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.

Baisakhi Festival 2010

Festival Date: 13^th April, 2010

Location: Punjab

Baisakhi is round the corner. So, how's the preparation going on? Sikh Communities residing in different parts of the world are all set to fill the aura with fun and frolic. This year, make a plan to celebrated the auspicious April 13 in Punjab, situated in the northwest part of India. Enthusiasts have already started to decorate their surroundings and folks have started to prepare best to welcome you in the playful Bhangra dance.

Baisakhi festival signifies the commencement of a new 'Rabi Crop' season. The festival depicts the historic saga of Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9^th Sikh Guru. Legend has it that, Guru sacrificed his life to achieve religious rights of Hindus and Sikh. In order to fulfill Guru's lingered dream, Baisakhi Day was declared by his son, Guru Gobind Singh at Keshgarh Sahib 1699.

On the festival day, devotees follow the tradition of taking holy bath and visiting divine Gurudwaras. They read the religious hymns mentioned in 'Guru Granth Sahib and express gratitude to Guru for their successful cropping. Baisakhi commemorates the birth anniversary of Khalsa Panth. Accordingly, Sikhs are ordered to wear five K's- Kesh (long Hair), Kanga (comb), Kripan (dagger), Kachha (shorts) and Kara (bracelet). In order to celebrate the occasion, a traditional 'Karah Prasad' is prepared and grand feast is organized in Langar style.

Besides, rituals and delicious Punjabi festival cuisines, you will find the fun-filled shopping extravaganza in the colorful 'Baisakhi Mela'. The fair ground carries a number of make-shift food stalls and shopping outlets. Cuisines like Makki Ki Rotti, Sarso Ki Saang, Halwa etc are best menus to pamper your taste-buds; while durries, wood work and hand-woven shawls are must buy ones'

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your luggage......'Yaaro Aai Baisakhi'.....

Good Friday Celebration in Goa

Festival Date: 2nd April, 2010.
Location: Goa

The holy Good Friday reflects the crucifixion and death of Lord Jesus Christ. Its a triumph in tragedy, which Catholics has been observing since time immemorial. The Christan festival act as a sense of inspiration to human beings on the Earth. The revered date fall annually on the March/April (according to religious Christian Calendar). Believers, all over the globe takes an opportunity to participate in religious activities, followed by offering services toward mankind.

Goans heartily welcomes Good Friday with gala occasions. The divine Churches in Old Goa are decorated and rituals mark the aura, early on Thursday. Grand feast commemorating the last supper are organized.

On the festival day, devout Christians participate in reading holy lines from the Old and New Testament. Renditions of the passion and suffering of Lord Jesus are sang by the priests. The prayers have deep significance and touch the core of followers heart.

After completion of the first session, the crucifix is uncovered and people in queue, come forward to venerate it. Lastly, 'holy Communion' is distributed to the congregation and the big image of Christ nailed to the cross, is unveiled. Enthusiasts take pride to carry sober procession on open street. The life-size statue of Lord Christ is placed in a casket and are taken out of the churches. Some people dress themselves in old Jewish costumes and take active participation in singing mournful hymns through the streets. Devotees also shoulder a statue of Mother Marry and holy cross, on the procession.

After long hours of procession, followers return to the church and perform the sermon of ' Soledade (solitude). It deals with the saying of Mother Marry, who was standing alone at the foot of the cross and was helplessly watching her son's crucifixion.

Holi Celebration With Rangoli & Party

Unlike past years, Holi celebration, this 2010 followed an uncommon theme. Delhi'ites left no chance to soak in the colors of joy and so did I. I have no strong desire to play with colors, but this time, I could not stop myself from celebrating this popular festival of India

The excitement was announced a few days prior to the festival, when Rangoli competition was conducted by the management team of the company, I'm working with. Though, I was never done with making rangoli with colors, yet it took no time for me to participate in the occasion. Like me, a handsome number of employees took part in the festivity. The intra-competition took place on 26th Feb'10, following playing with gulal on the next day. Imagine! We had celebration carrying the concept of 'chhoti Holi'. Isn't it extra-ordinary?.


Well, this time, festival lovers enjoyed Holi for two consecutive days- Sunday & Monday. In many parts of the India, the auspicious occasion was started from the morning hours of Sunday. Both children and adults took active part to drench themselves and others with the colorful water. Even, quite many times, I was targeted with water-balloons and pichkaris.


As always, festivals in India calls for great galas. People warm up the aura with beating drums and nagadas and sway with the high-pitch tunes. I and close friends of mine arranged a mini-party on the eve of the festival. We had cooked yummy delicacies such as Khujiya, Payasam, Puri, Kachori and Chips and off-course 'Dhandai' (Bhang). The sound- system in my home add to the festival spirit. We had great time tapping feet with the rhythm of 'Rang Barse'. The celebration wind up in the evening hours on Monday.