Category Archives: Indian Heritage, Culture, Traditions

What’s the Significance of Celebrating Festivals?

Durga Puja Pandal, Picture by ©Chitrangadasharan

India is known for celebrating many festivals, all with the same enthusiasm.

One might ask— So many festivals throughout the year?

Yes, it’s true— Besides the big festivals, such as Holi, Diwali, Dussehra and others, each day has some significance, and the fact remains that Indians love to celebrate.

The reason is very simple— To be joyful, to spread happiness, and to celebrate life.

Besides all this, festivals are the best ways to maintain our culture, traditions and rich heritage.

Festivals are an amazing way to have social harmony and brotherhood among the citizens of a country.

It’s perhaps the best way to spread positivity, where people forget all their differences, their personal struggles.

Life is not always easy. There are challenges almost everyday. But, we have to carry on, and win our battles— big or small.

Where do we get the inner strength for all this??

Festivals fills us up with hope and belief, to be strong, to start afresh.

The above picture is from a Durga Puja pandal, as the festival of Navratri and Dussehra is being celebrated throughout the length and breath of India.

The whole community works in coordination with each other, to make the festivals enjoyable for everyone.

It’s all a very pleasant sight to watch people together— and Happy!

Happy Navratri and Happy Dussehra!

©Chitrangadasharan

Durga Puja ©Chitrangadasharan

Wordless Wednesday: The Auspicious Parijat Flowers

The Serene and Auspicious Parijat flowers from my garden, and it’s season coincides with the festival of Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali.

Picture by ©Chitrangadasharan
Parijat flower from my garden ©Chitrangadasharan

What is The Significance of ‘Pitri Paksha’

“Akshay Vat”, The Banyan Tree at Gaya, Bihar, India ©Chitrangadasharan

Pitri Paksh or Shradh Paksha is a sixteen day period in the Hindu Calendar, when Hindus pay homage to their Pitrs (ancestors.)

According to the Hindu beliefs and traditions, the Ashwin Krishna Paksha in the Hindu calendar is dedicated to those ancestors, who have left for their heavenly abode.

And, it’s the religious duty of their family— sons, daughters and other close family members , to offer ‘Tarpan’ to the ancestors, so they achieve ‘Moksha’ or Salvation.

Besides ‘Tarpan’, various kinds of ‘daan’ (offerings) is also given, in the form of food, clothes, other essentials, or money.

‘Tarpan’ is performed on the same ‘Tithi’ when the ancestor had passed away, whether it was Krisna Paksha or Shukla Paksha, in any month.

‘Tarpan’ can be performed, by chanting mantras, guided by the pandit (priest) or by self, near river banks, temples, or even at homes.

But, for the final ‘Pind Daan’ there are many religious places assigned for this.

‘Teertha Sthal Gaya’ situated in the state of Bihar, India is considered to be the most revered and auspicious place for ‘Pind daan.’

The above picture is of the ancient and pious Banyan tree at Gaya, which has a deep religious significance.

The mighty Banyan tree is also called, ‘Akshay Vat’, which literally means, which can’t be destroyed.

The devotees believe in tying the sacred red thread, on the vast and widespread branches of the supporting roots, trees, all around the Banyan tree, for the fulfilment of their wishes, and to seek the blessings of the departed elders of the family.

Pitri Paksh ends on ‘Sarv Pitri Amavasya’, and immediately the ‘Matri Paksha’ or ‘Mahalya’ begins, followed by ‘Navratri.’

©Chitrangadasharan

सिलसिला आने-जाने का— हिंदी कविता

हिन्दी दिवस की शुभकामनाएँ, Image Source: Google Image

आज हिन्दी दिवस के सुअवसर पर कुछ अपनी मातृभाषा में लिखने की इच्छा है। आशा है पाठकों को पसंद आएगी 🙏🙏🌹🌹

मौसम आते हैं, मौसम जाते हैं,

दिन यूँ ही कटते चले जाते हैं,

सुबह होती है, तो शाम का इंतज़ार होता है,

रातें आती हैं, तो सुबह का इंतज़ार होता है,

एक त्योहार बीतता है, तो अगले का इंतज़ार होता है,

लोग आते हैं, लोग चले जाते हैं,

बस, एक हम हैं, जो वहीं के वहीं,

खड़े, देखते रह जाते हैं,

आने-जाने का ये निरन्तर सिलसिला,

जीवन-चक्र का एहसास दिला जाता है ।

©Chitrangadasharan

The Auspicious Ganeshotsav

Ganesh Worship at my home ©Chitrangadasharan

Ganeshotsav is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion throughout the length and breath of India.

It’s a ten days festival, and idols of Shri Ganesh is installed at homes, and other places as a community celebration.

It is believed that Lord Ganesha wards off all obstacles and difficulties, when we worship him with full devotion.

Ganesha is the God of knowledge and taking his name is considered auspicious for successful completion of all our duties and responsibilities.

It’s not so difficult to perform this 10 days festival at homes.

What is needed is a pure heart, full of love and devotion for Lord Ganesh.

🙏🙏🙏

©Chitrangadasharan

Ganesh Sthapana at my home ©Chitrangadasharan

Rakshabandhan: A Beautiful Indian Festival to Celebrate the Brother-Sister Relationship

Rakhi ki Thali ©Chitrangadasharan

One of the most beautiful Indian festivals is Rakshabandhan.

This festival is about the special and pious bond, to celebrate the brother-sister relationship.

When the siblings are growing up together at their parents home, it is always about fun, sweets, gifts etc.

But, as we grow older, it’s unlikely the brother-sister will remain in the same city, or may be in the same country.

Yes, life takes the siblings to different directions, due to education, work, career, even marriage.

It’s then that the festival of Rakshabandhan becomes an emotional festival.

The sacred thread, which the sisters tie on the wrist of their brothers, to wish them happiness, prosperity, good health and all good wishes, can’t be done in the same way, as it was done in their childhood days.

So, there is a practice to send the colourful and auspicious Rakhis in envelopes, via post, or couriers, or even online.

That little small sacred thread, called Rakhi is symbolic of the pure and true love and the special bond, which the brother and sister share with each other.

If the brother is married, a special and beautiful Rakhi is also included for the sister-in-law.

Perhaps, it’s only in Indian culture and traditions, that the brother-sister relationship is celebrated in this beautiful manner.

Because, this is a relationship, Forever. 🌹🌹