Day: October 1, 2010

Bateshwar Fair : The Colourful Annual Cattle Festival

Bateshwar fair, popularly known as Bhateshwar Mela is a large fair held at Bateshwar, an important cultural and spiritual center situated 70km from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Large number of devotes come here from far region to worship Bateshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva) the presiding deity.

108 temples at Bateshwar - Photo courtesy travel247.tv
108 temples at Bateshwar - Photo courtesy travel247.tv

Here at Bhateswar, you will find temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. It is a place of great religious importance to the Hindus. The Most striking feature of Bateshwar is its towering cliffs of clay and its impressive row of 108 white temples strung along with the slow flowing Yamuna River.

Every year the annual cattle fair is held at the banks of Yamuna River in the ‘Kartik’ month of Hindu calendar i.e in the month of November. The livestock fair has a very colorful ambience at Bhateshwar Mela. Thousands of cattle mainly Elephants, Camels Cows, Bullocks, Buffalos, Goats come here from different part of India assemble at this fair or mela adorned in beautiful rags and colors.

Annual Cattle Festival - Photo courtesy bharatonline.com
Annual Cattle Festival - Photo courtesy bharatonline.com

A wide variety of wild and domestic birds and pets are also available here for sale. Owners and buyers indulge in serious business combined with the gaiety of a market place. Various regional folk based cultural programs are organized here to entertain the tourist coming in from different countries of the world and states of India

In 2010,  Bateshwar Fair is celebrated on 12-26 November.

Toshali Travel and Tours offers budget festival Holiday packages and arranges to be at the Bateshwar Mela – the annual cattle festival And customized your accommodation on demand. Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognized and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more on the Bateshwar Mela – the annual cattle festival, post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holiday Planner at metu@toshali.in

Ayudha Mela : The festival of triumph

Ayudha Puja is a local festival celebrated in the month of September/ October in Uttar Pradesh. Ayudha is the birth place of Lord Rama according to the Hindu Mythology so people worship Lord Rama on this day. Mythology also states that Ram was exiled by his father in the jungle and in the process he lost his birthright to be the King.

On this day people clean their instrument and then worship their instrument that they use for their earning. Worship of weapons and tools depict the respect towards the tools which helps in earning. Auto drivers clean and decorate their autos while shopkeepers do the same for their shops and worship Goddess Lakshmi. In modern time, people also worship their vehicles and cooking vessels on this day.

The principal goddesses worshiped during the Ayudha puja are Saraswathi(the Goddess of wisdom, arts and literature), Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and Parvathi (the divine mother), apart from various types of equipment. Many People mark this festival by visiting temple of Lord Rama and Sita, Pooja depicts the celebration of Victory of good over evil, which also has a vast social bearing on the people of Uttar Pradesh. Different regions follow different traditions for celebrating this festival. Ayudha Puja is the regional festival and celebrated in every nook and corner of Uttar Pradesh. On the ninth day of the Dasara festival, weapons and tools are worshiped. It is an integral part of the Dussehra festival celebration- festival of triumph.

In 2010, Ayudha Puja festival is celebrated on October 16.

Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival Holiday packages and can customized your accommodation on demand. Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more on the Uttar PradeshTourism – Ayudha Puja and Mela , post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holiday Planner at metu@toshali.in

Aranmula Vallamkali – The Snake Boat Race Festival in Kerala

Aranmula Vallamkali also known as Aranmula Uthrittathi Boat Race, it is the annual snake boat water sports festival celebrated inAranmula village situated on the banks of Pamba River, in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala in the month of September during Onam festival. Vallamkali refers to boat race competition held during the last two days of the festival.

Snake Boat Race in Kerala - Photo courtesy Kerala Tourism
Snake Boat Race in Kerala - Photo courtesy Kerala Tourism

In this competition the participants, are trained to row these boats, they compete not merely for winning the competition but to celebrate the anniversary of the Shri Krishna idol installation , who is the main deity at the Aranmula  Parthasarathy Temple .

This annual festival attracts tourists from all over the world.  Here you will find snake boats in this colorful carnival called Palliyodams.  The structure of the boats resembles snakes that are 100 feet in length with its front tapering and the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft.  During this race 39 to 41 of such boats participate that can easily accommodate 120 people including oarsmen, singers and helmsmen.

Apart from this the famous boat race, other rituals including offering prayers to Lord Krishna early in the morning on the day of the boat race.  At this tome all boats assemble near the temple to seek blessing of Lord.  After the Morning prayers other rituals, the race starts from the afternoon, with groups of men and singers all shouting and singing in a rhythmic manner.

Tourist attractions in Aranmula :

  • Aranmula Kannadi – Aranmula is famous for Aranmula Mirror or Aranmula Kannadi – the world only hand-made mirrors made entirely from metals, without using glass.
  • Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple – Sree Parthasarathi Temple at Aranmula is place where Lord Krishna Temples in Kerala.
  • Chengannur Mahadeva Temple – Chengannur Mahadevar Kshetram is one of the oldest Lord Shiva Temples in Kerala.
  • Other religious attraction Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayoor Temple, Thiruvarppu Krishna Temple and Trichambaram Sree Krishna Temple.

In 2011 this festival will celebrated on the end of Onam festival. Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival Holiday packages and arranges, to be at nature “Gods own Country”. And customized your accommodation on demand. Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more on the Kerala Tourism – Aranmula Vallamkali – The Snake Boat Race Festival in Kerala , post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holiday Planner at metu@toshali.in

Anant Chaturdashi : The last day of the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav

Anant Chaturthi also known as Anant Chaturdashi is the last day of the Ganesh festival” celebrated in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andra Pradesh. This day follows the immersion of the idols of the beloved lord.

Anant Chaturdashi Festival
Anant Chaturdashi Festival

On the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the idols of Lord Ganesha installed at home and various “Mandapas” (display place) are taken to a pond, lake, river or a sea in great procession with slogan: “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Agle Baras to jaldi aa” (“Father Ganpati, come again next year”). On this day, people travel to the water front with the idols, big and small, dancing and singing in large procession. The 10 day long festival comes to an end after the immersion ceremony is over.

During ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad and Ganesha Stotra from the Narada Purnana are chanted. The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents.

On Anant Chaturdasi, Lord Ananta Padmanabha is worshipped and Ananta Vrat is observed. The Vrat is an observance is followed for 14 consecutive years for marital bliss, happiness and prosperity. This vow is observed by married couple. By performing Anant Chaturdasi puja, it is believed that a person is relieved of all sins committed during his lifetime.

Anant Chaturdashi in 2011 is on Thursday, the 1st of September. Toshali Resorts, welcomes all to be the part of “Anant Chaturthi” Festival experiencing – exclusive arrangement is been done every year for the guest to witness and be the part of the festival. For Hoilday Package Reservation write to metu@toshali.in

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