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May Day, the first day of the month of May is celebrated all over India as a spring fertility festival to honour goddess spring. The day also commemorates the “International Worker’s Day” which has a historic significance. It is also a day of political protests. May Day is otherwise observed as a saint's feast day or a day for organized labor. In many countries, it is a public holiday.
May Day as Labour Day
In many countries including India, May Day is also celebrated as Labour Day. The day originates with the US labour movement in the late 19th century. The history of the movement dates back to May 1, 1886. On this day several labour unions across the US went on strike, demanding a standard workday of eight hours. On May 4th there was bloodshed in Chicago's Haymarket Square – A bomb thrown by a revolutionist led to the deaths of a dozen people (including several police officers) and the injury of over 100 people.
The protests did not get an immediate outcome, but they proved effective subsequently, as eight-hour work days became the norm in many countries across the globe. This day was hence chosen as a day for demonstrations, parades, and speeches. It is a major state holiday in US, Russia and other communist countries. In India, May Day has also been declared a public holiday.
Celebration
Labor Day is celebrated on May 1 in many countries around the world and it is still often a day for protests and rallies. On this day, various labour organizations across the country carry out processions and organize competitions for children belonging to labour class.
However, in recent years, the celebration of this day has taken a new turn, where the workers and trade unions demand to safeguard their interests and give the economic reforms a humane face.
Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season.
The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess Durga, the divine mother, had destroyed the evil force (in the form of the demon Mahisashura) during this period.
The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country.
People from various sections of the society irrespective of caste and creed celebrate this festival by visiting temples and offering pujas at the Mother’s feet.
In some places special puja samarohas are also held by setting the images of Mother Durga on beautifully decorated pandals.
Temples dedicated to Shakti also make arrangement for pujas and bratas to mark these nine days as true symbols of devotion and adoration towards the divine mother.
Rituals :
Navratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects of the supremegoddess or goddesses. During Navratri, different forms of Mother Goddess are worshipped. On the first three days Durga or Goddess of Energy is worshipped.
The next three days are devoted to Lakshmi or Goddess of Wealth and the last three days for Saraswati or Goddess of Knowledge. On the fifth day, it is traditional to worship Saraswati to invoke our spirit and knowledge.
On the eighth and ninth day, Yagna (sacrifice offered to the fire) is performed to honor Durga Mata and bid her farewell. The festival of Navratri concludes in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. In some regions a young boy also accompanies them who symbolize Bhairav; he is considered as protector against all evils. Fast is observed by devotees during all the nine days of Navratri. Prayers are also offered for good health and prosperity. Navratri, besides being a period of introspection and purification, is also considered an auspicious time for starting new ventures.
Chaitra Navratri 2010
Navratri, the festival of nine divine nights is full of festivity and merry making. The festival of Navratri is the perfect blend of fun, dance and worship of Goddess Durga.
Navratri is celebrated twice in a year, once in the month of March or April and other in the month of September or October. Navratri is dedicated to worship of goddess Durga and is the most awaited festival for all age groups.
Chaitra Navratri or Chait Navratras or Ram Navratri or Vasant Navratri, is observed during the Chaitra month (March – April) in a traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India.
Chaitra Navaratri 2010 begins on March 16 and ends on March 24. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Shakti and her other three forms– Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
It begins on the first day of the Chaitra month and ends with Ram Navami.
Navratri Puja
Navratri is celebrated twice in a year.One after the festival of Holi in the month of Chaitra Shukla Paksha from Ekam (First day) to Navmi (Ninth day). These are called Vasanth Navratri. In this, prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu.
Once before Dussehra in the month of Ashwin Shukla Paksha on Ekam (first Day) to Navmi (9th day). These are called Sharadeeya Navratri. In these nine days of Navratri, we pray to Durga Maa.
On the eight day of this Navratri, Durga Maa was born, hence her pujaon this day is of special significance.
These nine days also have a special significance for unmarried girls.
Preparation for the puja
- Picture or image of Durga Maa
-Durga Sapthashati book, Devi’s armour
- Water in a kalash, mango leaves, coconut
- Roli, moli, chawal, paan, betl nut.
- Cloves, cardamom, sindoor, abhir, gulal
- Dhoop, deepak, matchsticks
- Flowers such as hibiscus, lotus, roses and belpatr leaves
- Fruits such as pomegranate and sweets such as laddoo and peda
- Panchpatra containing spoon and water, pata, mat to sit (Aasan)
Jhuwara is grown - On the first day of Navratri, take a large earthen pot with a wide mouth, put some sand in it and plant either jaun or wheat kernels which have been soaked the previous night. Every day a little water is sprinkled over them and they are put in sunlight for a short time for germination.
Vidhi / Method of performing puja
Place the kalash by putting wheat grains on the pata, fill water in the kalash, place live mango tree leaves in the mouth of the kalash and put a coconut in the middle, Moli is tied on the neck ofthe kalash.
Place Durga Maa’s image on the pata and worship with roli, rice, flowers, belpatr, sindoor, abhir and gulal.
Maa ki jyoti lena
Take a small clay pot, add a burning coal to the pot, pour ghee over the coal and offer a small piece of laddoo, peda or halwa. Keep adding ghee at intervals. The higher the flame the more auspicious it is. This jyoti / light has to be maintained throughout the puia. At the conclusion, fold your hands and circle them around the jyoti.
Light dhoop and deepak.
Perform Durga Saptashati or Devi Kavach (hymn invoking Devi's protection) either yourself or by a Pundit.
Some people go to the temple for these nine days to perform the puia.
Many people fast on this Day. At least one meal should be a phalaahaar and the other can be with cereal.
Many people conclude the puja on the 8th day by doing Devi ki Kadhai. On this day, Maa ki jyoti is taken with halwa. You should make atta halwa, chawal ki kheer, puri, kaala chana (black grain) and one or two vegetables. Unmarried girls are invited for meal. After the food, the girls are given some fruits and money as Dakshina.
Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhari, Maiya Var Mudra Dhari…
Manwanchhit Phal Pavat, Man Iccha Phal Pavat, Sewat Nar Nari… Jai!!
Kanchan Thal Virajat, Agar Kapoor Bati, Maiya Agar Kapoor Bati…
Malketu Mein Rajat, Malketu Men Rajat, Koti Ratan Jyoti… Jai!!
Durgaji Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gave, Maiya Jo Sunder Gave…
Kahat Shivananda Swami, Ratata Shivananda Swami, Sukh Sampati Pave!!
Jai Ambe Gauri, Mayya Jai Shyama Gauri...
Tumko Nishidin Dhyavat, Tumko Sabdin Sevat, Hari Brahma Shivji!!
Bolo Durge Maiyya ki Jai!!!
Nine days of Navratri
First Day
IThe first day is dedicated to the Goddess Durga is called Shailputri, the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the companion of Lord Shiva.
Second Day
The second day is dedicated to the Goddess Durga is known as 'Brahmacharini'. The name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. She is also a form of Mata Shakti.
Third Day
The third day is dedicated to the goddess Chandraghanta, the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.
First Day
IThe first day is dedicated to the Goddess Durga is called Shailputri, the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the companion of Lord Shiva.
Second Day
The second day is dedicated to the Goddess Durga is known as 'Brahmacharini'. The name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. She is also a form of Mata Shakti.
Third Day
The third day is dedicated to the goddess Chandraghanta, the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.
Fourth Day
The fourth day is dedicated to the goddess Kushmandas, the creator of the entire Universe.
Fifth Da
The fifth day is dedicated to the Goddess Skand Mata, the mother of the chief warrior of the Gods army the Skanda.
The month of Chitthirai i.e. from mid-April to mid-May is the first month of Tamil calendar. The month usually starts from 14th April, the day known as Tamil New Year. This is an auspicious occasion for Tamilians (people of Tamil origin) living all over the world. People exchange greetings by wishing “Puthandu Vazthukal” – Happy New Year, with great passion. According to Hindu Mythology, this is the day on which Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe) started the creation of the world.
Celebration
The first day of Tamil calendar starts with some popular beliefs and faiths. People rise early in the morning and go for 'kanni' – the auspicious sight. The belief is that this brings good fortune throughout the year. The auspicious things may include gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts etc. The auspicious sight is then followed by a ritual bath and visiting temple to pray for a prosperous and happy New Year. After which, the Panchangam (almanac) is read. The women decorate the entrances of their houses with ‘Kolam’ (design made with rice flour) and the doorway with mango leaves. Another highlight of this festival is the preparation of ‘Maanga Pachadi'. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers, tasting sweet, sour and bitter one at the same time. This signifies all aspects of our life and tells us to face happiness and sorrow with equal ease.
On this day several fairs and cultural programs are organised at different places all over the state. A grand Car Festival is held at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam every year on April 14th. Also in Madurai witnesses marriage of Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) to Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) in the form of ‘Chitthirai festival’ with great grandeur. Offerings to the deities, comprising of food, flowers and fruits is an important component of the festival.
Bihu or Bohag Bihu is the biggest festival of the people of Assam. It is a festival that transcends all religious and class barriers bringing people together in a free and uninhabited manner. The Assamese observe not one but three Bihus. Bohag Bihu, which is celebrated in mid-April, the Magh Bihu, which is held in mid-January, and the Kati Bihu which is celebrated in mid-October. The three are connected with the spring, winter and autumn seasons respectively.
Bihu is the biggest festival of the people of the Assam region. This is truly a regional festival, which brings a sense of solidarity and unity among the people of the Assam region. It comes thrice a year and marks the changes in the seasons. The first of the "Bihus" falls on "Chait Sankranthi" (mid-April). It is called Bihag Bihu or Rangoli bihu. In fact bihu is a festival to celebrate fertility. Rangoli Bihu is the most festive and joyful of all the Bihus.
The Rangoli Bihu is a Spring, New Year and agriculture festival, all rolled into one. The first day of Rangoli Bihu is known as Gori Bihu and is reserved for cattle rites. Household cattle get special attention and they are decorated with colorful garlands of flowers and given goodfood.
The next day is called "Manuh Bihu". Paying homage to elders is customary on that day.. The next day is "Gosain Bihu", which is reserved for religious services. The seventh day has the people customarilu preparing seven types of leafy vegetables called "SatSak ". Games and sports are also a necessary part of the Bihu celebrations.
The last of the Bihus is the "Kati Bihu" which is a one-day celebration. It falls around October- November, when the paddy crops are yet to mature and the granaries are almost empty. Hence it is called "Kangali" or Poor Bihu.Naturally there is no feasting on this day. Special Tulsi Pujas are held on this day.
The first day of Bohag Bihu is known as the 'Goru Bihu' and is reserved for cattle rites. Household is cleaned, the cows feet are washed, oil rubbed on their horns and hooves and some times they are decorated with garlands.
The next day is 'Manuh Bihu' day; on this day homage is paid to elders, relatives and friends. The Bihu meal is a special one consisting of Chira, curds and sweets.
The third day of Bihu is sometimes called the 'Gosain Bihu' and is set apart for religious services. Games and sports, special Bihu songs and dances, Fairs etc are a part of the Bihu celebrations. These Bihu songs are beautiful specimens of folk poetry set to lilting music and swinging rhythm. The Bihu dance is a vigorous, captivating dance reflecting the spirit of youth and vitality.
Beneshwar Fair is a five days fair starting from Shukla ekadeshi of Magh month of Hindu calendar. This is the unique and biggest tribal fair of the country attracting lakhs of devotees.
This fair is annually held in Dungarpur, Rajasthan. The name Beneshwar is derived from the holy Shiva Linga located in the Shiv temple in Dungarpur. ‘Beneshwar’ in the local language (Vagdi) means ‘master of delta.
The fair is organized at delta formed by rivers Mahi and Som. The fair continues till Shukla Purnima of Magh. Beneshwar is situated 24 kms. from Aspur in the district of Dungarpur.
The Beneshwar fair is infact the combination of two fairs. One fair is organized to pay tribute to the Lord Shiva, known as Beneshwar Mahadev.
And another fair is held to celebrate the finish of the construction work of the Vishnu temple by Jankunwar, the daughter-in-law of saint Mavji.
The priest or Mathadish arrives in a massive procession to the fair site from Sabha and take a dip into the river water. Then aarti of the Mathadish are performed and Raslila are reenacted during the night in the Lakshmi Narayana temple.
Bhils or tribal people from Dungarpur, Udaipur and Banswara constitute the major part of the gathering. The fair is very famous and is organized at very large level.
Legend
town named Beneshwar is so named because of the deity associated with place. The sacredShiva Linga is located in Mahadev temple here. The lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Beneshwar Mahadev.
Shiva is also popularly known as Rudra or Mahesh and he is one of the Trimurti being other two deities Vishnu and Brahma. Brahma is seen as the creator, Vishnu as the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer.
Shiva is believed to have a third eye on his forehead which opens at the time when some destruction is needed to be done.
The devotees of Shiva are called Shaivas and the religious tradition is called Shaivism.
We usually see Shiva linga in temple instead of pictures of Shiva.
Whenever his pictures are seen, he is represented as immersed in deep meditation or dancing the Tandava.
Siva linga is considered the concentration of magnificent light and solidification in the upper part of the ling. The lower base of the structure represents the lamp and the upper section, the flame.
Jankunwari the daughter-in-law of Mavji, a highly reverted saint also an incarnation of Lord Vishnu built a temple of lord Vishnu. The day also marked the finishing day of the construction work.
It is believed that two of Mavji’s disciple Vaje and Aje, built the Lakshmi Narian temple near the meeting point of the two rivers Mahi and Som. The pran-pratishtha ceremony of the idols to the temple was performed on magh Shukla Ekadashi. Since then onwards a fair is organized every year to celebrate this auspicious event.
Rituals & Celebrations
Rituals The large devotees that gathers here at the time ofthe fair pays reverence and offerings to all the deities in the temple. The priest or the Mathadish comes to the location of fair from Sabha along in a huge procession. A 16 cms. silver image of Mavji sitting on horseback is also brought here.
The Mathadish and the statue or image of Mavji is bathed into the river water. This river water is considered holier.
People considers auspicious to take bath in this holy water. They believe that taking a dip or two will purify them and all their sins will ward off. This will attain them salvation.Prayers are offered five times a day in the temples of Lakshmi-Narayana and Brahma. The temple of Baneshwar Mahadev remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. during the fair.
The Shiva linga is bathed then saffron is applied on the Shiva linga and incense sticks are lighted to make the whole environment fragrant.
The ash or babhut is applied on the linga and aarti is waved with clanging brass gong in the evening which is then followed by colourful celebrations. Devotees offer wheat flour, pulses, rice, jaggery, ghee, salt, chillies, coconut and cash.
Celebrations
All the tribal people, young or old, who come to attend the Baneshwar Fair sing traditional folk songs loudly sitting around a bonfire every night in high spirit. Groups of villagers are also invited to participate in the programme. The fair is coloured by the cheerfulness of songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic feats. The fair resonate with the gaiety of people coming there.
The local people also actively participate in various activities. The fun rides on merry-go-rounds and swings furthers the excitement.A temporary mini market is established in the mela place. Many useful items for household, traditional farming tools and fancy items come in these markets. The large number of shops in the fair proves a shopping paradise for both buyers and sellers.
How to reach
Beneshwar fair is held at the delta formed by the meeting of rivers Mahi and Som. The Beneshwar temple is located about one and a half km away from Nawa Tapra village.
Sabla is the nearest bus stand from Nawa Tapra village. The site is 6.5 kms from Sabla village on the Udaipur-Banswara-Dungarpur route. Sabla village is at a distance of 123 kms from Udaipur, 53 kms from Banswara, 45 kms from Dungarpur and 22 kms from Aspur. One can easily get bus for sabla village from above places.
One has to go Beneshwar from Sabla on foot or on private carts in normal days. However, there are special provisions organized by private and Rajasthan roadways buses during Beneshwar Fair.
Time to celebrate
The Beneshwar fair is celebrated for five days in January/Feburary. The fair starts from eleventh day of shukla paksh of Magh and conclude on the fifteenth day of the same. It is celebrated-
The DesertFestival is a 3-day extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held at the golden city of Jaisalmer. Gair and Fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert Contest are a part of the fun and frolic. The grand finale is a trip to the Sam Dunes where one can enjoy the pleasure of a camel ride and even watch the folk dancers and musicians perform.
Once a year in winters and on the middle of the continually rising and falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant colour, music and laughter of the Desert Festival. The festival is organised by the tourist authorities as tourist entertainment around January-February.
The very rich and colourful Rajasthani folk culture is on show here for a few days. Rajasthani men and tall beautiful women dressed in their brightly costumes dance and sing lingering ballads of valour, romance and tragedy. Traditional musicians attempt to outdo each other in their musical superiority.
The high points of the festival are - snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk performers do rapid trade. Camels, the lifeline of the desert, play a foremost role. Proud moustached villagers, dressed in their ethnic best come astride their picturesquely caparisoned camels to join in the camel dances and competitions of camel acrobatics, camel races and dicor, camel polo, tug of war and the like.
The tourist dances, turban tying competitions and tug of war are big draws and laughter. The Mr Desert competitions, which are focused around the length of moustaches by and large, attract many hopefuls.
