Sunday 9 September 2012

Festivals of India in the month of September

Novidade

 

 Novidade is one of the prominent festivals of Goa and is celebrated with equal enthusiasm and jauntiness by both Hindus and Christians in Goa. The Novidade festival marks the beginning of the harvesting season, where the farmers of both religions offer their first rice crop to the church before proceeding with further harvesting.


During the festival of Novidade, the parish priest plays the role of the harvester by himself harvesting a bunch of rice and offering the same sheaf before the altar of the God. This ritual of offering the first harvested sheaf is considered very auspicious in Goa and farmer belonging to any religions wait for the traditional Novidade ceremony before commencing the harvesting in his field.

The ceremony of offering first harvest is celebrated with lots of excitement and gaiety by all people in Goa. Priest of the church is accompanied on his way back to church from the fields, forming the stunning procession. People enjoy and excitedly sing hymns and melodious songs in chorus voice. Carnival is also marked by sparkling fire works.

The special trend is also practiced by women of Goa's earliest tribal settlers. The folk dance called Bhandup is performed by the tribal women in the elegant form during the second half of the month.
The festival of Novidade is celebrated with religious integrity and tolerance in the months August and September. According to Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated in the month of Bhadra-Pada.




Paryushan

 




The Jain community like other communities throughout the world celebrates many social and religious functions annually. The superb Jain festival popularly known as ‘Paryushan Parva’ organized every year in the auspicious month ‘Bhadrapad’ (Mid-August to Mid-September) of the Hindu calendar extends from the fifth day to fourteenth day of the bright fortnight. The festival ordains the Jains to observe the ten universal supreme virtues in daily practical life.




Picture curtsy:- https://www.google.co.in

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