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Navarathri is an important festival of Indians.  This year Navarathri is celebrated from 1st October to 10th October 2016.  This 9-day festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga. In Sanskrit, the word 'nava' means nine and the word 'rathri' means night.  Hence this festival  is called Navarathri. The 10th day is  Vijayadashami  or Dasara. As per the legends, the Divine Mother Durga had destroyed the evil forces of demon Mahishasura during this time.   Vijayadashami is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana. This festival is also celebrated as victory of Goddess Durga over Demon Mahishasura. In Karnataka, it is celebrated as Dussehra (Dasara), and in West Bengal as Durga Pooja.  

Wish you a Very Happy Onam. To know more about this popular festival, check this link. (Onam Pookkalam)         (Onam Sadhya) If you are interested to read a short story about Onam please check this link  

Wish you all a Very Happy Ganesha Festival 2015 Ganesha Festival, also called as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a great festival of India. It is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Ganesha, the supreme God of Wisdom and Prosperity. Usually the day falls between August 20 and September 17. Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was born on a fourth day (chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh. He is worshipped during every festival and before people undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture. In Maharashtra, this festival celebrated for 10 days.

Wish you all a very happy Deepavali, 2014. Read this link to know more about Deepavali- the Indian festival

Wish you all a very happy Ganesha Festival. This important festival is celebrated in all parts of India today, the 29th of August 2014. It is also known as Ganesh Chaturthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi. The festival to celebrate and glorify him is called Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganesha Festival and Vinayaka Chaturthi). Lord Ganesha (also known as Lord Ganapati) is the Lord of Wisdom. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The elephant headed God is worshipped first in all the pujas performed by the Hindus. It is believed that He removes all the obstacles and evils on the way. If you are interested to know more about Lord Ganesha please check this page.

Happy Mahashivrathri 2014 Mahashivratri is the night of Shiva, and this festival is celebrated all over India. It is a very important festival for the Hindus. Lord Shiva is worshipped on this auspicious day. According to Hindu calendars, this year (2014) Maha Shivratri Festival is celebrated on 27th February. If interested to know more about this festival read it here. Lord Shiva is worshipped in many names. Read it here.

Happy Deepavali to all. May the spirit of light illuminate the world. Deepavali, (also known as Diwali), is popularly known as the "Festival of lights". It is one of the most important festivals of India, celebrated all over the country. Indians staying outside India also celebrate this festival. Houses are thoroughly cleaned to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. The lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil, kept outside the house, signifies the triumph of good over evil. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during this time. Firecrackers are burst during Diwali to drive away evil spirits. People celebrate Diwali wearing new clothes and sharing sweets and snacks with family members and friends, for three days. Naraka Chaturdashi (Nov.2nd) is the day on which the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna. It signifies victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Lakshmi Pooja (Nov.3rd) - Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesh, God of auspicious beginnings, are worship...

Wish all my Malayali friends a very Happy Vishu.

Wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali.

Today we went early morning to Sri Nagareshwara Temple at Begur. We had reached there by 7.20 a.m. By then there was already a a long queue. Still it was nice to wait and have a darshan of Lord Shiva on this important day of Shivaratri. The gopuram constructions are still going on. We left there by 8.40 a.m.

Deepavali is round the corner. Everywhere in the market side you can see diyas and special Diwali sale items for sale. People are busy shopping to make their Deepavali the best. Get more details about this Festival of Lights here. Wish you all a Happy Diwali.

Wish you all a very Happy Navratri, Durga Puja and Dasara! In some areas it is called Ayudha Pooja today. People do puja on this day to the tools and equipment used in our daily life with flowers, banana trunks, and other puja items as a mark of honor and respect. Sweets form an another important part of this festival. Tomorrow is Vijayadashami and the children are initiated to writing on this auspicious day.

The colorful festival Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala, South India. Onam marks the homecoming of mythical King Mahabali. People of all communities of Kerala celebrate this harvest festival with great joy and enthusiasm. This year, the main Onam Thiruvonam falls on 2nd September. Learn more about it here. During Onam time, the rich heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form. Colorful Pookalam (floral carpet), Snake Boat Race (Vallamkali, Onasadhya (a grand vegetarian meal served on banana leaf) and Onakkodi (new traditional clothes bought for the occasion) are the main attractions of this festival.

India is celebrating Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival today. To know more details about this festival click here.

14th April was the New Year Festival for many Indians in different parts of the country. They celebrated the New Year with different names. In Kerala, it was "Vishu" whereas in Tamil Nadu it was called "Puthandu," and for Bengalis and Punjabis the New Year was "Baisakhi". Assamese celebraated it as "Goru Bihu". The important features of this festival (Vishu) are Kani Kanal (viewing the auspicious things as the first sight of the year), Kaineetam (distributing money by the elders to the young ones). The yellow colored flower called "Konnapoo" blooms during Vishu time and it is an important part of the Vishu Kani preparation.