India celebrates history, religion, rivers and art through festivals

By Rashmi Henriques
Festivals have gathered together millions of people on the streets, strengthen bonds with family and friends and made us believe in the triumph of good over evil. Religious festivals, melas, fairs create memorable moments and everlasting friendships. Don’t we all have a cousin, colleague or friend who wants to visit India during jubilant days such as Holi, Kumbh Mela and Rath Yatra.

The joy of the festival is extended beyond the significant days, the preparations, night long discussions on the decoration of the pandals add to the experience. As most Indian festival have their roots in either religion or mythology, there are also fun festivals like Pushkar Fair, traditionally an annual five-day camel and livestock fair held in Rajasthan. Here’s a list of festivals that attract Indian and International tourists. Go on, use your camera’s shutter speed creatively and get clicking, as you wouldn’t want to miss a moment!

DURGA PUJA

REGION: Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Odisha, Tripura and West Bengal

This festival is like a giant carnival and it is celebrated by visiting puja pandals, eating finger food sold by the street vendors and buying souvenirs. The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Thus, it epitomises the victory of Good over Evil. This year the festivities begin from September 30. During the festival nine different forms of the Goddess Durga are prayered to. The last six days of the festival, namely, Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami are celebrated with great pomp and show.

Lord Shiva is worshiped during the festival, as he is considered Durga’s consort (Durga is also contemplated as a form of Goddess Parvati), in addition to Lakshmi, Saraswati with Ganesha and Kartikeya, who are considered to be Durga’s children.

On the final day of Vijayadashmi, the devotees bid teary-eyed farewell to the Goddess and her children as it is believed that they leave for heavenly abode. Their idols are then submerged in water amidst the resonating sound of dhak to symbolise their departure.

ONAM

REGION: Kerala, Maharashtra

Onam is considered to be harvest festival and it also marks the commemoration of Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of mythical King Mahabali. The festival is celebrated for a period of ten days. The most auspicious day is called Thiruvonam, which falls on September 7 this year.

During these festivities Atthachamayam (Royal Parade on Atham Day) in Thripunithara (a suburb of Kochi City) is flagged off. The parade is colourful and depicts all the elements of Kerala culture. The main centre of festival is at Vamanamoorthy Thrikkakara temple, Kochi, believed to be the ancient capital of King Mahabali. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vamana and is directly linked to the mythological background of Onam.

POOKALAM:
Pookalam is a work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vamana are placed in front of the house along with the Pookalam beautifully decorated with flowers. There are also Pookalam competitions held across the state.

EVENTS AND RECREATION:
There are lot of activities that takes place all over the state on Onam. Pulikali performers paint themselves in the guise of a tiger and enact hunting scenes to entertain people. At Thrissur, caparisoned elephants move out in a procession and present a regal view.

Kathakali artists cast a spell on the audience with the magic of their performance. Women perform their graceful traditional clap dance, Kaikotikalli and enthrall the audience. Vallamkali, the popular snake boat race is also organised in several parts of the state.

ONAM SADYA:
The feast is served on plantain leaves and have more than 13 to 15 curries, along with traditional pickles, papadam and a dessert called ‘payasam’ (a sweet dish made of milk, sugar, jaggery and other traditional Indian savouries).