Raja Parba - Festival of Odisha That Celebrates Menstruation, Womanhood, Fertility and Life

Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Basumati Snana🙏🏽
Basumati means- Goddess Earth.
Snana means- Bath.
After the Raja festival, Goddess Earth is bathed and worshipped today.

Bhudebi Maa - Mother Goddess Earth

Bathing and Holy Dip in Culture

Bathing is very important in our culture. It signifies purification.

Devotees bathe and wear good clothes before visiting any sacred site or performing Puja. It is God's grace that some extremely cold places, like Badrinath, have natural hot water, facilitating the

bathing and sanitation of the devotees.

Devotees visit religious sites to take holy dips e.g. for Ganga Dussehra (it was yesterday), many devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga.

Shubh Dhanteras and Shubh Diwali

Dhanteras constitutes of two words- Dhan and Teras.

"Dhan" means- wealth

"Teras" means- the 13th Day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Kartik (Kartika) Maas (Maasa or month).

13th day is also called- "Trayodashi".

Dhanteras is "Dhanwantari Trayodashi" or "Dhantrayodashi". On this auspicious day, Shree Dhanwantari is worshipped.

It is Dhanwantari Jayanti i.e. the appearance day of Shree Dhanwantari.

Shree Dhanwantari had appeared with a pot full of Amrit (nectar).

Shree Dhanwantari is the Hindu God of Medicine and Ayurveda.

Shree Dhanwantari represents good health and wellness.

"Happy Dhanteras" Wish Messages

The following are some of the Dhanteras messages of respective handles from X (formerly Twitter)-

Shree Ganesha - Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

May Shree Ganesha bless all this Ganesh Chaturthi.

How many are still using "Lord" to refer to our Gods?

Can we please start using "Shree" instead of Lord?
Shree Ganesha 🙏🎊

Jaya Shree Ganesha 🙏🎊

Shree Ganesha is a much-loved God and is invoked first during many events and Pujas.

He is "Vighnaharta"- i.e. the "remover of obstacles".

Who does not want obstacles to be removed?

Shree Ganesha also finds expression in many handicrafts and handlooms of Odisha like the following-

Pattachitra

Odisha Pattachitra

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Purnima

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Purnima is a festival of the Indian subcontinent that celebrates the bond between siblings - especially sisters and brothers.

Raksha Bandhan : Meaning

Raksha means Protection

and

Bandhan means Bond.

Raksha Bandhan means- the bond of protection, love and care.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Rakhi Purnima.

Purnima means "full moon night".

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the tithi of the last day of the Hindu calendar month of Shravana- the full-moon of Shravana month.

It usually falls in the English calendar month of August. 

What Happened This Women's Day and Holi

Women are celebrated mostly in the month of March.

Why? International Women's Day is on March 8th.

All are reminded of the accomplishments of women on International Women's Day. 

Women have shaped and play an important role in shaping our culture and society. They must be celebrated everyday.

Brand advertisements target women and men.

This year, in 2023, we celebrated Holi and Women's Day together as both were on the same date.

There were extra advertisements- some combined both women and Holi.

There were some negative incidents.

What They Wore At Cannes 2022

A prestigious international film festival like the Cannes means a lot to many- for the celebrities, the media and the paparazzi, the brands and sponsors, the participants and guests, and the general public.

Anne Hathaway

The public likes to check out what their favourite personalities had worn. Of course, this is possible due to the over-enthusiastic media and influencers. 

While looking at the photographs and videos of this year's festival posted on Twitter, I wondered about a lot of things. Where to from here? 

Some top actresses of India were dressed in elaborate gowns and looked like western fairy-tale princesses.

Cinderella must have looked like this at the ball? Which of the following is your favourite?

Samba Dashami - Festival of Odisha

Samba Dashami was celebrated on 12 January, 2022. It is observed on the dashami tithi of the bright fortnight of Pausa month. 

It is a traditional festival of Odisha to honour and worship the Sun God- Surjya Debata- the source of light, energy, and life. 

Sun God is worshipped for a healthy and happy life. A variety of dishes are prepared and offered.

Akhaya Trutia and Chandan Jatra - Auspicious Festivals of Odisha

Akhaya Trutia is considered to be a very auspicious day in India.

Listening to Ved Vyas's dictation, Lord Ganesha started writing the Mahabharata on this day.

Akhaya Trutia is spelled in different ways- Akshay Trutiya, Akshaya Tritiya, Akhyaya Trutia etc.

In some Indian languages including Odia, the word "Akhyaya" means that which never gets diminished.

Akhaya Trutia day is chosen as an auspicious start for new beginnings like- house-construction, office/shop inauguration, performing marriages and thread-ceremonies etc.
Many people buy gold and jewellery on this auspicious day.

Durga Puja Festival In Bhubaneswar

Durga Puja is celebrated with much pomp and fanfare in Odisha, India.
Lakhs of people visit the pandals. The light decoration is to be seen to be believed.
Grandeur and opulence is unmistakable and each year the celebration seems to be bigger and better. Puja committees compete to install the finest decoration and innovative themes.

Bomikhal Pandal 2018, Bhubaneswar

People wear new clothes and throng with their families to visit the beautiful pandals.
Traditional foods of Odisha are prepared and served to the devotees as prasad/bhog.

Bomikhal Pandal 2018, Bhubaneswar

There are traffic crawls near the famous pandals especially in the evenings when the pandal-hoppers love to move around. They enjoy the light decoration.

Rasulgarh Pandal 2018, Bhubaneswar

Rasulgarh Pandal 2018, Bhubaneswar

When it is time to bid adieu to the Goddess, it is like a carnival on the streets.
Some idols are immersed in the river, while others are put in special temporary ponds created for immersion purpose.

This year in 2018, the total number of pandals in the capital city Bhubaneswar was 174.
Twin city Cuttack boasts of exquisite idols adorned with silver and gold filigree work.
More than 400 pujas are conducted in both the cities.

Sahid Nagar Pandal 2018, Bhubaneswar

The staggering number of pujas makes me think what if we could restrict the number of Puja Pandals for each city to say 4-5? If not 4-5, at least one-tenth of the number now?
Will the city lose out the celebration if we have 10-20 Puja Pandals?

The three pandal pics shared here belong to the pandals that are in a radius of just one kilometre. One can cover these by walking.

Sahid Nagar Pandal 2018, Bhubaneswar

The Puja budget of the committees is in lakhs and some in crores of Indian Rupees.
No doubt, Durga Puja is much-loved and all the idols and pandals bestow a feeling of great pride and achievement.
While the pandal construction and other activities involved with the Durga Puja makes employment and business sense, there are other administrative and environmental factors and issues that need to be kept in mind.

The amount of pollution is immense. The area near the pandals, the roads etc are littered by the reveling crowds, some with a devil-may-care attitude. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) employees have to work extra.
Temporary ponds have been successful to save the rivers to some extent. But, what about the greater damage? The ponds are filled, but the waste must be cleared from the dump and has to be dumped somewhere, right?

How about spending the lakhs and crores of rupees on things more concrete?

I often think what if Goddess Durga Herself gave this message to the organizers of Her puja?
Will they listen to Her?

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

Also linking with- ABC Wednesday- P for Puja, Pandals, Pomp

Chosen as a WOW post here

Ratha Jatra 2018 : Effect On My Senses

Ratha Jatra i.e. Rath Yatra, is a centuries-old festival of Odisha that is celebrated all across the world. One of the four holiest places of India (Dhaam) is Puri in Odisha where the Shree Jagannath Temple is located.

In Odia language, 'Ratha' means Chariot (Car) and 'Jatra' means Festival. 

Thus, 'Ratha Jatra' means 'Chariot Festival' or 'Car Festival'.

In Odisha, every locality has its own Ratha Jatra(s).

The capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, is also called the 'Temple City' because of its hundreds of temples.

I participated in the Ratha Jatra at the Sri Sri Baba Akhandalamani Temple in Sahid Nagar at Bhubaneswar yesterday. 

Durga Puja 2017 At Bhubaneswar

Durga Puja is an important festival of eastern India. It marks the victory of good over evil.

Goddess Durga is Maa Durga i.e. Mother Durga. She had the powers to vanquish the evil demon named Mahishasura.

Durga Puja and Dussehra is celebrated with much fanfare and excitement at Odisha, India.

Capital city, Bhubaneswar, and its twin-city and former capital, Cuttack, have hundreds of Durga Puja Pandals. 

This Puja, I could manage to visit only half a dozen Pandals out of the hundreds!

Though it was raining heavily, the rains couldn't dampen the festive spirit. As the public flocked happily, the Pandals were teeming with ardent devotees.

Parking is a nightmare. But, Pandal-hopping is so much fun!

Bomikhal
The Bomikhal Pandal was like a white palace with angels on its walls beckoning us.

 Maa Durga and her team looked resplendent in gold.

Dussehra

Dussehra is a much-loved festival of India.
It celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

Goddess Durga had vanquished the 'Asura' or demon Mahishasura. After fighting with evil for 10 days and 9 nights on the tenth day, on Dussehra, Goddess Durga won. Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur especially in the eastern part of India.

Silver Filigree Durga Puja, Cuttack, Odisha

As per the Ramayana, Ravana was the learned king of Lanka. He had knowledge of the Shastras, and played musical instrument too.  He was punished for kidnapping Lord Ram's wife, Devi Sita, and for his ego.
On Dussehra, Lord Ram had killed Ravana.

Prathamastami - Festival Of Odisha

Incredible India has some incredible festivals.

Odisha, a state of India, has some unique & interesting festivals.

Today is the eighth day in the Odia month of Margashira (8 days after Kartik Purnima). It is celebrated as Prathamastami. (Prathama means first & Astami means eighth day)

Prathamastami is celebrated in Odisha for the wellness, long-life & prosperity of the first-born or eldest child in a family. Gender is not an issue, qualification needed is one has to be the first-born child of her/his parents!

First-borns have some special privileges and are entrusted extra responsibilities in India. Being the eldest has its perks too - rewarded with extra “share” called the “Jyeshta-bhaga” (Part/share of the eldest).

Prathamastami makes the siblings jealous when the eldest sibling gets the attention & new clothes! Who doesn’t want new clothes, good food & special treatment?

Their argument- Why should the first-borns have all the fun? ;)

In some families of 4-5 members, where both the parents happen to be the first-born, a majority in the family is first-born! They celebrate Parthamastami for all their kids so that the younger ones don’t cry or feel left out! 

Letter To Mom This Diwali

Dear Mom, I miss you so much...what to say?
Though God has invited you to His heavenly abode,
I have your memories that dazzle everyday.
Distance may separate, but feelings won't erode...

Photo Prompt for Magpie Tales- Pic used with Permission

Durga Puja - Old Station Square, Bhubaneswar

Not many know that Durga Puja has been celebrated for centuries in Odisha, a state of India.

Durga Puja is celebrated with great grandeur & style here.

This year, I was particularly touched by the Durga Puja Pandal at Old Station Square, Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is called the Temple City of India. One time it had more than 100,000 temples; now there are hundreds...

Note- The following photos and images shared in this post are from the Old Station Square Durga Puja Pandal of Bhubaneswar. The Pandal  presented a glimpse of history with relevant social messages that set me thinking.

Diwali With Family

Diwali is an important festival of India, our nation.
Diwali is called the "Festival of Lights"as there's illumination.

 

During celebrations it is sad to be away from one's family.
Festivals are for get-together & to enjoy together happily!

Wishing over phone or through emails or SMS is not as much fun...
Everyone dreams of real meetings & being a part of the celebration.

A Diwali Meeting is much better than an SMS Greeting-
One is real & face-to-face; while the other is in digital space! :)

Durga Puja- Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar

The Temple City of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha- a state of India, boasts of spectacular Durga Puja celebrations with artistic & beautiful idols & Pandals.

Durga Puja is an important festival of India that is celebrated with much pomp and grandeur, especially in Eastern India.

Sharing some pics of Durga Puja of the Ashok Nagar Puja Samiti Pandal of 2014 that I have clicked in the past couple of days.

Ashok Nagar is an area/locality of Bhubaneswar. Each locality has its own Pandal(s).

The pics tell their own story.

Rath Yatra

Last week, I posted about Ratha Jatra Puri.



 
 Today is "Bahuda Jatra" i.e. Return Journey.

On Pic in Odia Language- "Today the Gods will return"

On Bahuda Yatra, the three Gods return to their abode- the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri after a nine day long outing.

Rath Yatra Puri

Today is Asadha Shukla Dwitiya, the second day of the bright lunar fortnight of the month of Asadha.

It is celebrated as Rath Yatra or #RathaJatra.

A painting of the Rath Yatra

This year, Rath Yatra is on 29th June.

The Rath Yatra festival began in the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, India.

Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha ; Image Source

Rath means Chariot/Car while Yatra  means Travel.

Rath Yatra is a centuries-old cultural festival.

Saraswati Puja 2014

Saraswati Puja is an important festival celebrated in India, especially in Eastern India in the states of Odisha, West Bengal...

It is also called Vasant Panchami or Shree Panchami.

It is held on the fifth day of the Indian month of Magha. 

This year too it was held with traditional fervor on February 4^th 2014.

On Saraswati Puja, we pay homage to Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, music, art, crafts and culture.

As we wish to attain knowledge, we invoke Maa Saraswati!

I have fond memories of Saraswati Puja as over the years, Mom ensured we celebrated it without fail in our home!

In our Apartment Complex, we celebrate the Saraswati Puja each year. All the kids, including mine, get some of their books (subjects they fear the most!) to get Maa Saraswati’s blessings! 

Earlier, in January, we had a meeting in our Housing Society, in which the duties and plans of members were decided. Yours truly was unanimously elected as the Treasurer of the Puja Fund! Money was collected, number of heads estimated, shopping for the Puja requirements done, Caterer intimated for Lunch & Dinner provisions, Purohit (Priest) was informed… 

On Saraswati Puja, we had just made the arrangements when the Purohit arrived before time! 

The Puja started at 8 AM and ended with the Pushpanjali (Flower-offerings) at about 8:45 AM. There was Arati & Blessings too. 

All the members, who were present, participated. 

That's the beauty of Incredible India where we unitedly celebrate Festivals.

There was Prasad distribution. 

Then, at 1 PM, we had yummy Lunch - Khichdi, Mixed Vegetables, Baiguni, Chutney, Papad, Sweet.

The Purohit arrived again in the evening at 5:20 PM for the Sandhya Arati.   

We had a fun Antakshari (no prizes for that!) that continued till Dinner-time!

Dinner's menu was one of my favorites-  Kachori, Aloo Dum, Chutney & Sweet - Boondi.

I forgot to take pics of the Lunch & Dinner as I was too busy eating & keeping track of the head count for the Meal-billing.

The next day morning i.e. on 5^th February 2013, the Purohit arrived before 8 AM to perform the Puja. There was Prasad Distribution.

At 5 PM, it was time to bid the Goddess adieu. 

After the rituals, the idol of Maa Saraswati found its way out of our Housing Society’s gate. I had a lump in my throat as usual.

See you, Maa Saraswati, again next year!


Note- All the images belong to me. Please do not copy or use without my permission.