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.

Milad-un-Nabi

This festival is also known as Barawafat.On this day Prophet Muhammad was born .Milad-un-Nabi comes in the month of March.This festival originatd in the Fatimid dynasty. 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Islamic lunar calendar year is remembered as the birth anniversary of Prophet . The word barah' in Barawafat denotes the twelve days of Prophet's sickness.


History: In the twelfth century this festival was celebrated by Sunnis. They were under the rule of Nur ad-Din. Some theorists form the view that Sunnis adopted this festival to fight Christian influence in Morroco and Spain. For sometime the celebrations discontinued. In 1207 Muzaffar ad-din brought back the festival and announced it as an official event. As per the legends, when Muhammad took birth in eighth-century in Mecca his mother Harun al-Rashid, Al-Khayzuran changed her house into a place of prayer. In the eleventh century Milad-un-Nabi's first celebrations occurred by Fatimid dynasty in Egypt.


How it is celebrated: A ceremony called called Sandal rite is performed in many parts of the country. In this ceremony the foot prints of Prophet imprinted on stone and the model of animal like horse is worshipped. Footprints are smeared with scented powder . Marsiyas are sung in the remembrance of Muhhammed Prophet. Processions pass through the streets,the day starts with morning prayers in the mosque. Food is arranged for poor. Buildings and Mosques are decorated with colorful streamers.

Significance: This is an important festival of Muslims, it is celebrated to spread and commemorate the teachings of Muhhammed Prophet. It is also celebrated as the birth and death Anniversary of Prophet .On this day the events are remembered which occurred at the time of birth Prophet.

Ram Nanami

Ram Navami the most important festival of Hindus it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and divinity. This popular festival is celebrated on on the ninth day (Navami) of the Chaitra month of Hindu lunar year in 'Shukla paksha' or waxing moon.This festival gets high regards because it is celebrted as the birth day of Lord Rama that is also known as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ram Navami also marks the end of nine day celebration of Chaitra-Navratri . The festival usually comes in the month of March or April.


History and Legends: Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world and there are so many references found in Kalika Puran in earlier times when there was a prevalence of caste system Ram Navami was the only festival that was celebrated by lower castes (shudras).This divine festival has got its place among five major sacred festivals a way to attain salvation. The legends reagarding Ram Navami can also be traced from pre-christian era.

How it is celebrated: Ram Navami is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Rama people celebrate it with great pomp and diety.People do fasts and this is regarded as the way of attainment of Salvation. Thousands of people come to visit Lord Rama Temple. People worship the idols of Lord Rama and Sita they offer burn dhoop and incense sticks and flowers a thali contain prasad is mainly used for pooja other important items include rice, lota (container filled with water), roli (sacred tilak), earthen lamp and flowers.

Significance: It is a major festival of Vaishnavites, one main element of the celebration is the Ramayana parayana that is a discourse on the Ramayana,done by a professional story-teller or Pundit. It ends up on the ninth day carried on by musical programmes . In Rameshwaram, thousands of devotees take a ritual bath in the sea before worshipping at the Ramanathaswamy temple.