Friday, July 17, 2009
Festivals In India
India is a land of myriad festivals, in rhythm with the cycle of the seasons, with sowings and harvesting. and around them have grown legends, most depicting the victory of good over evil. These fairs and festivals lend color and gaiety to life and Indian calendar is marked by plethora of such big and small occasions. Some festivals are of religious nature, others are related more to, change of season and harvesting. They have a long past and many have undergone major modifications. Though the enthusiasm for some also seems to be fading, nevertheless they do bring about a change in the lifestyle of the people. Some festivals and fasts are religion specific protocols aiming towards communication with the divine. The liveliness of the people is reflected in the colorful vibrancy of the fairs and festivals. Processions, prayers, new attires, dance, music etc. are elements related to any such celebration.The Puri-Rath Yatra, Allahabad-Kumbha, Alleppey-Boat Race, Pushkar-Camel Fair, Goa-Carnival so on and so forth all reflect the diversity of the land and its people but common emotion of revived vigour, joy and sharing.
Vasant beckons spring. Scattered amongst the ripening wheat are the bright yellow flowers of mustard. Tender blossoms appear on the mango tree and 'song is bestowed upon the bird'. On that day everyone wears a special shade of yellow. The festival is dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts. After about two months comes Holi , the very end of our cool season. It is a festival of colour, truly democratic and egalitarian. All barriers are down, all inhibitions shed. Boys and girls, men and women of all ages, all castes, and all classes participate. None is high and none is low. Anyhow, when a person is plastered with colour he is not easy to identify. On the eve of Holi bonfires are lit and Holi itself is celebrated by the throwing of colour, by gaiety and noise, one could even say, by wild abandon. In time the festival has also become associated with the 'Lila' of Radha and Krishna and has inspired some of our most sensuous poetry.
Of all the seasons it is the Sawan (Monsoon) which has evoked the largest number of songs. This is not strange, for summer in the plains of North India is long and hot. As months go by anxious eyes scan the sky. It is a time for renewal. Swings are hung at all likely places and women and children are seen swinging high into the branches overhead accompanied by joyous singing. Raksha Bandhan - the bracelet of protection - is a festival belonging to the old days of chivalry. If the gift of a bracelet sent by a girl was accepted by a man, he henceforth became her adopted brother, pledged to support her in times of stress or war. Today it is just a ritual, though a charming one.
Close on its heels comes Janmashtami , the birthday of Lord Krishna, and the most beloved of all gods. The Krishna legend has caught the imagination of our own people and now of many abroad. Krishna is intensely human. He's everybody's child, full of mischief. Stories of his pranks are recounted as recent happenings. As an ardent lover, he inspires our poets and artists, our music and dance.Ganesh is the god of wisdom as well as of good fortune. As a granter of boons he is worshipped at the beginning of every prayer and auspicious occasion. Ganesh's birthday (Chaturthy) falls at the end of the monsoon and is marked by special festivities after which is image is immersed in the nearest river or the sea.
Every year in autumn, at the time of the full moon the Rajputs gather to honour Lord Brahma, the god of creation at the temple of Pushkar. This is the only temple dedicated to the god in the country.The female as Shakti (Perennial Energy) has a central place in Indian tradition and Durga is its militant form. She is the Mother and at the same time the destroyer of evil forces. Her festival Dussehra heralds the new planting season and also celebrates her victory over the demon buffalo Mahishasura. These are also the days of the Ram Lila, an enactment of the story of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the hero of the epic Ramayana. It is extraordinary how this ancient story written in Sanskrit by Sage Valmiki and the people's spoken Hindi by poet Tulsidas and in other languages by renowned poets has permeated the hearts of our people and is relived year after year.
On the day of Dussehra effigies of Ravana the king of Lanka are burnt at nightfall marking the celebration of the victory of Rama over Ravana symbolizing the victory of good over evil. 20 days later comes Diwali , the most beautiful of all festivals. It is dedicated to Lakshmi the goddess of prosperity. All buildings from the palatial to the humblest are illumined with millions of twinkling oil lamps, now being replaced by electricity, which though cleaner is not half-pretty. At dusk the sky is lit up and air reverberates with fireworks.States have special harvest festivals such as Bihu in Assam, Onam in Kerala and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. The main attraction of Onam is a boat race on rivers swollen by the monsoon. At Arnamulla the long boats compete in speed on the Pamba River where water jousts are held. Each boat painted in the colors of its proprietor or village is manned by a hundred oarsmen, who chant in rhythm to speed up the beat of the paddles.
Kerala is a land of strange beliefs and of all of India it is here that pre Aryan customs have best been preserved. North of Malabar, the feasts of Therayattam are held from January to March. Masked dancers execute what seems to be a synthesis of all the different cults rendered to Devi the Great Goddess and to the ancestors. From daybreak to dusk masked divinities dance without ceasing. At Trichur, Pooram the feast of the Shaivite temples is enthusiastically celebrated in April or early May. The festival attracts millions of spectators to watch the celebrated procession of elephants in battle formation. Musicians play all day. Beating their drums in frantic rhythm, clashing their cymbals or blowing their bugles.The Muslims celebrate Eid twice a year and is an occasion for functions of communal harmony. There is also the Prophet's birthday. Ramzan is a month of prayer and fasting.
The Sikhs observe the birthdays and days of martyrdom of their Gurus. The birthdays of Buddha and Mahavira are similarly observed.For official and work purposes we follow the Gregorian calendar, but Hindu and Muslim festivals are calculated according to the Lunar calendar, so the dates change every year. Different groups of observe different New Years. For the Gujaratis Diwali marks the eve of the New Year. The Parsis celebrate Nauroz on 21 March, the same as in Iran. The Kashmiri Hindus New Year is the same as the 'Gudi Padwa' of Maharashtra, the Ugadhi of Karnataka and Andhra. Everyone has a different type of celebration. The Punjabis have Baisakhi , which falls on 13 April. Bengal and Assam observe the 1st of Baisakhi , which falls around the same time.
Vasant beckons spring. Scattered amongst the ripening wheat are the bright yellow flowers of mustard. Tender blossoms appear on the mango tree and 'song is bestowed upon the bird'. On that day everyone wears a special shade of yellow. The festival is dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning and the arts. After about two months comes Holi , the very end of our cool season. It is a festival of colour, truly democratic and egalitarian. All barriers are down, all inhibitions shed. Boys and girls, men and women of all ages, all castes, and all classes participate. None is high and none is low. Anyhow, when a person is plastered with colour he is not easy to identify. On the eve of Holi bonfires are lit and Holi itself is celebrated by the throwing of colour, by gaiety and noise, one could even say, by wild abandon. In time the festival has also become associated with the 'Lila' of Radha and Krishna and has inspired some of our most sensuous poetry.
Of all the seasons it is the Sawan (Monsoon) which has evoked the largest number of songs. This is not strange, for summer in the plains of North India is long and hot. As months go by anxious eyes scan the sky. It is a time for renewal. Swings are hung at all likely places and women and children are seen swinging high into the branches overhead accompanied by joyous singing. Raksha Bandhan - the bracelet of protection - is a festival belonging to the old days of chivalry. If the gift of a bracelet sent by a girl was accepted by a man, he henceforth became her adopted brother, pledged to support her in times of stress or war. Today it is just a ritual, though a charming one.
Close on its heels comes Janmashtami , the birthday of Lord Krishna, and the most beloved of all gods. The Krishna legend has caught the imagination of our own people and now of many abroad. Krishna is intensely human. He's everybody's child, full of mischief. Stories of his pranks are recounted as recent happenings. As an ardent lover, he inspires our poets and artists, our music and dance.Ganesh is the god of wisdom as well as of good fortune. As a granter of boons he is worshipped at the beginning of every prayer and auspicious occasion. Ganesh's birthday (Chaturthy) falls at the end of the monsoon and is marked by special festivities after which is image is immersed in the nearest river or the sea.
Every year in autumn, at the time of the full moon the Rajputs gather to honour Lord Brahma, the god of creation at the temple of Pushkar. This is the only temple dedicated to the god in the country.The female as Shakti (Perennial Energy) has a central place in Indian tradition and Durga is its militant form. She is the Mother and at the same time the destroyer of evil forces. Her festival Dussehra heralds the new planting season and also celebrates her victory over the demon buffalo Mahishasura. These are also the days of the Ram Lila, an enactment of the story of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the hero of the epic Ramayana. It is extraordinary how this ancient story written in Sanskrit by Sage Valmiki and the people's spoken Hindi by poet Tulsidas and in other languages by renowned poets has permeated the hearts of our people and is relived year after year.
On the day of Dussehra effigies of Ravana the king of Lanka are burnt at nightfall marking the celebration of the victory of Rama over Ravana symbolizing the victory of good over evil. 20 days later comes Diwali , the most beautiful of all festivals. It is dedicated to Lakshmi the goddess of prosperity. All buildings from the palatial to the humblest are illumined with millions of twinkling oil lamps, now being replaced by electricity, which though cleaner is not half-pretty. At dusk the sky is lit up and air reverberates with fireworks.States have special harvest festivals such as Bihu in Assam, Onam in Kerala and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. The main attraction of Onam is a boat race on rivers swollen by the monsoon. At Arnamulla the long boats compete in speed on the Pamba River where water jousts are held. Each boat painted in the colors of its proprietor or village is manned by a hundred oarsmen, who chant in rhythm to speed up the beat of the paddles.
Kerala is a land of strange beliefs and of all of India it is here that pre Aryan customs have best been preserved. North of Malabar, the feasts of Therayattam are held from January to March. Masked dancers execute what seems to be a synthesis of all the different cults rendered to Devi the Great Goddess and to the ancestors. From daybreak to dusk masked divinities dance without ceasing. At Trichur, Pooram the feast of the Shaivite temples is enthusiastically celebrated in April or early May. The festival attracts millions of spectators to watch the celebrated procession of elephants in battle formation. Musicians play all day. Beating their drums in frantic rhythm, clashing their cymbals or blowing their bugles.The Muslims celebrate Eid twice a year and is an occasion for functions of communal harmony. There is also the Prophet's birthday. Ramzan is a month of prayer and fasting.
The Sikhs observe the birthdays and days of martyrdom of their Gurus. The birthdays of Buddha and Mahavira are similarly observed.For official and work purposes we follow the Gregorian calendar, but Hindu and Muslim festivals are calculated according to the Lunar calendar, so the dates change every year. Different groups of observe different New Years. For the Gujaratis Diwali marks the eve of the New Year. The Parsis celebrate Nauroz on 21 March, the same as in Iran. The Kashmiri Hindus New Year is the same as the 'Gudi Padwa' of Maharashtra, the Ugadhi of Karnataka and Andhra. Everyone has a different type of celebration. The Punjabis have Baisakhi , which falls on 13 April. Bengal and Assam observe the 1st of Baisakhi , which falls around the same time.
| Festivals In India |  |
Indian Adventure
Indian subcontinent is blessed with a unique topography. The south is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea on all three sides. This places it in the unique position of being able to offer some excellent locations for all kinds of water sports, as well as stunning views of marine life and coral reefs. Scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the best-loved water adventure activities, specially off the coasts of the archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar and the Lakshadweep, where the underwater scenery and coral reefs are undeniably one of the best in the world. Indias numerous natural as well as man-made lakes provide ideal opportunities for water lovers to have an exciting time on paddleboats, water scooters, speedboats and hovercrafts, as well as enjoy the beautiful surroundings. For those who are more interested in quieter sports are the adventures of angling and fishing in pristine and peaceful riverside sites that abound in India!
For the northern boundary of the Indian subcontinent is bound by the towering snow clad Himalayan range that provides thrilling ski trails as well as expedition routes. The glaciers offer beautiful and pristine locales, which are thankfully tucked away from the pollution and teeming crowds of the urban areas. The unblemished and pure snowy carpets are a delight to every eye and provide magnificent views of the surrounding peaks of the Himalayas. Adventure seekers can hand-glide their way across treetops and unexplored terrains, and feel the wind coursing through their hair or they can go up in a hot air balloon and gain an aerial view of areas that are inaccessible by road.
Wildlife buffs also have plenty of opportunities to go camping in the wilds of India. Wildlife safaris and wildlife adventure camps are exciting holiday options full of lion and tiger sightings, elephant back riding, camping under the stars. Youll feel your heart beat rise as you catch a glimpse of a cheetah or tiger prowling in the under growth, and the anticipation and terror of meeting a lion face to face will be your companion through out! Camel safaris in the desert are hardy experiences that are bound to thrill even the toughest adventure buff. Moving with the rhythm of your camel you will feel like a nomad responding to the inner urges of your soul to roam the breadth of the desert, you first love and only home. The mobile machan still remains the most popular means of transportation on the sun soaked sand. The desert and the camel safaris are excellent ways to get the first hand experience of the rural lifestyles in the royal state of India for an adventurous holiday.
Biking and motorcycling in the mountains are the two other adventure activities that will need you to be in perfect physical condition, for the travel can be weary and hard, even though the sights absolutely breathtaking. The entire adventure is exhilarating and will give you a tremendous sense of achievement! whichever the adventure activity you finally decide upon, incomparable India is sure to have it for you! The highest of the mountains and the bluest of the seas are just waiting for you to take a trip to this enthralling adventure country!
Angling :
India is an angler's paradise. This sport has existed from the days of British Raj, though not as popular as it is around the world, is gathering momentum very fast. The wide variety of fishes, innumerable fresh water streams and beautiful countryside as backdrop provide a perfect ambience to attract tourist for Angling. Angling in India can be conveniently classified into:
Trout fishing: Unlike the Mahseer, the Trout is not indigenous to Indian waters. The Snow Trout is however fond in all high altitude streams and lakes. It was introduced into various predetermined lakes and river in various parts of the country. Trout hatcheries are in operation in the Kashmir valley, Kullu valley. Agoda near Uttrakashi and Avalanche in the Nilgiris. The Snow Trout is however, touch in all high altitude streams and lakes.
Mountaineering, Trekking and Rock Climbing
The main attraction of the summer months in the Himalayan states is trekking and mountain climbing. Trekkers, without any prior experience, can easily manage the altitudes the range from 2500 to 4000 meters above sea level in the hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim. In Ladakh, the Nun Kun Massif, The Zanskar group, The central Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh, Nanda devi, Kamet and Dunagiri offer challenging peaks for mountaineering.
Safaries
The Indian Himalayas is prime Safari in India, be it on a jeep, a bike, cycle or an elephant!! And can well be described as one of the last travel frontiers on earth!
SNOW SPORTS
Winter sports in India are centered around Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Skiing usually starts by the end of DECEMBER and lasts till the end of MARCH. Gulmarg in Kashmir, Auli in Uttar Pradesh and Manali in Himachal Pradesh provide good snow ski slopes. Heli skiing in Manali and Gulmarg provides an enormous varieties of ski runs and routes.
For the northern boundary of the Indian subcontinent is bound by the towering snow clad Himalayan range that provides thrilling ski trails as well as expedition routes. The glaciers offer beautiful and pristine locales, which are thankfully tucked away from the pollution and teeming crowds of the urban areas. The unblemished and pure snowy carpets are a delight to every eye and provide magnificent views of the surrounding peaks of the Himalayas. Adventure seekers can hand-glide their way across treetops and unexplored terrains, and feel the wind coursing through their hair or they can go up in a hot air balloon and gain an aerial view of areas that are inaccessible by road.
Wildlife buffs also have plenty of opportunities to go camping in the wilds of India. Wildlife safaris and wildlife adventure camps are exciting holiday options full of lion and tiger sightings, elephant back riding, camping under the stars. Youll feel your heart beat rise as you catch a glimpse of a cheetah or tiger prowling in the under growth, and the anticipation and terror of meeting a lion face to face will be your companion through out! Camel safaris in the desert are hardy experiences that are bound to thrill even the toughest adventure buff. Moving with the rhythm of your camel you will feel like a nomad responding to the inner urges of your soul to roam the breadth of the desert, you first love and only home. The mobile machan still remains the most popular means of transportation on the sun soaked sand. The desert and the camel safaris are excellent ways to get the first hand experience of the rural lifestyles in the royal state of India for an adventurous holiday.
Biking and motorcycling in the mountains are the two other adventure activities that will need you to be in perfect physical condition, for the travel can be weary and hard, even though the sights absolutely breathtaking. The entire adventure is exhilarating and will give you a tremendous sense of achievement! whichever the adventure activity you finally decide upon, incomparable India is sure to have it for you! The highest of the mountains and the bluest of the seas are just waiting for you to take a trip to this enthralling adventure country!
Angling :
India is an angler's paradise. This sport has existed from the days of British Raj, though not as popular as it is around the world, is gathering momentum very fast. The wide variety of fishes, innumerable fresh water streams and beautiful countryside as backdrop provide a perfect ambience to attract tourist for Angling. Angling in India can be conveniently classified into:
Trout fishing: Unlike the Mahseer, the Trout is not indigenous to Indian waters. The Snow Trout is however fond in all high altitude streams and lakes. It was introduced into various predetermined lakes and river in various parts of the country. Trout hatcheries are in operation in the Kashmir valley, Kullu valley. Agoda near Uttrakashi and Avalanche in the Nilgiris. The Snow Trout is however, touch in all high altitude streams and lakes.
Mountaineering, Trekking and Rock Climbing
The main attraction of the summer months in the Himalayan states is trekking and mountain climbing. Trekkers, without any prior experience, can easily manage the altitudes the range from 2500 to 4000 meters above sea level in the hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim. In Ladakh, the Nun Kun Massif, The Zanskar group, The central Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh, Nanda devi, Kamet and Dunagiri offer challenging peaks for mountaineering.
Safaries
The Indian Himalayas is prime Safari in India, be it on a jeep, a bike, cycle or an elephant!! And can well be described as one of the last travel frontiers on earth!
SNOW SPORTS
Winter sports in India are centered around Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Skiing usually starts by the end of DECEMBER and lasts till the end of MARCH. Gulmarg in Kashmir, Auli in Uttar Pradesh and Manali in Himachal Pradesh provide good snow ski slopes. Heli skiing in Manali and Gulmarg provides an enormous varieties of ski runs and routes.
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