Gudi Padwa:Maharashatrian Traditional Festival

Gudi Padwa:Maharashatrian Traditional Festival

Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the New Year to the Maharashtrians. The advent of a new year heralds new hopes, new dreams and greater chances of prosperity and wish fulfillment and so it is celebrated with a lot of joy and pompousness throughout Maharashtra.

History of the Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra:-

According to Hindu mythology, on the day of Gudi Padwa, Brahma created the universe. It is also believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed Bali. It is one of the three and a half days in the Hindu calendar when each and every moment of the day is auspicious.

Description of the Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra:-

Unrestrained merriment marks the celebrations of Gudi Padwa. There are several rituals and customs that are associated with the celebration of this festival.

A bamboo staff or gudhi is erected in front of the house. A new cloth is then tied to the gudhi. A bright garlanded vessel is hung on top of it. This is symbolic of achievement. This gudhi is devotedly worshipped and the Prasad is distributed among all the members of the family. The Prasad that you will get in any of the Maharashtra households on the occasion of Gudi Padwa is very different. It is made out of tender Neem leaves, tamarind, Ajwain, gram-pulse and jaggery. According to popular belief, this Prasad strengthens your immunity system and you can fight diseases better.

After waking up early in the morning, people clean their homes and decorate the floors with beautifully drawn rangolis. Some even prefer to keep a pot with coconuts, flowers and mango leaves just outside their home. They clad themselves in new clothes as well. Tasteful sweet dishes like shrikhand and jalebis are savored by the people. The ardor and excitement of the people on the occasion of celebration of Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra is great.

Time for celebrating the Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra:-

The Gudi Padwa is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar. Padwa refers to the first day of the Hindu Lunar month. It falls on the first day of the month of Chaitra (either in the month of March or April).

The festival of Gudi Padwa is right around the weekend, and being a part of the city that celebrates every festival with grandeur, we observe why the festival is celebrated and shed light on its significance.

1. Gudi Padwa is the first day of Chaitra month that marks the beginning of the New Year according to lunisolar Hindu calendar.

2. It has many names such as Samvatsar Padvo, Yugadi, Ugadi, Cheti Chand or and Navreh. It is also celebrated in the North East state of Manipur and is known as Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba. The people prepare a variety of cuisines on this day and later climb a nearby hillock in the evening.

3. India is a predominantly agrarian society where agriculture is the main occupation. Gudi Padwa is one of the most famous harvesting festivals of India that marks end of one season and beginning of a new one.

4. On this day the position of the Sun is above the point of intersection of the equator, which according to the Hindu calendar marks the commencement of the Spring Season.

5. Mythologically, this day too celebrates the defeat of Ravana in the hands of Lord Rama and his eventual happy return to Ayodhya.

6. Maharashtra’s Great Warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the person who started the Gudi Padwa celebrations after his victory. The tradition of raising the Gudi was initiated by Shivaji and from then on has been followed by every Marathi household to welcome the New Year.

7. The Gudi is observed at the entrance of Maharashtrain households. So what is it? A Gudi is a stick covered in a bright cloth adorned with brocade or zari that has been topped with sugar crystals, neem leaves, twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers. This is covered by a silver or copper pot in an inverted position.

8. The festivity is observed by people engaging in spring cleaning and wearing new clothes. Families are supposed to begin this day by eating bittersweet leaves of neem tree or a paste which is prepared with neem leaves, jaggery and tamarind. The paste is believed to purify blood and strengthen the body’s immune system.

9. The traditional Maharashtrain food fare on this day consists of Shrikhand and Puri and Puran Poli. The Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer which is a sweet dish made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery and rice.

10. Buying gold, new vehicle or anything new is considered to bring prosperity if done on this day.

Tag:- gudipadwa,gudi padwa information in marathi,gudi padwa in 2017, gudi padwa in hindi, significance of gudi padwa,gudi padwa images, gudi padwa essay, gudi padwa information in marathi wikipedia, gudi padwa 2016, gudi padwa information in marathi, gudi padwa information in marathi wikipedia, gudi padwa information in english, essay on my favourite festival gudi padwa in marathi, gudi padwa essay, gudi padwa information in hindi, gudi padwa in marathi messages, significance of gudi padwa, diwali padwa marathi,  gudi padwa information in hindi, gudi padwa information in marathi 2015, gudi padwa in hindi images, ram navami information in hindi, gudi padwa meaning in hindi, 5 sentences about gudi padwa, nag panchami information in hindi, gudi padwa in marathi wikipedia,gudi padwa in marathi messages.

Ganpati Festival In Kokan

Ganpati Festival In Kokan

 Ganpati Festival in Konkani Style:-
              Almost every festival in Maharastrian calendar has been celebrated in Konkan with wide and extreme level. In that Dashera, Holi, Gupidapwa and Ganpati festival are prime attraction in Konkan region. Each and every family tends toward konkan during this Sep-Oct Festival season.

             I heard list time people took flights from Mumbai to Goa and came backward toward their own villages, during this time all railways, Gov buses, private travelers are full and on road traffic are busted.
During this time if you get and Konkan kanya train ticket then you will be treated as lucky lottery winner. I would rather say if you will get any train confirm ticket during this you will be feel like King… ;-p
To fulfill this requirement konkan railway with Indian railway introduced much special trains toward Konkan from every part of state.
           At villages each family tried to bring lord bappa to their home for 1 day to 11 days and they live this days with holi Arti, Bhajan, overnight programs and try to keep bappa Happy.

          There are more superstitions and believes in konkan regarding festivals and lords so we fulfill all required believes during this.  After five days some families bring Gauri to their home who is Ganpati’s mother some families bring Ridhi & Sidhi as Bappa’s brides.In some Malvan region when Gauri came to home they server non veg to her as “Prasad”

Ganesh Chaturthi (also known as Vināyaka Caturthi, Gaṇēśa Caturthī or Vināyaka Cavithi) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha.

Chaturthi (Hindi चतुर्थी) means "fourth day" or "fourth state". Celebrations are traditionally held on the fourth day of the first fortnight (Shukla Chaturthi) in the month of Bhaadrapada in the Hindu calendar, usually August or September in the Gregorian calendar.Badrapad corresponds to Virgo(simha/avani-tamil) in solar calendar. The festival generally lasts ten days, ending on the fourteenth day of the fortnight (Anant Chaturdashi).

The festival is celebrated by families at home, by people at their places of work and in public. The public celebration involves installing clay images of Ganesha in public pandals (temporary shrines) and group worship. At home, an appropriately-sized clay image is installed and worshipped with family and friends. At the end of the festival, the idols are immersed in a body of water such as a lake or pond.

It is celebrated throughout India, especially in Maharashtra, and telangana. There is a grand celebration in the state of Maharashtra by traditional instrument called dhol and tasha. It is also celebrated in the other parts of India such as Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and other parts of western and southern India. Abroad, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed in the Terai region of Nepal and by the Hindu diaspora in the United States, Canada and Mauritius.

Festival:-
Public Preparations for the festival begins months ahead. These pandals are usually funded by local residents and are collected through fairs and workshops.The idol making in Maharashtra usually begins with"Padya pooja" or worshipping the feet of lord ganesh. The idols are brought to "pandals" or temporary structures usually 15-20 days before. At home the festival begins with the selection and installation of a clay murti (idol). , Families decorate a small, clean corner with flowers and other colourful items before installing the idol. . When the idol is installed, it and its shrine are decorated with flowers and other materials.

In preparation for the festival, artisans create clay models of Ganesha for sale. The idols range in size from 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) for homes to over 70 ft (21 m) for large community celebrations. The date for the festival is usually decided by the presence of chaturthi thithi. The festival is held during"Bhadrapada madyahanaa purvabaddha". If chaturthi thiti begins at night on previous day and gets over by morning on next day then the next day us observed as vinayaka chaturthi. In the consecration ceremony, a priest performs a Prana Pratishtha to invite Ganesha into the idol. This is followed by the 16-step Shodashopachara ritual, during which coconut, jaggery, modaks, durva (grass) and red flowers are offered to the murti. Throughout the ceremony, hymns from the Rigveda, the Ganapati Atharvashirsa, the Upanishads, and the Ganesha stotra (prayer) from the Narada Purana are chanted. Aartis are performed with friends and family, typically in the morning and evening.

Celebratrations:-
In India, Ganesh Chaturthi is primarily celebrated at home and in public by local community groups in the western states of Maharashtra and Goa and the southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

At home:-
In homes, families install small clay statues for worship during the festival. The idol is worshiped in the morning and evening with offerings of flowers, durva(strands of young grass), karanji and modaks.[7][8] The worship ends with the singing of an aarti in honour of Ganesha, other gods and saints. In Maharashtra the Marathi aarti "Sukhakarta Dukhaharta", composed by Samarth Ramdas in the 17th century, is sung. Family traditions differ about when to end the celebration. Domestic celebrations end after 1, 1 1⁄2, 3, 5, 7 or 11 days, when the idol is brought to a body of water (such as a lake, river or the sea) for immersion. Due to environmental concerns, a number of families now avoid bodies of water and let the clay statue dissolve in a container of water at home. After a few days, the clay is used in the home garden. In some cities a public, eco-friendly process is used for the immersion.

In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Chavath in Konkani and Parab or Parva ("auspicious celebration"); it begins on the third day of the lunar month of Bhadrapada. On this day Parvati and Shiva are worshiped by women, who fast.Instruments such as ghumots, cymbals and pakhavajs are played during the ceremonies. The harvest festival, Navyachi Pancham, is celebrated the next day; freshly-harvested paddy is brought home from the fields (or temples) and a puja is conducted. Communities who ordinarily eat seafood refrain from doing so during the festival.

In Karnataka the Gowri festival precedes Ganesh Chaturthi, and people across the state wish each other well. In Andhra Pradesh, Ganesha idols of clay (Matti Vinayakudu) and turmeric (Siddhi Vinayakudu) are usually worshiped at home with plaster of Paris idols. In Tamil Nadu the festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Pillayar Chaturthi, falls on the fourth day after the new moon in the month of Āvaṇi in the Tamil calendar. The idols are usually made of clay or papier-mâché, since plaster of Paris idols have been banned by the state government. Idols are also made of coconuts and other organic products. They are worshiped for several days in pandals, and immersed in the Bay of Bengal the following Sunday. In Kerala the festival is also known as Lamboodhara Piranalu, which falls in the month of Chingam. In Thiruvananthapuram a procession marches from the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple to Shankumugham Beach, with tall statues of Ganesha made from organic items and milk immersed in the sea.

Foods:-
The primary sweet dish during the festival is modak (modak in Marathi and Konkani, modakam or kudumu in Telugu, modaka or kadubu in Kannada, kozhakatta or modakkam in Malayalam and kozhukattai or modagam in Tamil). A modak is a dumpling made from rice or wheat flour, stuffed with grated coconut, jaggery, dried fruits and other condiments and steamed or fried. Another popular sweet dish is the karanji (karjikai in Kannada), similar to modak in composition and taste but in a semicircular shape.This sweet meat is called Nevri in Goa and is synonymous with Ganesh festival amongst the Goans and the Konkani diaspora.

In Andhra Pradesh and Kerala modak, laddu, vundrallu (steamed, coarsely-ground rice-flour balls), panakam (a jaggery-, black pepper- and cardamom-flavored drink), vadapappu (soaked moong lentils) and chalividi (a cooked rice flour and jaggery mixture) are offered to Ganesha. These offerings are known as naivedya, and a plate of modak traditionally holds 21 pieces of the sweet. In Goa, modak and a Goan version of idli (sanna) is popular.

Tag:-konkan ganpati festival, gauri ganpati in konkan, konkan ganpati photo, ganesh chaturthi in konkan, gauri puja in konkan, ganesh utsav in konkan, konkan railway, ganpati special train 2016 booking date, konkan railway booking for ganpati 2016, gauri ganpati in konkan, konkan ganpati utsav, konkan ganpati festival, konkan ganpati decoration, ganesh chaturthi in konkan, konkan ganpati photo,  konkan ganpati utsav, gauri ganpati in konkan, konkan ganpati photo, konkan ganpati visarjan, konkan ganpati decoration, konkan railway,  konkan ganpati photo, konkan images photos, konkan images in rainy season, images of konkan darshan, konkan nature photo, konkan nature wallpaper, konkan photos monsoon, konkan images free download,konkan villages.

Shri Krishna Janmashatami:Gokulashatami, Dahi-Handi Festival

Shri Krishna Janmashatami:Gokulashatami, Dahi-Handi Festival

 Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India in the month of July or August. According to the Hindu calendar this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon.

Sri Krishna is considered as the one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Sri Krishna's birth was to free the Earth from the evilness of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated the theory of bhakti and good karma which are narrated deeply in the Bhagwat Geeta.

Sri Krishna was born in a prison in the custody of Kansa. Vasudev, His father immediately thought of his friend Nand and decided to hand over his child to him to save Krishna from the clutch of Kansa. Krishna grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle, King Kansa.

The actual celebration of Janmashtami takes place during the midnight as Sri Krishna is believed to be borned on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence of his uncle, Kansa. All over India this day is celebrated with devotional songs and dances, pujas, arti, blowing of the Conch and rocking the cradle of baby Sri Krishna.

The Janmashtami celebration of Mathura and Vrindavan, the places where Sri Krishna had spent his life, are very special. On this day temples and homes are wonderfully decorated and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious mantras are sung in the temples.

Devotees, who observe fast on Janmashtami, should have only single meal a day before Janmashtami. On fasting day, devotees take Sankalpa to observe a day long fast and to break it on the next day when both Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi are over. Some devotees break the fast when either Rohini Nakshatra or Ashtami Tithi is over. Sankalpa is taken after finishing morning rituals and the day long fasting begins with Sankalpa.

The time to perform Krishna Puja is during Nishita Kala which is the midnight as per Vedic time-keeping. Devotees perform detailed ritualistic Puja during midnight and it involves all sixteen steps which are part of Shodashopachara (षोडशोपचार) Puja Vidhi. Please check Krishna Janmashtami Puja Vidhi which lists all Puja steps for Janmashtami along with Vedic Mantra to perform the Puja.

Fasting Rules on Krishna Janmashtami:-
No grains should be consumed during Janmashtami fasting until the fast is broken on next day after Sunrise. All rules followed during Ekadashi fasting should be followed during Janmashtami fasting also.

Parana which means breaking the fast should be done at an appropriate time. For Krishna Janmashtami fasting, Parana is done on next day after Sunrise when Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are over. If Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra don't get over before Sunset then fast can be broken during day time when either Ashtami Tithi or Rohini Nakshatra is over. When neither Ashtami Tithi nor Rohini Nakshatra is over before Sunset or even Hindu Midnight (also known as Nishita Time) one should wait to get them over before breaking the fast.

Depending on end timing of Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra fasting on Krishna Janmashtami might continue for two complete days. Devotees who are not able to follow two days fasting might break the fast on next day after Sunrise. It has been suggested by Hindu religious text Dharmasindhu.

Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti and Sree Jayanthi.

Krishna was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Based on scriptural details and astrological calculations, the date of Krishna's birth, known as Janmashtami, is 18 July 3228 BCE and he lived until 18 February 3102 BCE. Krishna belonged to the Vrishni clan of Yadavas from Mathura, and was the eighth son born to the princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva.

Mathura (in present-day Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh) was the capital of the Yadavas, to which Krishna's parents Vasudeva and Devaki belonged. King Kansa, Devaki's brother, had ascended the throne by imprisoning his father, King Ugrasena. Afraid of a prophecy that predicted his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth son, Kansa had the couple locked in a prison cell. After Kansa killed the first six children, and Devaki's apparent miscarriage of the seventh (which was actually a secret transfer of the infant to Rohini as Balarama), Krishna was born.

Following the birth, Vishnu ordered Vasudeva to take Krishna to Gokul to Nanda and Yashoda, where he could live safely, away from his Uncle Kansa. Vasudeva took Krishna with him and crossed the Yamuna to reach Gokul. There, everyone was asleep; so he quietly kept him there and returned with Yashoda's daughter. Kansa, thinking her to be Devki's eight child, threw her on a stone. But she rose into the air and transformed into Yogmaya (who is Vishnu's helper) and warned Kansa about his death. Then, she disappeared.[10] Krishna grew up in Gokul with his brother, Balram. He then returned to Mathura and killed Kansa with the help of Balram.
Celebrations.

Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, worshipping Krishna and staying up until midnight, and offer prayers at special time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Images of Krishna's infancy are placed in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. Some temples also conduct readings of the Hindu religious scripture Bhagavad Gita.

Janmaashtami or Gokulashtami, popularly known in Mumbai and Pune as Dahi Handi, is celebrated as an event which involves making a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pot (handi) filled with buttermilk (dahi), which is tied at a convenient height. The topmost person tries to break the handi by hitting it with a blunt object. When the handi breaks, the buttermilk is spilled over the entire group. This event is based on the legend of the child-god Krishna stealing butter. A participant in this festival is called a Govinda or Govinda pathak.

Many such Govinda pathaks compete with each other, especially for the prize money. These groups are called mandals or handis and they go around the local areas, attempting to break as many pots as possible every August. The event, since the 2000s, has gathered a political flavour, and it is common for political parties and rich community groups to offer prizes amounting to lakhs of rupees. Local celebrities and Bollywood actors also participate. Some of the popular handis are at Dadar, Lower Parel, Worli, Mazgaon, Lalbaug, Thane in Mumbai and Babu Genu, Mandai in Pune.[16] Cash and gifts are offered for Govinda troops to participate; for over 4,000 handis in Mumbai, 2,000 Govinda troops compete for the prizes.

The coastal state of Goa has been associated with the Yadavas.Known as Ahstam in Goa,celebrated with great zeal on family level as well as community levels,especially in the temples of Devaki Krishna(perhaps the only temple dedicated to Devaki in India) and Naroa,the ancient town of Kadambas.

How is Janmashtami Celebrated?
Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and japa, private, more intimate prayer. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka. Sometimes taking over two hours, this is performed with great pomp.

Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the
freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored
altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues.

Tag:-shri krishna janmashtami, shri krishna janmashtami songs, shri krishna janmashtami 2015, shri krishna janmashtami wallpapers, shri krishna janmashtami in hindi, shri krishna janmashtami mp3 songs, shri krishna janmashtami marathi, shri krishna janmashtami images, shri krishna janmashtami video, shri krishna janmashtami marathi, krishna janmashtami information in marathi, janmashtami marathi images, about gokulashtami festival in marathi, shri krishna janmashtami 2015, shri krishna janmashtami wallpapers, shri krishna janmashtami in hindi, shri krishna janmashtami mp3 songs, shri krishna janmashtami video, about gokulashtami festival in marathi, gokulashtami marathi essay, gokulashtami information in marathi language, gokulashtami story in marathi, janmashtami in marathi language, janmashtmi in marathi, janmashtmi invitation, gudi padwa festival in marathi language, essay on janmashtami in marathi