Baisakhi

Hey its time for another festival in India... yep its Baisakhi on the 14th of April.
It is one of the mega events in India. Baisakhi is also a harvest festival, it also the time when the harvest is ready to cut and store to sell. In fact it is celebrated as new year day all over the country under different names. People all over the India celebrate this day with great enthusiasm and spirit.
For the Sikh community, the day is very special. The last Guru of Sikh community, Guru Gobind Singh organised the sikhs into Khalsa on this day. Actually by doing so he cast aside the differences of high and low and established that all human beings are equal. Sikhs celebrate the day by visiting Gurudwaras, merry making and feasting.

In the Northern part of India, it is a beginning of a new year. People celebrate with folk dance, music and feasting. Men and women wears colourful clothes and engrossed themselves in robust bhangra and gidda. There are elaborate meals of chana, bhatura, Sarson da Saag, tandoori roti and mithais of vast variety.

In Bengal the day is celebrated as Nava barsha or Poila baisakh. People embrace each other and enjoy variety of yummy food. People of Assam celebrate the day as Rongali Bihu. Folk songs and bihu dance are the prime attractions of the festival. People of Bihar celebrates Baisakhi as Vaishakha in honour of the Sun God, Surya while the people of Kerala celebrates it as Vishu and Tamil Nadu as Puthandu. In Kashmir, a ceremonial bath and general festivity mark Baisakhi while in Himachal Pradesh people flock to the temple of Jwalamukhi and take a holy dip in the Hot Springs.

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...

Khajuraho Dance festival

The land of fairs and festivals, India has innumerable festivals – it has religious and cultural festivals. Not a single month is with out festival in India. Either there is a religious or cultural festival always there to make people busy and happy. Yeah... here I am talking about another cultural festival of India, Khajuraho dance festival.

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh has made a distinctive place for itself in the world tourism map beacuse of its captivating temples and dance festival. The dance festival takes place every year in the month of February 25^th to Mach. 2^nd. This cultural festival marks the richness of the different classical dance style such as Kathak, Bharat Natyam, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi and Manipuri with excellent perfomances of some of the modern Indian dances which have also been included recently. This The back ground of the festival is an open air auditorium in front of Chitragupta Temple dedicated to God Sun and Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to lord Shiva.

The eminent and famous dancers of India are invited in the festival to perform the art. The artists are honored for their magnificent performances and these are really a cultural delight to the art lovers.

Dance lovers not only from India but also from other parts of the globe try to take part in this enchanting event. This cultural extravaganza is organized by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department and is promoted as one of the major cultural event in Khajuraho.

This dance festival also celebrates the glory of the artistic temples of Khajuraho. The main idea behind Khajuraho Dance Festival is to show the cultural heritage of Khajuraho relevant to the present society and preserving it for the coming generation.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Every year in the month of February the desert land of Jaisalmer becomes lively, vibrant and colourful by the desert festival of Jaisalmer. The back ground of the fair is the majestic Jaisalmer fort. This mega event is sponsored by the Rajasthan Tourism development Corporation. Every year during spring with the advent of full moon night the whole Rajasthan tie their turban for the colourful Desert festival of Jaisalmer. This event is a joyful celebration of the traditional performing art and craft of Rajasthan.

Celebration

A few days before the festival the artist, musician, dancers not only from Jaisalmer but also from other parts of India proceed towards the land of desert in colourful camel caravan. As the D- days dawns the yellow city, Jaisalmer becomes vibrant with colours, folk music, puppet show, enchanting dance and brilliantly hued costume. There are other entertaining activities like turban tying contest, Mr. Desert contest, camel races make the place exciting and interesting. The beating of drums can be heard from the every corner of Jaisalmer. Fireworks at night illuminate the sam sand dunes, and these are really not to be misses event.

There is music every where. There are variety of shops of craft, jewelry, scandals etc mind bowing Rajasthani products. Tourist around the globe come to visit this wonderful during the festival. For the artists it has become a prestigious event to participate in the desert festival. It is also a good platform for the new talents.

Rajasthan is one of the hot destinations in India and event like this really add spice to life. So if you are planning to visit Jaisalmer try to make it on during the desert festival – a totally different world.

In 2009 the fair in on 7^th -9^th February.

Makar Sankranti

The Hindu calender of India is full of festivals and among them one is Makar Sankranti. It is celebrated on the month of January either 13th or 14th. It is celebrated all over India with different names. Like in South India people celebrate it as Pongal, in Bengal as Sankranti, Gujrati call it Uttarayan, Assamese celebrate Bihu and in North India people celebrate Lohri just one day before the Makar sankranti. But all of them celebrate it as the harvest festival. It is one of the auspicious day in the Hindu calender and marks the beginning of the Magh and ascent of the sun to the North.

Celebration
People all over India celebrate this festival with great pomp and gaiety. Different Part of India celebrate this festival with different traditional rituals.
Southern India – The Southern part of India celebrate this festival as Pongal. In Andhra Pradesh and Kerala this festival lasts for a couple of days. Besides the Puja people boil rice and pulses with milk and offer to the family deity. Bull fights and other activities are also held during the festival.

Northern India – The people of North India specially the punjabis celebrate this festival as Lohri with huge bonfire. According to the custom they throw sweets, sugar cane, rice on the fire and dance and sing with families and friends.

Uttar Pradesh – In Uttar Pradesh it is known as Khichiri,. People take holy dip in the river Ganga with a belief that all the sins will be washed away.

Bengal – In Bengal a famous fair is organised at Ganga Sagar on that special day. Pilgrims also gather there to witness the fair. People make different types of petha (different types of sweets with combination of pulses) and til tikka on this occasion.

Maharashtra – The people of Maharashtra make Til Laddu on the day of sankranti and exchange it and greet each other with saying til-gul ghya, god god bola’ means ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. There is also a rituals of sharing gifts to the newly married women.

Gujarat – Apart from the family get together and exchange of gifts the people of Gujarat fly kites on this special day. It is now an internationally famous event.

Assam – In Assam this festival is known as Bhogali Bihu. People celebrate it by burning thatches and preparing variety of foods.

Though the different parts of India celebrate this festival in different ways but the main reason behind the celebration is to celebrate the harvest and thanks giving to the Almighty.

Christmas

Christmas is an important religious festival not only India but also in other parts of the globe. 25^th of December is celebrated as Christmas around the world with great enthusiasm, pomp and gaiety. It also marks the happy ending of the year. Like Diwali and Dashwara, Christmas is also celebrated in India with full spirit. It is the main festival of the Christian. Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Jesus Christ.

Christmas celebration

Christmas is the time to celebration. People around the world decorate their house with lights, make delicious food and distribute gifts. In India the celebration of Christmas varies from place to place. In some area people decorate their house with earthen lamps and in some areas people decorate the house and X- mas tree with light, stars and small gifts and place the tree in front of the house. Churches all over the country are decorated with candles and light. The theme of good will and peace are celebrated during Christmas. Parties, dancing and singing are an integral part of Christmas. Hotels, restaurants and clubs arranges parties and Christmas carol. Another interesting part of Christmas celebration is the people dress like Santa Clause and distribute gifts to the children.

Preparation for the celebration of Christmas starts at the beginning of the December. People start the cleaning of the house and give the house a fresh look. People start shopping new clothes and gifts for near and dear ones. Women in the houses start making Christmas cakes not only for the family members but also for the near neighborhood.

India is a secular country. Like Holi, diwali and Id, Christmas also celebrated all over the India withgreat spirit. Different schools arranges play depicting the stories of Jesus Christ and students participate in great enthusiasm.

No celebration is complete with out food. And the popular Christmas food are cakes, pastries, meat, turkey roast etc. Oh! the mouth watering dishes make Christmas a grand event - which is in fact.