Read Blogs On Indian Festival

The time of change- Sankranti is just around the corner and India is ready to say goodbye to the chilling winters and welcome the warmth of the Sun, revered as Surya Deva. The tradition of Sun worship on Makar Sankranti is popular all over the country, with festivals like Bihu, Pongal, and Khichdi in different regions known for their shared rituals of Surya-Puja, eating home-cooked food, family gatherings, bathing in sacred rivers and performing Daana and other virtuous deeds. But the richness of Indian culture is such that even after being aware of the many variations of Makar Sankranti, there remain a few lesser-known traditions that not many of us are aware of.

Gita Jayanti, celebrated in the months of November-December every year is observed on the day when Krishna in his Vishwaroopa gave Arjuna and the world, the cosmic wisdom as Gita or Bhagavad Gita- “Gita as said (vad) by the Lord (bhagwan)”. A festival of Hindu culture that goes beyond India and inspires millions across the globe, Gita Jayanti’s unique history and celebration are discussed in this special blog. The story of Gita Jayanti can be traced to the battle of Kurukshetra when Krishna revealed the truth of the Universe to Arjuna. Included in the epic Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita is a long Sanskrit poem that presents the profound interaction between the soul and the supreme- Atma and Paramatma. The Shukla Ekadashi (day 11 of the Waxing moon) in Margashirsha, falling in Nov-Dec is the day when Gita was imparted on Arjuna, and this day is celebrated in modern times as Gita Jayanti.

Guru Purnima is celebrated on the first full moon (Purnima) after the summer solstice in the month of Ashadha (the fourth month of the year, beginning on 22 June and ending on 22 July) according to the Hindu calendar. Guru Purnima is dedicated to honoring and expressing gratitude to spiritual and academic teachers, known as gurus, it is an auspicious and significant festival followed by Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. In the oldest beliefs, it is believed that the day marks the first transmission of the Yogic sciences from Lord Shiva (The Adi yogi or first yogi) to his disciples, the ‘Saptarishi’, which means ‘seven sages’. After receiving their knowledge from the Adi Guru or the first guru the Saptarishis carried his teachings. Every spiritual process on the planet draws from the spine of knowledge created by Adiyogi.

India is a culture and tradition-rich country and can also be called the land of festivals. Throughout the year, numerous auspicious days are observed in the country. Out of the many festivals that are celebrated in India, the Lohri festival is the first. It is a very vibrant festival that arrives on the 13th of January every year. Lohri is celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus in North India but mainly by the farming communities. They thank the Sun God, Surya Dev for a good harvest and pray for a lush crop in the coming year. The festival marks the beginning of a new financial year for the farmers. It is a festival that stands as a symbol of unity, faith, and togetherness. It is a reminder of the fact that light always prevails in darkness.