Jwalamukhi Fair

The festival that is dedicated to the Goddess of volcano celebrated with full spirit of divinity .In the Kangra valleys of Himalyas Jwalamukhi is a volcano and the people of hilly areas believe that the inflammable gases from volcano are the sacred fire that comes from the Goddess of the Jwalamukhi volcano that's why the people worship the Goddess with utmost spirit of divinity.The Jwalamukhi Fair is celebrated in the month of April and October.

As per the legends the demons were attacking Himalyas and the Gods led by God Vishnu ordered to destroy them to help the Gods huge flames broke out,these flames gave birth to young girl that is regarded as Adishakti-the first `shakti,Jwalamukhi devi is worshipped by a large number of followers. The temple of Jwalamukhi is regarded as most sacred place in Northern India.

How it is celebrated : People celebrate it with great divinity during the fair the water and milk is offered to the flames following by the puja that goes on for a whole day. To greet and wish mother Goddess Jwalamukhui Devi people bring red silken flags (dhwaja). The flames that are coming from earth spontaneously and perpetually are regarded as blessings of Jwalamukhi devi and the fair is attribute to the worship of these eternal and divine flames.People take holy bath in the springs and goddess is offered the Bhog of Rabri or thickened milk, Misri or candy, seasonal fruits and milk."Durga Saptasati is recited by people.

Significance:The flames the come from the volcano are manifested as Jwalamukhi devi. The temple of Jwalamukhi devi is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas of India.In the temple there is no idol there is a rock in the middle that has a crack and from there the gas is emitted the priest keeps applying the flame to the gas, it is treated as blessing of the diety.

Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam

To fill evryone's spirit with utmost divinity, a festival that comes in the month of September/ October one of the most important among Hindu Festivals it is Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam , as per th beliefs and legends Lord Brahma first performed this festival at Tirupati, this festival is basically devoted to Lord Balaji, this is the most important festival of Andhra Pradesh.


It is also known as the name of 'Tirupati festival' in Andhra Pradesh. Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam ia a nine day festival these nine days are filled with so many different kinds of festivities, every day has got it special significance, in fact it is very unique opportunity for pilgrims to participate with full divinity and enthusiasm and experience the “Vaikuntha Anubhava” .

Tirupati Tirumala Brahmotsavam is performed as a Thanks giving ceremony to God, the word 'Brahmotsavam that means "Brahma's Utsavam" a festival that is all dedicated to Lord Brahma's and pole offer prayers and receive the blessings of Sri Venkateswara Swami, there are long processions and full day celebrations.The festival commences with the hoisting of Garudadhwaja.

As the festival continues for nine days after Garudadhwaja, followed by other ceremonies like Pedda Aadisesha vahanam, Chinna Sesha Vahanam, Hansa vahanam, Simha Vahanam,Muthyala Pallaki Vahanam, Kalpa Vruksha Vahanam, Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam , Garuda Vahanam , Hanumantha Vahanam, Gaja Vahanam, Surya Prabha Vahanam, Chandra Prabha Vahanam, Rathostavam, Aswa Vahanam, Chakra Snanam and on ninth as closing ceremony again there is Dwajaavarohanam.

Thai Pusam

A very unique festival in the chain of festivals is Thai Pusam, it is the festival of Tamil Nadu, as it falls on the full moon in malyalam language it is also called as Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam , Thai Pusam refers to a star , it comes in the month of January or February, the stories behind the festival is that Parvati gave Murugan a spear to conquer the evil demon Soorapadman.


Thai Pusam takes place in the Temples of Mariamman and Kartikeya, the devotees are suppose to walk over the trenches of the burning coal, it is a kind of custom and those people who take part with their full spirit and faith really come out with no harm at all it is unbelievable but true, a dance named Kavadi Attam performed by the devotees, it emphasize debt bondage.


A temple named Periyanayaki dedicated to Muruga forms the place for Ten Day celebration of Thai Pusam, people from very far places come here to celebrate this divine festival, as there is a tradition of walk over on coal so the chief priest of the temple along with the youth mainly they are twelve first of all got out in a procession to take bath, then they smear themselves with turmeric powder and start dancing.

Holding Kavadis on their heads they walk over a pit that is covered with burning coals and surprisingly come out unscathed, other traditions are pips piercing with with a small spear, mouth locking with metal ring, Thai Pusam is celebrated with great spirit of divinity.

Naga Panchami

A festival that comes in the Shravan month, celebrated on the Panchami,a very divine festival of Hindus called Naga Panchami it is celebrated in the most parts of India, this day has got its special significance as people pray Naga Devta also called as Cobras, the snakes are worshipped as Gods, Naga Panchami is celebrated as Lord Krishna defeated the serpent Kalia.


People visit temples and pits of the snakes, as they worship them to seek blessings and happiness for the rest of the life, silver jewellery stuffs and milk is offered to the snakes and cobras to protect them from the evil eyes, people do fast and the people enjoy themselves there is a wave of pleasure and fun every where, in the villages specially swings are put and ladies and girls enjoy with full enthusiasm.


With the divine feeling of respect towards snakes, mainly the Five Nagas worshipped on Naga Panchami they are Vasuki, Karkotaka, Taxak, Ananta and Pingala, this festival comes in the month of August, in Nepal it is known as the festivals of snakes, as people dance on the streets and residents paste the pictures of Naga above the doors as it helps them to keep the evil eye away.

Naga Panchami is a ritual of Indian people as it gives a chance to witness the ancient tradition and to get the blessings for good rain and prosperity of everyone.

Maha Shivratri

A festival that fills you with utmost divinity and makes you blessed by the powers of al-mighty, a wonderful and most awaited festival of India it is Maha Shivratri a very popular festival of India, this Festival is celebrated in the month of February or March every year as per the Hindu calender this festival falls on the 13th night or 14th night in the Krishna Paksha in the month of Maagha.


This festival is basically dedicated to Lord Shiva and grandly celebrated by Hindu community, on this day people people offer Bael or Bilva leaves to please Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is the festival that is very sacred and auspicious on this day people observe fast and they keep vigil all the night, there are crowds of thousands of people in the temple of Lord Shiva.

Every one chants the mantras of “OM Namah Shivay” and there is a wave of devotion that spreads everywhere ,Lord Shiva's lingam is offered by water and bael leaves , this festival is celebrated by the people with great divinity as this is the most awaited festival to make Lord Shiva happy and to get his blessings for the entire life, on this day people make traditional Bhaang that is also called “Thandai” .

As per the stories the Thandai is made because Lord Shiva drank the poison to protect human lives. .

Modhera Dance Festival

A very different kind of festival that you have had never heard about yes it is Modhera Dance Festival it takes place every year in the month of January, The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat helds the festival every year this is the festival of dance, fun and frolic, in Gujarat here is a Sun Temple that is basically dedicated to Lord Surya, the beauty and its sculpture makes it incredible its walls has got the figures of Lord Surya, that's makes it so
outstanding.


And this beautiful temple acts as backdrop at the time of Dance Festival as it is a platform of so many Indian classical dances this festival held every year in January and continues for three days, during the festival time there is a wave of enjoyment that drifts every one and it gives a feel of immense pleasure to see this classical art in the lap of beautiful temple's premises.


The reason why the Sun Temple forms a perfect backdrop because here the rays of the sun falls directly they illuminate the deity in the innermost sanctum with the main entrance and really gives a very romantic fete it makes the surroundings so mesmerising when the festival begins.Just imagine the classical dance by performers that is quite enough to catch your hold and make you stand still.

A very unique and popular festival of India, Modhera Dance Festival.

Sonepur Cattle Fair of Bihar

India is a place of varieties of festivals, it has a variety of festivals that bring so much of joy and fun in the lives of the people, another exciting festival is Sonepur Cattle Fair of Bihar, as this festival has got its historic importance also, this is the
festival that is celebrated on the very auspicious day on the full moon day of Hindu Kartik month, the city of Sonepur is located in Northern part of Bihar India.


Sonepur cattle festival is the Asia's largest festival , this festival held on the banks of river ganga, really a very popular festival of India, people take holy dip in the water of the rivers then rush to the temples for darshan as there is very famous temple of Hariharnath people got their in large crowds and they offer sweets and flowers in order to get spiritual blessings from god.

When the mela occurs there is a grand purchasing of animals and cattle's as they are sold and purchased there,this is a cattle fair that invites animals like elephants, horses, cows and camels, there is a wonderful gathering of folk artists as they perform so many cultural activities like dances along with folk music they are the
main attractions of this wonderful fair.

Janmashtami Sri Krishna Jayanti Festival

One of the most important oh Hindus, very divine day that brings them more near to the god is Janmashtami Sri Krishna Jayanti Festival, this day is celebrated as the Birth day of Lord Krishna, whole Hindu fraternity celebrate this day with full joy and divinity, as this popular day falls on the Ashtami of Bhadrapada month of Hindu calendar , really a big celebration in all over India. The festival always falls within mid-August to mid-September .


As per the beliefs, on this day there as an incarnation of lord Vishnu on the earth as he rised to make the people protected from the evils of Kans, as he was known as the cruel King of Mathura. Mother of Lord Krishna was a sister of of Kans, her name was Devaki, as Kans got the news that the eight child of Devaki is going to kill him so he became cautious,cruel Kans killed all the seven children of Devaki.


Krishna’s mother Devaki was sister of Kans. According to history it is said that Kans got news that 8th child of Devaki will kill him. After that he jailed Vasudev (husband of Devaki) and Devaki. He killed all her seven child one by one. On this day their is a beautiful decoration of Krishna Temples with wonderful lights and flowers, large number of people rush to Mathura and Gokul, to b a part of Bhajan Sandhya.

Garden Festival

You must have had heard about so many festivals but here is very different festival that you would be amazed to know is Garden Festival ,just feel the sweet fragrance and colourful bed of flowers around you,an environment that is going to fill you with great joy and fun, such a pleasurable sight , it is a very unique kind of festival that has got sweet fragrance,every year in the month of February Delhi heralds a spectacular flower show.


Pleasure and fragrance every where around, this festival is called Garden Tourism Festival it was introduced in 2004.a wonderful variety of flowers along with exotic plants are placed for a display,there is an exhibition that gives a glance of blossoming flowers and the beautiful gardens that are shining with colour, in Garden festival you will find display of plants,wonderful varieties of flowers and trees, specially designed water gardens with exotic lilies and plants.


It has got a wonderful variety of roses, bonsai, potted plants and dahlias, a wonderful place for forest lovers and those who have interest in horticulture a great plat form for them,their is also a blend of painting competition,art camps specially for budding artists along with cultural shows that are specially take place to entertain visitors, there is a participation of Various Asian countries to
encourage healthy relationship among Asian cities.

In garden festival the flowers are arranged in popular Japanese art a special type of flower arrangement that is Ikebana, along with hanging baskets, fresh plants, accessories with large variety of wonderful stuff, such a wonderful place for fun and frolic for children, here you will be able to come to know about latest
techniques of gardening.

Elephant Festival

Their are some unique and special festivals, they bring more pleasure and fun to our lives, they gives us more chances to smile here is a wonderful festival called elephant festival it is very special and important festival of Rajasthan, it is basically celebrated in Jaipur as it is the capital city of Rajasthan, you will find here a large crowd of people to be a part of this festival.


Elephant Festival is the most popular festival, it is held at Chaugan Stadium where there are a variety of programmes take place like elephant run races, elephant polo matches, and there is music and dance all around, elephants are decorated with wonderful clothes and ornaments, their trunks are painted with different colours, even their forehead, tail and feet are also ornamented.


Elephants are the centre of attraction, the festival commences with a procession of elephants along with horses and camels, accompanied by musicians and dancers, their are special elephant fights at Chaugan Stadium. As this festival is held in the month of March, on the eve of Holi, it is a one day festival, the most attractive thing that interests tourists is an Elephant fight and catwalk.

They really fascinate seeing elephants doing catwalks , that's why this festival is regarded as very unique and special festival of Rajasthan.