Tag: Festivals

  • Festivals Embodying The Essence Of Goan Traditions | Culture News

    This traditional Hindu festival Shigmotsav, marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm. The festival is set to be held from 26 March to 8 April in the entire state and will come alive with cultural performances, float parades, music, and traditional dance during Shigmo.

    As the colors of Shigmo paint the streets with exuberance, various other festivals prepare to showcase their diverse cultural heritage through a series of unique festivals. These festivals embody the essence of Goan traditions, each offering a distinct experience for travelers seeking to delve deeper into the soul of this coastal paradise. Witness a journey through five extraordinary festivals that add a splash of color and a dash of excitement to the festivities alongside Shigmo in Goa.

    Xenni Uzzo in Molcornem Sanguem, Embracing Goa's Fiery Ritual: Xenni Uzzo stands out as a thrilling fire ritual in South Goa. Annually, on the first full moon night following Shigmo, the village of Molcornem in Quepem, Goa, becomes the stage for a distinctive and age-old ceremony known as Xenni Uzzo. This ritual serves dual purposes: it honors the village's founding figures and beliefs while also commemorating the spring harvest festival.

    Despite the rapid pace of modernization, the residents of Molcornem maintain a deep reverence for their traditional customs, particularly evident during Xenni Uzzo. Utilizing natural resources, such as dry cow dung cakes, locally termed “Xenni,” and leaves, they generate sparks, referred to as “Uzzo,” by striking these elements together. Encircling the resultant fire, villagers partake in spirited dances, while men transport areca nut tree trunks from carefully selected plantations near the Mallikarjun temple.

    Ghode Modni in Thane, Sattari, a Spectacle of Horses and Warriors: Ghode Modni, meaning 'horse dance,' is a unique festival celebrated in the villages of Thane, Sattari and other places. This centuries-old tradition showcases a spectacular display of horsemanship and martial arts, with performers dressed as warriors riding decorated horses. The rhythmic sound of hooves and the colorful attire of the performers create a mesmerizing spectacle that captivates audiences. The Ghode Modni folk dance emerges as a significant highlight of the Shigmo festival celebrated during the harvest season in Goa. Etymologically, “Ghode” translates to “horse,” while “Modni” signifies “joyful,” encapsulating the essence of the performance.

    Chorotsav in Zarme, Unveiling the Charms of Goan Villages: Chorotsav, also known as the 'festival of thieves,' is a quirky celebration held in the village of Zarme in Sattari Taluka. This offbeat festival pays homage to the folklore of Goan villages, with locals dressing up as mischievous thieves and engaging in playful antics. From mock robberies to comedic performances, Chorotsav offers a lighthearted glimpse into the humor and creativity of Goan culture.

    At the festival, four participants are buried with only their heads protruding, while another four have their heads submerged in pits. This symbolic act represents a tragic incident from centuries past when thieves were mistakenly executed. The spectacle draws a crowd of both locals and intrigued spectators, who observe with a mixture of fascination and anticipation as the eight individuals are interred alive.

    Fiery Rituals of Homkund Utsav in Charao, a Spectacle of Devotion and Tradition: In the quaint village of Charao, nestled amidst the lush greenery of Goa, the Homkund Utsav takes on a fiery intensity, offering a unique spectacle of devotion and tradition. Here, amidst the tranquil surroundings, locals gather to perform age-old rituals that pay homage to their ancestors and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.

    The festival entails igniting a pyramidal stack of wood, typically measuring around five to six feet in height. Once the wood is reduced to smoldering ashes, local men and boys participate in a remarkable ritual, traversing barefoot across the scorching embers to the rhythmic accompaniment of traditional percussion instruments like the dhol, tasha, and cymbals. This spirited and mesmerizing event witnesses the participation of hundreds of individuals as they bravely tread upon the fiery path.

    Shisha Ranni in Canacona: Where Devotion Cooks Blessings on Fire: Shisha Ranni is a traditional festival deeply rooted in Goan culture in Canacona. During this ritual, rice is cooked atop the heads of three Gades, which are humanoid representations of divinity on Earth. Interestingly, the term 'Ranni' directly translates to 'stove,' emphasizing the central element of this ceremony.

    In a remarkable display of devotion, three villagers from Canacona taluka's Gaondongorim voluntarily offered their heads as makeshift stoves for cooking rice over a wood fire.

    From the colorful extravaganza of Shigmo to the quaint charm of village festivals, Goa offers a diverse array of cultural experiences for visitors to explore. Whether you're captivated by the pulsating beats of traditional music or tempted by the tantalizing flavors of Goan cuisine, these unique festivals promise to enchant and delight you at every turn. So pack your bags, immerse yourself in the festivities, and embark on a journey of discovery through the vibrant tapestry of Goa's culture. Visit the Goa Tourism Website for more information https://goatourism.gov.in/

  • Bihar CM Nitish Kumar urges people to avoid confrontation during festivals

    Express News Service

    PATNA: A day after Hindustani Awam Morcha leader Jitan Ram Manjhi demanded a ban on religious processions across the country, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said the people should avoid confrontation during prayers.

    Talking to the media on the sidelines of his weekly Janata Darbar, Nitish said, “Prayers have nothing to do with violence and each community must avoid confrontation during festivals. People from different communities have their own way of worshiping.”

    Nitish’s remark came at a time when different parts of the country witnessed violent clashes between two rival communities during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti. However, no major incidents of communal clashes were reported from any part of Bihar.

    Answering the queries, the chief minister said the Bihar government has always maintained strict surveillance during such festivals and foiled attempts to vitiate the atmosphere. “We have given clear instructions to the authorities concerned to keep a close watch on those trying to disturb communal harmony,” he added.

    Launching a veiled attack on principal opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal, Nitish said, “There is no place for communal disturbances in Bihar. Investigations take place properly. Everyone is aware of the situation in the state before 2006.

    Those who keep questioning us should introspect themselves.” Earlier, former chief minister and HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi had urged the Prime Minister to ensure ban on all religious processions across the country to maintain communal harmony. He was referred to recent communal clashes in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri.

    In a tweet, Manjhi said, “Time has come when all kinds of religious processions should be banned. The unity and integrity of the country seems to be in danger due to religious processions.”

  • Centre calls for vaccination, COVID-appropriate behaviour as festivities near

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As the festival season approaches, the government on Thursday cautioned against a spike in coronavirus infections, and stressed that the call of the hour is vaccine acceptance, maintenance of COVID-19-appropriate behaviour, responsible travel and responsible festivities.

    “Overall there is stabilisation in COVID-19 cases and Kerala has also reported drop in cases….In the coming two-three months, we need to be cautious that there is no upsurge….It is also the period of festivities and also when flu cases rise…we request everyone to be careful and retain the gain that we have achieved (in the pandemic management),” an official said at a press briefing.

    Referring to the coming festivals, ICMR DG Balram Bhargava said, “…sudden increase in population density creates a very conducive environment for viral spread. If there is sudden increase in population density then the virus finds it very useful to spread, so the call of the hour is vaccine acceptance, maintenance of COVID-appropriate behaviour, responsible travel and responsible festivities.”

    ALSO READ| Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya calls for major push to COVID vaccine drive on PM’s birthday

    The government said that 20 per cent of India’s adult population have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 62 per cent have got at least one dose. Thirty-four districts in the country are reporting a weekly positivity rate of over 10 per cent and the figure is anything between five and 10 per cent in 32 districts.

    It said Kerala reported 67.79 per cent of India’s total COVID-19 cases last week and that it is the only state with more than 1 lakh active cases. “Overall there is stabilisation and Kerala has also reported drop in cases. Mizoram is a state of concern but we hope condition will improve there by fast vaccination and pandemic response is effective,” NITI Aayog member (health) VK Paul said.

    “In the coming two-three months, we need to be cautious that there is no upsurge and it can be reduced when detected. When people estimate when vulnerability will rise then they indicate October and November as the months and it is also the period of festivities and also when flu cases rise so in coming quarter we request everyone to be careful and retain the gain that we have achieved,” he added.

    ALSO READ| Mizoram reports 1,402 new COVID-19 cases, positivity rate stands at 12.1 per cent

    With 30,570 more people testing positive for COVID-19, India’s overall infection tally has risen to 3,33,47,325, while the count of active cases has dipped to 3,42,923, according to the Union Health Ministry on Thursday.

    The death toll due to the disease has climbed to 4,43,928 with 431 daily fatalities being recorded, according to data updated by the ministry at 8 am.

  • National Voters’ Day will be held on January 25, at the district level

    There will be a district level function on the occasion of National Voters’ Day. In this regard, Collector and District Election Officer, Dr. S. Bhartidasan has given instructions. On 25 January, the ceremony will take place in the main hospitality of motivational speaker, sportsman and mountaineer Chitrasen Sahu. The ceremony will begin at 1 pm in the Red Cross Society Hall, Collectorate premises.

  • Take precautions, ensure social distancing during festive times, urges CM Yogi

    Keeping in view the upcoming festivals, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Ji has directed to pay special attention towards Covid-19 and said that social distancing should be ensured at all public places and markets while protection protocols are followed.

    The CM, who was presiding over an unlock review meeting at his official residence, also said that people should be made aware of Covid-19 protection through various media. Besides, public address systems should also be used at public places to spread awareness about maintaining social distancing.

    Directing to operate integrated command centers more actively in all the districts, the CM also said that contact tracing of people coming from other bordering states should be carried out intensively. He also said to spread more awareness about the `E Sanjivani’ app and to ensure that more and more people get the benefits of the online OPD. It is to be mentioned that till now, 2 lakh people in the state have so far received online medical consultation through the `E-Sanjivani’ app and UP also ranks second amongst the states using this app.

    Directing to make all preparations regarding organising Chief Minister Arogya Mela after Deepawali, the CM said that the facility of rapid antigen test should also be provided. Instructing to ensure that the farmers get maximum benefits of the Maximum Support Price (MSP), he said that paddy should be purchased with complete transparency at the paddy purchase centers.

    Ensuring to make all adequate arrangements at the cow shelters, the CM said that it should be ensured that the caretakers also remain there in the nights and also instructed to make all arrangements to save the cows from cold.

    Those present in the meeting included minister for medical education, Suresh Khanna, Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh, Chief Secretary R.K. Tiwari, Infrastructural and Industrial Development Commissioner, Alok Tandon, Director General of Police Shri H.C. Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Renuka Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary MSME and Information, Navneet Sehgal, Chief Secretary Medical Education Dr. Rajneesh Dube, Additional Chief Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Manoj Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture Devesh Chaturvedi, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Bhuvnesh Kumar, Principal Secretary Chief Minister and Information Shri Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary Health Alok Kumar, Secretary to CM Alok Kumar, Director Information Shishir and other senior officials.

  • Railways made changes in online ticket booking

    Indian Railways has made a change in online ticket booking. Under this change, another chart will be made half an hour before the train leaves. The advantage of this will be that even if the seats remain vacant at the last moment, needy passengers will get tickets. Let me tell you that the first chart was prepared four hours before the departure of the train. In such a situation, those people who had booked tickets online and for some reasons could not travel, then those seats would remain empty. Now this will not happen under the new rule.

    IRCTC will now make the first chart train four hours before departure. After this, a second chart will also be made half an hour before the train leaves. Tickets can be purchased online and offline before the second chart is created. Which will be given on a first come, first served basis. IRCTC has said in its statement that on the appeal of the zonal railways and in view of the convenience of the railway passengers, it has been decided that the second reservation chart will be prepared half an hour before the departure of the train.

    Tickets can be purchased both online and at the ticket counter before a second chart is created. Under the new changes, the Railways have also made changes in their software. Explain that the passenger trains are running canceled due to Corona virus scramble, but considering the resumption of services and the festive season, the Railways has decided to run special trains.