It’s Christmas time and it’s wonderful to see happy faces all around, in the markets, shopping malls, and elsewhere. Like others, I love to see the decorations of Christmas.
This also reminds me of my childhood and the sweet memories of my children’ s growing up days. They loved to dress up, and go to the Christmas parties organised in their schools, and our residential colony clubs.
The teachers used to dress up as Santa Claus, with big bags of yummy chocolates, cookies etc. My children enjoyed every bit of the celebrations and we parents also had fun along with them.
Happy and proud to be an Indian, where every religious festival is celebrated with full enthusiasm and excitement.
These pictures are from The Mall of India, Noida, India, and the cake is homemade by my daughter.
You may buy as many sweets and snacks as possible from the market, and even receive sweet boxes from your family and friends. But, it gives immense happiness and satisfaction to make some sweets on your own.
Coconut Laddoo:
This is the easiest sweet to make at home, I believe.
Just cook 100 gm. dried Coconut powder, in 1 litre of milk, on low flame, till the milk reduces completely. Add sugar to taste, around 1-2 tablespoon, and 3-4 green cardamom powder. When slightly cool, make even sized Laddoos.
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, traditionsand 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!
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.’
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.
