Goa Wine Festival - Fly away to get flown away...

Goa has always captured the imagination of the new India with its unconventional and not quite like Bharat ways and attitude. Celebrating the glory of anything that is associated with alcohol is enough to raise the eye-brows of many who go gaga over tradition and culture in India. But breaking away from the views of these bigots comes again the Goa Grape Escapade, a wine fiesta that is celebrating its sixth anniversary this year.

Observed under the banner of The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Goa Grape Escapade is the Indian answer to the coveted Oktoberfest (beer festival of Munich), the famous Australian Beer Festival and many other in its category.

This four day long wine extravaganza starts on January 23, 2010 and is all set to host a bevy of wine manufactures of repute and recognition. Names like Kingfisher Bohemia, Indage Vintners, Four Season wines, Zampa wines and lot more will showcase their vintage collection of liquor in this mega show.

Wine connoisseurs from all over the globe flock to Goa to be a part of this unique event. This Goa wine festival is not only confined to the showcase of the finest wine; it accommodates the hugely popular grape stomping event where guests are requested to crush grapes with their feet to mark the commencement of the celebrations.

I remember reading this quote somewhere: "Making good wine is a skill. Fine wine is an art." Artists and poets are long influenced by the intoxicating creativity of wine. Great wine may make a way through your mind and psyche to bring out the long hidden wishes and half asleep dreams.

Well, I need not spend my words more as the zealots knows it all...

Heritage Pune, 2010

SPIC MACAY and ICCR joins hand to celebrate Indian Culture

Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth, widely and popularly referred to as SPIC MACAY commands a very special and significant mention when it comes to the rich Indian culture and art forms . Since its inception, SPIC MACAY has done a tremendous job in preserving and promoting the composite and diverse cultural bequests of our country to the youth through numerous festivals, events and concerts.

This time around its Pune's turn to get classy and coveted as SPIC MACAY in collaboration with Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) has organized Heritage Pune 2010. The fifteen day extravaganza commences from January 15, 2010 and ends on January 30, 2010. Sticking to the objective of SPIC MACAY, this series will be conducted in over 20 different institutions across the city with almost 40 concerts by 25 prominent artistes from all over the country. Heritage Pune 2010 is a free to all festival without any entry fee.

The festival gets a fitting flag off with a flute recital by none other than Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia at the College of Engineering, Pune. The highlight of the festival is to have an one on one interaction between the students and the artistes on topics like folk culture and art, classical music, theatre, yoga, meditation and so on.

Another aspect related to Heritage 2010, Pune is to showcase these cultural pearls to the foreign students studying in Pune. This will definitely help the process of cultural amalgamation and would facilitate cross cultural interaction.

Onam :Festival of Frolics and Delicacies marking the Carnival of Kerala

Onam the biggest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala, sets the plethora for the majestic welcome of the legendary King Mahabali. It descents in the Malayi month of Chingam ( August- September). The Carnival of Kerala lasts for ten days and it showcases the best of the culture and tradition of Kerala. The celebration of Onam also marks the onset of the harvest season.

Onam or Thiruonam as it is popularly connoted has a legendary significance in Kerala. It recalls the era of golden fraternity during the reign of King Mahabali. King Mahabali was to believed to be very generous and kind hearted and was highly regarded by his subjects. But as a king of might he had a reigning ego in himself governing him which became a point of advantage for the gods to stop his growing popularity. However for all the good deeds done by King Mahabali God granted him the boon that he could annually visit his people and his kingdom once in a year.

It is this visit of Mahabali which is celebrated as Onam every year. Malayalis or the people of Kerala enjoy this festival with great pomp and valour.

The best part about the festival of Onam is the variety of palatable dishes being served. The grand feast which is also known as Onasadya is a nine course meal consisting of mainly 11 to 13 essential dishes. Onasadya is served on large banana leaves and people savour it sitting on the floor.

Another enchanting phenomenon of Onam is Vallamkali (the snake boat race) which is held on the river Pampa in Kerala. It is really vivacious watching the colourful boats being rowed by hundreds of Boatmen at a stance and the spectators cheering them amidst chanting of songs. Women engage themselves in cultural activities like making flower mats called Pookalam in the front courtyard to welcome the mighty king Mahabali. Kaikotti kali (Kathakali dance form) and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by Women on the festival of Onam.

Although the festival of Onam has its origin in Hindu Mythology but Onam is celebrated with equal fervour without any differentiation in class, creed, or diversity.

Diwali : Festival of light and Carnival

Diwali being around, we feel the aura of delight and enthusiasm reigning the air. Deepavali is a festival where people of all age groups participate and they give expression to their happiness by lighting Diyas (hand made earthern lamps). Basically Diwali is a festival which takes us into a carnival mood and complete vivacity.

Deepavali in Sanskrit language means 'an array or a row of lamps'. Filling clay lamps with oil and lighting them in a row is enchanting in itself. Diwali is associated with many traditions and even today when we follow those customs it makes us realise our glorious past of our country and teaches us to uphold the values. Diwali reckons in the veins enthusiasm of crackers, light and lots of delicacies.

Deepavali as it is famously connoted is one festival which indulges people of all age groups. A festive mood and a total Carnival atmosphere thrives in the whole environment. The lighting of the lamps is a way of paying respect and reverence to the almighty for the attainment of wealth, glory, knowledge, fame, and valour.

It is one day in the whole year when kids get up early from their bed. They emerge literally scrubbed clean as they get new pair of attires and lots of crackers and Sparklers. People especially in North India celebrate this festival with thorough Pomp and Show. They light up little oil lamps, scented incense sticks and enjoy to the fullest. In the evening people do the Laxmi Pujan ( offering prayers to goddess Laxmi ) as she is believed to be the bestower of fame and wealth.

There is a story attached with the lighting of the lamps. Mythology has its say that either a light or a lamp shoos away the ignorance factor from the life of the individual. It is also believed that light is a metaphor of knowledge which truly personifies the beauty of the World.

Diwali also calls for celebration as this is the day when Lord Ram came back to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.

Ladakh Festival: Unfurling the Colour of the Hills

Ladakh is a land incomparable with any other place in the world. Adding to its might and lustre are the two of the World's greatest mountain ranges the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges. Ladakh lies in a region at an altitude ranging from 9000 feet in Kargil to 25,170 feet at Saser Kangri in Karakoram. This beautiful land much known for its scenic beauty is again in news for its “Ladakh Festival” which starts from the1st of September 2009.

The much awaited festival is starting on 1st of September from Chubi to the Pologround which passes through the Leh Baazar. This festival brings out the the real colour of the Hill culture. One would find different peasantries with their cultural troupes in colourful costumes and Polo horses who would participate in the procession.

On the 2nd of September there would be the famous Chams Mask Dance which is a mark of Ladakh. Following the tradition thereafter on the 3rd of September they have their tradition of showcasing their archery skills with river rafting and Camel Safari on the sand dunes, Tsomorir- ri-festival, Khatok Chenma to be held at the Leh Palace, Nubra festival (caravan on silk route)then a music concert on the days following thereafter.

The Ladakh festival would go on till 15th of September. On the last day the closing ceremony would take place on the Polo ground.

Dussehra : Festival of Enthrallment Engulfing the Soul

Whenever Indian Panorama lures our mind we think of festivals . India is better known as for festivals. India is a land of cultural as well religious diversity. Therefore every Festival in India is an epitome in itself of a cultural and religious amalgamation. Thus coming September we would be savoured with an array of festivals ofcourse Dussehra being the main menu.

Dussehra means an illusory excitement which slowly fills the entire environment. It all means festival time. People are seen all over the market area bustling hard to get their choicest clothes and gifts. Therefore literally Dussehra is said to be the first big festival of the season.

Legends associated with the celebration

Dussehra falls on the 10^th day of the luminous moon during the Hindu month of Ashvin in the month of September. Legend has it that Dussehra is of Goddess Durga slaying of the Buffalo-Demon Mahishasur. According to Folklore, the Gods bestowed Mahishasur with indomitable powers as a boon for his unparalleled penance . As per the expectation Mahishasur raised hell at the doors of the Heaven forcing the Gods to flee. Then it were the Gods who with there combined effort created Durga coagulating all their powers within her to destroy the mighty Mahishasur. It is well known as Durga Puja in West Bengal.

Mythology goes with the another legend that on this day Ram (God King) of the great Hindu Epic Ramayana killed the unvirtuous Ravana. Ravana was the 10 headed demon who had abducted Sita , Ram's wife.

According to the epic of Ramayana Lord Ram along with his brother Lakshman and an army of Ape men (monkeys) fought an enormous war which lasted for 10 days. Ram who is said to be a devout believer of Durga (Shakti ) prayed to the goddess for the first nine days of the battle and killed the evil Ranvana on the 10^th day . Ravana is said to have penanced and fetched the nectar pot of immortality which he stored in his navel. It is said that Ram shot Ravana with an arrow that pierced his navel thereby outflowing the nectar of invincibility.

Ram is said to be known with this secret through Vibhisana, Ravana's own brother. Dussehra is a festival which commemorates good over evil. This 10^th day also marks with the Ram Lila enactments where the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath(son of Ravana), Kumbhakarana( brother of Ravana) are burnt.

Navratri

Navratri or the festival of nine nights is celebrated during the first nine days of the Hindu month of Ashvin (September- October). The festival is dedicated to mother Shakti in her nine forms. The season is also considered as an auspicious one as it is basically associated with the sowing of seeds. The after Navratri that is the 10^th day when Dussehra is celebrated. The festival of Navratri is celebrated with lots of fascination in the region of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The highlights of the festival are the colourful dances of Garba and Dandiya Raas where men and women of all sects perform on the same platform.

All the celebrations related to Dussehra have a special significance in varied regions of India according to the culture and traditions.

Ganesh Chaturthi: Hallmark for a pious beginning

Salutations to the Beginner of eternity who is the supreme lord and is the source of all the bliss himself. Lord Ganesha is considered to be the bestower of all the virtuous qualities and the attainer of all the successful undertakings.

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular Festivals amongst the Hindu fraternity. Largely speaking this festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha and it befalls on the 4rth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada in the month between August – September.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival observed world wide with utter diligence by devoted hindu . Enthusiasm reigns in much before the commencement of the festival. Clay figures of the diety are made and are being worshipped. The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi may start on from 2 days which lasts for even 10 days like in the state of Maharashtra and then it is submerged in water bodies.

Mythology goes with the predicament that Lord Ganesha is the god with elephant's head. He is said to be worshipped first before any auspicious activity or prayer. He is said to be the Lord of Power and wisdom and is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Gauri .By worshipping Lord Ganesha mothers hope to get the virtues and the knowledge of Lord Ganesha in their kids.

The following story goes as about the birth of lord Ganesha and how he got an elephant's head.

Once upon a time Goddess Gauri ( consort of Lord Shiva) , while bathing created the mighty lord Ganesha out of the mud of her body. She placed the live idol on the entrance of the house instructing not to allow anybody in while she was bathing. In the meantime Lord Shiva was returning home quite thirsty and he was stopped by Ganesha at the entrance which infuriated Lord Shiva. Shiva was enraged and cut off Ganesha's head thinking him to be an outsider.

This incident led into an utter en grief in goddess Gauri. Knowing his mistake Lord Shiva ordered to get him the head of any creature sleeping facing his towards the north.. The servants finding nothing fruitful got the head of an elephant which was joined by the lord on the body of Ganesha.

Lord Shiva also blessed Ganesha making him worthy of worship at the beginning of all the activities, marriages, studies etc. He anointed the annual worship of Lord Ganesha on the fourth day of the bright half of the Bhadrapada.

It is believed that without the blessings and the grace of lord Ganesha nothing fruitful can be achieved.

Lord Ganesha is said to be very fond of sweet puddings or balls of rice flour with a sweet tinge.

On the day of Ganesha Chaturthi, it is believed to meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha.