Holi – Indian festival of Colors

Well, the most awaited festival Holi is here!!

Yes, the most colorful time of the year is almost here! Do you have your Gulal ready? Or perhaps the more mischievous among you are arming yourselves with Pichkaris and water balloons? No matter your gadget of choice, it’s guaranteed to be a day of glorious color. Read on to learn all about Holi, including a legend of the battle between good and evil, why you’ll be drenched in the colors of the rainbow, and the festival’s intoxicating unofficial drink.

Holi is one of the major festival of India and is the most vibrant of all. The joys of Holi knows no 😉 bound. The festival is celebrated across the four corners of India or rather across the globe. The festival is filled with Joy. Monks & Monkeys invites you all to this great festival to visit atleast once in a life-time. (y)

Holi – the festival of colours – is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festival. It’s an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colours! **##

Don’t Mind, It’s Holi!”

During Holi, practices, which at other times could be offensive, are allowed. Squirting coloured water on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pool amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang and revelling with companions is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on the days of Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, “Don’t mind, it’s Holi!”  ( Hindi = BURA NA MAANO, HOLI HAI. ) ##

The Festive License! 

Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules and sometimes join in the merriment rather aggressively.

It is a time when pollution is not important, a time for license and obscenity in place of the usual societal and caste restrictions.

In a way, Holi is a means for the people to ventilate their ‘latent heat’ and experience strange physical relaxations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Те, кто посещал индию, не перестают с восторгом отзываться о великолепном климате, мягком воздухе, прекрасном море, безбрежном океане и золотом солнце индийских земель. Но ничто не может сравниться с праздничными ритуалами, возведенными индусами на пьедестал божественного поклонения. И, пожалуй, самым ярким из них является ритуал празднования Холи, приходящийся на конец февраля – начало марта, фестиваля юной весны, безудержного буйства красок природы, расцвета новой жизни и светлых надежд. Своими корнями история праздника уходит в далекие времена создания легенд и сказаний. По одной из таких легенд, название праздника берет свое начало от имени коварной демоницы Холики, принявшей свою смерть в оковах огня Вишну. Именно поэтому буйство огненной стихии костров по праву украшает этот праздник, а чучело, сжигаемое в огне, символизирует приход новой жизни. Согласно другому поверью, Кама, бог любви, спешит поделиться этим необыкновенным чувством с людьми. Любовный танец, полный таинства и очарования, является одной из основных традиций этого праздника, прочно соотносимой и с именем любвеобильного Кришны.

<Those who visit India do never stop enthusiastic about the magnificent climate, soft air, the beautiful sea, the vast ocean and golden sun of Indian lands. But nothing can compare with the festive rituals, Indians erected on a pedestal of divine worship. And perhaps the most striking of them is a ritual celebration of Holi, which falls in late February – early March, the young spring festival, unrestrained riot of colours of nature, blossoming of new life and bright hopes. The roots of the history of the festival go to the old days of creating legends and tales… to be cont. >

Холи – самый бесшабашный, красочный, разноцветный фестиваль и конец зимы. Индийцы бросают цветным порошком в знакомых и незнакомых, поливаются цветной водой, танцуют, обнимаются, устраивают потешные сражения и веселятся.

<Holi is the most reckless and colourful festival. It symbolise the end of winter. We Indians throw colourful powders ( which are called GULAAL ) on familiar and even unfamiliar ones, pour water colour, dance, hug each other, revel with companions.>

Thanks

Have a wonderful time!! 🙂

NAVRATRI FESTIVAL, INDIA

Hey everyone!!

Long time no see. Well we are glad to be here with you on wordpress on this World Tourism Day. Yeah you hear it right, World Tourism Day is celebrated with a theme “Tourism for all – promoting universal accessibility” Exciting, isn’t it?

So today, lets come together n know all about the coming major festival ‘Navratri of everyone’s favorite nation.i.e India.
Well in my eyes (Navratri) this festival is not just a celebration of Hinduism, Vedic festival but Navratri is a celebration of the arrival of a new soul, a celebration of love and purification! People of all faiths, religions and nationalities come on Navratri to India.

Ohh, before going further let me tell you Navratri in brief, the term Navratri means nine nights, nights filled with dance, music and great food, Navratri is all about fun and frolic, as is evident from the gorgeous ensembles and lively dances.

The VALUE of NAVRATRI (9 Nights)
Navratri stands for 9 nights.
Why 9 nights?
Because Creation happens in darkness, in the womb. Nine months in the womb, like nine long nights, in which the spirit takes on human form.

Nine nights are precious as they carry a subtle energy. Subtle energy carries a wealth.

There is a way to bring this subtle energy into the outermost layer. We call this Yagna. There are many types of Yagna :
Yagna draya – which uses a lot of substances. 108 various types of herbs, fruit and whatnot;
Gyan Yagna – the discussion of knowledge;
Japa Yagna – reading mantras.

All of this adds purity, prosperity, peace and harmony to all. The whole environment becomes alive. No bickering in mind, just an innocent mind.
Read life as a gift, present time as a gift.

Navratri takes all the tiredness and stress away. With whole heartedly we dedicate these divine days and return to the source from which we came. Then we sing a Bhajan.

In these nine days we awake the divine qualities within us.

MORE ABOUT NAVRATRI

Divine Mother or the Goddess (Devi) is venerated during the nine days and nights of celebrating Navratri. Although the divine Mother is One, she is worshiped in three forms as Durga, Lakshmi and as Saraswati.

During the first three days of Nava Ratri, the emphasis is on the removal of coarser, surface obstacles with the help of the Goddess Durga. The human heart is contaminated with anger, greed, hatred, passion (lust), pride, jealousy. These “invaders of the heart must be removed, and the heart is to be purified.

That is Durga sitting on tiger, enters the heart of man and ruthlessly destroys all the dirt that live in it. Still confused personality paves the way for the development of a healthy personality which can reveal the divine goodness.

Over the next three days of NavaRatri is revered the same Devi in Her creative aspect of the Goddess Lakshmi. Standing on a blossomed Lotus and holding Lotus flowers in hand Lakshmi is the epitome of softness, harmony and perfection, and she blesses the man with material and spiritual success and prosperity.

After Durga has cleared away the old personality can begin the creative process – the Foundation has been laid. More and more beauty unfolds, it fills the heart with joy. In the spiritual movement it represents the advent of Lakshmi.

Lakshmi supports and nurtures the creative expression of the soul. Durga destroys the dilapidated remains of old vices; Lakshmi gives virtue. Durga removes the diseased part of the mind; Lakshmi performs healing.

Lakshmi is the Goddess of material and spiritual prosperity. She symbolizes the divine celebration. The Lakshmi period marked by the development of the divine qualities of compassion, mercy, universal love, unity, magnanimity of heart, balance of mind. Lakshmi brings stability of mind, enriches the spirit and eliminates that distraction.

The last three nights Nava-Ratri are devoted to the worship of the Goddess Saraswati who bestows wisdom. Saraswati comes to make us enlightened. Saraswati is described as having a white complexion like the Himalayan snows. She shines all of her clothes and glittering decorations give off a pure, snowy light. Saraswati is compared to a Jasmine flower. This flower is not only white, but also fragrant. Where there is purity, there’s also flavor. She holds the Veena (musical instrument) – a symbol of harmony of the individual.

Saraswati – Goddess of Wisdom – allows us to go beyond the barriers of our ego and experience the transcendental dimension. Creativity begin to unfold. Saraswati destroys ignorance and reveals the radiance and splendor of consciousness.

NAVRATRI IN 2016 DATES:-

Navratri Day 1 – October 1, 2016 – Ghatsthapana – Navratri Begins
Navratri Day 1 – October 2, 2016 – Chandra Darshan
Navratri Day 2 – October 3, 2016 – Sindoor Tritiya
Navratri Day 3 – October 4, 2016 – Varad Vinayak Chaturthi
Navratri Day 4 – October 5, 2016 – Upang Lalita Vrat – Lalitha Panchami
Navratri Day 5 – October 6, 2016 – Saraswati Awahan
Navratri Day 6 – October 7, 2016 – Saraswathi Puja (western parts of India)
Navratri Day 7 – October 8, 2016 – Maha Lakshmi Puja (western parts of India)
Navratri Day 8 – October 9, 2016 – Mahashtami – Annapoorna Parikrama – Saraswati Visarjan – Mahanavami fasting
Navratri Day 9 – October 10, 2016 – Mahanavami

The tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra.
Finally, the tenth day of this grand festival is celebrated as Dussehra, the day when Lord Rama triumphed over Ravana. This day signifies the victory of good over evil, and is also celebrated on a large scale across India. This year, Navratri starts on the 1st of October. The best way to celebrate Navratri this year is to participate in the festivities and explore how the festival is celebrated in other parts of India. Don’t waste another minute and plan a trip to a lovely destination in India. Check out monksandmonkeys for Navratri tours!

Holi – festival of India

Holi is one of the major festival of India and is the most vibrant of all. The joys of Holi knows no 😉 bound. The festival is celebrated across the four corners of India or rather across the globe. The festival is filled with Joy. Monks & Monkeys invites you all to this great festival to visit atleast once in a life-time. (y)

Happy-Holi

Holi – the festival of colours – is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festival. It’s an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colours! **##

Don’t Mind, It’s Holi!”

During Holi, practices, which at other times could be offensive, are allowed. Squirting coloured water on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pool amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang and revelling with companions is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on the days of Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, “Don’t mind, it’s Holi!”  ( Hindi = BURA NA MAANO, HOLI HAI. ) ##

The Festive License! 

Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules and sometimes join in the merriment rather aggressively.

It is a time when pollution is not important, a time for license and obscenity in place of the usual societal and caste restrictions.

In a way, Holi is a means for the people to ventilate their ‘latent heat’ and experience strange physical relaxations.

Fun + Dance + Colours = Holi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Те, кто посещал индию, не перестают с восторгом отзываться о великолепном климате, мягком воздухе, прекрасном море, безбрежном океане и золотом солнце индийских земель. Но ничто не может сравниться с праздничными ритуалами, возведенными индусами на пьедестал божественного поклонения. И, пожалуй, самым ярким из них является ритуал празднования Холи, приходящийся на конец февраля – начало марта, фестиваля юной весны, безудержного буйства красок природы, расцвета новой жизни и светлых надежд. Своими корнями история праздника уходит в далекие времена создания легенд и сказаний. По одной из таких легенд, название праздника берет свое начало от имени коварной демоницы Холики, принявшей свою смерть в оковах огня Вишну. Именно поэтому буйство огненной стихии костров по праву украшает этот праздник, а чучело, сжигаемое в огне, символизирует приход новой жизни. Согласно другому поверью, Кама, бог любви, спешит поделиться этим необыкновенным чувством с людьми. Любовный танец, полный таинства и очарования, является одной из основных традиций этого праздника, прочно соотносимой и с именем любвеобильного Кришны.

<Those who visit India do never stop enthusiastic about the magnificent climate, soft air, the beautiful sea, the vast ocean and golden sun of Indian lands. But nothing can compare with the festive rituals, Indians erected on a pedestal of divine worship. And perhaps the most striking of them is a ritual celebration of Holi, which falls in late February – early March, the young spring festival, unrestrained riot of colours of nature, blossoming of new life and bright hopes. The roots of the history of the festival go to the old days of creating legends and tales… to be cont. >

Холи – самый бесшабашный, красочный, разноцветный фестиваль и конец зимы. Индийцы бросают цветным порошком в знакомых и незнакомых, поливаются цветной водой, танцуют, обнимаются, устраивают потешные сражения и веселятся.

<Holi is the most reckless and colourful festival. It symbolise the end of winter. We Indians throw colourful powders ( which are called GULAAL ) on familiar and even unfamiliar ones, pour water colour, dance, hug each other, revel with companions.>

Thanks

Have a wonderful time!! 🙂