Renuka Fair

The Renuka Fair is an extremely popular Fair in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is held on the banks of the famous Renuka Lake situated in the Sirmur district. It is an annual Fair held in the month of November. The fair holds a multidimensional importance. As any fair and festival Renuka fair provides immense opportunities and ways of enjoyment, it also holds religious significance especially for Hindus. 

The fair celebrated and honors the sacrifice of mother Renuka (Mother of Parshuram). Renuka was killed by her own son on the orders of her husband. Thus, the fair actually salutes immortality of Renuka and her son. Thousands of devotees gather here every year to worship their beloved gods and goddesses.

The fair brings in lots of positivity and relaxation to the localites here. Winters spring up by this time and they also get a relief from their daily chores and routines.

Apart from the religious significance, the fair is all packed with numerous activities and events. Dance, Music, Shopping markets, Exhibitions, and many other programs are organized on the banks of Renuka Lake. Processions of twelve local gods visit the Devi's temple during the fair. A number of food kiosks and entertainment pavilions are also set up for visiting pilgrims. Thus, there is a wholesome entertainment and amusement for the tourists and visitors.

There is also an associated and age old ritual followed during the fair, wherein celebrants exchange turbans or caps even handful water to become brother and sisters in the name of deity. On the first day the idol of Parashurama is taken in a decorated silver palanquin from the Jamu village to the banks of the Giri River. The other local deities reach the spot before he does, and then together they go to the site of the fair (with Parashurama leading the jing-bang, of course) and then festivities continue.

Although there are lots of amazing lakes located in Himachal Pradesh, yet, the Renuka Lake is the most beautiful among all of them. On the bank of the lake the temples of Parshuram and Renuka Devi are situated.

Historical Traces:

According to historical evidences, sage Jamadagni the father Parsuram, got really adamant on getting rid of his wife Renuka. He gave orders to his son to chop his mother’s head. Parsuram like an obedient and ideal son blindly followed the orders and killed his mother. Pleased by his son’s diligence, Jamadagni gave him a boon. Parsuram immediately asked for his mother’s life and indeed ensured her immortality.

Time of Celebration:

Renuka Fair is held every year in the month of November in Himachal Pradesh. It is a three day Fair, celebrated on the first fortnight of November. Thousands of devotees and tourists gather here during November to enjoy and participate in this popular Fair.

How to Reach:

By Air

The nearest airheads are Dehra Dun and Chandigarh, which are accessible from Nahan and Renuka by road. Dehra Dun and Chandigarh are served from Delhi by Indian Airlines. Within the state, the capital Shimla is connected by air, from which the region is accessible by road.

By Rail

For Nahan, the nearest railhead is Ambala, 100-km away; Dehra Dun also serves as a railhead, 65-km from Paonta Sahib. Regular train services from Delhi connect both rail terminals.

By Road

Delhi is the entry point for the region. For reaching Renuka, there are two routes from Delhi, both approximately 350-km. The first route from Delhi is via Shahabad, Naraingarh, Kala Amb, and Nahan to Renuka. The second route begins in Delhi and goes via Pipli, Yamunagar to Renuka. The Distance between Nahan and Paonta is 45-km; between Nahan and Renuka is 35-Km; and between Paonta and Renuka is 58-km. Saketi is 22-km from Nahan.

 

French Quarter Festival

The 2010 International Experimental Media Congress, the first Congress of its kind since the 1989 Toronto Experimental Film Congress, will assemble film, video, new media artists, theorists, archivists, and curators from around the world, who will be in Toronto through April 11 for panels and discussions related to experimental media production, exhibition, dissemination, criticism, pedagogy and reception. The International Film Festival Summit (IFFS) is an annual conference and trade show for professionals from the film festival industry who will be in Amsterdam through April 9 to participate in presentations, interactive panel discussions and networking events, and to look forward to the Dinner With Strangers event that allows attendees a unique and fun opportunity to meet and dine with festival colleagues from all over the world.

The 2010 French Quarter Festival, opening April 9-11, highlights New Orleans’ signature music, food, and culture in the historic neighborhood, mostly by a musical smorgasbord of jazz, r&b, funk, folk, opera, gospel, blues, and brass bands, but also with over 105 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, forming the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” with local cuisines from the area’s finest restaurants including such festival favorites as Jambalaya, Crawfish Bread, Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, Muffaletta, Crawfish, and more.

The annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference and expo for professionals who create filmed entertainment, and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums and platforms, happens this year from April 10-15 in Las Vegas. Comic strip icon, Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Daredevil, Silver Surfer), will be at this year’s event, and the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) in partnership with the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) and Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) will host its annual spring Career Fair at the NAB Show.

Nailing Jello Productions conducts a short film screening, fundraiser and panel discussion on how independent filmmakers are using social and emerging media to fundraise, market and distribute their films at an event conducted in New York City on April 14. Tours and activities in Wine Country sets the theme for the Sonoma International Film Festival as activities interwoven into the festival’s daily screenings, happening April 14-18. Leading off the Sonoma Festival will be the world premiere of the documentary, “Coals to Newcastle”, about one of Britain’s cutting-edge funk bands, the New Mastersounds, who will be in town for the festival and perform live after the screening.

The Beverly Hills Film Festival, a competition festival dedicated to showcasing non-studio films and screenplays of emerging filmmakers in the city generally recognized as the headquarters for VIPs to the motion picture industry, is now in its tenth year, opening for a run from April 14-18, while treating festival goers to nightly theme parties, seminars, and a charity benefit. Nashville Film Festival, an Academy qualifier for short films, opens April 15 this year, through April 22, and because it takes place in “Music City” it is only natural that part of the focus be on music in films. So in addition to the many films about music and the Music Films in Music City awards, NaFF presents showcases, workshops, and other events where songwriters and artists come together with film professionals from Hollywood and around the world to promote collaboration. 

The 45th Academy of Country Music Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas on CBS television network Sunday, April 18 at 8 pm (EST), hosted by Reba McEntire. For those fortunate to attend the Awards live in Las Vegas, the ACM All-Star Jam follows the award ceremony featuring impromptu performances from artists who participated in the Awards show. Mediabistro hosts an April 20 L.A. Cocktail Party for professionals in the media industry.  Conversation will be geared toward the latest media industry developments as party hosts, Write On! Online freelance writer, Debra Eckerling, and Kaiser Permanente senior web editor, Michelle Thatcher, help you enjoy yourself and make some great connections.

The mission of the Rincón International Film Festival is to support and promote culture and the arts in Puerto Rico through the medium of film. Rincón, Puerto Rico is also a Surfer’s paradise, so the festival is also looking to screen great surfing films, particularly at the beachfront resorts that will be used as screening venues during the festival run, April 20-25. The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry performers and business executives, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. Awards will be presented on April 22 (the festival itself runs April 20-25) at the IFFLA Industry Leadership Award Luncheon held at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. 

The show will include performances by TAAL Dance Collective. Championing the short film format, Filmfest Dresden promotes a film category which is mostly disregarded by cinemas and television. This year, Filmfest Dresden is supplementing its film programmes with an extensive range of special events discussions, receptions and get-togethers such as on April 22 when the Saxony Film Association, the German Short Film Association, Filmfest Dresden, the School-goers Cinema Dresden, the Dresden Narrow Gauge Festival and other institutes are holding a reception where people will have an opportunity to get together for mutual exchanges. 

As it usually does, the Tribeca Film Festival in New York will host many free events during its run from April 21 to May 5, for film fans and families, including: Tribeca Drive-In, an outdoor screening series that takes place at the World Financial Center Plaza, where you can watch professional salsa dancers, listen to live salsa music, enter dancing contests, and even take salsa lessons, following the screening of the HBO documentary The Spirit of Salsa. Then there will be the Tribeca Talks: Industry panels touching on all aspects of the filmmaking trade, and The Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day. Opening on April 22 until April 26, Palm Beach International Film Festival, started in 1996 to give the area a foothold in the film industry as well as to benefit the area’s community schools through grant and scholarship awards, will emphasize its newly formed Friends of the PBIFF, which offers an array of fun-filled events to raise funds and awareness on a year-round basis for the PBIFF. Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival, running April 22 to May 6, is thought to be one of the longest-running film festival in the Americas.

This year, SFIFF has an line-up of narrative feature films, live action and animated shorts, television and theatrical documentaries, experimental work, digital media, and industry panels, seminars, awards events, onstage tributes, retrospectives, and the well regarded Schools at the Festival program, which brings an estimated 4,200 grade school students into the festival.

ShowBiz Expo Los Angeles is the west coast counterpart to the show held in New York City in March — but runs for two days, April 24-25. Like New York the Los Angeles Expo includes a wide range of networking opportunities including the Exhibit Hall, Workshops/Seminars, Round Table Discussions, Headshot Displays, etc., and most importantly, live audition opportunities for which there is limited enrollment on a first come basis. MUSEEXPO 2010 will be in Los Angeles from April 25-28, and will incorporate the intimate format that marked its beginnings as organic networking dinners organized by A&R Network and A&R Worldwide architect Sat Bisla, aimed at bringing together friends and like-minded relationships from the global radio, A&R, film/TV music supervision, publishing, new media and artist management communities. In London on April 27, noted film director and FOCAL International’s Chair of Patrons, Lord David Putnam, opens the FOCAL International Awards festivities with a champagne reception sponsored by AP Archive, followed by a three-course dinner. FOCAL was formed in 1985 as an international, non-profit professional trade association representing commercial film/audiovisual, stills and sound libraries. The black tie and evening cocktail attire affair ends late with an after party also sponsored by AP Archive.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Daily Motion, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist podcast blog. Follow the posting of the news summary on Twitter. Last month on the video news summary you saw new video from newly released single on iTunes – Make Your Move – from UK’s soulful, R&B songstress, Bukola. Music producing Padded Cell Productions of Toronto with a newly released art film, Jane Doe. And there was the “spiritual fusion of acoustic sitar experimental chanting spoken word improvisation”  of Scot Aaron and Govinda Schlegel who form Shaman Strings. These videos are now available on the Free Home Video Showcase which now serves as an archive for all past video presentations but without the audio news narration.

Hunterdon Chamber Health and Wellness Fair

Hunterdon Chamber Health and Wellness Fair a Success

The beautiful weather on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 didn't impede the attendees at the 2010 Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Fun Fair. The gym at HealthQuest of Hunterdon was fill with over 50 Hunterdon County Businesses and just under a thousand attendees. "The Chamber is very pleased with the success of our 1st Annual Health & Wellness Fun Fair," commented Chris Phelan, President & CEO of the Chamber. 

"With just under one-thousand attendees, we feel that the fair, both for those who sponsored and exhibited and those who attended found the event full of great information and organizations that provided valuable resources in the community," Phelan went on to say. "The Health & Wellness Fun Fair met its objectives of bringing together the best that Hunterdon County has to offer to families, residents and businesses in one convenient location. Plans are already underway for next year's show." 

The day of the 21 Annual Business EXPO was jam-packed with activities! The New Jersey 101.5 Prize Van was on site from 12:00 3:00PM. Hunterdon Medical Center was present featuring their "Repair a Bear" station staff by the Hunterdon Wound Healing Center who bandaged all the bears. There was also Cardiac Risk Assessment for visitors at their table. 

The US Census was onsite holding a "March to the Mailbox" campaign at their booth that encouraged people to come out and mail back their completed census forms. Also, as part of the "March to the Mailbox" campaign, the US Census bureau distributed promotional hats and t-shirts. 

Hunterdon Hispanos provided four bilingual volunteers for the day to talk to bilingual attendees about the Census and encourage participation. There was face painting and huge inflatables for children set up provided by HealthQuest. They also had their dance and gymnastics classes put on continuing performances for attendees. Contact the Chamber office at 908-782-7115 or email rabbate@hunterdon-chamber.org for more information! 

The Health & Wellness Fun Fair was sponsored by: Hunterdon Prevention Resources, Supporting Sponsor; HealthQuest, Supporting Sponsor; Yellowbook, Supporting Sponsor; CenturyLink, Supporting Sponsor; Hunterdon County YMCA, Program Sponsor; ShopRite of Hunterdon, Program Sponsor; Home Instead Senior Care, Program Sponsor; and Rainbow Academy, Program Sponsor. Visit the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
website at www.hunterdon-chamber.org for more information.  

Mid-May Programs

Mid-May Programs at Hunterdon Libraries

THE SECRET OF LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE

Licensed Leadership Coach Neil Cooper of Cooper Leadership Coaching, will be at the North County Branch Library in Clinton on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 pm to walk you through a process that develops a personally effective style of leadership that positively influences and changes not only yourself, but also those with whom you work and interact.

In a world of unparalleled economic change, experiencing new perspectives about how to see yourself, other people, and the world is the key to true success. The daily challenges faced by business owners, executives, management teams and families are overwhelming.  At this workshop you will learn how to become the ideal leader you aspire to be, and recognize what is holding you back from the success you have dreamed about.  This workshop is highly interactive and power-packed with useful information. Build an enduring foundation for personal growth. Neil Cooper is a Certified Professional Coach and an Energy Leadership Master Practitioner. 

 Free, but space is limited.  Reservations are required. Please call (908) 730-6135 or visit the Library website’s Events Calendar at www.hclibrary.us.  The North County Branch Library is located at 65 Halstead Street in Clinton, NJ.

AN EVENING WITH THE BLUES – Geoff Caldwell/Guy DeRosa

Geoff Caldwell, guitar and vocals, and Guy DeRosa, harmonica and vocals, perform at the Hunterdon County Library on Wednesday, May 12 at 7:00 pm.

Geoff Caldwell and Guy DeRosa have made music together for over 20 years.  They play a great variety of acoustic and electric blues as well as some gospel and ragtime.  Guy DeRosa is one of the best mouth harp players around.  Geoff Caldwell is a wonderful blues singer and guitarist. 

 Free, but space is limited.  Reservations are required. Please call (908) 788-1434 or visit the Library website’s Events Calendar at www.hclibrary.us.  The Hunterdon County Library is located at 314 Route 12 in Raritan Township, NJ.

TEEN CAFE TO SHARE COOL COLLECTIONS

North County Library’s Teen Café will be the place to be on Wednesday, May 12 from 7:00-8:00pm as young people display their cool collections. Whether your passion is trading cards, posters, key chains, wrist bands, rocks, shells or technological gadgets, bring them to the library and share what you love to collect with others. If you don’t have a collection to share, come and discover what other teens are collecting.

This program is open to young people in grades 6-9. Registration is required, and begins on Wednesday, May 5 at 9:00AM. To register, stop by the library at 65 Halstead Street in Clinton or call (908) 730-6834.

HUNTERDON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FIDDLE CLUB

Join us on Thursday morning, May 13 at 11:30 am in the lobby of the Headquarters Library on Route 12 as we welcome Hunterdon Central Regional High School’s Fiddle Club.

 Under the direction of teacher William Magalio, this group of talented fiddle (violin) players will play a selection of traditional and sometimes non-traditional music in this impromptu concert.  Browse the libraries’ collection while listening to this enthusiastic group of young people, or take a seat in our entrance area and spend some time listening to the stars of the future! This concert will last for approximately one-half hour.  Registration is not required.

HOW  TO LANDSCAPE YOUR HOME LIKE A PRO 

  

Garden planner Hank Snyder presents “How to Landscape Your Home Like a Pro” at the Hunterdon County Library on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 pm.

 DON

Mr. Snyder will be covering topics such as how to use the three main areas of your home landscape effectively, what to avoid when planting, use of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs for year ‘round bloom and color, lawn maintenance, maintaining flower beds, container growing, and the secrets the pros don’t want you to know.  So come get a jump start on planning and planting a beautiful spring garden.

Second annual memorial event

Second annual memorial event celebrates the life of local artist

The Michelle Oliva Deady Foundation is holding its second annual memorial event to celebrate the life and work of Michelle Oliva Deady, a resident of Clinton Township, NJ, who lost her life to Gardner’s Syndrome and complications with cancer two years ago at the age of 26.

The memorial event will take place Friday, Nov. 6, at the Bridgewater Manor in Bridgewater, from 7:00 11:00 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a buffet, cocktails, a DJ, basket raffles, and more, while their donation will be making a difference in the life of a local 24-year-old colon cancer patient.

Last year’s “Michelle’s Taste of Life” wine tasting event raised over $7,000 that was donated to the Lewinger Family, whose fraternal twins daughter Madison and son Jack, now 4 years old are battling Wilms’ tumor, a rare type of kidney cancer.

A portion of the proceeds was also given to a local arts student in honor of Michelle, who was a talented artist and web designer at GraficaGroup in Chester, NJ, a full-service advertising and interactive marketing firm which is assisting in promoting the event. “She had a deep passion for art and a vibrant personality that touched us all,” said Debra A. Taeschler, President and CEO of GraficaGroup.

Born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Michelle graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School and received her Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from the University of Hartford in Connecticut. Aside from her love of art and flair for design, she was also a big fan of the outdoors from running to skiing to snorkeling.

Information about this year’s event can be found on www.michelle-olivadeady.memory-of.com.

Donations can be sent to: The Michelle Oliva Deady Foundation, P.O. Box 904, Far Hills, NJ 07931. The foundation is a recognized New Jersey state not-for-profit entity.

Amelia Chamber Music Festival

Fernandina Beach, FL – Amelia Island, Florida’s northernmost barrier island on the Atlantic, will host the ninth season of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, one of the largest chamber festivals in the southeastern U.S. Scheduled from May 7- May 30, the Festival will feature more than 50 internationally acclaimed artists and 18 performances in intimate, beautiful settings around the island, including churches, an historic courthouse and one of the best preserved Civil War forts in the nation.

Christopher Rex, the Festival’s artistic director and principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, said, “Entering its ninth season, The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival has become a nationally recognized event, drawing music lovers from around the country. The 2010 Festival will feature a galaxy of internationally acclaimed stars, including pianists Andre Watts, and Valentina Lisitsa; The Eroica Trio; violinists Robert McDuffie and Arnold Steinhardt, formerly principal violin with the Guarneri String Quartet; cellist Andres Diaz; soprano Jessica Rivera; and The St. Lawrence String Quartet. These and other artists, combined with the unparalleled beauty of Amelia Island, are certain to make our upcoming Festival the best yet.”

The complete schedule of the 2010 Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is available at the Festival’s web site, www.aicmf. 

 Located a short drive north of Jacksonville, Florida and nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, Amelia Island features 13 miles of unspoiled, picturesque coastline. The Island has retained the architectural charm of the Victorian era, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation has designated Fernandina Beach, the Island’s only town, as one of the country’s Top Ten “Distinctive Destinations.” Recreational activities abound on Amelia Island, including exceptional golf and tennis as well as deep-sea fishing, sailing, kayaking, and horseback riding.

Highlights of the 2010 Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival include: 

Pianist Valentina Lisitsa, May 7 at the Friday Musicale concert hall in Jacksonville (645 Oak Street) in a piano quintet and piano duet with her husband, Alexi Kuznetsoff; and May 16 on Amelia Island.

Described by critics as “positively dazzling” and “electrifying,” she has performed at most of the world’s most prestigious venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, Vienna’s Musikverein and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. Valentina had more than 80 performances in the 2009 season.

Violinist Robert McDuffie, May 13

Robert McDuffie, a Grammy nominated violinist, has appeared as soloist with most of the major orchestras of the world. A New York critic recently wrote, “McDuffie is one of the finest violinists of our age.” Another review from the Chicago Sun-Times commented, “The evening’s hero was the remarkable American fiddler Robert McDuffie, who plays with magnetic energy and seeming effortlessness.”

Pianist Andre Watts, May 14

Considered one of the greatest pianists on the international stage, Andre Watts burst upon the music world in 1963 at the age of 16 when Leonard Bernstein chose him to make his debut with the New York Philharmonic in their Young People’s Concerts, broadcast nationwide on CBS-TV. More than 45 years later, Watts remains one of today’s most celebrated stars.

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, May 18 and 19

Violinist Jay Ungar and guitarist Molly Mason composed and performed the musical hallmark of Ken Burns’ The Civil War on PBS. The couple is recognized for its timeless renditions of hard-driving Appalachian, Cajun and Celtic fiddle tunes, stirring Civil War classics, sassy songs from the golden age of swing and country, stunning waltzes, and deeply moving original compositions.

The Eroica Trio, May 23

The Eroica is one of the most sought-after trios in the world. The three women who make up the Grammy nominated Eroica Trio, one of the first all-female ensembles to reach the top echelon of its field, electrify the concert stage with their performances of depth and precision. “This is a superlative ensemble, producing one of the biggest and most brilliant piano trio sounds in memory,” lauded a New York music critic.

Free Concerts

As part of the Festival’s community outreach initiatives, four concerts of the 2010 season will be free of charge, including a concert in Central Park on May 16 and a Family Concert on May 29. 

Tickets for the 2010 Festival will go on sale in early April and can be purchased by credit card at the Festival’s website www.aicmf.com or (904) 261-1779. Ticket prices range from $10 to $60, with most priced at $25. The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Balloon Festival

Balloon Festival Launches Sponsorship Opportunities, VW to Provide VIP Experience

The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC has announced a partnership agreement with Volkswagen of America.

Volkswagen will be the title sponsor of this year’s Blue Sky VIP Club, which offers attendees the opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the Festival in true VIP style, with amenities such as priority viewing of the five scheduled mass hot air balloon ascensions along the flight line of the balloon launch field, reserved concert seating with the best seats in the house for the Festival’s legendary concert series, and reserved parking.

The 28th annual Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, July 23-24-25, 2010, is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. Located at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ, the Festival is located halfway between New York City and Philadelphia, attracting 175,000 people and worldwide media coverage in the nation’s most coveted media and consumer marketplace.

In addition to offering affordable family entertainment to tens of thousands of people, the Festival also offers its attendees the opportunity to enjoy the magic of ballooning in more luxurious settings. Each Volkswagen Blue Sky Club VIP ticket will include admission into the Festival, VIP parking and entrance into the Blue Sky Club VIP tent, where premium food service, a private pay bar and access to executive restrooms are available.

“We are pleased to announce that one of the world’s largest automakers is joining this summer’s premier family entertainment event and adding to our attendees’ VIP experience,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. “This is a great example of how a partnership works to meet both of our goals. Like us, Volkswagen prides itself on delivering a product that excites the eyes and stirs the soul.”

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Passat Wagon, Eos, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.

All 2010 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

Lili Parikrama

Introduction

Lili Parikrama refers to the annual fair held in the district of Junagadh in the state of Gujarat. The fair involves parikrama (Green Pradakshina or circumambulation) around mount Girnar, which starts from the temple of Bhavnath and after covering some of the major hills of Mount Girnar it ends again at the Bhavnath temple.

The fair is organized by the local people, priests, police and forest department officials. The people of the state believe that all 33 crore Gods live in Girnar and this belief drives the devotees to take a parikrama of mount Girnar annually.

Initially the fair involved a 12 miles round on foot, which from the past 150 years has been reduced to 4 miles. The complete Parikrama takes 4 days, and that’s the duration of the fair.

Although Mount Girnar and the nearby places in Junagadh district have many religious and holy places, but, of all the peaks and places pilgrims and devotees definitely visit the Bhavnath Shiv temple, Bhartruchari cave, Sorath Mahal, Bhim Kund and Shiv Kund. Also of the seven peaks on mount Girnar, five are the most important namely Ambamata, Gorakhnath, Augadh, Guru Dattatreya and Kalika.

Where is the fair held?

The fair of Lily parikrama is held every year in the district of Junagadh, situated at the foothills of Mount Girnar which is the tallest mountain of Gujarat, 6 kms from the Junagadh city.

The complete journey takes 4 days starting from the temple of Bhavnath and finally ending at the same place.

People attending the Fair:

Over the years the fair of Lily Parikrama has gained tremendous importance and attention. It is estimated that currently around 1 Lakh people attend the fair which mainly includes the tribes from nearby districts and towns around Junagadh.

The devotees attending the fair are mainly Lord Shiva believers and followers. The fair is venerated by both Hindus and Jains. The Jains call it Mount Neminath.

Attractions

Around 1 Lakh people attend this annual grand pilgrimage Parikrama every year. The fair is not certainly extremely significant from the religious point of view, but it is also a good destination for tourists who come for holidaying. The weather at the time of fair is extremely pleasant and due to rains the lakes and ponds are all full of water. The journey of the Parikrama becomes enjoyable as it is all green and beautiful throughout the period of fair.

Some of the major attractions involved in the fair are:

• Raas and bhajan mandlis
• Dramas and duhas
• Number of eatable and refreshment stalls.
• Toy stalls for kids.
• Stalls selling beautiful idols.

The Parikrama starts with worshipping Lord Shiva’s shrine at Bhavnath. People then move on the designated path that is highlighted with lights. Devotees walk day and night throughout the fair.

There is plenty of sadhu maths where people stop for a while to pay respect to these naga bavas.

Pilgrims and devotees enjoy the journey with the presence of numerous Raas and bhajan mandalis. Devotees try to end this journey on the full moon night at the Bhavnath temple.

  

Parikrama 2009

The fair is held every year in the kartik month according to the Hindu calendar. Precisely the fair held on the Hindu calendar date of Kartik Sud 11 to 15.

According to the Gregorian calendar it falls in the months of October-november.

In 2009, the fair will start on 29th October and end on 2nd November.

The fair over the years have become one of the mega events for the state of Gujarat, as lakhs of tourists and devotees from all over the country come and visit the places around Junagadh during the period of the fair.

 

Bada Osha

Dhabaleswar, Temple of Lord Mahadeva in the state of Orissa is an extremely famous and known among the localites of the state. The festival of Bada Osha is essentially a “Festival of Fasting” celebrated in the month of Kartik.

 As a custom this fast is mostly observed by men. The fast is kept on the fourteenth of Kartika (September-October). In the year 2009, it will fall on 1st Nov’09.

Orissa is famous for its culture and traditions. As a state it witnesses a number of religions, temples, shrines and tribes all fusing to blend in a rich state of traditions.

As the number of religions found here are many, so are the festivals and fairs celebrated.

Many festivals celebrated in Orissa find close resemblance to the festivals of Northern India, yet they differ in their names and practices here.

Dhabaleswar (Temple of Lord Mahadeva):

The festival of Bada Osha is primarily celebrated at the temple of Lord Mahadeva- Dhabaleswar. The temple is situated on an island in the river Mahanadi. The temple is located very close to the city of Cuttack, nearly 3Kms. Although the temple is always occupied by devotees, but on the Festival of Bada Osha, lakhs of tourists and devotees throng the place of worship to offer prayers.

How to Reach Cuttack?

Reaching Cuttack By Air - Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to Cuttack. An adequate number of daily flights Indian airlines as well as some other private operators, connect the city with Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

Reach Cuttack By Rail/Train - Lying on the Kolkata-Chennai main line, the local railway station at Cuttack observes a plethora of  fast trains operating from here that connect the city with some other prominent cities within and outside Orissa thus making the journey to Cuttack via train, a much convenient and reasonable option.

Cuttack By Road - A smooth network of National Highways connect Cuttack with the rest of India. Regular buses and taxis ply to and fro Cuttack for all the major cities of India.

Chandrabhaga Fair

Chandrabhaga Fair is held every year in Jhalarapatan 6 kms from Jhalawar in Rajasthan in the month of Kartik (October-November). River Chandrabhaga is considered holy by the people in Rajasthan and so on full moon day in the month of Kartik thousands of devotees take a holy dip in this river. 

Rituals and celebrations

To mark this occasion, a large cattle fair is held on the last day of Kartik which also attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India. The cattle fair which merges religion with commerce is held here and livestock like buffaloes, cows, camels, horses and bullock are brought in this place. Traders from distant areas like Maharasthra and Madhya Pradesh gather here and take part in the trading of these animals.

The fair also attracts tourists who get an opportunity to interact with the locals and familiarize themselves with their rituals and customs.

How to Reach there?

By Air

Jhalawar has no airport its own. The nearest airport is Kota, lying some 87 km away.

By Bus

The place is well connected with Bundi, Kota and Jaipur. Infect NH12 passes through Jhalawar.

By Train

The nearest rail head is Ramganj Mandi, at a distance of 25 Km. It is on the main Delhi Mumbai line. However, not all trains stop here. To reach here, Dehradun Express and Frontier Mail, which have stops here, should be opted for.

Getting around

Jhalawar is a relatively small town and easy enough to get around on foot, but there are plenty of auto - rickshaws, cycles - rickshaws and Tongas.

Tourist Attractions:

Following is a list of major tourist hotspots of the region that are worth a visit:

• Jhalawar Fort
• Bhawani Natyashala
• Government Museum
• Chandrabhaga Temple
• Gagron Fort
• Bhimsagar
• Fort Of Gangadhar
• Kakuni
• Rein Basera
• Dalhanpu

Guru Nanak Ji Jayanti

Introduction

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith was born in 1469 A.D. in the village of Talwandi in Lahore, Pakistan. Guru Nank Dev Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh religion. Sikhs do not worship idols and believe that God is formless. They celebrate the birth anniversaries of 10 Sikh gurus as Gurupurabs with devotion and dedication.

Celebrations

Guru Nank Jayanti is marked by prabhat pheris or early morning processions that begins from the gurudwaras and then moves to different localities singing hymns or shabads. The celebration lasts for three days.

Usually two days before the birthday of Guru Nanak, ‘Akhand Path’ or forty-eight hour non-stop reading of the holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is carried on at the gurudwaras.

A procession is carried out on the day before his birthday which is led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones).

Sikh flag, or the Nishan Sahib and the palki or the palanquin of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is taken out in the procession. The procession also includes a group of singers singing hymns in praise of Guru Nanak and Gatka teams displaying their showmanship through martial arts.

The leaders of the procession also spread the message of Guru Nanak.

Gurupurab day begins early with the singing of the Asa-di-Var (morning hymns) and hymns from the Sikh scriptures. It is followd with Katha or the exposition of the scriptures along with poems and lectures in praise of Guru Nanak. Langar or special community lunch is prepared at the gurudwaras.The langar along with ‘Karah Prasad’ is offered to men and dwomen of all communities.

Brief background of Guru Nanak Dev

Guru Nanak was born into a Kshatriya family and was a son of an accountant. Even as a child, Nanak had a mystic disposition and had a contemplative mind.

He was of a pious nature and started meditation and spiritual practices very early in life. As a seven year old boy, he questioned his Hindi teacher about ‘knowledge’ and how will it help to attain freedom.

His father then tried to divert his mind to worldly affairs and asked him to cultivate land and tend the cattle. He also put him in charge of a shop but all his efforts failed as his only work was meditation and praying to God. Guru Nanak eventually married and had two sons but he left his family life and became an ascetic.

Facts about Sikhs :

• Guru Nank Dev was the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus.
• The fifth Guru, Guru Arjun compiled the Granth Sahib, the final form of which was given by the tenth Guru, Guru Govind Singh.
• In order to give the Sikhs a different identity, Guru Govind Singh, introduced the five Ks: "kes" or unshorn hair and beard, “kangh” or comb in the hair, “kara" or steel bangle on the right wrist, "kacch” or short drawers and "kirpan" or steel dagger.
• The main shrine of the Sikhs is the Golden Temple of Amritsar, in Punjab

 Guru Nanak Jayanti 2009

Chandrabhaga Fair is held every year in Jhalarapatan 6 kms from Jhalawar in Rajasthan in the month of Kartik (October-November). River Chandrabhaga is considered holy by the people in Rajasthan and so on full moon day in the month of Kartik thousands of devotees take a holy dip in this river.

The birth anniversary of the first saint of Sikhs, Guru Nanak Ji is celebrated with great fervor and devotion by the Sikhs. Guru Nanak Jayanti falls every year in the month of October -November or in the Hindu month of Kartik. In 2009, the festival is on November, 2.