Events and Festivals - Best Places of Interest

March 29, 2017 Events and Festivals, India

Charismatic Festivals of Rajasthan

Festivals in Rajasthan are the most exciting and delightful time of the year. With a rigorous routine in our day-to-day life, we lack time to spend with our family and friends but come festivals, it forms a happy reunion. Certainly, India is one such country, which has loads of festivals, fairs celebrated in every corner. But, some places have significant beauty and portraits of culture, Rajasthan is one such state. It has a remarkable place in our minds for its royalty, monuments, colors, hospitality, and cuisines. But, one could never completely feel the essence of the beauty of this place until it has a taste of its festivals and fairs.

Here are some festivals of Rajasthan which are truly magical and worth watching.

Marwar Festivals

The most colorful and joyful festival of Rajasthan, which is dedicated to the medieval heroes of Rajasthan, is mostly celebrated all over the region but Jodhpur and Udaipur would be the perfect venue to witness the festival. Since Udaipur was the epicenter of the Mewar dynasty; one could experience distinct flavors of the festival here. The festival is also known as Maand festival, which is mocked by the prayers of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The whole region gets decorated with light and features dances, songs, cultural events, and fireworks.

Desert Festivals

Once every year, this beautiful festival is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation in the month of January and February. It is really a bonanza that brings alive the sand dunes in Jaisalmer. The three-day event is lived by the representation of the traditional culture, songs, dances, and also the beautiful locals, dressed in bright colors and traditional finery. They sing ballads and showcase the tragedies of the desert. The major attractions are puppeteers, acrobats, camel tattoo shows, camel races, and also several competitions like the longest mustache, Mr. Desert, etc.

Jaipur Literature Festivals

This is the largest free literary festival on earth yes on earth, which is hosted by none other than the pink city ‘Of Jaipur’. All the Nobel laureates, Booker prize winners, debut novelists, and the keen reader comes on the same page to celebrate this unique fair. The five-day celebration holds various sessions of readings, discussions, and debates at the famous Diggi Palace. One could learn and explore various things in front of such great and eminent authors.

Kite Festivals

The event is celebrated on the auspicious day of Makar-Sankranti. The three-day festival of Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival is the extravaganza of colorful kites of different shapes, and colors flying ubiquitously in the sky. The sight becomes more pleasurable in the evening under the light and sound of fireworks.

Camel Festivals

Throughout history and until today, the camel has been a crucial part of Rajasthan. In the honor of ‘ship of the desert’, which we usually call a camel, this festival is organized in Bikaner. The celebration falls in the month of January, organized by Rajasthan Tourism, pops up a great show. This two days long celebration includes various events like camel races, camel milking, fur-cutting design, best breed competition, and camel acrobatics. One of the major attractions is to see a decorated camel parade on the backdrop of Junagarh fort.

These awe-inspiring festivals are a must watch in Rajasthan. There are many Rajasthan tour packages, offered by various travel agencies. One should definitely visit these charismatic festivals of Rajasthan for this wonderful experience

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March 20, 2017 Events and Festivals, India

Nowruz- An Ancient Persian- Iranian Celebration

In Iran, every year, millions of Iranians celebrate Persian New Year or Nowruz. No one knows exactly how far back Nowruz dates but the best estimate is sometime in the range of 3000 years the important thing to know about Nowruz’s origins is that it is rooted in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion that predates both Christianity and Islam. So, Nowruz is not an Islamic holiday or a Christian one; it is Persian.

Nowruz greeting — Norouz
Image credit- http://barekat-blessing.blogspot.in/

Shah Jamshid’s Legacy

The festival of Nowruz heralds a time of hope and happiness in the year ahead. Initially, seasons played a significant role in human history and life. Everything depended on the four seasons. After the end of the chilly winter, spring was a great occasion to enjoy as it brought with it new life and new colors. This revelry was popularized by King Jamshid and, as per popular legend, he was the first to celebrate this festival.

Jamshid, the fifth king of the Peshadian dynasty of Persia, flourished 3209 years before the Christian era. The Shah Namah describes him as the first to civilize mankind. Persian writers consider the bas-reliefs at the ruins of Persepolis, still visible in all their pristine glory and beauty after a lapse of 5000 years to be the representations of the court of Jamshid, more especially depicting the festivities of Nowruz. It has also been suggested that the famous Persepolis complex, or the Palace of Apadana and the hundred columns hall, were built for the specific purpose of celebrating a feast related to Nowruz.

Although there is no mention of the term Nowruz in recorded Achaemenid inscriptions, there is a detailed account by Xenophon (Xenophon of Athens 430-345 BC was an ancient Greek philosopher, historian, soldier and mercenary, and a student of Socrates) of a Nowruz celebration taking place in Persepolis and the continuity of the festival in the Achaemenid tradition.

Shah Tahmasp and Humayun on Nowruz — A 16th-century painting of Tahmasp I and Humayun celebrating Nowruz. Image credit -http://www.wikiwand.com

The Nowruznama

In the book Nowruznama (Book of the New Year, which is attributed to Omar Khayyam- a well-known Persian Poet and Mathematician), a vivid description of the celebration in the courts of the kings of Iran is provided: “From the era of Kai Khosrow till the days of Yazdegard, last of the pre-Islamic kings of Iran, the royal custom was thus: on the first day of the New Year, Now Ruz, the king’s first visitor was the High Mobad of the Zoroastrians, who brought him as gifts a golden goblet full of wine, a ring, some gold coins, a fistful of green sprigs of wheat, a sword, and a bow. In the language of Iran, he would then glorify God and praise the monarch.

This was the address of the High Mobad to the king: ‘O Majesty, on this feast of the equinox, the first day of the month of the year, seeing that thou hast freely chosen God and the faith of the ancient ones; may Sraosha, the angel- messenger; grant thee wisdom and insight and sagacity in thy affairs. Live long in praise, be happy and fortunate upon thy golden throne, drink immortality from the Cup of Jamshed; and keep in solemn trust the customs of our ancestors, their noble aspirations, fair gestures, and the exercise of justice and righteousness. May thy soul flourish; may thy youth be as the new-grown grain; may thy horse be puissant, victorious; thy sword bright and deadly against foes; thy hawk swift against its prey; thy every act straight as the arrow’s shaft. Go forth from thy rich throne, conquer new lands. Honor the craftsman and the sage in equal degree; disdain the acquisition of wealth. May thy house prosper and thy life be long!’’

Republic Day

26^th January is among the most significant occasion celebrated in India. On 26^th January 1950, the constitution of India was enforced and India achieved its pledge of becoming a totally sovereign, democratic and republic nation.

Many grand events and programs are organized throughout India depicting love and patriotism. Not to forget the most alluring grand celebration in the capital city of India, New Delhi. A massive parade is held which begins from the President’s Palace and walks past the Rajpath and India Gate, terminating at the Red Fort in the Walled City of Old Delhi.

On this day, the sacrifice of the martyrs is remembered for the freedom of the country and the succeeding wars.

PM on Republic day — PM at India Gate on Republic Day
Image credit- विकिमेडिया कॉमन्स

The following are some of the patriotic songs played on Republic Day that remind us and motivate us to remember these great people

Vande Mataram- Vande Mataram is the national song of India. The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

Ae Watan ae watan humko teri kasam– Performance by Lata Mangeshkar, evergreen singer of Bollywood.

Maa Tujhe Salam– Music video by A R Rahman performing Maa Tujhe Salaam. (C) SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (India) Pvt. Ltd

Mere desh ki dharti– Mere desh ki dharti, sonaa ugale, ugale hiire, moti
The soil of my country gives rise to gold, diamonds, and pearls [metaphor for the agriculture treasures]

Sara jahan se achha -Sare Jahan Se Acha ( सारे जहाँ से अच्छा ) is one of the most popular Patriotic Song. India is a unique place. Fly with these kids and travel India. See the beauty in south, Himalaya & many other places. 26 January Republic Day Song.

Jahan Dal Dal Pe Sone ki Chidya – Performance by Sonu Nigam

Little did anyone know that the original anthem composed by India’s wordsmith Rabindranath Tagore had 4 more verses to it. So stand up and sing the lyrics on-screen

I have compiled this list for Happy Republic Day. Enjoy.

Do share your favorite song in the comment section below and mention it if it is not in the above list.

Happy Republic Day to you all 🙂

January 25, 2017 Events and Festivals, International

Australia Day 2017

What it means for Australians

Every year, Australia Day is celebrated by millions of Australians on the 26th of January. This special day has lots of meaning to Aussies and it’s a day when we come together as a nation and celebrate what’s awesome about Australia and being Australian. It’s more than just a public holiday, fireworks and barbeques – it allows us to express our pride in being Australian.

The date of Australia Day was chosen as the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival at Sydney Cove in 1788. Despite this significant event, Australia Day celebrations have expanded to include much deeper meaning for Australians. For the Indigenous people of Australia, Australia Day marks the survival of their culture through all the years since European settlement. Each Australian will hold varying perspectives of Australia Day. However, looking back on how far Australia has come and shaped itself into a diverse society and made significant achievements, it is evident that Australia Day celebrates not just the past, but also the present and the future.

Australia Day Celebrations

On Australia Day, expect to see organized Australia Day events such as outdoor concerts, barbeques, sports competitions, festivals such as the Big Day Out, Triple J Hottest 100, the Australia Day Live Concert and fireworks. Lots of different communities often hold their own local celebrations for example you can see that there is a variety of Australia Day events such as the Australia Day in Newcastle. A sense of community is what fuels Australia Day. A very Australian thing to do on Australia Day is heading down to beaches such as Bondi and Cronulla for some fun in the sun.

There’s so much to do on the day. You can attend the Wugulora Indigenous Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve in NSW and celebrate the world’s oldest culture with dance and song! Come down to Darling Harbour in Sydney this year for fireworks at the Australia Day Spectacular and the Children’s Festival at Tumbalong Park which are both family-friendly events. There’s also the Australia Day 2017 concert that will be held at the Sydney Opera House on the night, with various celebrities lined up such as Guy Sebastian, Dami Im, and the Wiggles!

Not keen on heading out to the city or going anywhere? Get together with family & friends for a barbeque that includes snags, sangers, beef, pork, lamb and shrimp on the barbie. It’s a great time to relax and celebrate the national day of Australia. Have I mentioned barbeques yet? Aussies love the barbie. It’s also that time of the year when the MLA releases their annual Australia Day lamb ad, with this year’s one being extremely humorous but sending a strong multicultural message.

Australian of the Year Award

On the evening of Australia Day, the honorable title of Australian of the Year is announced. The winner of that award needs to have shown a “significant contribution to the Australian community and nation” and to be an “inspirational role model for the Australian community. It’s a great way to recognize achievements and contribution of Australians, inspiring more to challenge themselves to contribute to the positive growth of Australia.

For more info on Australia Day, please visit: https://www.australiaday.com.au/

*/A guest post by Olivia Bourke. /*