Hindu
Festivals
The Hindus are a profoundly religious people. Their goal of life is Selfrealization and proximity to God. All Hindu festivals have a spiritual
importance or a religious significance.
VISHVA SHAKTI DURGA MANDIR – OTTAWA
Holi
Amongst India's innumerable festivals, Holi ranks as the most colourful. It
celebrates the arrival of spring and death of demoness Holika. It is a
celebration of joy and hope. Holi provides a refreshing break from the
mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy themselves. In a tight
knit community, it also provided a good excuse for letting off some steam
and settling old scores, without causing physical injury.
Holi continues to be celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India.
Indians all over the world eagerly await the “Festival of Colours”. Dhuleti,
the day after Holi, is the actual festival of colours, when everything in sight
is covered in a riot of colours.
VISHVA SHAKTI DURGA MANDIR – OTTAWA
Diwali
The word "Diwali" comes from the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" - Deepa
meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. It means a row of lights: the main
attraction. In India, every home, poor or rich, is alit with the orange glow of
twinkling earthen lamps known as diyas. These lights are set out to welcome
Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Diwali is perhaps the most well-known of the Indian festivals: it is
celebrated throughout the world. It usually takes place eighteen days after
Dusshera. It is often called the "festival of lights", because of the lit diyas.
Many people exchange sweets to mark the occasion. As with other Indian
festivals, Diwali means many different things to people across the country.
In north India, Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming to Ayodhya after the
defeat of Ravana. In Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of
wealth, and in Bengal, it is associated with the Goddess Kali. Everywhere, it
signifies the renewal of life.
VISHVA SHAKTI DURGA MANDIR – OTTAWA
Raksha Bandhan
The annual festival of Raksha Bandhan, which is meant to commemorate the
ties between brother and sister, usually takes place in late August. This
occasion is marked by a very simple tradition, where a woman ties a rakhi,
which may be a colorful thread, a simple bracelet, or a decorative string,
around the wrist of her brother(s).
The word "raksha" signifies protection, and "bandhan" symbolizes the
the bond. Therefore, when a woman ties a rakhi around the waist of her
brother, she signifies her loving attachment to him. He, likewise, recognizes
the special bonds between them, and by extending his wrist forward, he in
fact extends the hand of his protection over her. strength of
VISHVA SHAKTI DURGA MANDIR – OTTAWA
Navaratri
Navaratri is a festival that lasts nine days and nine nights (Nava meaning
nine, and ratri meaning nights). Navaratri is one of the greatest Hindu
festivals. Navaratri is the worship of the three goddesses: Saraswati
(Goddess of learning and speech), Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and
prosperity), and Durga (Goddess of strength and courage).
Navaratri is celebrated in different styles throughout India. It occurs during
the first 9 days of the bright half of the month of Aashwayuja in the Indian
calendar. Navaratri is traditionally a time for starting new adventures and
beginnings..
Ramnavmi
Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, who is a reincarnated form
of Lord Vishnu. Ramanavami falls on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra
(March – April). The story of Rama was first written by Vaalmeeki in about
the 4th century B.C, known as the Ramayana. In some parts of India, it is a
nine-day festival, coinciding with Navaratri.
Worships start with morning prayers, chanting mantras dedicated to Vishnu,
and offering flowers and fruits to the God. People fast throughout the day,
breaking it only at midnight with fruit.
VISHVA SHAKTI DURGA MANDIR – OTTAWA
Krishna Janmashtami and the Story of Lord Krishna
Krishna Janamastami is the celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday. The
birthday of Krishna falls on the in the month of Bhado (August-September),
eight days after Raksha Bandhan. The exact date of Krishna's birthday is not
known but is most likely around 1400 B.C.
Krishna was born at midnight, in the prison of Kansa, king of Mathura,
during the middle of a rainstorm. Devaki was the king’s sister and was
married to a man Vasudeva. The king one day heard a voice saying, "Kansa,
you will be killed by the eighth child of Devaki." Kansa got frightened and
imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. He did not want to take any chance and
killed every child of Devaki, until the time came for the delivery of the
eighth child
Unfortunately, when the eighth child was born, the
guards were sleeping and Vasudeva's chains fell off.
Vasudeva quickly picked up the baby, and carried
him in a basket towards the river. "Lord, what should
I do," asked Vasudeva in a hopeless voice. Suddenly
a miracle happened, the river parted and Vasudeva
walked over the riverbed. A great snake named
Vasuki protected Vasudeva and the baby. They
crossed the Yamuna River to the town of Gokul
where his friend Nanda lived. Without thinking, he
quickly exchanged the baby with a baby girl and
returned to the prison with the infant girl, while the guards were still asleep.
The guards woke up and heard the cry of the baby. Kansa came running to
kill the child, but to his surprise he found it to be a girl. "What can a girl do
to you Kansa? Spare her life, please!" cried Devaki. Kansa did not listen,
and he was ready to kill the baby with a big boulder. The child slipped out of
his hand and flew towards the sky.
VISHVA SHAKTI DURGA MANDIR – OTTAWA
Shivratri
Shivratri is an important day for the devotees of Shiva, who stay awake
throughout the night, praying to Lord Shiva. Shivratri, also called Maha
Shivratri, is a grand occasion. From the very early morning, temples are
filled with devotees who come to perform the traditional worship of the
Shivalinga. All through the day, devotees abstain from eating food and break
their fast the next morning. The day is considered especially auspicious for
women. Married women pray for the well being of their husbands and sons,
while unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered
the ideal husband.
Hymns for Lord Shiva are sung with great passion and devotion. People
repeat the Panchakshara Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya. It is believed that one
who says the name of Shiva during Shivratri with proper devotion is freed
from all sins.
There is a legend describing the origin of this festival. According to some, a
pot of poison emerged from the ocean. This terrified the Gods and demons,
as the poison was capable of destroying the entire world. Many ran to Shiva
for help. To protect the world from its evil effects, Shiva drank the deadly
poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. Because of it, his
throat turned blue, and he was given the name Nilkantha, the blue-throated
one. Shivratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the
world.
Complied By : Shawn Chhabra (591-5221)
VISHVA SHAKTI DURGA MANDIR – OTTAWA