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NAVRATRAS
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Navratras is divided into sets of three days to adore different
aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as
a powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and
defects. During the next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual
wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees
the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the
mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in
life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the
worship for nine nights.
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Starting
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Ending
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Chetra Navratras
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Shravan Navratras
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Asuj Navratras
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19/sept/2009
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28/sept/2009
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Makar Sankranti
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Falling On: 14/01/2009
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Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated
in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion,
fervor & gaiety. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar &
Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the
country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Gujarati's
not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful
oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline.
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Vasant Panchami
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Falling On: 31/01/2009
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Vasant Panchami is the festival dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess
of learning. Yellow colour is given special importance on this day. On Vasant Panchami,
Saraswati is dressed in yellow garments and worshipped (with Puja, Havan etc.).
Men and women try to wear yellow clothes on this day. Sweetmeats of yellowish hues
are exchanged with relations and friends.
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Maha Shivaratri
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Falling On: 23/02/2009
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Mahashivaratri (the great night of Shiva) falls on the fourteenth
day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna,and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva.On
this day devotees sing bhajans in honor of Shiva, recite Sanskrit shlokas from scriptures,
offer prayers in the morning and evening, and some observe fasting throughout the
day.People visit nearby temples of Shiva and offer prayers in large crowds. The
prayers and worship continue late into the night when the devotees offer coconut,
Bilva leaves, fruits, and specially prepared sacred food to Shiva and his divine
consort Parvati.
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Holi
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Falling On: 11/03/2009
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Holi is held in early spring at the full moon of Phalgun. The festival is connected
with the legend of Hiranyakashipu (H) and his son Prahlada. H, a devotee of Siva
obtained from the Lord, the sovergeinity of the three worlds for a million years.
He persecuted his son because he was a devoted worshipper of Vishnu. Angry with
his son H started torturing his son with the help of his sister Holika. Eventually
entered a pillar of heated iron and tore H to pieces. Then Holika tried to burn
herself with Prahlada. While she died in the fire, Prahlada was left unscathed.
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Rama Navami
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Falling On: 3/04/2009
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Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Shri Rama or Ramachandra. Ram
is considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver. Lord Vishnu took
the seventh avtaar named Ram who killed Ravan, the evil king, on the 9th day of
the Hindu month of Chaitra, hence the day is celebrated as Ram Navmi. In some parts
of India, it is a nine-day festival, coinciding with the Vasanta Navaratri
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Raksha Bandhan
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Falling On: 5/08/2009
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Rakhi holds immense significance in Indian cultural ethos. The
custom of celebrating Rakhi started in Vedic times and even today brothers and sisters
consider it must to celebrate the occasion in traditional manner. When brothers
are away sisters send Rakhi to them and express their love. Accepting the Rakhi
with grace brothers send Return gifts to their sister. This loving gesture goes
a long way in strengthening brother sister relationship and building stronger family
ties.
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Sri Krishna Jayanti
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Falling On:14/08/2009
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Maha Vishnu took various avatars to protect the mortal world from
the evildoers and sinners. One such incarnation was his birth as the child of King
Vasudeva and Queen Devaki Devi. Sri Krishna Jayanti is the birthday of Lord Krishna.
It falls on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of 'Bhadrapada' (August-September).A
twenty-four hour fast is observed on this day, which is broken at midnight. The
festival is called in different names as "Krishna Jayanti", "Janma Ashtami", "Krishnaashtami"
, "Gokul Ashtami", and as "Sri Jayanti".
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Ganesh Chaturthi
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Falling On: 23/08/2009
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One of the most popular Gods in India, lord Ganesh or Ganpati is considered a symbol
of wisdom and a bringer of good luck.Ganeshji is remembered on chauth or chaturthi,
the 4th day of every month of the Hindu calendered, but most of all on Ganesh Chaturthi
which is celebrated as his birthday.Ladoos (sweets) are distributed, milk is offered
to idols of Lord Ganesh at home and at temples, and worshippers visit Ganesh temples
for Ganesh Puja.
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Dussehra
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Falling On: 28/9/2009
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Dussehra is the popular festival in India. It is a Hindu festival, which is celebrated
all over India to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama.This day is also known
as Vijaya Dasami, because of the victory of Ram over Ravana. On this day in Satya
Yug, Ram (the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), killed the great demon and king
of Lanka, Ravan. Puranas also opined that in this day warrior Goddess Durga defeated
and killed the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
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Karva Chauth Vrat
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Falling On: 8/10/2009
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A fast that ensures the well-being, prosperity and longevity of
their husbands, the festival of Karwa Chauth provides an opportunity for all married
women to get close to their in-laws.Possessing a tremendous social and cultural
significance, this festival is celebrated by keeping fast, applying henna and exchange
of gifts. Celebrated mostly by North Indians, the event
of Karwa Chauth is growing bigger with each passing day. Along with traditional
items such as henna, beauty products and fashionable clothes, the demand of special
eateries are also gearing up.
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Diwali
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Falling On: 17/10/2009
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Diwali commemorates the return of Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the eldest
son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman
after killing the Ravan, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom
with earthen diyas and fireworks to celebration of the return of their king. Twinkling
oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across
the country. This celebration took place on the night of the new moon of Ashwin.
The tradition and the timing continued to be followed even these days.
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