Orange Festival of Manipur

The Orange Festival in Manipur’s Tamenglong district has become an annual state event, which attracts a large number of people from all over the country and abroad for a gala get together. It is celebrated with the theme ‘Orange for Health’ and ‘Orange for Beauty and Prosperity’. Hundreds of varieties of quality oranges are exhibited by orange farmers in this extraordinary orange blossom festival in Manipur, which brings a great boost to the promotion of trade and tourism of this region.

Orange-Festival-Manipur

All About the Juicy “Orange Festival” of Manipur

The Tamenglong districtis one of the five hill districts of Manipur and is blessed with many picturesque locations. The orange festival in Manipur acts as the biggest event to highlight the beautiful tourist spots of this natural paradise such as the adventurous Tharon cave, the breathtaking Barak waterfalls, the magnificent Bunning meadows and the enchanting Zeilad lake, which hosts variety of migratory birds every year.

Orange Festival in Manipur

The Orange festival in Manipur is organized by the Horticulture Development Society of Tamenglong and jointly sponsored and promoted by Tourism Department. It aims at promoting the cultivation of oranges in the region. The festival is mainly organized with the objective to facilitate the socio-economic upliftment of the people of the district, provide an excellent platform for orange farmers to display their produce before potential buyers and also to promote tourism in the region. One of the other important reasons for organizing the festival is the declining production of oranges due to the poor management of the orchards.

Oranges on Exhibition cum Sale

The Tamenglong district is least developed as compared to the other Districts of Manipur. It has humid-sub-tropical climate. The climate and the soil of Tamenglong district are highly suitable for all kinds of horticulture. It is located at an altitude of 1260 meters above sea level with rainfalls of up to 3135 mm and with temperatures of 30 c (Max) and 4 c (Min). The farmers bring in additional income from various horticulture products like papaya, pineapple, chillies but mainly oranges. Oranges are grown on a large scale in Tamenglong district and approximately 80% of the oranges produced in Manipur are from this district. But, due to poor infrastructure and development, lack of credit support and proper marketing strategies, the rich potentials of this sector has never been realized.

Open Stall at Orange Festival

In order to popularize and increase the production of oranges, the Orange throwing festival is celebrated every year in the district during the month of December, when the beauty of the region is at its very best. The orange festivals organized in the past have created a lot of awareness and have witnessed enthusiastic participation of orange growers from the region as well as from other parts of the country. It also offers an excellent opportunity for both, the growers and fruit processing industries to clinch best deals with orange farmers. Tamenglong is full of resources but suffers mainly because of poor tapping of the district. To grab the best opportunities, there has to be a proper balance between effective channeling of the available technological skill, best quality fruit production, efficient pest management, post harvest modern technology, and last but not the least effective marketing to grab the best deals of the trade. Considering the favourable climatic conditions of the Tamenglong for orange cultivation, holding of such orange festivals will greatly help farmers increase their cultivation/production and reach out to a bigger market.

Orange Festivatl – People enjoying on different stalls

A Peep into the Festivities of the Orange Festival

The festival was first introduced in the district during 2002 by Manipur Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium under the kind aegis of Central SFAC and DRAD Tamenglong. The festivalwitnessed great popularity and started to be celebrated every year with the support of the Government Department as a state festival since 2005.

Oranges on Display

The Orange festival celebrations are always grand with lots of fun, entertainment and award competitions. It is celebrated with joy, splendor, enthusiasm and happiness. Theprogram begins with the felicitation ceremony of Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister followed by formal inauguration of the orange festival. Then, the exhibition stalls are opened in the presence of local MLAs. A large number of orange growers from different villages of Manipur take part in the orange growing competitions. The victorious orange farmers go home richer with whooping cash prizes. Personnel of 5th Manipur Rifles, 11 Assam Rifles, Tamenglong Bamboo and Cane Development Centre (TAMBAC), UBI and others also show interest in exhibiting their products during the festival.

Many entertainment and cultural dance programs along with a seminar for orange growers and sport activities for the public are the other main attractions of this great event. Other games like Shot Put, Arm Wrestling, Mass jumping, Orange Eating competition, greased poll climbing, Loi zaimei (Tug of War) and shriek competition are also played as part of the inaugural function.

Cultural Program at Orange Festival

The main highlight of the orange blossom festival is the ‘’Orange Queen’’ beauty pageant that adds that dash of colour and glitz to the event. It is highly instrumental in attracting a large number of audiences from different parts of the country.  Many beautiful girls from different communities and from different parts of the state of Manipur vie for the “Orange Queen” title which carries a massive cash prize. The first and the second runner up title holders are also felicitated with a cash prize. All these cash prizes are sponsored by well wishers of the festival. It goes without saying that the fashion-cum beauty pageant has become an indispensable part of the orange festival of Manipur over the years. The two day event concludes with a happy note with fun and frolic all over and people projecting their cultural, social land religious aspirations in an outstanding way. People look forward to this magnificent celebration with lots of excitement and hope.

Every year the beautiful Tamenglong district of Manipur comes alive with the great Orange Fest celebrations exhibiting beautiful, juicy and fresh oranges everywhere. The event offers an excellent opportunity for both the producers and fruit processing industries to nurture better trade relations. The festival encourages villagers to grow more and more oranges, which results in improvement of orange cultivation and as a definite boost to Manipur’s economy.

Orange-Queen-Contest

The continuous trend of organizing this festival with full support of Government will surely prove to be an advantageous factor for the people of the region and will help in improvement of their socio-economic status and boosting the tourism sector.

Come, be a part of the all-juicy, orange throwing fest!!

Harvest festivals of Indian states

Harvest festivals of Indian states occurs at the time of main harvest of a the region and people. The 28 states of India celebrated its own Harvest festival at various times throughout the year. Major Harvest festivals in India are Makara Sankranti which is also known as Pongal,Uttarayana,Lohri,Poush Parbon and Bhogali Bihu.

Makara Sankranti in January

Makara Sankranti is one of the major Indian Harvest festival celebrated with different name and innumerable way due to the diversity of culture in India. Festival of Makar Sankranti is most auspicious days for Hindus and take a dip in holy places like Ganga Sagar and Prayag. Makara Sankranti is known as Pongal,Uttarayana,Lohri,Khichdi,Shishur Saenkraat and Maagh Bihu, major kite festival also held at this day in Gujarat. Kumbh Mela 2013 will be the biggest attraction of Indian during the festival of Makara Sankranti, schedule to held in Allahabad at the confluence of the holiest Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

Makara-Sankranti-Festival

Holi in February–March

The festival of colors is celebrated between the February and March month and known as Phagwah as well. Holi has many significance and one of them is changing of season and beginning of the new spring season. Its a bid adieu to winter and welcome the season of spring with enjoyment and pray for good harvests. The religious purpose of Holi is Holika Dahan and Rangapanchami,the Braj region is famous for its traditional Lathmar Holi,a major tourist attraction in India.

Holi-re-rasiya-festival

Baisakhi in April

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is the major festival celebrated across the north region of India, especially in the Punjab state. Vaisakhi is celebrated as the Indian thanksgiving day by farmers of Punjab, praying for future prosperity and thanking God for harvest. It also has religious significance for the Sikhs community as the foundation of the Panth Khalsa on this day by the Guru Gobind Singh.

Baisakhi-festival

Rongali Bihu in April

Bihu is the national festival of Assam celebrate three time in the year, Maagh in January, Bohaag in April and Kaati in October. Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu is the major among the other and most popular Bihu festival celebrated as the Assamese New Year in mid April along with Spring season. The seven days festival is celebrated with the feeling of joy,worship,traditional cuisines and folk dance.

Bihu-Festival-Assam

Hareli Festival in July-August

Hareli is one of the major harvest festival of tribal Chhattisgarh state,celebrate during the holy month of Sawan or in the month of monsoon (July-August). During the Hareli festival of Chhattisgarh tribes worshipping farm equipment, cows and pray for good crops along with many social and cultural events. Cher-Chera is another most popular harvest festival of Chhattisgarh celebrated with traditional folk songs and dance like raut nacha,Panthi,Gaur Madiya and Karma in the tribal region of state.

Hareli-Festival

Onam in August–September

Onam festival is the grand carnival of Kerala state, celebrated during the month of Chingam (August–September). The ancient festival has a significance of homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali and harvest of rice and rain flowers in Kerala. The ten day festival is celebrated with various festivities such as flower carpets,Vallamkali,Puli Kali and Kaikottikkali.

Onam-dance-in-kerala

Nuakhai in August–September

Nuakhai also known as Nabanna is the Harvesting Festival of Orissa celebrated in the month of August–September. The harvest festival Nuakhai is mostly celebrated in the western region of Orissa and a major social festival of Kosal.

Nuakhai-Festival

Diwali Festival in October-November

The festival of lights is also celebrated as Harvest Festival, as it occurs at the end of a cropping season or the last harvest of the year before winter. Diwali is the most popular festival in India, celebrate the triumph of good over evil, in the form of lighting up of houses, burning the candles and set off fireworks.

Diwali-Festival

Kut Festival in November

Kut festival is a major Post Harvest festival celebrate in the month of November by Kuki-Chin tribes. The annual festival is a leading festivals of Manipur state and does not restricted by community any more, various cultural events are Organized to celebrate the kut festival such as folk dances,traditional dances and songs along with Miss Kut contest. Another harvest festival of Manipur is Chumpha Festival,celebrated by the Tanghul Nagas tribes of the region.

Kut-festival

Tokhu Emong in November

The festival of Tokhu Emong is celebrate by the tribes of Lotha nagas in the first week of November. Tokhu Emong is a popular post harvest festival enjoy with tribal folk dances and old folk songs and held for 9 days.Other harvest festival of the Indian states includes Navanna in West Bengal,Wangala in Meghalaya,Pawl Kut of Mizoram and most famous Garia Puja of Tripura.

Tokhu-Emong-festival

Indian Festivals: Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganeshotsav, The most popular Hindu festival in India,celebrated on the occasion of birthday of Lord Ganesha, Son of Great God Lord Shiva and Goddess Maa Parvati. Lord Ganesha is the superior to all the Hindu gods and known as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated across all over India mainly in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The festival generally falls between 19 August to 15 September and celebrated for 10 days by worshiping the models of Lord  Ganesha. A sweet dish called modak is the most famous dish made during the festival of Ganesha.

Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra

Ganesh Chaturthi is the major festival of Indian state Maharashtra,The birthday of Lord Ganesha is celebrated in each and every house of Maharashtra with tradition and rituals. Big idols of Lord Ganesha are placed in every society and worship twice in a day by offering Modak and other traditional dishes. Mumbai is well known for its big Idols of Lord Ganesha and Girgaum Chowpatty as the famous immersion place.

Lalbagh-Cha-Raja

Ganesh Chaturthi In Andhra Pradesh

Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Vinayaka Chtaturthi in the state of Andhra Pradesh and celebrated as most ancient festival. Biggest and Tallest idols of the elephant-headed God are install in different parts of city, Khairathabad Ganesha Idol is one of the most famous among all.

Hyderabadi-Ganeshji

Ganesh Chaturthi in Karnataka

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with prayers to the mother of Lord Ganesha by Gowri Puja, The married women worship the Goddess Gowri for a long lasting marriage life and marital bliss. Lord Ganesha festival celebration goes on for three days five, seven or ten days, Somewhere, it is stretched to twenty one days. Dodda Ganesha Temple of Bangalore is the most famous temple of Lord Ganesha with a 18 ft tall in height and 16 ft wide Ganesha idol.

Ganeshji-from-Bangalore

Ganesh Chaturthi in Goa

The Lord Ganesha festival is celebrated across all over Goa, Goa is started celebrating it as an Eco-friendly Ganesh festival by using the biodegradable materials to create Ganesha idols. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the biggest festival for the Konkanis people in Goa. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are also celebrates the festival of Lord Ganesha.

Goan-Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi Outside India

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated outside India as well by the migrant Hindu people or the Indians residing in the countries. In UK Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by Gujarati and in USA by the south Indian people. It is also celebrated by the Hindus of Canada, Mauritius,Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma and Fiji. Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi is very much popular in the above countries and government of some of these countries has declared a public holiday for that day.

Ganesh-Chaturthi-in-USA

Eco Friendly Ganesha Festival

As per the Hindu tradition On the 11th day, the statue is taken to be immersed into a lakes, river and the sea, due to the immersion of these idols made of Plaster of Paris,chemical paints heavy metals and other non degradable substances water of these reservoir, environment and the aqua wildlife face serious impact. These are the few solutions proposed by the NGO’s and governmental bodies to celebrate Eco-Friendly Ganesha Festival.

User traditional natural clay idols.

• Immerse them in household water bodies or in a bucket.
• A permanent idol and used every year.
• Reuse of last year idols by repaint.
• Ban on the immersion of Non degradable idols into lakes and rivers.
• Use the biodegradable materials to create Ganesha idols.
• Immerse the idols into man made or artificial tanks of water.

Indian Festivals: Eid Ul Fitr in India

Eid-ul-Fitr (breaking of the fast) is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. It is a time of quiet reflection and worship. It is believed that more than 1,300 years ago, in the month of Ramadan, the prophet Muhammad received the Qur’an, the holy book of Muslims. Hence Ramadan is also knows as the ‘month of the Qur’an’.

Jama-Masjid-Delhi,India

Breaking the fast

A few dates and a glass of water is used to break the fast every day. Other foods consumed may vary from platters of fresh fruits, salads, nuts, legumes to fried savouries and kebabs. The meal with which the fast is broken every day is known as ‘iftar’. Iftars are often community gatherings, with people gathering to break their fast together. The meal is shared with family and friends, and it’s common for Muslims to invite non-Muslims over. Iftars in India have grown into mega banquets with politicians and celebrities throwing iftar parties all through the month.

Breaking-Fast-during-eid-ul-fitr

New moon

At the end of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is heralded in with the sighting of the new moon. Most countries rely on news of an official sighting and it is common to see newspaper reports like this one: “Eid to be celebrated on Wednesday, moon spotted”. Since the time of the moon sighting varies according to which part of the world one is in, Eid celebrations can begin on different dates.

The festivities

On Eid day, Muslims gather early morning in mosques or outdoor locations to perform the Eid prayer. After the prayer, new clothes are taken out and visits are made to relatives and friends. Colourful bazaars and malls are full of families doing their last-minute Eid shopping; women apply mehndi (henna) and wear colourful bangles. Children look forward to getting ‘eidi’ (money given by elders to children).

Festivities-shopping-Eid-ul-Fitr

It is common for non-Muslims to visit their Muslim friends and neighbours on Eid to convey their good wishes. It’s also time for feasting on special Eid delicacies like sheer khurma – a sweet dish prepared with milk, roasted vermicelli and garnished with dry fruits. After a month of fasting, sheer khurma comes like a warm bowl of comfort.

Other mouthwatering items on the menu include biryani, kebabs and korma and the delicious haleem – a meat stew made with lentils. The nihari is another popular dish during Ramadan – a rich stew of goat meat or beef, it is cooked overnight for six to eight hours and served hot early morning. In south India, Muslims break their fast with nonbu kanji, a rich, filling rice dish of porridge consistency, cooked for hours with meat and vegetables.

Eid Hot Spots: Where to celebrate

Eid-ul-Fitr is a public holiday in India and government offices, businesses and schools remain closed. While Eid is celebrated all over India, there are some cities that are well-known for the scale and range of festivities. If you want to get a taste of the real thing, it is best to get an invite to a Muslim household. Here’s a list of places where you can get get a ringside view of Eid celebrations.

• Jama Masjid in New Delhi where huge crowds gather to pray
• Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, another location where people come together for prayer
• Aishbagh Idgah (the biggest prayer ground in the city) in Lucknow
• Dargah Sharif in Ajmer
• The Red Road in Kolkata where thousands of Muslims gather for a community prayer on Eid – it is a sight to behold.
• Agra is another great place to witness Eid festivities. In 2011, the Taj Mahal was opened to all for free for three hours on the occasion of Eid.
• In, Mumbai, the place to be seen at is Mohammad Ali Road. The place comes alive after sunset every day during Ramadan when restaurants in the area stay open all night serving up sumptuous dishes like tikkas, kebabs, hot paya, deep-fried parathas, kheeri and kaleji and stuffed baida rotis.

Indian Festivals: Ladakh Festival

With the Himalayan wonder, Ladakh, becoming more accessible to visitors from across the country, it is a great opportunity to get an intimate view of the unique festivals of the region.

One of the most exciting cultural extravaganzas, the Ladakh Festival, is celebrated between every 1st to 15th September. Great weather and fewer tourists make this a great time to enjoy the region’s heritage, depicted in dances, music and local food.

About the Festival

The Ladakh festival was the brainchild of the state tourism ministry and local communities to bring forth the rich cultural heritage of the region for everyone to enjoy. Leh, Kargil and the farway Zanskar valley participate in this festival.

Lamas-dancing-during-Festival

The festival starts with parades of local dance and music troupes which slowly go past the main Leh market to finally end in the Polo Ground. The most important part of the Ladakh Festival is the polo match. The winners are conferred with the Ladakh Festival Cup. This was introduced to take forward the lineage of this traditional sport of the Western Himalayas. Some of the other events include archery, singing contests and dance competitions.

Ladakh-Festival-Cup-Polo

The most exhilarating performance is that of the Lamas, who dance to haunting tunes in traditional colourful masks. These monks are chosen from a handful of monasteries and their performance is one of the highlights of the festival.

Childern-Dancing-Ladakh-Festival

Local food stalls line up at the venues so dig into some Tibetan food like Thukpa and Tsampa. Skyu is also something worth a try. This is a pasta dish with vegetables. Apart from the local food, you can also find local versions of other cuisines.

The festival marks the end of the pleasant weather as soon after the festival, the weather gets chilly and the in a month’s time, the high passes close due to snow. The Ladakh Festival leaves visitors and locals with colourful memories before the cold takes over the region.

Parade-during-festival

How and When to get there

Leh, the capital city where the festival is held, is accessible by both road (via Manali or Srinagar) and air. The road trip itself is magnificent, but if you are planning on arriving on the opening day, you should keep 2 days for road travel. You can also fly in from Delhi, but arrive at least a day or two early to acclimatise to the altitude. With much walking, participation and following the parades, it can get very exhausting.

Tips for Visitors

• Get local help beforehand to get seats in the Polo Ground if you want to watch the entire procession. Alternatively, a great vantage point from atop a building also makes a good viewing point.
• With prior permission from the Tourism office, you can also get close access to the parade to get brilliant photo-opportunities.
• If you can arrange to meet some of the troupes before or after the parade, more up-close pictures can be obtained.
• This is also a good time for shopping for handicrafts as locals bring out their best wares and the variety is incredible. Although be prepared to bargain as visitors can be over charged a little. Local help will come in handy to get a decent bargain. Silver jewellery, mementos, prayer flags and more elaborate souvenirs like shawls and rugs are in plenty.

Indian Festivals: Makar Sankranti

Unlike most of the other Indian Hindu Festivals, the date of Makar Sankranti is fixed. Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. The popular Indian festival “Makar Sankranti” is the first Indian festival falls in New Year. It is one of the major Indian harvest festival celebrated on 14th of January of every year. It’s an important festival of the Hindus and celebrated almost everywhere in the country in myriad cultural forms and different names. Every region celebrate it in innumerable ways, according to the localization, culture and traditions.

Festival of Kites: 

Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan or Festival of Kites in Gujarat and Rajasthan. This is a full kite-flying day, colorful kites in the sky convert Sankranti into the beautiful colors of kites. The International Kite festival is held at Ahmedabad on January 14 of every year. Kite festival is one of the most popular festivals of Jaipur “The Pink City” Rajasthan.

Patang-Uddi-Re-Patang

Fairs and Festivals:

During the Makar Sankranti festival, so many mela or fairs held’s in different region’s of India. A biggest fair held at Ganga Sagar  in west Bengal, where the most scared river “Ganga” enters the sea, thousands of pilgrims and Sadhu the holy men come here for the holy bath on the day of Makar Sankranti. The bullock festival, cattle fair held on Makar Sankranti at different places, where many camels, bullocks and horses are sold and purchased by animal lover people. One of the famous and unique fair is held at Rajgir, Bihar.

Ganga Sagar Festival Mela in West Bengal

The famous Makar Sankranti festival is related to harvesting the food grains. Its called Lohri in Punjab, In south India it’s known as Pongal “The National festival of India”, in Karnataka it’s called Sankranti and in Kerala it’s called Makara Vilakku. In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated at the last day of the Bengali month of Poush. This festival goes on for ten days, feasting, boat races, songs and dance are the major parts of attraction of this important Indian festival. It is celebrated with the til (sesame seeds) ke laddoo, gajak, Ellu Bella and sarson ka saag-makka ki roti.

White-Til-Laddu

Rajasthan Tourism: Marwar festival in Jodhpur

Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan are colourful and lively affairs. Normally mythological in nature the celebrations relate to Gods and Goddesses, while others are celebrated to commemorate the brave deeds of medieval heroes. The Marwar Festival, held in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan is one such example.

History of the Marwar Festival

The Marwar Festival Jodhour is one of the most awaited festivals of Rajasthan. The festival was originally known as “Maand” Festival. Reflecting the rich culture of the place, the festival is celebrated with a lot of excitement and zeal.The Marwar Festival in Jodhpur actually acts as remembrance to the heroes of Rajasthan. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar Province. The festival has on display the music and dance of the Marwar region. The spirited folk dancers assembled here, perform with gusto and entertain the audience with Rajasthani folklore.These folk artists bring to life the myth and legends of the area and sing songs inmemory of the brave heroes. Other attractions of the festival include horse riding and horse polo. Various other competitions are also held during the festival.This festival also attracts a large number of foreign tourists. By visiting Rajasthan during the festival, they also gain a lot of knowledge about the heroes of the bygone era of Rajasthan. The festival is also embedded with a number of cultural events. Music and dance makes the festival more attractive. These cultural events not only add entertainment options for the visitors. They also reflect he rich culture of the place.

Marwar-festival

The festival also holds further value for the tourists. They provide a deep insight into the rural life of the people of Rajasthan. The dance postures which involve folk dancer carrying pots on their heads are a treat to the eye. These performances are usually held at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort. The festival also has further attractions like camel tattoo show and polo.This is festive time and the performances take on a romantic and ethereal hue as it is full moon on those days. Besides the song and dances that are the hallmarks of the Marwar Festival, the audience is regaled with Rajasthani folklore that keep the myths and beliefs of yester years alive. Competitions and activities like horse riding and polo complete the scintillating event.

Why Jodhpur is the best location for the Festival

Jodhpur celebrates the die-hard courage of the heroes of the land, the Rajputs, who are the sons of royal houses. The massive Meharangarh fort and the impressive Umaid Bhawan Palace which are symbols of might and valour of the Rajputs, make Jodhpur an ideal location for the festival. The humongous fort is an apt place to enjoy the beauty of the beautiful blue city.

View-of-Jodhpur-City

What to expect at the Festival

Bringing to life the legendary folklores of the area, the folk artists do complete justice to it. Listening to the folk musicians singing praises of the bygone heroes may not be completely understood by all but the fierce intensity can be strongly felt in these songs  whatever language you speak. Being in the audience to the buoyant and spirited performers of the folk dances is an immerse experience. Watching the folk dancers, who accurately balance the earthen pots on their heads and dance to the rhythm of the songs sung by the singers, leaves the spectators in awe.

Dance-in-Marwar-Festival

The typical Kalbeliya dance has made a mark internationally and you can witness it here in its own land with the true Indian spirit.

Bringing alive the competitive spirit of Rajasthan

Other attractions of the festival include horse riding and horse polo. Various other competitions are also organized during the festival. Women participate in henna competition, which involves the art of making intricate designs on palms with henna. Rajasthani men take immense pride in their moustache. A turban-tying and moustache competition for men is one of the highlights of the day.

Marwar-Music

The concept of valour and courage is woven intricately in almost every historical epic of a country. The harshness of the so called fighters is part of their personality. Their stamina to endure any given situation is remarkable. The Rajputs have set a milestone and created a rich history and celebrating these heroic tales allows participants to recognise the toughness of these fighters and the richness of the past.

Souvenirs to bring back home

A small fete is organized by the state tourism and cultural board wherein a number of craftsmen display their skills, you can buy numerous craft items and souvenirs displayed at the stalls set up here, known as “Haats”.

Dates for the Festival

For 2012 the festival is being held on the 28th and 29th of October.In 2013 the festival will take place on the 17th and 18th October

It is only by witnessing a festival such as the Marwar  that you can really appreciate the magnificent historical past of Rajasthan!

Onam – The chief festival of God’s Own Country, Kerala

From glooms to cheerfulness, from shoe-string budget constraints to prosperity, from the dullness of heavy rains to the freshening radiance of gentle sun rays, … that Onam to Keralites – arguably the chief festival of what’s dubbed as the God’s Own Country, Kerala.

Onam Symbolic

Kerala’s most celebrated festival occasion ‘Onam’ is the hallmark of a new calendar year. ie., Chingam 1st which marks the beginning of the New Year in the Malayalam calendar, called as  ‘Kolla Varsham’. Chingam, which follows the last month of Malayalam year ‘Karkidakam’, offers a sharp contrast from its predecessor in terms of climate and lifestyle. Karkidakam is the month of monsoon characterized by heavy lashes of downpour plus subsequent diseases where people have to take various means to improve their frequently ailing health condition and, due to this month’s volatile nature people won’t conduct any important or joyful occasions such as marriages, new house warming, …  whereas Chingam is a new dawn of cheer & good times for Keralites. This is the time of harvests, plentiful special occasions like marriages and, above all the celebration time of Onam!

Chothi for Onam

Onam for Kerala is not just a mere festive occasion, more than that it symbolizes the spirit of Kerala’s vibrant culture & legacy. This festival is celebrated by all – people from all wakes of life and each & every religions here – for Keralites this is the testimony of their brotherhood & pride! Origin of Onam is in fact timeless. Few interesting legends are associated with the beginning of Onam, of which the most prominent one is connected with ‘Mahabali’ ancient King of Kerala.

Onam king stuff

A demon King who held sway in not only Kerala but all the mythical three worlds namely Heaven of gods, Earth of humans, and the Netherworld. His rule was regarded as the best in every respect which is yet to be surpassed by any known ruler! Ballads describe Mahabali’s rule as the one where people lived in utmost prosperity, happiness & joy prevailed everywhere, and the word ‘crime’ was virtually unheard / unknown. Without doubt, an ear that is beyond compare with the present governing system!!!

It is believed that Gods grew anxious about the expanding prowess & fame of Mahabali that they sought the help of Lord Vishnu (the preserver god in Hinduism’s holy trinity) to oust Mahabali. Lord Vishnu took the form of a Brahmin kid ‘Vamana’, went to meet Mahabali and requested him 3 footages of land as alms. King Mahabali, known for his virtuous of keeping promises, agreed to do so. Instantly Vamana assumed a gigantic form. He measured Heaven with one footstep and Earth with another step. With Vamana’s third step looming large & the destruction of the King’s subjects almost a certain, Mahabali voluntarily offered his head to rest that third step so that the kingdom & subjects will be saved. Vamana’s feet pushed Mahabali to Netherworld. However, impressed by the King’s care towards his subjects, Vamana (Lord Vishnu) granted Mahabali a boon that he can visit his people once in every year. That occasion came to be known as Onam.

Vishnu as vamana

Onam festival occasion begins with the Malayalam calendar day ‘Atham’ (usually falls in mid August to early September every year), followed by ten days with a grand fiesta on ‘Thiru Onam’ day. ‘Atham’ is welcomed by Keralites with a colourful procession called as ‘Athachamayam’, a procession with richly decorated sets that depict mythological events. The procession in central Kerala’s Tripunithura town (former capital of Cochin State) is a particularly famous crowd puller.

Atha Ghosham

From Atham onwards every home in Kerala gets ready to greet their beloved King by decorating their house’s threshold with artistic flower patterns (known as ‘Pookalam’). From Atham to Thiru Onam; every day a new pattern of Pookalam will be prepared in homes – to mark the significance of each Onam day.

Uthradam

Thiruonam

The grandest celebration takes off on Thiru Onam day. Besides the decorated Pookalam & clay-made representation of Mahabali, all household will wear new cloths – a custom that signifies the triumph of good times over troubled times, prosperity over hardship, plus the token of welcome of their beloved King. Women get busy to prepare the traditional Kerala feast ‘Onam Sadya’ – a lavish feast where rice with wide variety of vegetarian dishes is served on a banana leaf. Some standouts of this Onam feast are Upperi, Sharkara Varatti (banana fried chips & fried banana coated with sugar) and Payasam (a delicious nectar-like dish).

Onam Sadhya

Upperi

To add up the celebrations of Mahabali’s return & good times, women in Kerala households perform the dance from ‘Thiruvathira Kali’ / ‘Kaikotti Kali’ – a group of seven or eight ladies, wearing customary Kerala dress, encircle a lighted lamp and perform uniform rhythmic dance movements with clapping of hands.

Thiruvathirakali

On the other hand Male folks also form friend circles and celebrate Onam their own with games like ‘Puli kali’ (performing Tiger-like pranks), ‘Sayippum Kaduvayum’ (Hunter and Tiger / Leopard showdown), etc.

Pulikali

Onam occasion is celebration time in every aspect with most of the reputed Snake Boat Races of Kerala such as ‘Payippad Boat Race’, ‘Aranmula Boat Race’, ‘Chambakkulam Boat Race’, also take place in the days that follow Thiru Onam.

Aranmula Boat Race

Earlier years were filled with so many local-styled entertaining games & activities during Onam holidays. But as modernity and nuclear family concept have taken their toll, much of the good old Onam games & activities are confined to Television channels’ studio sets and cultural stages. Whatever it is, the legacy of Onam always prevails and it continues as a driving force of Kerala’s unity & integrity – most certainly forever.