October
Fairs & Festivals
NAVRATRI (All over India)
Navratri
is the longest Hindu festival that continues for nine consecutive nights in
praise of Lord Rama. Continuous chanting from the great epic Ramayana, along
with evening performances from the episodes of his life, is held for nine days.
It is a combination of many concepts.
It is believed that Durga, the Goddess of power and vitality, has nine forms
called Navadurga and on each day of the nine days, she takes a new form, with
an arsenal of weapons, to ride a lion and fight the demon Mahishasura.
Vijaydashmi or Dussehra, the 10th day, is celebrated with feasting and rejoicing
as her day of victory. Lord Rama is said to have worshipped the Goddess, seeking
her blessing in order to overpower the evil force of Ravana, the abductor of
his beloved Sita.
The most joyous celebration of Navaratri is seen in Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu and Bengal. Every night people gather in courtyards to dance the dandiya
raas and garba, a community dance in which men and women dressed in festive
clothes, dance in pairs with dandiyas or painted wooden sticks.
DURGA
PUJA (Bengal)
Is performed during the nine days of Navratri. Community pujas in Bengal are
organised in every locality. Families visit each other to share feasts. On Bijoya
day, the idols are taken in elaborate processions for immersion in the river
on the sea.
DUSSEHRA (All over India)
Is celebrated to mark the homecoming of Lord Rama. The Ramlila-an enactment
of the life of Lord Rama, is held nine days before Dussehra. On the tenth day,
larger than life effigies of Ravana, his brothers Meghnath and Kumbhkarna filled
with different fire crackers are set alight to celebrate the victory of good
over evil. In Himachal Pradesh, a week long fair at Kullu is a part of the Dussehra
celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in procession
to the Kullu Maidan with lot of gaiety, music and colour. the presiding deity
is Lord Raghunathji. Mysore is illuminated with lights for Dussehra. Majestic
processions, a torch light parade and dance and musical events enliven the tranquil
city.
MARWAR FESTIVAL (Jodhpur)
Is a festival devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. The
festival was originally known as the 'Maand festival'. Held for two days on
full moon-sharad purnima, folk artists bring to life the myth, legend and folklore
of the area.
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