Janmashtami The day of birth of Lord Krishna, is celebrated all over the world with great sanctity and loyalty, yet the celebrations at Shrinathdwara and Kankroli have an altogether different feel. Special make up of the deity, with Shobha Yatra, Jhanki, inspirational music and presence of huge number of Vaishnava makes Janmashtami auspicious as well as colourful. Annakutt Mahotsava The day after Diwali, is the day of Govardhan Puja (Govardhan is the hill near the birth place of Lord Krishna in Brij). In the afternoon the Gwal devotees play with holy cows and take them to Shrinath ji Temple from the Goushala. In the late evening, besides many kind of delicious edibles, a huge amount of rice ( said to be 100 mounds ) is placed in front of the idol, which is then 'looted' by people from the Bhil tribe in the mid night. The scene is much fun to watch as the rice is steaming hot and there is a friendly struggle to grab as much rice as possible. This ceremony is dedicated to the agriculture based economy of the country i.e. worship of hills, land and animal wealth. Similar function is also celebrated at Dwarikadhish at Kankroli. Gangaur It is a celebration of fertility. It has continued to be a major festival for centuries. Ghoomar dance is specially associated with Gangaur. The three days long Gangaur festival is organised by the Municipal Council of Rajsamand in a real spirit of devotion in the months of March or April every year. Jhaljhoolni Gyaras It is a virtual drama of colours in a theatre of green hills, when lakhs of devotees get together in the month of September to take the lord to the lake nearby for the religious bath. This happens in a grand procession and a riot of colours. People around Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh visit Charbhuja to celebrate the occasion. Gavari Festival Gavari, the famous dance drama, marked among other things, is a month long performance by the people of the Bhil tribe. It is the major event of entertainment for the rural population and is played especially in Mewar. Troops of dancers move from village to village, during a month-long performance. The functionaries follow a strict religious code of conduct. Between the enactments of various episodes, the entire troop dances around a central spot devoted to a deity. Thus discussed are the festivals celebrated in the district of Rajsamand. |