saraswati puja KYA HAI,KYA HOTI HAI

Rann Utsav- Kutch Festival

 Rann Utsav- Kutch Festival

October 28 - February 23

The White Desert gives a warm welcome to its visitors. The festival is stretched till Feb. The colourful fairs on the banks of river enrich the souls with the spirit of festivity. Activities such as horse riding, camel riding, bird watching, traditional dances, different games, giant chess, paramotoring, and last but not the least net cricket take place. The festival gives its visitors a chance to experience the diverse traditions and hospitality of Kutchi people. White sand with colourful decorations is a treat to everyone's eye.

👉History:

The tourism authorities of Gujarat organize events in Kutch to showcase the rich culture of this district, one of the largest in India. This Utsav under the tutelage of Vibrant Gujarat has been a unique opportunity for people around the world to visit Kutch and experience the true flavor of the region.Kutch or Rannutsav, a unique manifestation of varied cultural ethos of the region is known for the ethnic flavor and celebrative zest. This festival provides an exclusive opportunity to witness the creative ingenuity of the artisans and craftspeople, assorted array of folk music and performances, mixed representation of culture and communities, along with a vast diversity in ecology. All this and much more describe and define Kutch and the people.

Deepawali

👉                            Deepawali

Date: November 12, 2019

Diwali, Divali, Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights, usually lasting five days and celebrated during the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November).One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".The festival is widely associated with Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, but regional traditions connect it to Sita and Rama, Vishnu, Krishna, Yama, Yami, Durga, Kali, Dhanvantari, or Vishvakarman.Celebrated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh it is the festival of Kartik Poornima. The festival takes place 15 days after Diwali. Houses are decorated, oil lamps are lit, processions of decorated deities are taken out in streets and diyas are set afloat in the river. The festival is a tourist-centric festival as the ghats are lightened up with millions earthen lamps making the night-scenes a treat to one's eye. 21 young priests and 24 girls perform the Arti at the Dashameshwar Ghat. Ganga Mahotsav showcases the heritage of Varanasi. Cultural programs, martial arts, classical singing, and dancing also take place.

👉About:

In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants will prepare by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces. During the Diwali people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas (oil lamps or candles), offer puja (worship) to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared. Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu and Jain diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.The five-day long festival originated in the Indian subcontinent and is mentioned in early Sanskrit texts. Diwali is usually celebrated twenty days after the Dussehra (Dasara, Dasain) festival, with Dhanteras, or the regional equivalent, marking the first day of the festival when celebrants prepare by cleaning their homes and making decorations on the floor, such as rangoli. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi, or the regional equivalent which for Hindus in the south of India is Diwali proper. Western, central, eastern and northern Indian communities observe main day of Diwali on the third day, the day of Lakshmi Puja and the darkest night of the traditional month. In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada (Padwa), which is dedicated to the relationship between wife and husband. Some Hindu communities mark the last day as Bhai Dooj or the regional equivalent, which is dedicated to the bond between sister and brother, while other Hindu and Sikh craftsmen communities mark this day as Vishwakarma Puja and observe it by performing maintenance in their work spaces and offering prayers.

Gurupurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti

    Gurupurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti

 

November 12, 2019

Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav and Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak.This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism, or Sikhi.This is the most sacred festival for Sikhs all over the world. It is celebrated on full month day as the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. A day before it procession takes place and is led by Panj Pyare(five Beloveds). Early morning and night prayer sessions take place in gurudwaras. Traditional gatka teams perform martial arts, showcasing swordsmanship.  Massive celebrations take place in Punjab.

👉About:

The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs . Their birthdays, known as Gurpurab, are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs.

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born on Puranmashi of Kattak in 1469, according to the Bikrami calendar in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present Shekhupura District of Pakistan, now Nankana Sahib. It is a Gazetted holiday in India.

According to the controversial Bhai Bala Janamsakhi, it claims Guru Nanak was born on the Full Moon (Pooranmashi) of the Indian Lunar Month Katik. The Sikhs have been celebrating Guru Nanak's Gurpurab around November for this reason and has it been ingrained in Sikh Traditions.

However, some scholars and organizations believe the Birthday should be celebrated on Vaisakhi, which falls on 14 April according to the original Nanakshahi Calendar passed by Sri Akal Takht in 2003. However, many people and organizations would like to keep the traditional date by celebrating on the Full Moon Day (Pooranmashi or Purnima) of the Lunar Month Kartik. The original Nanakshahi Calendar follows the tradition and celebrates it on Kartik Purnima due to demands by various Sikh Saints.

Onam

                         Onam 

Dates: August 22, 2020 - September 2, 2020 (Dates May Vary)

Onam is an annual holiday and festival celebrated in Kerala, India. It is also a harvest festival, and falls on the 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September. According to legends, the festival is celebrated to commemorate King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala falling on the month of Chingam in the Malayalam Calendar. The festival is the commemoration of the Vishnu Avatar- Vamana and the homecoming of the King Mahabali. It is one among the three major Hindu festivals of Kerala along with Vishu and Thiruvathira. Although Onam is a Kerala festival, it is celebrated among Malayali communities around the world with the same vigour and pomp.

👉About: Onam is a major annual event for Malayali people in and outside Kerala. It is a harvest festival, one of three major annual Hindu celebrations along with Vishu and Thiruvathira, and it is observed with numerous festivities. Onam celebrations include Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower Rangoli), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (women's dance), Kummattikali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and other celebrations.It is the New Year day for Malayalis.

Onam is the official state festival of Kerala with public holidays that start four days from Uthradom (Onam eve) Major festivities take place across 30 venues in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala. It is also celebrated by Malayali diaspora around the world.Though a Hindu festival, non-Hindu communities of Kerala participate in Onam celebrations considering it as a cultural festival. However, some non-Hindus in Kerala denounce its celebration as a cultural event because they consider it as a religious festival.

Nowruz-Parsi New Year

            Nowruz-Parsi New Year

Date: August 15, 2020

   Nowruz is the Iranian New Year,also known as the Persian New Year,which is celebrated worldwide by various ethno-linguistic groups.The Zoroastrians in Mumbai commemorate their father's escape from Persia by conducting rituals at fire temples, including traditional feasts and visiting friends.

👉About:

Nowruz has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins; however, it has been celebrated by diverse communities for over 7,000 years in Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia.It is a secular holiday for most celebrants that is enjoyed by people of several different faiths, but remains a holy day for Zoroastrians, Bahais,and some Muslim communities.

Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox, and marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the first day of the first month (Farvardin) of the Iranian calendars.It usually occurs on March 21 or the previous or following day, depending on where it is observed. The moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year, and families gather together to observe the rituals.

Dussehra

 Dussehra

Date: October 25, 2020 

Also known as Vijayadashmi, it marks the end of Durga Pooja and celebrates the victory of Good or Evil in the form of victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Northern India observes Ravana idols being burnt signifying the restoration of faith in good. Thousands of dances and dramas take place portraying the story of Lord Rama's victory. In Kullu Valley, Himachal a large fair is organised, and half a million people visit the parade. In Mewar, Rajasthan, it is observed as the major festival of Rajputs. In Eastern India, goodbyes are bid to the idols of Durga as they are immersed in water. West Bengal celebrates the festival at the most exceptional level with hundreds of parades taking place. One can also visit Mysore to be a part of Grand Mysore Dasara.

👉About:

Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartik, the sixth and seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar respectively, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.

Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma.In the northern, central and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of "Ramlila" and remembers God Rama's victory over the Ravan. On the very same occasion, Arjuna alone decimated more than 1,000,000 soldiers and defeated all Kuru warriors including Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna and Kripa, a significant example of victory of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). Alternatively, it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess Devi, such as Durga or Saraswati.

Vijayadashami celebrations include processions to a river or ocean front that involve carrying clay statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, after which the images are immersed in the water for dissolution and farewell. Elsewhere, on Dasara, towering effigies of Ravan, symbolising evil, are burnt with fireworks, marking evil's destruction. The festival also starts the preparations for Diwali, the important festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami.