Karwachauth 2011

Karwa Chauth is a festival that is waited all year long among the married women. It gives them a chance get close to their in-laws. All married women observes fast on this day that ensures the well-being, prosperity and longevity of their husbands. The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated mostly in North India. With changing times this festival has gained much importance. In addition to the traditional items such as henna, beauty products and fashionable clothes, the demand of special eateries are also gearing up.

For the long life of their husbands, women observe this very hard fast (where they do not drink even water the whole day). So wishing all the married ladies a very Happy Karwa Chauth.

The Qutub Festival 2011

Way back in 12th century AD, the founder of slave dynasty in India, Qutub-ud-din-Aibak laid down the foundation of what today is called the tallest stone tower in the world - Qutub Minar. His son-in-law, Iltumish further carried on the construction work and Feroz Shah Tughlaq and Sikandar Lodhi carried on the repair work.

Today, Qutub Minar is a monumental heritage of India that has also secured itself a place in the prestigious UNESCO World heritage Site. An annual Qutub Festival is organised in the premises of the monument to celebrate the diverse Indian culture and heritage. The festival also aims to draw national and international attention towards this monument whose significance in Indian history can never be negated.

AND THIS QUTUB FESTIVAL WILL SOON BE BACK THIS YEAR! Various artists from all over the country will be performing in the Qutub Festival. The festival is a must see for all those who love Indian music and culture. There are also classical dance performances from different parts of the country. The festival will be organized for 3 days by the tourism department.

Travellers from around the world can plan their trip to India around this festival. Apart from enjoying the cultural extravaganza during the fest, tourists can also explore other historical and modern treasures of Delhi and its surrounding areas. These would invariably include the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, Akshardham Temple and Rajghat in Delhi. Moving out of Delhi, you have a number of other options to explore. Taj Mahal in Agra should be top on your list if still haven't seen the wonderful beauty. Apart from it, the hill stations of north India like Shimla, Manali, Kufri, Patnitop, Srinagar and many more.

Do plan a visit around the Qutbu festival. We will keep you posted about the date of the festival.

The Legend of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura

This is a very famous legend associated with Durga Puja Festival.

There was once a demon king by the name of Mahishasura who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. His tough penance pleased Lord Shiva so much that he granted him a boon - that no man or deity will ever be able to kill him.

Armed with such a boon, Mahishasura went about terrorizing both human and gods. His atrocities both troubled and saddened Gods and they sought Lord Brahma's assistance in the matter. Lord Brahma, along with Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and other Gods of the heaven decided that since no man or deity could kill Mahishasura, a woman with ultimate powers to kill the demon king was the only solution. Thus Goddess Durga was created with the divine powers of all the gods who also armed her with the best of the weapons.

A tough battle followed wherein Goddess Durga first vanquished the army of Mahishasura and then beheaded him.

The outcome pleased the Gods as they sang praises of Goddess Durga. Since then, the worship of Goddess Durga began.

Kerala Festivals

Festivals of Kerala

Kerala India is an ultimate state, which is also famous as God's Own Country. Even in recent time its cultural values and traditions of the centuries are still intact. The colorful Kerala festivals are celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm, which have their significant social importance. The most popular festivals of Kerala are:

Onam:
Onam is the most popular as well as the famous festival in Kerala. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August-September). It is celebrated for 10 days, which is the real amalgamation of folk dances, music and old traditions with new developing customs.

Boat Race Festival:
This is a major river carnival, which is a part of Aaranmula Temple festival. Aaranmula Boat Race is being organized every year in the month of August or September, in the fascinating village of Aaranmula. The prime attraction of this race is snake boats, which are called 'Palliyodams'.

Thrissur Pooram:
Thrissur Pooram is another prime festival of Kerala, which is celebrated on the Pooram day in the month of April-May. It is celebrated at Vadakkunnathan temple of Thrissur district with procession of decorated elephants..

Pongal:
Pongal is an important festival of Kerala. It is a festival of sun which is celebrated in the month of January. It is a four day festival, in which first, second, third and fourth day are celebrated as Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal respectively.

So plan a Kerala festival tour to enjoy the colorful Kerala festivals.

Navratri Festival to Begin from 27th September

The famous Navratri festival is about to begin from 27th September. This will set the festive season rolling.

Navratri or nine nights is dedicated to the the various form of Hindu goddesses.

The first three days is dedicated to Maa Durga, the Goddess of valor.


The next three days are dedicated to Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.


The last three days are dedicated to Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge.


On the ninth day, Kanya Puja is performed that worships the nine form of Goddess. Nine young girls are invited to household, their feet are washed and they are gifted clothes and money as a mark of respect to Goddess Durga.

Aranmula Boat Race

Have you ever seen hundreds of beautifully decorated boats at one place? If no then you must see the Aranmula boat race, which is being held at the Pampa river. This year this boat race is being celebrated today (13 September 2011). Every year travelers and participant from all around the globe gather at the shores of Pampa river Kerala to witness this great event. This event is manily related to the Aranmula temple and has a religious significance. Every year this boat race is organized to celebrate Onam, which is a very popluar festival of Kerala state.

Just imagine the view of hundreds of Snake boats (or Vallamkali) geraing up for a competition. Simply amazing and speechless. Its definitely an experince of a lifetime. Check out this photos of this year boat race.