Let come the Shravan month and the festivity is on its height. It arrives with lots of festivals and with that comes the celebration. The Shravan Somvars, Independence Day, Rakshabandhan, Krishna Janmashtami and lot many more festivals are there to augment the Indian mood of festivity
Beauty of India lies in its culture, tradition and also in its various festivals. It is next to impossible to imagine an Indian life without festivals. Every religion has its festival and the rituals of the festival add the spark in them. Festival means happiness, celebration, delicious dishes, new clothes and much more to the people.
So, its celebration time, as the very special, August - the monsoon month - has arrived. Everyone enjoys the thunder shower of rain and worship their god for getting peace in life and try to make future path smooth. Each part of India has some festivals and therefore reason to celebrate the life at it’s fullest.
The Holy Month Shiva
Every day of week in August (Shravan) is fully devoted to Lord Shiva and followers keep fast on Mondays (Somvar). It is celebrated as a special day in Shiva temples where the idol is bathed with milk and water constantly - day and night. The devotees meditate by offering Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset eating only vegetables and fruits. The deep burns 24 hours continuously in the temples signifying the eternal prayers of devotees ascending to heaven. A fable is popular that girls, who are on fast on Shravan Somvars, get husbands of their choice.
The Snake Festival
Nagapanchami is a festival that is dedicated to the snake-god. It occurs on the fifth day (panchami) of the fortnight as is evident from its name. It is celebrated with great fervor especially in the rural areas of North India. On Nagapanchami, Hindus worship the Naag (cobra). Women and children visit snake-pits and worship the snakes residing there by performing Aarti and offering milk and honey. Nagapanchami occurs at the beginning of the harvest season. Worshipping a slithering reptile whose mere sight makes our flesh creep would appear strange and curious to a person from another part of the globe, unfamiliar with Hindu customs.
Paryushan Parva
Paryushan Parva is an annual religious festival of the Jains. Considered as a most auspicious and sacred festival, it is observed to deepen the awareness as a physical being in combination with spiritual observations. In Jainism, fasting is considered as a spiritual activity that purifies ones souls, improves morality and spiritual power, increases knowledge and strengthens relationships. It is celebrated with fasting, reading of scriptures, observing silence etc. preferably under the guidance of monks in temples. Strict fasting where one has to completely abstain from food and even water is observed for a week or more. Depending upon one's capability, complete fasting spans between 8-31 days. Religious and spiritual discourses are held where tales of Lord Mahavira are narrated.
Independence Day
"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge... At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom," Jawaharlal Nehru spoke on the eve of India’s independence in 1947.
The day comes on 15th of August when we rejoice our freedom and pay collective homage to all those people who have sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom. The day is celebrated in a mood of national pride and joy - no rituals, just festivities. On this day our Prime Minister sets the mood by hosting the national flag and addressing the nation from the rampart of the Red Fort in Delhi. This is accompanied by a march-past of the armed and police forces. Similar ceremonies are held in all the state capitals. The Prime Minister addresses and the march-past are relayed live on national television. Television channels treat their audience with patriotic films and songs. Cultural programmes featuring classical music and dance performances by top artistes are organized at several places.
The Celebration of Fraternal Love
Raksha Bandhan is mentioned in our epics as a festival of Gods. It is said that Yamuna, the sister of Yama, the lord of Death used to tie rakhi to her brother on every Shravan Purnima. Yama was so impressed by the occasion that he declared that who ever got a Rakhi tied from his sister would become immortal. From that day onwards sisters tie rakhi to their brothers wishing them a long life and brothers bestow their blessings by promising to take care of their sisters through thick and thin. Now it has become a tradition. Sisters tie the rakhi on the wrist of their brothers and offer them sweets and in return they are given various types of gifts – in kind and cash.
The Birth of Krishna
Janmashtami is celebrated every year on the 8th day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksh); in the Hindu month of bhadon. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Krishna is the eighth and most important incarnation of Vishnu. Janmashtami is actually celebrated twice, the occasions coinciding with Krishna's birth in captivity in Mathura, and the discovery of the newborn Krishna in Nand and Yashoda's house in Gokul. This tale is fondly remembered on the day of Janmashtami as temples and homes are lit up on this joyous occasion. Especially cities like Mumbai, Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan come alive during the festival. Dandiyas and Raas Leelas (dance dramas) enact incidents from Krishna’s life amidst much pomp and show. People fast till midnight, the time of Krishna’s birth.
Parsi New Year
'Pateti and Khordad Sal' is a Parsi new year's day. Pateti is a festival of the Parsis and it is celebrated on the eve of New Year of the Zoroastrian calendar. On Pateti, the Parsis visit the fire temple or agiyary. The agiyary is called as a fire temple because the sacred fire which was brought from Iran once upon a time and it is always kept burning in the temple by the high priest. The Parsis worship Ahura Mazda, symbolized by fire. The word Pateti is derived from Pazend Patet, meaning 'repentance'. The Zoroastrian tenets are based on the three ideals of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. Six days later, Khordad Sal is celebrated as the birthday of Prophet Zoroaster.
This is not just the end but the beginning of the celebration, the festive mood has just started and it will go to the end of November. Indians are blessed as these festivals offer an opportunity to improve our relationship with our near and dear ones, and they also remind about the traditions and culture that we belong to. These celebrations make us realize about our ancestor’s presence and their blessings on us.
Beauty of India lies in its culture, tradition and also in its various festivals. It is next to impossible to imagine an Indian life without festivals. Every religion has its festival and the rituals of the festival add the spark in them. Festival means happiness, celebration, delicious dishes, new clothes and much more to the people.
So, its celebration time, as the very special, August - the monsoon month - has arrived. Everyone enjoys the thunder shower of rain and worship their god for getting peace in life and try to make future path smooth. Each part of India has some festivals and therefore reason to celebrate the life at it’s fullest.
The Holy Month Shiva
Every day of week in August (Shravan) is fully devoted to Lord Shiva and followers keep fast on Mondays (Somvar). It is celebrated as a special day in Shiva temples where the idol is bathed with milk and water constantly - day and night. The devotees meditate by offering Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sunset eating only vegetables and fruits. The deep burns 24 hours continuously in the temples signifying the eternal prayers of devotees ascending to heaven. A fable is popular that girls, who are on fast on Shravan Somvars, get husbands of their choice.
The Snake Festival
Nagapanchami is a festival that is dedicated to the snake-god. It occurs on the fifth day (panchami) of the fortnight as is evident from its name. It is celebrated with great fervor especially in the rural areas of North India. On Nagapanchami, Hindus worship the Naag (cobra). Women and children visit snake-pits and worship the snakes residing there by performing Aarti and offering milk and honey. Nagapanchami occurs at the beginning of the harvest season. Worshipping a slithering reptile whose mere sight makes our flesh creep would appear strange and curious to a person from another part of the globe, unfamiliar with Hindu customs.
Paryushan Parva
Paryushan Parva is an annual religious festival of the Jains. Considered as a most auspicious and sacred festival, it is observed to deepen the awareness as a physical being in combination with spiritual observations. In Jainism, fasting is considered as a spiritual activity that purifies ones souls, improves morality and spiritual power, increases knowledge and strengthens relationships. It is celebrated with fasting, reading of scriptures, observing silence etc. preferably under the guidance of monks in temples. Strict fasting where one has to completely abstain from food and even water is observed for a week or more. Depending upon one's capability, complete fasting spans between 8-31 days. Religious and spiritual discourses are held where tales of Lord Mahavira are narrated.
Independence Day
"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge... At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom," Jawaharlal Nehru spoke on the eve of India’s independence in 1947.
The day comes on 15th of August when we rejoice our freedom and pay collective homage to all those people who have sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom. The day is celebrated in a mood of national pride and joy - no rituals, just festivities. On this day our Prime Minister sets the mood by hosting the national flag and addressing the nation from the rampart of the Red Fort in Delhi. This is accompanied by a march-past of the armed and police forces. Similar ceremonies are held in all the state capitals. The Prime Minister addresses and the march-past are relayed live on national television. Television channels treat their audience with patriotic films and songs. Cultural programmes featuring classical music and dance performances by top artistes are organized at several places.
The Celebration of Fraternal Love
Raksha Bandhan is mentioned in our epics as a festival of Gods. It is said that Yamuna, the sister of Yama, the lord of Death used to tie rakhi to her brother on every Shravan Purnima. Yama was so impressed by the occasion that he declared that who ever got a Rakhi tied from his sister would become immortal. From that day onwards sisters tie rakhi to their brothers wishing them a long life and brothers bestow their blessings by promising to take care of their sisters through thick and thin. Now it has become a tradition. Sisters tie the rakhi on the wrist of their brothers and offer them sweets and in return they are given various types of gifts – in kind and cash.
The Birth of Krishna
Janmashtami is celebrated every year on the 8th day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksh); in the Hindu month of bhadon. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Krishna is the eighth and most important incarnation of Vishnu. Janmashtami is actually celebrated twice, the occasions coinciding with Krishna's birth in captivity in Mathura, and the discovery of the newborn Krishna in Nand and Yashoda's house in Gokul. This tale is fondly remembered on the day of Janmashtami as temples and homes are lit up on this joyous occasion. Especially cities like Mumbai, Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan come alive during the festival. Dandiyas and Raas Leelas (dance dramas) enact incidents from Krishna’s life amidst much pomp and show. People fast till midnight, the time of Krishna’s birth.
Parsi New Year
'Pateti and Khordad Sal' is a Parsi new year's day. Pateti is a festival of the Parsis and it is celebrated on the eve of New Year of the Zoroastrian calendar. On Pateti, the Parsis visit the fire temple or agiyary. The agiyary is called as a fire temple because the sacred fire which was brought from Iran once upon a time and it is always kept burning in the temple by the high priest. The Parsis worship Ahura Mazda, symbolized by fire. The word Pateti is derived from Pazend Patet, meaning 'repentance'. The Zoroastrian tenets are based on the three ideals of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. Six days later, Khordad Sal is celebrated as the birthday of Prophet Zoroaster.
This is not just the end but the beginning of the celebration, the festive mood has just started and it will go to the end of November. Indians are blessed as these festivals offer an opportunity to improve our relationship with our near and dear ones, and they also remind about the traditions and culture that we belong to. These celebrations make us realize about our ancestor’s presence and their blessings on us.
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