Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Indian Holidays and Festivals

Independence Day (Link1) (Link2)

Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri falls on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna (February- March), and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, one of the main Hindu deities. Maha Shivratri is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. The festival is observed for one day and one night only. Maha Shivratri is universally observed with fasting, singing of bhajans, recital of Sanskrit shlokas, offering of prayers, flowers, fruits and food that is specially prepared in honor of the deity and his wife, goddess Parvati.

Raksha Bandhan

This much loved festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana in India. "Raksha" means protection, "bandhan" means bound or binding. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is entirely dedicated to the love and affection shared between a brother and a sister. On this day, sisters pray for long life of their brothers and ask God to bless them with his blessings. Brothers, in turn, give them enticing rakhi gifts and promise to care life long. This custom has been there since time immemorial. Various other believes are associated with Rakhi and therefore, people follow certain custom and tradition to celebrate this festival. This frail of thread of Rakhi is considered as stronger than iron chains as it binds the most beautiful relationship in an inseparable bond of love and trust. Rakhi festival also has a social significance because it underlines the notion that everybody should live in harmonious coexistence with each other.

Janmashtami

By Vishwa Rao

Janamashtmi or the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna -- the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. It falls on the eighth day of the waning moon in the month of Shravan in August/ September. Lord Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight on this day. The day is marked by fasting, feasting, raslila and singing hymns. Lord Krishna is one of the most loved and adored Gods of Hindu religion. His Childhood / Bal Leela depicts various episodes between the period of his birth till the age of ten. Lord Krishna right from the time of his birth displayed the signs of his divine being. As the legend goes, Lord Krishna was born on a stormy night in Mathura in a prison cell. In order to save infant Krishna from his cruel uncle, the parents exchange their kid with the daughter of Yashoda and Nanda, the cowherd lord. In most homes and temples the idol of infant Krishna is bathed at midnight and is placed in a cradle. This spectacle is called Jhanki. The cradle is rocked in an attempt to relive the time Lord Krishna was born amidst chanting of prayers, hymns and blowing of conch shells. Krishna’s childhood are recreated especially the scenes of stealing butter and curds from earthenware pots by Krishna. Pots or matkas are suspended high above the ground and young men and children form human pyramids to try and reach these pots and eventually break them. Killing Kansa, then Putna, taming the serpent Kalia, holding up Mountain Goverdhan to the battle of Mahabharata are all fascinating. But the greatest gift to humanity is the Bhagwat Gita or The Divine Song delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna before the start of the battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Navaratri Every Indian festival has a reason and significance behind its celebration. It is not just celebrated for fun and enjoyment. There is a proper meaning behind its celebration. Similarly with the festival of Navaratri there is a significance and meaning attached to it. Salutations to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe. This festival is observed in the month Aswayuja (September-October). It lasts for nine days in honor of the nine manifestations of Durga. During Navaratri (the word literally means “nine nights”) devotees of Durga observe a fast. The nine nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwin of the bright fortnight. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day of Vijay Dashmi or Dussehra, when the idols of the Goddess Shakti are immersed in the river. Dussehra is considered an important festival. Though the festival celebrates the worship of Goddess Durga; Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati as well are the incarnations of Goddess Shakti (the Mother Goddess). The festival signifies power, wealth, prosperity and knowledge. The Durga Puja is celebrated in various parts of India in different styles. But the one basic aim of this celebration is to propitiate Shakti, the Goddess in Her aspect as Power, to bestow upon man all wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge (both sacred and secular), and all other potent powers. Whatever be the particular or special request that everyone may put before the Goddess, whatever boon may be asked of Her, the one thing behind all these is propitiation, worship and linking oneself with Her. There is no other aim. This is being affected consciously or unconsciously. Everyone is blessed with Her loving mercy and is protected by Her.

Significance of Deepawali

By Vishwa Rao

Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers, and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor, and fame. The word "Deepavali" is a combination of the words ‘Deepa’ and ‘vali’, the former meaning ‘light’ and the latter meaning ‘a row’. The word symbolizes the rows of lights, which can be seen at the houses of Hindu celebrants. What is the significance of lighting a lamp? There is a logical answer to this question. It is through the light that the beauty of this world is revealed or experienced. Most civilizations of the world recognize the importance of light as a gift of God. It has always been a symbol of whatever is positive in our world of experience. Deepavali is the Indian festival that brings a series of festivals with it. One after another we get a chance to celebrate five festivals together. The people of all age groups and classes with equal zeal and enthusiasm celebrate Deepavali throughout India. They put on new apparels and participate in the various activities that are related to Deepavali celebrations. Deepavali is not only a festival of celebrations such as lightings, crackers, cleanliness, colorful rangoli making, social gatherings to exchange greetings and sharing sweets with your loved ones but it is also a festival that is filled with spiritualism and religious activities such as worship of Goddess Lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Mother Kali, worship of Lord Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat. To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering etc. The celebration of the five-day long festival, Deepavali begins on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shudha Vijaya. The first day of this festival begins with 'Dhan Trayodashi' or 'Dhanteras'. After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi the second day of Deepavali is 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popular as 'Chhoti Diwali'. The third day of Deepavali, which is also called 'Badi Diwali' is the main day of celebrations of the festival of Deepavali. People perform Lakshmi Pooja (worship of divine Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to her to bless them with wealth and prosperity. The fourth day of Deepavali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). The fifth day of the Deepavali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honor the brother-sister relationship.

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