Varanasi Fair & Festivals
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The rich cultural heritage and tradition of Varanasi are richly and beautifully exhibited through the various fairs & festivals that decorates the annual calendar of the city and forming an integral part of its social life.
The cultural capital of India and since ages with its inheritance of Indian philosophy, spiritualism and mysticism presents a charming synthesis that is hard to resist and mystery to explore. Almost all of the months are abuzz with excitement and fervor relating to fairs and festivals of some kind celebrated with traditional gaiety and symbolizing celebration of life and culture.
Bharat Milap Festival
The folklore of Lord Rama’s reunion with his brother Bharat after the latter spend 14 years in exile is etched in Hindu culture and tradition in a big way, and the festival of Bharat Milap is celebrated to commemorate the same event. The festival is held the day following Dussehra at Nati Imli, Varanasi which along with Dussehra festival comprises one of Varanasi cities greatest attractions.
(Read more...)Buddha Purnima festival
Buddhism is deeply embedded at Varanasi and Buddha Purnima comprises one of its most famous and important festivals. Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Buddha who was born on the Full Moon day in the month of Vaisakh in 563 BC. Several years later, Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment and nirvana (salvation) on the same Full Moon day.
(Read more...)Dev Deepavali
The festival of Dev Deepavali brings the famous Ghats of Vananasi come to life as thousands of Diyas (earthen lamps) are floated on the waters. Celebrated on the fifteenth day of Diwali, this festival symbolizes the respect for the holy river Ganges, serving as a ritual of tribute. Also known as Kartik Purnima as it is held on the full moon day in the month of Kartik, the celebrations involves great fanfare and feasts.
(Read more...)Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti is another famous and important festival celebrated at Varanasi to commemorate the birth of Monkey God Hanuman. The annual festival falls during the Chaitra Shukla Purnima (the March-April full moon day). The festival witnesses great fanfare and feast and the main Janmotsava or bithday celebration of Lord Hanuman are held at Sankat Mochan Temple lasting for five days.
(Read more...)Nag Nathaiya of Varanasi
Nag Nathaiya is a part of the Krishna Leela ceremony, a mythological tradition involving depiction of a famous episode in the life of lord Krishna. Falling on the month of Nov-Dec, the Nag Nathaiya festival is held at the Tulsi Ghat. The rituals involve a person enacting Lord Krishna jumping into the river Ganga for Nag Nathan.
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