Bhai Dooj

Festivals reunite ourselves,as they bring us together and spread the feelings of love in the chain of festivals there is another festival that strengthens the relation of brother and sister, yes the festival is Bhai Dooj, celebration of brother and sister. This festival is celebrated with great joy and happiness in all over India as there is happiness all around.


This festivals falls after two days of Diwali, it denotes the pure relationship between brother and sister, as the name indicates that Bhai as brother and Dooj is as second day of new moon, across the world Hindus celebrate this festival with great fun and bloom, there is a story behind any festival in India as per the legends, the god of death Yama came to visit her sister Yami on this day..

She was so happy and she decorated her house with flowers and light, even she prepared so many special dishes with sweets to greet her brother, as per the custom she put Teeka or Tilak on the forehead of Yama, then in return Yama blessed Yami lifetime security and from that day it became a custom as per the announcement by Yama.

Who so ever is having Tilak on his forehead from her sister would be blessed with long life and all kinds of prosperity. So on Bhai Dooj every sister prays for the long life of her brother, the food is prepared according to the choice of brother, sisters arrange for Aarti, and brothers give them presents and blessings in return.

Narad Jayanti

Well every one knows that about the role of Narad Muni in
communication, he was a pioneer of communication and even we cannot
imagine our lives if there is no communication, it is very crucial for
us, a person would be empty if there is no communication around
him,sharing of thoughts, ideas and information and it is a process
that has been prevailing since ancient times.

Narad Jayanti is an honourable day that comes day after full moon day
in Vaishakh month in the month of April and May,as per the stories
from puranas Narad Muni appeared from the forehead of Lord Brahma but
Vishnu Purana advocates that Narad Muni is the son of Sage
Kashyapa,he is one of the most honourable rishis among seven, even
Narad Muni is one of the prajapatis.


Narad Jayanti is celebrated as the birth day or birth anniversary of
Narad Muni , he is regarded as the beginner of communication as he use
to travel through out the world by singing and communicating, he is
regarded as Sanyasi having a Veena in his hand the stories say that he
often create troubles in very positive way consequently comes out in
the betterment of universe.

Narad Jayanti is also called as ‘Patrakar Diwas' as he forms the
basis of modern day communication and journalism, on this day in North
India seminars, prayers and Intellectual meetings take place, and
journalists follow his ideals for public welfare.

Anant Chaturdasi Vrat

Festivals bring happiness to our lives, life is so incomplete without them as they give us a chance to reunite, they fill us with utmost divinity another most important and divine festival is Anant Chaturdasi Vrat, it falls on the fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of bright fortnight, it comes in Hindu month Bhadrapadra, as Hindu festivals are very popular all over the world.



Anant Chaturdasi Vrat is actually celebrated on the last day of Ganeshotsav“ or Ganesh Chaturthi, a great Hindu Festival,it fills the people with utmost divinity, the day starts with an assembly of big crowd as they perform prayers, on this divine day the statue of lord Ganesha is brought into water of sea, lakes or rivers.Every where there is singing and dancing and the people gather to give a farewell to the idol of Lord Ganesha and they pray and seek blessings for their wonderful future, they sing together “Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya”.

On Anant Chaturdasi lord Vishnu, goddess yamuna and lord Shesh(Snake) are worshipped, on this people observe fast mainly it is celebrated by Indian women they observe fast on that day, on this day “Gharga”(Made by Floor) is being cooked by them along with Anarse and half of it is given to Brahmin.

On Anant Chaturdasi Vrat with Kumkum Snakes of Grass is prepared with a string of silk, and that thread is tied on the left hand of women and on the right hand of men, it is regarded as sign of bless and prosperity signature of God Anant.

Ekadashi

Ekadashi is also called Agyaars that is the eleventh lunar day, that falls in shukla paksha,Ekadashi takes place every fortnight as per the Hindu panchang calender, the most spiritual and beneficial day for both Hinduism and Jainism, the people observe this day with full divinity, as they observe a fast as the sun sets the day before to Ekadashi it remain upto 48 min as the sunrises, on Ekadashi day.

Ekadashi or Agyaars is followed bimonthly basically it is the festivals of Vaishnavas, well there is no restriction any person can follow this day with full divine spirit,as the fasting is done without taking any kind of grains,it falls mostly when the Moon is the closest to Earth as well as the time when it is farthest from the earth, followed by high tide and low tide respectively.

The names of :Ekadashi are Saphala Ekadashi,Putrada Ekadashi,Sat Tila Ekadashi,Bhaimi Ekadashi ,Vaikunta Ekadasi, Amalaki Ekadashi ,Papamochani Ekadashi,Kamada Ekadashi ,Varuthini Ekadashi,Mohini Ekadashi ,Apara Ekadash,Pandava Ekadashi,Yogini Ekadashi ,Shayani Ekadashi,Kamika Ekadashi ,Pavitropana Ekadashi ,Ananda Ekadashi,Parsva Ekadashi ,Indira Ekadashi ,Padmini Ekadashi ,Parama Ekadashi ,Pasankusha Ekadashi ,Rama Ekadashi ,Prabodhini Ekadashi,Utpanna Ekadashi and Mokshada Ekadashi.

Very divine day that is observed by people with utmost divinity in their hearts.

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima is also called as Vesākha , basically this day is known as "Buddha's Birthday, actually it has got its significance as the enlightenment (Nirvana), birth and passing away (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.This day is followed with great enthusiasm in South East Asian and South Asian like India, Singapore,Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia with utmost divinity.



Buddha Purnima is followed as a traditional holiday , it falls on the day of Purnima or full moon, the date of Vesākha depends upon various lunar calendars as per the different traditions.In Theravada countries they follow the Buddhist calendar, that exactly falls on full moon called as Uposatha day , inn China as per the Chinese lunar calendar it falls on eighth of the fourth month , the can vary from year to year but usually it comes in the month of April or May..

As per the old beliefs the story says when Buddha was dying he saw his very faithful follower Ananda weeping, he advised him not to weep and made him understand that what ever has been created has surely to destroyed, Buddha console every one by saying that they should not cry on the disintegration of his physical body,in fact he said to expand his teachings among people.

They regarded The Dharma as their teacher, as it is the truth that is eternal rest is subject to law of change, as per the teachings of Buddha he didn't want the homage by flowers and offerings, lights,incense all is the need that his teachings should be followed with true heart, people should noble lives, that is the way to reach that eternal god, people should practice love kindness and follow humanity.

Durga Ashtami

Navaratra the nine divine nights, to worship Goddess Durga , to fill yourself with the feel of full divinity and return you are entitles the utmost blessings of Maa Durga, 8th day of Navaratra celebration is called “Durga Ashtami”, the day which is totally dedicated to get the blessings by worshipping Goddess Durga. Special celebrations takes place along with special poojas to please Maa Durga. And to get the power and strength.



As there is a common belief of fasting for nine days, but those people who are not able to do fast for whole nine days can make fast on this day and get the same fruits of all nine days fasting, there is an occasion of grand puja in the temple of Maa Durga. Ashtami puja has its own significance there is a grand level puja, people across the parts come specially to join Durga Puja.

Goddess Durga was the creation of Trinity Lord Vishnu, Lord Mahesh (Shiva) and Lord Brahma, that means Goddess Durga has the power of these three gods , s he sem like a warrior having weapons to kill the devilos and evil around, she is there to uplift and bless who worship her with the whole heart.

According to the stories of Maa Durga, she killed a dangerous demon Mahinsasur , he captured the whole earth and Maa Durga appeared to make the earth free from his cruel and harsh ruling, the belief is that on this day Samundra Manthan was done between demons and god, and Amrit came out from the ocean , as amrit denotes the drink that gives power and immortality.

Pongal

To give another reason of festivity around and another cause to enjoy the life to its fullest yes a four day long festival called pongal, it is celebrated with big enthusiasm and joy. Pongal is much awaited festival of people, it is mainly celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu" Pongal is also known as the name of "Harvest Festival" in India. It is celebrated from January 13 to 16 every year and it goes on for four days.



Pongal has got it special religious significance, as the four days are very important, most of the urban people celebrate the second day as a main festival. The first day is called as Bhogi on this day people use to clean their houses very properly and in the evening time there is a bonfire where all thew unwanted goods are lit, second day is known as Surya Pongal.

This day begins with the celebrations, it falls on the very first day of Tamil month Thai, Lord Surya is worshipped, the preparations starts before sunrise as the women make Korum patterns on their doorways they are very beautiful, and are made up of with coloured rice flour to welcome Sun, every one feels immense pleasure by wearing new clothes, their is a pplacment of new utensils as well.

The meaning of pongal is overflowing, as there is a tradition of cooking new rice in pots till they over low, it symbolises prosperity, happiness and abundance.A dish called Venpongal is made up from rice, sugar and various sugar that is eaten with the combination of samhar, brinjal, idli, and vadai. Third day is called as Maatu Pongal that is basically for cattle, bulls and cows were decorated in various villages bull fights are occurred, Kaanum Ponga is the fourth day there is a occassion when younger members pay honour and homage to elder ones.