Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath Yatra resumes

The annual month-long Amarnath yatra has recommenced, after being
suspended for two to three days on account of inclement weather on
the pilgrimage route.

What is Amarnath
Amarnath is a mountain cave, situated on the narrow openings between the mountains of Lidder
valley, at a height of 3,888 mts. Accessible only during the month of shravan (July-August), the cave
is considered to be holy by Hindus. Why so?

Legends of Amarnath
According to one tale, a Muslim shepherd, Buta Malik, was given a sack of coal by a Sadhu. When he
reached home, the sack contained gold. He rushed to thank the Sadhu, and discovered a cave at
their meeting place. This later become a place of pilgrimage. Till date, the descendants of Buta Malik
are given a percentage of donations - the rest goes to the trust managing the shrine.
According to another legend, it was in the caves of Amarnath that Lord Shiva (the destroyer in the
Holy Trinity) narrated to Parvati, his consort, the secret of immortality and creation. Unknown to
them, a pair of doves eavesdropped. Having learnt the secrets, they are reborn again and again, and
have made this cave their eternal abode.
Yet another legend avers that when Rishi Kashyap drained Kashmir Valley, then a vast lake, of water,
the cave was found.

What makes Amarnath special

Every year, in the month of July and August, an image of Lord Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is
formed naturally as an ice stalagmite which waxes and wanes with the Moon's cycle. First a solid
base is formed and then the lingam begins to rise on it. On Purnima it slowly acquires full form.
According to the legends it is on that day, that Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of life to Parvati, the
beautiful daughter of the Himalayas. By the side of the lingam, are two more ice stalagmites,
representing Parvati and their son, Ganesha.

The Yatra
The yatra or trek to the cave can begin either from Srinagar or Pahalgam, 141 km or 45 km away,
respectively. From Pahalgam, the journey to Amarnath is 5 days. On the way, there are three rest
sites and many refreshment centres. The route winds through Mahagunis Pass, about 13800 feet
above sea-level and snow-bound even in summer. After having a bath in the Panchtarani, a meeting
point of 5 rivers and the last stop before the caves, devotees move towards the Amarnath Caves,
just 6 km. ahead.

BAISAKHI
Baisakhi signifies the beginning of a New Year for the Punjabi community. It was on this day that the

tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa (the Sikh brotherhood) in 1699. Sikhs
therefore, celebrate this festival as a collective birthday, with joyous music and dancing.
To pay tribute on the Guru's birth anniversary, prayer meetings are organized in gurdwaras (Sikh
temples) across the country. After the prayer, karah prasad is served to the congregation. The
function ends with langar, the community lunch served by volunteers. The main celebration takes
place in the gurdwara at Anandpur Sahib, where the order was formed. For people in villages this
festival is the last opportunity for relaxing before they start the harvesting of corn.
All-night revelries, termed Baisakhi Di Raat (night of feasting) or Baisakhi Da Mela (Baisakhi
Fairs) are held, where men and women dance to the rhythmic beat of drums.

BIHU
This is the greatest festival of the Assamese people, who observe
three Bihus. The three Bihus, constitute a festival complex and are
celebrated at various stages of the cultivation of paddy, the principal
crop of Assam. The Bihus thus signify the three stages encountered
in the cultivation of paddy - preparing the fields, growth of young
seedling after cultivation, and gathering of harvest. The three Bihus celebrated in Assam are:
Magh bihu

Mid January

Bohag Bihu

Mid April

Kati Bihu

October-November

Buddha Poornima
Buddha Poornima, which falls on the full moon night in the month of Vaisakha (either in April or
May), commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism, one of the oldest
religions in the world. Notwithstanding the summer heat (the temperature routinely touches 45
degrees C), pilgrims come from all over the world to Bodh Gaya to attend the Buddha Poornima
celebrations. The day is marked with prayer meets, sermons on the life of Gautam Buddha, religious
discourses, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions, worship of
the statue of Buddha and symposia. The Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look and is decorated
with colourful flags and flowers. Celebration of this festival has been recorded by the Chinese scholar,
Fa-Hien.

CHETICHAND
This is the main festival of the Sindhis, and celebrates the birth of their household deity. This festival
is celebrated for forty days every year, generally from the 16th of July to the 24th of August. During
these days, Sindhis perform the ritual of jyot jagana (lighting the lamp) on a big plate of bronze.
There is a procession on the 40th day. Fairs are held and lots of people are invited for the
celebrations.

CHRISTMAS
Christmas, the birth of Christ, is celebrated by Indian Christians on December 25th, in much the
same way as it is celebrated by Christians worldwide.

The day is ushered in with midnight mass, sounds of carols fill the air, gifts are swopped with friends
and family, diets are forgotten when confronted with tables groaning under the weight of mouthwatering goodies.

DIWALI
Diwali, or Deepavali, perhaps the best-known Hindu festival, marks the end of the season that opens
with Dussehra. Diwali is celebrated throughout India, as well as in Indian communities throughout
the diaspora. It usually takes place eighteen days after Dusshera in October/November. Diwali is
called the "festival of lights", and the name itself means an array of lamps (Deep = Lamp, Vali
=Array). Indeed, illumination is characteristic of Diwali. The array of lamps are symbolic of
welcoming Lord Rama back to Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile, and the common practice is to
light small oil lamps, diyas, and place them around the house.
Diwali is celebrated for five continuous days and each day has its significance with a number of
myths, legends and beliefs.
The first day is Dhanteras. The word dhan means wealth, and as such, this day has special
significance for the rich mercantile community (especially of Western India). Believing this day to be
auspicious, women purchase some gold or silver or new utensils.
The second day is Narka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali. This commemorates the victory of Lord
Krishna over the demon king Narakasur, or the divine over the mundane. A traditional oil bath before
sunrise is a must, especially in Maharashtra.
The third day is the most important day of Lakshmi Puja or Chopda Puja. This day is regarded as
the most auspicious. It is believed that on this day Lakshmi walks around and showers her blessings
on man for plenty and prosperity. One of the most curious customs, especially in North India, is the
practice of gambling on a large scale. It is believed that goddess Parvati played dice with her
husband, Lord Shiva, on this day and she decreed that whoever gambled on Diwali night would
prosper throughout the ensuring year.
The fourth day is Padwa or Varshapratipada, which marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya.
Vikram Samvat, the Hindu calender, was started from this day. This day is regarded as the start of a
new year according to the Hindu calendar. This day is looked upon as the most auspicious day to
start any new venture.
The fifth and final day is called Bhaiya Duj in the Hindi-speaking belt and Bhau Beej in the
Marathi-speaking community. Like Raksha Bandhan, it is a day for brothers and sisters, and on this
day, brothers go to their sisters' houses for a special meal.
In South India and in the business community, Diwali is more associated with Lakshmi, the goddess
of wealth and the consort of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu pantheon. In rural areas, it is
celebrated mainly as a harvest festival.
If there is one occasion that is full of joy and jubilation for all, it is Deepavali. Homes are springcleaned and decorated. Even the humblest of huts is lit by a row of earthen lamps. Celebration is
invariably accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks. Multi-coloured
rangoli designs and floral decorations adorn the entrance of most homes. South Indians start their
day with an oil bath.

Diwali has the same importance for Hindus as Christmas does for Christians.

DUSSEHRA
Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi is celebrated with great joy and festivity for 10
continuous days during the month of September or October. Dussehra
celebrates Lord Ram's victory over ten-headed Ravana, the evil king of
Lanka who abducted Rama's wife, Sita, and was subsequently vanquished in
battle. It is also considered to be a symbol of the victory of Good over Evil.
During the ten days of celebrations, the story of Lord Ram is enacted in
dances and dramas (Ramlila, the story of Rama) all over North India. On
the last (tenth) day, effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran, and his son, Meghnath, are packed
with firecrackers and burnt at sunset. Large crowds gather to watch the effigies being burnt.
Dussehra is a grand occasion in Mysore. Caparisoned elephants lead a colorful procession through
the streets of the city.
In Bengal, Dussehra is celebrated as Durga Puja, the Goddess Durga being the consort of Lord
Shiva. Durga Puja is mostly a community affair and almost every colony or locality in Bengal erects
tents for the grand puja. The city of Calcutta hardly sleeps during the last five days. Many cultural
events are organized during this period. Dhunuchi nritya or 'the dance with effervescent smoke' is
a traditional dance performed in front of the idol to the beat of the dhaki or traditional drums. The
annual visit of the Goddess Durga is thought to bring well-being and happiness. Because of her
auspicious presence, no meat, wine or alcohol is consumed at this time. Some people fast for all the
days. Everyone is expected to have new clothes for the festival. Durga Puja is also celebrated with
enthusiasm by Bengalis living outside Bengal.
During Navratri or the nine days preceding Dussera people worship the Mother Goddess or 'Devi Ma'.
She is worshipped in all her 3 forms - as Saraswati (the goddess of all creative art and speech, and
consort of Brahma, the creator), Lakshmi (the goddess of fortune, granter of peace of wealth, and
the consort of Vishnu, the preserver), and Parvati (the most powerful and complex of all goddesses,
and consort of Shiva, the destroyer). People also worship the tools of their trade.
In Gujarat Navratri is a community affair. Young girls, resplendent in chaniya cholis dance away the
night doing the traditional Garbha dance or Dandiya Raas.

GANESH CHATURTHI
This festival honours Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of auspiciousness
who is worshipped as the remover of obstacles. It is celebrated all over India in
the month of August or September.
Ganesh Chaturthi has special significance in Maharashtra, where the
Maharashtrian and Indian nationalist, Bal Gangadhar (Lokamanya) Tilak, revived
it as a way of getting around the British restrictions on the assembly of people
during the freedom struggle. On the first day of the festival an idol of Lord
Ganesh is installed - big ones in a community centre, smaller ones in people's homes. The idol is not
dressed in clothes - clothes and jewelry are painted on the idol. Puja (prayers) is performed. Small
Ganpati idols, kept in homes, are normally immersed after a day. The annual celebration comes to
an end on Anand Chaudhas, the tenth day after the installation. On this day all the idols are taken

for visarjan (immersion) in the sea or river, in a procession. People sing and dance all the way and
chant Ganpati Bappa Maurya Pudcha Varshi Laukrya (My dear God Ganesha come back soon
next year).
In Pune, a special three-day long tourist festival is organised.

GANGAUR
Celebrated chiefly in Rajasthan, in March, Gangaur marks the quest
for marital happiness among women. On this day women they
carry idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati through the streets
while marching in gay processions, and pray to Parvati.

GOOD FRIDAY / EASTER

Good Friday, a day of reverence among Christians everywhere, including those in India, is observed
to mark the crucifiction of Jesus Christ. It is the culmination of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and
prayer from February to March, beginning with Ash Wednesday.
The Sunday following Good Friday, Easter, marks the resurrection of Christ. The rituals for Good
Friday begin on the preceding Thursday. A feast symbolising the last supper of Christ is held on the
night of the preceeding Thursday, Maundy Thursday.

HOLI
Holi is probably the most colourful and joyous of all festivals. Celebrated on the day after full moon
in March each year, the country goes wild with people running on the streets, smearing each other
with brightly hued powders and coloured water. In most regions of India, Holi celebrates the joyful
leelas of Lord Krishna and his gopis.
In UP the main ritual on this day centres on a bonfire ceremoniously kindled at the time of the rising
moon. This suggests that the festival is also a celebration of the barley harvest.
At Mathura and Vrindavan, Holi is celebrated with great gusto for many days, as these were the
places where Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood. People throng the temples to get drenched
with coloured water, and consider it a blessing from God.
In Maharashtra and Gujarat, a grand procession of men soaked with coloured water walks through
the streets shouting Govinda Aala Re (here comes Govinda). In Manipur, Holi is a six-day festival.

ID - UL - ZUHA
Id-Ul-Zuha, the feast of sacrifice popularly known as Bakr Id, is celebrated by Muslims in April / May.
The sacrifice offered on the day is in commemoration of Abraham's (Hazrat Ibrahim) willingness to
sacrifice his only son Ishmael, in the cause of truth.
Id coincides with the Haj pilgrimage at Mecca. The Muslims of India celebrate this festival with
prayers and festivities. New clothes are worn, and after the offering of prayers at the mosque,
families gather together to exchange gifts and wish each other Id Mubarak. The head of the family
takes a sheep, cow, or camel to the entrance of the house and sacrifices it, repeating "In the name
of God" and "God is great" as he cuts its throat. Two-thirds of the flesh is kept by the family and

one-third given to the poor in the name of God. The feasts include the unique cuisine of Hyderabad:
spicy biryani, pulao, kebabs, rose-scented sweets, and kulfi. A procession of tazias is taken out of
the city on this occasion.

JAGANNATH RATH YATRA

Jagannath Rath Yatra (chariot journey of Jagannatha), observed in the month of Ashadha (JuneJuly), is a festival that celebrates the annual visit of Jagannath or Lord Krishna to his birthplace. The
Jagannath Temple at Puri, Orissa, is the venue for all celebrations. Several lakhs of people converge
at Puri for this festival. Images of Lord Krishna, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, are
taken in giant wooden chariots to Gundicha Ghar. They are kept there for a week and then returned
to the temple. On their journeys they are accompanied by a huge procession of people, singing and
celebrating. An atmosphere of almost hysterical devotion prevails on this day.
A similar, smaller but equally impressive celebration is held at Mahesh, Bengal.
History has it that when the British first observed the Rathyatra in the 18th century, they were so
amazed that they sent home descriptions which gave rise to the term 'juggernaut', meaning
"destructive force". This gives an idea of the massive scale of this festival. The word may have
originated from the occasional but accidental death of a devotee under the chariot wheels.

JANAMASHTAMI
Janma means 'birth' and ashtami means 'eighth day'. Janamashtami, celebrated in August /
September, commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, born to annihilate Kansa, the evil king of
Mathura.
This festival is very popular in North India. The temples of Vrindavan and Mathura witness an
extravagant and colourful celebration. People observe a daylong fast, which is broken only at
midnight, the time when Lord Krishna is believed to have been born. In Mathura, believed to be Lord
Krishna's birthplace, and at other places near by, these ceremonial observances are amplified by the
staging of dramas. Raslila is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Lord Krishna and to
commemorate his love for Radha.
In Maharashtra, Janmashtami witnesses the exuberant enactment of Lord Krishna's childhood
endeavours to steal butter and curd from earthen pots placed beyond his reach by his mother. A
matka or earthen pot containing these is suspended high above the ground and groups of young
men and children form human pyramids to try and reach the pot and eventually break it.

KARVA CHAUTH
Karva Chauth is a Hindu festival celebrated in Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. On this
day married women keep a fast for the welfare, prosperity, longevity and well being of their
husbands. This festival comes 9 days before Diwali on 'kartik ki chauth', the fourth day of the dark
moon.
There is great festivity on this day. Early in the morning, before sunrise, the women bathe, wear new
clothes and eat a meal of select grains and fruit. For the rest of the day, they abstain from food and
even water, though the more strict rules of observance are not always kept. They pray to Shiva and
Parvati, hoping that their own married lives will be as successful as that of the divine couple. In

every neighbourhood, women gather together in the afternoon to perform a puja and to recite the
story of 'Karva Chauth'. Most women are dressed in beautiful red or pink clothes and traditional
jewelry. Moonrise is eagerly awaited. Once the moon is sighted, women gather on the terrace and
pray for their husband and family's welfare, an elderly woman in the house narrates the story of
Karva Chauth, and all the fasting women end their fast with a sip of water.
LOHRI
For Punjabis, this is a very important festival. Lohri celebrates the harvesting of the Rabi crops, and
is celebrated on the 13th of January. People gather in the evening around a community bonfire,
perform prayers by going around the fire, and pour puffed rice, til, popcorn and other items as
offerings into the bonfire. The evening is spent singing, dancing, and exchanging greetings with
family and friends.
MAHAVIR JAYANTI
Mahavir Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti is
observed on the first day of the month of Bhadrapad in April and is the main Jain festival of the year.
The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. Jain temples dedicated to Lord Mahavira are
decorated with flags for the occasion. In the morning the idol of Lord Mahavira is given a ceremonial
bath called abhishek. It is then placed in a cradle and carried in a procession around the
neighbourhood. Drummers, boys with silver staves and arati lamps, bhajan singers, musicians,
horses, elephants and tableaux depicting scenes from the life of Lord Mahavira form part of the
pageant. It concludes at a temple or a huge ground reserved for the purpose. At the temple, people
offer ceremonial prayers and meditate.
MAKAR SANKRANTI
This is celebrated on the 14th of January, the day when the sun enters Makar Rashi (Capricorn).
People fly kites on this day. In most parts of Gujarat, the sky can hardly be seen. It is a riot of
colours because of all the kites flying. In the evening, kites having lit diyas attached to them, are
flown.
MUHARRAM
The Shias Muslims observe this festival of mourning on the 10th and 11th day of the month of
Muharram, after seeing the moon. Processions from different villages gather at one place. People
mourn by beating their chests. The significance of this ceremony is to remember the Shahadat
(martyrdom) of Iman Hussein, who died in the Karbala maidaan while fighting for the cause of Islam.
NAVROZ
Navroz literally means 'new day'. It is celebrated as a New Year feast by the Parsis. Observed on the
first day of Farvardin, which coincides with the spring equinox, the rituals of this happy event convey
hope and new joy at the onset of another year. People visit fire temples and pray for the well being
of the family. In homes, a table covered with a white cloth is specially laid. On it are placed the
following: a copy of the Gathas, a lit lamp, a bowl of water containing live fish, a shallow
earthenware plate with sprouted wheat or beans for prosperity, flowers for color, a silver coin for
wealth, painted eggs for productivity, and sweets and rosewater in bowls for sweetness and

happiness. In addition, the table holds seven foods beginning with 'sh' in Persian, 'sharab' or wine,
'shakar' or sugar, 'shir' or milk, 'shirinberenj' or sweet meat, 'shirin' or sweet, 'shira' or syrup and
'shahad' or honey. There are also seven things that start with 's' - 'sirocco' or vinegar, 'sumac' or
Samna, 'seibu' or apple, 'sir' or garlic, 'senjed' or sorb tree berry and 'sabzi' or green vegetables along with fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts, pumpkin seeds, and vegetables of many kinds. These are
meant to symbolize creation and to welcome spring.
The young, in particular, await the 'turn' of the year with excitement. Bathed and dressed in new or
clean clothes and biding their time till the announcement of Navroz, members of the family exchange
gifts and greetings.
They visit friends and relatives and wish each other by shaking hands saying 'hamazor hama usho
bed', or 'may you be with us at the ceremony, may you be righteous'. The woman of the house then
leads her guests to the Navroz table and makes them smile into the mirror, so that they may smile
throughout the year. She asks them to look at the silver coin, so that they may have wealth the
whole year round, then sprinkles rosewater on their hands to keep them fragrant and healthy. After
that, she invites them to another table for a meal.
The origin of Navroz is not very well established. According to popular legend, the mythical Persian
king, Jamshed was the first to celebrate this festival. The Shah Namah states that the feast
commemorates the ascent of King Jamshed into the skies, in a chariot built by the demons he had
subdued and forced into the service of mortals. Named after the king, it appears to have been a
pagan pastoral festival that marked the transition from winter to summer. The rites of fertility and
procreation can be perceived in some of its customs.
ONAM
Onam, the principal and most colorful festival of Kerala, is celebrated
in the month of September against a setting of lush green vegetation.
This picturesque harvest festival brings ten days of feasting, boat
races, and song and dance to the state. According to legend, Onam is
considered to be the day when King Mahabali comes from exile to
visit his beloved people. At Trichur (Thrissur), caparisoned elephants
take part in a spectacular procession. A magnificent display of fireworks marks the festivities.
The Vallamkali (boat race) is one of the main attractions of Onam, and is best seen at Aranmulai
and Kottayam. About a hundred oarsmen row huge odee (boats).
In the evening, girls perform the Kaikottikkali (Thiruvathirakkali) in the open,
dancing around the traditional brass lamp. Intricate patterns of flower petals
are made on the grass forming a floral carpet for the dance.

PONGAL
Pongal, a harvest festival, is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th of January.
Pongal literally means "boiling over" and celebrates the bounteous crops in the
fields. Pongal was originally a festival for the farming community, but today it
has become one of South India's most popular festivals, and is widely
celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

On the first day Pongal, a dish of rice and dal, is ceremoniously prepared and served. The second
day is especially for worship of Lord Surya, and for the distribution of clothes and gifts. Worship of
the cow marks the third day. Cattle are given a ceremonious bath, decorated and fed sweetmeats.
RAKSHA BANDHAN
Raksha bandhan, or Rakhi as it is popularly called, is celebrated in the month of August on the day
of the full moon. Literally meaning "ties of protection", it commemorates the bond between siblings
of the opposite sex. The practice often extends more generally to people of the opposite sex who are
not biologically related, or people of the opposite sex who are not related as siblings. It has also
been interpreted as a pledge by the strong to protect the weak.
Rakhi is widely celebrated across the nation. On the morning of the festival, women of all ages put a
tikka of vermilion on their brother's foreheads, tie a ceremonial rakhi - which may be a colorful
thread, a simple bracelet, or a decorative string - on their brother's wrists, and offer them mithai
(sweets) after an arati (prayer). The brothers, in return, promise to love and protect their sisters,
and gift them some money as a token of their affection.
RAM NAVMI
Ram, the Hindu religion's most popular god, is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the
preserver in the Hindu pantheon. Ram Navmi celebrates the birth of Ram on this day in April and the
event is traditionally celebrated in temples. People observe this day by fasting.
RAMZAN
Ramzan or Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims immediately after the holy month of Ramadan, in
October-November. Some Muslims say their holy book came down from heaven to earth one night
during the last ten days of this month. When it arrived, the whole of creation praised Allah or God,
and Prophet Muhammad announced a day for celebrations to reaffirm the feeling of brotherhood.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day, and don't even drink water. They eat only after
sundown. Ramzan means the 'festival of breaking the fast'. On Id, everyone bathes in the morning,
wears new or clean clothes, applies perfume, and eats dates or some other sweet before going to
the mosque for Id prayers. Men wear white clothes symbolising purity and austerity. Women prepare
sweets like Sevian (vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk) and Shir Khurma (a special dish with milk
and dates). Family elders give Idi, presents of money, to youngsters. Muslims express their goodwill
for all by greeting everyone with Id Mubarak, which means 'Happy Id'. People go for Idmilans
(meeting friends and relatives).
SHIVRATRI
The birth anniversary of Shiva, the Lord of Destruction in the Hindu pantheon, is celebrated all over
the country in March, with the god being propitiated in temples. People fast throughout the day and
ritual prayers are conducted in temples at night.

Sindhu Darshan

The Sindhu Darshan Festival is organised annually at Leh. People

travel for a Darshan and Puja of the River Sindhu (Indus) which
originates from the Mansarovar in Tibet. The festival is a
celebration of this river. The Festival aims at projecting the Sindhu
river as a symbol of multi-dimensional cultural identity, communal
harmony and peaceful co-existence in India. It is also an
opportunity for people from around the country and overseas to visit the beautiful regions of Leh and
Ladakh.
As part of the celebrations, various groups from different states in India bring water from the other
mighty rivers in the country in earthen pots and immerse these pots in the Sindhu river, thereby
mingling the river water with other waters of the land.
The Sindhu Cultural Center was inaugurated a few years back as well as the new office complex of
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. This complex will be helpful in bringing out the unique
culture of the Ladakh region and its people. The facilities proposed at the complex include an
auditorium for seating 500 people, an open air theatre, an exhibition gallery, a music room, a small
library and a souvenir shop where Ladakh handicrafts could be available to visiting tourists.
ST. FRANCIS DAY
St Francis Xavier was a Spanish Catholic missionary, who preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the
people of Asia. His body lies in a silver casket in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa. Ceremonies to
honor his death are performed on December 3, the day he was buried. Earlier, every ten years on
the anniversary of his death, St Xavier's body used to be brought out and kept in a glass case, with
the feet exposed, for all to see and worship. People from all over India used to flock to the exposition
for a glimpse of the saint. In 1994, since the condition of the body had deteriorated visibly, it was
decided by the church that the body would not be displayed anymore.
TEEJ
Teej celebrates the onset of the monsoon after a long and arduous summer. The festival is popular
among women in north India, specially Rajasthan. It is an occasion for them to sing, dance and
make merry. Songs are sung in praise of Parvati, whose devotion to her husband is considered
exemplary. Special swings are hung on tree branches, and women, reveling in the transformed,
verdant countryside, swing on them. Women distribute sweetmeats such as ghevar and ladoo.
UGADI
Ugadi is the Telugu New Year Day. It is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator in the Hindu
pantheon, started creation on this day. The calculations of the great Indian Mathematician,
Bhaskaracharya, proclaim Ugadi day as the beginning of the New Year, New Month and New Day.
Ugadi marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar. On this day, people wake up before the
break of dawn and take a head bath, after which they decorate the entrance of their houses with
fresh mango leaves. They pray for God's blessings for the New Year, for health, wealth and
prosperity and success in business. Ugadi is considered the most auspicious time to start new
ventures.

Preparations for the festival begin a week in advance. Houses are given a thorough cleaning and new
clothes are bought.
In Maharashtra, Ugadi is celebrated as Gudi Padava. A piece of new cloth is wrapped around a silver
vessel and upturned on a(ny) stick. A garland made of flower-shaped sugar lumps is arranged on the
stick. The arrangement is prayed to. New clothes are worn, and sweets made for the occasion
include shrikhand, basundi, jalebis etc.
VASANT PANCHAMI
The onset of spring is celebrated in February with characteristic verve all over the country especially
in Northern India. The mustard flowers in bloom, and people dress in yellows.