Sharad Purnima

The first full moon day of the month of Ashwin is known as Sharad Purnima. It is also referred to as Rasa Purnima, or Sharath Purnima. The festival is also referred as Kaumudi Festival, Kaumudi meaning moonlight.

The bright light on this full moon day marks the changing season, the end of monsoon.

The dazzling night is associated with the divine love filled Raas Lila (Expression of love by graceful dance) of Lord Krishna with Radha and Gopis.

This mythological past related to Sharad Purnima, makes it the best time to manifest love between couples. The day is also referred as Rasa Purnima or Raas Lila Day.

Sharad Poornima is also known as Kojagari Poornima. It is believed that on this night Goddess Lakshmi visits from place to place asking “Kojagari??” meaning “Who is awake” and bless those who are found awake.

Hence people don’t sleep this night and spend whole night by playing games, singing and doing all amusing activities.Rituals:

1. Many rituals are practiced on this festival of bright moonlight. There is general practice of preparing kheer (Sweet dish made by boiling milk and mixing cooked rice along with sugar and dry fruits) and offered before God.
2. In some areas, the full moon is not seen directly instead it is seen on a vessel filled with boiling milk.
3. Some people thread a needle on this full moon night under the rays of the moon. This is said to improve one’s eyesight.
4. The most common practice is of keeping the prepared kheer, poha (Rice flakes) or sweets in moonlight through out the night and distributed as Prasad on the next day.

Medical Significance:

It is considered that the moon and Earth are at the closer distance on Sharad Purnima night due to this the rays of the moon have several curative properties. It is believed that keeping food under the moonlight nourishes the body and soul.

  

Celebration

Sharad Purnima is celebrated with great joy and excitement across India. This day is also considered as birthday of Goddess Laxmi in many parts of India and is believed that Goddess Laxmi comes to visit earth and bless all people, who are found awake for wealth and prosperity so,  

there is trend to avoid sleep at Sharad Purnima night. People try to engage themselves by playing various games and witness the moonlight by singing songs.

Different places in India have different rituals associated with the Sharad Purnima. In Maharashtra, the trend of honoring the eldest child is practiced on this day.

In Gujarat, the night of Sharad Purnima is celebrated by performing Garba and Raas (Dance forms).

Bengalis celebrate this festival with gaiety and fun and almost all families have their distinct celebrations for Sharad Purnima. In Orissa, Sharad purnima is mainly celebrated by females. Married women keep fast for well being and prosperity of their family while unmarried women observe fast for getting blessed with good looking and caring husbands. Along with this, many families worship Goddess Laxmi on this day and keep vigilant through out the night by playing chess and other indoor games.

Puja

Preparations:

Sharad Purnima is celebrated with great joy and excitement across India. This day is also considered as birthday of Goddess Laxmi in many parts of India and is believed that Goddess Laxmi comes to visit earth and bless all people, who are found awake for wealth and prosperity so,

• Kheer made out of cow's milk
• Puri
• White clothes for the idols of the Gods
• One pata
• One kalash with water
• Wheat kernels in a katori, roli – chawal

Vidhi (Method) of Puja

• Place kalash filled with water and a katori with wheat kernels on Pata.
•  
• Draw swastik with roli on the kalash and katori.
• Read/ listen the katha of Sharad Purnirna, after taking 13 kernels of wheat in the hand
• Water in the kalash is kept in open for whole night to be offered to the moon.

Katha

Shrad Purnima Ki Katha

There was a Sahukaar (Business man) who had two daughters. Both the sisters used to keep the purnima (full moon) fast. The older sister used to observe the entire fast while the younger sister used to observe it only in part.

Because of this the younger sister’s children used to die as soon as they were born. Unable to understand the reason of her children’s death, she consulted many pundits. They all told her that because she did not observe the purnima fast completely her children did not live.

Taking their advice, the younger sister observed the purnima fast and followed it completely. After some time, a son was born to her but he also did not survive. The younger sister put the body of the son on a peedha (stool) covered it with a cloth and invited her sister to sit on it. Not knowing about the child, the sister lowered herself on to the stool.

As soon as she touched the body, the child came to life and started crying. Startled, the older sister accosted the younger sister for making her commit a sin of killing the boy. The younger sister explained everything and told her that it was because of the older sister's punya (virtues - good deeds) that the boy has been brought back to life.

Purnima Mata, as you blessed the younger sister, so also bless the narrator of the katha, the listeners of the katha and the followers of the katha with their families.

Bindaayakji /Ganeshji ki Katha is read after one reads the festival katha. A few grains of rice are kept in the hand while listening to the katha. After completion of the katha, the rice grains are left in the water of the kalash, kept for puja.

Time of Sharad Purnima

It is the harvest festival celebrated in the months of October/ November. According to Hindu calendar, the Sharad Purnima falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month Ashwin.  

  

Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival

The Rayalaseema food and dance Festival is held in the state of Andhra Pradesh every year in the month of October. It is one of the biggest and most widely celebrated cultural festivals of Andhra Pradesh.

As the name suggests the main aim of the festival is to honor and celebrate the flourishing and exquisite art and cuisine of Rayalaseema area of Tirupati in the Chitoor District of Andhra Pradesh.

The culture and traditions of the state of Andhra Pradesh are about 400 years old. The Festival gives an opportunity and platform for the ages old art and cuisine to be presented and celebrated in a grand manner. There are also programs of the traditional dances of Andhra Pradesh during the Rayalaseema food and dance festival.

The festival provides an exemplary platform for artists and food junctures across India to come and showcase their art form. Over the years thousands of Tourists, artists from different parts of the country and food outlets specializing in any particular cuisine gather here during the festival and offer a wide range of delicacies and entertainment to visitors.

Time of Celebration:

The Rayalaseema food and dance Festival is celebrated every year in Andhra Pradesh. It is organized by the state authorities in the month of October. The Festival coincides with the festival of Brahmotsavam.

How To Reach:

By Air:

Direct flights are availbale to and from Tirupati to Hyderabad and Chennai.

By Train:

Tirupati has its own railway station but many trains pass only through the nearby town of Renigunta or Gudur.

By Road:

Bus services connect Tirupati to all the important places of the state and Tirumala.

Sri Vithappa Fair

Sri vithappa fair is the popular fair held in the honor of the vithappa deity in the village Vithappa. The first fair was held 200 years back since then the fair has become the regular practice and organized every year in the month of September or October or on the fourteenth and fifteenth day of Ashwija month.

The three day long fair is witnessed by 7 to 8 thousand people from adjoining areas.

This fair has a religious and folk importance.

Celebrations

The fair is organized with high festive spirits as the celebrations are marked by the grand procession with devotees carrying the holy deity in a palanquin. 60 parties of drummers from different parts of Karnataka also accompany the holy procession.

There is also trend of offering the sacrificed sheep before the deity which is later sold by the priest or pujari and the amount gained is credited to the temple funds.

There are many religious beliefs associated with the Sri Vithappa fair like turning of milk (brought for offering) into curd before offering to god is considered a good omen.

Another trait related with the fair is the collection of grains from bag kept in the temple by a person from Chunchanoor village during the fair. It is believed that if these grains are sowed into the farms then will result in rich yield for that very year.

Shri Yellamma Devi fair

The Yellamma Devi fair is one of the important fairs of Karnataka.  The popular fair is held on various occasions from October to February months but the credit of the largest fair owes to Margasira, which is held on the full moon day.

The Yellamma fair is organized in the honor of Yellamma Devi or Renuka, at the Yellamma temple located at Saundatti in Belgaum district.

The temple is located on the top of the Yellammagudda hill and is the shrine of Yellamma Devi or Renuka, wife of Sage Jamadagni.

The fair is very familiar among the Maharashtra, Andhra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa states other than Karnataka as large number of people visit the place to witness the fair on the full moon day of Margasira.

The full moon day is also termed as the Bharat Hunnime and is considered very auspicious and sacred.

The well-known Neeramanavi Yellamma jatra is taken out in the fair of full moon day on the holy day of Bharat Hunnime. The goddess Yellamma is worshipped with all rituals and customs on this day in the form of Shakti Puja. The trend of becoming Devadasis or slaves of God is generally practiced during the Yellamma Devi fair.

Time for Celebration

The popular Shri Yellamma Devi fair is organized for about 5 times between October and February. According to hindu calendar, the Yellamma Devi fair is observed in the Hindu month of Margasira. The biggest and largest fair falls on the full moon day of the month.

Chhath Puja

Introduction

Chhath, also known as Dala Chhath is an important festivalBihar and many other parts of India in which setting Sun (dawn) is worshiped . Although Bihar celebrates Chhath most elaborately it is also followed in some parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam, Mauritius, mainly among the Bhojpuri and Maithali speaking people. Chhath is also important for Nepalese worshippers of god as well as in eastern Uttar Pradesh.The best place to witness Chhath would be around Northern Bihar where it is celebrated in great grandeur. The festival is observed and in Bihar since time immemorial with the constant faith that the Sun God fulfils wishes if 'araghya' is offered with complete dedication and devotion.

Chhath is not just a physical attachment to the people of Bihar, it is also present in their hearts, and this is why the people bring wherever they have migrated. Nowadays it can be easily seen at the ghats of Yamuna in Delhi and other parts of India indicating its presence across the country. celebrated in

It is a festival connected with purity, devotion to the Sun God who is considered as the source of life on this earth and is regarded as wish fulfiller.

The festival is with an aim to express thanks to Sun God for offering energy to earth continuously enabling the environment suitable for the people to live.

In the evening arghya people express their thanks to Sun God for its work in growing their crops during the preceding year and morning arghya is considered as a request for a bountiful crop, peace and prosperity in the year to come.

Devotees assemble at the ghats at rivers and ponds including Ganges and take a holy dip before preparing offerings (Prasad). The main constituent of the offerings are Thekua, which is a wheat based cake.

Offerings are preferably cooked on earthen Chulha (oven). Some traditions are exercised with little difference varying from region to region and across the families with basic similarity.

During the , offerings are contained in small, semicircular pans woven out of bamboo strips called soop.

Chhath is a Hindu festival but many muslim families also participates in this holy festival.

Legends

In ancient time the festival of Chhath was performed by Draupdi, the wife of “Pandavas” king of Hastinapur (Modern Delhi) during their exile from their kingdom. One day they were visited by 88 thousand wandering hermits ( Bhikshuk). According to the Hindu customs guest were treated heartily and offered foods in the reception.

But Pandavas barely enough for themselves and thus were hardly in a position to fulfill their obligation as Grihastha (householders) and offer meals to the visiting hermits. Seeing Pandavas in deep anguish, Draupdi asked for help to noble sage Dhaumya, who pleased upon her the merits of worshiping the Sun God. Draupdi was not only able to solve the immediate problem but her Sun worship helped the Pandavas later gain their lost Kingdom.

International Relevance

The tradition of worshiping Sun God , the saviour of the life on earth had also found in the Egypt and Babylon the oldest civilizations of the world.

Celebrations

Celebrations for Chhath Puja are followed for four days continuosly with lots of fun and fervour. People specially at Bihar wait for the festival from long time and celebrate each day in the following manner:

Day 1- Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat) The first day of the puja is known as Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat), the Vrati (devotees) take a bath preferably in sacred river Ganga and bring the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.

Day 2- Kharna – A whole day fast (without water) is observed by the vratis (devotees). The vratis end their fast in the evening after performing puja. Offerings (Prasad) are comprises of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or chapatti and bananas - are distributed among family, friends and visitors.

Day 3- Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) – Devotees observe fast without consuming water. The whole day is spent in preparing puja offerings. All the offerings are kept in tray made up of bamboo. Offerings comprises of Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits.

The evening ritual is performed at the banks of river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees, family, friends and visitors assemble their and the agrahya is offered to the setting Sun.

‘Kosi’ – One of the most charming events during Chhath Puja known as ‘Kosi’ is celebrated at the courtyard of the house after evening offerings. Lightened earthen lamps (diyas) are kept beneath the covering of five sugarcane sticks or 24 sticks (as per local tradition).

The same event also takes place at the ghats in the early morning before morning offerings (arghyas).

Day 4 - Bihaniya Arghya (Morning offerings) – This is the last and final event of the auspicious puja, the devotees again with their family, friends and relatives assemble on the bank of river or pond to offer arghyas (offerings) to the rising Sun. After performing arghyas devotees break their fast. Ginger and Sugar are used by devotees to break their fast (as per local tradition).

Essential Items for the Puja

• Basket and tray made up of bamboo (Dala and Soop)
  
• Wheat flour and Sugar
  
• Coconut and other seasonal fruits like orange, apple, radish, ginger, gagal (a kind of lemon)
  
• Red or yellow piece of cloth to cover the basket
  
• Cloves, dry fruits, sweets, pan, a red flat leaf
  
• Sugarcane

Rituals of Chhath Puja

• It is a relevant tradition regarding Chhath Puja if a family start offering then the family should continue the tradition . If any case the family do not able to offer the puja, they should co-operate or assist friends, relatives, neighbours or some one else who is performing it .
  
  It is also believed that helping or assisting devotees give fruitfull result to the person who helps them. There are so many people who use to carry the baskets containing offerings to the ghats.
  
  Utensils are cleaned and purified to cook offerings (Prasad). Devotees use to sleep on the floor on a single blanket during .
  
  Foods and Prasads (offerings) are cooked with dry wood on new oven made of brick and soil. Garlic and Onions are kept away. Rock Salts, Pure Ghee, Sugar etc. are used.
  
  
  Devotees use to stand in knee deep water or waist deep water at the time of offering “Arghya” to setting or rising Sun. New cloths are essential for devotees. Devotees use to wear unstiched cloths (as per local tradition).
  
  
  Visitors touch the feet of devotees and get prasad. No one hesitate in demanding prasad from even a strangler.
  
  Devotees are mainly women called Parvaitin derived from Sanskrit means ‘ocassion or festival’. Devotees are mainly women but a large number of men also the main worshiper.
  
  Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the banks of river or pond in the honour of “Surya Dev” and “Chhathi Maiyya”.All the road goes towards the ghats are cleaned and decorated. Ghats are decorated with colourful papers, ribbons , banners and lights.
  
  There are so many people who use to sleep on the bank of river or pond where ever they perform the :.
  

• Clay elephant
  
• Earthen lamps
  
• Wide mouth earthen pot
  
• Akshat (chawal)
  
• Vermillion (sindoor), turmeric,
  
• Copper pot to offer JAL
  
• Flower especially red (Hibiscus or any red colour flower)
  
• Dhoop, Deepak, matchsticks

Sun temples in Bihar

• Deo
  One of the most famous Sun temples situated here. Deo is situated in Aurangabd district of Bihar, 150 km from state capital Patna. Deo is the most ancient of all sites where the King Aila of Prayaga (Allahabad) was cured of leprosy.
  
  Surajpur
  Situted in Nalanda district of approximately 90 kms from Patna, the village has been named after the Sun himself. The place is for its beautiful sculpture of Surya and Buddhist deities.
  
  Deo Barunark
  It is located 99 kms from Patna, there are ruins of several temples but those dedicated to the Sun. In one of the temples are the remains of the Sanctum Sanctorum and the Assembly Hall with its ornamental pillars.
  
  Deo Markandeya
  Nearly 119 kms from Patna is the site of Sun temple marked today by a small structure containing a number of sculptures of solar deities.
  
  
  Chhath Puja, although initially organized and celebrated exclusively by the people of Bihar, later it embraced people across the country. Presently research and experiments establish the view that a good number of festivals which have resemblances to Chhath Puja are celebrated all across the world. So, in a way, Chhath Puja can be considered not only as a domestic or national festival but also it’s a festival of international brotherhood and national sensitivity.
  

Chhath Puja 2009

• Chhath is also called ‘Suryasasthi’ as it observed after the six days of Diwali, the festival of light. Chhath takes place during 6th day (Shasthi) lunar fortnight of Kartik month. lasts for four days. There is also a "Chaiti Chhath" just after Holi during Chaitra Navratri in the month of Chaitra (March last to mid April).
  
  In 2009, the festivity for Chhath puja will begin from October 22 and last till October 25
  
  
  • First Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Nahai Khai is on October 22, 09.
  
  • Second Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Kharna is on October 23, 09.
  
  
  • Third Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Chhat Sandhya Argh (Chhat Dala Evening puja) is on October 24, 09.
  
  
  • Fourth Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Chhath Suryodaya Argh (Chhath Dala Morning puja) is on October 25, 09.
  

Gandhi Jayanti

Introduction 

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace and the Father of the Nation was born on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat.

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on the very day every year as the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of India.

In his autobiography My experiments with Truth Gandhi recalls that his childhood and teen age years were characterized by education in a local school, marriage to Kasturba at the age of 13 and an intrinsic love for ‘truth’ and ‘duty’.

Gandhi, as he was popularly called, proved that non-violence is the most effective instrument of social change. His teachings are promoted even today to avoid violence and find peaceful solutions to conflicts.

Through his sheer dedication and self-belief, Gandhi freed India from the British Raj (British Rule). He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of non-violence.

For Gandhi ‘Non-violence’ and truth were two inalienable virtues. He summed up the entire philosophy of his life as : "The only virtue I want to claim is truth and non-violence. I lay no claim to super human powers : I want none".

The United Nations General Assembly announced on 15th June, 2007 that October 2nd will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.

 Some of the famous quotes by Mahatma Gandhi have been listed below :

• Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
• Fear is not a disease of the body; fear kills the soul.
• The principle of majority does not work when differences on fundamentals are involved.
• Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
• It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence to cover impotence.
• It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.
• You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
• Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress.
• Whatever you do may be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.

History

At the age of the eighteen, he went to England to study law. In 1891, Gandhi returned to India and set up practice at Rajkot. In 1893, he received an offer from an Indian firm in South Africa.

With his two minor sons and Kasturba, he went to South Africa at the age of twenty-four. Colonial and racial discrimination showed its ugly colours in the famous train incident, when he was thrown off the compartment meant for the ‘Sahibs’.
 

During his more than two decades of stay in South Africa, Gandhi protested against the discriminating treatment that was meted out to Indians. He protested against the Asiatic (Black) Act and the Transvaal Immigration Act and started his non-violent civil disobedience

A Satyagrahis’ camp known as the Tolstoy Farm was established at Lawley, 21 miles from Johannesburg, on 30th May 1910, in order to shelter the satyagrahis and their families.

The South African Government had to heed to the voice of reason and in 1914 repealed most of the obnoxious acts against the Indians. The weekly Indian Opinion (1903) became Gandhi’s chief organ of education and propaganda.

Gandhi returned to India in 1915. After an interrupted stay in Shanti Niketan in February-March, 1915, Gandhi collected his companions of Phoenix and established the Satyagraha Ashram in Ahmedabad city. This was shifted in June 1917 to the banks of the Sabarmati. This Ashram became platform for carrying out his cherished social reforms prime among which were Harijan welfare rehabilitation of lepers and self-reliance through weaving Khadi. movement.

Between 1917 and 1918 Gandhi participated in two peasant movements in Champaran (Bihar) and Kaira (Gujarat) and in the labour dispute in Ahmedabad itself. World War I ended on 11 November 1918; Gandhi protested against the Rowlatt Bills and founded the Satyagraha Sabha (28 February 1919). The end of the World war also saw the dismemberment of the Khilafat (Caliphate). This hurt the Indian Muslims deeply. Gandhi was approached for counsel; and in a meeting of the All India Khilafat Conference on 24 November 1919, he proposed that India should respond by non-violent non-cooperation.

The year 1926 was declared by Gandhi to be his year of silence. His famous march to Dandi in March 1930 started a countrywide movement to violate the Salt-Law. Gandhi was arrested on 4 May 1930, and the Government struck hard to crush the movement, but failed.

So Gandhi was set free on 26th January 1931; and following a pact between him and the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin (5 March 1931), he was prevailed upon to represent the Congress at the second Round Table Conference in London.

Gandhi was completely disillusioned with the attitude of the British, which had renewed its policy of ruthless repression. As a result the Civil Disobedience Movement was resumed in January 1932.

Gandhi was in prison when the Communal Award was announced in August 1932, providing for the introduction of separate electorate for the Depressed Classes.

He opposed this attempt to divide the Hindu community and threatened to fast unto death to prevent it. He started his fast on 20th, September 1932. It created consternation in the country, but the situation was saved by the conclusion of the Poona Pact, which provided for special reservation of seats for the Depressed Classes in legislatures, but under joint electorate.

On 8th, May 1933 he announced a fast for 21 days for the Harijan cause. After coming out of prison Gandhi devoted himself exclusively to the cause of the ‘Harijans’.

The weekly Harijan now took the place of the Young India, which had served the national cause from 1919 to 1932. After 1934, Gandhi settled down in Sevagram near Wardha to form a new Centre for his enlarged Constructive Programme, which included Basic Education (1937), designed to bring about the universalisation of education.

In 1942, his ‘Quit India’ slogan was to serve as the final signal to British dominion in India. The partition of India and Pakistan came as a personal shock to Gandhi.

Timeline:

- 2nd October 1869: Birth of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

- 1891: Gandhi returned to India after studying law in England

- 1893: He received an offer from an Indian firm in South Africa

- 1910: A Satyagrahi’s camp known as the Tolstoy Farm was established at Lawley, 21 miles from Johannesburg

- 1915: Gandhiji returned to India in 1915. He also established the Satyagraha Ashram in Ahmedabad city the same year.

- 1917: The Ashram was shifted to the banks of Sabarmati.

- Between 1917-1918: Gandhi participated in two peasant movements in Champaran (Bihar) and Kaira (Gujarat)

- 28 February 1919: Founded the Satyagraha Sabha

- 24 November 1919: At the All India Khilafat Conference, he proposed that India should respond by non-violent non-cooperation.

- March 1930: Started his famous march to Dandi to violate the salt law.

- 4 May 1930: Gandhiji was arrested

- 26 January 1931: He was set free

- 5 March 1931: Following a pact between him and the British Viceroy he was prevailed upon to represent the Congress at the second Round Table Conference in London.

- January 1932: The Civil Disobedience Movement was resumed.

- 20 September 1932: He started his fast unto death to prevent the attempt of the British to divide the Hindu Community

- 8 May 1933: He announced a fast for the Harijan cause

- 1942: His ‘Quit India’ slogan served as the final signal to British dominion in India

- 30 January 1948: Gandhi was assassinated

Assassination

When the nation was rejoicing independence (1947), Gandhi

On 30th January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhipayment to Pakistan. went to Naokhali to ameliorate the conditions of the communal riot victims. by Nathuram Godse who held him responsible for weakening India by insisting upon a

The man of the century had the courage of heart and spirit of the unafraid. His life and teaching reflect the values of this country and the values of humanity.

He had been a beacon light to an army of freedom fighters who practised non-violence in world and deed.

Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat in New Delhi bears the epigraph ‘He Ram’ which is believed to be his last words when he was shot.

Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation by saying that :

“Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the Father of the Nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him again, as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not only for me, but for millions and millions in this country.”

Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in some of the world’s major rivers like the Thames, Nile etc as he had wished.

Mahatma Gandhi was a simple man, with simple tastes and high values. Respecting that, even though Gandhi Jayanti is one of the three official national holidays, the festivities are minimal.

A prayer meeting is held at Rajghat, Gandhi's samadhi in New Delhi. To mark the respect that Gandhi had for all the religions and communities, representatives from different religions take part in it.

Verses and prayers are read out from the holy books of all the religions. Gandhi's favourite song, Raghupati Raghava, is invariably sung at all the meetings associated with him. Prayer meetings are held in various state capitals as well.

Gandhi Jayanti is observed all over the country, both in government and non-government forums.

Celebration  

Mahatma Gandhi was a simple man, with simple tastes and high values. Respecting that, even though Gandhi Jayanti is one of the three official national holidays, the festivities are minimal.

A prayer meeting is held at Rajghat, Gandhi's samadhi in New Delhi. To mark the respect that Gandhi had for all the religions and communities, representatives from different religions take part in it.
 

Verses and prayers are read out from the holy books of all the religions. Gandhi's favourite song, Raghupati Raghava, is invariably sung at all the meetings associated with him. Prayer meetings are held in various state capitals as well.

Gandhi Jayanti is observed all over the country, both in government and non-government forums.
 

Tulsi Vivah

Introduction :

Tulsi vivah is celebrated on the day of Karthik Ekadashi. On this day Tulsi is married to Saaligram. 

The Tulsi plant is considered as a most sacred plant by the Hindus as it is regarded to be an incarnation of Mahalaxmi who was born as Vrinda.

The very name Tulsi, that which cannot be compared, the "incomparable one", has spiritually uplifting qualities. 

Tulsi has been found to possess extraordinary powers of healing. 

  

Legend

Tulsi is known to be an incarnation of Mahalaxmi who was born as Vrinda.

Tulsi was married to demon king Jalandhar. She prayed to Shri Vishnu that her demon husband should be protected, with the result no God was able to harm him. However on the request of the other Gods, Shri Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Tulsi.

When the truth emerged after Jalandhar’s death, Vrinda cursed Shri Vishnu and turned him to stone (Saaligram) and collapsed. From her body emerged the Tulsi plant. That is why Vishnu puja is considered incomplete without Tulsi leaves.

Puja Vidhi

Tulsi vivah is celebrated on the next day of Karthik Ekadashi. On this day Tulsi is married to Saaligram.

The tulsi plant is held sacred by the Hindus as it is regarded to be an incarnation of Mahalaxmi who was born as Vrinda. Tulsi was married to demon king Jalandhar. She prayed to Shri Vishnu that her demon husband should be protected, with the result no God was able to harm him. However on the request of the other Gods, Shri Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Tulsi. When the truth emerged after Jalandhar’s death, Vrinda cursed Shri Vishnu and turned him to stone (Saaligram) and collapsed. From her body emerged the tulsi plant. That is why Vishnu puia is considered incomplete without tulsi leaves.

The very name Tulsi, that which cannot be compared, the "incomparable one", has spiritually uplifting qualities. Tulsi has been found to possess extraordinary powers of healing.

Preparations for the Puja

• Tulsi pot
• Bright coloured odni forTulsi plant
• Sugar cane
• Moli, deepak
• Food rice, puri, sweetpotato, kheer, red pumpkin, aanvla, tamarind
• Suhaag pitari containingsaree, blouse, mahendi, kaazal (kohl), sindoor, bangles, bindi etc.
• Dishes

Vidhi / Method of Performing the Puja

Tulsi pot / Vrinda devi is coloured and decorated as a bride. Four pieces of sugarcane are tied around the Tulsi pot with moli and bright coloured odni is draped on the Tulsi plant.

At midday, a full meal consisting of rice, puri, sweet potato kheer, red pumpkin vegetable cooked with pieces of sugarcane, amla and tamarind is offered to Tulsi Vrindavan.

Tulsi Vivah ceremony takes place in the late evening. The Pundit and housewives performs the ceremony. Tulsi Devi takes the sacred phera with Saaligram. The Punditji brings the Saaligraam with him. In a basket- saree, blouse, mehendi, kaajal, sindoor, bangles, etc. i.e. suhaag related things are kept. This suhaag pilari is offered to Tulsi Devi and later given to a Brahmini.

Various poha dishes are offered to Shri Vishnu.

Then Prasad is distributed among family members and friends.

Marriage of Shalagrama and Tulasi

• One must plant the Tulsi plant at home or forest and after three years one may perform her marriage.
• The Auspicious time to perform her marriage according to the Hindu tradition is:
• When the sun is moving in the north, Jupiter and Venus are rising, in the month of Kartika, from the Ekadashi to the full moon in the month of Magha, and when constellations that are auspicious for marriage appear, especially the full moon day.

• One should first arrange a place for sacrifice (yajna-kunda) under a canopy (mandapa)
• Then after performing shanti-vidhana, one should install sixteen goddesses, and do the shraddha ceremony for his female maternal ancestors
• For the Vivah, one must call four Brahmins well read in Vedas, and appoint one of them as priest, one as Brahma, one as rishi and the fourth one as Acharya.
• One should establish an auspicious water pot (mangala-ghat) under that mandapa according to the Vaishnava rituals followed by establishment of an attractive shalagrama-shila (Lakshmi-Narayana).
• During dusk one should install a golden deity of Narayan and a silver idol of Tulsi.
• With vasa-shanta mantra two cloths should be tied together, with yadavandha mantra the marriage bracelets (kangana) should be tied on the wrists, and with ko' dat mantra the marriage should be consecrated
• Finally the host along with the acarya, rishi, and others should make nine offerings in the yajna-kunda.
• After all the marriage rites and rituals have been successfully performed, the host along with wife and relatives should take a Parikrama around the Tulsi plant and offer food to Brahmins and other relatives.

Significance

Tulsi Vivah is conducted on the day after Kartik Ekadashi (the eleventh bright day of the new moon, Amavasya). According to Hindu mythology, Tulsi is ceremonially married to Lord Vishnu on this day. The festival continues for five days and concludes on the full moon day.

Tulsi Vivah is considered very auspicious especially among Hindus. This day is considered to be the beginning of the marriage season in India. That is the long awaited season of marriages in Hindu community starts from the day of Tulsi Vivah, and thus is not only sacred but long awaited as well.

The festival of Tulsi Vivah is celebrated in each and every household of Goa. There is a custom associated with Tulsi Vivah according to which, womenfolk engage themselves in preparation of Exquisite sweet dishes and these collection of sweets is sent to the daughters home, along with the Puja ingredients from the parental house.

Along with Tulsi, the plants of amla, sugarcane and tamarind are planted.

Celebrations

 Tulsi Vivah is considered highly sacred and auspicious in Hindu Tradition. The plant of Tulsi is considered to be incarnation of Mahalakshmi who was born as Vrinda.

Tulsi Vivah is celebrated on the next day of kartik Ekadashi. It is on this day that Tulsi is married to Shilgram.

Traditional celebrations on the day of Tulsi Vivah include:

• Women folk engage themselves in various preparations, including preparation of wide variety of dishes well in advance.
• A typical Goan ojhe (load of sweets) is sent to the daughter from her parental home along with jodi (cotton threads used to light lamp while performing aarti)
• As it is Tulsi’s Vivah, Tulsi Vrindavan is decorated like a bride on this day.
• Sugarcane and branches of tamarind and amla trees are planted along with the Tulsi plant
• The food preparation includes only vegetarian food.
• At midday, a full meal consisting of rice, moongachi gathi, puri , sweet potato kheer , red pumpkin vegetable cooked with pieces of sugarcane, amla and tamarind is offered to Tulsi Vrindavan
• It is during dusk or evening that the actual ritual of Tulsi Vivah is performed.
• Different Poha dishes are offered to Lord Vishnu.
• The Prasad after the Vivah puja is distributed among al friends and relatives.

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah refers to an ages old ritual of marrying Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu. According to the traditional Hindu calendar, it is celebrated in the Kartik month.

Tulsi Vivah is performed by some communities on the Ekadasi day after Amavasi (new moon) in Kartik month and by some communities on the Dev Diwali day or the full moon day in Kartik Month.

The ritual of Tulsi Vivah is performed and celebrated with immense glory and joy across different temples and households. This ritual is mentioned in age old Puranas and scriptures.

The festival of Tulsi Vivah marks the beginning of the Marriage season in India, especially in the Hindu tradition.

Dev Uthani Puja

Introduction

On the 11th Day or Ekadashi of Shukla Paksh in the month of Karthik, the festival of Dev Uthani Ekadashi is celebrated. lt is also called Prabodhani Ekadashi.

It is believed that on this day Lord Vishnu had woken up after a rest of four
months. Hence, this day marks the end of Chaturmaas.

This day is considered as a very auspicious day and marriages take place on this day all over India. All auspicious work that could not be done during the Chaturmaas are started on this day.

Preparation for the Puja

• Chuna (limestone), geru (red-coloured soil)
• Roli, chawal (rice), moli (coloured thread)
• Fruits, banana
• Gur (jaggery)
• Gwar ki phalli, mooli (radish)
• Rice (approximate 1-1/4 kg)
• Cotton wool, deepak, matchstick, money

Vidhi / Method of Performing the Puja

-The courtyard or the room is cleaned and with chuna (limestone) and with geru the image of Dev is drawn.

-In the evening, puja is performed with water, roli, moli (coioured thread), 1-1/4 kg rice, fruits, gut, cotton, banana, gwar ki phalli, mooli, money etc.

-The deepak is then lit and devotional songs are sung.

-People perform Tulsiji ka Vivah on this day with Shaligram.

Cape Festival

The Cape Festival is celebrated on the grandiose scale at Kanyakumari, TamilNadu. Kanyakumari also referred as "Cape Comorin" is the southern most tip of the country and is popular for its natural exquisiteness. The festival is celebrated with enthusiasm and high festive spirits. Three day long festival is celebrated in the month of October.

Large numbers of tourists flock to the site of the Cape Festival

Many cultural programs are organized on the occasion of the three day long Cape Festival. The carnival is marked by spectacular cultural performances by the artists in the field of music and dance. to witness the confluence of Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. Holy dip in the ocean of triveni sangam (Where the three water bodies meet) is considered auspicious and fortunate.

Tourists are magnetized towards the popular Vivekananda memorial which is set amidst the sea, the place is known to bestow mental emancipation and peace of mind. One of the unique features associated with the place further attracts people towards the place, as Kanyakumari is the only place in India, where one can enjoy viewing the sunset and moonrise simultaneously on a full moon day.

Bateshwar Fair

The state of Uttar Pradesh is popular for its rich spiritual legacy with the series of religious festivals celebrated across the state. The long list of festivals and fairs of the state includes the Bateshwar Fair on the top of the list. The well-known Bateshwar fair is held at Bateshwar, the spiritual and cultural centre of the state.

Bateshwar is located at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river Yamuna.

The place is named after presiding divine being of the place Bateshwar Mahadeo and has 108 temples, dedicated to the divine deities of the Hindu pantheon.The Bateshwar Fair is of great importance in Hindu religion.

The fair is held in the month of karthik which is considered very auspicious and sacred in Hindu religion so large number of devotees flock towards the place to take holy dip in Yamuna and worship Lord Shiva along with this also witness the grand Bateshwar Fair.

Bateshwar Fair is proverbial for cattle fair which is organized with lots of fanfare where people either sell or purchase livestock. The fair includes the market of large numbers of Camels, Horses, oxen, elephants, goats, and other cattle.

There are lots of shops for visitor other then animal market like different shops offering variety of products from furniture, handicrafts and cosmetics to traditional cooking utensils and spices.

The Bateshwar livestock fair is organized for 3 weeks. The first two weeks mark the cattle fair which begin with the market of cows, oxen, camels and horses ends with the market of donkeys and goats.

The third week holds market of different household products and rides for the complete entertainment of visitors of the fair. The Bateshwar Fair presents the colorful glimpse of the rural life of India in a true sense.

Time for celebration

Bateshwar Fair is celebrated with a great deal of ardor and enthusiasm. The Bateshwar Fair starts from Shashti in the month of Kartik and ends on Panchami in the month of Agrahayan. According to Gregorian calendar, the fair falls in the months of October and November. In 2009, the Bateshwar Fair is from 15 October to 2nd November.