|
Fairs &
Festivals in Varanasi
Bharat Milap (Oct - Nov), at Nati
Imli
Celebrating Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya
after 14 years of exile and His reunion
with His brother Bharat, the festival is
held one day following Dussehra.
Attended by the Kashi Naresh resplendent
in regal finery, the festival attracts
at least a million devotees.
Buddh Purnima: Sarnath (May)
Celebrating the birth of Lord Buddha,
this festival is celebrated with gaiety
and rare abandon. A large fair is held
at Sarnath and the relics of the Buddha
are taken out for a public display on a
procession, on this day.
The Unique Ramlila of Ramnager
This world renowned Ram Lila has been
based on Goswami Tulsidas's 'Ramcharitmanas'
and one can see a live demonstration of
ancient rituals. A month long feast for
the tourists. Ramlila is performed in
the form of Ram Janmotsav, Dhanush
Bhang, Surpnakha Nasika Chedan etc. at
various places.
Dhrupad Mela March
A 5-day musical festival of Dhrupad is
performed by renowned artistes at Tulsi
Ghat. It is very popular among foreign
tourists.
Hanumat Jayanti Janmotsav
Hanuman Jayanti Janmotsav of Lord
Hanuman is celebrated at Sankat Mochan
Temple for 5 days with cultural and
musical programmes by artistes from all
over India. It is based on Saraswati,
Ram and Krishna Lila and Hanuman
Charitra.
Nakkatyya - Chetganj
Showing a story from Ramayan in which
Surpnakha - the sister of Ravan comes to
entice Ram and then Lakshman. But
Lakshman cuts her nose and she goes back
crying. This act is enacted on this day
in a beautiful way, a stage-play that
attracts people in thousands. Also on
this occasion many beautifully decorated
"Lag" are taken out throughout the
night.
Nag Nathaiya
in a performance, Lord Krishna jumps
into Ganga for Nag Nathan at the local
Tulsi Ghat. It is famous as Nag Nathaiya.
The whole city comes together to see
this event.
Mahashivratri
On this day every Shiv Mandir in
decorated. in Varanasi a marriage
procession of Lord Shiv is taken out
starting from Mahamritunjaya temple,
Daranagar to Kashi Vishwanath temple via
chowk. Round 50,000 - 60,000 people
gather to see this event.
Panch Koshi Parikrama
It has a special importance in the
ancient Parikramas of India, starting
and finishing at Manikarnika Ghat. Each
parikrama passes through 5 places :
Kardmeshwar, Bhimchani, Rameshwar,
Shivpur and Kapildhara. |
