Bundi festival of Rajasthan

Reflecting a beauty of culture, heritage and tradition Bundi utsav is one of the most celebrated festivals of Rajasthan. Celebrated at a site of Hadoti in Rajasthan, November marks a month of color art and culture.
Beauty of this festival is, it looks to uplift a beauty of culture that Rajasthan has and to see that people gathers from all across a world at a site of Bundi a small town at a district of Hadoti in Rajasthan.

Marked by a beauty of culture, at this day people wear their ethnic attire and prepare themselves to march for celebration. As it is a most celebrated festival and people waits for it to happen with boom and beauty all the people from different district and people from across the country participate at ‘Shobha Yatra’ which is followed by an Ethnic sports contests, arts and craft fairs, cultural exhibits and music/dance performances.
During these festivals people engage themselves in sharing lamps, bridal attire show, turban tying competition, rural sports contests, sightseeing, display of lights and blowing crackers all night.

People at the banks of River Chambal, cries their prayers and thank god for giving them opportunity to live under his roof and carries on the feast of festival by chanting Vedic rhymes. Keshorai Patan reveals a miniature of famous Pushkar cattle and women and men in all traditional attire enjoys a beauty of festivals with delights and it also offers tourist a brilliant chance to see a rich culture of Rajasthan which is very much associated with an essence of soil and sense of belongingness.

During this festivals locals stays on shops to sell their beautiful art and crafts and one has a brilliant chance to buy them as it reflects a culture of Rajasthan. various shops exhibits their beautiful creation and people do love to buy them and it becomes more beautiful during a time of this festivals when they show their beauty of creation to commemorate a beauty of long and awaited festival.

During the time of festival you would see a true culture of Rajasthan and they explore it so brilliantly people from around the world come to participate on this festival. Lights, attire, tradition, folk songs, dance and so many things comes within the festival one would feel bless to see a beauty of this festival which comes at the month of November.

A prayer, sharing of lights to complement each other, state fair where even traveler participates in number is just a beauty of this festival and one would notice a huge number of crowds during a time of this festival.
On should also stand to see a dance competition and many other cultural and classical features of Rajasthan culture. A land of fort or rather says a land of kingdom enjoys this festival with full tune and also allows an overseas traveler to participate at the same time.

So this year be a part of rich culture and do a Deep Dan which is a most notable feature of Bundi festival.

Karwa Chaut a festival of Women

It is usually a one day festival observed by married women who fast from sunrise to moon rise for a longevity, prosperity and safety of their Husband.Though it is widely observed throughout the nation but it is more famous and practiced thoroughly by northern Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Uttarakhnad, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and other states.

History
It began with a magical tale of Droupadi who fasted for pandavas with a suggestion of Lord Krishna and from then onwards a people started following a culture and in modern days it has become more like a custom.

Legend of Karwa, it is historic and mythological tales of Husband devote Karwa who once threatened Yama to curse and destroy him because of his refusal to send a crocodile to hell that once caught Karwa husband. Seeing such a power and devotion Yama decided to send crocs into hell and bless Karwa and her husband who in turn enjoyed a blessed life till the end.The Story of Satyavan and Savitri is also a noted one in giving a birth to a Karwa Chaut.

When it’s celebrated
The festivals falls under fourth day after a full moon in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik, in simple words it is celebrated 9 days before the call of diwali. This festival is also celebrated by unmarried women in desire to get their destined husband.

How is Celebrated
Proceeding of Karwa Chaut is very interesting as the women start off early by putting all the shringars and all the traditional decoration require to make puja a successful one. They buy all the essentials require for puja like Karwa, matthi, heena etc. before a crack of a dawn they prepare all the stuffs and have it before sun breaks the light and as the day progresses they start decorating their hands and feet with Heena mehandi.

































They decorate their puja thali with all the necessary ingredients and meets with their friends and relatives and in evening they start to gather in front of local temple where they listen to a legendry tale of Karwa and at the same time perform songs and listen to prayers. And to the story teller they offer mud pot, a metal urn filled with water, flowers, an idol of Ambika Gaur Mata, Goddess Parwati and some fruits, mathi and food grains.
Amongst the essentials that are kept in thali are Sindoor, incense sticks and rice. During this event women’s wear a colorful and heavy saris mostly all are in red color which is a symbol of married woman beside that they wear  nose pin, tika, bindi, chonp, bangles, earrings etc.

And when it counts a time just when moon starts to raise all gathers in top of their building with thali and water and catch a glimpse of its ray through sieve and Dupatta. They offer water to moon and cry a prayer to bless their husband with a long life, safety and prosperity. That calls for an evening and women breaks their fast

Main attraction
An ambiance that comes with the festival is a main attraction of this festival; it is so much interesting to see how women gather in front of the temple or at local gardens to start their proceeding. In true words the festival in whole is most attractive thing.

Kolayat Fair - Largest Cattle fair of Bikaner

Also known as Kappil Muni fair, Kolayat Fair is the largest fair of its kind celebrated in the city of Bikaner on the full month day of Kartik Purnima (November) in the village of Kolayat or Kapilayatan in Rajasthan. The village of Kolayat is positioned at a distance of about 50 km from the South-West of Bikaner. The village derived its name from a famed sage Kapil Muni who undertook a deep meditation for the fine sake of civilization. This festival is celebrated on this day as it is considered the holiest of days in Hindu calendar.

In the early mornings the Hindus take a dip in the lake which is believed to wash away all their sins and offer temple of sage Kapil with sugar drops and milk pudding. Hindus believed that a one day spend in this sacred abode of Kapil Muni is equaled to 10 years spent on any other pilgrimage site. A temple devoted to Kapil Muni known as Shri Kolayat Temple is situated on the Ghat with a marble statue of the saint where prayers and other edibles are offered to the sage. Thousands and thousands of devotees and tourists visit this place during this festivity to witness this grand festival and also to observe the unique rituals and traditional dances that are offered by the inhabitants of Rajasthan. The mesmerizing view of the hundreds of devotees leaving the illuminated camp in the lake is majestic enough.

The worship in the temple is performed by Sewag Brahmins who are hereditary priest. Aarti is offered two times in a day and then the bhog is offered.

History: Kolayat was the venue for the meditation of sage Kapil Muni who underwent into a deep meditation for the well sake of the humanity. According to legends, he shed his body under a peepul tree and meditated there for a long period of time. He was believed to be a descendent of Lord Brahma, and today in the same venue a temple devoted to him and a lake namely Lake Kapil Sarovar is established. The devotees take a holy dip in the lake and head on to the temple for worshipping.    

Main Activities & attractions:

• Beautiful decoration of the 52 Ghats.
• Unique rituals performed by the devotees.
• Offering of milk pudding and sugar drops to the deity.
• Leaving of illuminated oil lamps by devotees in the water of the lake which is known as Deep Malika in local dialect.  
• Cattle fair
• Mesmerizing culture and traditional dances performed by the inhabitants of Rajasthan.
• Captivating Folklore.
• Contests in the cattle fair

Cattle Fair: It is the one of the vital part of this festival and is the biggest cattle fair of Bikaner. People from varied parts of India visit this place during this festivity in order to trade camels, horses, buffaloes and other cattles in this fair. Contest also takes place in which awards are given to the best breeders present in this fair. 

For any tourists, it could be an interesting learning where you could learn about the ethics of Rajasthan in the best way.

Dussehra - Celebrating Victory of Good over Evil

Popularly known as Navaratri (India) or Dashain (Nepal), Dussehra is one of the major celebrations of Hindus all over the world. It is one of the many Hindu festivals symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwin month of Hindu calendar corresponding to September/October of Gregorian calendar.



The first nine day of the festival is celebrated as Navaratri in which devotees worship each of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. And, at the end of the ninth day the tenth day is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami meaning victory on the tenth day referring to the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon buffalo Mahisasura on the tenth day. In many parts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh it also marks the harvest season and so the worshipping to Mother Goddess is performed to create fertility and vigor in the soil.  

The people celebrating Dussehra greet the festival by decorating their house in a colourful and vibrant way. Kids relish in shopping new clothes while the elders engage themselves in ornamenting their house by cleaning and decorating it with garlands.

History: There are many legend behind the celebration of Dussehra, of them the famed are the two one of Goddess Durga and the other of Lord Rama. Goddess Durga who is a divine form of energy booned by all the main three gods of Hindus including Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma killed the demon king Mahisasura when he created a havoc on the earth and won a war against the devas (gods). As per the legend, when strength of lighting from the mouth of three gods emerged, goddess was born. She rode on a lion and fought the demon but was unable to kill her until the end of nine day and nine nights, at the commencement of tenth day she killed her thus ending the havoc on earth.

Another legend says that, Rama the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu after gaining secret powers from Goddess Durga in Treta Yuga killed Ravana (king of Lanka) who kidnapped Sita. As per both the legends, it is believed that the celebration of this particular festival is observed as the victory of good over evil. 

Major Attractions of Dussehra:

• Ram Leela is major enactment in which the story of Lord Rama is told until the ninth day and in the tenth day the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnada are set to burn. The person who plays the role of Lord Rama in the play shoots the burning arrow and set the effigies to burn.
• While burning the effigies, the people in and around are asked to burn the devil inside them.
• People pray to Goddess Durga to wash away all their impurities.
• Pandals with idols of Goddess Durga killing Mahisasura.
• Colourful streets and houses.
• Delicacies are prepared.

Indian City with Huge Celebration:

Kolkata: It stands atop all the Indian cities in the colourful celebration of Dussehra; one can see the most frantic celebration. Over crowded events, domes, minarets, huge pandals and great enthusiasm make Kolkata vibrant during Dussehra. The 4 daylong event of Kolkata is the most happening with each and every part of the city turning into colourful rainbow.  

Apart from this, Ahmedabad, Mysore and Karnataka are other major place for celebration of this glowing festival. 

Janmashtami - Celebration to Remember the Wordly Facade of Lord Krishna

Janmashtami Also known as Krishnasthami, it is an annual celebration of Hindu deity Lord Krishna, the eight avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated by Hindus and is observed with great pomp and show in particularly in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and in some parts of Caribbean. It is celebrated in the eight day of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). Mischievousness, adorableness, compassionate friendship and romanticism are the major aspects of him which are celebrated on this particular day. 

Janmashtami memorializes the worldly facade of Lord Krishna. It is one of the biggest religious festivals in the world celebrated approximately by 930 million people around the world with 2 million alone in the US. To devotees, it’s the completion of running year and commencement of a fresh year. Homes and streets are ornamented with beautiful decorative, all the people of Hindus community and also of other communities comes together to celebrate this annual event.

In various parts of India, kids dress like Krishna whether to take part in some fancy dress competition or to break the ‘matka’ during a societal celebration. People fast all through the day and show their affection and fondness to the Lord and break fasting at the midnight, it is celebrated with devotional songs, dances, pujas, aarti, blowing of the conch, and rocking the cradle of the baby Sri Krishna. Actually, the celebration takes place during midnight as he was believed to be born on a gloomy, fiery, and blustery night.

 Key Places for Celebrations in India:

Mathura and Vrindavan: Mathura is the birth place of Krishna and is one of the major places for Janmashtami celebration. He was grown up in Vrindavan. A total of 8 lakhs visitors visit this city during this celebration. The major celebration takes place in the actual place of Lord’s birth which is now turned into a mammoth temple, Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir. The birth of Lord is celebrated with Pooja, bathing with milk and curd and then rocked in a cradle. Raasleelas (dance drama which is offered by professionals and amateurs), Jhanki (it depicts the activities of Lord like Janmlila, Shankarlila, Putanalila and Naglila), Jhulanotsav (swings are set to welcome his birth) and Ghatas (temples and all other decorations including Lord’s attire are done with a selected or same colour) are carried out after the birth ceremony. Kheer, Laddoo, Shrikhand etc. are deliciously prepared on this day. Securities are tightened at various temples of Mathura and Vrindavan during this celebration.     

Mumbai: Numerous residents of Mumbai come alive to celebrate the Janmashtami with larger than life ceremony; every Mumbaikar (resident of Mumbai) celebrates this festivity with great enthusiasm. ‘Dahi Handi’ event is organized at various venues and societies which are also attended by Bollywood personalities. Enchanting the tune ‘Govinda ala re’, the participants for the event prove their mettle by breaking the ‘Matka’ which is places at the top of the by lanes of metropolis. They form like a human pyramids and stood up on top of one another to break it. The participant efforts are dissatisfied by the people congregated in the venue by wetting them with water. The idea behind this event is the boy-hood trick of stealing butter from a suspended earthen pot by Lord Krishna.

Manipur: It is celebrated by Manipuri as Krishna Janma; disciples congregate at various temples including ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness Temple and Govindaji Temple. Raasleelas are performed by them, in Manipuri style.

Apart from Mumbai, and Mathura it is well celebrated in Northern and Western India, South India etc. It is celebrated with equal zest and joy in all of India chanting ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama Hare Krishna Hare Krishna’.

Rakshan Bandhan - An Eternal Bond of Love Shared by Brother and Sister

History of Rakshabandhan

The meaning of “rakshabandhan” is the union of defense. There are many stories behind this festival. From the origin of India there are some histories.First one belongs to the God of rain, Indra dev, once there was a war between Gods and Demons where Indra dev was defeated and the Indra consulted his guru Brahaspati. The wife of Indra tied the sacred thread which was originated from various chanting and mantras. Then the Gods defeated demons and had a victory. Another one was of Lord Krishna and Draupadi. When Krishna was having a wound because of the battle he fought Draupadi torn a strip of her silk dupatta and tied around the hand of Krishna. He was touched by her action and declared her sister without any blood relation. He promised her to take care and protect her from all the odds in her life. Being the daughter of such a great king and wife of five exceptional warriors she was totally dependent on Lord Krishna. The story of Yama and Yamuna, Yama (the lord of Death) was brother of Yamuna and on this special occasion he was so touched by this ritual of tying rakhi, that he affirmed that whosoever gets a rakhi tied by his sister and promise her to protect will become immortal.

Celebration of Rakhi

The raksha bandhan is celebrated as one of the festivals in India and also in some parts of Pakistan and Nepal. Not only the Hindus but also the Sikhs and Jains celebrate this festival. The festival is celebrated by tying the rakhi from the sisters (shreya) to their brothers (shaurya) on this occasion after doing their puja known as arati. This ritual is performed by almost in 90% of India. The people also first tie the rakhi to Ganesha and then to their real brothers as well as cousins. The home is also decorated with flowers and the environment becomes festive. The sweets are also one of the important parts of this festival. After tying the rakhi the sister makes the brother eat the sweets.

Specialty of Rakhi

The rakhi is not only a holy thread but also known as the thread of love that love which bonds the brother to his sister. The specialty of rakhi is that the brother promises his sister to take care of her in any condition and protect her in each and every possible way he can. This defines a relationship of brother and sister and bonding between them. It’s not only about tying a rakhi but also accepting one’s responsibility with full dedication and making them work. Now a day the importance of rakhi had been increased because of the nuclear families where only 2 brothers or sisters are there it bounds the family as the sisters revolve around to tie rakhi to their cousins or the get together is organized by family. It not only works as refreshment but also allow the people to meet and interact with their dear and near ones.