“Navaratri” is a Sanskrit term, literally meaning – nine nights. It is a Hindu festival celebrated for 9 nights and ten days to with reverence to Hindu Goddess Durga, and commonly called “Durga Puja”. Falling near the autumn equinox (September-October) it is one of the most celebrated Navratri festivals and is also called “Sharad Navaratri” …
“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 …
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 …
“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 …
The Gangaur festival is mainly celebrated in the western state of Rajasthan to pay reverence to Goddess Parvathi – wife of Lord Shiva. The festival is mainly celebrated by the womenfolk who worship Gauri (Parvathi), seeking her blessings for marital bliss and long life and health of their husbands. It is an 18 days festival …
“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 …
“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 …
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 …
Ugadi Festival/Yugadi/Telugu New Year Ugadi is a Hindu festival, celebrated in the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. The festival marks the beginning of a new Hindu calendar year and is celebrated on the first day of “Chaitra” month, which falls in the months of March-April as per the Gregorian calendar. The …
