Sailee Bakhle

Gudi Padwa is the Marathi term that replicates the concept of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada or the first days of the Chaitra month(March-April) which also marks the New Year as per the lunisolar Hindu calendar. Gudi Padwa is believed to bring in prosperity and good luck into home. It is also considered an auspicious day to commence new projects and buy new things.  Gudi Padwa's most prominent symbol is elaborately decorated bamboo stick displayed proudly outside the window or main gate of a house, this is 'Gudi' and is created using a bright color cloth like red, orange, green, yellow adorned with zari work. This cloth is tied to a bamboo tip and is further decorated using neem leaves, mango leaves, a garland of red flowers and sugar crystals. A copper or silver pot is then placed atop of it. The 'Padwa' means 'first' and it has been derived from Sanskrit literature. Celebrated as the first day of the Hindu calendar, Gudi Padwa together, is a wonderful...

Shigmotsav is a popular festival in Goa. The Hindus celebrate this 14 days long festival, the Goan Hindu traditions and mythology is showcased in this festival. Shigmotsav is celebrated to mark the farewell of winter. The Shigmo or Shigmotsav is celebrated in the month of Phalguna (March), it is the biggest festival for Hindus in Goa. In Goa, the land of temples, Shigmo begins with ' Naman'  or collective obeisance of villagers from 9th full moon day. During all these days, they avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol drinks. From 11th to 15th moon day, villagers dress up in colorful dresses and embark with a festive mood along with multi-colored flags, beating drums and blowing flutes to gather at the village temples, dance and sing various folk songs in the temple court yard to the beat of the drums. -Ghode-Modni A eye-catching display of Goan Hindu ethnicity and mythology comprising of street dancers, traditional folk and floats depicting the themes from ancient Hi...

Holi is a colorful and most fun-filled festival which is celebrated in the month of March, usually in the latter half of the month .Great excitement can be seen in people when it is actually the time for playing with colo rs. Shops and offices remain closed for the day and people get all the time to get crazy and wacky. Bright colors of gulal and abeer fill the air and people take turns in pouring color water over each other. Children take special delight  in spraying colors on one another with their pichkaris and throwing water balloons. Women  and senior citizen form groups and move in colonies applying colors and exchanging greetings. Everyone looks the same when Holi is in full swing, color, class and religion are wiped away by the colors of Holi. For this moment, all people are equal. This is especially important for India, which still follows the caste system, so Holi festival is a day to break free from your caste. People gather wood to make large bonfi...

The festival of lights,Diwali, is India's biggest religious celebration, when homes, institutions and entire neighborhoods are decorated with candles, earthen lamps and fairy lights on this auspicious moonless night. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains throughout the world. Diwali is celebrated in October or early November. It is the celebration of the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and his victorious return to kingdom. In order to make the home coming of Lord Rama safe and as swift as possible the people of Ayodhya illuminated the way with twinkling diyas . This is why lighting of lamps has become such an inseparable component of this festival  It also foretells of fresh beginnings as we open new checkbooks and diaries as well as clean our homes. It is an invocation to search for light, knowledge and enlightenment and to banish the dark thoughts, desires and negative feelings. The festivity of Diwali last for 5 days :The 1st day of Diwali is ...

Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayak Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrated in India with a great devotion. This day is celebrated as a birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This is one of the most popular festival in the country which is celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (between August and September. Ganpati is the God of wisdom and herald of auspicious beginnings, his blessings are invoked at most religious ceremonies as he is the one who can remove all the obstacles to success, he is the giver of fortune. It is important, according to tradition, not to look at the moon during certain times on Ganesh Chaturthi. If a person sees the moon, they'll be cursed with accusations of theft and dishonored by society unless they chant a certain mantra.   People bring home murtis (Idols) of Lord Ganesha and celebrate the festival by worshiping the Lord in a special way for a day & a half, 3 da...