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Festivals
Dussehra
Dussehra or Vijayadashmi is the most popular of all the Indian festivals
and takes place over 10 days, beginning on the first day of the Hindu Month of
Ashwin (September-October). It celebrates Durga's victory over the buffaloheaded
demon Mahishasura, and in some places it was once customary to sacrifice a buffalo
on the day. The vibrant festivities last for ten days, of which nine nights
are spent in worship, 'Navaratri'. The tenth day is devoted to the worship
of goddess Durga, who occupies a special position in the Hindu pantheon of gods
and goddesses. She is 'Shakti', the cosmic energy which animates
all beings. According to a Puranic
legend attached to this day, the mighty demon Mahisasur, vanquished the
gods and their king, Indra, who subsequently fled, leaving behind their kingdoms.
They then approached the Holy Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,
who decided to destroy the megalomaniac demon, and thus prayed to the divine mother
Durga to do the needful. Equipped
with lethal weapons, riding a ferocious lion, the Goddess in all her awesome majesty,
vanquished the evil one without much ado. This day, thus, also celebrates the
magnificence and omnipotence of Goddess Durga. The
offering of goats is usual, and those who cannot or will not make any animal sacrifice
adopt a substitute in the shape of a white pumpkin supported on four sticks resembling
the legs of a goat. On the same day,
Lord Rama, an avatar of Sri Vishnu fought Ravana, a ten headed
demon and restored dharma (righteousness) on earth. In many places it culminates
with the burning of huge images of the demon King Ravana of Lanka (Ceylon)
and his accomplice, symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. On
Vijayadashmi, people worship weapons, tools and implements of their trade.
They have sumptuous meals at noon and towards evening they don holiday attire
and gather together to worship sami (presenpis specigara) or in its absence the
Apta (Bauhima racemosa ) tree. On this day the leaves of Apta are
supposed to symbolize gold and are exchanged while greeting one another. The Dussehra
day is considered highly auspicious for the undertaking of any new work or business.
Ganesh
Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is one
of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha.
It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright
fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as
well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world. Clay
figures of the Deity are made and after being worshipped for two days, or in some
cases ten days, they are thrown into water. Lord
Ganesha is the elephant-headed God. He is worshipped first in any prayers. His
Names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind
of worship is begun. He is the Lord
of power and wisdom. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and the elder brother
of Skanda or Kartikeya. He is the energy of Lord Shiva and so He is called the
son of Shankar and Umadevi. By worshipping Lord Ganesha mothers hope to earn for
their sons the sterling virtues of Ganesha.
Sri
Krishna Jayanti
Sri Krishna
Jayanti marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) on Ashtami
day. The festival Sri Krishna Jayanti is also known as Gokulashtami
and Janmashtam. The actual day of celebration can
be on two different days as the star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same
day. This occurs between August and September on the Christian calendar. According
to traditional sources, the Janmashtami is observed on the day when the
ashtami tithi occurs at midnight. If the ashtami tithi AND the Rohini nakshatra
occur on the same day, then the observance is considered to be doubly sacred;
otherwise the observance is held on the day on which the ashtami prevails at midnight.
The vrata mainly consists of fasting, spending the whole night in the worship
of Krishna, reciting hymns of praise and Krishna's pastimes, reciting prayers
from the Bhagavata, offering arghya to Krishna, and the parana or the ceremonial
breaking of the fast. The next day is celebrated as Krishna
Jayanti. Celebrations are held on a
grand scale in all Krishna temples, especially the ones in Vrindavan,
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), Dvaraka (Gujarat), and other regionally
famous temples.
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