VINstring Holidays India

13/08/2022

India travel card - Srinagar, Kashmir

31/08/2020

Festivals of India
Onam in Kerala
According to Puranas (ancient scriptures) Onam is connected with King Mahabali and the golden era of his reign. The prominent story behind Onam is about King Mahabali and Vamanan (the incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

According to the story, King Mahabali is sent to another world called Pathala by Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Vamana.

King Mahabali, according to the legend of Onam, is said to be the grandson of Prahalad and son of Veerochana, who were demons or asuras. So, Mahabali was an asura too, but he had no trait of it because he was fervid towards Lord Vishnu from his childhood. Due to the piety to Lord Vishnu, Mahabali attained power and strength. Once, Maha Bali was performing a yagna (a ritual sacrifice with specific objective) when a short, young, radiant boy entered the yagna shala. Maha Bali, as was the custom, welcomed this radiant youngster and asked him what he wanted. The young boy requested for that much space, as could be measured by three footsteps of his.

Maha Bali agreed at once to the chagrin of his Guru Shukracharya who cautioned him that the guest was none other than Lord Vishnu Himself.

As the legend goes, no sooner were the three footsteps granted, the young Vamana assumed a gigantic form known as Trivikrama and with the first step of his foot, measured the whole earth. Then with the second step of his foot, he measured the whole sky. These two steps covered the whole of Mahabali’s kingdom, the earth and the sky. Vamana then asked the king as to where he should place his third step.

King Maha Bali the grandson of the greatest of the Lord’s devotees, Prahlada joyfully offered his head for the third step in utter devotion and surrender.

The Lord recognizing his attitude of surrender blessed him and sent him to Pathala with a promise of making him Indra in the next Manvanthara and that He Himself would guard the gates of Pathala.

Acceding to the request of Maha Bali’s people, Vishnu granted Maha Bali permission to return to his kingdom from Pathala, once every year, to be in the midst of his people. This day is celebrated as the Onam festival.

Sadya meal containing 24 to 32 vegetarian food items are specially prepared - salty, sour, sweet - banana chips, pickles, curry, papadams, veg stew, sambhar, rice n vermicelli puddings made with sugar n jaggery are served to mark the special day.
Floral decorations of mega sizes in public, music, dance, food n festivities.

11/08/2020

11/08/2020

11/08/2020

World Elephant Day - an international annual event on August 12 dedicated to preservation and protection of the global elephants. Here are glimpses of elephants in training parks, natural habitat, street murals, temple sculpture from our travels in India, Nepal & Sri Lanka.
Enjoy the pics and travel stories to follow, and stay safe through the COVID times.

25/03/2020

25 Mar 2020 is the first day of a Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat 2077 too. Wishing everyone a beautiful healthy happy year ahead. Happy Gudi Padva, Ugaadi and the Navratri - the worship of goddess. stay blessed and safe

24/03/2020

Cheers 24 March 8 PM, Indian time.
Dear family and friends, due current situation, we in travel industry have been in exile for past few days. Staying home in isolation and watching media is a full time job. Last fortnight was generally spent cancelling booked travel plans of guests, asking all colleagues to stay at home, closing the travel desk n office.
As social media is the only connect, so here we are.
ENTIRE India is officially under a 3 week lock down starting tonight. Thats a billion plus people in a single country staying at home. So movement of people, international n state borders locked, interstate buses, trains, metros shut down including all cruises, international n domestic flights. Only essential supplies, medical, milk, vegetable, fruits will cross borders besides emergency duty staff. Cargo trains n flights will operate besides any other emergency operations. The negative will be affecting the daily wagers n labourers, though social institutions are coming to help. We have asked our maid to stay at home, and get paid in full.
The positive changes, the cities are breathing again. The sky is blue most times, air is fresh, birds are chirping, squirrels are playing in parks, dogs n cattle are freely moving around. There are no road accidents. People have become more hygiene conscious and maintaining distance. No crowds.
As a friend replied to my comment, it's a scary movie n she said - it seems an ongoing scary movie and WE ARE IN IT.

Let's hope the isolation n other measures cut short this movie soon. Wishing everyone a positive, healthy, isolation n beautiful time.

Another positive, cleaning the corners n bar cabinet (liquor shops are closed too), I have started emptying and enjoying the miniatures n the almost empty bottles. 😀

15/01/2020

India celebrates the moving of sun into the Northern Hemisphere bringing much relief from bone biting cold. Different regions celebrate under different names in their own unique ways

Lohri ~ is a popular winter folk festival of Punjab & Northern India. Many legends about the festival, though mostly believe the festival commemorates the passing of the winter solstice. Celebrated on 13th January every year, people lit bonfires in their yards after weeks of the rabi season cropping work, socialize around the fire, sing and dance as the end of winter and onset of longer days is celebrated.

Yet another folklore links Lohri to the tale of Dulla Bhatti. The central theme of many Lohri songs is the legend of Dulla Bhatti and lived in Punjab during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He was regarded as a hero in Punjab, for rescuing Hindu girls from being forcibly taken to be sold in slave market of the Middle East. Amongst those he saved were two girls Sundri & Mundri, who gradually became a theme of Punjab' folklore. As a part of Lohri celebrations, children go around homes singing the traditional folk songs of Lohri with "Dulla Bhatti" name included. One person sings, while others end each line with a loud "Ho!" sung in unison. After the song ends, the adult of the home is expected to give snacks and money to the singing troupe of youngsters

Makara Sankranti ~ Or Maghi is a festival day dedicated to Sun god – Surya. It is one of the few ancient Indian festivals that has been observed according to solar cycles, while most festivals are set by the lunar cycle. Being a solar cycle festival, it falls on the same date – 14 January. Known by different names, such as Maghi (preceded by Lohri), Pedda Pandaga in Maharasthra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, POush Sankranti in West Bengal, Karnataka & Telangana, Sukarat in Central India, Magh Bihu in Assam and Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
The festival is observed with social festivities – colourful decorations, kids in rural area go around asking for treats, fairs, dances, kite flying, bonfires and feast. It celebrates the end of longest night of the year. Every 12 years the Hindus observe Makar Sankranti with one of the world’s largest pilgrim congregation – Kumbh Mela, where 60-80 million people gather to over a period of 2-3 months. Many take a holy dip in sacred rivers and lakes.

Magh Bihu ~ celebrated in Assam is a harvest festival with community feasts. Its part of three BIHU festivals celebrated over the year and associated with agriculture and rice in particular. Bohag bihu in April is sowing festival, Kati bihu in October is associated with crop protection, worship of plants and crops. The Magh bihu is celebrated with feats, music and dancing greeting the new year. The three Bihus are Assamese festivals with reverence for Lord Krishna , cattle, elders in the society, fertility, mother goddess and crops.

Pongal ~ A multi-day Hindu harvest festival of South India. Dedicated to Hindu sun god, Surya. The festival marks the end of winter solstice and beginning gof the sun’s six months jopurney northwards. The festival is named after ceremonial Pongal, which means to boil, overflow and refers to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in miklk with jiggery. To mark the festival, the Pongal sweet dish is prepared, first offered to the gods & goddesses, followed sometimes with an offering to the cows, and then shared by family and friends. It is traditionally an occasion for decorating rice powder based Kolam artworks, offering prayers at home, temples, get-togethers, exchanging gifts to renew social bonds.

Happy festivities

17/10/2019

FESTIVALS of India - Karva Chauth (Karva means a pot & Chauth is the fourth day of the dark fortnight leading to the biggest festival of light - Diwali).
The festival is celebrated in Northern India. One hypothesis is that military campaigns were often conducted by men in far off places whereby men would often leave their wives and children to go off to battlefield and in modern times for work too. Their wives would often pray for their safe return. The festival also coincides with the wheat-sowing time. Big earthen pots in which wheat is stored are sometimes called Karvas, so the fast may have begun as a prayer for a good harvest in this predominantly wheat-eating region
Another story about the origin of this festival relates to the bond of feminine friendship. With the custom of arranged marriage being prevalent, the newlywed was supposed to reside with her husband and in-laws. Being new to the family, the custom arose of befriending another woman as her friend (kangan-saheli) or sister (dharam-behn) for life. The friendship would be sanctified through a Hindu ritual during the marriage ceremony itself. The bride's friend would usually be of the same age (or slightly older), typically married into the same village (so that she would not go away) and not directly related to her in-laws (so there was no conflict of interest later). This emotional and psychological bond would be considered akin to a blood relationship. It is said that Karva Chauth festival evolved to include celebrating this special bond of friendship.
A few days before Karva Chauth, married women would buy new karvas (spherical clay pots) and paint them on the outside with beautiful designs. Inside they would put bangles and ribbons, home-made candy and sweets, make-up items, and small clothes. The women would then visit each other on the day of Karva Chauth and exchange these karvas.
The women fast for well-being of their husband, from dawn till they sight the moon. The whole day goes without any food or water. The fast is broken after sighting of moon. The fasting women do not do any work, apply henna on hands, put on best of bangles and traditional dresses.

07/11/2018

Celebrate the magic and joys of Diwali. Have a exciting, soulful, pollution free Diwali

04/02/2018

Travel diaries - Ranthambhore wilderness with Neeraj Nehra Kamal Sahansi Gangesh Mishra Rajeev Bajaj Sudhir Jain

02/09/2017

in & around Jama Mosque

21/07/2017

FESTIVALS OF INDIA ~ The Kavars journey - holy water carriers

Kanvar Yatra is named after the kānvar - a single pole (usually made of bamboo) with two roughly equal loads fastened or dangling from opposite ends. The kānvar is carried by balancing the middle of the pole on one or both shoulders. Kānvar-carrying pilgrims, called Kānvariās, carry covered water-pots in kānvars slung across their shoulders.
Kanvar yatra is related to the churning of the ocean of milk in the Hindu Puranas. When the poison came out before Amrita (nector) and the world started burning from its heat, then Lord Shiva accepted to inhale poison. After inhaling it, suffered from negative energy of poison. In Treta Yuga Shiva's devout follower King Ravana (demon king from Ramayana) did meditation. He brought holy water of Ganga by using kanvar and poured it on Shiva's temple in Pura Mahadev. Thus releasing Shiva from the negative energy of the poison.
Kanvar Yatra (journey) – an annual pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s devotees in the Hindu month of Shravan (mid July-mid August) – beginning of monsoon months, to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh (source of Ganges) & Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Millions of participants gather sacred water from the Ganges and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense as offerings in their local Siva shrines, or specific temples such as Pura Mahadeva and Augharnath temple in Meerut, and Kashi Vishwanath, Baidyanath, and Deoghar in Jharkhand.
Although there is little mention of the Kanvar as an organized festival in canonical texts, the phenomenon surely existed in the early nineteenth century when English travellers report seeing Kanvar pilgrims at many points during their journeys in the north Indian plains.[1]
The Yatra used to be a small affair undertaken by a few saints and older devotees until the late 1980s, when it started gaining popularity. Today, the Kanvar pilgrimage to Haridwar in particular has grown to be India's largest annual religious gathering, with an estimated 12-15 million participants in the recent years. The devotees come from the Northern states. Heavy security measures are undertaken by the government and the traffic on Delhi-Haridwar national highway (National Highway 58) is diverted for the period.
The walking pilgrims are now escorted by fast moving young bikers, small trucks carrying the idols of Shiva. When the pilgrims move in such large numbers, the traffic gets affected and roads are taken over by faith. Thousands of colourful, garishly lit temporary stalls made of bamboo, with loud religious music are put up by individuals and social organisations to provide round the clock worship sites, delicious food, water, snacks, rest, toilet facilities to the pilgrims.

13/04/2017

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - Vaisakhi or Baisakhi

A vibrant harvest festival of Punjab
The auspicious festival of Baisakhi is celebrated on first day of Vaisakh month (April-May) according to the Nanakshahi calendar. Hence, the festival of Baisakhi is also popularly known as Vaisakhi. According to Gregorian Calendar, Baisakhi falls on April 13 every year and on April 14 once in 36 years. This variation in date is due to the fact that date of Baisakhi is reckoned according to the Indian solar calendar and not the lunar calendar. Traditionally two sets of calendars have been followed in India.

This day marks the beginning of the new Spring year and end of Rabi harvest crop. The festival is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm in agriculture dominated state of Punjab and Haryana. Here, farmers thank God for the bountiful harvest and pray for prosperity in the coming year. To celebrate the day, people wake up early and take a dip in the holy rivers. There’s drum beats (Dhol), music, dancing and prayers in Gurudwaras.

The auspicious date of Baisakhi is celebrated as 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, ‘Puthandu’ in Tamil Nadu, 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala and ‘Vaishakha’ in Bihar.

The date of Baisakhi festival has tremendous significance in Sikhism. They celebrate the festival as a collective birthday of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and the foundation of the Khalsa (the Sikh brotherhood) in 1699. Sikhs all over the world celebrate the day with lot of enthusiasm and joy.

Wishing you all a HAPPY BAISAKHI

12/03/2017

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - Color festival Holi
Holi an important spring festival of India, it is a playful cultural event and an excuse to throw colored water at friends or strangers in jest. It is observed broadly in the Indian subcontinent. Holi is celebrated at the end of winter, on the last full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Phalgun. The festival has many purposes; most prominently, it celebrates the beginning of Spring. In 17th century literature, it was identified as a festival that celebrated agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests and the fertile land.
Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colours and saying farewell to winter. Holi is also a festival to reset and renew ruptured relationships, end conflicts and rid themselves of accumulated emotional impurities from the past.
It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of Holika. The night before Holi, bonfires are lit in a ceremony known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Little Holi. People gather near fires, sing and dance. The next day, Holi, also known as Dhulendi, is celebrated. Children and youth spray coloured powder solutions at each other, laugh and celebrate, while adults smear dry coloured powder (gulal) on each other's faces.

The Holi from the land of Lord Krishna is all the more special, as it is this region where Holi festival in the modern is believed to have started.
Lathmaar Holi, beating men with sticks is an annual feature in Barsana. It is said Lord Krishna with his friends from Nandgaon visited his consort Radha in Barsana and teased her. Radha and her friends in retaliation, chased the men away beating them with sticks. Its enacted every year with some serious beating too. Men have a leather or wooden shield to save themselves. Lots of colors, singing, dancing, beating.

Elsewhere, instead of powder colors, colored flowers are used instead in Jaipur, Vrindavan.
A glorious festive colored drenched happy festival

12/03/2017

Glimpses of the festival from Flower Holi at Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Nandgaon, Lathmaar holi from Barsana and Vrindavan. Lathmar (beating the men with sticks) Holi is played in Barsana.

11/03/2017

The flash mob at Nandgaon, get together to play Holi, dance to the name of Radhey Radhey, Krishna's consort and just have a great time

10/11/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - PUSHKAR (after Diwali) - Nov 14, 2016

The annual festivities of the over a 100 year old Pushkar fair through its dramatic collage of diversified pictures, mirrors the vibrancy of the gracious state of Rajasthan. It is celebrated for over 10 days culminating on the full moon day of Kartik (October–November) in Hindu calendar. The full moon day is the main day and its the day, according to legend, when the Hindu god Brahma, creator of Universe, sprung up the Pushkar Lake, thus numerous people take a holy dip in its sacred waters. The full moon day attracts the pilgrims to the holy lake of Pushkar for a dip. This iconic fair attracts thousands of livestock and almost a million tourists & pilgrims including many from across the world. Soon after Diwali, the camel traders leave their home for Pushkar and meet the like minded in the desert like town, indulge in camel trading, shop for camel goodies, camel racing and keep themselves busy with everything a camel is. The pilgrims leave later for Pushkar. Final day is the Full Moon day- Kartik Poornima. The largest camel fair. And the most colourful.

Sparkling sand dunes and decked up camels with their owners sitting on their backs has become the most fascinating norm at this stunning cultural retreat. A huge carnival is held, with an array of musicians, dancers, acrobats, snake charmers and carousel rides to entertain the world.
Indeed a priceless treat for those who wish to eye the vibrant culture and traditions of Rajasthan.

04/11/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - Chhath Puja
from Eastern UP & Bihar
Chhath puja, an ancient Hindu Vedic festival dedicated to Sun God, Surya and Chhathi Maiya (wife of Sun God). The puja is performed to thank God Surya for sustaining life on earth and asking for fresh list of wishes. The Sun, considered as the god of energy and life-force, is worshiped to promote well being, prosperity and progress.
The rituals of the festival are rigorous and observed over a period of four days- which include holy bath, fasting, abstaining from drinking water, standing in water (pond or river) for a long period at sun-set (Nov 06) and sun-rise (Nov 07), prayer offerings are made to the Sun God at both occasions.
It is celebrated on the 6th day after Diwali, hence a connection to the biggest festival of India. It is a festival of bathing and worshiping that follows a period of abstinence and segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days. The worshiper during the period observes purity, sleeps on the floor. Only festival where no priest is involved. The knowledge of rituals is passed from elders to the next generation. The most glorious form of Sun worship starts with prayers to setting sun and then to the rising sun, celebrating its glory as cycle of birth starts with death.
Originally celebrated by residents of Nepal and Bihar - with the migrants, settled in big numbers all over India and abroad. The local state govt. take special care in making sure of clean running water, steps into the water, cleanliness drive, police and transport to make the festival, a big success.

31/10/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - Diwali & around
Dhanteras- Kali Choudas - Diwali - Goverdhan Puja/Vishwakarma - Bhai Dooj
This year to co-ordinate with dates, we have following festivals in Oct/November 2016
In India, legends are considered backbone of festivals. They are also a great mean for parents inculcate social values to their children, Bhai Dooj stresses on social fabric and bond between brother & sister

Lord Krishna - slays the demon Narakasura and goes to his sister Subhadra. She welcomes her brother with earthen oil lamp, sweets, flowers and puts protective vermilion dot on his forehead.

Lord Mahavir, the founded of Jainism left his home and attained Nirvana. His brother King Nandivardan missed him and was in distress. His sister Sudarshana comforted him and hence the sisters have been revered during the Bhai Dooj.

Yamaraj & sister Yamuna - twins, Yamaraj (God of Death) and Yamuna (the sacred river). Yamaraj visited his sister Yamuna on this day and is offered special welcome and gift. A saying goes, any brother visitign his sister on this day will escape the hand of Yamaraj, defying death. The sister prays for his brother

Nov 01 ; Bhai Dooj is celebrated as a festival dedicated to Brother & Sister. Sisters put a vermilion mark (tilak) on brother's forehead and prays for his long life. The brother in turn vows to safeguard her with all his might. Gifts are exchanged and sweets too.

Overall the 5 days of series of Diwali and associated festivals mark the most expensive and challenging times in a year ~ Imagine a billion people buying a new dress, 20 millions homes getting a makeover with fresh paint, sweets, gifts, utensil, gold and jewellery. India - land of compulsive buyer and a big business opportunity to target the ever growing youth & its middle income group

31/10/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - Diwali & around
Dhanteras- Kali Choudas - Diwali - Goverdhan Puja/Vishwakarma - Bhai Dooj
This year to co-ordinate with dates, we have following festivals in Oct/November 2016
Oct 31 Goverdhan Puja / Vishwakarma
Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (One of the Trinity - Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preservor and Shiva the destroyer of Evil) was born in Mathura and the area nearby was his play field, where he played his pranks, took his cows grazing, fought the serpents & demons, provided refuge to his people.
Goverdhan is a hill in Brajbhumi, where the local cowherds used to celebrate Autumn season by paying respect to Lord Indra, the God of rains. Lord Krishna did not like the idea of another god being given any imprtance, specially with him around all the times. He organised a great puja & offering to Goverdhan and assumed form of Goverdhan hiself accepting the offerings. Lord Indra angered by this devotion going away from him, brought wrath by ways of torrential downpur rains and lightning storm upon the local villages for days.
Lord Krishna held up the Goverdhan mountain on his little finger and provided refuge to the locals. After 7 days of torrential rains, Lord Indra gave up and bowed to Lord Krishna's superiority. Goverdhan has since become a major pilgrimage site for devotees of Krishna. Food is offered to Goverdhan mountain and to the temples, where sages and saints are invited to be part of the ritual.

Some craftsmen pay reverence to their tools and machines on this day, marking respect to Lord Vishwakarma, the greatest Engineer, who is considered a divine & personified engineer in the abstract form of the creator God
Mythologically and as per local laws, Gujaratis celebrate today as the first day of their New Year, Bestu Varas Traditional account houses make new ledgers, peform rituals to appease the Goddess Lakshmi.

Happy Diwali to all

29/10/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - Diwali & around
Dhanteras- Kali Choudas - Diwali - Goverdhan Puja/Vishwakarma - Bhai Dooj
This year to co-ordinate with dates, we have following festivals in Oct/November 2016
Oct 29 Kali Choudas
Kali means Dark (evil) and Chaudas - Fourteenth. Thus, celebrated 14th day of Ashwin (Hindu Lunar based calendar), Kali Chaudas is the day allotted to the worship of Maha-Kali or Shakti. It is believed that on this day Kali killed the wicked demon Raktavija. Today is the day to abolish laziness and evil which create hell in our life and shine light on life. The strength to protect others is referred as Kali, and if its used for God's work it is called Mahakali.

Kali Chaudus is also attached to the legend of Lord Hanuman. Hanumanji as a baby was very hungry. Whilst lying down he saw the sun in the sky and thought it was a fruit and went to pick it. He flew into the sky and put the whole sun in his mouth causing darkness throughout the entire universe. Lord Indra requested that Hanumanji return the sun. When Hanumanji refused, Lord Indra unleashed his vajra and knocked Hanumanji down to earth releasing the Sun.
On this day Hanumanji is worshipped as the Kuldev (deity of the family) to protect us from Evil. The rituals of Kali Choudas suggests of the origin of Deepavaali as a harvest festival. On this day delicacies are prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice (from the fresh harvest available). This custom is prevalent both in rural and urban areas especially in Western India.

29/10/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - Diwali & around
Dhanteras- Kali Choudas - Diwali - Goverdhan Puja/Vishwakarma - Bhai Dooj
This year to co-ordinate with dates, we have following festivals in Oct/November 2016
Oct 28 Dhanteras - dedicated to the birthday of God for Health - Dhanwantri. As to enjoy good health, one needs money, hence the Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth is worshiped from today onwards (though she is much followed the whole year). Trend is to purchase new utensil for the kitchen. As a new utensil means, more food for home. Better times. The new idol of Goddess Lakshmi for worship on Diwali is purchased today.
Over years, the commercialisation and love for the yellow metal, has brought in purchase of gold or jewellery as fashionable. Jewellers find a beeline and keen shoppers and a brisk sale of gold. Others are not left behind and one sees people buying a new car, refrigerator, Television and other commodities, though traditionally a simple metal utensil should do ..

28/10/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA – Dushera culminating into Deepawali (Diwali)
Lord Rama after slaying Ravana, rescues his wife Sita and returns to his kingdom Ayodhaya, after 14 years of exile. It happens to be a new moon dark night. The entourage is welcomed by the people, by lighting up earthen lamps along the way to the palace. The celebration of return of Lord Rama is celebrated as Deepawali ‘row of lamps’ all over India and many parts of the globe, due a large globally Hindu settlers.

We followed a group of artisans from Mumbai, who recreated Ramayana on the solid canvas, using Rangoli.

Rangoli is an Indian art form, where colourful patterns are made in living rooms, courtyards by using powdered rice, lentils, spices for different colors. This group used powdered colours and created beautiful canvases to last only 2 weeks. There is no glue, nothing binding. Hence after the event closes, the colors after having showed their part of the story, just fade away, leaving beautiful memories captured digitally.

11/10/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA - DUSHERA (CULMINATION of festival - Victory of Good over Evil)

A version says, Ravana wanted to meet his clan's n his own end by Lord Rama, in order to reach salvation. All the situations - kidnapping of Sita, mocking Hanuman, battle with Rama - were planned, so the demon king could meet his end in hand of the Lord Himself. And he with his mates Kumbhakaran and Meghnaad goes up in smoke. Good prevails over evil.

Thus went the Ravana this year, though the demon in our thought and heart still remains at large. How do we find an end to same !

11/10/2016

We did not forget the Ravan built together by young boys & girls. Glad to have followed it to its very end.

11/10/2016

Ramleela on stage and Demon brothers being brought to justice. Feel the heat !

11/10/2016

FESTIVALS OF INDIA (DURGA PUJA - the immersion and the journey..

Durga Maa is send back to heaven via immersion way through holy rivers. Pollution is a big issue. Past few years, there has been a lot of concern against polluting rivers. Hence today there is move to use eco friendly idol clothing, glitter etc. we observe jute threads, clay jewellery, natural colors amongst other solutions to a greater problem in hand. Though,

the journey continues....

11/10/2016

Sindoor khela

11/10/2016

Prayers before the sending off