Karwa Chauth Puja The fast of Karwa Chauth is kept 9 days before Diwali. It falls on the fourth day of the Kartik month by the Hindu calendar (fourth day of the waning moon or the dark fortnight). The Ritual Karwa Chauth is considered one of the most important Fasts observed by the married Hindu women. On this day the women pray for the welfare and long life of their husbands. The festival is followed mainly in the northern parts of the country. Married women eat food early in the morning, before sunrise. They are not supposed to eat or even drink water during the day. In the evening the ladies listen to the Karwa Chauth Katha (the legend). The fast is over after the moonrise. The Puja Process The pooja preparations start a day in advance. Married women buy the shringar or the traditional adornments and the other Pooja items like the karwa, matthi, Heena etc. Early in the morning they prepare food and have it before sunrise. The morni...
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Dussehra (Maha Navami) Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami, Dasara, or Dashain) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is a gazetted holiday in India, which is marked on the 10th day of the bright half ( Shukla Paksha ) of the month of Ashvin ( Ashwayuja ), according to the Hindu calendar. What Do People Do? Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples throughout India. They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening. Dussehra is the culmination of the Navaratr i festival. There are many local celebrations in some areas in India that can last for up to 10 days. Local events include: Performances of the Ramlila ...
Durga Puja The greatest festival of the Bengali community, Durga Puja ranks among the popular festivals in India. It is widely celebrated in West Bengal and other parts of eastern India. It is a four day festival and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Immense fanfare and celebration takes place during the Durga Puja celebrations. Durga Puja in West Bengal is usually celebrated in the period between September and October. The start of the festival is marked with Mahalaya, which takes place seven days prior to the main festival. The main festival takes place after seven days. The festival consists of Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, and Maha Nabami. The last day of the festival is Bijoya Dashami when the immersion of the Durga idol takes place. On the day of Bijoya Dashami, people meet each other and exchange ...
Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti Mahatma Gandhi's birthday ( Gandhi Jayanti or Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti ) is a gazetted holiday in India on October 2 each year. It marks the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth on October 2, 1869. Gandhi is remembered for his contributions towards the Indian freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (image of Gandhi pictured above) is an important holiday in India ©iStockphoto.com/Georgios Kollidas What do People do? Many people celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's birthday across India. Events include: Prayer services, commemorative ceremonies and tributes at locations all over India. Art exhibitions and essay competitions. The presentation of awards to projects stimulating a non-violent way of life. The showing of films and book readings on Mahatma Gandhi's life and achievements. Many people sing Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram , Gandhi's favorite devotional song. Bunches of flowers or flower garlands are placed on many statues...