DIWALI

When one thinks about Indian festivals, the festival that instantly comes to mind is DIWALI or DEEPAVALI as called by some.. This Hindu festival brings excitement and joy to the hearts of people even before it arrives. Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi brings peace and prosperity to all.

Diwali is celebrated all over India. The preparations for the festival begins well in advance. People start decorating their homes, preparing sweets and farsans and buy new clothes & jewellery all this to welcome the Goddess into their homes who comes to bless all.The festival of Diwali is celebrated for a period of 5 days the last day being the 15th day of Ashwin (a month of Hindu calendar) which falls somewhere in the month of October and November. People light up their homes with clay oil lamps and colorful lights and Rangolis . This new moon night or Amavasya as it is called is thus turned into a bright and colourful night.
Diwali is a festival of Hindus, but especially of the Businessmen, On this day they do puja of Account books and start writing their new accounts. This is called as "CHOPDA PUJAN" meaning puja of account books.

The celebration of Diwali can be viewed in all its splendour at night when all the homes are lit up. Diwali is incomplete without its fireworks. People especially children burst crackers of all variety - Sparkles, Flower Pots, Rockets, from the fancy ones to the loud noise making Bombs.

Legend of Diwali: -When Lord Ram killed Ravan and returned to Ayodhya along with Laxman, Sita and Hanuman, at that time Diwali was celebrated in Ayodhya for the 1st time. The people of Ayodhya lit up their homes with oil lamps and turned the night into a light festival. From that time onwards Diwali is celebrated to marks the Victory of Lord Ram over the evil Ravan.

Celebrated every year in October-November, Diwali is perhaps the most popular of all Indian festivals. It is a celebration of light, both literally and metaphorically. The origin of this festival can be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The whole kingdom was lit up with diyas (earthen lamps) to celebrate his return. To date, on Diwali day, houses all over India glow with the twinkle of innumerable diyas, candles and electric lights. The night is illuminated with the flaming lights of fireworks, creating kaleidoscopic designs against the black canvas of the sky. For Hindu business communities, Diwali marks the beginning of the New Year. The goddess of wealth, Laxmi, is worshipped, and new books of accounts are opened after pooja (worship).

DIWALI AT JAIPUR (OCT-NOV)

During the Diwali celebration decoration and lighting is done throughout the walled Pink City, with every market competing with the others to pick-up the best decorated market award. Prior to the Diwali night, called the Dhan-teras all the shops remain open the whole night through.There are special prizes for the best decorated individual buildings as well.

Most people prefer walking through the step to enjoy this dazzling extravaganza. And if one has to see, the illuminated city of Jaipur during Diwali, one must have a stay at Nahargarh. The view of illuminated Jaipur City can equalled to a Bride.

HOLI FESTIVAL

Holi is a festival of colour & is celebrated all over India. It is also celebrated by Indians residing out of India. This festival comes on the full moon day of Phagan - a Hindu month. This festival bring new hope for all the people as it marks the end of chilled winter days and the beginning of the summer. People forget their enmity and throw away their worries. Every nook and corner presents atypically colourful sight.

Everywhere people - young or old are drenched with different colours and water which comes from everywhere, there are balloons bursting and long piston squirting coloured water. People in small groups are seen singing, dancing and throwing colours on each other.

According to legend Hirankashyap was a very powerful Devil. In his fight against the Gods he had defeated the Gods and because of this he became very egoistic and had issued an order that no one should pray to God or even take the name of God. Due to fear people started praying him. His son Pralhad was a true devotee of God. He didn't obey his father's order. Hirankashyap got angry on him and order for the most rigorous punishments to him. But this did no harm to Pralhad. Hirankashyap had a sister by the name of Holika. She had been granted a boon that fire will do no harm to her. Hirankashyap ordered Holika to take Pralhad on her lap and sit on a bed of fire. Holika was burnt in the fire and Pralhad survived with no harm done to him. As a remembrance to that event people celebrate Holi by burning wood and pray to Goddess Holi for their well being. Holi is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha .

Holi is celebrated all over India, but is more predominant in North India. Celebrations start a week earlier than rest of India. Men of Nandagaon (place where Lord Krishna grew up) raid Barsana (place where Radha grew up) with hopes of raising their flag over Shri Radhikaji's temple. They receive a thunderous welcome as the women of Barsana greet them with long wooden sticks. The men are soundly beaten as they attempt to rush through town to reach the relative safety of Shri Radhikaji's temple. Men are well padded as they are not allowed to retaliate. In this mock battle the men try their best not to be captured. Unlucky captives can be forcefully lead away, thrashed and dressed in female attire before being made to dance.

In short the celebration of Holi bears witness to a feeling of oneness and sense of brother-hood and creates a colourful atmosphere .

DUSSEHRA
19th - 21st October 2007

One of the big festivals celebrated in most parts of India is Dussehra. The festival is celebrated with zest and festivities as it also marks the beginning of the winter season after the long, unbearable, hot summer. Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over the demon king Ravana, and the rescue of his wife Sita. In north India, gigantic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana and his brothers are set aflame amidst bursting of crackers. Fairs are usually held on this occasion with lots to eat, buy and enjoy.

Dussehra means the Tenth Day, being the 10th day of the bright half of Ashwin. This day is also known as Vijayadashmi, or the Victory Tenth, because of the victory of Ram over Ravana.

As Dussehra is preceded by the Navratri or the nine days of the worship of Goddess Durga, some rituals related to the Goddess are also carried out that day. The rituals of Durga Puja involve the usual puja of goddess Durga along with Lord Ram. On this day in Satyug, Ram (the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), killed the great demon and king of Lanka, Ravan, who had abducted Ram's wife Sita. Ram, along, with his brother Lakshman, follower Hanuman, and an army of monkeys fought a great battle for ten days to rescue his wife Sita.

According to another story, Kautsa, the young son of Devdatt, a Brahmin, was living in the city of Paithan. After studying under the guidance of Rishi Varatantu, he insisted on his guru accepting a present, or gurudakshina. Initially the guru refused but later asked for 140 million gold coins, one hundred million for each of the subjects taught. The obedient student went to the King Raghu to ask for the money, as the king was renowned for his generosity. Within three days the king made the God of Wealth Kuber make a rain of gold coins near the shanu and apati trees. After giving the promised amount to the guru, Kautsa distributed the rest of the coins among the needy on the day of Dussehra. Even today, in Ayodhya, the capital of King Raghu, people loot the leaves of the Apati trees and present to each other as sona or gold.

Dussehra is one of the significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with much joy and happiness in the entire country. The occasion marks the triumph of Lord Ram over Ravana, the victory of good over evil. Brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions depicting various episodes from Ram's life are taken out. On the tenth day, or the Vijayadasami, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad are placed in vast open spaces. Actors dressed as Ram, his consort Sita, and brother Lakshman arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with firecrackers. The result is a deafening blast, and an explosion of sound and light enhanced by the shouts of merriment and triumph of the spectators.

Also part of the celebration is the Ram Lila or the dramatic depiction of episodes from the lives of Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. All the regions across the country have evolved their own distinctive style, and performances at different places are done in the local language.

This was also the day to worship the weapons. According to legend, Arjuna, one of the Pandav princes, hid his weapons in a Shami tree when the Pandavs were banished into the forests. After one year he returned from the forest and on the day of Dussehra, he retrieved his weapons and worshipped them along with the Shami tree. Hence the custom of worshipping weapons on this day started.

RAKSHA BANDHAN

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu custom marking the love and affection between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on "Shravan Sud Poornima" every year according to the Hindu Calender. Raksha means Protection , Bandhan means bond. On this day, sisters tie a colourful 'Rakhi' on the wrists of their brothers. Sisters believe that this will bring success, peace, and good health to their brothers throughout the year.

There is no such indication in the Indian History that when and how this custom started. But it is said that there was a war between the Gods and the devil, and the Gods were on the losing side. At this particular time Lord Indra called his Guru Brihaspati in his court for help and advice. At the same time Indra wife Indrani was also present in the court. Before Brihaspati could say anything Indrani rose and said that she knew that how to assure God's win in the battle. The next day was Shravani Purnima. When Indra was off to the battlefield, Indrani tied a "Madadiyu" a sacred thread on wrist on Indra. When Indra entered the battlefield with the "Madadiyu" tied on his wrist, the devil begin to lose and lost the battle.

Many days before this festival shops start selling Rakhi in all colours and design, from ordinary ones to the ones in Silver and Gold. Sisters buy Rakhi for their brother and on Raksha Bandhan Day tie them on the wrist of their brother praying for his success. Brothers on their part take a vow to protect their sister, and a symbol of his love gives a gift to his sister.

Rakshabandhan - the festival in which the brother pledges to guard his sister against all dangers is celebrated on the full moon day of Shravan (August). On this day, women and young girls tie rakhis (bracelets) made of ribbon, gold, silver and silk threads on their brother's wrists. The girl solemnly seeks her brother's abiding hand of protection in times of distress and the brother pledges to be by her side whenever she needs him. The festival in a way reaffirms the sacred relationship between brothers and sisters.

Rajasthan Tourism Festival Calendar 2006-2016

1. Camel Festival Bikaner Paush-Shukla, (14-15) 13-14 Jan. 2-3 Jan. 21-22 Jan. 10-11 Jan. 30-31 Dec.2009 18-19 Jan. 8-9 Jan. 26-27 Jan. 15-16 Jan. 4-5 Jan.

2. Nagaur Fair(Ramdeoji Cattle Fair) Nagaur Magh-S, (7-10) 4-7 Feb. 25-28 Jan. 13-16 Feb. 2-5 Feb. 22-25 Jan. 10-13 Feb. 30Jan.-2 Feb 17-20 Feb. 6-9 Feb. 26-29 Jan.

3. Desert Festival Jaisalmer Magh-S, (13-15) 10-12 Feb. 31Jan.-2 Feb. 19-21 Feb. 7-9 Feb. 28-30 Jan. 16-18 Feb. 5-7 Feb. 23-25 Feb. 12-14 Feb. 1-3 Feb.

4. Beneshwar Fair Beneshwar(Dungarpur) Magh-S, (11-15) 8-12 Feb. 29 Jan.-2 Feb. 17-21 Feb. 6-9 Feb. 26-30 Jan. 14-18 Feb. 3-7 Feb. 21-25 Feb. 10-14 Feb. 30 Jan-3 Feb. 19-24 Feb.

5. Braj Festival Bharatpur Phalgun-S(11-13) 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb. 2-4 Feb.

6. Elephant Festival Jaipur Phalgun-S 15 14 Mar. 3 Mar. 21 Mar. 10 Mar. 28 Feb. 19 Mar. 7 Mar. 26 Mar. 16 Mar. 5 Mar.

7. Kailadevi Fair Karauli Chaitra-K(12) 26 Mar. 16 Mar. 3 Apr. 28 Mar. 12 Mar. 31 Mar. 19 Mar. 7 Apr. 28 Mar. 17 Mar.

8. Gangaur Festival Jaipur Chaitra-S(3-4) 1-2 Apr. 21-22 Mar. 8-9 Apr. 29-30 Mar. 18-19 Mar. 6-7 Apr. 25-26 Mar. 13-14 Apr. 2-3 Apr. 22-23 Mar.

9. Mewar Festival Udaipur Chaitra-S(3-5) 1-3 Apr. 21-23 Mar. 8-10 Apr. 29-31 Mar. 18-20 Mar. 6-8 Apr. 25-27 Mar. 13-15 Apr. 2-4 Apr. 22-24 Mar. 9-11 Apr.

10. Mahaveerji Fair Mahaveerji Chaitra-S(9-15) 7-13 Apr. 27 Mar.-2 Apr. 14-20 Apr. 3-9 Apr. 24-30 Mar. 12-18 Apr. 1-6 Apr. 20-25 Apr. 8-15 Apr. 28 Mar.-4 Apr.

11. Summer Festival Mount Abu Vaishakha(13-Budh Purnima) 11-13 May 30 Apr.-2 May 18-20 May 7-9 May 26-28 May 15-17 May 4-6 May 23-25 May 12-14 May 2-4 May

12. Teej Festival Jaipur Shravan-S(3-4) 28-29 July 15-16 Aug. 4-5 Aug. 24-25 July 12-13 Aug. 2-3 Aug. 22-23 July 9-10 Aug. 30-31 July 17-18 Aug.

13. Kajli Teej Bundi Bhadra-K(2-3) 11-12 Aug. 30-31 Aug. 18-19 Aug. 8-9 Aug. 26-27 Aug. 15-16 Aug. 4 Aug. 22-23 Aug. 12-13 Aug. 31 Aug.- 1 Sept.

14. Dussehra Festival Kota Asvinan-S(8-10) 30 Sept.-2 Oct. 19-21 Oct. 7-9 Oct. 26-28 Sept. 15-17 Oct. 4-6 Oct. 22-24 Oct. 12-14 Oct. 1-3 Oct. 21-22 Oct.

15. Matasya Festival Alwar Asvinan-S(8-9) 30 Sept.-1 Oct. 19-20 Oct. 7-8 Oct. 26-27 Sept. 15-16 Sept. 4-5 Oct. 22-23 Oct. 12-13 Oct. 2-3 Oct. 21-22 Oct. 9-10 Oct.

16. Marwar Festival Jodhpur Asvinan-S(14-15) 6-7 Oct. 25-26 Oct. 13-14 Oct. 3-4 Oct. 21-22 Oct. 10-11 Oct. 28-29 Oct. 17-18 Oct. 7-8 Oct. 26-27 Oct. 14-15 Oct.

17. Pushkar Fair Pushkar(Ajmer) Kartik-S(7-15) 29 Oct.-5 Nov. 17-24 Nov. 5-13 Nov. 25 Oct.-2 Nov. 13-21 Nov. 2-10 Nov. 20-28 Nov. 9-17 Nov. 30 Oct.- 6 Nov. 18-25 Nov.

18. Chandrabhaga Fair Jhalawad Kartik-S 14 Magh-K-1 4-6 Nov. 23-25 Nov. 12-14 Nov. 1-3 Nov. 20-22 Nov. 9-11 Nov. 27-29 Nov. 16-18 Nov. 5-7 Nov. 24-26 Nov. 12-14Nov.

19. Winter Festival Mount Abu Pausha 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec. 29-31 Dec.