Shab-i-Miraj

The meaning of Shab-i-Miraj is the "night of Ascent", on this blessed night the Holy Prophet of Islam was spiritually reached to heaven, his journey was not with his physical body. The Holy Prophet attained the highest stage of nearness to God Almighty that is beyond the range of ordinary person. His journey took place on 27th day or Rajab, 2 years before Hijra. The festival comes in the month of June-July.


History: As per the Muslim legends, the night journey has two parts-First is a journey that Islamic prophet Muhammad took in one night on a winged horse it was a physical journey. On the other hand, some Muslims beliefs hold the view that it happened spiritually through a metaphorical vision. The prophet reached the Seventh Heaven, there is a Kabah of sorts for the angels. Legends say that,the day when Muhammad reached the Seventh Heaven,since the dawn of time 70,000 angels entered and were never seen again.


How it is celebrated: On Shab-i-Miraj, the streets, houses and the mosques are fully decorated with electric candles,lights and oil lamps. In evening, people gather in the mosques and sing hymns in Prophet's praise. After Isha Prayer, public meetings are also held where speakers throw light on the various spiritual aspects of Prophet's life. Sweets are distributed after the meeting and the devotees give money in charity and distribute food among the poor.

Significance: Shab-i-Miraj holds special importance among Muslims, it is believed that the Holy Prophet continued his journey till he reached the Throne of God Almighty. To commemorate his journey, five daily prayers are made obligatory upon Muslims.

Shivaji Jayanti

Shivaji Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj, it is celebrated on 19th February. Shivaji Maharaj was born on 19th February, 1627. He was named after a local Goddess Shivai. Shivaji was a son of Jijabai and Shahaji Bhonsle . He is known as a creator of the Maratha nation. His birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm.


History: Chatrapati Shivaji was a hero for the people of Maharashtra,he was born in Shivneri Fort, 60 kms north of Pune. Shivaji Maharaj was introduced to great Indian epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and other holy books by her mother Jijabai. Shivaji grew up as a powerful and fearless military leader, his civil and military administration was of greatest importance. He was given the Title of Chatrapati in the year 1674,he left an indelible mark on the pages of Indian history. He died in 1680. He has been a source of inspiration for generations.


How it is celebrated : Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm.Several processions are taken out and the people dress up in an attire of Shivaji.Various programs are held in the memory of Chatrapati Shivaji.

Significance: Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated remembering the achievements of the Great Maratha Ruler, he was a real hero of not only for the people of Maratha but for the whole of the India.

Ganga Dussehra

River Ganga holds a significant place in Indian Life,it is the largest of the rivers of India. Ganga Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of Jyeshtha, this festival comes in the month of June. During this festival, ten days of the month are dedicated to the worship of Holy River Ganga. River Ganga is regarded as a goddess as well as a mother by the Hindus.


History: Legends say, Long ago a king named Sagar performed the horse sacrifice known as Ashvamedh. One day king’s horse reached the ashram of sage Kapil Muni, in search of the horse seven thousand of the king’s boys also reached there. They thought that Kapil Muni has kidnapped the horse, Kapil Muni cursed them to reduced to ashes. King Sagar became anxious, he sent his grandson Anshuman to Kapil Muni. Anshuman apologized and ask“How can the sin of the king’s boys be destroyed?” Kapil Muni replied “They will be saved if the water of the Ganga will flow over this land.” Finally, Anshuman's son Bhagirath managed to bring down the Ganga on Earth.On the tenth day of the bright half of Jyeshth,Goddess Ganga started to flow from the hair of Shankar.So,Ganga Dussehra is celebrated to worship mother Ganga.

How it is celebrated: In Haridwar grand Aartis are done at twilight and thousands of devotees meditate on riverbanks. Prayag, Haridwar, Varanasi, Rishikesh where Ganga flows, hold special importance on this day. People rush to these places and took a holy bath in it. Significance: On this day people take bath in the holy water of Mother Ganga, it is believed that a bath in the river is said to purify the bather of all sins.

Rathyatra

Rathyatra is a chariot festival held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri (Orissa). It is celebrated for 8 days, thousands of devotees rush to Puri during the festival.It is a belief that a glimpse of Lord Jagannath in his chariot provides salvation. The Rathyatra is done in the month of June and July. History: According to the Bhagavad Purana, on this day Balarama asnd Lord Krishna went to Mathura to take part in a wrestling competition, the invitation was given by Kansa.


A legend behind the Rath Yatra says that, the deities are taken to the Gundicha Mandir every year because Lord Jagannatha is said to visit his birthplace every year for a week. Another legend say that, Subhadra wanted to visit her parent's home(Dwarka) and her brothers took her, so the Yatra is done in the memory of that visit. How it is celebrated: On the respective day, people get up early and worship Lord Jagannatha. Beautiful Raths(chariots) are lined up before Puri temple. The deities are brought to their respective chariots with great pomp. The ceremony is done by the King of Puri.The chariot platforms are swept by adherents of the King with a gold-handled broom, they sprinkle the scented water to showcase in the eyes of God that all men are equal.


Images of the Lord of the Universe- Lord Jagannath, brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra are taken out in a procesion in three Raths, thousands of devotees pull the chariots to Gundicha Mandir and after a week there is a return journey from Gundicha temple on 'Ashadha Sukla Dasami', the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha.

Significance: The whole Rath Yatra is a symbolic humanization of God. It is an attempt to bring God down to a more human level from his pedestal of glory.

Kharchi Puja

Kharchi Puja comes in the month of June - July, is one of the remarkable festivals of the state of Tripura. Kharchi Puja is also known as Chaudda Devata Puja' or 'Chaturdash. The word Kharchi comprises of two words, Khar means sin and Chi denotes cleaning. Kharchi Puja refers to the cleaning of the sins of the people. It is the worship of the dynasty deity of the people of Tripura, the fourteen gods. History: A cruel king named Tripur ruled Tripura, to get rid of his evils, people worshiped Lord Shiva and offered prayers to him.


Lord Shiva, being pleased killed the king. God Shiva said, the queen would bear a son and he would be the next ruler. The Queen and the subjects were asked to worship 14 gods everyday-Uma (Wife of Lord Siva), Hara (Lord Siva), Prithvi (Goddess of Earth), Hari (Lord bishnu), Bani (Saraswati), Brahma (creator of Universe), Ma (Lakshmi), Ganesh (Siddidata), Ganga (Goddess of Ganges), Kamdev (God of Love and Romance), Agni (God of Fire), Samudra (God of Ocean) and Himalaya (God of all Hills)..During Kharchi puja Goddess 'Burama' is also worshipped.

How it is celebrated: Kharchi Puja falls begins on the eighth day of the moonlit period (Suklastami), it continues for seven days.Thousands of people rush to temple premises where they attend the celebrations. During Kharchi Puja, fourteen gods are worshipped. One of the main ritual is the sacrifice of goats and piegons.

Significance: The Kharchi Puja is performed to clean out the sins, it is done for seven consecutive days to clean up the post menstrual uncleanliness of mother earth's menstruation.

Agni Utsav

Agni Utsav in celebrated in different parts of Orissa, its celebration style varies from district to district. It is celebrated every year in Mid January to Mid February . Every year it's date keeps changing. Agni Utsav is mainly celebrated by the farmers of Orissa.This festival holds its special place among the people of Orissa. People welcome the festival with great enthusiasm and divinity.


How it is celebrated: On this day 'Agni' is worshipped. The rituals related with the festival are considered to be helpful for the farmers of Orissa. Whole family indulges in the preparations . Females start cleaning and decorating their houses. Males collect straws to be burnt the very day. People make huge heaps of hay. Large bundles of straw, heaps and dried grass are burnt. People enjoy with their friends and family.


Significance: Farmers believe that, Agni Utsav helps them to predict the condition of their crops the next year.They burn heaps of straws and direction of the straw while burning predicts the coming year's crop. The predictions are:

* A westward tilt predicts floods.
* Northeast tilt denotes good crops.
* A tilt towards the east resembles entry of saline waters into the fields and high tides.

Ugadi or Yugadi

The word Ugadi or Yugadi means beginning of new era, it is the New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. Indian calender is based on lunisolar changes and Saka calender commences with Chaitra (March -April), usually Ugadi falls in the month of March and April. This festival denotes the first day of New Year. This festival is celebrated by the people of Maharashtra, Manipur and Sindh.

History: As per the legends, “Yesmin Krishno DivamVyataha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam”, these are the Sanskrit verses of the great Saint Vedavyasa, according to it, Kali Yuga has begun at the time when Lord Krishna passed away. Most of the historians say, it started from 3102BC. Ugadi, denotes the beginning of New Yuga or Era.



How it is celebrated: On this day, the people get up early and take a head bath. They decorate the entrance of their house with fresh mango leaves and rangoli. People pray for their good health,peace and prosperity. Coconuts and Mango leaves are used for pooja, they splash fresh cow dung water in front of their houses. Later, people gather to listen the recitation of divine and religious Panchangam, almanac, of the New Year.

Significance: Ugadi is regarded as most remarkable day for the commencement of the new projects and ventures. It is celebrated as the First day of the New Year.