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Shri Jagannath Rathyatra

Rath Yatra/Car Festival/Chariot Festival is the one of the famous Hindu Festivals.This is associated with lord Shri Jagannath held at Puri, Odisha.

Rathayatra is celebrated on Ashadha Sukla Paksha Dwitiya across country and worldwide . During this festival lord Jagannatha is worshipped along with his brother lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra.

For the celebration of this day devotees & volunteer starts much earlier that comprises the construction and decoration of the Raths or Chariot . Three Different chariots are made and decorated fully every year . The chariot for Lord Jagaanth is known as Nandighosa, Balbhadra's chariot is known as Taladhvaja and the one meant for Devi Suvadra is known as Devadalana .

Once the Chariots are build and decorated, Lord Jagannath ,Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are brought out of the temple and placed in their respective chariots.

After this the actual Ratha Yatra starts. The chariots are then drawn by devotees till the Gudicha Temple(Lord's Aunt).At shri Gundicha Temple ,the deities enjoy a nine days stay .During this stay lord is served with sweets

After this pleasant stay at Aunt's place the ,the Lords return to their Shri Jagannatha Temple. The return Journey is know as "Bahuda Jatra" which is celebrated on ekadashi.

2016 Indian Festival Calendar

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Longest Day of Year

The longest day of the Year is also known as the Summer Solstice. It takes place in the northern Hemisphere during which peak sunlight occurs. Usually it occurs on June 20, 21, or 22 of any given year.

On this day the the day light can last up to a range of 8-20 hrs depending upon the geographical location of the place.

Here goes the year on year calendar for summer solstice till 2020.

This image is collected from Wikipedia .

2016 Indian Festival Calendar

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Hazarat Ali's Birthday

Who is Hazarat Ali?

Hazarat Ali, is an important figure for Muslims. He is also known as Ali ibn Abi Talib,

He was born 599 AD, and the son of Abu Talib(father) and Fatima bint Asda(mother).

He is also son-in-law of the Muhammad(Islamic prophet).He was the only person to be born in the sacred sanctuary of the Kaaba in Mecca, He died at Great Mosque of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq.

Why his Birthday is celebrated ?

He was the first young male to accept Islam. Hazarat Ali grew up alongside the Prophet Muhammed and was taught by him. Later on he married the Prophet’s daughter, and became his son-in-law.
He is well respected by Muslims for his knowledge, courage, beliefs, honest, devotion to Islam, loyalty for Muhammed and his equal treatment of all Muslims.

How is his birthday celebrated?

His birthday is celebrated worldwide by all Muslims, as an occasion of joy and happiness.
Families and friends get together to remember his great achievements.Mosques are decorated, a feast organised,food is served and prayers held with lots of people gathering. People visit local mosque on 21st April and get involved in celebrations

2016 Indian Festival Calendar

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Mahaveer Swami Jayanti

Mahaveer Swami Jayanti:

What is Mahaveer Jayanti ??

Mahaveer Jayanti is the most important religious day for Jains celebrates the birth of Mahaveera

Who is Mahaveera ?

Mahaveera is known as the twenty fourth and the last Tirthankara(Teaching God) for Jains.

He was the son of King Siddartha and Queen Trishala of Kundgraam.

Where it is celebrated ?

Mahaveer Jayanti is celebrated across country . Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit the ancient Jain Temples at Sammed Shikharji, Girnar and Palitana on this day.

Why Mahaveer Jayanti is celebrated ?

Mahaveer celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahaveera, founder and last Thirthankars(Teaching God) of Jainism.

How is Celebrated ??

In the morning the idol of Mahaveera is given a ceremonial bath called the 'Abhishek'. After that the idol of Mahavira is carried out on a chariot, in a procession called rath yatra.All the Jain temples acoross county go gets decorated with flags.

Many devotees visit temples dedicated to Mahaveera to meditate and offer prayers. Few members of the Jain community Perform some sort of charitable act. Some of the community even participate in a grand procession preaching the Mahaveera..

#Mahaveera, #Maveera Jain ,#Mahavir Jain, #Jainism, #Jains ,#Jain rituals

2016 Indian Festival Calendar

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Rama Navami

Lord Rama was born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. Each year this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama was born during Madhyahna period which is middle of Hindu day. Madhyahna which prevails for six Ghatis (approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes) is the most auspicious time to perform Rama Navami Puja rituals. The mid-point of Madhyahna marks the moment when Shri Rama was born and temples symbolize this moment as birth moment of Lord Rama. The chanting of Shri Rama and celebration reaches its peak during this time.

At most places sunrise and sunset timings are different from six O’clock. Hence the exact time to celebrate birthday of Lord Rama falls between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for most Indian cities.

Ayodhya is birthplace of Lord Rama and Rama Navami celebrations in Ayodhya are remarkable. Devotees come to Ayodhya from far-flung places.After taking holy dip into river Sarayu Devotees visit Rama temple to participate in birthday celebrations.

#Rama Navami, #Rama Nawami, #Navami, #Rama ,#Nawami

2016 Indian Festival Calendar

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Ambedkar Jayanti

Ambedkar Jayanti(April 14)

Ambedkar Jayanti is an annual festival observed on 14 April on the memory of B. R. Ambedkar.
It is also known as Bhim Jayanti. It is celebrated on Ambedkar's birthday who was born in the year 1891 .
It is a public holiday throughout India.

Dr Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is independent India's first law minister, principal architect of the Constitution of India.

Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated in some other countries as well such as in United Kingdom, United States etc.

As a customary Senior national figures assemble to pay homage at the statue of Ambedkar at the Parliament of India in New Delhi, Also people across India participate in procession with Ambedkar
photos and statues.

2016 Indian Festival Calendar

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Ugadi- Gudi Padwa

Ugadi/ Gudi Padwa :

What is Ugadi/Gudi Padwa ??

The New Year's Day for the people from south India(Andhra Pradesh ,Telangana,Karnataka, Maharashtra ).

The name Ugadi stands for “ the beginning of a new age” which is derived from the Sanskrit word Yuga which means age and Adi which means beginning .

People from Andhra Pradesh ,Telangana and Karnataka term it as Ugadi and in Maharashtra they call it as Gudi Padwa.

Where it is celebrated ?

The festival is mainly celebrated in Andhra Pradesh(Ugadi) ,Telangana(Ugadi), Karnataka(Yugadi), Maharashtra(Gudi Padwa).

Why it is celebrated ?

Ugadi is celebrated to mark the beginning of the new Hindu lunar calendar.

How is Ugadi Celebrated ??

Main attraction of Ugadi festival is the Ugadi Pachhadi, a spicy tangy chutney which is combination of six tastes .

These six tastes are the combination of the six flavors which are being perceived by our tongue .

Each of these flavors signifies some of the emotions associated with human beings

Jaggery for sweetness, signifying happiness

Neem Buds/Flowers for its bitterness, signifying sadness

Unripened Mango for its tang, signifying surprise

Green Chilli/Pepper for its hot taste, signifying anger

Salt for saltiness, signifying fear

Tamarind Juice for its sourness, signifying disgust

During evening of the day ,People gather at the temples for panchangasravanam which means listening to the yearly calendar. Panchamgam contains astrology based on moon signs based on which predictions are made for the new year.

2016 Indian Festival Calendar

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