Gangaur
(Rajasthan)
The most important local festival
in Rajasthan, Gangaur celebrations last for eighteen
days. It is dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess
Parvati. The festival is celebrated by girls and married women
throughout Rajasthan. The images of Gauri are ornamented and
offerings are made. This is also an auspicious day for young people
to select their life partners. Colourful processions with the town
band playing, horses and elaborate palanquins make it a fascinating
spectacle.
Mewar Festival
(Udaipur, Rajasthan)
An exhilarating welcome to
spring, this festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances,
processions, devotional music and firework displays. It is celebrated
in the romantic city of Udaipur during the Gangaur Festival.
A procession of colourfully attired women carrying the images of the
goddess Gauri make their way to the Lake Pichola. An
unusual procession of boats on the lake offers a fiting finale to
this splendid celebration.
Baisakhi
(All over India)
The Hindu New Year finds expression
in this exuberant festival, celebrated throughout India. Baisakhi
celebrations in Punjab are spectacular, as this is a very special
day for the Sikhs.
It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa.
Robust revelry and feasting mark the celebrations and dancers perform
the vigorous Bhangra to the rhythmic beat of the drums.
In Kerala, the festival is known as Vishu. ‘Vishu
Kani’ – a display of grain, fruits, flowers, gold,
new cloth and money, is viewed early in the morning to ensure a prosperous
year ahead. Firework displays and the buying of new clothes are a
part of the festivities.
Known as Rangali Bihu
in Assam, the festival is celebrated with lively dances, music
and feasting.
Mahavir Jayanti
(All over India)
The birth anniversary of
Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, is observed
by the Jain community. Special prayers are offered at temples
and shrines.
Ramnavami
(All over India)
The anniversary of Lord
Rama’s birth is celebrated as Ramnavami by the Hindus.
The epic ‘Ramayana’ is read for eight days
preceding the festival.
