Festive Vibes Of Ugadi April 12th, 2021
The Hindu new year according to the Lunar calendar is known as Ugadior Yugadi which is celebrated as the first day of the year by people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtrians and Konkanis. This is the most important and first festival to start up the festive vibes of the Hindu year.
Puthandu April 14th, 2021
The Hindu new year according to the Solar calendar is known as Puthandu which is celebrated as the first day of the year in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Vaisakhi in Punjab, Pana Sankranti in Orissa, and Naba Barsha in West Bengal.
North Indians do not celebrate Gudi Padwa but they start nine days Chaitra Navratri Puja on the same day.
There is a strong belief that on this day, Lord Brahma had created the universe. He had also created days, weeks, months, and years. Thus, Ugadi is said to be the first day of the creation of the universe.
The day begins with a ritual oil bath and people wear their best clothes and come out and greet other people. They gorge on delectable delicacies that are specially prepared on this day and also eating Neem leaves is a must. People offer Prayers and Clean their houses, so as to usher in novelty and prosperity. Families get creative on this day and draw rangolis in their homes. Other traditional floor decorations also include flower petals and colorful rice.
Rama Navami April 21st, 2021
Lord Rama was born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. Celebrations take place each year on this day as the birthday of Lord Rama (Vishnu's 7th avatar). Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and Rama Navami's celebrations in Ayodhya are remarkable. Devotees come to Ayodhya from far-flung places. After taking a holy dip into the river Sarayu Devotees visit the Rama temple to participate in birthday celebrations with bhajan and kirtan, fasting and reading passages about Rama's life.
The celebration of Ram Navami is done with devotion and joy which is also religious portraying festive vibes. People decorate the houses and Deity idols beautifully with flowers, clothes, and jewels. The celebrations include fasting, singing devotional songs, visiting the temple, and recitation of hymns from Ram Charitmanas. In some places, the celebrations start from the first day of Chaitra Navratri until Navami. While Ram Lila- a theatrical enactment of Ramayana, recitation of Ramayan, chariot procession of Ram, Sita, and Laxman idols is done, discourse on Ramayana by storytellers and they even organize satsangs at few places.