REGIONAL

FESTIVALS

ASSAM
KATI BIHU
BOHAG BIHU
BHOGALI BIHU

KATI BIHU ABOUTKati bihu is a agricultural festival. It is also known as Kongali

Bihu (kongal means poor) because during this festival there is
no much to eat. It is celebrated in the month of October or
first day of kati month. Ladies worship Goddess Laxmi, and
light lamp to the Tulsi Plant. This is being for a whole month.

KATI BIHU RITUALSDuring the month of kati, kongali bihu is being celebrated at
the evening time by lightening the lamp and candle to Tulsi
Plant. They also light the earthen lamp at paddy fields. They
place the lamp on the top of long bamboo and mustard oil is
being used in lamp. They worship Goddess Laxmi, and pray to
protect their paddy from damage. This formal procedure goes
for a month long.

BOHAG BIHU
AboutBohag Bihu is a Fertility agricultural festival celebrated on the
auspicious day of Assamese New Year (around 14-15 April). Its
also known as Rongali Bihu,its a seven day long festival.
Farmers prepare the field with a great joy and women make
Pitha (sweet dish of rice and coconut).They sung Bihu song and
dance.

BOHAG BIHU

RitualsIts a seven day long festival, starts from April 13 (may change).
Raati bihu- At night they gather beneath ancient tree or open
field, illuminate burning torch. Celebrate it by playing Pepa
(buffalo hornpipe) and bamboo instrument.
Chot Bihu- On 2nd day Bihu songs and dances are organized by
the young at outdoor locations
Goru Bihu-This day is dedicated to the caring upkeep of
livestock and a cattle show,games are organised.. They are
decorated with new harnesses, garlands, and fed pitha.
Manush Bihu- On this day people have a special Haldi (turmeric)
bath, put on new clothes and light Diya. Youngsters recieve
Bihuwan or the Gamusa cloth, as a gift.
Kutum Bihu- On this day people visit their families, relatives and
friends.
Mela Bihu- Mela Bihu is marked by the celebration of Bihu with
cultural events and competitions in outdoor locales in Mela (fair).
Chera Bihu- its also known as Bohag Bidai. In different regions of
Assam, people celebrate it differently but in general they
exchange Pitha to create brotherhood.

BHOGALI BIHU
AboutIt is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season.
Young men go to the field, preferably near a river, build a
makeshift cottage (Bhelaghar) with the hay of the harvest fields
and the bonfire (Meji).Different games and competition is
organised like bull fight, nightingale fight, cock fight. At night they
prepare food and exchange sweets and greetings, sung bihu song,
beating Dhols. In the morning they burn meji and back to home.

BHOGALI BIHU
RitualsIt is the Assam celebration lasts for a week. The festival is
marked by feasts and bonfires. Young people makes huts, known
as meji, from bamboo, leaves and thatch, in which they eat the
food prepared for the feast, and then burn the huts in the next
morning. The celebrations also feature traditional Assamese
games such as tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking) and buffalo fighting.
During Magh Bihu people of Assam make cakes of rice and some
sweets of coconut.

ORISSA
RAJA PARBA
KUMAR PURNIMA
PRATHMASTHAMI
SAVITRI PUJA
RATH YATRA
GANESH CHATURTHI

RAJA PARBA (RAJO)

AboutIt is a four-day-long festival. During the three days women are
given a break from household work and time to play indoor outdoor games swing ties. Girls decorate themselves with new
fashion or traditional Saree and Alatha in feet. All people abstain
from walking barefoot on earth. Various Pithas are made and
sung raja geet.

RAJA PARBA (RAJO)

HistoryIt is believed that the mother goddess Earth or the divine wife of
Lord Vishnu undergoes menstruation during the first three days.
The fourth day is called as Vasumati gadhua or ceremonial bath of
Bhudevi .The term Raja has come from Rajaswala (meaning a
menstruating woman) and during medieval period the festival
became more popular as an agricultural holiday remarking the
worship of Bhudevi.

RAJA PARBA (RAJO)

RitualsThe all four days are Pahili Raja, Mithuna Sankranti, Basi Raja, &
Vasumati snan( ladies bath the grinding stone as a symbol of
Bhumi with turmeric and adore with flower, sindoor & fruits
offered). Unmarried girls pass these three days in joyous festivity
and observe customs like eating only uncooked and nourishing
food especially Podapitha, do not take bath or take salt, do not
walk barefoot . During all the three days they are seen in the
best of dresses and decorations, eating cakes and rich food at
the houses of friends and relatives, spending long cheery hours,
on swings & singing songs.

KUMAR PURNIMA
AboutThe Sharad Purnima or Kojaagari Purnima or Kumar Purnima is a
harvest festival celebrated on the full moon day. This celebrates
Krishna dancing with the Gopi's.it is also considered as the
birthday of Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth along with elephants
and owl is worshipped.

KUMAR PURNIMA
HistoryAccording to a folk-tale, once a king fell on evil days, and in
financial straits, then his queen observed this fast and worshiped
the goddess Laxmi. Consequently, they were blessed by the
goddess and they regained their prosperity.
'Kumar (Kartikeya), the
son of Shiva started war against Tarakasur on this day. As young
girls always wish for a handsome husband, they propitiate Kumar
who was most handsome among the Gods.
It is also believed that
on this day as moon and the earth are very close to each other,
the moon rays have certain healing properties of nourishing the
body and the soul.

KUMAR PURNIMA
RitualIn the early morning the girls after their purificatory bath wear
new garments and make food-offerings to the sun. They observe
fasting for the day. In the evening when the moon rises they
again make special Puja offerings and take it after the rituals are
over. It is a festival of rejoicing for the girls. All of them sing and
dance. They also play varieties of games. The son-in-law is also
honored with gifts on this day.

PRATHMASTHAMI
AboutThis festival falls on the eight day (asthami) after Kartik Purnima.
Prathamastamiis a rite is held inOdisha, for the life and
prosperity of the eldest child who is offered a lighted lamp
ovation by the senior female relatives followed by elaborate
rituals during which theMantrasare recited.

PRATHMASTHAMI
HistoryThe significance of this festival is that the first-borns are
brighter and it is ultimately they who take up the burden of the
family after the death of the parents. According to psychologists
the first-borns are mostly healthy, obedient and tradition-bound.
Therefore, the family tradition is maintained through them. For
such obvious reasons the eldest child is honoured to occupy the
respectable place in the family after the death of the parents.'
This day is also known as Saubhagini Ashtami, Kaal Bhairav
Asthami and Paap-nashini Ashtami.

PRATHMASTHAMI
RitualThe ritual involves,the eldest child of the family wears new
clothes, Aarati of the child is performed by mother and relatives in
which the maternal uncle sends the items necessary for the ritual,
and Ganesha, Shashti devi and the family deity are worshipped.
The main delicacy of the day is Enduri Pitha.

SAVITRI PUJA
AboutMarried Hindu women, whose husbands are alive, observe it as a
vow with great dedication and pray for their husband to have a
long life, they gather near the great banyan tree for worship. The
word reflects the origin and significance of the Vat-Savitri puja.
The fast is dedicated to Savitri & Satyavan;who pleaded and
fought with the Yama (god of death) to not to take her husband
and got succeeded in bringing back her husband life.

SAVITRI PUJA
HistoryThe vrata was named after Savitri. Savitri was the beautiful
daughter of King Aswapati of Madra Desa. She selected Satyavan
as her life partner, a prince in exile who was living in the forest
with his blind father Dyumatsen. As a devoted wife and daughterin-law, she went to great lengths to take care of her inlaws.
One day
while cutting wood in the jungle, Satyavan fell down from a tree.
Then Yamraj, the death God, appeared to take away his soul.
Savitri pleaded to Yamraj not to be separated from her husband.
If anything, he would take away the soul of her husband and she
would also follow. Yamraj, moved by the devotion of Savitri,
returned the life of her husband.

SAVITRI PUJA
RitualIn the early morning, women take baths, wear new clothes,
bangles, and apply vermilion on their foreheads. Nine types of
fruits and nine types of flowers are offered to the Goddess. Wet
pulses, rice, mangos, jackfruit, palm fruits, kendu, bananas and
several other fruits are offered and observe the festival with
Savitri brata katha. After fasting for the whole day, the women
take the Bhoga and wash feet of their respective husbands with
water and have the same water to break their fasting . It is
believed that ritual is incomplete if fasting woman doesn't take it.
At last they bow to their husbands and elderly people.

About-

RATH YATRA

The festival commemorates Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha

Temple via Mausi Maa Temple (aunt's home) near Balagandi
Chaka, Puri.
As part of Ratha Yatra, the deities of Jagannath,Balabhadra and
Subhadra are taken out in a procession to Gundicha Temple and
remain there for nine days. Then the deities or Ratha Yatra return
to the Mai Temple. The return journey of Puri Jagannath Ratha
Jatra is known as Bahuda Jatra.

RATH YATRA
HistoryTo To kill Lord krishana and Balram, Kansa sent chariot to Gokul to
bring them to Mathura. As asked Lord Krishana and Balram sat on
it and left for Mathura. The devottes celebrate this day of
departure as Rath Yatra.
Another story is, once Lord
Krishanas queens requested mother Rohini to narrate Krishana
ras lilas. Rohini considered it impoper of Subhadra to hear and
sent her away. Still, story was absorbe by all three sibling, in
between Narad arrived and prayed to motionless siblings to grant
the darshan in this manner forever. So they granted the boon and
reside in the Puri.
.

Ritual-

RATH YATRA

The Festival of Chariots is celebrated every year at Puri. The

presiding deities of the Jagannath Temple, Lord Jagannath, Lord
Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, with the Sudarshan Chakra
are removed from the temple in a procession to their chariots.
The chariots are drawn by multitude of devotees on the grand
avenue to the Gundicha Temple.
On their way back , the three deities stop for a while near the
Mausi Maa Temple and have an offering of the Poda Pitha, which is
supposed Lords Favorite pancake. After seven days, the deities
return to their abode.

GANESH CHATURTHI
AboutIt is the auspicious day when Lord Ganesha was born - begin with
great enthusiasm all over the state. Some parts of India it is
celebrated for 11 dayS, begins with the installation of Ganesha
idols in homes and mandaps (large tents). The Ganesha idols are
worshipped with in families and friends. Many cultural events are
organized on the eve of Ganesha Puja and people participate in
them with interests.

GANESH CHATURTHI
HistoryThis festival has a curiously interesting story. It is believed that
once Parvati was going to take bath but there was no one to
guard; so she made a idol and give it life. At sudden Lord Shiva
appered after a long time to meet parvati but he stpped by the
child and in anger Shiva cut off his head just he dicovere he was
Parvatis son. Lord Shiva sent his attends to het him the head of
the very first living creature for north. Coincidently it was an
elephant. Shiva placed it on the dead body and bring it to live.
This elephant headed God welcomed into the first family of hindu
heavens and named ganesha.

GANESH CHATURTHI
RitualsPeople celebrate this occasion by arranging special pandals for
theGod. Ganesha Puja is the biggest occasion for students of
Orissa. They wear new clothes and observe fasting as a mark of
devotion to their loving God. Sri Ganesha is worshiped with
Sodasa Upachar and offered Rasiladoo and Modak.

SIKKIM
LOSOONG
TIHAR

LOSOONG
AboutJust like the other parts of India, Losoong also marks the
beginning of the harvest season for Sikkimese people. Losoong
falls on the tenth month of the Tibetan year (December). During
the festival the Sikkimese people celebrate the end of the
previous harvest year and pray for a better year in the future.
They do traditional Cham dance and also take part in archery
competition.

LOSOONG
RitualsFew minutes before the beginning of the New Year,the lepch priest and
Mun perform the ritual of offering alcoholic beverage to the deity.
During the midnight the effigy of the demon king Laso Mung Punu is
burned as a custom to ward off evil spirits.
During the festival, Sikkimese people prepare a special type of noodle
(guthuk),which uses nine ingredients including cheese and different
grains.
They also prepare special dough and hide things like- chili, sugar, salt,
wool, coal etc. into it. According to the popular belief, the thing that
you will find within your dough would show the nature of your
character; like- chili would mean talkative, salt or sugar means
goodness of heart,coal means black hearted person.
The Sikkimese New Year celebration is marked with the traditional
Cham dance, wearing of traditional clothes, fun and festivity

TIHAR
AboutIt is a five-day-long festival celebrated, signifies the festival of
lights commonly known as deepawali.Tihar is a time to worship
Laxmi, God of wealth, and a day to worship ones own body,
worship of ill-omened crows, dogs, sacred cows, bull-oxen, the
family money box and brother everywhere during this festival.
People also make rangoli on this eve.

TIHAR
HistoryHere is a interesting story regarding the origin of this festival.
Ancient king Bali by dint of his pious and charitable acts,
achieved good fortune and later become more powerful then the
God and held and Gods in prison. Laxmi and Vishnu intervened
with Bali and gave him the kingdom of the netherworld.

TIHAR
RitualsOn the first day crow is worshiped. The second day, dog is
worshiped.
The third of Tihar is Laxmi puja. Laxmi is the mother of earth,
and the cow, is worshiped by the people. In the evening
women and children go from door to door singing the Bhailo
song and asking for alms, receiving money and sweet from
house wife.
The fourth day is celebrated by worshipping the bull or oxen or
Guru to protect these valuable animals from disease and
accident. Maha puja is done on the fourth day.
The last day of Tihar is Bhai Tika. On this day every brother is
worshipped by sisters and receives blessing and wishes for
theirs long life and future prosperity. At the same time Tika is
given by brother they present gifts to their sister in case.

TRIPURA
KARCHI PUJA
KER PUJA
GARIA PUJA
GUDI PADWA

About-

KARCHI PUJA

This is one of the most important festivals of Tripura and is

basically celebrated by the tribal and non-tribal groups with
equal joy and excitement. The term 'khya' signifies earth, so the
festival of Kharchi Puja means the worship of the Earth, which
sustains life with all her resources. It is observed in the month of
July at the region of Agartala. The festive celebrations are
spread over a period of seven days and takes place mainly in
the temple premises. Thousands of devotees participate in this
festival to make it a grand success.

KARCHI PUJA
HistoryThe word Kharchi is derived from two Tripuri words 'Khar' or
Kharta meaning Sin, 'chi' or si meaning cleaning. It means
cleaning of the sins of the people or the kingdom soil is not
ploughed or digging of anywhere on this day. Among Tripuri the
menstruation of a woman is considered as unholy ness The
kharchi puja is performed to wash out the sins, to clean up the
post menstrual uncleanly ness of earth mothers menstruation.
That is why it is performed for seven consecutive days.

KARCHI PUJA
RitualsOn the day of the Puja, the fourteen gods are carried to river
Saidra by the members of chantai (priests). The gods are bathed
in the holy water and are brought back to the temple. They are
again placed in the temple by performing Puja, offering of
flowers and vermillion. Animal sacrifice is also an important part
of this festival and includes sacrificing of goats and pigeons.
People offer sweets and the sacrificial meat to god.

KER PUJA
AboutKer Puja is held after a fortnight of Kharchi Puja and is a
traditional tribal festival. The deity of Vastu Devata is Ker
meaning boundary or a particular area. People believe that the
former rulers in the past used to perform this Puja for the
general welfare and well being of the people of the state.

KER PUJA
HistoryIt is believed that this Ker puja is done to is done to defend the
interest of the people from any misfortune, disease and
poverty. The other reason is to save people from any external
violence.

Rituals-

KER PUJA

In Ker Puja a large piece of bamboo is used to make Ker and

this bamboo is then used by the priest to perform the Puja. Ker
Puja is the strictest Puja. Every entrance or exit of the portion is
entirely blocked to create a symbol for doing the Ker Puja
(expectant mothers and dying people are shifted to neighboring
villages before starting the Puja). The people in the surrounded
place are not allowed to go beyond the boundary till Puja gets
finished. If any person enters the boundary by mistake, he is
not allowed to move back from the place. People are not
allowed to speak or laugh once the Puja starts. Offering and
sacrifices are an important part of Ker Puja. Dancing and
rejoicing is done by the devotees after the Puja.

GARIA PUJA

GARIA PUJA

GARIA PUJA

GUDI PADWA
AboutIt is also considered as a harvest festival. People of Nagpur
welcome the New Year with gudi worship as it is celebrated o
the first day of chaitra month.Gudi (flag) symbolizes the
victory, victory of good over evil. Whole family members wear
new clothes and prepare special dishes such as Shrikhand,
and Poori or Puran Poli and kheer on this day.

History-

GUDI PADWA

This is a celebration of the victory march of Shivaji Maharaja the

veteran Maratha leader. The festival is celebrated in honour of
this great king who had a kingdom that spread across the entire
part of western India.
It is believed by all Hindus that this is the day Lord Brahma
created the world. It is thus dedicated to the innumerable Gods
we have in the country.
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu took the Matsya incarnation or
the form of fish on this day. This was an incarnation to save the
entire earth from destruction or pralaya.
And on this day Lord Rama defeated the Ravana and returned to
his home Ayoydhya.
This is the reason people worship the gudi which is a cloth which
flies like a flag that is usually a sign of victory in an army

Rituals-

GUDI PADWA

Bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) tied to

the tip of a long bamboo over which sugar crystals, neem
leaves and a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers
is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position
over it. Altogether, it is called as Gudhi. It is hoisted outside the
house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody
can see it.Traditionally, families are supposed to begin the
festivities by eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree.
Later they consume melons, jack-fruit, mangoes, sprouted
gram and more seasonal fruits. Variety of drinks (like Aam
panna) sweets like kheer, Puran poli,etc are being served.

CHHATISGARH /
NAGPUR
GANESH CHATURTHI

GANESH CHATURTHI
AboutIt is the auspicious day when Lord Ganesha was born - begin with
great enthusiasm all over the state. Some parts of India it is
celebrated for 11 dayS, begins with the installation of Ganesha
idols in homes and mandaps (large tents). The Ganesha idols are
worshipped with in families and friends. Many cultural events are
organized on the eve of Ganesha Puja and people participate in
them with interests.

GANESH CHATURTHI
HistoryThis festival has a curiously interesting story. It is believed that
once Parvati was going to take bath but there was no one to
guard; so she made a idol and give it life. At sudden Lord Shiva
appered after a long time to meet parvati but he stpped by the
child and in anger Shiva cut off his head just he dicovere he was
Parvatis son. Lord Shiva sent his attends to het him the head of
the very first living creature for north. Coincidently it was an
elephant. Shiva placed it on the dead body and bring it to live.
This elephant headed God welcomed into the first family of hindu
heavens and named ganesha.

GANESH CHATURTHI
RitualsPeople celebrate this occasion by arranging special pandals for
theGod. Ganesha Puja is the biggest occasion for students of
Orissa. They wear new clothes and observe fasting as a mark of
devotion to their loving God. Sri Ganesha is worshiped with
Sodasa Upachar and offered Rasiladoo and Modak.

BIHAR /
JHARKHAND
CHHATH
RAM NAVAMI
MAKAR SANKRANTI
BHAI DOOJ
TEEJ

About

CHHATH

This is celebrated twice a year in Chaitra and the next in the

month of Kartik. The Sun God is worshipped and people
maintain purity of body for well over a month, though the
festival is held for four days only.Especially women observe
fast during puja for the prosperity of their families. They
include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking
water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and
offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting
and rising sun.

History

CHHATH

It is believed that the ritual of Chhath puja may even predate

the ancient Vedas texts, as the Rigveda contains hymns
worshiping the. The rituals also find reference in the Sanskrit
epic poem Mahbhrata in which Draupadi is depicted as
observing similar rites.
Its yogic/scientific history dates back to the Vedic times. The
rishis of yore used this method to remain without any external
intake of food as they were able to obtain energy directly from
the sun's rays. This was done through the Chhath method.
Another history.It is considered that Lord Rama of India and Sita
of Nepal had kept fast and offer puja to the Lord Sun in the
month of Kartika in Shukla Paksh during their coronation after
returning to the Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. From that time,
chhath puja became the significant and traditional festival in the
Hindu religion and started celebrating every year at the same
date in Janakpur and Bihar but has not been popular in Rama's
kingdom of Ayodhya.

RITUAL

CHHATH

Nhay khayOn the first day of Chhath Puja,the ladies observing the Vrata
allow themselves only one meal on this day and prepare the
offerings fromeriver water.
Kharna/Lohanda
On the second day they observe a fast for the whole day, after
sunset, they worship Sun, offers kheer, and roti. After this meal
the Vratins go on a fast without water for 36 hours.
Sandhya Arghya OR Pahela Aragh
On the eve of this day, the entire household gather at riverbank
to make the offerings (Arghya) to the setting sun. The folk songs
sung on the evening of Chhath.
Usha Arghya OR Dusra Aragh
On the final day, the devotees go to the riverbank before
sunrise, to make the of Arghya to the rising sun, they pray for
the well-being and prosperity of their offsprings. The festival

RAM NAVAMI
About
Ram Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating the birth of the god
Ram. God Ram was the seventh avatar of lord Vishnu. It is marked
by continuous recitals, of the Ramacharitamanas, elaborated with
bhajan, kirtan and distribution of prasad after the puja and aarti. It
is celebrated on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra. In bihrar
and Jharkhand hindus places orange colored Dhawaj (flag) of god
Hanuman in their houses because Hanuman ji is the god of power
and strength, so to keep devil sprites away from their houses and
family. Procession with idols of Ram Pariwar (lord Ram, Sita,
Lakshman and hanuman) is being carried out on this day.

RAM NAVAMI
History
In the epic Ramayana, Dasharatha, the Emperor from Ayodhya,
had three wives named Kausalya, Sumitra and Kakikeyi in the
Treta Yuga. Rama is born to Kaushalya, Lakshmana & Shatrughna
to Sumitra and Bharata to Kakikeyi. Rama is known as 'Maryada
Purushottam' which means an ideal, righteous and a great or a
perfect human being, being the best son, brother, husband and
father.
Vishnu decided to incarnate, as Rama, to destroy the Asura
(person with demonic and evil designs) called Ravana who is a
Brahmin king of Lanka. Lord Rama & Lord Krishna are two gods in
Hinduism or Aryan Vedic context that were born and then
departed from earth. (and some gods are their manifestations or
devotees). Hence the mahamantra:
II Hare Rama Hare Rama,
Rama Rama Hare Hare II II Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna
Krishna Hare Hare II

Ritual

RAM NAVAMI

Ram Navami is celebrated by the hindus,celebrating the birth of

lord Ram. It is nine day festival during the month of Chaithra
(april/may), the continuous recitals of Ankhand Path, mostly
Ramcharitramans is organised which is elaborated by Bhajan
and Kirtan, Aarti and Prasad distribution. But people mainly
focus over the ninth day (navami), on this day place
Orange/Rad colored Hanuman Dhawaj (flag) in their houses as
well as in temples because Hanuman was the ardent devotee of
lord Ram and he was also very precious to Lord Ram. In a
ceremony lord Ram declared that all who will be the devotee of
Hanuman will be blessed by lord Ram. Hanuman is also symbol
of strength and keep devil sprites away So in Bihar people
worship hanuman along with lord ram.
In Jharkhand procession on the eve of Ram Navami is a
significant part of this religious ceremony. Large nos. of devotes
participate in procession with the Statues of Lord Ram,
sita,lakshaman, and hanuman.

MAKAR SANKRANTI
About
It is a harvest festival that falls on the Magh month,every year
on 14th 15th January.in Bihar and jahnrkhand it is celebrated as
Makar Sankranti or Sakraat or Khichdi. This fest is upon
seasonal delicacies include chura, gur (jaggery), sweets made
of til (sesame seeds) such as tilgul, tilwa, maska, etc., curd,
milk and seasonal vegetables. Kite flying festivals are
organised.

MAKAR SANKRANTI
History
Sankranti is considered as a goddess. As per a very popular
legend associated with Makar Sankranti, goddess Sankranti
killed a demon called Sankarasur. That is why the day followed
by Makar Sankranti is known as Kinkrant or Karidin. Makar
Sankranti is one such festival that marks the beginning of all
the auspicious ritualistic ceremonies in a year.
its been also said that this
day the sun enters the zodiac house of Makar, and from this
this day the day become longer and warmer.

MAKAR SANKRANTI
Ritual
On this day people take bath in river or pond. Worship god and
goddess for good harvest and offer til and chura to them. They
feast upon seasonal delicacies like chura, gur (jaggery), and
sweets made up of til (sesame seed) such as tilkut, tilwa, laai,
laddu, etc. curd, milk, and seasonal vegetables. And fly kites.
On the next day people eat khichri ( dal, rice, green
vegetables, and some spices cooked all together).

BHAI DOOJ
About
The celebrations of this day are similar to the festival of
Raksha Bandhan. On this day, sisters invite their brothers for
a sumptuous meal,including their favorite dishes/sweets, Pray
for a long and happy life for their brothers, by performing the
aarti to brother and applying tika on their forehead. In return
brothers bless their sisters and treat them also with gifts or
cash. The ceremony signifies the duty of a brother to protect
his sister, as well as a sister's blessings for her brother.

BHAI DOOJ
HistoryIts been said that on this day Yama (god of death) visited his
sister Yamunas home after a very long time. When she got
this news, she decorated her house with lamps, prepared
Yamas favorite dishes and sweets. When he came she
welcomed her with aarti and tikal and Yama also presents gifts
to his sister. Yamuna prayed for his long live and Yama
promised her to protect her from all problems,

BHAI DOOJ
RitualOn this day sisters pray for her brothers long live and
prosperity and do puja of Yama and Yamuna.
In morning girls perform aarti of their brothers and apply
tilak on their forehead and offer sweets and dishes. In return
brother promises their sisters to protect them and give them
gifts.

TEEJ
About
Teej is falls in the month of august (shawan) ,this festival is
dedicated to lord shiv and his wife parvati. On this day women pray
and worship Goddess Parvati for conjugal bliss and happy married
life. During Hariyali Teej married women visit their parents' home,
wear new clothes preferably green Sari and bangles, prepare swings
and use it in pair while singing Teej songs.

TEEJ
History
In Hindu mythology, it is believed that Goddess Parvati and
Lord Shiva were united on this day. For this Parvati had to
endure penance. It is said that she took 108 births on Earth
before Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife. Since then, this
day is considered to be an auspicious day and it is believed
that whosoever remembers her on this day will be blessed
with a happy married life and all her desires will be fulfilled.

TEEJ
Ritual
On this day married women fast for whole day without water,
they dress themselves like newly weds wear red or green
saree, bangels, apply mehendi on their hands .In evening
married women gather to hear the narration of teej katha, pray
for their husbands and offers flower and fruits to Lord Shiva
and Parvati.

NAMASTEY