India and Festival - Holi

Good wishes on behalf of Phila Tours & Travels to all of you. After completion of winter, awaiting the spring time and this is the time for Indians to celebrate the festival called Holi, the festival of colors  today we are going to inform you about this festival, its significance in India and different reasons and ways of celebration as per ancient mythological stories and culture of India.

India is a land of rich culture and festivals are an integral part of every Indian’s life. Here, a festival presents a glimpse of different traditions and customs. After the winter season, arrives the spring season when everywhere one can see blossom of colorful flowers, this is the time of Holi Festival, a Hindu festival of natural beauty. It is celebrated every year on the Purnima (full moon) of Phalgun month, which comes during the month of March every year. 'Holi' is festival to offer prayer to the Almighty as thanksgiving for good harvest. In 2013, Holi, the festival of colors will be celebrated on 27th March. The festival of Holi is also known as Dulhandi.

This festival is celebrated to mark the good crop during the season in the villages. Besides this, it also has connections with the mythological characters such as...

Prahlad being son of evil king Hiranyakashyap, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and his father the king did not like him praying to God, told him to stop and threatened to burn alive, in which King's sister Holika was to help in this evil thing, but with the blessings of Lord Vishnu, Prahlad was saved from the fire and Holika got burnt and Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Narsinh avatar as half human and half lion and took the life of Evil King Hiranyakashyap.

The second story goes as Kansa the King was afraid of his life being taken by Lord Krishna so he set Putna, his evil sister to kill Krishna during his small age, but being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Krishna came to know about the evil plan and killed Putna and came out safe and sound, thus the celebration of happiness with colours in Mathura for win of Good over Evil.

It is also said that Lord Shiva, after his consort Sati committed to fire due to disgrace by her father to lord Shiva, left his worldly duties as God and went  in deep meditation, at that time Kaamdeva the God of Love, was asked by other Gods to throw the powerful arrow of love on Lord Shiva to make him distracted from the meditation and again involving him into the matters of Earth. But being distracted from meditation, Lord Shiva got angry and opened his third eye and burnt Kaamdeva into ashes, on this, Rati, Kaamdeva’s consort and assistant pleaded and he was brought back to life by Lord Shiva. But Shiva relented and granted her the boon that she could see her husband but he would remain without a physical form.

Well, all in all, the Indian mythology, culture and customs go hand in hand and the celebration of festival takes the modern acceptance of life too. This festival is celebrated for two days, first night is to commemorate the victory of good over evil, as mentioned in those three stories above and a bone-fire is lightened and prayers are made around it to worship Gods and accepting their power in the world. This tradition is also followed in Gujarat and Orissa. To render gratefulness to Agni, the God of Fire, gram and stalks from the harvest are also offered to Agni, which includes raw mango, coconut and freshly harvested Saptdhanya (seven types of grains and pulses such as Wheat, rice, barley, lentils etc.) with all humility. Ash left from this bonfire is also considered sacred and people apply it on their foreheads.

And as normal to Indians, all festivals will have its own celebration with food and drinks, on this day of Holi the special drink of Bhang (made out of leaves and buds of cannabis) is consumed by adults and sweet food items like Gujiya, Malpuas, Mathri, Puran Poli are enjoyed to topping celebration to crunch hunger by adults and children alike. Later in the evening the celebration is normalized with people visiting their elders, relatives and friends and exchanging the wishes, sweets and hugs in a dignifying manners.

It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in society and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People of all communities and different religions all come together and participate in this joyous and colorful festival and strengthen the secular fabric of the nation.  So, with this article we from Phila Tours & Travels wish you all a happy celebration and may you have peace prosperity and strength of friends and family with you. Let us all come together and celebrate holi by listening to this Holi Song….

India and Festivals - Taj Mahotsav (Celebration near Taj Mahal)

Good day to all our readers,

We from Phila Tours & Travels hope, you are enjoying the information provided on our blogs and we expect that if you feel we have missed out on anything or have missed any information to provide in blogs or is not much helpful or vice versa and appreciate our efforts, we request you to leave comments on those blogs for us to know and do better from henceforth.

After information about the Goa Carnival, which has ended yesterday and the Khajuraho Dance Festival which is yet to start, we are coming up with the Taj Mahotsav to be held between 18th to 27th February 2013, at Shilpgram near Taj Mahal in Agra. Considered to be one of the seven wonders, the Taj Mahal is said to be an epitome of beauty despite being a mausoleum of love. If there is anything that receives as much attention and crowd as the Taj Mahal, it is the Taj Mahotsav.

This much awaited Cultural Program which was started in 1992 by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and since continued to reach the height of nationwide as well as internationally known festival is entering its 22nd year of cultural extravaganza starting on 18th February 2013 providing platform for talented artists to showcase their talent in cultural dance, Music, Art and craft on the single platform for 10 days starting with procession of beautifully Decorated Elephants and Camels reminding of the grand era of Mughal Empire from 18th and 19th Centuries.

A ten days event, having its main objective to provide encouragement and make available the work of authentic art and craft at the reasonable cost also encouraging the performers of Folk and classical music, dance and songs performances as well as fun and frolics of rides, games and food on one single vibrant platform of Taj Mahotsav.

At Taj Mahotsav in Shilpgram, the Artisans and Craftsmen from different parts of Country displays their great skills and exquisite works of arts and crafts. This festival gives opportunity to such artisans to get the local and international platform for marketing their craftsmanship and products. The arts and crafts from various parts of

 India are displayed here such as wood carving from Saharanpur, wood and stone carving from Tamil Nadu, Papier mache work of South India and Kashmir, Shawls and Carpets of Kashmir and Gujarat, Pottery of Khurja, Marble of Agra and Rajasthan, Silk material and Zari embroidery work from Banaras, Chikan Embroidery of Lucknow, brass and metal ware of Moradabad, handmade carpets of Bhadohi, 

Bamboo and cane work from North East parts of India, Hand Printing work of Farrukhabad and Kantha and many more.

In addition to the arts and crafts one can experience the majestic and soul-stirring performance of artists from various states of Country in the cultural evenings for a spectacular show casting a spell on the visitors. The Folk and classical music and dance of braj bhumi, performed the way it used to since centuries is thrilling, and not only that, but from other parts like Maharasthra’s Lavani and Nautanki, Rajasthan’s Kalbelia Tribe's dance also well known as Sapera dance, would make you join the folk dancers and enjoy the singing and dancing to the different music and dance style. Besides the folk music and dances, the Taj Mahotsav also exhibits the performance from the world renowned artistes from classical, semi-classical and popular art forms. The musicians and singers such as Sonu Nigam, late Jagjit Singh, Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal and many others have graced the festival with their performances in the previous years. The upcoming Artists and Performers are also given ample room for showcasing their brilliant performances.

Indian festivities can never be complete without the preparation of exotic cuisine. Some of the best and richest foods are available during this time. Besides being the destination for the arts & crafts, Culture of Music and Dance, Taj Mahotsav is also a delight for good food as it is the ideal place to pamper the taste buds of the visitors with endless varieties of some of the oldest exponents of the cuisines preparing scrumptious dishes and one cannot stop having the lip smacking experience. One can also relish the typical preparations from the interiors of Uttar Pradesh.

Not forgetting the fun fair, this is a biggest attraction for children in Taj Mahotsav. There are rides and games for all age group from children to teenagers and adults making it a whole family entertaining experience. Thus Taj Mahotsav represents the culture and tradition of Incredible India and is truly unique leaving the tourists mesmerized.

Enjoying the event with the magnificent Taj Mahal at the backdrop, it is a totally different kind of experience. The foreign tourists who are on Agra during this time must add this Taj Mahotsav to their Itinerary and enjoy the occasion as famous artists, musicians, dancers and chefs put their best effort to make the carnival most enjoyable.

With this we end our blog about Taj Mahotsav, hope you will enjoy this festivity this year or may be the years to come, for any further information we request you to contact us and we are always there to assist you for any requirements you might have. Till next time we meet, take care and enjoy.

India and Festivals - Goa Carnival

Welcome back to all our readers, with more and more interesting information about India, Culture, Festivals and Places, we are trying to increase your interest to spend your time by visiting the places and attending the events and festivals. So, if you are eager or interested or even if this blogs, let’s say last few blogs have been about celebration and festivals, makes you feel the eagerness to see those places, celebrations or festivals, we would be happy to know that with your remarks on those blogs.

Today, we from Phila Tours & Travels are again giving you something worth watching and if you are enthusiastic enough, take a part too and for that, let’s go to Goa…

The beaches in Goa are the main attraction that draws travelers from across the globe but among many various and colorful celebrations and events takes place in Goa, this is one of the most eagerly awaited celebration, which falls during the month of February every year, the 4 days and nights celebration just before the 40 days of Lent is this Goa Carnival. This year the Carnival will start on 9th February and will be continued till 12th February 2013.

 The origins and nature of the carnival can be traced to the  feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. These carnivals started in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, and gradually became known for their singing, dancing and drinking. But in India this Carnival is exclusive and unique to Goa, and was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for over five hundred years. Started by them the Goa Carnival has made a special place for itself, the cultural blend of the Portuguese and local people created a unique Culture of Goa, it has also absorbed Hindu tradition revelry, western dance forms, and turned into a pageantry of sorts. Earlier Goa Carnival festival was bounded within the local population but now it has crossed all frontiers and attracts thousands of people from all over the world.

Traditionally during Lent there are no parties or other celebrations and people abstain themselves from rich foods. The consumption of rich food in a grand party leads to the origin of Carnival. The carnival is meant to be a feasting-drinking-having fun just before the austere 40 days of Lent. Huge parades are organized throughout the state with bands, dances and floats out all night on the streets, and grand balls held in the evenings. During the days and nights of the Goa Carnival you can notice a great amount of zeal and zest among the people. The streets come alive with colors, lively processions, floats, the strumming of guitars, graceful dances and of non-stop festivity.

The carnival concludes with the famous red-and-black dance held by the Club National in Panaji on the final day, then begins the week long event, which is a time of unbridled festivity and merry-making, which has been celebrated since the 18th Century. With the end of Carnival start the days of lent and till the Easter, the fun and frolics are in limit but tourist will not stop visiting the state to still enjoy the world class beaches and how well it is said; Sun, Sea and Siesta.

With this we conclude our blog for Goa Carnival and await for your comments on this as well as earlier blogs, feel free to post the comments and also suggest you to contact us for any further information or travel plan required for visiting India and its marvels.