Mahalaya Amavasya : Mahalaya marks the formal beginning of the Durga Puja festival
MAHALAYA Online
Mahalaya Amavasya 2011, Amavasya Tharpanam, Mahalaya
Mahalaya, the auspicious occasion that heralds the advent of goddess Durga has almost become synonymous with an early morning radio program.
Navratri
Navratri
Dandiya, the most awaited traditional dance festival of India.
Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of Ma Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratari, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worhip Goddess Durga Maa.
1st – 3rd day of Navratri
On the first day of the Navaratras, a small bed of mud is prepared in the puja room of the house and barley seeds are sown on it. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3 – 5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from god. These initial days are dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman.
4th – 6th day of Navratri
During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or ‘diya’ to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
7th – 8th day of Navratri
These final days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th day of this colourful festival, yagna (holy fire) is performed. Ghee (clarified butter), kheer (rice pudding) and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.
Mahanavami
The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.
Indian Festival – Durga Puja 2011, Kolkata at youtube
1st October
Saturday
(13th Aashin 1418) PANCHAMI From that day
7.52 am-Next day
5.45am
2nd October
Sunday
(14th Aashin 1418) SHASHTI
“Kalparambho”
within 9.28am
Durga Devi “BODHON” “Amantran” and “Adhibas”
in the evening From that day
5.46am-Next day
3.54am
3rd October
Monday
(15th Aashin 1418) SAPTAMI
“Nabo Patrika”
Within 9.28am
Predawn bathing of
“Kola Bow” From that day
3.55am-Next day
2.22am
4th October
Tuesday
(16th Aashin 1418) ASHTAMI
SANDHI PUJA
12.51am-1.39am
SACRIFICE- 1.15am From that day
2.23am-Next day
1.15am
5th October
Wednesday
(17th Aashin 1418) NABAMI From that day
1.16am-Next day 12.35a m
6th October
Thursday
(18th Aashin 1418) DASHAMI
(Immersion)
within 9.27am From that day
12.36am-Next day
12.23am
Durga Puja Calendar 2011
The calendar or samay suchi for Durga Puja, along with the timings, is as follows:
1st October 2011 – Panchami
2nd October 2011 – Shashti
3rd October 2011 – Saptami
4th October 2011 – Ashtami
5th October 2011 – Navami
6th October 2011 – Vijaya Dashmi
Dussehra 2011, Dussehra Date,Dussehra Day,When is Dussehra 2011,Dussehra Calendar,Dussehra in 2011 India,Dussehra date 2011, Dassera India, Festival Of Dussehra,Vijayadashmi 2011
Dussehra is a popular festival celebrated by Hindus all over India, albeit with different names. It is also known as Vijayadashmi (‘Vijay’ meaning ‘victory’ and ‘Dashmi meaning ‘tenth day), as it is believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed the demon-king, Ravana and rescued his abducted wife – Sita. In other words, it signifies the triumph of good over evil. The legendary triumph is reenacted to the day. In the northern parts of India, huge effigies of Ravana, his giant brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are placed in vast open grounds. Fireworks and crackers are placed inside the effigies.
Actors dressed as Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana enact the final moments of the battle, at the Ramlila ground. After the enactment of the climax of the war with Ravana, the character playing Rama shoots an arrow with a flaming tip at the effigies from a safe distance and the crowd bursts up in cheer, as the crackers catch fire. The enthusiasm and the cheers sometimes even drown the deafening blast. Merriment ensues, as people indulge themselves games, dance and music that are held at the fair.
Dussehra 2011: 06 October 2011
Diwali 2011 | Diwali Date,Diwali Day,When is Diwali 2011,Diwali Calendar,Diwali in 2011