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Gangaur 2010 – an Important and Colorful Festival for Women of Rajasthan

Mar 17

Posted by mystaterajasthan in festivals fairs rajasthan, latest events rajasthan | No Comments

Gangaur is one of the most important festivals in Rajasthan.

gangaur-rajasthan

It is celebrated in the month of chaitra (March-April), the first month of the Hindu calendar. This month marks the end of winter and the onset of spring. This year Gangaur festival will be on 18 March, 2010.

Honoring the Goddess Gauri

Gangaur is all about honoring the goddess Gauri. A manifestation of Parvati (Lord Shiva’s wife), she represents purity and austerity.

The word ‘Gangaur’ is literally made up of two words, ‘Gana’ and ‘Gaur’. ‘Gana’ is synonymous with Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ which stands for Gauri or Parvati.

It’s believed that Parvati returned to her parental home during Gangaur, to bless her friends with marital bliss. On the last day, Parvait was given a grand farewell by her loved ones and Lord Shiva arrived to escort her home.

The festival is predominantly for women, who dress up in their best clothes pray for a husband of their choice, or the welfare of their husbands.

Traditional Procession of Gangaur in Jaipur

A traditional procession of Gangaur commences form the Zanani- Deodhi of the City Palace, passing through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan stadium and finally converges near the Talkatora. The procession is headed by a colorful pageantry of elephants, old palanquins, chariots, bullock carts and performance folk artistes.

In Jaipur, a sweet dish called ghewar is popularly distributed amongst friends and relatives.

Boat procession in Udaipur

In Udaipur, there’s a boat procession on Lake Pichola, and fireworks. Women balance several brass pitchers on their heads add to the interest. The occasion ends with fireworks on the banks of the lake.

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Sri Krishna Janmashtami – Lets Celebrate The Birth of Hindu God Krishna

Aug 14

Posted by mystaterajasthan in festivals fairs rajasthan, latest events rajasthan | No Comments

Shri Krishna Janmashtami - Celebrating The Birth of God

Shri Krishna Janmashtami - Celebrating The Birth of God

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of one of the most famous Gods of Hindu religion, Bhagwan Krishna, on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana or Savana. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the ‘Rohini’ nakshatram (star).

It is generally celebrated in the month of August-September according to the Christian Calendar. According to the legends, Sri Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa.

How is Janmashtami Celebrated?

Special pujas are held in Sri Krishna Temples around the world. Special poojas and rituals are also held at midnight – the time of Krishna’s birth. Processions with tabloids depicting various episodes from the life of Shri Krishna enacted by children are a major highlight of the festival.

At every temple of lord krishna, this Janmashtami festival is celebrated with a great charm, people dance with bhajans, they offer pooja to lord. Social groups organise competitions like “Matki fod Pratiyogita”. Women and little children goes to lord Krishna’s temple for darshan and pooja.

People put Lord Krishna’s idol in the decorated little cradles. Singing bhajans like jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki, Madan Gopal ki, devotees offer prayers to Lord Krishna. They also chant mantras of Lord Krishna.

Devotees observe fast for the entire day and it is broken after the birth of the Lord at midnight. Only milk and milk products are preferred by them, as these were the favorites of Lord Krishna.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami is known by various names such as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Saatam Aatham, Ashtami Rohini, Sri Krishna Jayanti and Sree Jayanthi.

Janmashtami Celebrated for over Two Days

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated for over two days as “Rohini” nakshatra and Ashtami may not fall on the same day. The first day known as Krishnashtami, as the birth of Bhagwan Krishna falls on the eighth day after Raksha Bandhan, which generally falls in the month of August. The second day is known as Kalashtami.

Famous Krishna Temples in India

Some of the famous Krishna Temples in India where Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with much importance includes Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir in Mathura, Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan, Srinath Temple in Rajasthan, Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat, Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, Udupi Sri Krishna Temple in Karnataka, and ISKCON Temple in Tirupati.

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Ghoomar – Famous Social Folk Dance of Rajasthan

Jun 28

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, travel rajasthan | 1 Comment

Dance is an expression of human emotion as much as music and it is found in almost limitless.

The desert region of Rajasthan is famous for the color and vibrancy of its folk forms. Each region in Rajasthan has its own form of folk dance. Tribal areas have maintained these folk dances which are often performed for special occasions.

Ghoomar – Rajasthan’s Popular Folk Dance

Ghoomar - Popular Rajasthani Folk Dance

Ghoomar - Popular Rajasthani Folk Dance

The famous Ghoomar,  Rajasthan’s popular folk dance gets its name from ‘ghoomna’, the pirouetting which displays the spectacular colors of the flowing ‘ghaghara’, the long skirt of the Rajasthani women.

There is an amazing grace as the skirt flair slowly while the women folk twirl in circles, their faces covered with the help of the veil. Their measured steps and various graceful inclinations of body, beating palms or snapping fingers at particular cadences while singing some lilting songs.

Women from all age group participate in Ghoomer dance. At times this dance may continue for hours or the whole night. While dancing, the dancers move in a circular direction with clockwise and anti-clockwise steps. The performers sometimes unite their hands and even clap their hand in-between.

The performers move gracefully on the beat of the songs in synchronizing steps. As the tempo of the dance increases, the dancers swirl fleetly.

Traditional Ritual in Rajasthani People

The Ghoomar dance is the characteristic dance of the Bhils and a community dance of the Rajputs, also which only the women traditionally perform. It is considered as one of the traditional rituals among this community. So, on the occasion of marriage, a bride is expected to dance Ghoomar after being welcomed at her husband’s home.

Suggestions

If you happen to travel Rajasthan in festival season, don’t miss a ghoomar recital at the City Palace in Jaipur.

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Nagaur Fair – A Cattle Fair in Rajasthan

Feb 5

Posted by mystaterajasthan in festivals fairs rajasthan, travel rajasthan | No Comments

Nagaur Fair - Worlds Largest Cattle Fair in Rajasthan

Nagaur Fair - World's Largest Cattle Fair in Rajasthan

About Nagaur City

Nagaur Town is one of the most picturesque of Rajput townships. Cordoned in by massive ramparts, royal apartments, palatial houses and temples, it has to be entered through towering gates.

Nagaur Fair – Second largest Cattle fair in Rajasthan

There are lots of attractions that charm tourists from the world over in Rajasthan, Nagaur Cattle fair is one of them.

This eight days fair held every year during the month of Feb.  This is the second largest Cattle fair in Rajasthan.

This Fair is renowned for the trading of cows, bullocks, oxen, camels and horses, which takes place here. Their owners are seen wearing colourful turbans and flaunting long moustaches. Wooden items, iron craft and leather accessories are available in abundance during the fair.

Various activities during Nagaur festival

Various games are organized during this festival. Tug-of-War, camel races, cock & bullfights provide entertainment to the tourists and locals after a hectic day of trading.

As the last rays of setting sun bid aide to the day, a joyous atmosphere is created by the folk musicians whose voices echo far & wide across the tranquil desert sands.

Other Attractions in Nagaur

Also worth a Nagaur visit is the Tarkin-ka-Dargah which attracts devotees of all faith.

Mirchi Bazaar (Red Chilly Market) is the main attraction and wooden items, iron crafts and leather accessories are available in abundance during the fair.

How to reach Nagaur

Nagaur is well connected to the major cities by road and rail. Nearest airport is Jodhpur, some 135kms away.

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Ramdevra Fair of Pokhran Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India

Sep 4

Posted by mystaterajasthan in latest events rajasthan | 4 Comments

Shri RamdevJi

Shri RamdevJi

A wonderful pilgrim center which symbolizes national unity and community harmony as devotees of all religions come here to pay homage. The majestic Shri Ramdev temple at Ramdevra, Runicha, 13 kms from Pokran in Jaisalmer district, houses the shrines of Ramdev. He is believed to have been incarnated on earth for the benefit of humanity and was born in the house of Ajmalji in the Tomar Rajput family.

Ramdevji choose Ramdevra as the place where attained a Samadhi and went into a divine state of meditation. Fairs are held here twice a year when people flock to the temple and chant the glory of Ramsa Pir, so that their prayers may be answered. Many cultural events are also organised during this fair. Rice, coconuts and wooden horses(toys) were offered to Ramdevji by the devotees at the temple.

Ramdeora village is situated about twelve kilometer to the north of Pokhran, headquarters of a sub-division in Jaisalmer district. Pokran is a historic place from Indian Defense point as it was where India first tested their nuclear bombs.

Celebrations and Details of Ramdeora Fair

Celebrations at Ramdevra Fair in Pokran, Rajasthan

Celebrations at Ramdevra Fair in Pokran, Rajasthan

Ramdeora Fair, Pokhran, Jaisalmer is attended by a large number of people from the different parts of the country. The fair is held in order to pay homage to venerated Baba Ramdev who holds firm belief in the minds of both Hindus and Muslims. This eleven day fair is attended by a large number of devotees and holds a lot of importance for the local inhabitants. The last day of the fair is one of the most important one and the zest and ardor of the pilgrims is worth watching.

This is a good place for the foreigners to come face to face with the local people’s tradition, culture and their perception of the religion. The women during this festival dance and display their captivating performances which is called Terahtal. All the women join very keenly and display their best thus enthralling each and every one present to witness the show.

This is a good opportunity for the different people from the various parts of the country and the world as a whole to come and exchange their culture and tradition thus enriching each other’s knowledge and taking back home some of the most cherishable moments. Beautiful, traditional, mirrored Rajasthani embroidery and arts and crafts are sold, along with sweet and savoury snacks.

I sincerely feel that if your planning to visit Rajasthan around this time, do visit Ramdevra Fair as it is the place where actually the rural masses flock in numbers, as many as 2-3 million villagers and other pilgrims gather here in Ramdevra to pay homage to Ramdevji.

I will be continuing with my posts on forts in Rajasthan from tommorrow, so stay stuned as always!!

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