Janmashtami
(All over India)
The birth of Lord Krishna is
celebrated with great fervour all over the country (3rd Sept. this
year). In Mathura and Brindavan - where Lord Krishna
spent his childhood and youth, the Janmashtami celebrations are quite
elaborate. The Krishna Leela - stories of his eventful youth
are enacted.
In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd
and butter are hung high up over the streets. Young men enacting an
episode from Krishna’s childhood form human pyramids by
climbing on each others’ shoulders and try to break these pots.
Teej
(Rajasthan and Chandigarh)
This swing festival welcomes the advent of
the monsoon. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers.
Women, colourfully attired, swing on them and sing songs in celebration.
Independence Day
(All over India)
Commemorating the day India attained freedom
(15th August), Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies
and cultural programmes in the state capitals. The Prime Minister’s
speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.
Raksha Bandhan
(North India)
Brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of
affection on this day. Sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on
their brothers’ wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect
their sisters and give them gifts.
Amarnath Yatra
(Jammu & Kashmir)
In the month of Shravan, thousands of
pilgrims make an arduous trek up to the Amarnath cave in the
Kashmir Himalayas. They come to worship the sacred ice lingam
- a symbol of Lord Shiva, which is a natural phenomenon.
Nag Panchami
(West Bengal, Maharashtra and South India)
This festival, which is usually celebrated
in West Bengal, Maharashtra and South India, venerates
snakes.
Onam
(Kerala)
Kerala’s most important festival
is celebrated in the honour of the ancient asura king Mahabali.
The occasion also heralds the harvest season. The decorating of houses
with carpets of flowers, a sumptuous lunch and songs in praise of
the golden reign of Mahabali, mark the ten day long festivities.
A major attraction of the Onam celebrations are the famed snake
boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Aranmula and Kottayam.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
(Kerala)
Alappuzha is famous for its annual boat
race, held on the second Saturday of August every year. The long elegant
snakeboats, with crews of over hundred men vying to win the coveted
trophy, attract spectators from all over.
