Dr. V.K.Maheshwari, M.A. (Socio, Phil) B.Sc. M. Ed, Ph.D. Former Principal, K.L.D.A.V.(P.G) College, Roorkee, India
Mrs Sudha Rani Maheshwari, M.Sc (Zoology), B.Ed. Former Principal, A.K.P.I.College, Roorkee, India
The Hindus are a profoundly religious people. Their goal of life is Self-realisation or the attainment of God-consciousness. A religion of some kind they must have, a religion which will stir the depths of the heart and give room for the exercise of faith, devotion and love.All Hindu festivals have a deep spiritual import or high religious significance. All great Hindu festivals have religious, social and hygienic elements in them.
Festivals are an important part of our lives. It is time to be joyful and it is to best period of life when we meet our people and when we have an opportunity to be with Almighty God It is the time when we may fell festive today and have a strong desire to celebrate specific festivals with friends and family members.
Whether we have a special event to attend, or we simply want to share some good times with those we love, we might consider hosting a fun gathering at our homes or inviting loved ones to join us for an evening of local entertainment in our area These festivals make us cheerful and happy, and give him rest and peace. At the same time, we can create a celebratory atmosphere in all of our various activities today by simply sharing our joys and excitements wherever we go amongst our friends and family members. By choosing to remember that celebrations are defined by the attitudes of those involved rather than the events themselves, We can turn any event into an occasion of joy. by creating an event of joy and entertainments at the time of the festival of our choice in our busy life style.
We can learn to celebrate each moment of our lives by choosing to feel happy, lighthearted, joyful, and reaching out to share these sentiments with our family members and friends . While celebrations are often geared toward a specific event or situation, that is not a requirement to enjoy a festive mood with friends and loved ones But. by choosing to share our excitements and joys with others in any setting, we can enjoy a celebratory atmosphere and bring a new sense of meaning and enjoyment to each day This gives us a chance to crate a new atmosphere to be happy and gay in this modern life.. We can best honor our desire to celebrate with friends and family members including our loved ones today by reaching out to share our ebullience and transforming each moment into a festive enjoyable occasion. in this busy life.
Most of the festivals of India are based on astronomical calculations by archaeologists of India’ According to the Surry Siddhanta, a Hindu astronomical texts the celestial traditions of India date back to the year 21,63,102 B.C.E.While few modern Archaeologists or Historians accept this figure as having anything other than mythological significance,
Hindus hold festivals to honor each of the hundreds of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Most of these festivals are local celebrations at the temples and honor specific divinities There are some festivals like Holi, Diwali, Krishna Jayanti, Ramanavami, which are, celebrate widely throughout India and other parts of the world. In the past all feasts and festivals were religious. Today many of them celebrate nonreligious events that will be covered by me in this book in detail. India being a secular State, the festivals of other faiths are also observed by the States and people. The people consider even Independents Day and birthdays of prominent people like Sri Mahatma Gandhi and other prominent leader’s birthdays as festival for celebration. They also celebrate the birthdays of their religious saints and Swamis who gave an excellent heritage of spiritual knowledge to them.
There is great connection between Vratas, Sankaras, temple festivals and rituals observed by Hindu faith .The same principle applied to the formalities of other faiths. In this connection Mrs. Tara Bapat has stated that” Every religion has its rituals and through them, the main teachings of the religion are taught to children. In Hindu Religion, there is colorful festival all the year round. Different deities like Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesh and Durga are worshipped with great devotion and also with great joy and enthusiasm In joint families, these occasions were performed with great joy and enthusiasm and thus they strengthened the ties of the family.
To know about the festivals of India, we have to have knowledge of all deities under Hindu faiths, details about important temples in India, the life sketches of important incarnations of Gods, great philosophers, leaders of India, the significance of great rivers and mountains and the various religious rituals along with the celebrations of fairs and way of its preparation of feasts, shops, entertainments and other shows and rides at this time. Mostly there cannot be any festival celebrations without the music.
Here are some important festivals of Hindus in India:
CHITRA PURNIMA
The twelve months of the Hindu year, based on the lunar calendar, are named after that star during whose ascendency the full moon of that month occurs. The full moon day of Chaitra month, that is, the Purnima during the ascendency of the Chitra star is particularly sacred to the Chitra Guptas, the recording angels of the Hindu pantheon. A special worship is offered to these celestial representatives of the god of death, and an offering of spiced rice is prepared and later distributed as prasad or holy sacrament.
DEEPAWALI
Deepawali or Diwali means “a row of lights”. It falls on the last two days of the dark half of Kartik (October-November). For some it is a three-day festival. It commences with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed the next day by the Narak Chaudas, the 14th day, and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day.
There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya afterdefeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.
In South India people take an oil bath in the morning and wear new clothes. They partake of sweetmeats. On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. The homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthern oil-lamps.
DURGA PUJA OR NAVARATRI
.This festival is observed twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja. It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Durga. During Navaratri (the word literally means “nine nights”) devotees of Durga observe a fast.
The beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship ofthe Divine Mother. They are indicated respectively by the Rama-Navaratri in Chaitra (April-May)and the Durga Navaratri in Aswayuja (September-October.Durga represents the Divine Mother. She sits on a lion.
The Durga Puja is celebrated in various parts of India in different styles. But the one basic aim of this celebration is to propitiate Shakti, the Goddess in Her aspect as Power,
Durga Puja or Navaratri commences on the first and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of Aswayuja (September-October). It is held in commemoration of the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. In Bengal Her image is worshipped for nine days and then cast into water. Devi fought with Bhandasura for nine nights (the demons have extraordinary strength during the night),and killed him on the evening of the tenth day.
Vijaya Dasami.
The DivineMother fought with him for nine nights (the demons have extraordinary strength during the night),and killed him on the evening of the tenth day, known as the Vijaya Dasami. It was on this day that Arjuna worshipped Devi, before starting the battle against the Kauravas on the field of Kurukshetra.
In days of yore, kings used to undertake ambitious expeditions on the day of the Vijaya Dasami. Those kings who did not go on such expeditions used to go out hunting in the deep forests.
In Rajputana, India, even up to this date, people arrange mock attacks on some fort on Vijaya Dasami.
Dussera can also be interpreted as “Dasa-Hara”, which means the cutting of the ten heads ofRavana. So, let us resolve today to cut the ten heads—passion, pride, anger, greed, infatuation, lust, hatred, jealousy, selfishness and crookedness—of the demon, Ego, and thus justify the celebration of Dussera.
GAYATRI JAPA DAY
TheGayatri Japa Day is one such very holy and glorious day intended to remind all of the greatest and most glorious of all Mantras, the sacred Gayatri Mantra.
The Gayatri is the greatest of all Mantras as its presiding Deity is none other than Para Brahman Himself. Hence. The Gayatri itself is the crest-jewel or the king of all Mantras.
GURU PURNIMA
The full moon day in the month of Ashad (July-August) is an extremely auspicious and holy day of Guru Purnima. On this day, sacred to the memory of the great sage, Bhagavan Sri Vyasa, Sannyasins settle at some place to study and discourse on the thrice-blessedBrahma Sutras composed by Maharishi Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic, philosophical investigation.
Sri Vyasa has done unforgettable service to humanity for all times by editing the fourVedas, writing the eighteenPuranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata
HOLI
In days of yore, there were communities of cannibals in India. They caused much havoc.They threatened the lives of many innocent people. One of them was Holika or Putana. She took immense delight in devouring children. Sri Krishna destroyed her and thus saved the little children. Even today, the effigy or figure of Holika is burnt in the fire.
It begins about ten days before the full moon of the month Phalgun (February-March), but is usually only observed for the last three or four days, terminating with the full moon.
Holi is known by the name of Kamadahana in South India, the day on which Cupid was burnt by Lord Siva.Another legend has it that once upon a time an old woman’s grandchild was to be sacrificed.to a female demon named Holika
Connected to this legend of the demon Holika is Bhakta Prahlad’s devotion to Lord Narayana . Prahlad’s father,Hiranyakashipu, punished him in a variety of ways to change his devotional mind and make him worldly-minded. He ordered his sister, Holika, who had a boon toremain unburnt even in fire, to take Prahlad on her lap and enter into the blazing flames. Holika did so. She vanished, but Prahlad remained untouched and laughing. He was not affected by the fire on account of the Grace of Lord Narayana.
In North India, people play joyfully with coloured water.Huge bundles of wood are gathered and burnt at night, and everywhere one hears shouts of“Holi-ho! Holi-ho!” People stand in the streets and sprinkle coloured water on any man who passes by, be he a rich man or an officer. There is no restriction on this day
The religious element in the Holi festival consists of worship of Krishna. In some places it is also called the Dol Yatra. The word dol literally means “a swing”. An image of Sri Krishna as ababe is placed in a little swing-cradle and decorated with flowers and painted with coloured powders. The pure, innocent frolics of little Krishna with the merry milkmaids (Gopis) of
Brindavan are commemorated. Devotees chant the Name of Krishna and sing Holi-songs relating to the frolics of little Krishna with the Gopis.
MAKARA SHANKRANTI
The Sanskrit term “Shankramana” means “to begin to move”. The day on which the sun begins to move northwards is called Makara Shankranti. It usually falls in the middle of January.
Among the Tamilians in South India this festival is called the Pongal.
To many people, especially the Tamilians, Makara Shankranti ushers in the New Year.As already mentioned, this is the Pongal festival in South India.
It is closely connected with agriculture. To the agriculturalist, it is a day of triumph. He would have by then brought home thefruits of his patient toil. Symbolically, the first harvest is offered to the Almighty.
RAKSHA BANDHAN
Raksha Bandhan is called Avani Avittam in South India. This falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). It is an important Hindu festival. Hindus wear a new holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this day.
Recitation of theVedas on this great day is highly beneficial. This festival is also known as Upakarmam, and is specially sacred to the Brahmins, who have been invested with the sacred thread. When the Brahmin boy is invested with this holy thread, symbolically his third eye, or the eye of wisdom, is opened. This festival of Upakarmam reminds the wearer of the sacred thread of its glorious spiritual significance
In North India, on this day, an amulet known as a Raksha or Rakhi, is tied round the wrist of brothers by the sisters as a protection from evil during the coming year. Brahmins and Purohits similarly tie amulets round the wrists of their patrons and receive gifts
RATHA SAPTAMI
This falls on the 7th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Margaseersha (December-January). People worship the sun in the early morning and recite the Surya Sahasranama. Good actions done on this day give manifold results. Brahmins become celestials ifthey fast on this day and worship God; Kshatriyas, that is, people of the warrior caste, become Brahmins; Vaishyas, the merchants, become Kshatriyas: and Sudras or men of the servant caste, become Vaishyas. If women fast on this day, they attain knowledge and derive virtues. If widowsfast on this day, they get rid of widowhood from the next birth onwards. Even the sin of slaying aBrahmin is expiated by the power of fasting on this day. He who takes a bath at the time of sunrise is purified like Mother Ganges. He can never become a poor man.
TELUGU NEW YEAR’S DAY
This falls on the first day of the month of Chaitra (March-April) according to Chandramana. This is a day of rejoicing. This is new year’s day for the people of Andhra Pradesh and also the Telugu people all over the world.
Those who live north of the Vindhya hills observe Barhaspatyamana. Those living south of the Vindhya hills observe Sauramana or Chandramana.
These become manifest in their distinctive calendars where the dates and months vary. Some have calculations according tothe solar system, and others according to the lunar system, with the result that despite all being Brahmins, the New Year differs among different sects. Thus there is a Telugu New Year’s Day; a
Tamil New Year’s Day, and a New Year’s Day distinct from these in the almanac of North India.
VASANTA PANCHAMI
This is an important bathing day. All Hindus observe it. It is also known as Magh Sukla Panchami as it falls in the month of Magh (January-February). This is the festival that marks the first day of spring.Vasanta means the spring season, which is very congenial for doing vigorous Yoga Sadhana.
Men, women and girls wear yellow cloth. The yellow colour is a sign of auspiciousness and spirituality. It represents the ripening of the spring crops. Even the food is coloured yellow by using saffron. All the folk get together and sing songs connected with spring. All get up in the early morning, take bath and worship the sun, Mother Ganga, the Deity of the sacred river Ganges, and the earth.
The Bengalis call this festival Saraswathi Puja. They worship the Goddess Saraswathi on this day. The image of the Goddess is taken in procession and immersed in the holy Ganges.
SRI APPAYYA JAYANTHI
Sri Appayya Dikshita was born in the Krishna Paksha of the Kanya month of Pramateecha Varsha 1544 A.D.) on the auspicious hour and day under the Uttaraproshtapada constellation. His Jayanthi is celebrated every year on 2nd October.
Sri Appayya, the greatest name in the 16th century annals of South India, is the reputed author of more than 104 books,representative of all branches of knowledge in Sanskrit literature.He attained greatness mainly by his works on Vedanta.
On this great day (2nd October) when you celebrate the birthday of Appayya Dikshita, pray and worship the Lord and your Guru. Study Appayya’s works, especially his great devotional work, Atmarpana Stuthi.
DATTATREYA JAYANTHI
Dattatreya Jayanthi falls during December-January on the full moon day of the month of Margaseersha. His story is told as follows.Anusuya is quoted as the model of chastity. She was the wife of Atri Maharishi, a great sageand one of the seven foremost seers and sages
Once, Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvati requested their husbands (the Trimurtis) to test thePativrata Dharma of Anusuya, by asking her to give them alms with an unclothed body.Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva came to know of the austerity and desire of Anusuya
As soon as Atri Rishi returned home, Anusuya related all that had happened during his absence, placed the three children at his feet and worshipped him. But, Atri knew all this already through his divine vision. He embraced all the three children. They became one child, with two feet,one trunk, three heads and six hands. Atri Rishi blessed his wife and informed her that the Trimurtis themselves had assumed the forms of the three children to gratify her wish.In the meantime, Narada went to Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvati and informed them thattheir husbands had been turned into children through the power of the Pativrata Dharma of Anusuyaand that they would not return unless they asked for their husbands as alms from Rishi Atri. ThusSaraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvati assumed the form of ordinary women, appeared before Atri andasked for their own husbands as alms. Atri duly honoured the three ladies and, with folded palms,prayed to them that his wish and the wish of Anusuya should be fulfilled.Then, the Trimurtis appeared in their true form before Atri and said, “This child will be agreat sage according to your word and will be equal to us, according to the wish of Anusuya. Thechild will bear the name of Dattatreya.” Saying this they disappeared.Who is regarded as an Incarnation of the Trinity.
GANESH CHATURTHI
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of LordGanesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world. Clay figures of the Deity are made and after being worshipped for two days, or in some cases ten days, they are thrown into water.
Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God. He is worshipped first in any prayers. His Names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is begun.
He is the Lord of power and wisdom. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and the elder brother of Skanda or Kartikeya.
GITA JAYANTI
The Gita Jayanti, or the birthday of theBhagavad Gita, is celebrated throughout India by all the admirers and lovers of this most sacred scripture on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the brighthalf of the month of Margaseersha (December-January), according to the Hindu almanac. It was on this day that Sanjaya narrated to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, and thus made the glorious teachings of the Lord available to us, and to people of the world, for all time.
HANUMAN JAYANTI
Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India—either alone or together with Sri Rama.
Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord
Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta,Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.His birthday falls on Chaitra Shukla Purnima (the March-April full moon day).On this holy day worship Sri Hanuman. Fast on this day. Read theHanuman Chalisa. Spend the whole day in the Japa of Ram-Nam. Sri Hanuman will be highly pleased and will bless you with success in all your undertakings.
KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI
This is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth Divine Incarnation. It falls on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). This is one of the greatest of all
Hindu festivals. Lord Krishna was born at midnight. A twenty-four hour fast is observed on thisday, which is broken at midnight.
The Lord appeared when the moon entered the house of Vrishabha at the constellation of thestar Rohini, on Wednesday, the 8th day of the second fortnight of the month of Sravana, which corresponds to the month of Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha according to the Barhaspatyamana, in the year of Visvavasu, 5,172 years ago (from 1945), which means 3227 B.C.
On the holy Krishna Janmashtami, the ladies in South India decorate their houses beautifully, ready to welcome the Lord. They prepare various sweetmeats and offer them to the Lord. Butter was Krishna’s favourite, and this is also offered. From the doorway to the inner meditation room of the house the floor is marked with a child’s footprints, using some flour mixed with water. This creates the feeling in them that the Lord’s own Feet have made the mark. They treat the day as one of very great rejoicing. There is recitation of the Bhagavatam, singing and praying everywhere.
SHANKARA JAYANTHI
Shankaracharya,the Founder of the School of Monistic philosophy,Who is regarded as the Avatara of Lord Shiva.It was only Shankara who gave the unshakable concrete form to Hinduism and established the unity and purity of enlightened Hindu thought and culture. Superstitions and corrupt practices melted away in no time.
The age-long six systems of theism which were suppressed by the prattlers re-emerged in their original glory only through the concerted efforts of Shankara.
SKANDA SASHTI
After burning Cupid, the Lord ascertained by His Yogic vision that the birth of Lord Subramanya was absolutely necessary to destroy the powerful Taraka. Siva’s seed was thrown into the fire which, unable to retain it, threw it into the Ganges, which in turn threw it into a reed forest.
This is where Lord Subramanya was born; hence, He is called Saravanabhava—“born in a reed-forest”. He became the leader of the celestial hosts and the destroyer of Taraka as Brahma had ordained.
There are big temples of Lord Subramanya at Tiruchendur, in Udipi, Palani Hills, in Ceylon and Tiruparankundrum. The Lord spent His childhood days in Tiruchendur and took Mahasamadhi at Kathirgamam. If anyone goes to Kathirgamam with faith, devotion and piety, and stay in the temple there for two or three days, the Lord Himself grants His vision to the devotee. The devotee is filled with rich spiritual experiences. A big festival is held in the temple every year on Skanda Sashti. Thousands of people visit the place. “Mountains” of camphor are burnt on this occasion.
Skanda Sashti falls in November. It is the day on which Lord Subramanya defeated the demon Taraka. Great festivals are held on this day with great pomp and grandeur. Devotees also do Bhajan and Kirtan on a grand scale. Thousands are fed sumptuously. Many incurable diseases are cured if one visits Palani and worships the Lord there. In South India, the Lord Subramanya’s Lilasare dramatized on the stage.
In addition to the Skanda Sashti, devotees of Lord Subramanya observe weekly and monthly days in His honour. Every Friday, or the Kartigai Nakshatram day every month, or the sixth day of the bright fortnight,—all these are sacred days for His devotees. The sixth day of the month of Tulam (October-November) is the most auspicious of them all. This is the Skanda Sashti day.
In many places the festival commences six days prior to the Sashti itself and concludes on the day of the Sashti. During these days, devotees recite various inspiring hymns and read stories connected with Lord Subramanya. They worship the Lord and takeKavadi(see below). They go on pilgrimage to the various Subramanya shrines.
THE KAVADI FESTIVAL
Perhaps the most potent propitiatory rite that a devotee of Shanmukha undertakes to perform is what is known as the Kavadi. The benefits that the devotee gains from offering a Kavadi to the Lord are a millionfold greater than the little pain that he inflicts upon himself.
Generally, people take a vow to offer the Lord a Kavadi for the sake of tiding over a great calamity. Though this might, on the face of it, appear a little mercenary, a moment’s reflection will reveal that it contains in it the seed of supreme love of God. The worldly object is achieved, no doubt, and the devotee takes the Kavadi; but after the ceremony he gets so God-intoxicated that his inner spiritual being gets awakened. This is also a method that ultimately leads to the supreme state of devotion.
Kavadi: The Kavadi has various shapes and sizes, from the simple shape of a hawker’s storehouse (a wooden stick with two baskets at each end, slung across the shoulder) to the costly palanquin structure, profusely flower-bedecked and decoratively interwoven with peacock feathers. In all cases the Kavadi has a good many brass bells adorning it and announcing it as the Kavadi-bearer draws it along. As the Kavadi-bearer very often observes silence, the bells are the only eloquent signs of a Kavadi procession. Now, the two baskets hanging at each end of the Kavadi contain rice, milk or other articles that the devotee has vowed to offer the Lord. The more devout among them, and especially those who do it as a Sadhana, collect these articles by begging. They travel on foot from village to village, and beg from door to door. The villagers offer their articles directly into the basket of the Kavadi. The Kavadi-bearer continues begging until the baskets are full or the avowed quantity is reached, and then offers the Kavadi to the Lord. Some keen devotees undertake to walk barefoot from home to one of the shrines of Lord Subramanya, bearing the Kavadi all the way and collecting materials for the offering. He has to walk a hundred miles sometimes! The people who place the articles in the baskets also receive the Lord’s blessings.
RAMNAVMI
Ramnavami or the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).
Rama was the Lord Hari Himself, incarnate on earth for the destruction of Ravana. He was well accomplished, beautiful and endowed with royal marks. His glory and prowess were unlimited. He was peerless on earth. He was free from malice. He was gentle. He was the protector of all His people. He always addressed them in gentle words. He never used any harsh words even when somebody provoked Him. He held sway over the whole world.
Let Sri Rama be your ideal. Ideals are remembered and adored for the purpose of adopting them in your own life. The Ramnavmi celebration or the Vasanta Navaratri every year is an opportune period for us to saturate ourselves with the spirit of Lord Rama.
Ramnavmi is one of the most important festivals of the Vaishnava sect of the Hindus.However, even those who adore Lord Shiva celebrate the occasion. Some observe a strict fast on theday. Temples are decorated and the image of Lord Rama is richly adorned. The holy Ramayana is read in the temples. At Ayodhya, the birthplace of Sri Rama, a big fair is held on this day.
In South India the Sri Ramnavmi Utsavam is celebrated for nine days with great fervor and devotion. Those talented in the art of story-telling narrate the thrilling episodes of the Ramayana.
The Kirtanists chant the holy Name of Rama and celebrate the wedding of Rama with Sita on this great day. It is an extremely colourful ceremony, highly inspiring and instructive, too.