Onam
Onam, Kerala's most important festival, heralds the harvest season. It is celebrated in the month of September and brings ten days of prayers, feasting, and song and dance to the state. One the second day of the festival, every home is decorated and brightly lit. Friends exchange greetings and present each other with lengths of auspicious saffron cloth.
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. This is followed by a magnificent display of fireworks. A major attraction of Onam are the famed snake boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Aranmula and Kottayam. About a hundred oarsmen in each boat row huge and graceful odee (snake boats) to the rhythm of drums, cymbals and songs praising Mahabali's reign. In the evening, cultural festivities are held throughout the state with displays of the famed Kathakali , Kaikottikkali (the clapping dance), and Mohiniattam dances.
Pongal
This 3–day festival, celebrated from January 13 to 16 (as the dates are calculated by the solar calendar, they never change), originally marked the harvest festivities of the farming community, to give thanks for bounteous crops. Today it has become one of South India 's most popular festivals, the equivalent of Makar Sankranti in the North, and is widely celebrated in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The word Pongal has two connotations. It is the name of the special dish - rice cooked in milk and jaggery - made on this day. It also means to boil over.
The first day, Bhogi Pongal, is dedicated to Indra, the Rain God. The day is spent with family; homes are thoroughly cleaned, a dish of rice and dal is ceremoniously prepared and served. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated to the Sun God. Elaborate kolam (rangolis) are prepared at the entrance of homes. New clothes are won, new utensils put into use, and new rice is made into pongal, cooked in pots till it overflows. Worship of the cow marks the third day, Mattu Pongal. Cattle are given a ceremonious bath, decorated with ornaments and fed sweetmeats. Cattle races enliven the village festivities. Community meals are held at many a place, using ingredients provided by the freshly gathered harvest.
In Madurai , Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore a kind of bull fight - Jellikuttu - is held. Bundles containing money are tied to the horns of the ferocious bulls, and unarmed men try to wrest the bundles from them.
Pujo
Pujo, or Durga Puja, is celebrated in Bengal in September / October, at the same time as Navaratri in the rest of India . For 9 days, this splendid community festival pays homage to the Goddess Durga, consort of Lord Shiva, whose annual visit is thought to bring well-being and happiness. Almost every colony or locality erects pandals (tents) and holds pujas (prayers) to worship beautifully decorated images of Goddess Durga. Families visit relatives, everyone feasts and buys new clothes. Because of Durga Ma's auspicious presence, no meat, wine or alcohol is consumed during Pujo, and some people fast all through the festival. Many cultural events are organized. On the final day, Bijoya, the idols are taken in elaborate processions to be immersed in the river or the sea.
Ram Navami
Lord Rama, Prince of Ayodhya, hero of the famous epic, Ramayana, is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu pantheon. His birth anniversary is observed on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra (April). Ayodhya is, naturally, the focus of great celebrations. The devout throng the temples here.
Celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed. Devotional songs are sung in praise of Rama. Rathyatras (chariot processions) of Rama, Sita (his wife), Lakshman (his brother) and Hanuman (his devotee) are held from many temples. Devotees gather in thousands on the banks of the sacred river Sarayu for a dip. Some observe a strict fast on this day.
Ramzan Id
Also known as Id-ul-Fitr, this is celebrated by Muslims immediately after the holy month of Ramadan, in October-November. Some Muslims believe that the day marks the revelation of the Quran, their holy book.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day, not even drinking water. The fast is broken only after sundown. On Id, everyone bathes in the morning, wears new 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. Everyone is greeted with Id Mubarak (Happy Id). People go for Idmilans (meeting friends and relatives). |
