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Holi festival is celebrates arrival of spring with it’s vibrant colors and lively weather.
While Holi is quite popular and celebrated all over India, it has some regional names too. Some of the regional names are:
Rang-panchami in Maharastra
Lathi-maar Holi in Barsaana (Mathura, UP)
Dulandi Holi in Haryana
Hola Mohalla in Punjab
Phagawa in Bihar
Shingo in Goa
Kaman Pandigai in TamilNadu
Basant Utsav/ Dol Purnima in West Bengal
Traditionally, mothers used to make new clothes for their married daughters on the occassion of Holi, while mother-in-law gave travel money to their daughter-in-law.
Sons-in-laws are invited by the bride’s family for a luxurious meal, after which it is customary to gift them crisp notes of any denomination.
Gujjia, papri and kanji vade are special food items that are exclusively made for this festival.
Friday, Mar 21, 2006 happens to a memorable day for four different religious groups - Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and Parsi - as they celebrate Good Friday, Holi, and Eid-e-milad-un-nabi, and Navroz respectively on this particular day.
Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday before Easter (Easter always falls on a Sunday). It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday services are aimed at allowing worshipers to experience some sense of the pain and humiliation that Christ experienced on this day.
Holi is an excuse for Indians to shed inhibitions for a day of spring fever and Big Fun. Teenagers spend the day flirting in the streets, adults extend the hand of peace, and everyone chases everyone else around, throwing brightly colored powder (gulal) and water over each other.
On the eve of Eid e Milad un Nabi (Peace be upon Him) believers offer special prayers. Mosques are illuminated and sweets are distributed. Special Mahafil e Naat Khawani are organized.
Navroz (Zoroastarian Festival) means spring when Mother Nature casts off everything that is old or superfluous and dresses herself like a young bride in every vibrant colour.
There is every reason to rejoice on this day. This also gives a great chance to show spirit of tolerance and harmony among different religious groups. Acts of spreading violence and communal hatred must be curbed by all.
Date: 06 Mar 2008 Reason: To remember the marriage of Lord Shiva.
In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is considered to be the god of destruction.
It is also accepted that creation and destruction are two sides of natural phenomena by which the nature maintains a fine balance which helps all living as well as non-living organisms in nature to grow and stay healthy.
Maha Shiva-ratri (meaning - the night of mighty Shiva) is celebrated by Hindus to remember the marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati, the daughter of Himalayas.
In most parts of India, and particularly in Northern part, shiv-bhakts observe fasts, clean up shiv-idols and temples with water from river Ganges (one of the big rivers in North India which is revered for it’s water qualities), and offer prayers to Shiva.
Another practice which has gained prominence is that of ‘Kanwarias’. If you happen to be in anywhere near river Ganges, you will find swarming mass of people wearing red/maroon colored garments walking barefoot, carrying water from Ganges to their native places just prior to Shiva-ratri. Their devotion, enthusiasm, and determination is towards the completion of task is praiseworthy.
This whole celebration is male dominated and females are advised to stay away from shiv-bhakts. Instances of shiv-bhakts misbehaving under influence of bhang/gaanja (extracted from canabbis) is not uncommon.
In essence, it is a mark of respect to all natural forces which govern our everyday life. With the growing concern over global warming and related natural changes taking place, I think it is worth-while to pay a little heed to preserving our natural resources.
A Tribute to R.d . Burman And Kishore kumar who are popular among Indian masses for their contribution to Hindi film music. Here is a song composed by them and picturised with popular Hindi film actor of DEV ANAND.
