Day: October 23, 2010

Ganga Mahotsav : Festival at Varanasi, the cultural capital of India

Ganga Mahotsava is a 5-day festive event held on the banks of Ganges in Varanasi on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik. Ganga Mahotsava tends to promote Varanasi and Ganga as the cultural capital and lifeline of India respectively.

The event gives stress on the promotion of the classical style of Indian music & dance. It provides opportunity to viewers, to witness performance of the great exponents of Indian classical dance and music. Some of these exponents of art reside in Uttar Pradesh itself.

In the past editions, laureates like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pundit Chhanulal Misra, Girija Devi, Bal Murli Krishnan, Bhimsen Joshi, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Zila Khan, Sujat Khan and Zakir Hussein have given their enthralling performances in this festival. This festival is a must attend for every tourists the festival of lights at Varanasi.

It is believed, on the day of Dev Deepavali God descends from Heaven to take a holy bath in the Ganges. During the festival the banks of the river Ganga are lit with diyas or the earthen lamps and amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. The ghats of Ganga wear a majestic mystic look as thousands of pilgrim , tourists walk to take the holy dip in the wee hours of the holy day.

Men and women bathes in the river while chanting mantras and doing surya namaskar or worshiping and bowing to the Sun God.

Ganga Mahotsav Cultural Festival is held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh from 17 to 21 November 2010

Planning your Trip for Ganga Mahotsav, Our tip here would be…

Stay at Varanasi for  5 days : If you want a true taste of Varansai, you should consider staying in one of the many dharmshalas lining the ghats? For those who like their creature comforts, book a hotel well in advance to avoid last minute hassles.

My recommendation would be : Enjoy a boat ride down the mighty Ganga River, taste the famous puris and kachoris for breakfast and finish it off with a Banarasi paan (Beetle), shop around for the hallmark Banarasi Sarees (India famous dressing attire) and also  visit the ancient temples dotting the oldest city in the world.

Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival holiday packages and arranges, to be at “Ganga Mahotsav”, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. And customized your accommodation on demand, book your package reservation at with Toshali Travel and Tours. Toshali  is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India . Visit : www.toshalitravel.com

To know more on the Ganga Mahotsav, post you comments or Contact your at Toshali Holidays Planner at metu@toshali.in

Dhanteras Festival : The Holy Celebration of Wealth in India

Goddess Laxmi on Dhanteras FestivalDhanteras  is the festival celebrated  two days before  Diwali. It usually falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/ November).  On this day Goddess Laxmi is worshipped to provide prosperity and wealth. Dhan Teras holds great significance for the business community.

According to legends once a sixteen year old son of King Hima was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. On the particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep, she laid all the ornaments  gold and silver coins at the entrance of her husband’s boudoir and lightened innumerable lamps all over the place and herself went to sing songs.

When Yama, the god of death arrived there in the guise of a serpent his eyes got blind by the dazzle of the brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince’s chamber. So he climbed on the top of the head of the ornaments and coin and sat down. In the morning serpent quietly went away. Thus, the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death.

Since then this day of Dhanteras is celebrated that is also known as “Yamadeepdaan”. Then the lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of death.

Then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of “Yamadeepdaan” and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.

Dhanteras is also treated auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that if you bring new Dhan or some form of precious metal it is a sign or symbol of Good –Luck.

In 2010, Dhanteras Festival is celebrated on November 3rd. Toshali Sands welcomes all to be the part of Dhanteras and Diwali Festival experiencing the week long festive celebration, exclusive arrangement has been done for the guest to witness and be the part of the festival at Toshali Sands, Puri. Dhanteras and Diwali Package and online hotel reservation click on http://bit.ly/aZPmwF For more details on customized Dhanteras and Diwali festive budget tour contact our travel planner to metu@toshali.in

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