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Inspiring Conscious Travel
October 2023
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Dussehra: One Festival - many names, many stories
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Did you know that Ganesh Chaturthi sets in motion the festival calendar for Hindus? This privilege was afforded to the affable elephant-headed God Gajanan, Ganesh, Vinayaka by Shiva, his father, to repent for the impulsive war he waged on a sprightly young lad and severed his head.
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Unknown to the father, Parvati had sculpted a handsome lad from a paste of turmeric, herbs, fragrant oils, her pre-shower anointment, and breathed life into him. To bring him back to life and console the distraught mother, Shiva ordered for the head of the first living being, which happened to be an elephant, to be brought to him and quickly fixed on the boy, thus bringing Ganesh to life.
Among the many blessings bequeathed to him are wisdom, good nature, and to be Vigneswara (remover of obstacles) reigning as the first God invoked before any ritual or prayer. Ganesh Puja usually celebrated with the receding monsoons is the first big festival.
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Our next big festival is known differently across the Indian subcontinent Dasara, Dusshera, and Dashain. Lasting a full 10 days, each day has a unique dedication, as days are committed to celebrating the Mother Goddess' energy, beauty, and benevolence. Revered as Durga, Shakti, Kali, Parvati, Sati, and Gauri, for nine days she is celebrated individually and as a unified idea of the Goddess; as a form for every context knowledge, desire, or action.
A parallel narrative is from our epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama (an avatar of Vishnu the preserver among the holy trinity) vanquishes the demon Ravana, a celebration of the infallible win of good over evil.
Shoba Rudra
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Meaning "defeat of the ten", a reference to Rama defeating the ten-headed Ravana, Dussehra is celebrated in Northern India. The festival begins with Ramlila, a dance drama based on the Ramayana, narrating the story of Rama's exile, the abduction of his wife Sita by Ravana, and his eventual victory with the help of Hanuman and his army of monkeys. Dussehra ends on the tenth day with the burning of effigies of Ravana. These are also days of fasting, abstinence from alcohol, offerings, non-vegetarian food, and special cuisine for the devout.
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Haveli Dharampura and Golden Haveli are in the heart of Old Delhi, where Ramlila - as an art form continues to be held every year.
The Kullu Dussehra is a unique event marked by processions following the bedecked Goddess. The folk flavour of this festival, with its rituals and traditions in this Himalayan region around Neeralaya, is very different from the celebrations in the rest of Northern India.
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In Southern India, Dasara is celebrated with elaborate themed displays of terracotta and wooden dolls called Bomalla Golu or Kolu. Vijayadashami, victory on the tenth day, marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura who terrorized the world. Kerala lays special significance on honoring Goddess Saraswati. Special days form a part of the ten-day festival like Ayudha puja, tools of skilled workmen and craftsmen and all implements from simple scissors to looms, ploughs, and tractors are placed at the altar of worship. Saraswati puja on the ninth day is celebrated to revere knowledge, art, and performing arts.
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Durga Pujo is West Bengal's mammoth annual fete. The five-day festival begins on Shashti and ends on Vijayadashami, when idols of Durga and other deities are immersed in water. The festival is marked by elaborate pandals (marquees) exhibiting massive installations with creative themes around mythological stories of Goddess Maa Durga. These are temporary spaces of worship marked annually by cultural and religious activities, such as fire offerings, chants, music, dance, and colour play with vermillion.
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Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal, is the hub of Durga Puja celebrations, famous pandals include Sreebhumi, Santosh Mitra Square, Suruchi Sangha, and Ekdalia Evergreen Club. The celebrations in distant Darjeeling and other smaller towns although not as grand, are still an experience with local and regional nuances.
Explore the festivities in Kolkata with Glenburn Penthouse. You can choose to indulge in the rural celebrations with Bari Kothi and The Rajbari, Bawali. Glenburn Tea Estate and Ging Tea House offer a simple yet warm festival experience with little villages spread across their vast estates.
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Navratri in Gujarat is nine nights of celebration of Goddess Amba - a version of Durga. Referring to 'garbo' the womb of the goddess where she protects all life forms. This is a celebration of the divine feminine. Thus nine days of garba with or without dandiyas (handheld short wooden sticks) is a mesmerising regalia, a year's worth of dance practice culminating in thousands coming together to dance.
Rann Riders by Kaafila is the perfect base to explore what may be the world's longest dance festival.
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Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, deeply connected with the local community offers an intimate experience of all local festivals. Kathmandu is the centre for the grand celebrations of Dashain can be best witnessed by staying at Nepali Ghar in Thamel.
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Festivals are cultural immersions in India and Nepal. RARE Hotels are brilliant windows to explore the vibrancy and joie de vivre of our festivals. We have several programs around festivals, explore them on Journeys of a lifetime.
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