6/05/2005

Festivals India

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Festivals of India

Since most festivals are held at a certain time, they are kigo for that season.
Special food for these festivals, special implements, dresses and other items related only to a special festival are also all kigo.

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India Festivals

source : www.all-indiatravel.com

January Fairs Festivals : POUSH - MAGH

January is a month of severe cold in northern India. In the south, while the nights are chill, the days are certainly more clement and sun-warmed. In rural India, farmers look forward to the ripening of their crops of rice, wheat, sugarcane and a variety of pulses. This is also the time for millions of rural Indians to light bonfires of dried wood and hay in their courtyards and relax in the cold, star-studded twilight.

About Festivals in January »
Haldi Kumkum | Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal | New Year | Thai Pusam

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February Fairs Festivals : Magh - Phalgun

Mahashivratri Festival - Night of Shiva

On the 14th night of the dark half of Magh occurs the festival of Mahashivaratri. This is an important fast for devotees of the god Shiva, who stay awake throughout the night, spending time in prayer. The name of this festival literally means 'the great night of Shiva'.

About Festivals in February »
Carnival Festival in Goa | Mahashivratri


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March Fairs Festivals : Phalgun - Chaitra

Holi Festival : The Spring Festival Of Colours

With winter mists melting in the sunshine, Phalgun brings new life to every leaf and bud, announcing that Vasant Ritu or Springtime has come with its great display of flowers and fruits. While nature wears verdant new robes, the vernal equinox brings hope to farmers. This joyful new beginning is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalgun at the most colourful festival of India - Holi.

About Festivals in March »
Holi | Jamshed-E-Navroz


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April Fairs Festivals : CHAITRA - VAISHAKH

The gudi with a swastika-marked pot and silk cloth is a traditional tribute to the vernal sun. Raising a gudi is an act of declaring victory, first initiated by the victorious warriors of the Maratha army under Shivaji.

About Festivals in April »
Baishakhi | Easter Sunday | Gudi Padva | Hanuman Jayanti | Mahavir Jayanti | Pesakh | Pooram | Ramnavami | Ramzan Id | Vasant Navratri


Ramnavami –
the speeded up heartbeat
of the drums


Johannes Manjrekar
Spring 2013



Ram Navami
The birthday of Lord Rama, the celebrated hero of the famous epic, 'Ramayana', is enthusiastically celebrated on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chiatra, all over India. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his human incarnation as Rama, the divine ruler of Ayodhya. Celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed. People sing devotional songs in praise of Rama and rock, images of him in a cradle to celebrate his birth. Rathyatras or chariot processions of Ram, his wife Seeta, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman are held from many temples. People gather in thousands on the banks of the sacred river Sarayu for a dip. Some observe a strict fast on this day.
source : www.myguru.in


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May Fairs Festivals : VAISHAKH - JYESHTHA

Akshaya Tritiya Festival : An Auspicious Day

It is well known that Indians believe passionately in the theory of muhurts or auspicious times to perform sacraments, to make major purchases or to begin new ventures. Inspite of modern technology and changing lifeviews, this dedication to auspicious time is a prominent feature of Indian life. Akshaya Tritiya, the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh, is considered one of the four most sacred days of the vear.

About Festivals in May »
Akshaya Tritiya | Buddha Purnima



Buddha Purnima
chants carried up to the moon
on wisps of incense


Angelee Deodhar

Vesākha (Pali; Sanskrit: Vaiśākha, Wesak or Vesak
also known as Buddha Purnima is a holy day observed traditionally by Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and the South East Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Sometimes informally called "Buddha's Birthday", it actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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June Fairs Festivals : Jyeshtha - Ashadh

Ganga Dussehra Festival : River Of Life

The river Ganga holds a uniquely significant place in Indian life and consciousness. It rises at Gangotri, high in the snow-clad Himalayas. Cascading down mighty boulders, it flows into the hot plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and finally meets the waters of the sea in the Bay of Bengal. At Allahabad, the Ganga merges with the river Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati.

About Festivals in June »
Ganga Dussehra | Rathayatra | Vat Savitri


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July Fairs Festivals : ASHADH - SHRAVAN

An ancient sculpture of Vishnu sleeping on the coiled cosmic serpent Ananta. Having provided the earth with good harvests and life-giving water in the monsoon months, Vishnu then rests from Shayani Ekadashi to Prabodhini Ekadashi.

About Festivals in July »
Chaturmas | Guru Purnima


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August Fairs Festivals - SHRAVAN - BHADRAPAD

Shravan Fair : The Holy Month

A time of rain storms and rain-drenched earth, Shravan is the holiest month of the year for Hindus. Each Monday of this month, known as Shravan Somvar, is a special day in Shiva temples where the dharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with water, day and night. Devotees pile the lmga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sundown, eating only root vegetables and'fruit. The nanda deep, Only a 24 hour lamp, burns steadily in the temples signifying the eternal prayers of devotees ascending to heaven.

Juggernaut Festival (India) Saijiki



© Narayanan Raghunathan
Tiger Dance (Huli Vesha, Puli Vesha) India Saijiki

About Festivals in August ..
Haritalika | Janmashtami | Mangalagauri | Nagpanchami | Onam | Paryushan | Pateti & Khordad Sal | Raksha Bandhan | Shravan | Teej



. Janmashtami, Janmastami, Jayanti . . . .

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Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan, (the bond of protection) or Rakhi
is a Hindu festival primarily observed in India, Mauritius and Nepal, which celebrates the relationship between brothers (shaurya), cousins and sisters(shreya). It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most of India. It is also celebrated in some parts of Pakistan.[ The festival is observed by Hindus, Jains, and some Sikhs.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in Shravana month during full moon day or Purnima day.
source : wikipedia.org

Raksha Bandhan-
saffron, rice grains, thread
mailed to a brother


Angelee Deodhar, 2013


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Hariyali Teej
is a festival celebrated in the north Indian states of India mainly Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. This festival is celebrated on the third day of Shukla paksha in the Shravan month. It is also known as Madhusrava tritiya and Choti Teej.
Hariyali Teej festival is celebrated by women in reverence of Goddess Gowri Devi or Parvati who is the consort of Lord Shiva. Since this festival falls at a time when it rains heavily one can see greenery everywhere and hence the name Hariyali Teej.
source : holidayswa.com


gossamer rain-
the Teej songs they sing
while swinging


Angelee Deodhar, 2013


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Onam festival - Kerala


source : festivals.iloveindia.com


- quote
Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, India.
It is the harvest of paddy. The legend has it that the great king Mahavali was so generous that he almost gifted anything any one asked. The gods in heaven got scared that he may become the king in the heaven. So, they requested Lord Vishnu to get rid of him. Lord Vishnu in the shape of a dwarf (Vaman incarnation) requested for three steps of land. Mahavali immediately donated without knowning its implication.

Vishnu put one foot on the ground that covered the earth, the second foot occupied the sky and there was no place for the third step. Vaman, therefore, offered his own head and Vishnu pushed him down into the Nerherland.

However, Mahavali was loved by everybody for his good nature and virtue, and returns to earth on the day of Onam. Onam is celebrated for 10 days. People don new dresses, prepare lovely dishes, eat on banana leaves and young girls make flower designs like carpets to welcome King Mahavali.

Onam celebrations --
angels delicately sit to make
flower designs


The flower arrangements for 'rangoli' during Onam are the highlight of the artistic minds of the pretty Kerala girls.
Happy Onam to everybody.

- Shared by Kumarendra Mallick -
Haiku Culture Magazine, 2013


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September Fairs Festivals : Bhadrapad - Ashwin

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival : Time Of Rejoicing And Reverence

Ganesha is the ever-present deity of India. On wedding invitations, at street come shrines, in carved doorway and in every temple, he is represented in many carvings sculptures and paintings. On the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapad, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi comes to India.

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, India Saijiki

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October Fairs Festivals : ASHVIN - KARTIK

Navratri Festival : Nine Nights Of Festivities

When the last showers of the monsoon are beginning to fall sparsely between spells of bright sunshine , comes the month of Ashwin. In this month/the festive season in India reaches a crescendo with the beginning of the nine-day Navaratri festival.

About Festivals in October »
Diwali | Durga Puja | Dussera | Karwa Choudh | Navratri | Sharad Purnima


Divali (Diwali)


Kartik Purnima festival


. Karva Chauth - Karwa Choudh festival .


. Sharad Purnima harvest festival .
Kojaagari Purnima / Kumar Purnima


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November Fairs Festivals : Kartik - Margashirsha

Once the hectic days of Diwali are over, people all over India return to work and prepare for the coming winter. At the end of the year, there are a few festivals but the main season of Hindu festivities - the Chaturmaas- ends with the 11th day of Kartik or Kartik Ekadashi, the last day of fasting or feasting. Vishnu, resting on his cosmic snake Ananta, awakens on this day, called Prabodhini Ekadashi, to begin the work of maintaining the balance of the world. The Varkari Vaishnavas lead their last pilgrimage to the sacred Vitthala temple at Pandharpur, Maharashtra and return home to their routines.

About Festivals in November »
Dev Diwali | Guru Nanak Purnima | Tulsi Vivaha


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December Fairs Festivals : MARGASHIRSHA - POUSH

Tirupavai Festival : The Devotion Of Andal

The month of Margashirsha is special to Vaishnav Hindus who worship Vishnu. In the Bhagawad Gita, Krishna identifies himself with Margashirsha, which comes when the full moon is sighted near the stellar constellation of Mriga.

About Festivals in December »
Chrismas | Datta Jayanti | Hanukka | Tiru Pavai



- Festivals and Fairs of India


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Dance Festivals

Dover Lane Festival
Hampi Dance Utsav
Khajuraho Festival
Konark Dance Festival
Mamallapuram Utsav
Nishagandhi Festival
Natyanjali Utsav
Taj Mahotsav
Tansen Festival

The earliest archaeological evidence of Indian dance, which dates back to 6000 BC, depicts a beautiful statuette of a dancing girl. Bharata's Natya Shastra (which was written between the 2nd century B.C. and 2nd century A.D) is the earliest available thesis on dramaturgy. All forms of Indian classical dances owe allegiance to Natya Shastra, which is believed to be the 'fifth Veda' of the Indian culture.

According to a popular belief, Brahma, the Creator of the World, combined literature from the Rig Veda, songs from the Sama Veda, abhinaya (expression) from the Yajur Veda and rasa (aesthetic experience) from the Atharva Veda, to form natya (what we today call dance). It explains the nuances of dance, giving stress on mudras (hand formations) and their meanings, the kind of emotions and their categorization.

Apart from the abhinaya and the performance of rasa, the audience is amused by the attire and ornaments of the artist. The majority of Indian classical dance forms are focused on the depiction of the nine rasas (Navarasas or the emotions), which includes
Hasya (happiness), Krodha (anger), Bhibasta (disgust), Bhaya (fear), Shoka (sorrow), Viram (courage), Karuna (compassion), Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (serenity).

source : dances.iloveindia.com



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Related words

***** Festivals of India, another LIST in the Kigo Library

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3 comments:

Gabi Greve said...

. More haiku and explanations
by Kala Ramesh .


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Gabi Greve said...

navarAtri ~
the child sings
perfect "pa dha sa"
of Kambodhi


"Kambodhi" is A KarnAtik rAg(am) and the notes "pa dha sa'
specially characterize this rAg(am).

Narayanan Raghunathan

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Anonymous said...

Navratri
is a Hindu festival of worship and dance. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit;
Nava - Nine and Ratri - nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti female divinity are worshipped .

The 9 nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight.

Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of
Ma Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Ma Saraswati.


http://desidirectory.com/indian-festival-events/