Naagara Panchami
• It is one of the significant days in the Hindu religion. On this
day ,Hindus worship Naga Devta [serpent gods]. Observing
fast on this day protects the one who is fear of snakes and
snake bite. On this day ,idols/photos of serpent gods and live
cobras are worshipped with milk ,sweets ,flowers ,deepas
and lamps. This traditional festival falls days after Hariyali
Teej. It is observed on Shukla Paksha Panchami during
Shravana month ,in July or August. There are several stories
related to this festival. According to some people ,while Lord
Krishna was playing near Yamuna river ,his bell fell in. As he
stepped into the river ,he was attacked by Kaliya nag. Lord
Krishna defeated Kaliya nag. The snake and his wives begge d
Krishna
for their lives after realising Krishna was not ordinary child.
promised that he w ll not disturb the residents of
Gokul. So, Nag Panchami is icelebrated due to Krishna’s
victory over Kaliya nag. According to another story,
Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, had arranged a Naga Yagna
to take revenge on snakes as his father Parikshit was killed by
Takshak. Aastik Muni stopped this Yagna. This day was
Shravana Shukla Panchami. Some people worship snakes in
an effort to appease Lord Shiva, who carries a cobra around
his neck.
Ganesha Chaturthi
Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the main festivals celebrated by
hindus. It is celebrated every year as the day indicates birth
of lord Ganesha. It is believed that lord Ganesha is god of
health, wealth, and prosperity. Devotees believe that by
praying to him,we can have good health, wealth knowledge
and be prosperous.Celebration is done by placing idol of lord
Ganesha which is made using clay on the mandap with
coconut or banana leaves. Then, idol is worshipped by pooja
and chanting of mantras. Modaks and different kinds of
sweets are offered to the god with fruits. At last, the idol is
carried on a public procession with music and dance,
chanting and praying. Then the idol is immersed in a nearby
waterbodies by saying “come again soon”. During this day, it
is believed not to see the moon as once he had laughed on
lord Ganesha.Lord Ganesha is son of lord Shiva and Parvati.
This mysterious god was made by head of an elephant band
body of a human. This lord’s companion was a little mouse.
He always loved Modaks and sweets. He is known to bring a
good luck. His large head indicated intelligence, his small
eyes represent keen observation, his wide mouth represents
the natural human desire to enjoy life in the world and his
large ears mean he can hear the needs of his people.
Swarna Gowri Vratha
• Gowri Habba, also known as Swarna Gowri Vratham, is
celebrated by married and unmarried women on
Tadige/Thritiya Thithi [third day], Shukla Paksham [bright
phase of the lunar cycle] in the month of Bhadrapada. The is
is performed either in the morning or evening. On this day,
Goddess Gowri visits her maternal home on tadige ans
returns to Kailasha on the next day. On this day, married
women fast and worship Goddess Gowri to seek her blessings
for a blissful married life. Unmarried girls also fast to wish for
a life partner of their choice. Married women tie Gowri Daara
with 16 knots to their right wrist, while unmarried girls tie it
without the knots. Women get dressed in their best and
perform puja with the items sent by their parents. Women
offer kumkuma, arshna, flowers, bangles, comb, mirror, ragi,
wheat, fruits, paan, supari, coconut and Dakshina in winnow
to the Goddess, as well as 16 Sumangalis are also offered.
Goddess Gowri is worshipped for her courage and power.An
idol of Goddess Gowri is kept on a mount-mantapa or plate
filled with grains. It is decorated with stones, flowers ans they
are dressed beautifully.prayers are offered to her.
Makara Sankranti
Makara Sankranti is one of the important festivals
celebrated in South India by Hindus which occurs in the
month of January. It is called by different names as Makara
Sankranti, Makara Sankramana, Uttarayan, Suggi Habba,
Sakrat, or Thai Pongal. In this festival, various crops are
harvested and are worshipped, cattle are worshipped, and a
packet of mixed peanuts, dried coconut, jaggery, sesame
seeds, and sugar blocks along with sugar cane are offered to
neighbours. This festival is celebrated by worshipping lord
Surya along with lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, performing
rituals, feasting of sweet and savoury food, flying kites, art,
dance and preparing bonfires. Significance of this festival –
this festival is dedicated to lord Surya, who transfers to
Makara Rashi [Capricorn] as per the Hindu calendar. This
festival conveys thanks to lord Surya and spreads happiness
among people.
Navaratri
Navaratri is a Hindu festival which is celebrated for nine
nights where ‘Nava’ means nine and ‘Ratri’ means night.
This festival is celebrated to honour Devi Durga who appears
in nine forms which are Shailputri, Brahmacharini,
Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata,
Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidhatri. This
festival is celebrated by worshipping devi Durga, arranging
idols of gods of Hinduism in racks, preparing sweets on each
day, cultural songs and dances, dramas and chanting of
mantras. This festival is celebration of victory of Devi Durga
who killed the demon Mahishasura. On the final day,
called Vijayadashami, the statues of Mahishasura are
immersed in a water body , or is burnt with fireworks,
marking the destruction of evil
