The sweltering summer months have reached their peak, and the sun seems to be sucking our vigor dry. However, thankfully the clouds are being merciful now, giving us certain days of refreshing downpour. It is July folks, and this month highlights some very significant festivals that celebrate nature, cultural diversity and human gallantry alike. Find out with Travel & Deal…
Van Mahotsav
All over India
1st July –7th July, 2018
Photo Courtesy: Google Images
Alarmed by the extensive felling of trees and the direct damage it is causing the environment, Dr. K.M. Munshi, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Food in the 50’s, came up with the idea of an annual tree planting festival in order to raise awareness among the masses towards forest conservation. His idea was to not just launch a mere plantation drive, but to create a festival-like enthusiasm in the citizens as well, to pay reverence-in-action to the ‘silent green soldiers’ of our planet. The other objectives of Munshi were: to increase production of fruits, which could be added to the potential food resources of the country, help create shelter-belts around agricultural fields to increase their productivity, provide fodder leaves for cattle to relieve intensity of grazing over reserved forests, boost soil conservation and prevent further deterioration of soil fertility. The festival now finds mass participation of people, including government agencies, civic bodies and educational institutions across the country, who come together every year to plant saplings.
Jagannath Rath Yatra
Puri, Orissa
July 14th, 2018
Photo Courtesy: Google Images
To honor the devotion of Queen Gundicha, wife of the legendary King Indradyumna who built the Puri Jagannatha temple; Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra leave their regular abode in the main temple and spend a few days in this temple built by Gundicha in their honor. Lord Jagannatha or the Lord of the Universe (literal meaning of the name), a form of Lord Vishnu, is worshipped primarily in the city of Puri, at the famous Jagannatha temple. Jagannatha temple is one of the four Hindu pilgrimages known as the Char Dham Yatra that a Hindu is expected to make in one’s lifetime. According to the Hindu Lunar calendar, the Rath Yatra falls on Dwitiya Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Ashada month.
Kharchi Puja
Agartala, Tripura
July 20th 2018
Photo Courtesy: Google Images
The word Kharchi is derived from the word Khya which means earth. Kharchi Puja is basically done to worship the earth. One of the most popular festivals in Tripura, it is a week-long royal Puja held in the temple premises attended by thousands of people. All the rituals are of tribal origin, performed to wash out sins and to clean the post menstrual phase of mother earth’s menstruation. Thus the Puja is performed for seven consecutive days. On the day of the Puja, the fourteen Gods are carried to river Saidra. The gods are bathed in the holy water and are brought back to the temple. Then they are re-installed in the temple by performing Pujas, offering of flowers and vermillion. Animal sacrifice is also an important part of this festival and includes sacrificing of goats and pigeons. Both tribal and non-tribal people come together in celebration. A large fair and some cultural programs are also organized during this time.
Kargil Vijay Diwas
All over India
July 26th 2018
It was on this day 18 years ago that the Indian Army recaptured all the Indian posts in Kargil that had been occupied by Pakistan’s army, known famously as “Operation Vijay”. Since then, July 26th has been observed annually to commemorate the sacrifices made by soldiers in this war. The war took place between May and July of 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil district.
Guru Purnima
All over India
27th July 2018
This festival is celebrated to honor all teachers. In Indian traditions, teachers are called Guru. The author of Mahabharata, Shri Veda Vyasa is worshipped on this day. Students pay respect to their teachers and elders with gifts of coconut, clothes, and sweets known as Guru-Dakshina.
Champakulam Boat Race
Champakulam, Kerela
28th July 2018
Photo Courtesy: Google Images
A boat race held in Kerala, this event enjoys the participation of many colorfully decorated snake boats along with traditional boat songs and water floats. This particular one is perhaps the oldest Snake Boat Races in the State and outsets the boat race season every year. The Pampa River plays host to this race held in Champakkulam, a village in the Alappuzha district.
