Fairs and Festivals

India is the second populous country. Religion in India is characterised by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. The Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of some of the world's major religions; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture.

Religious diversity and religious tolerance are both established in the country by the law and custom; the Constitution of India has declared the right to freedom of religion to be a fundamental right

KumbhMela
It’s a mass hindu pilgrimage where the largest congregation of humans happens at a single location to bathe in the sacred river. There are two major types of KumbhMela.

1. ArdhakumbhMela - Held Once in every 6 years
2. KumbhaMela - Held once in 12 years
3. MahaKumbhMela - Held after 12 PurnaKumbhmela

The historical aspect of the KumbhMela says that there was a struggle between the TheAsuras and the Devatas for the Kumbha containing Surabhi, the Nectar.

As par of the SamudraManthana, The Surabhi droplets fell at 12 major places in the world – Of these 4 places are in india – Haridwar, Ujjain, Prayag and Nashik.

Mahakumbh andKumbh are held at these places where as ArdhakumbhMela is held at only two places – Haridwar and Allahabad. The rivers traditionally recognised with KumbhMela are

1. The Ganges – Haridwar
2. Ganga + Yamuna confluence – Allahabad
3. Godavari – Nashik
4. Shipra – Ujjain

The KumbhMela is a One and a half monthpilgrimage at these places. Taking bath in these rivers during this time is believed to cleanse all the sins of the past.

MauniAmavasyais the period when MahaKumbhaMela is celebrated.

BasantPanchami
The festival is also called as Shree Panchami, a religious festival of Saraswati Puja in Hinduism. In the Sufi shrines of India it is celebrated as Sufi Basant. It’s a Spring Festival marking Saraswati Pooja and thereby Spiritual Enlightenment.

The colour Yellow plays a prominent role in the celebrations. Yellow colour represents Spitritual Knowledge
The festival marks a day of PitraDarpan, ie commemoration and remembrance of the ancestors.

During the festival season, Mango flowers blossom indicating the start of a new Life. Spiritual and ethnic Dance, Sports, flying kitesare the major activities of Basant Panchami.

The festival is celebrated extensively in Bengal, Bihar , UP. In Bihar the day is celebrated in remembrance of the founding of shrine of Deo-Sun in Auranganbad District. The shrine of Sun God is worshipped during the day.

For the Sikhs the day starts with Basant Raga mainly at the Harminder Sahib, indicating a new beginning.

Shivaratri
The most important festival for Shaiva belief system and Lord Shiva - one ofthe Holy trinity of the Hindu Religion. The festival is celebrated in reverence of Lord Shiva.

It is commemorated as the day of marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.MahaShivaratri is celebrated on the Krishna PakshaChaturdashi of Hindu calendar month.

There happens to be Twelve Shivaratris in the year, however the MahaShivarathri is the most holy of them all.

It is believed that by worshipping lord Shiva on this day, one is released from the cycle of birth and death and thus attain Moksha. The festival activities include Overnite chanting of the shiva mantras, Anoiting lingams and processions.

Holi
The festival of Holi is based on the event of holikaDahan, the aunt of Prahalada and sister of Hiranyakashyapa. Holi is a two-day festival which starts on the Purnima (Full Moon day) falling in the BikramSambat Hindu Calendar.

The first day is known as HolikaDahan or ChhotiHoliand the second as RangwaliHoli, Dhuleti,Dhulandi or Dhulivandan.The festival also marks the Advent of spring and end of winter. Holi is traditionally celebrated as a Festival of Colours.

Holi is celebrated at the approach of the vernal equinox, on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.

In Barsana town of UP near Mathura, the festival is celebrated as Laath maar Holi. In the Lath Mar Holi women beat up men with sticks sing Holi songs and shout "Sri Radhey" or "Sri Krishna".

Nag Panchami
Nagpanchami is a traditional festival of serpents. The worship to the Snake god is offered on the 5th day of the Lunarfortnight.

Adishesha is the Snake form on whom Lord Vishnu is believed to recline during the intervals between destruction of the universe and the creation of the next.

As part of the ritual Stone images of Snake are bathed in Milk, fast is observed on this day and Brahmins are fed. The belief is that such worship provides for immunity from Snake Bites. The practices vary from region to region.

In the Northwest the Akharas are cleaned, Painted Snake, Gurus are honoured with offerings. Snake Charmers are also adorned with charity.

In Central India , in the famous Nagoba Temple of Nagpur, Maharashtra, food prepared as offering to the snake god is cooked in a kadai (a girdle).

In the Western region, the Nagpanchami is known as Ketarpal or Kshetrapal, meaning, a protector of his domain. Bhujang is the name of the Snake known to be worshipped here.

In the South, an image of snake is drawn on the floor in front of the house and milk is offered as oblation similarly the same is practiced on Stone Sculptures of Snakes.

Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha / Vighneshwara / Vinayaka. The festival is also known as VinayakaChaturthi and Ganeshotsav.

It is celebrated on the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapad, as per the Hindu Calender. During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, idols are made in great numbers.

These are usually made out of clay or metal in all sizes; some of them are even as big as 20 ft. People purchase deities of Lord Ganesha and put them in their homes and worship them for one to ten days.

After this the deities are taken out majestically, through the streets and are immersed into a river, sea or a well (especially in Maharashtra).

Cultural feasts are also organized with main features like classical music and dance performances, folk dances, poetry recitations and film festivals.

Navroz
The parsi new year is celebrated as JamshedNavroz. It is celebrated on the first day of the Fasli Calender, followed by the Parsi community worldwide.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring or Equinoxand the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox,

which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. The day of festival marks with the Worship at the Fire Temple. The Pravaashi idea is celebrated on the day i.e., Struggle of Goodagainst Evil.

Khordadsal
It’s a Parsi festival marking the Birth of Zoaraster, the Prophet of 1 century BC. Special prayers and Jashans are also held throughout the day at various locations scred to the parsis.

Clean, rangoli-strewn homes, children with vermilion spots on their foreheads, new clothes, fragrant flowers and delicious meals, all form part of the rituals. A grand feast is prepared to mark the occasion.

Mahaveera Jayanti
This is a festival of Jain community marking the Birth of VardhamanaMahaveera, the 24th Theerthankara, celebrates the festival. Jains begin Pilgrimage to Jaina places –Girnar ,Palitana , Vaishali and Rajgriha.

MahaveerJayanthi is a day of Intense prayer and re-propagation of Ahimsa. Large scale celebrations are conducted across the country in allJainaShirine.Mahaveera was known for his fearlessness and Honesty and Teachings.

The idol of Mahavira is carried out on a chariot, in a procession called rathyatra.On the way bhajans (religious rhymes) are recited. Local statues of Mahavira are given a ceremonial bath called the abhisheka.

During the day, most members of the Jain community engage in some sort of charitable act.

Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian religious holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

According to traditional belief, Jesus Christ laid down life for the sake of Humanity and cleansing them of its sins.

Resurrection of Jesus is celebrated on the following Sunday known as Easter Sunday. Good Friday is a prominent festival in Both Anglican and Catholic systems.

As such there are no traditional celebrations on Good Friday, but Worship services, prayer and vigil services, fasting, almsgiving are conducted. Easter Eggs are distributed and a feast is conducted on the Easter Sunday.

Baisakhi
Baisakhi is festival of the Sikh community. It is celebrated on the 1ST Day of the Vaishakmasa , the beginning of the Hindu Calender.

On this day the 10th Sikh Guru - Gobing Singh founded the Khalsa Path or the order of the Pure ones. Its also the New Year’s day in Punjab and the Sikh Community. The events of the festival include Music and Dance, continuous celebrations. It generally falls on the 13 or 14 April.

The gathering of Aawatpauni is begun and Wheat Harvesting is initiated subsequently. Sikh devotees generally attend the Gurdwara before dawn with flowers and offerings in hands. Processions through towns are also common.
In the, Nankana Sahib Procession is followed.

Gurupurab
Gurupurab is the celebratory birth Anniversary of GruuGobind Singh, The 10th Sikh Guru. In 1699 Guru Gobin Singh at Anandpur Formed the Khalsa militant Fraternity.

For 2 days and nights, preceding the festival, Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously from the beginning to the end .On the Day of the festival, the granthsabih is taken out in an impressive processions

Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanthi is celebrated on the Full moon day of Vaishaka Month. Its a celebration of Birth of Buddha , It’s the day Buddha Got Enlightenment, Attained Nirvana. All stages of Buddha on the same day but during Different Years.

In the Theravada school disciples may wear white robes and only eat vegetarian food on and around Vesak.Many people also give money, food or goods to organizations that help the poor, the elderly and those who are sick. Caged animals are bought and set free to display care for all living creatures, as preached by Buddha.

Shab –e-Barat
It’s a festival of light for the Islamic community and commonly also known as Diwali of Muslims. On this night God Registers the Actions of Men and dispenses their fate according to their Deeds .

The festival falls on the 14th night of the month of Sha'aban. The festival of Shab-E-Barat is celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm by Muslims all over the world. It is considered one of the holiest nights on the Islamic Calendar

Eid al-Fitr
Eid al Fitr / EidUlFitr is also known as Breaking the Fast Feast, Sugar Feast, Bayram, Hari Raya Puyasa. The day of Eid marks the End of the holy month of Ramadan.

The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. It is believed that on this day Quran was revealed. It is completed with the New Moon .

Prophet muhammed is believd to have laid down this day as the day of preaching and Belief. Charity is prominent activity of the festival with focus on empathy for the poor, worship, steadfastness, patience etc.

Fasting is also believed by some scholars to extol fundamental distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm, while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm.

Id ulAzha / Bakrid
Bakrid is also known as Festival of the Sacrifice. It honors the willingness of Abraham(Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son, as an act of submission to God's command, before God then intervened, through his angel Jibra'il and informs him that his sacrifice has already been accepted.

The meat from the sacrificed animal is mainly to be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.Bakrid is celebrated on the 10th day of Zilhijia when the Haj celebrations of Mecca are rounded off by the sacrifice of goat or Camel

Muharram
Muharram is the most important festival of the Shia Sect of Islam. Its also known as Festival of Piety . Muharram is celebrated on the 1st month of the Muslim year dedicated to the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein ( Grandson of Prophet Muhammed ). Hazrat Imam Died on the 10th day of Muharram while fighting the forced of Yazid.

ID - IL – MILAD / Bara Wafat/ MiladUnNabi
MiladunNabi -commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's (or Mohammad's) birthday. Sunni Muslims celebrate this event on the 12th of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, while the Shi'a community celebrates it on the 17th of Rabi' al-awwal.

Major activities of the festival include - Night-long prayer meetings, Marches and parades involving large crowds,Sandal rites over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet Muhammad, Festive banners and bunting on and in homes, mosques and other buildings,

Communal meals in mosques and other community buildings, Meetings to listen to stories and poems (nats) about Mohammad's life, deeds and teachings, Exhibitions featuring photos of mosques in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Rukmini Devi Arundale

Rukmini Devi Arundale (29 February 1904 – 24 February 1986) was an Indian theosophist, dancer and choreographer of the Indian classical dance form of Bharatnatyam, and an activist for animal rights and welfare.

She is considered the most important revivalist in the Indian classical dance form of Bharatnatyam from its original 'sadhir' style, prevalent amongst the temple dancers, Devadasis, she also worked for the re-establishment of traditional Indian arts and crafts.

Rukmini Devi features in India Today’s list of '100 People Who Shaped India. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1967.

She later met the prominent British theosophist Dr George Arundale who was a close associate of Annie Besant and later the principal of the Central Hindu College in Varanasi, and soon build a lasting bond with him.

Rukmini Devi was nominated as a member of the Indian Parliament's Council of States in April 1952, and re-nominated in 1956. Keenly interested in animal welfare,

she was associated with various humanitarian organisations, and as a member of the Rajya Sabha, was instrumental for the legislation for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and for later setting up of the Animal Welfare Board of India, under her chairmanship in 1962.

She remained on the board until her demise in 1986. Google Doodle pays tribute to Rukmini on her 112th birth anniversary

Recently Famous exponent of Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi Yamini Krishnamurthy was conferred with Padma Vibhushan.

FOLK FESTIVALS

NicobareseDance of Pig Festival
The fascinating tribal group on the island of Car Nicobar — performs this during the Ossuary Feast or the Pig Festival. Dedicated to the departed head of the family, the occasion is observed with night-long dancing in the full moonlight under the swaying palms.

The dancers dressed in coconut fronds step gracefully in time to traditional songs. Feasting and good food followed by a pig fight in the morning are other highlights of the celebration.

BardoChham of Arunachal Pradesh is a folk dance of Sherdukpens, a small community of West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh, BardoChham is based on the stories of good and evil.

The Sherdukpens mask themselves representing the different animals and dance to show an act of fighting the evil forces.

Bihu
Festival of Assam, a Harvest Dance. This joyous dance is performed by both young men and women, and is characterized by brisk dance steps, and rapid hand movement. Dancers wear traditionally colourful Clothing.

Bwisagu
Bag rumba is a festival dance of the Bodos of Assam .It is the usually practicedduring Bwisagu, a Bodo festival in the VishuvaSankranti (midApril). Bwisagu begins with cow worship; then, young people reverentially bow down to their parents and elders.

Teej Festival involving Teej Dance, which is a dance performed by women on the Teej festival. Women and girls enjoy themselves on outdoor swings and sing.

Teeyan Festival –`Teeyan` is the women`s dance festival celebrated in allover Punjab. The dance usually takes place on the bank of any river or pond under big shady trees, where women gather.

Swings are thrown over the branches and singing, swinging and dancing starts.

By:Balalatha Mallavarapu

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