Pongal
Certain Hindu festivals are associated with the annual cycle of
seasons. Pongal in the South and Sankranti in the North are celebrated
to mark the withdrawal of the southeast monsoons as well as the reaping
of the harvest. Pongal festivities are spread over several days. Like
Diwali in the north, the advent of Pongal is associated with
spring-cleaning and burning of junk, symbolizing the destruction of
evil. Decorative designs or rangolis are traced on floors and on the day
of the Pongal, the newly harvested rice is cooked in homes to acclaim
the bounty of the gods.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati is widely
worshipped as the munificent god of wisdom. Ganesh Chaturthi is a
festival in his honor and is celebrated in most of the major states of
India. Images of Ganesha are installed within homes as well as in places
of assembly. Elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration
and Ganesha is fervently worshipped for about 7-10 days. On the day of
the Chaturthi, i.e. the last of the days dedicated to the
elephant-headed god, thousands of processions converge on the beaches of
Mumbai to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This immersion is
accompanied by drum beats, devotional songs and dancing.
Diwali
If there is one occasion which is all joy and all jubilation for
one and all, young and the old, men and women -- for the entire Hindu
world, it is Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Even the humblest of huts
will be lighted by a row of earthern lamps. Crackers resound and light
up the earth and the sky. The faces of boys and girls flow with a rare
charm in their dazzling hues and colors. Illumination in temples and all
sacred places of worship and on the banks of rivers symbolize the
scattering of spiritual radiance all round from these holy centers. The
radiant sight of everybody adorned with new and bright clothes,
especially ladies decorated with the best of ornaments, captures the
social mood at its happiest. And all this illumination and fireworks,
joy and festivity, is to signify the victory of divine forces over those
of wickedness.
Navarathri
Navaratri and Dassera are also long festivals celebrated over a
period of ten days. The first nine days constitute the Navaratri
festival. Navaratri itself means nine nights (Nava = nine, ratri =
night).The term "Dassera" or "Vijayadashmi" which is the last and tenth
day are derived from the word for number ten i.e. Das (in Hindi) or
Dasha (in Sanskrit).
This festival is devoted to the Mother Goddess known variously as
Durga, Kali, Bhavani, Amba, Chandika, etc. This festival is celebrated
in different ways in different parts of India. In western India (Gujarat
and Rajasthan) throughout the nine days, both men and women participate
in a dance in which they go in circles around an object of worship. This
dance style is a very popular one during this festival. The dances start
after 10 p.m. and many a times they continue up to the small hours of
the morning. In eastern India (especially in Bengal) this festival is
the principal festival and is celebrated with gaiety and devotion
through public ceremonies (Sarvajanik of Sarbojanin Durga Puja). For
these ceremonies Pundals (temporary public booths) are erected. The
ceremonies are conducted amidst grand prayers and mass feeding.
Mahasivarathri
The festival of 'Mahashivratri' is celebrated as a mark of respect
towards Lord Shiva each year. The festival of Mahashivratri, which
literally means the night of Lord Shiva, is universally celebrated by
Hindus all over the world. Lord Shiva forms a part of the Hindu holy
Trimurti (trinity of Gods), wherein Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the
sustainer and Shiva is the destroyer. On this day, people from various
parts of the country gather at temples of Lord Shiva and sing bhajans
(holy songs), offer prayers and recite shlokas in the honor of Lord
Shiva.
Mahaveer Jayanti
Mahaveera, also known as Vardhamana, is the last one in the galaxy
of Twenty-four Teerthankaras (Jain Prophets). He was born in the year
599 B.C. and has been acclaimed as one of the greatest prophets of peace
and social reformation that Bharat has ever produced. He was born to a
pious couple, Siddhartha and Priyakarani or popularly Trishala Devi -
who were deeply permeated with the philosophy of jainism preached by
Parswanatha, the 23rd Teerthankara.
Krishna Jayanthi
Krishna Jayanthi is the birthday celebration of Lord Krishna. It
is celebrated on the 8th Tithi of the dark fortnight in the month of
Bhadrapad (August-September). In the night, songs and stories related to
Krishna's birth are sung and narrated. As the moment of Krishna's birth
arrives, he is devotionally welcomed. His idol is then offered Pooja.
Thereafter sweets are distributed as mark of joy since the birth of
Krishna denotes the advent of the annihilator of evils. Feasts are also
arranged to celebrate the occasion.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during
this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the
entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening
eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of
worship, contemplation and a time to strengthen family and community
ties.
The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has
many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a
means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with
the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of
fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature,
which becomes a means of coming closer to God.
Christmas
Even the Christians in India seem mostly unaware that the
Ramakrishna Mission centers celebrate Christmas in great style. Except
for the actual Midnight Mass, many features of the Indian Christian
celebration are in evidence - scripture reading, carols, sweets, cakes
etc. This is because Swami Vivekananda and his companions, sorely
grieved over the death of their Master, had decided in a burst of
inspiration on Christmas Eve to give up the world and form the religious
community that eventually developed into the worldwide Ramakrishna
Mission.
Ugadi
The first day of the year according to the National Calendar of
Bharat (corresponding to the era beginning 78 A.D. and 57 B.C.
respectively) is significant both for its historical import and for the
advent of bountiful nature. The day falls in the beginning of spring -
Vasanta Ritu - when the Goddess of Nature gets bedecked as a divine
bride. The day aptly carries the assurance to human life, "If winter
comes, can spring be far behind?" It fills the human spirit with
optimism and hope about one's future and injects into him courage and
confidence in facing the trials and tribulations of life - both
individual and national.
Onam
Onam is a time for sports, festivities, and ritual celebrations in
Kerala. The Keralites celebrate this festival in memory of the golden
era of King Mahabali whose spirit is said to visit the state at the time
of Onam. Colorful aquatic festivals are organized along the sacred river
Pampa as part of the celebrations. After three months of heavy rains,
the sky becomes a clear blue and the forests a deep green. The brooks
and streams come alive, spouting a gentle white foam, the lakes and
rivers overflow and lotuses and lilies are in full bloom as if to
welcome the spirit of the King. It is time to reap the harvest, to
celebrate and to rejoice.
Indian Independence Day
Independence Day, August 15, commemorates the day in 1947 when
India achieved freedom from British rule. It is celebrated with flag
hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs in the state capitals. The
Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.
All Government Organizations have a holiday. In the capital New Delhi,
most of the Government Offices are lit up. In all the cities around the
country the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by politicians belonging to
that constituency. On Television, various Independence related programs
are telecasted, reminding us of the hard times faced by the freedom
fighters.
