Navroze

Navroze Festival: Jamshed-E-Navroz is the first day of the first month of the Zoroastrian year. Parsis follow the Fasli calendar and their New Year commences with the Vernal Equinox. The festival is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm. The community dutifully follows all the rituals performed during Jamshed-e-Navroze. Parsis offer special prayers on the day savour the fixed menu of the festival and greet each other.

This is the most celebrated festival of the Parsis. Every year on March 21, Navroze is celebrated. Only one sect of Parsis- considers it as Parsi New Year, those are the Faslis - but nevertheless all Parsis join in the festivities, enjoy themselves, greet each other and attend the thanksgiving ceremonies at Fire Temples. March 21 is the first day of the spring and also the vernal equinox of the sun, and therefore a logical day to celebrate the beginning of yet another year. Hence the name was kept as "Navroze", which literally means the New Day.

LEGEND:

The festival was celebrated as far back as the 6th century B.C. when legendary kings like Cyrus and Darius ruled over the Persian Empire. 

Celebration of the festival dates back to over 3000 years when the legendary king of Persia, Jamshedji ascended the throne on the day of 'Navroz'. 'Nav' means new and 'Roz' means day. The day happened to be a vernal equinox- when the length of the day equals that of the night. Navroz marked the transition from winter to summer. Later, the particular day came to known and celebrated as 'Jamshed Navroz Festival'. 

It is also said, King Jamshedi introduced solar calculation into the Persian calendar and also determined the date when the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, in the beginning of the year. The advent of spring in February-March and the vernal equinox - these are the two events that mark the Jamshed-e-Navroz.

On this occasion, it was customary for the king to be weighed in gold and silver, and the money was then distributed to the poor.

CELEBRATIONS:

The celebration commences with cleaning the house, seeping out cobwebs, painting the whole house. New clothes would be ordered for the entire family. Garlands of roses and jasmine decorate all doors and windows. Steps and thresholds are marked with beautiful patterns in colour powders like "Rangoli". 

Food is also an important component in these celebrations. Parsi food is a blend of West Asian and Indian style of cooking. "Rava", the popular dish is cooked with Sooji, milk and sugar. When the mixture thickens, it is flavoured with rose water and sprinkled with grated nutmegs. The other popular dish is fried vermicelli, cooked in sugar syrup and sprinkled with almonds and raisins. 

Parsis celebrate Navroz in a grand and elaborate fashion. They rejoice whole-heartedly and celebrate the day in a spirit of friendship, harmony and happiness. 

They wear new clothes on the day and welcome the guests with a sprinkling of rosewater and rice and also applying tilak. 

Then the folks go to the fire temples for worship where they offer sandalwood sticks to the fire. It is customary for the Parsis to cover their heads once they are inside the temples. The children wear small round caps of gold and silver brocade, while men wear small black velvet caps. The women drape their heads with part of their sarees. After the prayers they greet and hug one another saying "Sal Mubarak" - meaning may the coming year be prosperous. 

Visitors to any house are offered sweets and a glass of "Faluda" - a sweet milky drink cooked with a special type of vermicelli flavoured with rose essence and served chilled. Pulaos rich with saffron, fish steamed in banana leaves, chicken curries with ground almonds and plain rice and moong dal must be served for lunch that day. 

RITUALS:

Growing of wheat in small earthenware bowls was also an age-old custom of the Parsis. On the 13th day after the Navroze, they tossed these tiny sprouts of plants into the nearby water-head, as a mark of reverence for the water and greenery. It is practiced by devout Parses till this day.

There are special dishes for breakfast too - one is 'Ravo' prepared with suji, milk and sugar and the other is fried vermicelli cooked in sugar preparation and decorated with dry fruits.

After breakfast, people visit Fire Temple or Agiary for a special thanks-giving prayer called, 'Jashan'. People also offer sandalwood to the Holy Fire. 

 

Besides, there is a custom to keep a copy of the Gathas, a lit lamp, an Afrigan, a bowl of water containing live fish, a shallow earthenware plate with sprouted wheat or beans for prosperity, flowers for colour, a silver coin for wealth, painted eggs for productivity, and sweets and rosewater in bowls for sweetness and happiness on a table. Apart from these, the table also has seven foods beginning with 'sh' and 'sa'. These are meant to symbolise creation.

Nanda Devi Fair

Nanda Devi fair is held in honour of the patron goddess of the people of Uttaranchal. The fair is held all across Uttaranchal including Almora, Nainital, Kot (Dangoli), Ranikhet, Bhowali, Kichha and also in the far flung villages of lohar (like Milam and Martoli) and Pindar valleys (like Wachham and Khati). The Nanda Devi jaat journey is celebrated every year in the villages of Pindar valley while in lohar people come from far and wide to Milam, Danadhar, Suring, and Martoli in order to worship Nanda Devi. In Nainital and Almora thousands of people take part in the procession carrying the dola (or litter) of Nanda Devi.

Origin: According to the locals, the Nanda Devi fair is said to have started in the 16th century during the reign of Kalyan Chand in the Kumaon region. The fair at Nanda Devi is an important one as it has economic implications as well.

St. Francis Xavier Day

Description:

Saint Xavier was born in Spain in 1506 and reached India with the Portuguese viceroy of Goa in 1543. .

He took upon the supreme duty of spreading the message of the Lord to the people of Goa and influencing them by reading scriptures and preaching sermons. He went from street to street, house to house to conduct meetings.

He however, did not master the local language but was successful in translating the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer with the help of the Goan scholars.

His missionary activities were not just restricted to India and to the Goans. He traveled to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Indonesia, Malacca and Japan.

He commanded immense respect from the people whom he visited. He achieved tremendous success in converting hundreds of people to Christianity especially in Japan.

It was in China in the island of Sancian that he died on December 2, 1552.

It is believed that when a Jesuit brother discovered the body of Francis Xavier, he found that the body had not decomposed at all and infact blood oozed out when he cut a finger from the body. On reporting this incident to the Vatican, the title of saint was conferred upon Francis Xavier.

The body of St Francis Xavier was kept in Malacca for two years before being brought to Goa. Before placing the mortal remains in a sliver casket in the Church of Bom Jesus in Goa, one hand of the saint was cut off.

Under the orders from the Pope, the pieces of the hand were distributed to various parts of the world.

His death anniversary is celebrated each year on 3rd December and every 10 years his body was taken out in a glass case with feet exposed for the people to show respect and worship.

The devotees believed that he had tremendous healing powers and therefore many people carried wax models of the parts of the body that was in pain and offered to the saint.

However, the body gradually showed signs of decay and so the authorities decided not to display the body anymore after the last exposition in 1994.

Place or Community: St. Francis Xavier’s Day is observed by the Catholics to honor the death of the great Catholic missionary, St. Francis Xavier.   Month:

Various ceremonies are performed on the 3rd of December each year in the Church of Bom Jesus in Goa.

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.

The fair is not only limited to exhibitions of artwork but also presents the visual delight to its visitors in the form of special Natyashala folk dances and musical evenings at the open-air theatre.

These programs are also accompanied by lip smacking and delicious rural cuisine, adding colors to this popular crafts fair.

Every year, the Surajkund Crafts Mela is planned by selecting a particular Indian state as a theme and entire ambience for the fair is designed accordingly. Many states have showcased its finest handlooms, handicrafts and mouth-watering cuisines in past fairs.

Theme states for last 5 Surajkund Crafts Mela were Madhya Pradesh (2009), West Bengal (2008), Andhra Pradesh (2007), Maharashtra (2006) and Chattisgarh (2005).

How to reach

Surajkund, the site of popular Surajkund Mela is located at a distance of 8 km from South Delhi in Faridabad. The resort is easily accessible by road. Haryana Tourist Bureau organizes special tours from 36, Janpath, New Delhi.

Airways:

The nearest airport is at Delhi. The site of the fair is just 25 km from Palam Airport and also just a 35 minute drive from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Roadways:

Surajkund is about 8km (5 miles) south of Delhi and is well connected to Delhi, Gurgaon and Faridabad towns by road. Buses are available for the fair site from ISBT and Serai Kale Khan, Haryana Emporium; Baba Kharak Singh Marg.One can also hire Tourist cabs/ tourist coaches from Delhi.

Railways:

Delhi is the nearest railway station. One can even reach Faridabad or Gurgaon by train and can hire a cab for traveling to Surajkund the rural ambience of SurajKund Crafts Mela.

Surajkund Crafts Mela 2010

The date for the popular Surajkund Crafts Mela remains fix every year. The fair is organized by the Haryana Tourism Dept. annually in the month of February. The colorful state of Rajasthan is chosen as a theme for the Surajkund Crafts Mela 2010, which was also the theme for the fair in the year 1989.

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.