India’s Festival Celebrations of Light, Love, and Life
Guest Blog is written by: Chandan Ramani of Shores of Ganges Tours
Chintu comes from Varanasi, India, the oldest city in India, and has a Master’s Degree in Tourism. He is a storyteller and official Government Tour Guide during the World’s biggest religious gathering called Kumbh Mela. He has assisted delegates from over 22 countries and is the founder of the Indian Tour business Shores of Ganges. Chintu has over 4 years of direct experience working in the tourism sector, has organized a variety of Tours for international tourists, and will be leading the Jai Bhakti Yoga Cultural and Spiritual Tour this October 17-24, 2022, and for many others, we will have in the years to come.
In this blog and our Podcast from IG, he highlights the dynamic culture of India and the progressive movement and influence that crossed the east to the west as we gear up for what’s to come on our incredible Spiritual Yoga retreat to India in October of 2022. HIs website: (www.shoreofganges.com)
Diwali Festival
The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali”, which means “rows of lighted lamps”. Households across India celebrate.
It is a festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. During this festival, people light up their houses and shops with Diyas (Small cup-shaped oil lamps made of baked clay). They worship the Lord Ganesha for welfare and prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wisdom.
STORY BEHIND DIWALI FESTIVAL
In Hindu mythology, Diwali is the day Lord Rama, his wife Sita Devi, and brother Lakshmana return to their homeland after 14 years in exile. The villagers lit a path for Rama, who had defeated the demon king Ravana.
The significance of Diwali Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The lights of Diwali signify a time to destroy all our dark desires and thoughts, eradicated dark shadows and evils, and gives us the strength and the zeal to carry on with our goodwill for the rest of the year.
Holi Festival
The Holi Festival of Colors in India is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, the destruction of the demoness Holika. It is celebrated every year on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna which is early March. People celebrate the start of spring and other events in the Hindu religion; they march the streets and spray people with colored powders while dancing and singing.
It is one of the most awaited festivals, especially among foreign tourists in India
Message From Holi Festival
The colors of Holi spreads a message of peace and happiness. Let's forget all the differences and celebrate this festival of colors.2 days.
Holi Festival Story
Holi origin relates to 'Holika Dahan.' The tradition of 'Holika Dahan' is actually the lighting of bonfires.
This ritual is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. As per the legends, there was a demon king Hiranyakashyap, who wanted everyone to worship him, but his son, Prahlad, refused to do so, as he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu.
The Demon King wished to end Prahlad's life, he asked his sister Holika, to take Prahlad in her arms and enter a blazing fire.
She had been granted a boon that had made her immune to fire, but she got burnt to death as the boon was applicable only when she entered the fire alone and no harm occurred to Prahlad. Since then the day is celebrated in the victory of good over bad. On this divine occasion!
" Let's burn the evil that resides inside us with the fire of Holi "
KUMBH MELA
The Kumbh Mela is considered one of the world’s oldest and most significant gatherings of religious pilgrims and is also one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages destinations of India. The Kumbh Mela is over 2000 years old and has been documented by Chinese travelers to India during the reign of King Harshwardhan.
STORY OF KUMBH MELA
The story behind the Kumbh Mela goes back to mythological times when it is said that Gods were used to residing on Earth and demons were causing havoc over the world as the gods were weakened by a curse of Sage Durvasa.
It was then that Lord Brahma advised the Gods to churn out the nectar of immortality with the help of the demons. Upon learning about the plan of the Gods, the demons decided not to share the nectar with the Gods which lead to a 12-day chase, during which it is believed that some of the nectar fell in four places, namely the present day Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik, and Ujjain.
Hindus believe that the waters of these holy rivers turn into nectar during the dates when the Kumbh Mela is held with devotees believing that taking a dip in the sacred rivers during the Kumbh Mela liberates a person from all their past sins and they are eternally blessed by the divine waters of the holy rivers. These dates are calculated and determined according to the zodiac positions of the planet of Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon
We will discuss highlighting the art of Jyotish, Vedic astrology in an upcoming Podcast soon.
Mantras are divine words by the “Holy People” known as Rishis, Sages, Sadhus, and the like to make a connection to God. These words contain “divine vibes” that even one mantra can change your life. Mantras such as “Hare Krishna,” “Om Namah Shivaya,” and the “Gayatri Mantra” are chanted upwards of 10-20minutes or over 108 times to promote patience with a peaceful mind.
The Gayatri Mantra is the most powerful Durga mantra to rid the people of all trouble. It is most important to have faith in the mantra so peace manifests into your alignment.
Ayurveda is one of the best gifts from Indian ancestors. It is the natural medicine of the knowledge of life. Its literal translation is “Ayu”- Science/ life and “Veda” - Knowledge. This holistic medicine has been practiced for thousands of years and is the most effective way to sustain the Prakriti (one’s unique elemental makeup) and remove aggravated Vrikriti (one’s current imbalance). The two main components of Ayurveda are Preventative medicine and Curative of diseases once occurred. This knowledge was collected and written by the great student Charaka who wrote the now popular Vedic -go to the text of Ayurvedic Practitioners, the Charaka Samhita.
We will be in India to enjoy and participate in the famous Diwali festival which celebrates the connections of siblings and share savory sweets, food, dancing, and family. We also participate in Good Karma Day as we give back to the people of India through conscious intentions of well-being. 5% of this entire Retreat goes back to Shores of Ganges Tour in honor of Good Karma Day so we are able to provide medical care and feed families in need. Shores of Ganges also contribute 2% of their profits to Good Karma Day for a total of 7% financial contribution to India.
In preparation to enjoy the food culture in India, one needs to consider the local spices that are consumed. Mustard Seeds, Turmeric (Haldi) Indian food needs turmeric, Cumin (Jira), Green Cardamom (Cchoti Ilayachi), Coriander, Cilantro. Garam Masala, Black Cardamom (Kali Ilayachi), and Ginger (Adarek) are just a few of the spices used in the home and street food culture of India. If you are not familiar with these spices, it may not be wise to eat the street food, as it will be hard to digest. Begin to slowly include Indian spices in your meals, such as various curries, to ignite the digestive fire for the delicious Indian foods you will have the joy to delight in. The foods are extremely savory, unctuous, and decadent, so best to prepare your palette ahead of time. Also bring any mint, basil, and lemongrass to avoid an upset stomach.
To respect the tradition and honor each other and the way of life in India, proper dress is encouraged. Women are best to not wear shorts or any clothes that show cleavage or reflect a provocative appearance. As culturally, women are regarded as deities or goddesses and honored as such. The traditional way of dress is in Sari’s, Punjab with leggings, jeans, and a long sleeve or short sleeve shirts with scarves to cover the chest area. Respect yourself and you will be respected.
India is a country rich in culture, morals, values, art, food, spirituality, ancient traditions, Vedic wisdom, ancient Ayurveda medicinal offerings, and natural resources supporting the enrichment of holistic well-being worldwide. The influence of yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, and achieving higher states of consciousness has flooded the west since 1854.
Although NOT for the faint of heart, with its slums and poverty, and more so today, media has disenchanted the gifts that India has to offer by highlighting the shadow side while pacifying the intelligence that is hidden in its corridors, temples, traditions, and gifts. India is an embodiment of practices we have come to know, love embrace, and commercialize. India is an enchanting world that has so much to offer and even more to teach us. The way of life is a form of organized chaos that is a manifestation of a busy mind and yet a sense of calm that is scattered throughout the wholeness of one’s appreciation of what Being truly is.
We invite you to travel with us to India in October for our annual Cultural and Spiritual Historical Yoga Retreat of the 4 Great Cities from 10.17-10.24/2022. It would be an honor to walk through history with you so you can return fully recharged by the divine vibrancy of Lord Shiva, Brahma, and divine God-consciousness.
When you sign up by April 17th, 2022, you will get $200 off the total trip price. Submit your deposit of $597 to lock in your V.I.P early bird spot and a $200 discount. Only 10 spots are available for this trip.
See you in India!!!
Stay healthy friends.
Namaste -
Christina Andrini and Chintu Ramani
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Thank you very much and live well.
