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Index Page of ‘Hindu
Festivals’
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……… The Hindus are great
lovers of festivals, or should we say that they look forward to an excuse to
sing glories of God at any turn of an event. Being basically an agrarian
society, most of the festivals were linked with seasons when the farmers
had free time to turn their attention to cultural & spiritual matters.
………The theology of the land
also contributes to the variety of festivals. As the variety of our ‘Gods’
for us are various manifestation of one divinity, so we get occasion to
celebrate important days connected with all deities. There are so many
festivals that we may miss out on quiet a few. So I would like to state
this before hand only that the festivals which I am going to mention in
this section are those which are prevalent in the central & northern
part of India.
We would be open to add any others too if any particular one has missed our
attention.
………Each of the section will
have details of that particular festival. Its story,
significance and also nature of its celebration. The Pages which
have been uploaded are in bold, others will be
shortly created & uploaded.
Note: These are primarily
festivals which are celebrated at Vedanta Ashram. There are many more
festivals in different parts of the country.
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1. Makar Sankranti
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This is one of most wide spread, important and
ancient festival of the Hindus. On this day begins the Uttarayana, when
the sun enters the Northern Hemisphere. It is celebrated as Pongal in the
South and as Lohari in Punjab. Lord Sun
is worshipped, devotees take dip in the tirthas,
and offer tarpan for their ancestors. Fathers visit their sons and offer
them his blessings & best wishes.
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2. Mahashivratri
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This is the biggest festivals for the devotees of
Lord Shiva. There is special significance of worship of Lord Shiva during
the night. Devotees fast on this day, and devote all their time &
energy worshipping Lord Shiva. Japa of the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, and meditation on Lord Shiva is also done.
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3. Holi
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Holi is the festival of colors. This day is
celebrated to commemorate the victory of goodness over evil. Forgetting
all differences people play with each other. The night before there is
burning of the Holi-fire, after which all celebrations start. By evening
people dress up in nice clean clothes and go and meet their elders &
friends.
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4. Ramnavami
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This is the day of the birth of Lord Rama. On this day
the nine-day long Navratras also end. At dot 12 in the afternoon Lord was
born, so all kind of festivities start at that time, and go on till
evening.
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5. Sankaracharya Jayanti
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On this day was born one of the greatest teacher
& philosopher of the land – Sri Adi Sankaracharya. This day is
celebrated more in Ashrams & other such places. Special feasts are
offered, lectures on his works are organized, and people devote this day
to remember the message of Upanishads.
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6. Guru Poornima
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On this day was born the great sage Sri Veda Vyasa.
The celebrated author of Mahabharata, Brahma Sutra & Puranas Sri Veda
Vyasa had such an impact on the culture of this land that this has become
a ‘Spiritual Teachers Day’. Disciples make it a point to visit their
teachers on this day and express their gratitude.
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7. Janmashtami
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On this day was born Lord Sri Krishna. At dot twelve
in the night descended the Lord. The devotees celebrate the day with
devotional songs, Vishnu Sahasranama Archana, chanting of Gita shlokas
etc. Krishna is an avatara of Lord
Vishnu who to came to re-establish the dwindling order of Dharma.
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8. Ganesh Chaturthi
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For ten days starting from Ganesh Chaturthi to Anant
Chaudasa, an idol of Lord Ganesh is established in homes & different
localities. Lot of religious &
cultural programs are organized during this time. On the tenth day the
idol is immersed in lake, river or sea.
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9. Navratras
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This is a nine days celebration devoted to the
worship of Adi Shakti. During this time three days each are devoted to the
worship of Durga, Laxmi & Saraswati. These three represent the
‘powers’ of the famous trinity. On the tenth day is Dashera.
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10. Dasshera
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On this day Lord Rama killed Ravana. Thus effigies
of Ravana, Kumbhakarana & Meghnad are built, with crackers hidden all
over. After some rituals & worship he is burnt. This day is loved by
children a lot, and the others once again get
re-assured that the evil will always fall, and goodness will reign
supreme.
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11. Diwali
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Diwali or Deepavali is the famous festival of
lights. On this Lord Rama is said to have came back to Ayodhya. So people
cleanup & then light up their houses with small oil lamps. They burst
crackers, and celebrate the arrival of lord back in their midst. The
goddess of Laxmi is also worshipped on this day.
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12. Gita Jayanti
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As the very name tells on this day Lord Krishna gave
his famous discourse of Gita to Arjuna. This is the only festival where
people celebrate the birthday of a scripture. This shows the special place Gita had
in the hearts of people, and through this the younger generation were
impressed upon to keep the message of Gita topmost in their hearts.
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