Wangala Festival

Wangala Festival is the annual harvest festival held in the state of Meghalaya. The festival is celebrated in honor of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility. The festival signifies the onset of winter as well as it marks the end of a period of toil, which brings good output of the fields.

Wangala Festival is also known as “100 Drum Festival”, which mainly includes tribal groups offering sacrifices to please their main deity Saljong - the Sun God.

The festival extends from two days to a week, with the first day focusing on the ceremony of "Ragula". On the second day the ceremony of “Kakkat” is performed. People of all age groups young and old dress in colorful attractive costumes with feathered headgears dance to the tune of music played on long oval-shaped drums.

The festival brings relaxation for the people of Meghalaya. The sound of drums played during this festival echoes in the hills for a long period to come. Although the dances performed every time have some variations, yet the main idea remains a queue of two parallel lines - one of men and other of women clad in their festive fineries. Participants move in lines while playing drums in a rhythmic manner.

The main attraction of the festival is the music and orchestra being played by men in a rhythmic fashion. The 'orchestra' of men includes drums, gong and flutes, punctuated by the sonorous music of a primitive flute made of buffalo horn. There is a notable sense of tempo in the performers, young and old, and the energetic dance leaves a lasting impression upon the beholder.

The Siju Caves where this festival is held is located in the Garo Hills. . It is also known as Dobakhol and is also known as the Cave of the Bats. One interesting thing about these caves is the deposit of stalagmite found here till date. The caves, there location, Garo hills, the weather, serene natural beauty, cloudy sky all mesmerize the tourists coming here and especially during the Wangala Festival as the atmosphere is studded with rhythmic music of drums.

Significance:

Meghalaya, which means land of clouds, is mainly an agricultural and farming land. The inhabitants here therefore generally worship the Lord of farming and agriculture. The Wangala Festival is therefore a grand Carnival to celebrate the harvest season. This is because after year long toil the inhabitants find relief in seeing the golden harvest. So, they pay homage to the lord who has blessed them with such a splendid crop and sing and dance to offer worship to the great deity. The inhabitants of Garo hills also make numerous offerings and sacrifices to the Lord for his support and blessings. In all the festival elaborates on the culture and traditions of the inhabitants of Garo Hills.

Time of celebration:

Apart from celebrating the golden harvest the festival also signifies the onset of winters. Thus, the festival is certainly celebrated in winters, generally in the month of November.

World Forestry Day

World Forestry Day has been celebrated around the world to ring a bell among the society about the importance of forests and the scores of benefits which are gained from them. The concept of celebrating a day every year as World Forestry Day originated at the 23rd General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture in 1971.

The event also venerates the contribution of the forests. Every year March 21 is distinguished as World Forestry Day.

A forest just doesn’t mean trees only but it’s an entire complex, living community.

Many interdependent populations of plants and animals too dwell beneath the forest canopy; the forest soil is a home to large variety of invertebrates, bacteria and fungi which play an essential role in cycling nutrients in the soil and the forest.

The reckless felling of trees is creating many problems in the surroundings so the need of the hour says that everybody should ponder seriously over it.

Everybody should actively involve themselves in prevention and creation of new forests.

According to rules of Forest Deptt, 10 trees should be planted in place of cutting of one tree. Though in last two decades only 1% trees are planted.

The survival of the rich generation of flora and fauna in the country is in danger due to exploitation of forests, cutting of forests in Hilly areas is loosening the soil, thus the upper layer of fertile earth is eroding which is resulting in uncontrolled rain and flood. India economy largely depends on agriculture.

Erosion is seriously effecting the agricultural production.

Importance of Forests

Forest has been of great importance to mankind since prehistoric days. Forest provides multiple benefits to environment, people, and animals. Today the forest coverage is reduced to only 30% as opposed to 60% earlier. We are paying the cost of development by reduction in vegetation (by clearing of forests) to lead the path for mines, towns and roads.

Forests, supply many products like timber for making furniture, houses, ships and railway sleepers, plywood, fuel wood or charcoal, paper, processed wood products like cellophane, plastics, synthetic fibers like rayon and nylon, rubber from the latex of rubber tree.

Fruits, nuts and spices are gathered from the forest. A lot of medicinal plants such as camphor, cinchona also come from the forests.

The roots of the trees hold the soil together and thus help to conserve soil by preventing rapid runoff of water after heavy rain and minimizing flooding. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into air which is needed to breath by the mankind.

Vegetation affects local and global climate. Trees form a protective cover of the earth as well as provide shelter to the wild animals and protect all the living beings from the solar heat and temperature. Trees absorb heat, thus helps to regulate the temperature of earth. Similarly natural wildlife is important for it is an important part of the lifecycle.

Forests reduce light reflection, offer a sound barrier and help guide wind direction and speed.

World Meteorological Day

On 23 March 1950, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was formed for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It has 188 members.

World Meteorological Day is celebrated worldwide by the meteorological community every year on March 23 to commemorate the organization of WMO. Each year a different theme is chosen for the occasion. WMO was designated a specialized agency of the United Nations System in 1951.

Various events as conferences, symposia and exhibitions for meteorological professionals, community leaders and the general public are held on World Meteorological Day.

World Meteorological Day marks the presentation of awards for meteorological research like, The International Meteorological Organization Prize, Professor Dr. Vilho Väisälä Award and The Norbert Gerbier-Mumm International Award.

Many countries issue postage stamps or special postage stamp cancellation marks to celebrate World Meteorological Day.

These stamps bear the theme of the event or a country's meteorology achievements.

Past Themes

A new theme is allocated to each different year for World Meteorological Day. Recent themes of World Meteorological Day have been:

• 2009 - Weather, climate and the air we breathe
• 2008 - Observing our planet for a better future
• 2007 - Polar meteorology: Understanding global impacts
• 2006 - Preventing and mitigating natural disasters
• 2005 - Weather, climate, water and sustainable development
• 2004 - Weather, climate, water in the information age
• 2003 - Our future climate 

World TB Day

Every year World Tuberculosis Day is observed to make people aware about the epidemic - Tuberculosis as it is considered still in some parts of the world. Tuberculosis causes nearly 1.6 million deaths every year around the planet. World Tuberculosis Day has been celebrated on March 24 each year. In 1882 Dr Robert Koch thunderstruck the scientific community by announcing that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus on March 24.

At the time of Koch's announcement TB was raging through Europe and the Americas and one out of every seven people was costing his life to the dreaded disease.

Koch's discovery opened the way toward diagnosing and curing tuberculosis and was awarded Nobel Prize for his discovery.

In 1982, on the one-hundredth anniversary of Dr Koch's presentation, the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) proposed that March 24 be proclaimed as an official World TB Day.

In an effort to curb Tuberculosis, South Africans are given financial help for six months of time necessary for treatment.

World TB Day is about commemorating the lives and stories of people that are affected by TB and has taken a treatment for it; nurses; doctors; researchers; community workers who has put in global fight against TB.

The government organizes Health education campaigns to inform on the importance of early diagnosis and Regular treatment for the patients. A screening programme to early detect the disease is also organized. Various other events like seminar and exhibition on tuberculosis are held with an aim to impart knowledge on all aspects of TB.

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease that is infectious in nature. The causual bacterium is named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The first prey to TB is an individual’s lungs but it can involve almost any organ of the body.

A person can become infected with tuberculosis bacteria when he or she inhales the bacteria present in the air when somebody already infected with tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, shouts, or spits. When the inhaled tuberculosis bacteria enter the lungs, they can multiply and cause a local lung infection (pneumonia).

The local lymph nodes of the lungs may also get infected and become enlarged. Tuberculosis can be treated successfully today with antibiotics.

You can prevent yourself from disease and keep yourself healthy by eating loads of fruits and vegetables, exercising daily, stopping the consumption of alcohol and smoking.

You can help to prevent the spread of TB by covering your mouth if you are coughing and sneezing, keeping windows in houses, taxis, buses and other places open for movement of fresh air, not spitting on the ground and not stopping your TB treatment and medication even if you are sense better.

World Water Day

Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface. A single cell of Escherichia coli contains 70% of water, a human body 60–70%, plant body up to 90% and the body of an adult jellyfish is made up of 94–98% water.

Thus it can be said that the colourless and odourless damsel forms an integral part of one’s life. Water is also considered as a symbol of purification. International World Water Day is held every twelve months to focus the attention on the importance of freshwater and to promote sustainable management of freshwater resources.

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) decided to observe an international day to celebrate freshwater in 1992 and thus the first World Water Day was observed on 22 March 1993.

World Water Day is celebrated every year with a new theme highlighting an explicit aspect of freshwater.

Today one in every eight people in the world don’t get pure water inspite of spending hours by women and children in collecting water from distant resources.

This day gives an opportunity to remember our commitment to achieve the day when everyone in the world can have safe drinking water and also to celebrate the progress of bringing about 3 lakh people in eight countries clean water and sanitation.

Themes of World Water Day Yester Years

World Water Day is celebrated every year with a new theme highlighting an explicit aspect of freshwater. One of various UN agencies involved in water issues lead in promotion and coordination of international activities for World Water Day each year. UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme and messages since the inception of World Day for Water in 2003.

2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World

2009: Transboundary Waters

2008: Sanitation

2007: Coping With Water Scarcity

2006: Water and Culture

2005: Water for Life 2005-2015

2004: Water and Disasters

2003: Water for Future

2002: Water for Development

2001: Water for Health

2000: Water for the 21st Century

1999: Everyone Lives Downstream

1998: Groundwater - The Invisible Resource          

1997: The World's Water: Is there enough?
1996: Water for Thirsty Cities
1995: Women and Water

 

Bhogali Bihu

"…Bihu anondia, Bihu binondia
Bihur mou mitha mat
Bihur ba lagi bihua kokair
Deu dhoni lagise gat…"

(Bihu is full of joy, Bihu is beautiful, Bihu songs are very sweet, when the winds of Bihu flow. The dancing spirit possesses one's body).

Bihu is the most celebrated festival of Assam. It is a festival that transcends all religious and class barriers bringing people together in a free and uninhabited manner.

The festival of Bihu is celebrated with much pomp and fervour during different periods of the year. These are the festivals of food that mark the three stages of cultivation, i.e. beginning of the agricultural season, completion of transplantation and end of the harvesting season.

These festivals are celebrated by all people of various states irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Bihu is secular in concept because it is associated with agriculture.

Three forms of Bihu are celebrated in Assam: Bohag Bihu, celebrated in the middle of April which marks the New Year (In Assamese calendar) at the advent of seeding time; Kati Bihu, celebrated in the middle of October which marks the completion of sowing and transplanting of paddies; Magh Bihu, celebrated in the middle of January which marks the end of the harvesting period.

Magh Bihu:

Out of the three bihus, Magh Bihu is celebrated by the people of Assam with much enjoyment and happiness as it marks the ending of harvesting and people are at ease after a long labourious harvesting period.

Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, celebrated in mid-January, originates from the word 'Bhog' and signifies eating and enjoyment. It is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season.

There is a lot of feasting and eating in this bihu celebration as the fields are full. On the eve of the bihu, called 'uruka', young men go to the field, preferably near a river, build a makeshift cottage called 'Bhelaghar' with the hay of the harvest fields and the 'Meji', the most important thing for the night. During the night, people prepare food and there is community feasting everywhere. The entire night (Uruka) is spent around the Meji with people singing bihu songs, beating 'Dhol', a typical kind of drums or playing games.

The next day is the main Magh Bihu. In the very early morning, people take bath and burn the main 'Meji'. People gather around the 'Meji' and throw 'Pithas' (rice cakes) and betel nuts to the fire while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the God of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Next day is followed with community celebrations all across with rice cakes being distributed to all. People visit relatives and friends to convey and exchange Bihu greetings.

A peculiarity of this festival is that in some parts of the state the traditional "Buffalo Fight" is organized to make the festival more interesting. 

Agni Utsav

Introduction:

The state of Orissa celebrates many festivals with lots of religious fervor and a splash of colors juxtaposed with celebration styles varying from district to district and tribe to tribe. One such festival named Agni Utsav is also celebrated the same way in different parts of the state.

Celebration

Agni Utsav is the festival mainly celebrated by the farmers of Orissa. The festival holds special importance for farmers as rituals associated with the festival are believed to be helpful for farmers. Many prior preparations are made for the festival. Whole family get indulge in the planning for the festival.

Females of the family start cleaning their houses, a week before the festival and males collect straws to be burn on the Agni Utsav day. The entire village is cleaned by the people before the Agni Utsav.

As per the name of the festival, “Agni” the fire is worshipped on the day and large bundles of dried grasses or straw heaps are burnt on this festival.

On the day of Agni Utsav, the gathered straws from each family are collected in the village making huge heaps of hay.

Then, all people gather in village and the heap of straws is burnt with a fire.

All people gather and see the hay burning while enjoying together with family and friends.

Significance:

Farmers in Orissa believe that burning heap of dried grass on the day of Agni Utsav help them to predict about their crops in the coming year. The straw heaps are burnt and the direction of the straw while burning is believed to predict the next year's crop. Following predictions are made on the basis of direction of flame:

• An eastward tilt reflects high tides and entry of saline waters into the fields.
• A westward tilt predicts floods
• A tilt towards the Northeast means good crops.

Time for Celebration:

Agni Utsav is generally celebrated in Mid January to Mid February every year.The date of festival keeps changing every year.

Army Day

Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificied their lives to protect our country and the people living in it. The day is celebrated on January 15 every year. On this day in 1948 Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief.

Army played equally important role as the other freedom fighters in instilling democratization in India.

General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa shared a good bonding with both natives and Britishers and then succeeded General Roy Butcher of British Army to become the first Indian Commander in Chief of the democratic India.

The Indian Army fights adversities on borders as well as with natural calamities. The Army works with true dedication and spirit of the motto ‘fight to win’.

Celebration

Indian army will celebrate its 62nd anniversary on January 15, 2010 as Army Day. The Army re-dedicates itself to become a part of the ‘War Winning Team’ on this day. The day begins with paying homage to the martyred soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate, New Delhi. It is followed by parades and many military shows which feature the technology and achievements in Army are being held at the Delhi Cantonment. Unit credentials and Sena Medals were also presented for gallantry on the occasion.

Time to Celebrate

India will celebrate its 62nd Army day on January 15. Every year the day is celebrated on the same date.

Arattupuzha Pooram

Introduction:

This festival is the oldest and most extravagant of all the poorams celebrated in Kerala, thus is may rightly be called ‘big daddy’ of festivals. The festival is celebrated at the famous Arattupuzha temple in Thrissur district of Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.

The celebration takes place before the 3,000 year old Sree Sastha Temple. The occasion is known as conclave of Gods.

It is believed that on this day hundred and one gods and goddesses of the neighbouring villages visited lord Ayyappa, the deity of the Arattupuzha Temple.

The festival is celebrated for seven days. All the buildings of the town were beautifully illuminated by strings of colourful bulbs.


Arattupuzha pooram is the largest devamela in the world. A group of elephants and musicians performing in front of the temple is a common sight during the whole festival.

 Many palmists, small vendors etc. are also there. The festival falls in March/April.


On the fifth day of the festival, a procession is held in which drummers, and eight elephants accompany the beautiful elephant carrying idols (‘thidambu’) of 23 deities, including Thripayar Thevar, Oorakathamma Thiruvadi, Cherppil Bhagavathy, Chathakudam Sastha, Anthikad Bhagavathy, Thottipal Bhagavathy, Pisharikkal Bhagavathy, Edakkunni Bhagavathy, Ayyunnil Bhagavathy,Thaikkattussery Bhagavathy, Kaduppassery Bhagavathy, Choorakkottu Bhagavathy, Poonilarkkavil Bhagavathy, Kattupisharikkal Bhagavathy, Chakkamkulangara Sastha, Kodannur Sastha, Nankulam Sastha, Sreemattil Sastha, Nettissery Sastha, Kalloli Sastha, Chittichathakkudam Sastha and Medamkulam Sastha.

The idol of the deity of the Arattupuzha Sastha temple is taken to the Thottipal temple. It is brought back after the Thottipal Pooram to the Sastha temple and then regular rituals and ‘Sreebhoothabali’ are performed.


An elephant peagent is held on the sixth day which features beautifully ornamented 61 elephants. There were huge crowd of people bearing glowing traditional torches, some were dancing, singing and Panchavadyam, nadaswaram, pacharimelam and pandimelam add to the festive tempo. Lord Ayyappa is given holy bath (arattu) with great pomp and gaiety in the Arattupuzha river on the subsequent day.


The caparisoned elephants bear muthukkudas (silken umbrella) and venchamarams (white tufts) make a delightful sight. Traditional art forms are displayed here. The dazzling fire works bedazzle the onlookers with the beauty of sparks which are like jewels embellished in the darkness of night. This sight is amazing! ‘Grama Bali’ is performed. An elephant race is also held.


This colourful festival attracts spectators from all parts of the state. The ceremonial processions of the images of the deities from 41 neighboring temples to the Arattupuzha temple make it a unique festival.

Time to celebrate


Arattupuzha pooram is the largest devamela in the world. The festival falls in March/April or Meenam month according to Malyalam calendar. The festival is celebrated for seven days.

How to reach


By Road


Trichur is well connected with all important places and cities. The KSRTC bus station, near the railway station operates long distance and inter-state services. Sakthan Thampuran bus stand is 1 km away from town.


By Rail


Trichur is an important railhead of the Southern Railways. It is connected with all the major cities of India.


By Air


The nearest airport is at Nedumbassery which is 58 kms away from the town.

Attuvela Mahotsavam

The Attuvela Mahotsavam is a grandiose water carnival as opposed to many of usual temple festivals celebrated in God’s own country, Kerala where elephants play an important role and is a centre of attraction.

The festival is continued for two days. The Attuvela Mahotsavam is associated with the Elankavu Bhagavathy temple, sited at Vadayar village 3 kilometers far from Vaikom, of Kottayam district in Kerala. Goddess Bhagavathy is installed and worshipped in this temple. The festival is celebrated in ‘Meenam’ month of Malyalam calendar which corresponds to March-April of Gregorian calendar.

The Goddess of Elamkavu is believed to be the sister of Kodungallur Bhagavathy. According to the legend associated with the festival that this day celebrates the welcome ceremony for the Kodungallur Bhagavathy to Elankavu who came to visit the goddess here.

Elamkavu Bhagavathy temple is a visual treat to the eyes of the visitors during festival time. A procession of devotees carrying beautifully decorated and warmly lit canoes, and huge colourful replica of the Elankavu temple navigate down the river Moovattupuzha waters. 

In addition, the procession is also accompanied by hordes of festooned small canoes and traditional temple music. This water procession starts from the Attuvela kadavu, 2 kilometers away from the temple.

Getting there:

Vaikom is between Ernakulam (30 km) and Kottayam (40 km).

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Ernakulam which is about 30 km away from Vaikom.

By Air

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is about 50 km away.

Time to celebrate

The festival is celebrated in ‘Meenam’ month of Malyalam calendar which corresponds to March-April of Gregorian calendar. In 2010 the festival will fall on 19 March.

La Tomatina Festival

La Tomatina festival Valencia is held every year in the town of Buñol which is a short journey away from the city of Valencia. It's held on the last Wednesday in August so this year it will be held on 30 August 2006.
 

For those coming to this crazy and very bizarre event make sure you wear something old. Even better, bring a change of clothes and a pair of goggles so you can have more fun!

The days events begin with a whole ham being tied to a greased pole and you guessed it! Before the event begins, someone must retrieved the ham.

This is followed by absolute mayhem when millions of tons of tomatoes are released from the backs of trucks. What follows is an absolute orgy of tomatoe, water and shirt fights - all in good fun!

The event is free and starts at 11.00am. .

The origin of this fun-filled event began during a festival in 1945 in the town square of Buñol. 

The procession included many 'Gigantes y Cabezudos' (giant carnival figures with grotesque heads) and everyone was having fun. Many of the young people tried to join those at the head of the procession and in their haste someone fell. 

The scuffles that followed spilled over into an enormous brawl and an open crate of tomatoes (which just 'happened' to be there) proved too tempting - the rest is history!

The young people of Buñol repeated the 'battle of tomatoes' the following year and although the authorities tried to stop it they had no choice but to give in.

The event ignited so much passion from the surrounding areas that everyone came to join in the fun.

The town of Buñol is now well and truly on the map. People flock from all over the world to enjoy this annual festival of slush and fun which really is a child's (and many adults!) dream come true.

Safety Tips for La Tomatina Festival Valencia

There are a few safe-guards such as a set of rules which all participants must respect and abide by.

For example, 'tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown so they can't hurt anybody'.

The town of Buñol is easily reached from Estació del Nord which is in the centre of Valencia.

It's a good idea to get there as early as possible so as not to miss the fun. 

Trains can get very crowded and run approximately every hour to Buñol. 

We'd love to know how you enjoyed La Tomatina Festival Valencia so please feel free to send your messages (and pics) to our 'Contact Us' page.