There are many studies being done to understand our connection with this universe. Some even state that, “There are similarities in the working of the two systems completely different in scale — the network of neuronal cells in the human brain and the cosmic web of galaxies”.

I guess our ancestors also had a similar thought process as we do now, even though it is hard to find any written documentation of their studies. But we have our festivals, especially the harvest festivals. This festival is named and celebrated differently in different parts of the world. For Tamilians, it is Pongal which means “to boil, overflow”, and it marks the end of the winter solstice.

As the saying goes, “Where there is a will, there is a way”. The mind is a very powerful tool which has to be channelled with care. So yes, we have tried to form a connection with the universe through our mind.

We all know that the earth is the only known planet to have living beings, since we have the right mix of seasons. Hence, by the end of the winter season which is also known as the Tamil month of Margazhi (December to January), in the southern parts of India and Sri Lanka, where the Tamilians in the Sangam era were living, they observed ‘Pavai Nonbu’.

‘Pavai Nonbu’ was part of the Thai Niradal celebration, a major festival during the reign of the Pallavas (4 to 8 century AD). During this festival, people prayed for rain and prosperity for the country. Throughout the month, they observed self-restraining standards to help awaken their senses and concentrate their energy towards a good cause by focusing their mind towards it. They ended their penance on the first day of the month of Thai, which is January to February. This was to bring abundant rains so that the paddy crop would flourish and grow. These traditions and customs of ancient times gave rise to the Pongal celebrations.

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The International Kite Festival is a long-standing festival that takes place every year on the 14 January in Gujarat. The season signifies the start of spring and the entry of the Sun into the Makara Rashi. Makar Sankranti is a joyful and delightful occasion. According to the Indian calendar, it marks the day when winter starts giving way to summer, and for the farmers, it signals the return of the Sun and the beginning of the harvest season.

Western India celebrates Uttarayan at this time which symbolizes the awakening of the Gods from their deep sleep. One of the most important festivals observed during this season is the International Kite Festival. People from countries such as Japan, Italy, USA, UK, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, Australia, Malaysia, China, France and others travel to India to take part in the festival. It is an opportunity for people from different parts of the world to showcase their creative and unique innovative kites.

It is believed that the Muslims from Persia brought the concept of kite flying to India. The kings and Nawabs of that era used it to showcase their skills and prowess. What started as a pastime for royalty soon trickled down to the general public. Over time, kite flying became one of Gujarat’s most popular sports. In India, it has now become a two-day public holiday.

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“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” — Mahatma Gandhi

The Hornbill Festival is one of the most popular festivals of Nagaland, celebrated every year from 1st to 10th December. It is one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous warrior tribes of Nagaland and the most renowned celebration of the Nagas. Thousands of people gather to partake in the festivities which include drinking, eating, singing and dancing. The Naga people have a rich tradition of maintaining their unique heritage and customs.

Nagaland is inhabited by 17 major tribes as well as sub-tribes. Each tribe is unique and is distinguished by its customs, language and attires. Each of the tribes and sub-tribes have their own ways of promoting their culture. In addition to their traditional ceremonial attire, which is different for each tribe, there are multi-coloured spears, Daos with dyed goat’s hair, exotic headgear and ivory armlets, among other famous, traditional ornaments that the Nagas don and steal the show with. In the past, Naga fighters had to prove their bravery to wear these.

The Land of Festivals

In spite of tremendous modernity entering into their lives, the Naga people have preserved their customs and legacy. Nagaland is called the ‘Land of Festivals’ and people living here have a fondness for commemorating and celebrating the deeds of their ancient warriors and folk heroes. Moreover, the medleys that immortalize love stories, folk tunes and gospel songs are also cherished.

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Raksha Bandhan — the festival of love, bonding, togetherness. A special vow between siblings to be with each other during every phase of life that includes sharing, caring and growing up together. Who know us better than our own siblings?

Every Raksha Bandhan, my teenaged son asks me: “Mom, what gift do I give my sister when she ties a rakhi for me?” And the same question is asked by my daughter.

Being a woman entrepreneur, corporate gift manufacturer and someone who has been in the business of gifting since the past 27 years, this was a challenge we faced every day for every occasion. That gave birth to our venture MODO GREEN that stands for trendy, fashionable and, at the same time, green. It helped us solve the question of what do we gift our loved ones on various occasions — unique gifts that add value not only to our loved ones’ lives but also to our environment. 

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Like a rainbow that glitters in a diversity of colours, the festivals in the month of April celebrated in various corners of our country, draw people from India and abroad, filling them with wonder and delight. The diversity of India enhances this country with a wide variety of cultures and customs with inestimable beauty and richness. They uplift everyone’s hearts with pride and grandeur.

Shad Suk Mynsiem

Meghalaya

Meghalaya celebrates the onset of spring with the community’s biggest festival, Shad Sukh Mynsiem, through which they offer their gratitude to the creator for all the blessings and bountiful harvests received. This festival offers them a stage to showcase their traditional dance and rituals which gives them a unique identity in the country. Visitors to the Shad Suk Mynsiem festival can also learn about how they keep alive old traditions and help indigenous beliefs and customs flourish in the modern century. This festival marks one of the best ways to see the beautiful and ancient heritage, beliefs and motifs of the community.

Tulip Festival

Kashmir

No one can imagine the colours that can churn and please your senses with the aesthetic beauty of nature. The Tulip Festival is a unique festival hosted in the Kashmir Valley during spring. It will take place from 3 April to 30 April 2022, and this year, 62 varieties of tulips will be on display. People gather here to enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. The Dal Lake stands out when the beauty is at its peak.

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Easter is the most important feast day of the Christian calendar though Christmas — the feast which commemorates the birth of Christ — is celebrated with greater pomp and show all over the world. Easter is the first and perhaps the only feast the early Christians knew till about the end of the 2nd century. The joy of Easter involves the greatest mystery of Christian faith — it is the day on which Christ conquered sin and death and rose alive in glory from the tomb where he had been buried on Good Friday.

Easter invariably falls on a Sunday — the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox. The equinox is the time when the sun crosses the equator and makes the day and the night of equal length. In the first half of the year this usually occurs about March 21; so, Easter cannot come earlier than March 22 and later than April 25. This year, Easter falls on April 4.

Origins

The word ‘Easter’ is believed to have been derived from the name of the goddess of spring, Eostra. A festival was celebrated in her honour every year in April. With the coming of Christianity the old gods were set side. Instead, this festival came to be celebrated in commemoration of the resurrection (rising from the dead) of Christ. The coming of spring with its bright sunshine and beautiful flowers has always been the cause of great joy. No wonder then that this festival celebrating the sun’s reappearance from its wintry grave has been transformed into the Christian feast of the rising of Christ from the dead.

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Festival of Sleep Day

Do you wake up reluctantly every morning, wishing you could get those few extra hours of snooze time? Fret not. January 3 is celebrated for the sake of you and other such souls and is nobly called the Festival of Sleep Day. It has been carefully timed keeping in mind that people would be exhausted after Christmas and New Year celebrations. And if somebody tries to wake you up, ask them to read up about the hundreds of benefits of sleep.

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