Sufi Music Festival 2013

Once a year, spectators gather for an auditory adventure of Sufi culture and religion in one of the world’s most colorful locales, Rajasthan. Musicians and artists from Mongolia to Istanbul serenade captive audiences inside the medieval walls of Nagaur Fort. Otherwise known as “The Fort of the Hooded Cobra,” the building contains four palatial palaces with expertly restored frescos. Builders originally constructed Naguar Fort of mud in the 4th century, though today it boasts ancient arches and sweeping patios after centuries of renovations. Eventually gifted to the ruler of Jodhpur from the Mughals, today the stronghold provides a place to relive the royal heritage of Naguar through Sufi music. Sufi songs date back hundreds of years when Islam’s most influential saints composed poems of reverence to God. These songs are meant to promote harmony among people, regardless of their religion or beliefs. The three-day Naguar festival offers a relaxing outdoor experience where travelers can enjoy the sounds of Sufi music amidst a candlelight glow. Unlike other festivals, this intimate affair offers an authentic Indian escape for dedicated cultural enthusiasts. At night, guests retire to fairy-tale tents and sleep comfortably beneath the twilight. Attendee’s walk away feeling rejuvenated and enlightened having visited a world rarely seen. The Nagaur Sufi Music Festival will be held February 16-18, 2013.

Sufism is the mystic tradition of Islam, which teaches co-existence, harmony and divine love for all creation. This spiritual journey will illuminate this supernatural sect by taking you to some of the Sufism's holiest sites. You'll remove your shoes and step into the spiritual oasis of Nizamuddin Dargah, a mosque hidden far back in Delhi's bazaars where Sufi singers sit surrounded by a rapt audience. After visiting the Taj Mahal, you'll stop at Fatehpur Sikri, emperor Akbar's former capital. Legend has it that the emperor dedicated the town to a Sufi saint who accurately foresaw the birth of his sons. Along the way, you'll pay your respects at the tombs of Sufi saints before heading up north to Kashmir where you'll be serenaded with Traditional Sufi Music.

Once a year, audiences fill Nagaur Fort for an auditory experience featuring Sufi artists from Mongolia to Istanbul. Builders originally constructed Naguar Fort of mud in the 4th century, though today it boasts ancient arches and sweeping patios after centuries of renovations. Eventually gifted to the ruler of Jodhpur from the Mughals, today the stronghold provides a place to relive the royal heritage of Naguar through Sufi music. Songs date back hundreds of years when Islam's most influential saints composed poems of reverence to God. These songs are meant to promote harmony among people, regardless of their religion or beliefs. At night, guests retire to fairy-tale tents and sleep comfortably beneath the twilight.

Witness unconquered faith @ Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

A unique religious ceremony attracting millions from across the globe to witness the purifying energy of the celebrations, Kumbh Mela is held every 3 years in either of Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain or Nasik. The location for the Mela relies upon the dynamics of astronomy and astrology apart from what follows from an old legend mentioned in the Samudra Manthan episode. According to the legend, the gods and demons fell into a battle for the possession of Amrit, the panacea to achieve immortality, and the same lasted for 12 days and 12 nights (equalling 12 human years). As a consequence, a few drops of this nectar fell from the Kumbha (Sanskrit for pitcher) on the above mentioned cities, hence consecrating them. Believed to have been imparted anagogic powers as a result, these places came to be worshipped by one and all, who would come here to take dip in the holy waters of the river(s) in each town. This act of faith is presumed to release one from the painful cycle of birth and death forever.

Over 75 million people have been recorded to have visited the holy gathering in 2001 to absorb the mystical capacities of these religious grounds. Thousands of ‘sadhus’ wrapped in saffron coloured sheets, their bodies smeared in ash, with a determination to achieve the pinnacle of devotion, is a common sight during the festival. Naga Sanyasis, monks believed to be preservers of faith, having renounced the world and all the worldly belongings including clothes, enchant the whole atmosphere with their presence. Religious discussions are held by prominent monks and are attended by huge masses. Other than that, devotional singing by the entranced devotees throughout the day is a must expect if you are visiting the festival. The departed souls are made offerings by their loved ones and are believed to be gladly received during this auspicious time. However ancient, the beliefs supporting this spiritual celebration are attached to high values in the minds and hearts of people even today.

Kumbh mela is celebrated every 3 years, the Ardh (half) Kumbh mela every 6 years, and Maha Kumbh Mela Festival every 12 years. Year 2013 is dedicated to Maha Kumbh Mela which, according to the zodiacal position of stars, shall be celebrated in Prayag. The dates and location decided as per planetary positions also make it scientifically beneficent to bathe in the holy waters at these locations. The ritual bath ceremony shall take place on the shared banks of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati (believed to exist only on the spiritual plane of existence) So, prepare yourselves to float adrift in the spiritual waves of Maha Kumbh mela 2013 and cross over the boulevard to the unknown and the unexperienced reality.

Important Kumbh mela bathing dates for the same are:

• Paush Purnima: 27 January 2013
• Ekadashi Snan: 6 February 2013
• Mauni Amavasya Snan: 10 February 2013 *this is the main bathing date
• Basant Panchami Snan: 15 February 2013
• Rath Saptami Snan: 17 February 2013
• Bhisma Ekadashi Snan: 18 February 2013
• Maghi Purnima Snan: 23 February 2013

Ladakh Tour: Monks & Monasteries

Perched in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas sits Hemis Gompa, the largest Buddhist monastery in all of Ladakh. Camped beneath the shadows of the towering mountainscape, this 17th century institution fills to the brim for the two-day Hemis Festival commemorating the life of revered guru, Padmasambhav, founder of Tantric Buddhism. On the tenth day of the Tibetan lunar month, Buddhist monks and locals alike pack the courtyard walls to witness the sacred dance of Padmasambhava. Monks known as “chhams” take center during the performances, held only in monasteries where Tantric teachings and worship are practiced. Performers don papier-mâché masks twisted into ghastly faces and slowly circle around the courtyard’s central flagpole, enacting the ancient battle between good and evil. Cymbals clash, drums pound, and horns drone until the battle concludes with the dark demons’ defeat.

The monastic festivals provide the average Ladakhi with a spice of life, as no other festival can match them in religious and entertainment value. Monastic festivals are held to commemorate the founding of a monastery, the birthday of its patron saint, or major events in the evolution of Tibetan Buddhism. Thousands of people turn out in their colourful best, making every festival a carnival of colours.

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF 'CHHAMS'

Chhams, a highly choreographed sacred dance drama, is the core of every monastic festival. A select group of resident lamas, in brightly patterned brocade robes, perform these dances in the courtyard of the monastery. All of them wear masks which represent various divinities found in the 'Gon Khang' - the room dedicated to the guardian divinities - in every major monastery. Some may even represent characters from historical episodes of Tibetan fables.

Holding ritual objects in their hands, the lamas step around the central flagpole of the monastic courtyard in solemn dance and mime, accompanied by the clash of cymbals, the boom of drums, the melodious sound of the 'Shawm', and the deep resonance of twelve-foot horns.Read more

Pushkar Camel Fair 2012

With festivity in the air, time on hands, and leisurely mood on mind, people cross various borders to reach the highly celebrated Pushkar Camel Fair, or Pushkar Mela as it is known locally in the country, to dive into the extravaganza, kicking away their worries at least till the festival lasts. The festival shakes up the sleepy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan annually into liveliness brought about by the brightly attired traders, devotees, womenfolk and children alike. The celebration begins on Ashtmi (the 8th day of lunar calendar), and continues till Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the auspicious Kartik month)

 The legend!

As per the legend, Lord Brahma’s children were slain by the demon Vajra Nabha, who, in turn had to face Brahma’s wrath and was struck by His weapon, the Lotus flower. The demon died, and the petals of the flower he was hit with fell at 3 places, one of them being the sacred town of Pushkar. It is believed that a lake (Pushkar Lake) sprung into existence at that spot, and soon Brahma performed a sacrifice there on Kartik Purnima. The town hence consecrated by Brahma Himself, came to be flocked by worshippers from near and far, who constructed a temple for worshipping the deity. This is the only Brahma temple to ever exist in the world.

Just a Camel Fair?

Though considered a camel and livestock fair primarily, a mere glimpse of the celebrations is enough to wash away such narrow views. In spite of what the name suggests, the festival invites people from all domains, and not just the traders who form the central attraction of the first 5 days of the fair, busy selling and purchasing their chosen animal(s). Various make shift stalls catering to womenfolk with their ornamental products skirt the region hosting the merrymaking. Camels have an equal prominence while being sold accessories craftily designed especially for them such as handmade saddles, embroidered back covers, beads, etc. They are decked up by their owners with as much concern as being given to themselves by the women. Other stalls like that for tattoo making are also present with the same theme of heavy bargaining being followed elsewhere.

The fair proceeds on to the day of camel sports raising the tempo of the fair with camel races, beauty contests – with special jury to decide upon the prettiest of the embellished camels –, and the interest invoking ‘ladoo oonth’, a competition set to decide on the toughest of camels who can carry the highest number of people – who don’t leave the opportunity to hang even on to its tail, if the camel permits that is, without kicking them away. Then comes the day of Kartik Purnima when people engage in ‘ritual bathing’ in Pushkar Lake at dawn. A dip in the sacred waters of this sanctified lake is expected to absolve you of your sins as well as rid your body of many diseases. Later they pay obeisance at the famous Brahma temple, hence culminating the ritual of spiritual cleansing.

The fair is flocked by thousands of devotees, musicians of various traditional genres; acrobats displaying their God gifted skills; folk dancers exhibiting the local culture at its best; traders; comedians, etc. Pushkar camel festival becomes a mini arena hosting every aspect of the life of Rajasthan. It becomes easy to anticipate the atmosphere in Pushkar at the time of the fair, owing to the bright lives gathered there.

To experience local art and craft at its best during the fair, visit the art and crafts exhibition cum sale organized at Shilpgram, RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation) Tourist Village Campus.

Pushkar fair dates for `2012 are: 20th November – 28th November

Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

Considered one of the largest muster to take place in world’s history, Kumbh Mela is a unique religious ceremony with, at times over 75 million people taking pains to visit the holy gathering in quest for eternal salvation from the cycle of birth and death. The festival is a consequence of an old legend with its origins in the Samudra Manthan episode (Churning of the Ocean of milk) having presence in all important holy texts of Hinduism. The legend pronounces that in the mythical age of gods and demons when they resided on earth, a battle ensued between them for the possession of the panacea of eternal life called Amrit, and lasted for 12 days and 12 nights that equals 12 human years. During the fray, a few drops of the nectar of immortality fell from the Kumbha (Sanskrit for pitcher) on Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik, hence imparting anagogic powers to these places of worship. To absorb these occult powers is what the hoard of humanity comes for to these destinations with their impregnable belief in the absolving capacity of the holy waters of the river(s) in each town.

The festival witnesses thousands of sadhus in saffron sheets, with their bodies smeared with ash, religious discussions of grand scale, and devotional singing by the entranced devotees. Particular attraction of the event is the Naga Sanyasis, monks, considered preservers of faith, who have renounced the world and refuse to wear clothes even in the severest of winter. Pilgrims from all walks of life make offerings to the departed souls of their dear ones. The overriding idea ruling this congregation is to achieve the ideal state of consciousness with a single minded devotion of all to unknot the mystery of life.

Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 3 years, the Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela every 6 years, and Maha Kumbh Mela every 12 years. Apart from the religious flavor to the festival, Science also has its role to play since the dates, as well as the location for the festival are decided every time by involving the dynamics of astronomy and astrology, paying attention to the zodiacal position of stars and constellations which make it scientifically beneficial as well to take dip in the river. Year 2013 is the year for Maha Kumbh Mela which will be held in Prayag (according to planetary positions), where the ritual bath ceremony will take place on the banks of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati (believed to exist only on the spiritual plane and not on the physical), where the 3 rivers commingle.

Important bathing dates for the same are:

• Paush Purnima: 27 January 2013
• Ekadashi Snan: 6 February 2013
• Mauni Amavasya Snan: 10 February 2013 *This is the main bathing date
• Basant Panchami Snan: 15 February 2013
• Rath Saptami Snan: 17 February 2013
• Bhisma Ekadashi Snan: 18 February 2013
• Maghi Purnima Snan: 23 February 2013

To conclude, here’s what Mark Twain had to say when he visited the Kumbh Mela of 1895:

“It is wonderful, the power of a faith like that, that can make multitudes upon multitudes of the old and weak and the young and frail enter without hesitation or complaint upon such incredible journeys and endure the resultant miseries without repining. It is done in love, or it is done in fear; I do not know which it is. No matter what the impulse is, the act born of it is beyond imagination, marvelous to our kind of people, the cold whites.”