Manarcad Perunnal

Manarcad Perunnal is the occasion celebrating the annualChristian community of Kerala. Manarcad Perunnal also known as Ettunombu Perunnal literally means eight day prayer and fasting. The venue for this feast is St. Mary's Church at Manarcad. The festival is celebrated every year from 1st to 8th September in Kerela.

During the festival devotees generally fast and stay at the church from morning till night. The last three days of the festival are marked by colorful processions carrying golden crosses and thousands of devotees accompany this with colorful embellished umbrellas. These three days observe the festive spirit at its peak, with thousands of devotees and local people gathering and participating in the processions. feast by the

As an offering to the Lord Muthukkuda are offered which are decked parasols. The church has a golden cross and a holy tank which are especially taken care of by the devotees during the auspicious festival of Manarcad Perunnal.

These eight days of festive celebrations are full of ardent devotion and grandeur in celebrations.

How to Reach Manarcad:

By Air:     Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 76 km from Kottayam.

By Rail:   Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 10 km away.

By Road:  Manarcad is just 10 kilometres drive from Kottayam town.

Time of Manarcad Perunnal Festival Celebration:

In Kerela most of the festival dates are decided according to the Malayalam Calendar. Local practices also influence the dates of some traditional, customary and auspicious events. The festival or feast of Manarcad Perunnal is celebrated from 1st to 8th September every year.

Navrathri Music Festival

The Navrathri Music Festival is a nine day musical fiesta held in the state of Kerela. During these nine days the evenings of Thiruvananthapuram are filled with exquisite music and honeyed voices echoing in the atmosphere. This cultural, musical, festive fiesta is a remarkable experience for all visitors. People from all across the country gather here during these nine days to witness some of the best works in the field of Music, dance and entertainment.

The music festival usually features some of the exquisite kritis (compositions) of King Swathi Thirunal, the music maestro and former ruler of Travancore. This cultural fiesta is held every year in the month of September. The nine-day music festival is held at the Navarathri Mandapam, a pavilion beautifully decorated with flowers, located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram.

One can imagine the vivacity of this musical extravaganza as the magic of soulful music combined with sweet fragrance ofhearing loss) technology in place. For this purpose, these are earthen pots, which are kept in place by means of coir ropes, with their mouths open down towards the ground. These pots are of different sizes and thickness with their mouths having different measurements. For the purpose of sound reflectors and to prevent echoes, they are kept at different angles (compositions) of King Swathi Thirunal, the music maestro and former ruler of Travancore. This cultural fiesta is held every year in the month of September. The nine-day music festival is held at the Navarathri Mandapam, a pavilion beautifully decorated with flowers, located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram. sandalwood lingering in the air is ecstatic. In addition to the exemplary music styles rdisplayed in the Navrathri Music festival, the venue has an indigenous acoustic (A remedy for hearing loss) technology in place. For this purpose, these are earthen pots, which are kept in place by means of coir ropes, with their mouths open down towards the ground. These pots are of different sizes and thickness with their mouths having different measurements. For the purpose of sound reflectors and to prevent echoes, they are kept at different angles .

Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram, about 1 km away

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 6 kms away

Mim Kut

Mim kut is an annual festival celebrated in the state of Mizoram. More than a festival it is a vibrant and colorful cultural fiesta that is celebrated with great fun and frolic. Mim Kut is basically a Maize Festival and is very important as far as the fairs and festivals of Mizoram are considered.

Although every state in India is famous for its fairs and festivals, the festivals of Mizoram are unique in their own ways. There is enough scope of entertainment that is offered by these festivals. Mim Kut festival is especially dedicated towards invoking the dead souls and offering tribute to them. According to this ritual offerings are made to the near and dear ones who passed away in the previous year.

The tradition of paying tribute to the dead ones is performed on the basis of some preset rituals and customs. The festival is celebrated by the entire state of Mizoram with great enthusiasm.During the time of Mim Kut celebration it is believed that the dead ancestors visit the houses of their children and relatives, special offerings are made for them. These offerings include fresh vegetables, maize, bread and necklaces. Often clothes are also dedicated in their memories.

Generally the first day of the festival is dedicated towards the ritual of making offerings for the dead ones. The second day majorly involves merriment and celebrations. There is tradition according to which on the second day, meals are prepared out of bread and people take a hearty meal from bread items.

Time of celebration:

The festival of Mim kut is celebrated in the months of August-September, just after the successful completion of maize harvest. Samples of the previous year's harvest are consecrated to the departed souls of the community.

Navakhana Festival

Navakhana is the post harvest festival of Chhattisgarh and celebrated every year in the Hindu month of Bhadrapad or Bhadav (September). Navakhana falls on the bright fortnight of 9th day or Navmi of Bhadav by the Gond tribe.

This festival marks the harvest of rice crop. People present the new harvested crop and liquor as offering before the family deity. Presenting new rice grains and eating dish prepared by the dame is considered very auspicious in the region. Communal dance programs are also organized at night.

Neelamperoor Pooram Patayani

 The grand Patayani Festival is celebrated on the Pooram day in the Malayalam month of Chingam. The festival is mainly celebrated in the state of Kerela, where the the Palli Bhagavathy temple in the beautiful village Neelamperoor in Alappuzha, is beautifully decorated for the festive celebrations.

As the festival of Neelamperoor pooram Patayani is celebrated in the month of Onam, it adds an exponential scale of glitter and glory to the celebrations. The festival is very popular among the localites here.

Although the festival of Patayani is celebrated all across Kerela, yet the festive celebrations of Neelamperoor is quite different and elaborate compared to other parts. What makes the festival special in Neelamperoor is the grand procession carrying effigies of mythological characters. These effigies are prepared at local level by the artists of the state, who engage in these preparations months before the festival.

This display of wan effigies is termed as “Annam Kettu”. The procession carrying these effigies is normally organized in nights. Many tourists and visitors gather here during the festival celebrations and have a remarkable experience of Indian culture and traditions.

Time and venue of Celebrations:

The festival of Neelamperoor pooram Pata is organized every year around the festival of Onam in the month of September. In the year 2009, it will be held on 18th September 2009. It is held at the: Palli Bhagavathy Temple at Neelamperoor (Alappuzha district), 16 km away from Kottayam

How to reach there:

Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 16 km away.

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 76 km away

Novidade Festival

Novidade is one of the prominent festivals of Goa and is celebrated with equal enthusiasm and jauntiness by both Hindus and Christians in Goa. The Novidade festival marks the beginning of the harvesting season, where the farmers of both religions offer their first rice crop to the church before proceeding with further harvesting.

Celebrations

During the festival of Novidade, the parish priest plays the role of the harvester by himself harvesting a bunch of rice and offering the same sheaf before the altar of the God. This ritual of offering the first harvested sheaf is considered very auspicious in Goa and farmer belonging to any religions wait for the traditional Novidade ceremony before commencing the harvesting in his field.

The ceremony of offering first harvest is celebrated with lots of excitement and gaiety by all people in Goa. Priest of the church is accompanied on his way back to church from the fields, forming the stunning procession. People enjoy and excitedly sing hymns and melodious songs in chorus voice. Carnival is also marked by sparkling fire works.

The special trend is also practiced by women of Goa's earliest tribal settlers. The folk dance called Bhandup is performed by the tribal women in the elegant form during the second half of the month

Time for Celebration

The festival of Novidade is celebrated with religious integrity and tolerance in the months August and September. According to Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadra-Pada.

Payippad Boat Race Festival

The state of Kerala in India is a tourist’s delight with its amazing beautiful back waters that run throughout the state. The best way to enjoy these back waters is to witness the amazing boat Race festivals held here every year across different seasons. One of the most famous boat Race festivals in Kerala is the Payippad Boat Race.

The Payippad boat Race of Kerala is held in Payippadu near Harippad in Kerala. The boat Race is a time to have fun and indulge in festivity in galore. It attracts thousands of tourists every year with its charm of vivacity and galore.

As the name suggests this festival has a major attraction of boat Races. The boats used in this festival are termed as Snake boats as they resemble snakes in their appearances. These 100 feet long boats can accommodate around 100 people at a time. A single boat generally comprises of oarsmen and musicians who sing and shout throughout the event making the environment rise in verve and energy.  

The event lasts for three days and organized in the month of September. Apart from the boat Races, there are a number of cultural and folk performances that are organized by the state administration. The basis of the festival lies in the commemoration of the installation of the idol at the Subramanyan Swamy Temple in Haripad.
 

Historical Races:

According to legends, the residents of Haripad village once decided to build a temple, with the presiding deity being Sree Ayyappa.Before the idol was installed the villagers had some kind of a prophetic enlightment in which they were directed to install the idol of Sri Subramanya Swamy which could be found under a whirlpool in the Kayamkulam River.

As obedient devotees, divers and swimmers from the village rowed to the whirlpool and brought back the Subramanya vigrah in a boat. This idol was then installed in the temple, amid much jamboree. So in mark of respect to this legendary episode, Kerala Payippad Jalotsavam is conducted every year.
 

How to reach there:

The festival is held every year at the Payippad lake near Payippad, Alappuzha
 

Location: About 35 km from Alappuzha near Harippad
Nearest Railway Station: Harippad about 5km away
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha

Time for Celebration:
The festival of Payippad Boat Race is organized every year in the month of August-September. According to the Malayalam calendar it falls in the month of Chingam. In the year 2009, it will be celebrated on 4th September’2009.

Phulaich fair

The Phulaich Fair is held every year in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is held in the month of September in the Kinnaur district. Although the state of Himachal Pradesh is extremely famous for its fairs and festivals, especially for the spirit of its locals. Phulaich Fair is the best of its kind in Himachal Pradesh. 

According to Hindu calendar it is organized in the month of Bhadrapada, which witnesses a sprout of monsoons. The Fair is basically associated with the flower watching festival of Ukhyang in the Kinnaur Valley.

The Phulaich Festival also known as Fulaich Festival is associated with the act of remembering the ones who has passed away. The village comes alive during the festivities of the fair. Colorful stalls and participants from the nearby areas throng the place during the Festival. For tourists or visitors from outside have a proper taste of rural Himachal culture and tradition.

Celebrations:

The Phulaich fair or Fulaich fair is celebrated with great fervor by the locals of the place. The festivities normally start with villagers going on mountain top and collecting Ladra flowers. Villagers also sacrifice animals. The fair is associated with the act of remembering the ones passed away and thus relatives offer wine, rice and food to their dear deceased ones, which are later distributed among the poor. Following this ritual, the village people gather to visit the Dhangaspa family house and show their respect by garlanding the family members. Also, the village people are seen playing drums and blowing bugles to greet the heroic team that climbed the hill top to collect the Ladra flowers.

Throughout the fair number of dances are performed by the village people, carrying war weapons depicting ancient war scenes.

Himachal Pradesh:

Himachal Pradesh is very popular for its culture, traditions, fairs, festivals and natural scenaric beauty. Snow covered mountains, beautiful flora and fauna place the state in hearts of all tourists and visitors. The fairs and festivals of Himachal are celebrated with great zeal and gusto by the localites of the place. Some of these events are of religious importance while others have commercial significance and some are simple a means of entertainment and fun. They serve as healthy recreation, amusement and even as marketing place. These festivals and events of Himachal Pradesh are rich in culture, tradition and heritage.

How to Reach:

Kinnaur is well connected by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is at Shimla, 224 km from Reckong Peo. Nearest railhead is Kalka, 314 km from Kalpa an important place of Kinnaur district. The best way to reach the place is by road on Shimla Kinnaur national highway (NH 22). You can reach the place by bus or by private taxi.

By Train: Nearest railhead is Kalka in Haryana. Then narrow gauge line upto Shimla.

By Air: Nearest Air port is Shimla which is approx. 200 km

By Road: Well connected by road to Shimla the National Highway No. 22 runs through the district. Buses, taxis and jeeps are available from Shimla and Rampurivals

Sair Festival

The Sair Festival

The Sair Festival is celebrated at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is an extremely popular fair of the area and brings lots of liveliness and fun along with it. The Shimla Sair festival of Himachal Pradesh is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm in the month of September. Himachal Pradesh is already very famous in terms of its culture, fairs and festivals. Throughout the year there are number of fairs dedicated to different seasons that are observed in Himachal Pradesh. Sair fair is one such fair that makes Himachal proud.

One of the main attractions at the Sair fair is the traditional bull fight. The bull fight done here reflects too strongly on the Bull Fight in Athens. This event is organized at Arki in Solan. Although both the bull fights in Himachal Pradesh and in Athens are quite similar, one biggest distinguishing feature is the viewership. In Athens, common men are not allowed to view the event at all, while it is just the opposite in Himachal Pradesh.

The bull fight in Sair Fair is easily affordable for any common man as the entry fee is minimal. The credit for this largely goes to the administrative authorities of Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Apart form the famous bull fight, there are a number of interesting and entertaining events held during the Sair fair. Dance programs, Music performances, and many other forms of art are displayed by artists coming form far and wide to participate. A number of stalls and temporary shops are arranged for display and sale of handicrafts, pottery, utensils, garments, accessories etc.

Localites of Shimla celebrate the festival with immense joy and fervor. Women and children can be seen dressed in beautiful jewellary, garments adding a spectrum of colors to the celebrations.

Fairs and festivals are the perfect opportunity for people to come closer, buy gifts for loved ones, enjoy with friends and relatives, participate in activities, and witness cultural and traditional art forms and much more. The festivals and fairs of Himachal Pradesh are especially famous for their uniqueness and tradition specialties. Sair fair is one such fair that brings the festive spirit of Himachal Pradmesh to upfront.

Sitabari Fair

As can be interpreted from the name itself, Sitabari Fair is an annual Fair, held in the town of Sitabari, which has religious and historical significance to Hindus. This place is supposed to be the same place where Sita, wife of Lord Rama had stayed to serve her period of banishment (the period when she was ostracized from society).

There also a belief associated with this place that Lakshamn has shot an arrow that resulted in a spring of water, thus, people consider the water of the tanks and kunds of this place extremely holy.

Where is the Fair held?

Sitabari Fair derives its name from the place where it is held, that is Sitabari. It is a small-town but has tremendous religious significance to the Hindus as Sita, wife of Lord Rama, had stayed here. Thus, the place derives its name from this mythological belief.

History:

According to the Hindu Mythology, when Sita maa (wife of Lord Rama), was serving her period of banishment, she had stayed here.When Sita felt thirsty, Laksman ,her brother-in-law, shot an arrow in the ground that resulted in the spring of water. This stream is called “Lakshman Babhuka”.

Celebrations:

The Fair of Sitabari lays its roots in the importance of the town of Sitabari, according to the Hindu mythology. Some of the common practices observed during this time are:

• People are commonly seen visiting the tanks and kunds of this place and taking holy dips and baths. The place has a significant feature according to which, Lakshman had shot an arrow in the ground to fetch water that, draws the significance water of this place.
• Devotees offer prayers to the images of various deities placed here.
• As the Fair is a religious gathering for the devotees, many traders and craftsmen view it as a business opportunity as Lacs of tourists, devotees, and religious people gather here during this time.
• Cattle breeders are seen selling different breeds of cattle.

Holy places:

Although the complete town of Sitabari is sacred and holy in Hindu Tradition, yet there are two popular Kunds that catch tourist attraction and faith of devotees. The water of these Kunds is considered very sacred and people are often seen taking bath and holy dips.

• Suraj Kund: this Kund is named after the sun God, and is surrounded by Verandas from all sides. As the water of this kund is considered to be sacred, many devotees immerse the ashes of dead bodies, after cremation, if they are not able to go to Ganges for the same. The statue of Lord Shiva (Linga) is kept at one side, while there are two other kunds of Sita, Bharat.
• Lakshman Kund: Out of the many kunds in Sitabari, the “Lakshman Kund “is the largest in size. One of the gates of the Kund is called “Lakshman Darwaza”. On this gate, the idol of Lord Hanuman is placed.

How to reach Sitabari?

Sitabari is a very small town that is situated at a distance of 1 Km from Kelwara. Kelwara is located 117 Kms from the district of Kota. Many buses ply on this route, and there is no connectivity problem to reach the place.

The frequency of buses is increased by a large number during the Fair, as thousands of tourists and devotees gather here during the time of mela. Although the connectivity through road is very good, the nearest rail head is at Baran that is 75 Kms from Kelwara.

 

 

Sodal Mela

The people of Jalandhar believe that an infant child named Sodal ages ago, possessed some magical and divine powers, who on this day drowned himself in a pond as ordered by his mother. That pond is today popularly known as the “Sodal ka Sarowar”, and people from Jalandhar and cities around it gather on this day early in the morning to take a holy dip in the sarowar and pay tribute to the Samadhi of Baba Sodal. As his death anniversary is a day long event it is often termed as “Baba Sodal Mela”.

History of Sodal Mela:

History traces that Sodal was born in Chadha clan of Khatri caste. He lived in the city of Jalandhar. His mother went for a routine bath near a pond and necessitated him not to follow her while she baths. He didn’t listen to his mother and followed her instead. Angered upon the insolence attitude of her child, she ordered him to drown in the pond.

On inquiring about three times, when the child got the same answer he strictly obeyed to his mother wishes and sacrificed his life by jumping in the pond. Some Believers think that he was drowned, while others believe that he converted into a snake and buried himself.

When is it celebrated?

Sodal Mela is a very popular Fair celebrated in the city of Jalandhar, on the 14th day of Shukla Paksh in the month of Bhadon (according to the Hindu Calender). According to the English calendar it falls in the month of September.

How is it celebrated?

 

Having great significance to all Sikhs, people from Jalandhar, Delhi, UP and places around Jalandhar arrive at the “Sodal ka Sarowar” to take bath in the Holy pond. It is considered very sacred as the child is like an infant god, a child deity to the Sikhs. Thereafter, people reach his Samadhi, which also contains a portrait of Baba Sodal decorated with garlands, Flowers and where priests perform certain rituals.

The day is especially significant to all females to tend to seek blessing of the holy water for their children and families. Whatever offering is made to the Samadhi is distributed as Prasad to all devotees as the blessing of Baba Sodal.