Ram Navami

India is a land of festivals and fairs and in almost everymonth we celebrate one festival. Our next festival is the Ram Navami on the 3^rd of April. Ram Navami is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Rama. In India it the day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and spirit. There is no person in India who has not heard the name of Ram irrespective of cast and religion. Shri Ram was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and was born in Ayodhya. Ram Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the first fortnight of Chaitra. It is celebrated with great devotion across the nation and every region has its own region belief behind the celebration.

The Celebration

Different people celebrate in different ways but the celebration begins with prayer of the sun in early morning, chanting vedic mantras etc. At mid day when Lord Rama supposed to have been born a special prayer is performed. People sing devotional songs and rock images of Ram in a cradle.

People also keep fast through out the day and break it at mid night with milk and fruit. In some parts of India people take out procession of Ram, Sita lakshman and Hanuma. People visits temple and Ramayana and Racharaita are also read. Ram Navami is an important festival in India which signify peace and prosperity. Places like Ayodhya, Ujjain and Ramashearam draws tons of devotees during the festival.

Holi

'Holi hai' ... yeah the Indian festival of colour is on the way. It is on the 10^th and 11^th of March (2009). Dipped in hues of love and trust has come the festival of colours. It is undoubtedly the most fun filled and vibrant Hindu festival. This festival brings happiness and mirth, music and dance, play and ppranks, sweets and snacks and of course lots of bright colours. Holi is celebrated on the full moon day on the month of Phalgoon, generally in February or March. There are legends over the festival which means the triumph of good over evil. It also celebrates the spring.

Unlike other festival it is the time to disregarding social norms and social taboos and indulge in general merry making. This festival bridge the social gap by spraying colours to others. The celebration is made by attending a bonfire, rubbing gulal or colour to the friends and family and generally 'let loose'. The pranks generally which are offensive are allowed during holi, like spraying coloured water on passers-by, getting intoxicated on bhaang are perfectly alright. People play colourful pranks and get away with anything by saying "Don't mind, it's Holi!" (Hindi = Bura na mano, Holi hai.). People enjoy freedom during holi rather aggressively.

Holi is a wonderful chance to send warm wishes, blessings and love to the near and dear ones wrapped in a sweet holi gift. Mouth watering dishes like 'Gujhias' and 'Papris', 'malpua' and 'thandai' are made to add sweetness to the colours. There are different stories behind celebration of holi in the diffe

rent regions of India but the purpose is one – to make the world colourful. Is not it the festival is a very happy and holy affair?

Have a colourful holi...