5 Things You Need to Know About the Hindu Holiday Diwali

Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in India and among the massive Indian diaspora worldwide. Known as the festival of lights, it takes place over five days and has varying customs depending on what part of India a person is from. It is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains and in neighboring countries like Nepal.

Also known as Deepavali, literally meaning “row of lights” it celebrates the triumph of good over evil, a recurring theme in the Hindu epic Ramayana which tells the story of Lord Rama and his 14 years of exile and return to his kingdom. But the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is also a dominant Diwali tradition.

Diwali falls on the darkest night of the Hindu calendar “Kartika” which is usually between mid October and November and it coincides with the Hindu New Year.

Here are five things you should know about Diwali:

Cleanliness

Hindus clean every nook and cranny of their houses and yards several days before Diwali arrives. Not just the regular sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting but the wiping of ceilings, walls, re-washing bedroom linens, and cleaning kitchen cupboards top to bottom are common chores among many others. Hindus believe that goddess Lakshmi’s entry into their homes is an immense blessing so they do their part in welcoming her, by keeping a clean house. Some even draw red-colored footprints leading to their house as a representation of her arrival.

Decorations

Diyas, or small clay lamps, are lit all over the house. They’re also neatly lined outside of homes too. It is said that when Lord Rama returned from exile his people celebrated by lighting lamps all over the kingdom. Rangoli, which is a type of decorative design made at the entrance of homes, is very colorful and made out of colored rice powder. But nowadays, especially in the U.S., Hindus also decorate their houses with Christmas lights and motifs. Except the latter decorations go up in October or November (whenever Diwali falls that year) instead of December.

Beautiful Clothes and Delicious Sweets

Hindus dress up in their best or in their newest clothes on Diwali. Family, friends, relatives, and neighbors visit each other’s houses and exchange sweets and in some cases, dried fruit. Mouthwatering Indian sweets are not only made at home but are made in bulk, lasting for many days after the festival.

Puja

Diwali is a five-day festival that consists of different types of puja or religious prayer rituals each day. The first day is called Dhanteras and Hindus offer puja to Yamraj (Lord of death), they pray against untimely death. The second day, puja is offered to Lord Krishna who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (one of the three trinities of Hinduism), the third day is the actual Diwali day where puja is offered to goddess Lakshmi, the fourth day is Govardhan puja celebrating spiritual harvest, and the fifth and last day is Bhai Dooj, a day dedicated to sisters. Keep in mind that these pujas and rituals are not set in stone over the five days, different parts of India celebrate in different ways.

Fireworks

Fireworks are synonymous with Diwali celebrations. Loud and crackling, it is often a sound that is expected on Diwali night wherever there are large Hindu communities. From the smoky haze on the ground with children running in all directions to the visual spectacle in the sky enjoyed by parents entertaining guests in their living rooms, fireworks are easily the most enjoyable part of Diwali. It is also said that when Lord Rama came back from exile, his return was celebrated with light i.e. diyas and fireworks. Fireworks are also believed by some to ward off evil spirits.

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8 Things That Happen During Navratri

1. 9 nights call for 9 different outfits which means the ghaghra choli industry booms. Don’t be surprised if a Ghagra Choli wala displaces Ali Baba as the highest valued company at the NYSE.

2. Falguni Pathak comes out of hiding for 9 days, earns a bucket load with her performances, and then goes back into hiding.

3. Men at garbas come in 3 styles of dressing; The not-so-enthusiastic Kurta and Jeans, the I-like-garba Dhoti Kurta, and the I-will-rock-the-floor-like-nobodies-business Kediyu and Dhoti! Saaru Che!

4. All beauty parlours, tattoos artists and mehandi tatoo wallas open special divisions to cater to the all those backs in their backless cholis.

5. If you reach home before 2 am your parents scold you. And your need to sleep is undermined by everyone.

6. Men look forward to these 9 days. It’s a perfect place to hit on women. Garba and dandiya raas are equivalent to dancing in a club!

7.The post  garba hunger can leave even the most well stocked kitchen empty. Chat wala’s, pan parlours, dhabas and dhabeli wallas all dance their way to the bank.

8. Based on your dandiya, people know how great a dandiya raas dancer you are.

• Colourful, wooden dandiyas: Traditional. This means you know your shit.

• Thin, long, metal dandiyas: You’re jazzy and have started catching on.

• Metal dandiyas with a hole for the finger: You’re new at this, you still don’t know how to spin them so you chose a beginners version.

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5 Places To Visit In Mussoorie

Located 35 kilometres from Dehradun, Mussoorie is a picturesque hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The hill station is located at the foothills of the Garhawl Himalayan ranges, and is also known by its nickname “The Queen Of Hills”. The place is also known as the gateway to the “Gangotri and “Yamunotri” shrines. The best time to visit the place is between mid-March to mid-November as the rains during monsoons and cold during the winters make it pretty inaccessible. Here is a list of top ten places to visit in Mussorie:

1.Kempty Fall

The Kempty falls are surrounded by high mountain ranges and are situated at an altitude of approximately 1,364 meters above sea level, thus giving it a wonderful surrounding to just sit and listen to the sound of the water which falls on the rocky bed of the water below among the lush green vicinity.

2. Lal Tibba

The highest peak in Mussoorie, with an altitude of over 2,290 meters above sea level and provides some amazing and never seen before views of the mountains that house the holy shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. To give its visitors a clearer view of the picturesque surroundings a Japanese telescope has been installed at the edge of the cliff also the place is highly preserved from most commercial activities.

3. Happy Valley

The centre of the Tibetan settlement in Mussoorie, happy valley is situated at a short distance from the mall road. This is the place where Tibetans first arrived in India when they fled from Lhasa in 1959, led by their spiritual leader dalai lama before he moved to Dharamshala. The place is lined with oaks and deodars and has several small hotels and cafeterias and as you walk further into the town, you will get to experience calm like no other.

4. Camel’s Back Road

The road takes its name from the rock which is shaped like a camel’s hump on its back and stretches around a distance of about 3-4 kilometres from Kulri bazaar to the Library Chowk in Mussoorie. The road is ideal for a walk as one can get amazing views of the valley and the mountains from here. The place is great for the photographers who are looking for great shots to capture of the valley and the mountains that surround Mussoorie.

5. Gun Hill

The second highest point in Mussoorie, the place’s name is derived from the event of firing cannon from this place to tell what time is it to the people during the British colonization hence giving it the name ‘Gun Hill’. The place lies at an altitude of 2,024 meters above sea level and offers some majestic views of the surroundings.

Chai And The World: An Introduction To Indian Tea

As the second largest producer of tea in the world, India is renowned for chai, that milk-infused, sweet-spicy drink that has gained immense global popularity over the years. While international café chains such as Starbucks and Costa offer fancy concoctions such as chai latte, chai frappuccino, and the unfortunately named dirty chai, most people in India swear by the humble roadside variety. Here’s a look at how this beloved beverage came to be, and the cultural hot spot it’s brewing up.

Origins

Like any great history, the origins of chai are steeped in legend and contradictory accounts. But the general consensus seems to be that this rejuvenating drink originated as a healing concoction, brewed with herbs and spices beneficial to the body. In fact, the early ‘chai’ did not contain any tea leaves, and recipes differed according to the seasons and available ingredients.

When the British came to India, they established tea plantations as an alternative to the expensive Chinese tea they were habituated to consuming. In order to tap into the local market, tea was initially dispensed free of cost to the Indian population, and soon, masala chai was born, a hybrid of Indian and British tradition.

Variations

While masala chai is the perhaps the most loved and widely consumed form of Indian tea, there’s no end to the variations available. In fact, different parts of the country are known for their unique brews, with some of the most popular options being Mumbai’s cutting chai, the rich Irani chai of Hyderabad, and the delicate pink Kashmiri chai.

Masala chai itself can contain different spices depending on the region and the season, with popular ingredients being cardamom, cloves, ginger, and fennel.

Then, of course, there is the method of preparation, which truly determines the quality of the brew. Roadside stalls are an excellent place to watch the art of thickening the chai to just the right consistency and boiling it long enough for the flavors to really steep.

Chai Culture

No matter where you are in India, you’re probably not very far from a chai stall, little roadside shacks that go by different names in different parts of the country. Tea sold at these humble outlets is often the cheapest and most delicious, the ideal refreshment in every kind of weather.

Even in homes, chai is the ultimate conversation starter, served to anyone who visits. Most people have at least two cups a day, once with breakfast and again in the late afternoon, much like the British.

Despite its link to a painful history of British imperialism, chai is the ubiquitous Indian drink, its consumption transcending all lines of class and status. It takes practice and patience to brew or even find the perfect cup, but when you do, there’s nothing else quite like it.

Source: http://theculturetrip.com/

What are some interesting facts about Uttarakhand?

Uttarakhand is an amazingly diverse state, with some of India’s best  trekking, yoga schools, holiday towns and wildlife-watching all tucked  into one little corner of the country. It is also known as Devbhoomi,  due to the numerous temples scattered all over the state. It has  something to offer for every kind of visitor - be it adventure,  pilgrimage or relaxation.

Here are some amazing things about Uttarakhand..Check out 10 Reasons Why Uttarakhand Must Be On Your Bucket List.

Haridwar
According  to The Imperial Gazetteer of India, an outbreak of cholera occurred at  the 1892 Mela at Haridwar, which led to the rapid improvement of  arrangement by the authorities and the formation of Haridwar Improvement  Society, and in 1903 about 400,000 people attended the fair. Ten  million people gathered at Haridwar for the Kumbh on April 14, 1998. 

Robber's Cave
Robber's Cave (locally known as Guchhupani) is a river cave formation  located approximately 8 km from Dehradun City. The cave is about 600  metres long, divided into two main parts. The cave has a highest fall of  about 10 metres. In the central part there is a fort wall structure  which is now broken. It consists of an extremely narrow gorge formed in a  conglomerate limestone area on Doon Valley's Dehra plateau.

Tungnath- Highest Shiva Temple
Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the  five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in Uttarakhand. The  Tunganath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains form the  Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Located at an altitude of 3,680 m  (12,073 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila, Tungnath temple  is the highest Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is  believed to be 1000 years old and is the second in the pecking order of  the Panch Kedars. It has a rich legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of  the Mahabharata epic.

Bharath Matha Mandir, Haridwar
Bharat Mata Mandir is a multi-storey temple dedicated to Bharat Mata (Mother India). Bharat Mata Mandir was inaugurated on 15 May 1983 by Indira Gandhi on the banks of the river Ganges in Haridwar. It is situated adjacent to the Samanvaya Ashram, and stands eight stories tall to a height of 180 feet (55 m). Each floor depicts an era in the Indian history, from the days of Ramayana until India's independence.

On the first floor is the statue of Bharat Mata. The second floor, Shur Mandir, is dedicated to the well renowned heroes of India. The third floor Matri Mandir is dedicated to the achievements of India's revered women, such as Radha, Mira, Savitri, Draupadi, Ahilya, Anusuya, Maitri, Gargi etc. The great saints from various religions, including Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism are featured on the fourth floor Sant Mandir.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Dehradun

Known for its natural resources,Dehradun is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located in the Doon Valley at the foothills of the Himalayas, Dehradun is bordered by the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers of India. 

The city is known for its pleasant climate and provides a gateway to the popular hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie etc. and pilgrim sites like Haridwar and Rishikesh. The city receives high amounts of rain during the monsoon season and get really cold during the winters. Being a part of the Princely Garhwal State the local customs of the Garhwali people have influenced the culture in the city. Here are the top 10 places that you must visit on your trip to Dehradun.

1. Sahastradhara

The name Sahastradhara literally means ‘The Thousand Fold Spring’ is a popular tourist destination in Dehradun. It comprised of waterfalls, caves and steppe farming lands and provides a totally marvelous and rejuvenating experience to its visitors. The name is due to the water that drips from the limestone stalactites in the caves and its waterfalls.

2. Tiger Falls

Located at a height of 1400 meters above sea level, the Tiger Falls are 50 meters high waterfalls. The waterfalls are situated amidst a picturesque setting of dense forests at the foothills of the Himalayas. The water converges into a small pond which provides a perfect setting for an outing with friends and family.

3. Robber’s Cave

The 600 meters long river cave (Robber’s Cave) is known by the locals asGucchupani. The cave is divided into two main parts with its highest fall being 10 meters long. The place is known for its unique natural phenomenon known as the disappearing stream. The place was believed to be used by the robbers to hide during the British Raj hence owing to its name.

4. Tapovan

Tapovan is known to be the place the Guru Dronacharya performed his penance according to the Hindu epic Mahabharatha. The place is located on the banks of the River Ganges and is considered to be a major pilgrim spot. Tapovan is also known for its amazing meadows known as Nandavan which are trekked by various pilgrims and trekkers.

5. Mindrolling Monastery

Founded in 1965, The Mindrolling Monastery houses the Ngagyur Nyingma College which is one of the largest Buddhist learning centers in India. The monastery is a re-established facility of the original Mindrolling Monastery and was established by Khochhen Rinpoche. The well maintained gardens and a 60 meters high stupa and contains various rooms which are decorated with murals and house various relics and a 35 meters high statue of Lord Buddha in Gold.

6. Tapkeshawar Temple

Tapkeshawar Temple is considered to be the oldest Shiva temple in Uttarakhand and is located at the banks of the Nandi River. The Temple is located within a cave which is characterized by naturally dripping water over the Shiva lingam placed here. The cave is also the site to the shivratri festival that happens every year.

7. Rajaji National Park

Spread over a massive 820 sq kilometers of land, the Rajaji National Park falls in a region shared by 3 districts, Dehradun, Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal in the state of Uttarakhand. The reserve consists of subtropical and tropical moist broadleaf forests that house a plethora of wildlife, birds and fish species. It is also a major habitat of the Asian elephant and the Bengal Tiger in India.

8. Forest Research Institute

The premier research institute of forestry in India is located in Dehradun. The Forest Research Institute was established in 1906 as the British Imperial Forestry Service. The site also contains a museum for forestry with six main sections that are Pathology Museum, Social Forestry Museum, Silviculture Museum, Timber Museum, Non-Wood Forest Products Museum and Entomology Museum.

9. Asan Barrage Water Sport Resort

Developed by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam at the Asan barrage, the water sports facility was opened in 1994. Located at the Dhalipur Lake the Asan Barrage Water Sport Resort offers various types of water sports facilities like boating, kayaking, canoeing and is also known as a shutterbug’s delight for its various migratory birds.

10. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology

Previously known as the Institute of Himalayan Geology, the facility is one of the best centers of Himalayan Geology in the country. The best attraction here is the museum that displays the diverse geographic locations of India and visitors often get to know a few stunning facts about the geology of different regions in India.

The 10 places mentioned above comprise of the major places that are not to be missed on a trip to Dehradun. Being the capital city of the mountain state of Uttarakhand, most of thetourist places in Dehradun have rich Garhwal culture and is a major tourist attraction in the country.

10 Interesting Facts about Mussoorie You must know

If you have a little interest in Mussoorie, you must read the hilarious facts about the city Mussoorie which is often referrer as Queen of Mountains. The beautiful city Mussoori is situated at a height of 1,880 metres (6,170 ft) with green hills & a fresh environment, with a distance of 34 KM from Dehradun.

Being a Doonite, I am a regular visitor of Mussorie & needless to say that the situation is similar with you guys. But did you ever try to know the facts of Mussoorie. Undoubtedly it is an awesome place with fresh air and pure but cold environment. We’ve tried to collect almost each & every fact about Mussoorie for that you were unaware of, read them below:

Undoubtedly it is an awesome place with fresh air and pure but cold environment. We’ve tried to collect almost each & every fact about Mussoorie for that you were unaware of, read them below:

1. The Name Mussoorie: The name Mussoorie is taken from the word Mansoor which is a shrub which is indigenous to the area. You may still notice many people calling Mansoori instead of Mussoorie.
2. Discoverers: Who discovered Mussoorie: Mussorie was discovered jointly by a young but brave British military officer Yung and Mr. Shor a doonite & superintendent.
3. Mall Road: very popular road among youngsters, the name Mall road was kept because of a famous place Mall at Mussorie.
4. Adjust your watches with GunFire: During the colonial rule, Gunhill had a gun mounted on top of it. Everyday at mid-day, the gun was fired from atop the hill so that people could adjust their watches accordingly.
5. Population Growth: In 1901, the total popular of Mussoorie was 6,461 which increased by 400% in 100 years, reporting a total population of 26,069 in 2001.
6. Highest Place: If you even wondered to know the highest point at Mussoorie, let me inofrm you that a Place Lal Tibba is the highest point in Mussoorie with an enormous height of 2,290 metres (7,510 ft). You should visit this place for once.
7. Indians NOT Allowed: Don’t get shocked, i am telling you the past here. During the British region, Indians were not allowed to visit Mussoorie. Racist  signs on the Mall expressly stated: “Indians and Dogs Not Allowed”. But Motilal Nehru (Father of JawaharLal Nehru) frequently broke the rule almost everyday. However these signs have later been removed from the walls.
8. The Addiction of Nehru Family: It was the favourite tourist place for Nehru family & they were a frequent visitor to Mussoorie (during 1920-40s), they use to stay at Savoy Hotel. Even the house of Vijayalakshmi Pandit, sister of Nehru is located nearby in Dehradun.
9. Dalai Lama in Mussoorie: In April 1959, when Tibetan guru Dalai Lama were deported by China, He came here to make a Tibetan deported govt, later transferred to the Dharmshala of Himachal Pradesh. Still more than 5000 tibetan are living in Mussoorie valley.
10. First Choice for celebrities: The beauty of this valley has always been addictive to everyone & even celebrities are not untouched of it. Mussoorie was the most favourite place of former bollywood actor Devanand & even he has got a home here.Cricket master blaster Sachin Tendulkar visit here every year on regular basis.