“Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti” is mainly celebrated by the people belonging to “Valmiki” (Also called Balmiki) to commemorate the birth of Maharishi Valmiki. The Valmikis claim to be the descendents of Maharishi Valmiki, who is credited for being the harbinger of Sanskrit Literature and also for being the first ever Sanskrit poet. “Maharishi Valmiki” composed the …
“Dev Uthani Ekadashi” is a Hindu festival celebrated with reverence to Hindu God Vishnu. The festival is also called “Prabodhini Ekadashi” and “Devutthana Ekadashi”. Prabodhini Ekadashi is mainly celebrated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra and also in some southern states. It also marks the beginning of …
“Chhath Puja” is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Indian subcontinent, most significantly in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. The festival is also popularly known as “Dala Chhath, where “dala” signifies a basket usually made of bamboo. The festival is also celebrated in other Indian states which have migratory population from …
Guru Purnima is a festival celebrated by the Hindus, Jains and Buddhists every year in the month of June-July as per the Gregorian calendar. Guru Purnima is celebrated with reverence to the spiritual and academic gurus or teachers who dedicate their lives for the benefit of others. The festival is observed in Nepal and also …
“Raksha Bandhan” is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in the Indian sub continent, which commemorates the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a bracelet (rakhi) on their brother’s wrist seeking latter’s lifelong love and security. The sister’s in return get gifts from their loving brothers. The festival is not restricted …
Kumbh Mela is a mass gathering of Hindu pilgrims to bathe in a sacred river, in search of religious and spiritual enlightenment. Four major Kumbh Melas are organized in India at different cities – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. In Prayagraj, the site is located at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati; on the …
“Ramlila” is a dramatic re-enactment of the events of Lord Rama’s life as per the revered Hindu epic “Ramayana”. The word “Ramlila” is formed by combining “Ram” and “Lila”, where latter means “Play” in English. Ramlila is performed in every part of India including its villages and cities, during the Navratri festival in autumn and …
“Brahmotsavam” festival is an important annual festival celebrated at Sri Venketeshwara temple in Tirumala-Tirupati of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a grand festival celebrated over a span of nine days and is also by far the largest. The “Brahmotsavam” festival is also called “Sri Venkateswara Vari Brahmotsavam” or “Srivari Brahmotsavam”. The festival …
“Pitra Paksha” is a 16 lunar day period in Hindu calendar when Hindu’s invoke the blessings of their ancestors, by offering food and performing rituals.“Pitra” is a Sanskrit word referring to the ancestors and “Paksha” is also a Sanskrit word referring to a fortnight or a lunar phase. Hence “Pitra Paksha” means a fortnight for …
“Ram Barat” is celebrated in Northern India and especially in Agra, as part of the Ramleela celebrations. It is an annual event and is reverently observed in northern India. “Barat” is a Hindi word which means “marriage procession”. Hence, “Ram Barat” means – the marriage procession of Sri Ram. “Ram Barat” is a reenactment of …
