Uttarayana- The Kite Flying Festival (14th Jan)
Uttarayana is celebrated as an event signifying a planetary transition and thereby heralding a change of seasons. It marks the end of winter, with the return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere. This festival is celebrated annually on January 14 in western India. Kite flying is a traditional Uttrayan activity. The kites used are prepared from thin paper and carefully crafted with bamboo sticks. The thread to fly the kites; is specially prepared, using cotton thread, coated with a mix of adhesive and  fine  glass  powder,  which  is  dried  over a period  of time. The kite

flyer must keep his kite aloft while others try to sever the thread using their own kites. When people win this battle of kites in the skies, they celebrate with cheerful shouts of "Kade" and drum beats. It is a common scene to see people dancing and socializing freely. Once the sun sets, people can watch paper lanterns called tukkal flying in the night sky. What's more, the day is marked, by eating traditional delicacies.

Every year, Ahmedabad hosts the International Kite Festival, organized by the government of Gujarat in association with the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. People from far and wide, be it Japan, Australia, Malaysia, USA, Brazil, Canada and European Countries come to Ahmedabad to participate in this festival.

Maha Shivratri (2nd March)

Overall, the day is observed with immense devotion. Celebrations begin at dawn, where people cleanse themselves with a bath, preferably in the Ganges River, which Hindus regard as holy. Then, they bathe the Shiv Lingam with milk and holy waters. Priests lead chants of various hymns, with “Om Namah Shiaya” being the main one. 

People will also visit temples and offer prayers with incense sticks, special flowers, milk, bel leaves, water and fruit. Traditional recipes include Lauki ka Halwa, Thandai and others. Famous temples, like the Kedarnath, Lingaraj Temple, Somnath, Kailash Mansarovar, Rameswaram, and Kashi are flooded with devotees all hoping to catch a glimpse of the Lord Shiva or Shiv Linga idols. The night vigils feature chantings, readings, and singing to praise Lord Shiva.

Holi (20th March)

The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. IT is spring time in India, flowers and fields are in bloom and the country goes wild with people running on the streets and smearing each other with brightly hued powders and coloured water.
            The legend usually associated with Holi revolves around the wicked king whose son Prahalad was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. When the king tried to prevent his son from worshiping Lord Vishnu, with the aid of his sister Holika, who had a boon that made her immune to the effects of fire, his plan backfired and Prahlad escapes unscathed while Holika was burnt to death.
            On the eve of Holi, huge bonfires are lit with logs of wood, basketful of cow dung cakes, ghee, honey and the new corp brought fresh from the fields. When the fire leaps up in high and strong flames all those present, walk around the bonfire seven times, pray and invoke the blessings of Agnidev. Women prepare delicious sweets and pit in the bonfire as “Naivedya” to Agnidev. When the fire lies down, water is splashed on the embers and ash from the extinguished fire is applied on the forehead by everyone.
            There is also another story behind the festival of ‘Holi” and it is based on the everlasting love between Krishn and Radha and the light-heart mischievous courtship of his was linked to Holi. Thus Holi is known to be the celebration of love between the two of them.
            Spraying colours, dancing on traditional Holi songs, rhythmic drum beats and wild precessions are the common scenes that one comes across during the festival. Humor poems are recited and jokes are told as people gorge on ghujias and enjoy the intoxicating cool Thandai. Holi is also synonymous with bhang, which is consumed by many in the form of laddoos and ghols.

Ram Navami (12th April)

Ram Navami is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the son of King Dasharath. It was a joyous occasion in Ayodhya all those centuries ago when King Dasharath's heir was finally born. It was like a dream come true for the king as the lack of an heir had troubled him sorely for many years. 

Lord Rama is an avatar of Lord Vishnu who came down to earth to battle the invincible Ravana in human form. Lord Brahma had been receiving complaints from all the gods about the havoc that Ravana was wreaking on earth, but because Lord Brahma had granted Ravana so many boons, he could not be killed by a god. But Ravana had become so overconfident that he would never expect an attack from a human being. So Lord Vishnu agreed to go to earth in the guise of Prince Ram, the son of King Dasharath and Queen Kaushalya. 

The story of Lord Rama as told in the great epic Ramayana is one that most Indians know irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Lord Rama is a legendary figure, the epitome of all that is good and true, the man who vanquished the demon king Ravana. Lord Rama is not just a hero, but has been given the status of a god by the Hindus. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that his birth is celebrated year after year with great pomp and enjoyment on the ninth day after the new moon in Sukul Paksh (the waxing moon), which falls sometime in the month of April. 

Mahavir Jayanti (25th April)

The celebration of the birth anniversary of Mahavira which is celebrated by the entire Jain community throughout the country “. Mahavir Jayanti”, According to Digambar (Sky Clad) and Shvetambar (White clad) Jains observe the thirteen-day of the bright half of Chaitra month (March-April) as the birthday of Lord Mahavira.  Born at Kshatriyakund near modern Patna in Bihar.He preached Non –Violence and prohibited any kind of killing. Mahavir lived a life of absolute truthfulness, a perfect honest and absolute chastity, without possessing anything at all, finally attaining omniscience   and Niravana .

Rath Yatra (3rd July)

This chariot procession on the main streets of Ahmedabad city features a lot of colourful chariots, trucks and other vehicles. The procession commemorates the journey of lord Krishna to Mathura, leaving behind grieving Gopis. The massive procession begins at Jagdish temple in Jamalpur. The main chariots are dedicated to lord Krishna, his brother Balaram and sister Subadhra, followed by colourfully decorated elephants, trucks, motor vehicles, pilgrims on foot, acrobats and gymnasts
THE CHARIOTS :
Lord Jagannatha’s Chariot is called Nandighosa. It is forty-five feet high and forty-five feet square at the wheel level. It has sixteen wheels, each of seven feet diameter, and is decked with a cover made of red and yellow cloth. Lord Jagannatha is identified with Krishna who is also known as Pitambara, the one attired in golden yellow robes and hence the distinguishing yellow stripes on the canopy of this chariot.
The Chariot of Lord Balabhadra, called the Taladhwaja, literally one a with the Palm Tree on its flag, has fourteen wheels, each of seven feet diameter and is covered with red and blue cloth. Its height is forty-four feet.
The Chariot of Subhadra, known as Darpadalana, literally trampler of pride, is forty-three feet high with twelve wheels, each of seven feet diameter. This Chariot is decked with a covering of red and black cloth, black being traditionally associated with Shakti and the Mother goddess.
Around each of the chariots are nine Parsva devatas, painted wooden images representing different deities on the chariots’ sides. Each of the chariots is attached with four horses. These are of different colours – white ones for Balabhadra, dark ones for Jagannatha and red ones for Subhadra. Each chariot has a charioteer called Sarathi. The three charioteers attached to the chariots of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra respectively are Matali, Daruka and Arjuna.
AHMEDABAD: With chariots of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balram wheeling out from precincts of historic Jagdish Temple in Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad the rath yatra will solemnise its non-stop existence.

Following the traditional route , the rath yatra will snake through lanes and bylanes of the city before returning to temple in the evening. Chief Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the procession from temple permises around 7 am in the morning. Around 9 am it will be received by Ahmedabad Mayor Ms. Mirza at civic body headquarters at Goldlimda via Khamasa. Next stoppage on the route will be Astodia Chakla followed by Raipur Chakla -- integral part of walled city.

At 9.30 am the raths will reach Khadia Char Rasta. Paanch Kuva will be next on the route of the rathyatra followed by Ambedkar Hall before reaching Saraspur Char Rasta.
rath yatra will be on its return journey from Saraspur Char Rasta after taking a halt for two hours at 1.30 pm. Kalupur Circle will be next on return journey route followed by Prem Darwaja at 2.15 pm.

Prem Darwaja is the place from where the raths will enter a virtually impregnable fortress of securitymen. The raths will move amdist unprecedented security due to area falling in muslim stronghold on both sides of Jordan road. Delhi Chakla, Shahpur Chakla and Pitalia Bamba will be next on the schedule. There after the procession will move to Gheekanta crossroads, Golimda-Khamasa, Khamasa and return to Jagdish Mandir, the home to deities, in the evening around 9 pm.

Raksha Bandhan (13th Aug)

The month of Shravana is the month of gods and pujans (worships), the full moon day being the most important day of all. The Rakhi Purnima is important in more than one way. It is celebrated differently throughout the country. The reasons may be different, the names altered, the rituals, deviant but one thing that does not change is the prayer and pledge for protection 'Raksha'.

In the Western Ghats the rakhi is considered to be an offering to Lord Varuna, The Lord of the sea. Lord Varuna is offered Coconuts. As a ritual coconuts are thrown into the sea on this day. The festival here is known as Nariyal Purnima. It also marks the beginning of the fishing season.

This festival is called Avani Avittam in South India. It is an important day for the Brahmins. The first take a holy bath and then change their holy thread (Janeyu) chanting the mantras. They take a vow to perform the brahmanik duties as prescribed in the holy books and adopt a good conduct and dignity. The Janeyu represents the vow for adherence to vedic culture, observance of Hindu traditions and service to humanity. The ceremony is called Shravani or Rishi Tarpan. All Brahmans celebrate it in the same way

In Northern India, Rakhi Purnima is also called Kajri Purnima or Kajri Navami, when wheat or barley is sown. Goddess Bhagwati is worshiped and farmers seek her blessings for a good crop.

The name Baleva signifies the might of King Bali and his devotion to lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi.

In Gujarat people offer water to Shiva Linga every Monday of the year. On the Rakhi Purnima they offer water and pray to God for forgiveness. In one ceremony known as Pavitropana, a few twisted filaments of cotton are soaked in panchagaivya (mixture of cow's ghee, milk, curd,urine and excreta) and then fastened around a shivalinga

Raksha Bandhan in scriptures is described as the 'Punya Pradayak', the day that bestows boons to the generous 'Vish Tarak' the destroyer of venom or the vicious 'Pap Nashak' the destroyer of sins.

Independence Day (15th Aug)

lebrated as the Independence Day in India. This national festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.

The Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country.

Krishna Janmashtami (22nd Aug)

Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna, the re-embodiment of Lord Vishnu who gave us the vital message of Bhagwat Gita- the guiding principle for every Hindu. The temples throughout the country witness an extravagant and colorful celebration on this occasion.

Position of Stars at the time of Birth:

It was only on the eighth day of the second fortnight, in the month of Sravana when, the moon entered the house of Vrishabha in Rohini Nakshatra (star) that Lord appeared.

Puja at Midnight:-

It is only at midnight between the first and the second day that birth of Sri Krishna took place. The actual festivities begin during midnight in this 48 hour period. The celebration reaches its peak at midnight, with the birth of Lord Krishna, with lot of hymns, arti taking place and blowing of the Conch (shankh), rocking the cradle of Lord. The idol of lord is bathed with Panchamrit (A mixture of milk, ghee, oil, honey and Gangajal). The Panchamrit is later distributed as Prasad to the devotees along with other sweets. While some Fast on the first day and break it at midnight for others the fasting continues for both days.

The Celebrations:-

Celebration of Janmashtami, birth of the famous Lord Krishna includes a number of ceremonies like, Raslila, Jhankis (tableaux) etc Raslila (an act) is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and to commemorate his love for Radha. Dahi Handi is a popular ceremony, celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and glee. Dahi Handi is an enactment of Lord Krishna's efforts to steal butter from Matka (earthen pot) suspended from the ceiling. Youths celebrate it by breaking clay pots called 'Dahi-Handi', filled with curd and butter suspended high above the ground, young men and children form human pyramid to reach the pot and break it.

Ganesh Chaturthi (1st Sep)

Before 1893, Ganesh Chaturthi used to be an important family festival during the Peshwa rule in Maharashtra, but that year, Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak transformed the annual festival into a large, well-organized public event.
Tilak recognized the wide appeal of the deity Ganesh as "the god for everybody", and popularized Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival in order "to bridge the gap between Brahmins and 'non-Brahmins' and find a context in which to build a new grassroots unity between them",
and generate nationalistic fervor among people in Maharashtra against the British colonial rule.

Tilak encouraged installation of large public images of Ganesh in pavilions, and also established the practice of submerging in rivers, sea, or other pools of water all public images of the deity on the tenth day after Ganesh Chaturthi.

Under Tilak's encouragement, the festival facilitated community participation and involvement in the form of intellectual discourses, poetry recitals, performances of plays, musical concerts, and folk dances. It served as a meeting ground for people of all castes and communities in
times when, in order to exercise control over the population, the British discouraged social and political gatherings.

Onam (7th Sep)

The day of Onam is celebrated in honour of King Mahabali. People believe that it was this particular day in the month of Chingam when Lord Vishnu took his fifth avatar as Vaamana, appeared in the kingdom of King Mahabali and sent him to nether world.

People believe that it is on the last day, Tiruonam that the spirit of King Maveli (Mahabali) visits Kerala, hence the day is marked by feast and festivities. Devotees of Maveli celebrate the golden era witnessed in Maveli's reign during Onam. To welcome their revered ruler, people lay flower mats (Pookalam) in the front courtyard, prepare a grand meal (Onasadya), dance, play and make merry. All this is done to impress upon King Mahabali that his people are prosperous and happy.

Gandhi Jyanti (2nd Oct)

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, (1869-1948), also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born in Porbandar in the present day state of Gujarat in India on October 2, 1869. He was raised in a very conservative family that had affiliations with the ruling family of Kathiawad.

In his autobiography ‘My experiments with Truth’, Gandhi recalls that his childhood and teen age years were characterized by education in a local school, marriage to Kasturba at the age of 13 and an intrinsic love for ‘truth’ and ‘duty’.

He was interested in everything that concerns the individual or society. He is best known as the matchless political leader who evolved the new technique of "satyagraha". His fight against untouchability and the notions of superiority and inferiority by birth are also fairly well known. For India, his greatest service was, perhaps, the emancipation of Indian women. While his stay in South Africa in the earlier part of his life, he protested against the colonial and racial discrimination and the Asiatic (Black) Act and the Transvaal Immigration Act with the aid of a brilliant strategic move of starting a non-violent civil disobedience movement. He returned to India in 1915.

He was the person behind the Satyagraha Ashram in Ahmedabad and the Sabarmati Ashram, which became a platform for introducing long-needed social reforms such as 'Harijan' welfare, small-scale industries and self-reliance and rehabilitation of lepers. His fight to give equal rights to each and every person of the society irrespective of which strata they belong made him immortal among us.

Gandhi, as he was popularly called, proved that non-violence is the most effective instrument of social change. His teachings are promoted even today to avoid violence and find peaceful solutions to conflicts.

Through his sheer dedication and self-belief, Gandhi freed India from the British Raj (British Rule). He proved to the world that freedom can be achieved through the path of non-violence.

For Gandhi ‘Non-violence’ and truth were two inalienable virtues. He summed up the entire philosophy of his life as : "The only virtue I want to claim is truth and non-violence. I lay no claim to super human powers : I want none".

The United Nations General Assembly announced on 15th June, 2007 that October 2nd will be celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.