Tag Archives: Indian Festivals Legends & Stories

Pitru Paksha – Shraddha — The dark half of Ashvina (September-October) is observed as Pitru Paksha throughout the Hindu world especially India, and sacrifices called Shraddha is offered to the dead and departed ancestors of the family. On each day of the fortnight oblations of water and Pindas or balls of rice and meal are offered to the dead relatives by …

Anant Chaturthi or Anant Chaturdashi is the last day of the “Ganesh festival” celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is the eleventh day after Ganesh Chaturthi which falls on the 14th day of the bright Bhadrapada (the sixth month of Hindu calendar). The day follows the immersion of the idols of the beloved Lord but to be …

Milad-un-Nabi festival, or Bara Wafat is celebrated with eclat and enthusiasm by the Muslims all over India and across the world. It commemorates the birthday of Hazrat Muhammad and falls on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal month. Milad-Un-Nabi: Islam Festival Bara Wafat Prophet Mohammed was born in 571 A.D. on 12th April at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Abdulla was his father …

Baba Ramdev is a folk deity of Rajasthan, India. He was a Rajasthani king who ruled over Pokhran in the fourteenth century. He was said to have special spiritual powers and considered to be the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Hindus, Muslims, Jains and Sikhs are his followers. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Baba Ramdev Jayanti. It is the second …

Manarcad Perunnal: Annual Christian Festival St. Mary’s Cathedral, Manarcad is the only church in Malankara, where the site of the church was given in a divine revelation. The Holy Shrine celebrates the feast of the Nativity of Virgin Mary on September 8. September 01 to 08 is the historic Eight Day Lent at Manarcad and thousands of pilgrims throng here …

Hartalika Teej Festival: In the literal sense the word “teej” refers to “three”. Teej falls on the third day after a full and a new moon night. The important days of Teej are – Haryali, Kajari and Hartalika. Hartalika Teej is celebrated in the Northern part of India mainly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. The …

Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala (India). It is the festival, which the Kerala People celebrate together without the difference of caste and religion. Onam is a time for sports and festivities and in Kerala where one third of the area is low lying, covered with canals, lakes and backwaters; the people take to their boats and …

Janmashtami – On the eighth day of the black half of Bhadra (August – September) was born Shri Krishna, the eighth Avatar or incarnation of Vishnu. Therefore, this day is well known as Janmashtami or Krishna-Janmashtami. This auspicious day of birth of Krishna, the direct manifestation of Vishnu himself is celebrated in all parts of India with clat and great …

The festival of Janmashtami has many rituals and customs associated with it. The ceremony of Janmashtami is very simple with the chanting of mantras as the priest bathes the idol with Ganga jal (holy water), milk, ghee, oil and honey. All these ingredients are poured from a conch shell. Once this Janmashtami ritual is over, the devotees break their day …

Celebrate Janmashtami in Mathura: The Janmashtami celebrations differ in different parts of India. The true colors of this festival are seen in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. This is the place where the parents of Lord Krishna lived in the captivity of the evil Kansa and where he as a young boy came and vanquished his maternal uncle Kansa …