Festivals In August Month

Janmashtami (All over India)

The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with great fervour. Night long prayers are offered and religious hymns are sung in temples. Scenes are enacted from Lord Krishna's early life. In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd and butter are hung high up over the streets and young men form human pyramids by climbing on each others' shoulders and try to break these pots.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, A. Pradesh & Karnataka)

Is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed God of all good beginnings. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was born on this day. Thousands of clay idols of Lord Ganesha are made in every size, pose, form and colour and worshipped at community or family festivals which last between one to ten days. These images are then taken in large processions, amidst the rhythm of bells and drums and immersed in flowing water.

Onam (Kerala)

Is a harvest festival celebrated to welcome the spirit of the King Mahabali from eternal exile. At Trichur, caparisoned elephants take part in a spectacular procession. At Shoranur, the Kathakali dancers re-enact the stories of the epic heroes and virtuous women. On the second day of the festival, every home is lit bright and decorated. Greetings are exchanged and lengths of auspicious saffron cloth are presenied by friends to one another. The Vallumkali (boat race) is one of the main attractions of Onam, and is best seen at Aranmulai and Kottayam. About a hundred oarsmen row huge and graceful odee (boats). In the evenings, pretty girls perform the Kyekottikali (the clapping dance) in the open, dancing around the traditional brass lamp.

Nag Panchami (West Bengal, Maharashtra and South India)

Nag Panchami is the festival when snakes, the symbols of virility, energy and prosperity are worshipped. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house with dormant cobras ensconced in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing. Women offer milk and cooked rice to the snakes.

Rakshabandhan (North India)

This is a Hindu sister's day when Brothers and Sisters reaffirm their bonds of affections. Sisters tie colourful threads or Rakhis on their brothers' wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts.