains and beans during the whole nine days and even those people who normally eat meat products become vegetarian during this period. Recitations of Durga Shaptshati take place during the whole nine days. Durga Shaptshati is composition of different verses glorifying Durga Devi and has in total 700 verses, and thus the term Shaptshati, which is 700 in Sanskrit.
Posted in Durga Puja, Hindu rituals, Indian Festivals
Tagged Bengali durga puja, Durga Puja
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Baladeva Purnima – The birthday of Lord Balram
Balram is the elder brother of Lord Krishna and Balram Purnima is considered to be His birthday. Balram Purnima falls on the full moon day of Hindu month of Bhadra and is followed by Sri Krishna’ birth on the eighth day of the same month.
Balram was son of Vasudeva and Devaki and Kamsa had imprisoned them both as one prediction said that the eighth child of Vasudeva and Devaki would be the reason of Kamsa’s death. Evil Kamsa, out of scariness, imprisoned his own sister and brother-in-law so that he could kill all the children born of the couple. Balram was the seventh child of Devaki and Vasudev; however, by divine arrangement, He was transferred from womb of Devaki to womb of Rohini, who was the other wife of Vasudeva and was residing in Vrindavan at that time. Because of this reason, one other name of Balram is Sankarshan, which means that he was transferred from one womb to another.
The Hindu scripture Srimad Bhagavatam says that Krishna is the fountain head of all incarnations and there is no other truth superior to Him. The same scripture says that Balram is the first expansion of Lord Krishna and it is from Balram that all other Vishnu incarnations appear. Thus, Balram Prabhu is also Supreme Lord and is second to none but Krishna.
Devotees observe fasting on this day and read about various pastimes of Lord Balram, who is famously called Haldhar, or the one who carries plough. He is also considered to be original Spiritual Master, and He is the one who can guide devotees on the right path so that they can meet Krishna and end their repeated cycle of birth and death. Thus devotees on this day pray for Lord Balram’s mercy.
Navaratri festival - Jai Ambe Ma
Navratri is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. It is a festival of nine nights of
celebration dedicated to goddess Durga or Parvati, the mother of Lord Ganesh. The beauty of this festival is that it is celebrated in a different way in different parts of India. Even today Hindus spread across the world maintain their own traditional way of celebrating Navratri. Since Hinduism does not prescribe a rigid way of worship, different parts of India have developed their own very strong traditions of Navratri celebrations. All are equally beautiful and very colorful.
In the western parts of India this festival is clebrated with Garba and Dandiya Raas. This is traditional folk dance of Gujrat. When performing the garba a lamp is placed inside a decorated earthen pot. Women folk form a circle around it and dance while singing bhajans in praise of goddess Durga or Parvati. In gujrat durga ma is also known as "Ambe ma". The light inside the pot represents life within a womb and the mother goddess "Amba Mata" is worshiped.
The Dandiya raas is performed using colorful sticks that are sometimes festooned and traditionally is performed in a circle around the central diety.
In Bengal and the eastern part of India the Navratri festival is the most important Hindu festival. It is celebrated with great fervor and preparations for it start well in advance. Exquisite durga idols are crafted months in advance for the Durga pooja. Many skilled artisans take orders at least a year in advance to create the idols. The durga idols depcit different avatars of parvati.
Navratri
Posted in Indian Festivals
Tagged dandiya, durga pooja, Navaratri festival, Navratri invitation
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Uggadi festival - warm wishes from Andra pradesh
Udagi festival invitation
Gudi Padwa Festival
Posted in Indian Festivals
Tagged udaddi, ugaddi evite, ugaddi festival, ugaddi invitations
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Makar Sankranti - Kites and til-gul laddoo
Sankranti festival
Posted in Indian Festivals
Tagged Makar Sankranti, Sankranthi festival invitation, Sankranti
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Lohri - The festival of spring
Lohri festival invitation
Posted in Indian Festivals
Tagged Lohri bon fire, Lohri celebration, Lohri invitations, Lohri nights
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