I have a lot of nostalgic memories revolving around the greatest festival that Bengalis all over the world celebrate. Nature too creates the right ambience to celebrate. Strictly I don't look upon it as a religious festival. Now it is more of a social one, people belonging to all communities whole-heartedly participate in it and that is what all festivals ought to be!

It is celebrated all over the country ,the name is different that's all.We call it Nava Ratri or nine nights here and Mysore Dasara is very famous ,,Lots of tourists visit the place and it gets jam packed during this season....Of course the celebrations have toned down these days becauase people dont have the time to celebrate for 9 days, but the last 2 days Ayudha Pooja and Vijaya Dashami are public holidays and celebrated in almost all households..

I have heard about Mysore Dusshara and intend to see it once myself!

Kalyani, I have seen it only once and that too very recently, but it is worth all the trouble since it is a great cultural experience when you have people from different parts of the state and artistes from all over the country performing every evening at the palace ground.I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a lot and felt proud to know that India had such variation and richness in art and culture.

Wow! That does sound quite exciting and me and my husband are seriously interested in such events and fairs. JUst waiting for son to grow up a bit more as he is too young to be taken to such crowded events!

Incidentally, do you know anything about Bangalore Art fairs? I only heard a mention of it recently but could not find much about it.

It is celebrated all over the country ,the name is different that's all.We call it Nava Ratri or nine nights here and Mysore Dasara is very famous ,,Lots of tourists visit the place and it gets jam packed during this season....Of course the celebrations have toned down these days becauase people dont have the time to celebrate for 9 days, but the last 2 days Ayudha Pooja and Vijaya Dashami are public holidays and celebrated in almost all households..

I have heard about Mysore Dusshara and intend to see it once myself!

Kalyani, I have seen it only once and that too very recently, but it is worth all the trouble since it is a great cultural experience when you have people from different parts of the state and artistes from all over the country performing every evening at the palace ground.I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a lot and felt proud to know that India had such variation and richness in art and culture.

Great! Thanks a lot Usha! The links are great, they even have given the schedules for it! :)


Wow! That does sound quite exciting and me and my husband are seriously interested in such events and fairs. JUst waiting for son to grow up a bit more as he is too young to be taken to such crowded events!

Incidentally, do you know anything about Bangalore Art fairs? I only heard a mention of it recently but could not find much about it.

Yes kalyani, earlier they used to have what they call Chitakoota all over the town on the side walks of M.G Road where artisans from different parts mostly villagers and tribals, also others could display their work.But now with the metro work going on it is shifted to palace grounds....normally held in January..

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_the-biggest-art-show-in-bangalore-is-back_1636527

http://www.biaf.co.in/

Durga astami is on 22nd october and navami is on 23rd october.As a bengali I eagerly wait for this festival.I used to celebrate this day with my family members and went to see the pandals of Kolkata every day of the puja.

Durga Puja is celebrated in Pune too in a big way. There are many Bengali associations here like Bangiya Sanskritik Sanstha etc who celebrate Durga Puja in a big way. For many years, I was a regular at the celebrations in the Air Force Station. Now,, only able to visit Durga Maa for a quick Pushpanjali!

can you tell a few words about Air Force Station celebrations....
I think, you can submit a good article about this celebration, even if you are not participating in the contest. :)

I will definitely try to write Sandhya!

Durga astami is on 22nd october and navami is on 23rd october.As a bengali I eagerly wait for this festival.I used to celebrate this day with my family members and went to see the pandals of Kolkata every day of the puja.

Durga Puja is celebrated in Pune too in a big way. There are many Bengali associations here like Bangiya Sanskritik Sanstha etc who celebrate Durga Puja in a big way. For many years, I was a regular at the celebrations in the Air Force Station. Now,, only able to visit Durga Maa for a quick Pushpanjali!

can you tell a few words about Air Force Station celebrations....
I think, you can submit a good article about this celebration, even if you are not participating in the contest. :)

I will definitely try to write Sandhya!

Thank you :)
Actually, we Keralites celebrate Vijayadesami more than Durgashtami.
I have told already, it's Saraswathy pooja and Vidyarambham given more importance. Each and every temple of Kerala celebrate this occasion. Vidyarambham...the ceremony is conducted in every temple. It depends upon our choice to get our kid's blessings from whom.
Normally great writers (related to Malayalam literature), politicians too ;) are invited to temples. Kids sit on their lap and write Harisree. It's believed that if our Harisree is written by an intelligent person, we will become intelligent too :silly: :silly:

I have a lot of nostalgic memories revolving around the greatest festival that Bengalis all over the world celebrate. Nature too creates the right ambience to celebrate. Strictly I don't look upon it as a religious festival. Now it is more of a social one, people belonging to all communities whole-heartedly participate in it and that is what all festivals ought to be!