Raksha bandhan

 Raksha bandhan is the festival of brothers and sisters celebrated widely among Hindus.  It is the symbol of a bond of protection which a brother promises to his sister. It stands for the emotional relationship of brothers and sisters. Rakhi festival falls on the full moon day of shravana month (august). Hence raksha bandhan is also known as shravana purnima.

In Hindu mythology, there are many instances of rakhi purnima. Once lord Krishna was hurt and was bleeding profusely at the wrist region. Then all his wives and servants were searching for cotton. Mean while Draupadi, Krishna’s sister tore a piece from her sari and tied to stop bleeding. Krishna was immensely pleased with this act and promised Draupadi that he will protect her life long. As promised, Krishna helped Draupadi during vasthra-apaharana by giving her saris all through. Another story of Yama, the lord of death and his sister Yamuna was also in prevalence. It is told that Yamuna tied a sacred thread to yama and seeks his help. Thus from that time rakhi purnima has got this specialty.

 During this day, sisters tie a sacred or holy thread to her brothers and give sweets to them. Rakhi is a thread of love and affection. Brothers promise their sisters that will take care and protect them all through their life. This auspicious occasion builds an emotional bonding among them. During this time, markets will be full of rachis and gifts. People exchange gifts and sweets. They celebrate the festival with spiritual fulfillment.

Ganesh Chathurthi

    Ganesh chathurthi is the most beloved festival for Hindus. It is celebrated as the birth day of lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is the god of luck and is worshiped before starting any work. The elephant-faced Ganesh is the son of lord Shiva and Parvathi maatha. He is also known as Ganadhi- pati which means leader of gods. Ganesh chathurthi falls in the month of badrapadha (Aug / Sep) on the fourth day of bright fortnight.

    Ganesh chaturthi finds its instance in Hindu mythology. After killing the demon king Mushikasura, goddess Parvathi appoints Ganesha as the leader of all gods. His birthday is celebrated as Ganesh chathurthi. Another story of the moon is also in prevalence. On this day, Ganesha was fed with many modaks and laddus and his tummy was really full. Then the moon saw him and laughed at him sarcastically. Due to the dristi of moon, the stomach of Ganesha burst. Then goddess Parvathi gave a curse to moon that on this day if any one sees the moon without performing the puja, will suffer from bad things. Hence people on this day perform puja with great reverence and bhakti.

    People celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. Many mandaps are set up in the streets and idols of Ganesh maharaj are placed all over. The puja takes place for 10 days and on the 11th day the deities are carried in procession, finally immersed in any water body near by. People celebrate the festival by keeping small idols of in their houses and decorating it beautifully. There will be cultural programs like dancing, bajans etc. in those 10 days. Ganesh chathurti is a beautiful festival for Hindus.

Chhat Puja

    Chhat puja is also known as surya shashti or Dala chat. Sun god is worshipped in chat puja. It is widely celebrated by Hindus in Bihar. It falls on the 6th day (chat) of Karthik month (late Oct / Nov). Sun god is known for his purity and braveness. The sun rise and sun set are known for the cycle of birth and re birth.

    In Hindu mythology, chat puja has its prominence. It is told that Draupadi performed chat puja and worshipped sun god with great reverence. The result of the vratha helped Draupadi and her family during there vanavasa a lot. Sun god gave his blessings to her and guarded them.

    Chat puja is performed with great reverence and esteem for 4 days. The first day, ritual bath is taken by the performer. House and surroundings are cleaned properly and the devotee sleeps on the floor for the four days. Pure vegetarian food is taken by devotee without any salt in it. Next day he will completely fast (upavasa) and give offerings to sun god (aarghya). On the 4th day, under the covering of sugar cane sticks, diyas are lit and offered to sun god. This lighting of lamps is known as Kosi. Songs and bajans/folk songs are sung in the name of god known as chat geet.

    Scientifically, chat puja has a great prominence. The radiation energy of the sun will be received by the devotee and hence vitamins, other body requirements will be full filled. Due to fasting, detoxification of the body takes place. Spiritually, mental relief will be acquired. Chat puja is performed greatly in the sun temples, with great respect.

Bihu

    Bihu is the state festival of Assam. It is celebrated on the occasion of preparation for cultivation of fields for cultivation. It generally falls on March every year. Bihu is also known as the new year for Assamese.  It is celebrated for about 7 days.

    There are 3 types of bihu. They are bhogali bihu/ magh, rongali bihu or boharg bihu, kati bihu or kongaali bihu. Goru bihu is the festival where cows are worshipped. It is celebrated on 1st day of bihu. Second day is manuh bihu which is celebrated as New Year day. On the day of goru bihu, cow (gomatha) is worshiped. Cow is treated as the abode of gods and goddesses and is worshipped with great reverence. Bhogaali bihu is celebrated after the harvest.

    People celebrate the festival with great pomp and gaiety. Greetings and good wishes are 0exchanged between friends and relations in the form of gifts, largely sweets. Special dishes are made on the occasion of bihu like pitha, laru; jolphares. The rejoicings which give vitality to the celebrations extol the invincibility of all that is virtuous, noble and sublime. People dress themselves in boisterous colours and perform the puja. People revel and rejoice with family and friends receiving and offering felicitations and sweets. People sing and dance merrily and this is known as bihu dance. Songs sung are known as bihu geets or bihu folk songs or husori’s. On the whole bihu is the festival for Assamese, which they celebrate with great joy and happiness.

Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is a Hindu festival most popularly celebrated in Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is a festival that stands for the emotional relationship of brothers and sisters. It falls on the 2nd day of Sukla paksha (dark fortnight) during Karthika month. It builds a spiritual bonding among the brothers and sisters. Sisters perform this pooja for the well being of their brothers and also seek protection from their brothers.

The story of lord Krishna and his beloved sister Subadhra is know as the base for the festival. It is said that lord Krishna after killing the demon, Narakasura, comes home. After coming back to the kingdom, Krishna’s sister, Subadhra invites him to her house. Then she feeds him with a good meal and puts an auspicious red tilka on his forehead and gives aarthi, the holy light of flame. The story of Yama and Yamuna is also famous regarding the festival and hence it is known as Yama dwiteeya.

Sisters on this day invite their brothers to their homes and treat them with a good meal. After the puja, they put the holy tilak on their forehead and show aarthi, the holy light of flame to them. They wish their brothers all luck and good and ask for their protection and care. Special sweets are made on this occasion like shrikand poori. It is like a get together of brothers and sisters and their family. This also brings up the bond between the families. Bhai Dooj is a festival of love and emotional bond.