Christmas

Christmas also referred to as Christmas Day or Christmastide is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that marks and honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.His birth, which is the basis for the Anno Domini system of dating has been determined by modern historians as having occurred between 7 and 2 BC. The date of celebration is not thought to be Jesus actual date of birth, and may have been chosen to coincide with ancient Roman solar festivals that were held on December 25.

Diwali

Diwali ( Deepawali) is a major Hindu holiday.It is festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs across the globe as the Festival of Lights where people light small clay pots filled with coconut oil. It is signs victory of good over the evil within an individual.
The five day Diwali festival occurs during October and/or November on the Gregorian calendar. On the Hindu calendar it is centered on the new moon day that ends the month of Asvina and begins the month of Kartika, begining on the 13th day of the dark half of Asvina (Asvina 28th) and ending on the 2nd day of the bright half of Kartika (Kartika 2nd). The main day of celebration varies regionally.

In Hinduism, across many parts of India and Nepal, it is the homecoming of Lord Rama of Ayodhya, after a 14-year exile in the forest and his victory over the evil demon-king Ravana.In the legend, the people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name: Deepavali. Over time, this word transformed into Diwali in Hindi and Dipawali in Nepali, but still retained its original form in South and East Indian Languages.

Durga Images

Garba

GARBA is a very graceful and beautiful form of dance among the Gujaratis and all over india. Garba rass is peformed on 9 nights, 'Navratri' to Goddess Ambica, where women dance gracefully in circles sometimes also using, 'Bedu, Kanjari' or just 'Taali' and 'Chapti' They are dressed in exqusitely embridored, set in mirrors 'Choli', 'Ghagra' and 'Bandhani' dupattas, silver oxidised jewellery where in 'Tika' and 'Anklets' are a must the dress code of men is Kehediyu, Chudidar and a Turban.The name garba comes from the Sanskrit term Garba Deep.









The greatest difference between garba and western social dancing is that it is circular and is religious in origin. The meditative circular movement and spiraling dance has similarities to other ancient spiritual practices.
Modern garba is also heavily influenced by raas , a dance traditionally performed by men. The merger of these two dances has formed the high-energy dance that is seen today.

Navratri

Navratri, the festival of nine nights is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. According to the Hindu calendar, Navratri begins from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin which usually coincides with the end of the rainy season.
The nine days have great religious significance as Goddess.The festival is celebrated with true devotion and purity all over the country.

Significance of 9 Nights

1st - 3rd day There is a tradition of sowing barley seeds on the first day of the Navratri. A small bed of mud is prepared in a little container and barley seeds are sown in it. This is placed in the Puja room and cared for during the fasting period. At the end of the fast the shoots reach a height of 3-5 inches. These are pulled out and given to devotees as form of blessings. 4th - 6th day During these days, Lakshmi Goddess, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped.On the fifth day, that is, Lalita Panchami books are gathered, lamp is lighted to invoke Saraswati. 7th - 8th day These final days belong to Saraswati Goddess who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th day of this colourful festival, yagna (holy fire) is performed. Mahanavami The eighth and ninth day, Yagna (sacrifice offered to the fire) is performed to honour heavenly Goddess and bid her farewell. The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped.

Durga 108 Names

eName	MeaninmMean Of Wordg
Durga	The Inaccessible
Devi	The Diety
Tribhuvaneshwari	Goddess of The Three Worlds
Yashodagarba Sambhoota	Emerging From Yashoda's Womb
Narayanavarapriya	Fond of Narayana's Boons
Nandagopakulajata	Daughter Of The Nandagopa Race
Mangalya	Auspicious
Kulavardhini	Developer Of The Race
Kamsavidravanakari	Threatened Kamsa
Asurakshayamkari	Reducer Of The Number Of Demons
Shilathata Vinikshibda	At Birth,Slammed By Kamsa
Akashagamini	Flew In The Sky
Vasudevabhagini	Sister Of Vasudeva
Divamalya Vibhooshita	Adorned With Beautiful Garlands
Divyambaradhara	Beautifully Robed
Khadgaketaka Dharini	Holder Of Sword And Shield
Shiva	Auspicious
Papadharini	Bearer Of Others' Sins
Varada	Granter Of Boons
Krishna	Sister Of Krishna
Kumari	Young Girl
Brahmacharini	Seeker Of Brahman
Balarkasadrushakara	Like The Rising Sun
Purnachandra Nibhanana	Beautiful Like The Full Moon
Chaturbhuja	Four-Armed
Chaturvakttra	Four-Faced
Peenashroni Payodhara	Large Bosomed
Mayoora Pichhavalaya	Wearer Of Peacock-Feathered Bangles
Keyurangadadharini	Bejewelled With Armlets And Bracelets
Krishnachhavisama	Like Krishna's Radiance
Krishna	Dark-Complexioned
Sankarshanasamanana	Equal To Sankarshana
Indradhwaja Samabahudharini	With Shoulders Like Indra's Flag
Patradharini	Vessel-Holder
Pankajadharini	Lotus-Holder
Kanttadhara	Holder of Shiva's Neck
Pashadharini	Holder Of Rope
Dhanurdharini	Holder Of Bow
Mahachakradharini	Holder Of Chakra
Vividayudhadhara	Bearer Of Various Weapons
Kundalapurnakarna Vibhooshita	Wearer Of Earrings Covering The Ears
Chandravispardimukha	Beautiful Like The Moon
Mukutavirajita	Shining With Crown Adorned
Shikhipichhadwaja Virajita	Having Peacock-Feathered Flag
Kaumaravratadhara	Observer Of Fasts Like Young Girls Do
Tridivabhavayirtri	Goddess Of The Three Worlds
Tridashapujita	The Goddess Of The Celestials
Trailokyarakshini	Protector Of The Three Worlds
Mahishasuranashini	Destroyer Of Mahisha
Prasanna	Cheerful
Surashreshtta	Supreme Among The Celestials
Shiva	Shiva's Half
Jaya	Victorious
Vijaya	Conqueror
Sangramajayaprada	Granter Of Victory In The War
Varada	Bestower
Vindhyavasini`	Resident Of The Vindhyas
Kali	Dark-Complexioned
Kali	Goddess Of Death
Mahakali	Wife Of Mahakala
Seedupriya	Fond Of Drinks
Mamsapriya	Fond Of Flesh
Pashupriya	Fond Of All Beings
Bhootanushruta	Well-Wisher Of Bhootaganas
Varada	Bestower
Kamacharini	Acting On One's Own Accord
Papaharini	Destroyer Of Sins
Kirti	Famed
Shree	Auspicious
Dhruti	Valiant
Siddhi	Successful
Hri	Holy Chant Of Hymns
Vidhya	Wisdom
Santati	Granter Of Issues
Mati	Wise
Sandhya	Twilight
Ratri	Night
Prabha	Dawn
Nitya	Eternal
Jyotsana	Radiant Like Flames
Kantha	Radiant
Khama	Embodiment Of Forgiveness
Daya	Compassionate
Bandhananashini	Detacher Of Attachments
Mohanashini	Destroyer Of Desires
Putrapamrityunashini	Sustainer Of Son's Untimely Death
Dhanakshayanashini	Controller Of Wealth Decrease
Vyadhinashini	Vanquisher Of Ailments
Mruthyunashini	Destroyer Of Death
Bhayanashini	Remover Of Fear
Padmapatrakshi	Eyes Like The Lotus Leaf
Durga	Remover Of Distress
Sharanya	Granter Of Refuge
Bhaktavatsala	Lover Of Devotees
Saukhyada	Bestower Of Well-Being
Arogyada	Granter Of Good Health
Rajyada	Bestower Of Kingdom
Ayurda	Granter Of Longevity
Vapurda	Granter Of Beautiful Appearance
Sutada	Granter Of Issues
Pravasarakshika	Protector Of Travellers
Nagararakshika	Protector Of Land
Sangramarakshika	Protector Of Wars
Shatrusankata Rakshika	Protector From Distress Caused By Foes
Ataviduhkhandhara Rakshika	Protector From Ignorance And Distress
Sagaragirirakshika	Protector Of Seas And Hills
Sarvakaryasiddhi Pradayika	Granter Of Success In All Attempts
Durga	Deity Durga

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated all over India,mostly West Bengal in worship of Goddess Durga. Singing, dancing, sweets & gaiety are an integral part of the Durga Pooja Festival.Durga Puja is widely celebrated in West Bengal and Tripura where it is a five-day annual holiday. Not only it is the biggest Hindu festival celebrated throughout the State, but also the most significant socio-cultural event in Bengali society. Apart from West Bengal, Durga Puja is also celebrated in assam,orisha and in some parts of India including maharastra,delhi,gujrat,punjab,kashmir,karnataka and kerala. Durga Puja is also celebrated as a major festival in nepal and bangladesh. Nowadays, many non-residential Bengali cultural organizations arrange for Durgotsab in the countries like U.S.A., U.K. , australlia,Germany, france, kuwait etc also. In2006, a grand Durga Puja ceremony was held in the great court of the british muesum.