Goa in high 'spirits' !!

Goa – the very name is magical. There are scores of other beachy places in India but Goa is Goa – a class apart as sworn by the 3 million annual visitors – with a majority of them being repeats. This smallest State of India sells the biggest dream-holidays every year. No wonder then that Goa is India’s richest State with Tourism being its primary industry!

Maybe it’s the palm-fringed beaches of white sands and sparkling waters.

Maybe it’s the charm of a 600-year old Portuguese colony with its world heritage architecture of Churches and houses.

Maybe it’s the bio-diverse hotspot that it is.

Maybe it’s the zipping around on rented bikes or lazing and strolling aimlessly on the beaches.

Maybe it’s the addicting flea-markets and hangout beach-shacks.

Could it be about all the sunburn and rave Goa beach-parties and discos with low-duty booze? It must be all of the above and more!

The best way to optimize your visit to Goa is to club your visit with a Goan festival. That’s when you can catch the true essence of Goa.

Countless festivals, events and parties dot the Goa calendar all year. This June, Goa would be buzzing with fun and frolic when it celebrates the onset of monsoons (Feast of St. Anthony on the 13^th); celebrates newlyweds (Sao Joao Festival on the 24^th) and celebrates fishing in the monsoons (Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul on the 29^th).

The traditions that are practiced during these festivals truly smack of Goa – interesting and vibrant and very Portuguese!

The Sao Joao Festival which is centuries old is a lively street festival where the Goan youth go berserk with fun activities. Sao Joao Festival or the Feast of St. John’s commemorates the Christening of Lord Jesus Christ in River Jordan. On this day the youth of Goa jump into ponds and wells in remembrance and play games and sing songs and pray. On this day you will find the Goan youth scurrying on the roads from pond to pond and well to well. The newlyweds are given centre-stage by giving them prominent roles on this day of distributing goodies to the others. Mothers-in-law prepare and layout an elaborate meal for their sons-in-law. There is also an annual boat-parade that is held on this day. ‘Copel’ or a tiara made of fresh flowers is worn by the participants all day. There is also a long procession that meanders through the streets of Goa and leads to a Church. Upon reaching the Church there are fireworks, games and other fun activities held. The Goan locals spend the entire day on the streets participating with gusto in a host of events.

Goa is ever-inviting. Question is.....how would you like Goa served to you!

 Pix courtsey: Top News, Goodreads, Goa tours and travels, Goaindiatourism, Mygoatour, Festivalsofindia, Indianetzone.

Ganga Dassehra on Ganga Ghats.

Celebrating the reincarnation of River Ganga on Earth is Ganga Dassehra which is celebrated on the first 10 days of the ‘Jyeshtha’ month which falls in the months of May-June. According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Ganga descending on earth is a festival that is observed as ‘Ganga Dassehra’, ‘Ganga Saptami’ and ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ in different parts of India.

Upon performing intense austerities by King Bhagirath, Goddess Ganga descended onto earth in the form of River Ganga in order to relieve the sins of King Bhagirath’s family. Since then it is a strong belief among Hindus that in order to cleanse oneself of his sins he would have to take a Holy-dip in River Ganga each year especially on Ganga Dassehra.

During these 10 days, River Ganga is venerated by the Hindus as Goddess Ganga through numerous pujas, prayers, rituals and ceremonies. The ‘Aarti of River Ganga’ performed by the Haridwar Priests at twilight while standing on the steps of the Ganga Ghats – few inches away from the ever-flowing humungous river Ganga – is a fascinating sight which is captured by millions of cameras on those days. Lord Shiva is worshipped with special emphasis on these 10 days. On all these 10 days, River Ganga is offered sweets and flowers and small flames in leaf-boats are set afloat on the fast-flowing river with ringing of bells and chanting of ‘shlokas’, ‘kirtans’ and ‘bhajans’. It’s one of the most amazing devotional experiences ever!

Places which are located along the banks of River Ganga such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi, Garh-Mukteswar, Prayag, Kanpur etc. are thronged by millions of Hindus and devotees of River Ganga to pay respects to the River as well as to take a Holy Dip in the River and perform puja on all 10 days.

On the days of Ganga Dassehra, it is believed to be a blessing and rewarding to give alms to the needy so all the Hindus who participate in the festival at the River Ganga at various places also do charity.

Facts about the Gigantic River Ganga:

1.    River Ganga originates in the Himalayas in Indian State of Uttarakhand at the confluence of River Bhagirathi and River Alaknanda and flows through India and Bangladesh. Gangotri Glacier is the point of origin of River Ganga. In Bangladesh, River Ganga is called River Padma.

2.    River Ganga is 2525 kms long from the Himalayas right upto the Bay of Bengal where it drains into the sea.

3.    Based on the ‘Volume-Rate’ of the water flow (discharge), River Gangs ranks among the Top 20 rivers in the world.

4.    400 million people inhabit the Ganga River basin (along its route) which makes it the highest populated river basin in the world.

5.    The first mention of River Ganga was in the Late Harappan period in the 2^nd Millennium BC. The first official mention of River Ganga was made in the ancient Hindu scriptures – the Vedas dating back to 1500 BC. The first foreigner to have recorded River Ganga is the Greek Ethnographer – Megasthenes (in his book called ‘Indica’) who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya before 298 BC.

6.    According to Hindu Mythology, Goddess Ganga, who is a consort to all three Hindu deities – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva descends to earth in the reincarnation of River Ganga in order to purify and cleanse of sins of all those who take a Holy Dip in this river. Hindu river-pilgrimage and river-worship began with worshipping River Ganga in India. The ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’ is probably the biggest gathering of people in the world as in 2001 approximately 60 million people (of which 1 million people from outside of India) had gathered at Allahabad to worship River Ganga!

Pix courtesy: Wikipedia, Zeenews, Haridwarkumbhmela, Shunya, Geolt12.wordpress, Goldntriangleindiatours.

800th ‘Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti’ in Ajmer !

More than 4,00,000 Indian and foreign devotees have been and will converge in Ajmer in Rajasthan this week in order to commemorate the death anniversary of the great Sufi  Saint - Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in a commemorative event called the ‘Urs’ which is held at the tomb of the Saint where his mortal remains lie buried. Khwaja Moinuddin is popularly known as ‘Gharib Nawaz’ – the Benefactor of the Poor.

Urs – Ajmer is reckoned with as the largest Muslim gathering in India held during the Islamic calendar month of Rajab – on seeing the moon of Rajab. Upon sighting the moon of Rajab, an official drum-roll would announce the commencement of the Urs and a traditional Urs Flag which is brought by the Gori family from Bhiwara is hoisted amidst flower and confetti shower on the main gate of the Shrine.

The commemoration lasts for 6 days – the 6^th day regarded as the most important day when the ‘Shijra’ is read by the Khadims which is followed by ‘Fariyaad’ (prayers). The Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti has been commemorated since 1212 AD which makes it the 800^th Urs this year in 2012.

Religious Mehfils, Qawwalis, Poetry Recitation in praise of the Almighty and special Prayers (Fariyaad) would be held 24/7 during all Urs days when devotees offer votive offerings or ‘Nazranas’ such as the chadar, ghilaph and neema at the Shrine. During the Urs, Khwaja’s tomb would be ritually anointed with rosewater and sandalwood paste while Qawwalis are being sung in praise of God.

‘Tabarukh’or sanctified food which is sweet rice garnished with dry fruits and condiments is cooked and served just outside the Shrine premises.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti was born in 1141 AD and passed away in 1230 AD and is the most famous Sufi Saint of the Chisti Order in India. Khwaja Moinuddin was a descendant of Prophet Muhammad and was originally from Chisti in Afghanistan. When Khwaja got enlightened, he renounced all worldly things including his entire wealth and property which he gave away to the poor. ‘Anīs al-Arwāḥ’ and ‘Dalīl al-'Ārifīn’ are two of the several books on Islamic Code of Living that Khwaja Moinuddin has authored.

The Lakeside town of Ajmer would be bustling with activity, events, devotees and tourists this whole week and beyond as the city gears up for the Urs of Khwaja. The Ajmer Bazaar close to the Dargah would display and sell large numbers of flowers, embroidered prayer rugs, decorated chadars, rosaries, prayer caps and silver ware. This bazar would be open till the wee-hours of the morning during the Urs.

The Indian Railways Administration has revved up plying 6 special trains for the Urs and Ajmer Police has stepped up security measures for the safety of the 4, 00,000+ visitors of the Urs. Additional arrangements of drinking water, parking facilities and sanitation are being provided.

Ajmer is 130 kms southwest of Rajasthan State Capital – Jaipur and 200 kms east of Jodhpur and is well connected to both by roads. A 6-lane highway connects Ajmer to Jaipur. Ajmer is also a major railway junction which links Jaipur, Marwar, Delhi, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Pix courtesy: PTI News. Ursajmersharif, Hellotravel, Ziaratekhwaja, Travel-packages.

Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri.

Also referred to as the Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra, Navadina Jatra or Dasavatara Jatra, the Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, the most important festival of Lord Jagannath, starts on 21^st June 2012, and lasts 10 days in the beach-city of Puri which is about 65 kms south of the Odisha State Capital – Bhubaneshwar. Puri ranks one of the top places in India for Hindu pilgrimage and religious tourism.

This Rath Yatra is one of the most colourful, elaborate and grand Hindu festivals in India which attracts millions of devotees from all over India as well as abroad as this Yatra occurs just once a year and because this Darshan is considered very auspicious.

The Yatra comprises one of the largest processions of the world with millions of people pulling and following 50-foot high ornate and decorated wooden chariots on which Lord Jagannath – the Lord of the Universe, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are paraded throughout the city to give Darshan to all their Devotees. It is said that those who participate in the Jagannath Yatra in Puri earn their ‘passage’ to heaven.

For 15 days prior to the Yatra, 'Snana Pumima' marks the beginning of the Jagannath festival, when the three deities - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are given a bath post which they are left in isolation for 15 days - called the period of 'Anabasara' when no public worship is performed. Post 15 days of isolation, the Gods and the Goddess are brought out of the 11^th Century-built Jagannath temple in a colourful and musical procession amidst thousands of devotees to board their respective Chariots and then begins the "Rath Yatra'.

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra Chariots being constructed.

The Chariots of the Rath Yatra deserve a special mention. The 3 towering and royal chariots resemble Lord Jagannath Temple architecture. Lord Jagannath Chariot, which is called the ‘nandighose’ is 35 feet high and has 18 solid wheels to move this heavy chariot. Lord Balabhadra’s chariot – ‘Taladwaja’ is 33 feet high and has 16 wheels and Goddess Shubhadra’s Chariot – ‘Devadalan’ is 30 feet high and has 14 wheels. New chariots are made each year but with the same ancient chariot-specifications. Thousands of devotees pull the chariots by long ropes and thousands struggle to merely touch the Chariot or pull the rope as it is considered lucky and prosperous for the devotee.

The whole Rath Yatra festival of millions surrounding the 3 deities in a large procession amidst loud beating of percussion instruments, gongs and blowing conch shells is a fascinating experience even for non-Hindus and is also the only chance for non-Hindus to see these 3 deities as non-Hindu devotees aren’t allowed into the Jagannath Temple.

As millions of pilgrim and tourists flood the Puri streets during these 10 days, visitors are to take extreme precautions when on the streets as people and lives are known to be lost in the stampede.

Pix courtesy: The Hindu, Amritasinha, Ludhianatravels.