| Festivals |
NavratrasNavratri denotes a 9-day & night festival and gives opportunity to worship Divine Goddess. Each day of Navratri is celebrated in honor of Nine Goddesses. Different forms of Goddess Durga are as following:
Mela Ashwin Navratri- October 16, 2012 to October 24, 2012 Makar SakrantiMakar Sakranti is celebrated in almost all states of the country in different cultural forms. People take dips in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayag to get blessings of Lord Sun. Makar Sakranti is celebrated as Pongal is South India, Maghi in Punjab Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam. The festival falls on January 14, 2012. Vasant PanchamiDedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Vasant Panchami spreads yellow color all around. Goddess is dress in yellow and worshipped with Puja and Yajna. People wear yellow clothes and share yellow hue sweets with their friends & relatives. The festival falls on February 12, 2012. Maha ShivratriAlso known as Great Night of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Some people fast on this day while others celebrate it by reciting Shlokas and singing bhajans. The celebrations and worship continue till late night when devotees offer fruits, coconut, Ganga Jal and Bilva leaves to Lord and Goddess. The festival falls on February 20, 2012. HoliThe festival of Holi is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. According to the legends, the demon Hiranyakaship wanted to kill his son Prahlada because he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. So, the demon made a plan with his sister Holika to kill the son. Holika tried to kill Prahlada and sat with him in fire. She died in fire and Prahlada rescued. The festival falls on March 8, 2012. Ram NavamiThis festival celebrates the birth of Seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu; Shri Rama who was born on the 9th day of Chaitra month. Shri Ramchandra killed the evil king Ravana. The festival falls on April 1, 2012. Raksha BandhanThe festival of Raksha Bandhan denotes and further strengthens the bond of brother and sister. Still celebrated in a traditional manner, sister ties Rakhi on wrist of her brother and expresses her love. In return, brother promises to protect her forever and offers her gifts. The festival falls on August 2, 2012. Shri Krishna JanamashtamiAlso known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnaashtami, this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Krishna. The festival falls on August 10, 2012. Ganesh ChaturthiThis festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular Hindu Gods and a symbol of good luck. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by offering laddoo and milk to the Lord. The festival falls on September 19, 2012. DussehraAlso known as Vijaya Dashmi, Dussehra is celebrated as the day of victory of Shri Rama over Ravana in Satya Yug. Demon Mahishasura was also defeated by Goddess Durga on the same day. The festival falls on October 24, 2012. Karva Chauth VratOn Karva Chauth, married ladies observe a rigorous fast without meal and water so as to pray for long lives of their husbands. Nowadays, young girls also observe this fast to get good life-partner. The festival is celebrated mostly by North Indians and falls on October 15, 2012. DiwaliDiwali or Deepawali signifies the return of Lord Rama after 14-years of exile from Ayodhaya. The night of Deepawali is celebrated by lights and fireworks. The festival falls on November 13, 2012. New Year EveEvery year, the New Year Eve is celebrated with great zeal in the temple. The entire complex is decorated combined with special Pooja of Shri Naina Devi Ji. Tara RatriThe festival is also known as Shri Maha Tara Jayanti or Das Mahavidya Jayanti. There are a total of 10 jayantis of Shri Mata Ji, which are celebrated round the year. For year 2012-2013, these are as following: |
