Surajkund Crafts Mela

Introduction:

The Surajkund Crafts Mela is organized annually by the Haryana Tourism Department in the month of February. This delightful handloom and handicrafts fair is planned every year to promote the traditional Indian Handicrafts in rural ambience at Surajkund in the vicinity of New Delhi. The fair was first time organized in 1981 and since then the fair continues to be a strong platform for Indian artists and craftsmen to display their skilled crafts and art work.

At this annual week long fair skilled artists from all over the country display the rich crafts tradition of India in the typical rural setting and bring alive the age-old living crafts tradition. Surajkund crafts mela offers to its visitors the exquisite and skilful paintings, textiles, wood stock, ivory work, pottery, terracotta, stonework, lac work and cane and grass work. Visitors can shop here for some of the world's most treasured wares.

 

 

Shivaji Jayanti

History of Shivaji 

Early days:

Shivaji was born on 19th Februray, 1627, in Shivneri Fort, 60 kms north of Pune. He was named after the local Goddess Shivai, to whom his mother prayed for a son. His father Shahaji Bhosle was the chief of the kingdom of Bijapur. He was however, not allowed to take charge of any fort. His mother had a great influence on him as he was introduced to Indian epics of Mahabharata, Ramayana and other holy books by her. Shivaji also gained a lot of knowledge from his father’s unsuccessful attempts to gain power. He was inspired by his father military tactics, peacetime diplomacy and also possessed knowledge of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures.

His administration:

Shivaji grew into a fearless military leader with trainings from commanders like Gomaji Naik and Baji Pasalkar. Young Shivaji was motivated, enthusiastic and energetic. In his early days he was successful in inspiring local youths to follow his idealistic pursuits.  At the age of 17, he attacked and captured Torna Fort of Bijapur and by 1647 he took control of Kondana and Raigad Forts. The Western Ghats along the Konkan Coast were also under his control by 1654.  

His achievements:

In order to sabotage Shivaji’s rise to power, Adilshah arrested Shahji, his father by deceitful means and had armies sent against Shivaji and his elder brother Sambaji. To suppress Shivaji’s control of the Bijapur kingdom, Afzal Khan was sent to destroy Shivaji.  However, with his cunning means, Shivaji successfully stabbed Afzal Khan. Eventually Bijapur’s armies were routed in the famous Battle of Pratapgarh in 1659 and Shivaji turned into a hero of the Marathas. Now, under the confident leadership of Shivaji, the Marthas successfully pushed back the Mughals and the Sultanate kingdowms from his homeland. 

The Mughals also fought against Shivaji led by Shaista Khan under Aurangazeb. However, Shivaji lost many men against a well trained and disciplined Mughal army.  Shivaji felt the need of finance to maintain an army and decided to loot the Mughal city of Surat. The Mughal emperor then sent Jai Singh to defeat Shivaji. After a few skirmishes, he thought it wise to accept the emperor’s soverignity. But he was soon placed under house arrest in Agra. Using tact and intelligence, Shivaji successfully escaped from Agra and hid in his homeland and kept a low profile for some time. Shivaji gradually rebuild his empire and within six months was able to recover much of his lost ground.

Shivaji extended his empire further south to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In order to regain one of his forts, Kondana, he appointed his most trusted general Tanaji Malusare. The battle that followed between the Marathas and the Mughals came to be known as the Maratha war of Independence where the Marathas were successful in regaining the control of the fort. 

Chatrapati Shivaji:

Shivaji was formally coronated Chatrapati in 1674 in Raigad fort and henceforth came to be known as Chatrapati Shivaji. Shivaji died in 1680 but not before leaving an indelible mark on the history pages. He laid the foundation of a Hindu empire which lasted for over two centuries. Shivaji has been a source of inspiration and pride for generations for his courage and military acumen.

Celebration

Place and community: 
 
Birthday of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated in Maharasthra as Shivaji Jayanti.

Month: Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated on 19th February. 

Description: 

Shivaji Jayanti or the birthday of Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated on a majestic scale in Maharashtra. Shivaji was born on 19th February, 1627. His parents Jijabai and Shahaji Bhonsle named him Shivaji after local Goddess Shivai. Shivaji was the creator of the Maratha nation. He was instrumental in uniting the Maratha chiefs of Mayal, Konkan and Desh regions. His military and civil administration was of greatest importance. He was successful in carving out a small kingdom by defeating the alien powers. Chatrapati Shivaji is a hero not only for the people of Maharashtra but for those of India as well. 

On the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti several processions are taken out and people dress up like Shivaji and his associates. The birthday is celebrated on a huge scale and various programmes remembering the achievements of the great ruler are organized. 

 

 

Shigmotsav

Introduction

On the last day of the full moon day of the month of Falgun i.e. March, a five-day Hindu festival brings cheerfulness and colour among the people of Goa. The celebration includes colourful street floats (in larger towns), folk theatre, sword dances and lively spraying of colourful powder. It may be considered as a Goanese version of Holi. The festival is celebrated mostly in Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco-da-Gama and Margao. 

 

Celebration Shigmotsav or Shigmo is celebrated in Goa with lots of fanfare and gusto. It is a festival of colors much like Holi that continues for five days. During all the five days the people are expected to avoid non-vegetarian food. The festival which began in 1979 is now celebrated with loads of fun in the villages of Goa where villagers worship local deities. Two forms of Shimgo festivals are celebrated namely, Dhakto Shigmo and the Vodlo Shigmo. Farmers and labourers celebrate Dhakto Shigmo while Vodlo Shigmo is celebrated by all on a much larger scale. Shigmotsav festival also coincides with the Carnival of Goa. The festivities include ritualistic songs, dance and large colorful processions on streets of Goa. Song and dance is accompanied by dol, and drums. There are two types of dance during Shigmo festival- the Naman and the Jot. People also wear colorful clothes and carry flags, hand-crafted floats. Dancers visit every house and perform dances in front of the house. People offer money to those dancers who come to their doorsteps. After receiving the money the dancers sing songs for the donors. The festival ends with a ceremonial collective bath.

 

Modhera Dance Festival

Modhera Dance Festival - Sun Temple Modhera, Gujarat: 

The sun temple at Modhera in Mehsana district is dedicated to Lord Surya, the sun god, has its outer walls covered with sculptures in which the figures of Lord Surya are prominent. The beautiful Sun Temple acts as the backdrop during the festival of Indian classical dances held every year in January for three days. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organizes this annual festival of dance. The idea is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

The Sun Temple is the site of an annual festival of Indian classical dances organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. The festival is held every year in January for three days. The idea is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

Resting on a knoll in the village of Modhera, the ruins of the 11th century Sun Temple are an impressive sight. The outer walls of the temple are covered with sculptures in which the figures of Lord Surya, the sun god are prominent.

PERFECT BACKDROP:

The Sun Temple at Modhera is positioned in such a manner that the sun's first rays illuminate the deity in the innermost sanctum through the main entrance. The incredibly beautiful Sun Temple acts as the backdrop during the romantic fete of classical dance. The beautiful Sun Temple acts as the backdrop during the festival of Indian classical dances held every year in January for three days. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organizes this annual festival of dance. The idea is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

Sabarimala Temple Festival

Description

Sabarimala temple is located on the top of the hills of the Western Ghats. The holy shrine in Sabarimala is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Thousands of devotees visit Sabarimala during the months of November-January when the main festival takes place.

The devotees who visit the temple during the festival walk barefoot through the uneven road to reach the temple. Before taking the trip the devotees fast and surrender themselves to the will of God for 40 days. They do not drink or smoke, eat selected food, sleep on the floor and stay away from women and family during this period. Irrespective of caste and creed they wear black dhotis and carry offerings like coconut filled with ghee, camphor and rice.

People take a dip in the river on their way to the temple. It is believed that people who take a dip in the holy waters of the river are cleansed of all sins. People also visit the Muslim God on their way to Sabarimala who is believed to be a close friend of Lord Ayyappa. People start chanting the Lord’s name on witnessing a glowing flame on the hill opposite the temple. Mandala Pooja festival is an important part of Sabarimala festival. It begins 41 days before Makar Sankranti and continues for 41 days. Makara Villaku Pooja Festival is the most important part of the festival and lasts for seven days.

Place and Community

Sabarimala is a famous pilgrimage destination in Kerala. His festival is attended by thousands of people from all across the world.

Month

Sabarimala festival is celebrated in the months of November-January.

Sabarimala Temple Festival

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti

Introduction

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa was an incomparable spiritual saint, whose teachings influenced many lives across the globe and even continues to do so till today, becoming more and more distinct as the effects of his God-centered life marked in our contemporary human culture. Swamiji also himself practiced all different religions and worshipped Goddess Kali, Jesus Christ and Allah during his life time to experience and teach that all religions lead to one common , supreme power of Almighty!

Swamiji, the God-realized being took birth in 1836 at Kamarpukur in West Bengal about 70 miles from Calcutta. During the short life span of 50 years, Swamiji exercised a profound spiritual influence and encouraged people towards secularism.

He taught that there is one supreme power of Almighty whether he is Bhagwan of Hindus or Allah of Muslims, or Jesus of Christians or Guruji of Sikhs. That absolute power remains one and only one, only the name differs from religion to religion.

Celebration

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa’s Jayanti is celebrated with great ecstasy and happiness in India, especially at all the headquarters of the Ramakrishna mission.

The day is treated as one of the religious festival and celebrated across the nation.

Large number of people belonging to different religions converge together to pay their homage to this unsurpassed saint and an ecstatic holy man, whose teachings still remains in the heart of people.

The birthday of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa is another famous religious festival which is held every year on a day in early March at the Belur Math, headquarters of the Ramakrishna mission. This festival draws not only Hindus but people of other religions and Non-Indians, and lakhs of people converge there to pay homage to the great saint.

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti 2010:

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans Jayanti is celebrated on the 2nd day of Phalgun Shukla Paksh every year.

 

Shekhawati Festival

Introduction:

The Shekhawati Region, a land of Rajputs is an amalgation of Indian art, culture and rural farm life along the vast semi-desert countryside of Rajasthana place. 

The havelis, lavish mansions and courtyard scattered throughout the countryside built during the 18th and 19th centuries are painted with colourful and beautiful picturesque of Indian culture and history.

The Shekhawati Festival is organized by the State Department of Tourism, District administration of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu and the M.R. Morarka- GDC Rural Research Foundation Shekhawati. The festival is attracting large number of tourists thus fast becoming a rural tourism destination too.

Tourists can watch and feel the real rural environment. They can go back with an unforgettable impression of friendliness of the people and comprehensive agricultural revolution in the villages.

The festival is organized with an aim to enhance tourism in Shekhawati region.

The festival is organized at a number of places in Rajasthan, including Nawalgarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu.

Nawalgarh serves as the chief location for the festival and is easily accessible from the capital city of Jaipur.

A number of activities like rural games, cultural programmes, haveli competitions and fireworks etc. are held to entertain the guests.

Every year whole Shekhawati region is transformed into a venue of fair and festivals on 10th and 11th of February. The Shekhawati fair hosts a gala event for the sale and purchase of cattle. The Shekhawati festival also has an assortment of attractions for everyone. The festival provides an opportunity to locals by providing them with an avenue for trading and earning bread & butter.

Major Attractions of Shekhawati Festival:

Shekhawati festival is great opportunity to take a peek into the village life of Rajasthan. The festival let people visiting here acknowledge with the rustic charm, the humbleness and hospitality of villagers. The unexplored terrains of the surroundings are discovered on a ride on camel's back. Camel and jeep safaris, Rural games, Cultural programs, Haveli competitions are held.

  

Time to celebrate:

Every year whole Shekhawati region is transformed into a venue of fair and festivals on 10th and 11th of February.

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
1994: Caring for our Water Resources is Everybody's Business

Sheetala Ashtmi

The tangy flavour of Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan has their own charm. These fairs and festivals proves best opportunity for the guests to peep into and understand the cultural and traditional aspects of the land of royal figures more closely.

One of the small and grand festivals is the Sheetala Ashtami festival. Fair is also held at number of places in Rajasthan. The Sheetala Mata fair at a small hamlet Chaksu, Jaipur and Kaga, Jodhpur with great passion and zeal.

Sheetala Ashtami is celebrated during the spring season in the month of March after seven days of holi.

It is a common belief among all the people that worshipping Sheetla mata on Sheetla Ashtmi would prevent them from the deadly outbreak of diseases.

Sheetala Mata is commonly called the goddess of small pox. The huge excitement and gusto of celebration of the festival is worth watching.

The local market is the hub to display and trade a lot of items like indigenous shoes, food items, agricultural implements during the fair at the Sheetala Ashtami.

Even cattles are sold here. Flocks of people dressed in colorful attires add brightness in the environment.

Musical events are organized in which the participants display their talent. There are also a lot of rituals and religious activities to be performed during the play.

People feed old and needy people on the day and ask for their blessings.

It is noticeable though, that some communities observe the eighth day of Krishna Paksha of every month as Sheetalashtami. But the most auspicious one is the Chaitra Krishna Paksha Ashtami.

Celebration

Devotees prepared food one day before of Sheetla Asthami & the day of asthami they visit to the temple in queue and performed puja of Sheetla Mata with their food. People gorge on this food which is called Baseda in local lingo as a Prasad of Sheetla mata. All the eatables which are of cool in nature are offered to the diety. Some consider Bajra, Rabri and curd as an essential offering. A Separate temporary mandap is made for this day and a red stone representing the idol of Sheetala mata is kept there, for worship by devotees.

Time to celebrate

The auspicious day of Sheetalashtami, or Sheetala Ashtami, is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala in the month of Chaitra (March – April) as per the traditional hindu calendar followed in North India. Devotees keep fast on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in Chaitra month to cure from measles, chicken pox and small pox.

Pattadakkal Dance Festival

Pattadakkal Dance Festival - Pattadakkal - Karnataka

 

The city of Pattadakkal is the place of beautiful temples, the occasion for dance festival. You are going to be transpired into this world of Magic, which will carry you to the heritage of this ancient capital of Chalukyan Kings. Delicately carved temples rich in detail stand still at Pattadakkal, which gives the beautiful and mystical look of this great festival of music and dance. Delicately carved temples rich in detail stand still at Pattadakkal, the ancient capital of the Chalukyan kings.

 

A festival of dance celebrates this marvellous heritage.