Navrathri Music Festival

Start Date: 08-10-2010

Venue: Navarathri Mandapam, Fort Palace Complex, Thiruvananthapuram

The Navrathri Music Festival is a nine day musical fiesta held in the state of Kerela. During these nine days the evenings of Thiruvananthapuram are filled with exquisite music and honeyed voices echoing in the atmosphere. This cultural, musical, festive fiesta is a remarkable experience for all visitors. People from all across the country gather here during these nine days to witness some of the best works in the field of Music, dance and entertainment.

 

The music festival usually features some of the exquisite kritis (compositions) of King Swathi Thirunal, the music maestro and former ruler of Travancore. This cultural fiesta is held every year in the month of September. The nine-day music festival is held at the Navarathri Mandapam, a pavilion beautifully decorated with flowers, located inside the East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram.

One can imagine the vivacity of this musical extravaganza as the magic of soulful music combined with sweet fragrance of sandalwood lingering in the air is ecstatic. In addition to the exemplary music styles displayed in the Navrathri Music festival, the venue has an indigenous acoustic (A remedy for hearing loss) technology in place. For this purpose, these are earthen pots, which are kept in place by means of coir ropes, with their mouths open down towards the ground. These pots are of different sizes and thickness with their mouths having different measurements. For the purpose of sound reflectors and to prevent echoes, they are kept at different angles

How to Reach there:

Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram, about 1 km away

Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 6 kms away.

Losar Festival

The Losar Festival also called as the New Year Festival and is the most important festivals celebrated in Tawang Arunachal Pradesh.

Losar is celebrated by the Monpas who forms the major portion of population in Tawang Arunachal Pradesh.

This part of population commemorates the advent of the New Year, for about 8 to 15 days. Festival of Losar is the time when the Monpas enjoy the time with high festive spirit and prepares for merry making and feasting together with friends and relatives.

 

People at Tawang do lots of preparations for this most awaited festival, Monpas used to clean their houses and discard all old and unused items to ward off all evil things from life and escort well ness and prosperity of the family.

Time to celebrate:

The festival of Losar falls in the end of February or early March and is celebrated for 8 - 15 days.

Mahamasthakabhisheka

Description: 

 

Mahamasthakabhisheka or the head anointing ceremony is held once in 12 years. It takes place in the 57 feet high monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola. In the festival that was held in 2006, the head anointing ceremony took place for nine days instead of the usual one day. This event was held under the leadership of His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of Shravanabelagola.

Of all the numerous events and poojas that are performed during the festival, the Mahamasthakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali is the main attraction.

In 2006, 8th February on the first day of the abhishekha Lord Bahubali was anointed with 108 kalashas or pots.

The statue was bathed with 504 kalashas on the second day while 1008 kalashas were used for the rest of the days.

Each day started with the Panchamrutha abhisheka and was followed by the kalasha abhisheka. There were rest days in between when special poojas were performed at the Jain mutt. 

Poojas and aradhanas:

Sarvatobadhra Mahapooja was performed on 11th Feabruary, 2006 in Bhandari Basadi. This pooja was performed by 24 Indras to the 24 Tirthankar idols simultaneously at the ancient Bhandari Basadi.

Things like 24 umbrellas, 24 arghyas and 64 chamaras were offered to the idols. Sahasrakoota Jinabimba Abhishekha Mahapooja comprises of 1008 idols of Jain Tirthankaras moulded into a single metal block.

It is also one of the main attractions for devotees to Shravanabelagola. During Saraswathi Jinavani Shastra Mahapooja, the original script of Dhavala, Jayadhavala, Mahadhavala, Tiloyapannatti, Samayasara, Gommatasara, Mahapurana and other religious works are kept on a silver altar. Some of the latest religious books are released during this occasion.

During the whole event many poojas and aradhanas are conducted. In the latest edition vidhanas such as the Chaturvimshati Tirthankara Aradhana, Aradhana, Kalyana Mandira Aradhana, Shanthichakra Aradhana, Rishi Mandala, Navagraha Aradhana, Bhaktamara Aradhana, Kalikundala Aradhana, and Shanthinatha vidhan were performed under the leadership of Acharya 108 Sri Vardhamanasagarji Muni Maharaj, Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and other Munis and Bhatarakas.

The Munis pray for world peace and harmony during all their poojas and aradhanas. The mahamasthakabhisheka gains impetus with the beginning of panchakalyanak. The rituals involved in panchakalyanak are Nandi Mangala, Kankana Bandhana, Indra Pratishta, and Vastu Vidhan.

Several cultural programmes and exhibitions were held during the mahamasthakabhisheka in 2006. The stalls in the exhibition were devoted to various themes related to Jainism. Different state and central government organizations also took part in this exhibition.

Place or Community: The Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava of Lord Bahubali, a festival of the Jains, is held once in every 12 years at Shravanabelagola.  Month:

The latest edition of Mahamasthakabhisheka Matihotsava of Lord Bahubali was held in the month of January and February, 2006.

Mewar Festival

An exhilarating welcome to spring, this festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. It is celebrated in the romantic city of Udaipur during the Gangaur Festival. A procession of colourfully attired women carrying the images of the goddess Gauri make their way to the Lake Pichola. An unusual procession of boats on the lake offers a fitting finale to this splendid celebration.

The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur, and has a unique charm about it. The festival of Gangaur is very significant for women of Rajasthan. It is a time for them to dress up in their best clothes and participate in the festival.

They gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession winds its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred to special boats amidst much singing and festivity.

Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fireworks display. Like other fairs and festivals celebrated throughout the state, there is a lot of activity, which keeps the participants in a joyful frame of mind, eager to enjoy every moment.

Martyrs’ Day

Martyrs’ Day marks the death anniversary of the father of nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was assassinated on Jan 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse. Godse held Gandhi responsible for the partition of India thus he shot Gandhiji. For this evil deed Godse was hanged on November 15, 1949.

Originally the martyrdom of the soldiers while defending the sovereignty of the country during the freedom struggle was remembered on Republic Day, January 26, gave way to Jan 30.

On this day not only Prime Minister and chiefs of the armed forces salute the martyrs at India Gate but also common men show their gratitude towards them by giving up their normal activities for some time and observing silence for 2 minutes.

Sirens are blown at every government establishment around 11 am. At that time everyone, be it in industrial units or government offices even the
commoners stop their work and observe silence for two minutes as a remembrance of the martyred souls. The siren again blows after two minutes, i.e. around 11.02 am allowing resuming work.

The day sees the triumphant celebrations, showcasing the latest weapon achievement and advertising military might.

The followers of Mahatma Gandhi worship him and quote- He is the greatest human being so far appeared on this earth. Bapu is a symbol of virtues and greatness. This man lived the life of a saint.

His status of Father of the Nation cannot be challenged as the political party led by him enjoyed full monopoly after independence. He believed in antiviolent ideologies. Gandhi and his followers played a significant role in ousting British.

January, 30 is a Martyrs' day to remember the freedom fighters of our country, wheras January 25, is considered as a Martyrs' day to remember those who lost their lives in the Anti-Hindi agitations during 1937-38 and 1965. 
  

Time to celebrate:

Martyrs’ Day marks the death anniversary of the father of nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was assassinated on Jan 30 1948. Thus Martyrs’ day is celebrated on 30th January every year.

Mamallapuram Dance festival

Mamallapuram Dance festival-Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu   Once the ancient port of the Pallavas, Mamallapuram plays host to a vibrant festival of Dance. Exponents of Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Kathakali performed against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava Rock Sculpture. Mamallapuram Dance Festival is organized during the months of January and February in the city of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

This event witnesses performances on the Indian classical dances such as the Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali.The prominent people from their respected fields gather for this cultural event that is also promoted by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department as one of the major cultural attraction to these parts of India. This four week Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held at the venue of Arjuna's penance, a bass-relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, in Mamallapuram. The magnificent backdrop that is provided by the Pallava Rock Sculptures provide an aesthetic touch to this cultural dance festival. The open-air stage and the dancers from far and wide come to watch the best folk dancers in India perform in front of them under the open skies in an open-air theatre style ambience. This open-air stage was created about thirteen centuries ago, the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram.

Natyanjali Festival

The ancient Nataraja temple of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja - the dancing Shiva. The temple has carved pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses of Bharathanatyam classical dance in the eastern tower. The Natyanjali festival dedicated to Lord Shiva is celebrated every year for five days in the temple premises. It begins on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri.    During this time leading dancers from all parts of India congregate and dance in the temple as an offering to Nataraja. Natyanjali festival is jointly organised by The Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, The Ministry Of Tourism, Government of India and The Natyanjali Trust, Chidambaram. It is designed to promote a universal message of 'Unity in Diversity' conveyed in the universal language of music and dance.

The Natyanjali festival dedicated to the Cosmic Dancer (Lord Shiva) is celebrated every year during February-March. Lord Nataraja, according to Hindu mythology is the cosmic dancer. He is also called "the Lord of Dances". Natyanjali festival opens on the auspicious occasion of the Maha Shivaratri day and of course in the right kind of venue - the 'Prakara' of the Chidambaram temple. The magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, built a thousand years ago, provides a beautiful backdrop for the event. The setting is truly divine-Chidambaram's gold-roofed temple, with pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatanatyam - Tamil Nadu's classical dance.

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.