Diwali/Deepavali

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This festival is popularly known as the “Festival of Lights” and is an important five-day festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism occurring between mid-October and mid-November. The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali", which translates into "row of lamps"

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. People lit oil lamps, burst firecrackers, wear new clothes and make sweets at home. 

Hindu Mythologies associated with Diwali : 

Lord Rama’s arrival to Ayodhya: Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and Lakshman, from his fourteen-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. One day during their Exile the king of Lanka, Ravana, kidnapped Sita from the jungle. In order to free Sita from Ravana, Lord Rama attacked Ravana and this was followed by a war, in which, Ram defeated Ravana and released Sita from his custody. This is also termed as victory of Good over Evil and when Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya, people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps, in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana. This is the most popular belief behind the festival Diwali. 

The Defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna: Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon Narkasura on this day who kidnapped beautiful young women and force them to live with him. Lord Krishna defeated the five-headed monster who guarded the demon's home and then killed Narkasur. Some also believe that Krishna provoked his wife Satyabhama to kill Narkasur.

Krishna and Mount Govardhan: In the village of Gokula it was believed that “Indra” (Lord of Heaven) sent the rains which in turn made their crop lands fertile. Krishna then enlightened the villagers that farming was their real “dharma (religion)” and  their duty and concentration should be on farming and protection of their cattle, praying for a natural phenomenon like Rain would not help them. This angered Lord Indra who sent sent thunder and torrential rain down to the village of Gokula. In order to protect the people and the cattle's of Gokula, Krishna lifted and held up Mount Govardhan. Lord Indra finally accepted his defeat. The offering of food to God on this day of Diwali to Hindus is about realizing the importance of food and they offer their gratefulness to God for the bounty of nature. 

King Bali and Vamana: This is the story of a demon King called King Bali. Once Lord Vishnu came down to earth dressed as priest in the form of a Vamana(dwarf) and approached King Bali. The Vamana asked King Bali if the King could give him some space that he could cover with three strides, King Bali laughed and mocked the priest as he was sure that the dwarf would not be able to not cover much ground. King Bali agreed to the Vamana’s request and then dwarf changed into Lord Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and the whole Universe. Which in turn lead to King Bali being sent to the underworld. 

Significance of Diwali in Jainism,Buddhism and Sikhism :

In Jainism : Deepavali was mentioned in Jain books as the date of the nirvana of Mahavira. This occasion is celebrated as the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira who established Jainism. According to Jain traditions, it is believed that the chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhara Gautam Swami also attained complete knowledge (Kevalgyana) on this day, thus making Diwali one of the most important Jain festivals.

In Sikhism : In Sikhism Diwali is termed as “Bandi Chhorh Diyas”. It celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 other princes from the Gwalior Fort in 1619. To commemorate Guru Har Gobind’s undying love for Sikhism, the people lit the way to Harmandhir Sahib (referred to as the Golden Temple), in his honour and this tradition continues even today.

In Buddhism : Though it is not a large occasion in Buddhism some Buddhists including Newar (the indigenous people of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley) Buddhists celebrate Diwali. Mantras are chanted and the great Emperor Ashoka is remembered on this day. It is believed that Ashoka converted to Buddhism on this day, and therefore Buddhists term the festival as Ashok Vijayadashami. Temples and Monasteries are well decorated and Lord Buddha is worshiped.

5 Days of celebration  :

1. Govatsa Dwadashi or Vasu Baras: The legend associated with this day is -King Prithu who was the son of the tyrant King Vena. Due to the terrible atrocities of King Vena, a famine stuck the Earth and it was no more fertile. King Prithu is then believed to have chased the earth, who is usually represented as cow, and ‘milked’ her, meaning that he brought prosperity to the land.  

2. Dhan teras or Dhanvantari Triodasi: Regarded as the birth Anniversary of God Dhanvantari, the Physician of Gods, this day is considered as an auspicious day for buying utensils and gold.

3. Naraka Chaturdashi : This day is celebrated as the day of defeat of the demon King Narkasur by Lord Krishna. A special puja with offerings to Krishna or Vishnu is performed on this day. People meet family and friends and lit firecrackers heralding the defeat of the demon. 

4. Lakshmi Puja : This day is of great significance particularly in the Northern part of India. On this day the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi and the God of auspicious beginnings, Lord Ganesha is worshipped. Streets and Homes are lightened with lamps to welcome prosperity and well-being.

However, in Assam, Orissa and West Bengal on this day Goddess Kali is adored. Kali is considered the goddess of time and change. Hindus worship Goddess Kali on this day at home at Kali Temples or at temporary shrines. She is worshipped at night and offerings of red hibiscus flowers, animal blood in a skull, sweets, rice and lentils, fish and meat are made. Animals are ritually sacrificed on Kali Puja day and offered to the goddess.

5. Govardhan Puja and Bali Pratipada : In Northern part of India this day is celebrated as the defeat of Indra by Lord Krishna by the lifting of Mount Govardhana to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, this day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padyami, the defeat of the demon King Bali by the Lord Vishnu.

The Sixth day is often celebrated as Yama Dwitiya or Bhaiduj in many parts of India. On this day brothers meet their sisters and express their love an affection for each other, brothers also give gifts to their sisters. This day is known as Yama Dwitiya as it is believed that on this day Yama, the Lord of death visited his sister Yami (the river Yamuna).  Yami welcomed Yama with an Aarti and they had a feast together, thereafter Yama as a token of appreciation for his sister presented her with a gift. 

This Year the festival will be celebrated on this following days:

23 October, 2011 – Vasu Varas

24 October, 2011 – Dhanteras

25 October, 2011 - Choti Diwali / Naraka Chaturdashi

26 October, 2011 - Main Deepavali / Baddi Diwali (Lakshmi Puja)

27 October, 2011 - Padwa & Govardhan Puja / Pratipat

28 October, 2011 - Bhai Duj / Bhhaya Dooj / Bhai Be

Image source :http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karthigai_Deepam.jpg

Ujaan Festival

Ujaan Festival is a 3 day event comprising of Music and Art. This event brings together popular musicians, travelers, thinkers and Fund raising organisations. The main purpose of this event is to help raise funds in aid of the people and ecology of the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is facing a major threat of disappearance due to climatic change. 

This festival attempts to unite people with same passion for a cause- to help preserve this highly fertile delta Sundarbans, which is the largest mangrove forest in the world, spreading across parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, is home to app. 4 million people and is immensely rich in Flora and Fauna.

Ujaan Festival is held at Frasergunj-Bakkhali, away from the Forest Reserve in the Sundarbans,district, West Bengal. It is a 7 Km stretch of Beach lined with Casurina trees. For more information on accommodation and events, please visit the festival website :http://www.ujaanfestival.org/index.html

Festival dates 2011 :10th, 11th and 12th of March.

Holi - The Festival of Colors

Lots of bright colors, fun, music, dance and joy is what this festival is all  about. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna(February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. It is believed that Holi glorifies good harvest and fertility of the land.

This year the Festival will be celebrated on 19th and 20th of March.

Significance of this Festival :  According to Hinduism there existed a demon King “Hiranyakashyap” who once won over the kingdom of earth. Due to his long penance he was granted a Boon by Lord Brahma. His demands for the Boon was – that he be not killed during the day or night; inside the house or outside it, not on earth neither on sky; neither by a man nor by an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra (arms or weaponry). With the power of the Boon he grew arrogant and wanted to be worshipped by everyone in his kingdom, but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad who was a true devotee of Lord Naarayana, refused to worship him.

“Hiranyakashyap” attempts to kill his own son “Prahlad”, but fails as “Prahlad” is saved every time by Lord Naarayana. At last, the King asks his Sister “Holika” to kill his son. “Holika” who had a boon which prevent fire from burning her, coaxed young “Prahlad” to sit on her lap and thereafter she takes a seat in a blazing fire. “Prahlad” kept chanting the name of Lord Naarayana and was unharmed by the fire and came out safe and to everyone's amazement “Holika” was burned to death. “Holika” was not aware that the boon would work only when she enters the fire alone. Thus, Holi derives its name from “Holika”  and is a celebration of victory of good over evil.

Later Lord Naarayana disguised himself and came down to Earth in the form of Narasimha (half-man and half-lion) and killed “Hiranyakashyap” at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside it) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauled him with his claws (which are neither by astra nor by shastra).

Celebration of this Legend : In several parts of India, specially in the Northern region huge bonfires are lit and effigies of “Holika” are burnt in it.

The next day this victory of good over evil is celebrated by playing with bright colors called Gulaal in Hindi and also by squirting colored water on each other. The colours are believed to represent energy, life, and joy.

Happy Holi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Image source : Wikimedia commons

Namaste

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A form of greeting that originated in India is also a common way of greeting in Nepal. This is done by hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest, accompanied by a small bow. 

This gesture is seen as a sign of respect and is also known as Añjali Mudrā or Pranamasana. Añjali is Sanskrit stands for "offering", "a gesture of reverence", "benediction", "salutation" and Mudra means "seal" or "sign". Thus, Añjali Mudrā stands for “salutation sign”.

"Culture" - A trait or an Identity?

“Culture” - A behavioral  pattern that is exclusive to a particular tribe, race, region or nation. This way of behaving, thinking, doing things and way of living ones life is actually governed by an inherent trait common to human beings born or brought up in the particular region.

So what happens when people living in a particular region move to a different part of the globe in search of greener pastures? Do they continue to follow the culture and tradition of the country they were born in or do they imbibe the values and traditions of the new land and get assimilated in the new ways of life?

Well most people would reiterate the adage - “When in Rome do as the Romans do”.

But is it so easy to let go of something that you have held so close to your heart all your life. The things that define you, things that you have been taught to do right from the time you were born and most importantly things that are unique to you and your clan, how do you detach your self from all those. But being the master of adaptability these migrants manage to lock all the memories of their motherland in a small corner of their heart and get on with their new life. And the greatest irony of all, when their children grow-up they in turn find it extremely hard and confusing to relate to the culture and traditions of their ancestors, whereas their parents still find it hard to let go of their roots.