Festivals in Madhya Pradesh

Festivals in Madhya PradeshFairs and Festivals in Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is home to some of the most beautiful fairs and festivals in central India. Here are religious festivals having mythological origins, those that mark the seasons, others commemorate a local deity or a hero. The festivals celebrated in the state makes an effort to bring out the local tribal art and culture in the national market. These festivals showcase the heritage and culture of the region. Some of the largest and most popular festivals in Madhya Pradesh are briefed here:

Lokrang Festival - The five day long festival of Lokrang in Bhopal begins every year on 26th January (the republic day). It is a cultural exposition organised by Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Lok Kala Academy. The main features of the Lokrang are folk and tibal dances, classical dances, performing art form, exhibition and presentation of art and craft and cultural presentations from abroad also are a big draw.

Khajuraho Dance Festival - The famous temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are famous for its archaeological excellence. The temples were built during the Chandela Dynasty between 250 and 1050 AD.

Tansen Sangeet Samaroh - This cultural festival is dedicated to the pillar of Indian classical music, the great Tansen. The place where this great musician lies buries, Tansen Tomb, in Gwalior is the venue of a music festival held annually in November - December.

Khajuraho Festival of Dances

Khajuraho Festival of Dances - The famous temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are famous for its archaeological excellence.

 The temples were built during the Chandela Dynasty between 250 and 1050 AD.

The Temples of Khajuraho strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture.

In the year 1986, UNESCO designated this group of temples as a world heritage site. Khajuraho Temples are very famous among tourist coming to India on cultural Tours.

 Every year in the month of February - March, Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized by the Kala Parishad under the Madhya Pradesh government.

Famous Classical Dancers from all over India performs during this Dance festival at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

The aim of organizing this event is to promote cultural heritage and traditional dances of India.

Tansen Music Festival

Tansen Music Festival - This cultural festival is dedicated to the pillar of Indian classical music, the great Tansen. The place where this great musician lies buries, Tansen Tomb, in Gwalior is the venue of a music festival held annually in November - December. Gwalior is the place that has retained the rich classical music tradition and Tansen devotion to music laid to the foundation of what is known as the Gwalior gharana style with its unique dhrupad classical form. Khayal was also refined from the Gwalior gharana only.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Alappuzha- The Nehru Boat Race is Kerala's most looked forward to sporting event, and attended by participants and tourists from across the state's borders. Held at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on the second Saturday of August every year, the event took shape after such an affair was organised in honour of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his visit to Kerala in 1952. Prime Minister Nehru enjoyed the thrill of being part of the snake-boat race, and announced a rolling trophy to the winner.

The snake boat or 'chundan vallam' ploughs through the lake's waters, gaily decorated with flags and silk parasols. Traditionally, these snake boats were used in battle and measure between 60 to 65 metres. The snake-shaped boat has the capacity to carry more than a hundred passengers.

During the race, each snake boat has 95 oarsmen, five 'amarakkar' or controllers, and ten 'nilakkar' or cheerleaders. Vanchipattu, or songs with very catchy beats are sung by about ten singers on board, keep the boatmen's spirits high. These beats have devotional and mythological themes.

Apart from the snake boats, other country boats like the Iruttukuthy, Vaipu and Churulan also participate in the race. The Iruttukuthy boat is designed primarily for night transportation and speed. The Vaipu was designed as a service boat for other boats at war, with one end higher than the other, and a capacity of 40-45 persons only. The Churulan has a similar capacity, but stands out because of its circular shape.

Aranmula Boat Race

Aranmula Boat Race, often known as Kerala Boat Festival is one of the glorious occasions of Kerala and is the unique feature of the backwaters of Kerala. Much famous all over the world, it has become the icon of Kerala and attracts of thousands of tourists to the state. A dramatic spectacle on the Pamba River in the Kuttanad region at Aranmula, the water water carnival and snake boat race is the one of the most joyous even held in the week of the great harvest festival of Onam. Undoubtedly, it is Kerala's most important celebration and the stately snake boats of Aranmula called 'Palliyodams' form part of an age-old temple ritual. The legend says that once pirates plundered a small boat carrying offerings to the Krishna temple here. That night, Lord Krishna appeared in the dream of his devotee who was very distraught over the incident and advised him that he should build much larger boats that can be rowed by a hundred to hundred and fifty skilled oarsmen. These boats will surely glide swiftly in water and could outrun any pirate boats in the vicinity thus making them safer. This is how the speedy 'Chundan' or snake boats are said to be conceptualized that were later modified into different types of snake boats.

The legend forms the basis of almost all the snake boat races and the boat festival of Kerala. The villagers owning the boats are proud of them and take good care of them. Built by the master boat builders, the ingenious boat-building techniques are passed on from generation to generation.

Thrissur Pooram festival

Thrissur Pooram festival is one of the most splendid and colorful temple festivals of Kerala. Introduced by Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of erstwhile Kochi state, Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the Malyalam month of Medom, which usually falls in April or May. The Thrissur Pooram features cultural potpourri and artistic performances of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi groups who vie with each other for the best performance. The extraordinary, astounding processions from Krishna Temple and Devi Temple are some other highlights of the festival. On the day before the last day of the festival, the groups enter the Vadakumnatha Temple through the western gate and come out through the southern gate to parade face to face with each other. Caparisoned elephants and the exchange of umbrellas look dazzlingly beautiful and mesmerizing.

The amazing fireworks exhibited by the two-temple groups create beautiful splendor in the Thrissur sky that looks like a rich tapestry. The charming music of Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments, is pleasing to the ears. Thrissur Pooram is in fact the conclusion of the eight-day Utsavam of nine temples and all the groups strive to be their best and hence, each party to excel the other does the hiring of elephants and parasols in the utmost secrecy that are paraded from early hours of the morning and celebrations continue day and night till the dawn next day. The Pooram Festival is so called because it is believed that dynastic gods and goddesses of neighboring provinces meet annually for a day of celebration in one of the spring months. 'Pooram' means groups. Some of the prominent Pooram celebrations are held at Aratupuzha, Uthralikavu, Cheeramkulangara, Thrissur, Mannarkad, Perumanam, Pariyanampetta,

Onam Festival

Onam Festival - The harvest festival of Kerala, Onam is a time for sports, festivities and ritual celebrations in Kerala. According to the legend Kerala was once ruled by the kind, generous and valiant demon-king Mahabali, who had won over the kingdom of heaven rightfully. However, as always Indra and other gods ran to Lord Vishnu to enlist his help and He promised them the kingdom of Heaven once again. Knowing about his generous and charitable nature, he went to the king in form of a Brahmin child called 'Vaman' and asked for three steps of land. Mahabali readily granted it to the child. However, Lord Vishnu then kept on increasing in size till he measured all of the Earth in one step and all of the Heaven with another. When he asked Mahabali, where to keep his third foot, the humbled king offered his head to him. Touched by the devotion and humility of the kind, Vishnu made him the King of the nether world and granted him the request that he may visit his kingdom every year for four days.

Keralites celebrate Onam to welcome their benevolent king and organize colorful aquatic festivals on the sacred Pampa River as part of the celebrations. A time to reap the harvest, to celebrate and to rejoice, Onam is usually held at the end of August or beginning of September, less than a fortnight after the Malayalam New Year begins. It is the biggest festival of Kerala. The 10-day long festival features rituals like buying new clothes, delicious traditional cuisines, dance and music. The last day called the Thiruonam is the most important. The elephant processions of Trichur and the Kathakali performances of Cheruthuruthy are some of the most reputed events during the festival. Pulikali or Kaduvakali, the rhythmic dance by the performers painted like tigers in bright yellow, red and black moving with the beats of instruments like 'udukku' and 'thakil' is one of the highlights of the festival.

Festivals in Kerala

Festivals in Kerala are showcase to the religious institutions of the state and have some of the most interesting legends attached to them that are mostly mythological in origin. They offer the opportunity to the Keralites to socialize and stage their unique performing arts that are a vital part of the identity of the state. The traditional lifestyle and the rituals of the festivals are faithfully followed and there is often vibrant music, dance performances. Grand processions featuring bedecked Indian elephants and beautiful and creative fireworks that are so loved all over India and the world. Besides the harvest festivals there are temple festivals of Hindus known as 'Utsavas' and the festivals held at Christian and Muslim religious places, often known as 'Perunals'. The enthusiasm and festivity are the moods of the auspicious occasions. The other major festivals are most often related with boat races that are unique to the state along with the tourism festivals organized by the Government.

Vishu is the New Year Eve according to the old traditional Malayalam calendar and falls in the month of April. 'Kani-Kanal' is the main dish of the festival and Kani of the temples of Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha and Sabarimala in Kerala are famous. Trikartika is celebrated as the birth of Goddess Bhagvati. The celebration of Maha Shiva Ratri at Siva temple at Alwaye on the banks of the Periyar River is a splendid one featuring shows, dances and dramas. Thiruvathira is celebrated to commemorate the death of Kamadevan, the cupid of Hindu mythology and dance known as women perform Thiruvathirakali or Kaikottikkali during this occasion. Kerala Boat Festivals are a must-see. Water carnivals and snake boat races are the highlights of Kerala.
Onam KeralaOnam
The harvest festival of Kerala, Onam is a time for sports, festivities and ritual celebrations in Kerala. According to the legend Kerala was once ruled by the kind, generous and valiant demon-king Mahabali, who had won over the kingdom of heaven rightfully.
Thrissur PooramThrissur Pooram
Thrissur Pooram is celebrated in the Malyalam month of Medom, which usually falls in April or May. The Thrissur Pooram features cultural potpourri and artistic performances of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi groups who vie with each other for the best performance.
Aranmula Boat RaceAranmula Boat Race
Much famous all over the world, it has become the icon of Kerala and attracts of thousands of tourists to the state. A dramatic spectacle on the Pamba River in the Kuttanad region at Aranmula, the water water carnival and snake boat race is the one of the most joyous even held in the week of the great harvest festival of Onam.
Nehru Trophy Boat RaceNehru Trophy Boat Race
The fantastic and magnificent races feature glorious snake boats or 'Chundans' that glide swiftly and elegantly through the backwaters of Alleppey as guided by the skilled oarsmen that move in a rhythmic fashion accompanied by the boisterous boat songs known as 'Vanchipattu' that seem to entrance the boatmen and the spectators alike in their vibrant spirits. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is reputed to be the most colorful water sport in Kerala and has gained the status of the prestigious cultural event of Kerala that attracts onlookers and tourists from all over the world who come here to witness the event. It is said that in 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin. It was in his honor that the first boat race was organized at the spur of the moment.

On his way to Alleppey from Kottayam, people of Alleppey gave him a roaring reception and escorted him by the huge snake-boats. The tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat or 'Chundan', the sportive spirits of the participants and the grandeur and festive mood of the occasion so entranced Panditji that he donated a trophy to be awarded to the winners, which was a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus. The inscription on the trophy says "To the winner of the boat-race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore-Cochin" and is followed by Nehru ji's signature. The trophy came to be known as 'Nehru Trophy', after which the boat race was named. This aquatic festival is a wonderful occasion that fosters a sense of unity and fraternity among the participating youths and promote the sports man spirit in them.


Kerala Festival Calendar 2014
April 2014 15 Tuesday Vishu Celebrated all over Kerala
May 2014 09 Friday Thrissur Pooram
August 2014 09 Saturday Nehru Trophy Boat Race
September 2014 07 Sunday Onam Festival
September 2014 10 Wednesday Aranmula Boat Race
December 2014 25 Thursday Christmas

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti - As per Vedic Hindu philosophy, Sun is considered to be the king of all the planets. And Makar Sankranti commemorates the expedition of sun to the Northern Hemisphere. Makar is a Sanskrit that literally means Capricorn whereas Sankranti denotes transition. Hence, sun's transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn sign in the northern hemisphere, during winter is Makar Sankranti. Sun takes an uttarayana route on January 14 and stays there until July 14. This festival also comes as Thanksgiving to Mother Nature for an abundance of crops, well being and prosperity. The festivities include sweets made of rice, jaggery, green gram and sesame.

Indian Festivals

Indian Festivals

Makar Sankranti, Return of the Sun to the North - This is the time of the year when the Sun enters Capricorn in the month of Magha (January-February). It's a time of great festivities throughout the nation with people taking a dip in the holy rivers and seas. In Gujarat particularly, it is the time to witness and extravaganza of Kite flying in what has become an International Kite Festival.

Pongal -mainly held in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. A 3-days colourful Tamil harvest festival.

Shiva Ratri, the Great Night of Shiva -Jubilated on the new moon night in the month of Phalguna (February-March), this Hindu festival is committed to Lord Shiva.

Holi, The festival of colors -the most lively of all Hindu festivals, which falls on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun (March) according to the Hindu calendar. It heralds the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring and marks the rekindling of the spirit of life. This festival is also associated with legends of Lord Krishna.

Ramanavami, the Birth of Lord Rama -This Hindu festival goes on for nine days where it is celebrated in the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (March-April) and commemorates the birth of Lord Rama who took birth to annihilate the demon King Ravana.

Rathayathra

Rathayathra

  Some of the many festivals of Vaishnavite character have become popular and these festivals are observed by all sections of Hindus.

 One of these is the Rathayathra festival held on the second day after the new moon in the early rainy season.

 An image of Vishnu in the form of Jagannath (Lord of Universe) is placed in a wooden chariot built in the shape of a temple on wheels, which is drawn by men of all castes to an appointed place.

 The day is considered very auspicious, marking as it does the start of the sowing season for the monsoon crop, throughout eastern India.

The festival is observed in towns and villages.

 A special feature of fairs held on the occasion is the brisk sales of seeds and seedlings to farmers and gardeners.

Muslim Festivals

Muslim Festivals

  The principal festivals of the Muslim community are Mohurrum, Iduzzoha, Idul-fitr and the prophets birthday. The Mohurrum festival commemorates the martyrdom of the prophets grandson's, Hasan and Husain in a battle at Karbala in Arabia. The Sunni sect of Muslims carry, in a warlike procession enacting mock fights and exhibitions of prowess in which lathi and sword play form a major role. Replicas of the tombs of the slain heroes are made and later immersed in a specially designated tank. It was customary for Hindus to take part in the processions. The Shia sect also take out mourning processions with men and women dressed in black and singing marsia or specially composed elegies. Marsia sessions are also held in assemblies where Urdu elegies are sung or recited.

Idul-Fitr marks the conclusion of a month of fasts (Ramzan) and is comparable in the splendour of celebrations to the Durga Puja of the Hindus. Wearing of New clothes is a must and after the special morning prayer which are joined by every male in front of a mosque or in an open space, there is a general round of embracing. It is a day of feasting and quiet merriment, assembles for religious discourses being a main part of the days observances.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja

  The most important of festival in West Bengal is Durga Puja, held in autumn. In the past era, it was organised and financed by the landlords and the business barons and was participated by all sections of people.

Preparations start long before the festival. The group images are built up, stage by stage out of bamboo and straw frame work and layers of clay and finally tempera and rich clothes and costume jewellery. The group consist of seven figures. The central figure is that of the ten-armed Durga, the great deliverer, standing astride a lion and piercing the chest of the ferocious half buffalo-half man demon Mahishasura with a spear, grasped in one among  her ten hands, while each of her other hand holds a traditional weapon. On  either side of her are seated the goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati representing wealth and learning, respectively. The former has an owl and the latter a swan for their mounts. A little in front of them are Ganesha, God of commerce, with a mouse for his mount and Kartikeya, God of war, seated flamboyantly on a peacock. The four deities are supposed to be the children of Mother Durga. The images depict her annual visit to her parents place on earth from her heavenly abode on Mount Kailas. A semi circular panel at the back of and above the group shows in a number of sections, pictures in pat style portraying the Mother's household and the various stages of her preparations for the journey.

Faguli

Faguli

  This is the spring time (Falgun) festival of the tribals.

 In Kinnaur this is connected with Basant Panchami. On this day people shoot arrows at a portrait of Ravana drawn on a paper.

 The houses are cleaned and the monsoon gods are welcomed by name.

There are many local stories about these ritual shooting of arrows at Ravana's portrait.

 If an arrow hits home it is taken to be a sign of the victory of gods over demons in the heaven.

The blowing of conchshells is forbidden because it might divert the attention of the gods engaged in a brave battle against the demons up in the heavens.

Early in the morning, members of a certain family bring wood called Suskar Horing.

This is burnt in the evening in a cave.

The roof of the cave is covered with lard (foo) and barley is roasted below on the fire.

 If grains of barley jump up and cling to the roof of the cave, it is taken as a sign of good luck.

At  the end of this the group of villagers goes back to their village led by a man with Huri followed by the Lankawalla who is followed by the Kittewalla carrying the 'Doo'.

Magha Naun

Magha Naun

  This festival is celebrated at the end of the month of Magha.

 This signifies the return of the gods to the earth after their brief stay in the heavens.

On this day all the villagers gather at their local temple and through the priests the deity tells the devotees what he has brought along from the heaven.

People ask the priest a lot of questions about the future and the welfare of their families and crops.

 People rub butter upon the Lingam in the Shiva temples and if the mice do not eat it up at night, it is taken to be a good omen and supposed to herald a good harvest year.

Khepa

Khepa

  The word Khepa means the Siddha (Tantrik Guru) made of flour. It is a festival of chasing the demons which is celebrated in the Kinnaur region. On the day of the festival people bathe early in the morning and then make a 'Laffi' with turnips. Some other delicacies are also made with turnips and flour. On the roof tops a thorny shrub (cho or Brek ling) is placed.

The other festival is known as Pulkhepa and is another form of Khepa celebration. The head of a goat and special fried bread (Poltu) is cooked and the ears of the goat are hung on the thorny shrub (Brekling) along with Poltu and Sigre ( a turnip preparation, stuck with thorns all over). For two days these are placed at cross roads and sometimes put indoors. Various traditional delicacies are cooked and eaten and distributed among neighbours and friends. At some places the horns of a goat are burnt to chase away the evil spirits.

Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth

  This is celebrated on the fourth day of the month of Kartika.

Married women eat a festive breakfast consisting of Jalebis, milk and Fenis etc.

This is known as Sargi. After this they observe a fast till the fourth day's moon becomes visible in the skies.

During the fast they do not drink water.

When the moon rises the women offer Puja to it.

They offer water to it sixteen times and pray for a long life for their husband.

A little painted clay pot (Auli) is filled with rice and other things and offered to the mother-in-law.

Some unmarried girls observe a fast on this day so that they may get a good husband.

Gotsi or Gochi

Gotsi or Gochi

  This is the most popular festival in the valley which is celebrated in the month of February in the houses of those who have been blessed with a son in the past year.

People gather in those houses and drink 'chhang' wine.

On a large platter, some cakes made of mixed flour are placed and carried to the deity by four men.

 This place is marked by a tree or a shrub or a little mound.

 A young unmarried girl dressed up in ceremonial robes accompanies the platter and she carries a vessel of chhang wine in her hands.

She is followed by two men one carrying a lighted torch and the other a bunch of pine branches bundled in sheepskin.

The woman who has borne her first son leads the procession of devotees which consists of other mothers of sons.

 The sheepskin is suspended from the branches of a tree and shot at with arrows.

Khogal

Khogal

  Khogal festival is celebrated in Lahaul in the month of January.

 The Khogal night is lit up with clay lamps.

 Normally this festival falls on a full moon day.

All the male members of the village collect at someone's house and get drunk on a local brew known as 'Chakti'.

Then they visit house after house, drinking all the while.

 This goes on till midnight. At midnight the 'Chan' (the drummers) sit on someone's rooftop and begin to play their drums and flutes.

This is a signal to begin the Khogal celebrations.

As soon as the sound comes, people run with lighted torches towards their houses with screams.

 It is believed that the noise chases the evil spirit away.

Dyali

Dyali

  In some areas the Dyali festival is celebrated two months after Diwali.

At the evening the women light pine twigs and offer Puja to it.

 They also throw walnuts to little boys who rush around from courtyard to courtyard collecting them.

Sweets are also cooked and distributed.