Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti in 2017
10th may (wednesday)

Buddha Purnima during Vaishakha month is celebrated as birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. Gautama Buddha whose birth name was Siddhartha Gautama was a spiritual teacher on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.

The time of Gautama Buddha’s birth and death is uncertain. However, most historians date his lifetime between 563-483 B.C. Most people consider Lumbini, Nepal as birth place of Buddha. Buddha died at the age of 80 at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important pilgrimage site related to the life of Gautama Buddha. The other three important pilgrimage sites are Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. It is believed that Gautama Buddha obtained Enlightenment at Bodhagaya and he first taught the Dharma at Sarnath.

In the month of Vaishakh the birthday of Gautam Buddha is celebrated. He is considered the ninth avatar of Vishnu.

Gautam Buddha "lived and died in about the fifth century before the Christian era." The number of Buddhists in the world ranges "from less than two hundred million, to more than five hundred million, with the lower number closer to reality."

Maharana Pratap

Maharana Pratap was the son of Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodiya clan of Rajputs, the rulers of Mewar. Pratap became the ruler of Mewar against his father’s wish, who had appointed his favourite son Jagmal as his successor. However, the senior nobles of Mewar decided that Pratap, the first son and rightful successor should be crowned king. Moreover, Maharana Pratap was said to be a man of strong Rajput character, he was far more brave and chivalrous. His kind heartedness and just decision making won the hearts of even his enemies. He is the only ruler of India that did not give in to the Mughal rule, and for that he is the most celebrated ruler of the country to this day.

Dicisional battle of haldighati:

Authoritative texts on medieval history, such as Satish Chandra’s Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals- Mughal Empire (1526-1748), say the Battle of Haldighati was fought between the forces of Akbar led by Man Singh and those of Maharana Pratap, assisted among others by “an Afghan contingent led by Hakim Sur which played a distinctive role”. The battle failed to break the stalemate between Akbar and Rana Pratap, with the latter retreating into the hills of southern Mewar.

“The Mughal forces were commanded by Kr. Man Singh. With both the Hindus and the Muslims divided, the battle of Haldighati can scarcely be considered a struggle between Hindus and Muslims. Nor can it be considered a struggle for Rajput independence, influential sections of the Rajputs already having cast their lot with the Mughals. The struggle can be regarded at best as an assertion of the principle of local independence,” Chandra notes.

“Akbar followed up the battle of Haldighati by coming back to Ajmer, and personally leading the campaign against Rana Pratap. In the process, Goganda, Udaipur and Kumbhalmir were occupied, forcing the Rana deeper into the mountainous tract of south Mewar,”

Shankaracharya Jayanti

Shankaracharya Jayanti Date in 2017

Sunday 30th April 2017

Adi Shankara was born in Kalady which is situated in Kerala during 788 C.E.

Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti is observed on Panchami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Vaishakha month and currently falls between April and May. Shankaracharya consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanata (अद्वैत वेदान्त) and revived it at a time when Hindu culture was on decline

One of the greatest philosophers and savants of Bharat. Though he lived for only thirty-two years, his achievement was unparalleled. He propounded the vedantic tenet that Brahman the Supreme and man are of one essence and that all people should strive to cultivate this vision of oneness. He established four spiritual centres in the four corners of the country, thus' upholding the underlying unity of the holy land of Bharat.

Basaveshwara Jayanti

Basaveshwara Jayanti In 2017
April 28 Friday
Basavanna Jayanti, marks the birth anniversary of the 12th Century thinker, social reformer, saint and religious teacher, Basvanna is considered to be the founder of Lingayatism or Lingayat Sect or Veerashaivism. He was responsible for sweeping social changes in Karnataka and surrounding regions around 900 years ago.

It is also known as Basava Jayanti.

This festival mostly celebrate in Karnataka.
Basava Jayanthi is traditionally observed by the Lingayats and is observed as a holiday in the Indian state of Karnataka.

The equality of sexes and social justice, which was unheard in many parts of the world in 12th century, was introduced at the grassroots level of the Kannada society by Basavanna.

The philosophy and teachings of Basaveshwara had universal appeal and eternal value and it attracted millions of people.

Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti Date in 2017

Sunday 9th April 2017

Mahavir Jayanti is observed by Jains as birth anniversary of sage Mahavir. Mahavir, also known as Vardhamana , established core tenets of Jainism. Mahavir was the 24th and the last Jain sage.

Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak

It is the Birth Anniversary of Mahavira

This is a gazetted holiday which means that government offices and most businesses are closed.

Celebration of Mahavir Jayanti :
Mahavir Jayanti is a festival marked with prayers and fasting. The holiday is especially popular in the eastern state of Bihar, where Mahavira was born near the modern town of Patna. A large celebration is held at the Parasnatha temple, Calcutta.

Ram Navmi

Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Rama. He is the as the seventh avatar of Vishnu.

Ayodhya is birthplace of Lord Rama and Rama Navami celebrations in Ayodhya are remarkable. Devotees come to Ayodhya from far-flung places. After taking holy dip into river Sarayu Devotees visit Rama temple to participate in birthday celebrations.

The festival is celebrated with much fanfare mostly across north India, particularly in Ayodhya, Lord Ram’s birthplace according to the epic Ramayana. Every year on Ram Navami, a special chariot procession (Rath Yatra) is hosted. In the procession, four people dress up as Ram, Laxman, Sita and Hanuman and adorn the chariot, while hundreds dance and sing hymns in the Lord’s name. Apart from Ayodhya, the festival is widely celebrated in Sitamarhi (Bihar) — Sita’s birthplace and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) — a place from where Ram began his journey to Lanka, to rescue Sita after being abducted by Ravan.

See the history of Ram Navmi...

Holi And Dhuleti

Holi in 2018

Thursday

1 March

Holi is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal, also known as the "festival of colours".

Holi is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Holi is considered as second biggest festival on Hindu calendar after Diwali.

Holi is also known as festival of Colors.

Places related to life of Lord Krishna are known as Braj regions. Holi rituals in Braj regions - Mathura, Vrindavan, Gowardhan, Gokul, Nandagaon and Barsana - are the most famous one.

Holi was originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, but is now a symbolic commemoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology.

See the History Behind holi....

Dhanteras

Recent Indian Festival :

Navratri 2016