India is a spiritual oriented country and is one of the richest nations in respect of cultural and spiritual perspective. The festivals of this land form the most important link that sustains its cultural heritage.  The number of festivals celebrated here is hardly comparable to festivals celebrated by other countries. Twelve months in a year is filled with thirteen big festivals. ‘Raksha Bandhan’ has a special importance among them. The cycle of time keeps rotating but its memories remains.  To freshen these memories, memorials are made, stories are written, birth days are observed, in which self respects, love, true feelings are imbibed. Unfortunately, a day comes when respects & love ceases and rituals remain. It would not be exaggeration to say that festivals now-a-days are being celebrated to just continue the tradition.

‘Raksha Bandhan’ had been reduced to an annual ritual hardly reflecting its true significance. Sisters apply a sacred red mark – ‘Tilak’ on the centre of the fore head of their brothers, tie Rakhi considered to be a sacred thread on their right wrist, besides offering them some sweets as token of their love & affection for them. The brothers in turn give them some gifts and money.

Now what is the esoteric meaning of this ritual?

It is commonly believed that a sister ties “Rakhi” round the brothers’ wrist so as to bind him in an obligation and renew his pledge to support and protect her in time of need. This could not really be the object of this ceremony. There are several reasons for this. It is worth considering that if a sister ties Rakhi with the object of getting the brothers protection at the time of distress, then a fully grown-up and strongly built sister tying Rakhi to a brother of tender age is meaningless. More over, before marriage it is the legitimate duty of parents to protect the girl and after marriage of sister, her protection becomes the responsibility of her husband. Again it is meaningless in tying Rakhi to a brother who is leaving so for away and sister knows that he cannot reach and give her any help or physical protection in time. It is thus obvious that the significance of this festival is different from what is said to be.

Further, from times immemorial, until a few decades ago, it was customary practice for the family priests to tie Rakhi and apply “Tilak” to each and every person of the family. The priest also tied the sacred thread to the doors, windows of the’ house and newly purchased household. A Tilak like sacred mark was also put on those items. The scriptural story says that when Indrani and Yumuna tied rakhi to their brothers- Indra and Yama respectively, it had brought Indra and Yama a memorable victory” over demons or devils.

Raksha Bandhan is also variously known as ‘Vish-torak’ (destroyer of Venomousness or vice- eliminating) Parva (festival), “Pap- Nashak” (destroyer of sin) and Punya- Pradaayak (bestower of boons) Parva.

Again “Raksha Bandhan ” is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Shravana (August) when on each Monday of it devotees travel long distances to pour water on the ‘Shivalinga’ -the stone image of Incorporeal God – Supreme Being of light after which comes Raksha Bandhan.

The above details suggest wider and deeper socio-spiritual significance, linked with Shiva-Papakateswar (Redeemer of Sins) -God. These expressive or symbolic names indicate to the unmatched bond of vice less and pure love between a brother and sister reminding all thereby to maintain vice less virtuous life.

In the light of this spiritual meaning Raksha Bandhan can be said to be a universal festival because it is not related to any particular religion, but it is related to universal human values. Its relevance for human welfare has not diminished; rather it has increased in today’s situation as every individual today is under constant threat of the vices of lust, ego, greed, anger and attachment.

The pure love between brother and sister is acclaimed the world over.  The customs and conventions of India, in fact engross a very deep philosophy.  The pure love between brothers and sisters as glorified by Rakhi festival is symbolic of a great cultural tradition.  The magic effect of the words – ‘Dear Brothers and Sisters’ with which Swami Vivekananda addressed the World Conference on Religion at Geneva has been so dramatic that the gathering felt instantly a unique kind of spirituality, goodwill and closeness that helped to overcome all kinds of differences.  These words thus hoisted the flag of Indian culture so high in front of the world congregation of different religions.

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU)- an Institute of Universal Peace & Culture celebrates ‘Raksha Bandhan’ with this connotation as revealed by lncorporeal Being of Light (Jyotirlingam) Supreme Soul God-the world Benefactor Shiva) by descending onto the corporeal medium of Prajapita Brahma (the founding father of BKWSU) at this time of complete degeneration of values.

Brahma Kumaris and Kumars (the spiritual children of Prajapita Brahma) as non- violent spiritual ambassadors carries and conveys to all brother souls this divine message of achieving victory over vices i.e. lust, anger, greed attachment and ego – the real enemy of mankind by – strict observance of continence through soul consciousness considering all fellow beings as brother souls under the Fatherhood of the Universal God incorporeal. This makes the mankind as a one family with feelings of universal brotherhood. So the Brahma Kumaris Sisters ties Rakhi to all irrespective of religion, race and gender and appeal one and all to donate not in gross, kind and cash but from one’s inner pocket (soul) those five great vices and negative addictions that lie hidden there in – considered presumably as treasures at present- as mere trash once and for all. This will usher in a Golden Aged “Value Based Better Society” of third millennium and we can inherit it with this Spiritual empowerment. This is the clarion call of Brahma Kumaris Institution on eve of Raksha Bandhan- the bondage of protection, A Festival of Universal Brotherhood & Social Cohesion.

In conclusion, the main aspect of the festival of Raksha Bandhan is therefore connected with the sacred vow of purity and a pledge to obtain and impart divine knowledge and attributes. Its origin is the confluence age and the purpose is the purification of all souls and transformation of the world.

So, let us all irrespective of different religious faith, celebrate this ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and empower our self through process of Supreme Communion (Raja Yoga ) with Him to inculcate His Supreme Commands of Universal Values to establish a “Value Based Happy Society of Culture of Peace & Non Violence ” – our most cherished desire. The understanding of this eternal truth will usher in religious harmony & world peace. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University has been engaged in this task for last 74years since its inception in 1936-37.

The true way of celebrating ‘Raksha Bandhan’ would be to realize the significance of the present auspicious time ( Sangam Yuga, which is end of Kaliyuga – Iron Age and the beginning of Satyuga – Golden Age ) and by pledging to discard all negative traits such as anger, greed, ego and lust and by leading a life filled of love, compassion, respect, humility, cooperation, responsibility, divinity.

On this auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, August 24, 2010, take a moment for deep spiritual introspection and free yourselves from the bondage of greed, the lust for power and a slave of promiscuity and make God your eternal companion for true peace, happiness and prosperity. (The writer is Head,Dept. of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University)

Source: The Arunachal Times

Summerfest which is also referred to as the ‘Big Gig’ takes place each year at the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park which is along the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The festival normally lasts for 11 days right in the middle of summers and is made up of 11 stages involving performances by 700 bands and artists. Such an elaborate music festival attracts about a 100,000 people each year and the good thing about this festival is that it offers much more than music.

Not only does Summerfest offer you and your family to enjoy live performances by your favorite artists but you can also enjoy a variety of food items from different locations in Milwaukee, comedy performances, fireworks and a lot of other family activities. Another major attraction of the festival is the huge Marcus Amphitheatre which seats about 23,000 people.

You can log onto www.summerfest.com for information regarding the location and timings of all shows as well as information as to accommodations if you will be traveling from outside the city. The musical performances will be held throughout the day from noon to midnight including fireworks. You can also find out more about the details of family attractions and special features on the website of the Summerfest.

As far as tickets are concerned, for all weekdays, the admission ticket is $8 for adults and kids above the age of 10. In the evenings, however, the ticket is $15 for adults and kids above the age of 10; this admission ticket price is also valid over the weekends. For children under 10 and for seniors, the admission ticket is $3 and for infants and babies, admission is free. You can also find out more about promotions and ticket sales and discounts if you are looking for tickets for yourself and family. Festival tickets can also be bought online at www.festivals.com, so join the Summerfest this year and make the summer something to remember.

Author Bio

Richard Jacobs is a chief editor since early 2007, and he currently works for MyDUIAttorney. A website that helps you to find the right DUI lawyer, you can search for a Scottsdale DUI or for Atlanta DUI Attorney online, anytime!

Introduction To Brahmaputra Darshan Festival:

Brahmaputra Darshan Festival is a well-known event in Arunachal Pradesh. This festival takes place every third year at Roing. Brahmaputra is regarded as a masculine river in the north- eastern part of India. The river is worshipped as a God and it symbolizes harmony, peace and harvest of the country. Originating from Manas Sarovar, the river flows eastwards and gives life to the state. Arunachal Pradesh experiences the richness of the river in the form of crop and harvest. The river is popularly known as Siang among the locals. This river plays an important role in the economy and in the social life of Arunachal Pradesh. Brahmaputra Darshan Festival is a prominent festival in Arunachal Pradesh. People from different social strata take part in the festival and add significance to the festival.

Description of Brahmaputra Darshan Festival:

Brahmaputra Darshan Festival of Arunachal Pradesh starts with the worship of the river. Various cultural events like traditional dance, music and sports follow one after the other. There are other exhibitions like food festivals, local handicrafts, herbal medicines, boat race and river rafting. This festival enriches the experience of touring Arunachal Pradesh at such a time. This festival gives the tourists to enjoy various aspects of Arunachal Pradesh. The state gets a colorful tinge during the festival with the aura of celebration in the air.

Time For Celebration of Brahmaputra Darshan Festival:

Brahmaputra Darshan Festival of Arunachal Pradesh takes place from 28th to 31st January. The venue of the festival changes every year and this allows the tourist to explore a new part of Arunachal Pradesh. The Brahmaputra Darshan festival is organized by Lower Dibang Valley district.

Another festival is the Khan festival, an occasion for the reunion of the people. Besides the usual festivities, the significance of the festival lies in the ceremony whereby the priest ties a piece of wool around everybody’s neck. The belief is that the enchanted thread will bring good luck to each of them.

Introduction To Khan Festival:

Arunachal Pradesh is located in the north-eastern part of India. The Himalaya and its ranges create a perfect tourist destination where one can come across different cultures. The fairs and festivals of Arunachal Pradesh bear a unique tradition. The traditional beliefs and customs of the ancient tribes make towards creating a colorful ambience of festivals and fairs. Khan festival of Arunachal Pradesh is a major event that is also an opportunity for reunion of the people. People from various social, economic, political background come together to take part in the event

Description of Khan Festival:

Khan Festival is a popular festival of Arunachal Pradesh that encourages all the locals to participate in it irrespective of caste and creed. This festival is mainly a Miji festival of Arunachal Pradesh. Miji is one of the tribes in Arunachal Pradesh which celebrates the festival. The festival is a religious festival where the priest ties a holy thread around the neck of the natives. It is believed by the thread will bring all the good luck and save them from any evil power. The holy thread possesses significant role in the festival. The specialty of Khan festival is that people of different background come and celebrate the festival which shows a wonderful blend of culture and heritage.

Sangken festival, is an occasion to bathe the images of Lord Buddha ceremoniously. This also heralds the new year and people sprinkle water on each other as a sign of merriment.

Introduction To Sangken Festival:

Arunachal Pradesh is the best place to witness various tribes with their different customs and ethnicity. The Sangken festival is celebrated by Khamtis, they are one of the oldest tribes of Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh. The district is located in the plains of Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is a Buddhist festival celebrated with respect where Buddha is worshipped for the welfare of the mankind.

Description of Sangken Festival:

Sangken festival is celebrated among all the natives of Arunachal Pradesh. Not only Buddhists, but people from other religious background take part to give a secular feel to the festival. The celebration takes place for three consecutive days when the images of Lord Buddha are given bath ceremoniously. During the celebration the locals make home made sweet and distribute them. The exchange of gifts is also a common trait of the festival.

The main attraction of the festival is splashing clean water, which is the symbol of peace and purity. The images of Buddha are taken out and after the ceremonial bath. The procession is accompanied by drums and enjoyment. This holy bath of lord Buddha is an auspicious event in Arunachal Pradesh. On the final day, the images are taken back to their original place. The ceremony ends on a satisfied note amidst prayers of a happy and prosperous new year.

Time For Celebration of Sangken Festival:

Sangken Festival is celebrated on 14th of April, when the natives welcome the New Year with splendor and magnificence. According to the locals the new year is welcomed with warmth and affection. Not only people from Lohit District but from other district also celebrate the festival. The involvement and participation of the people shows the depth and importance of the occasion among the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

Introduction To Tamladu Festival:

Arunachal Pradesh is one of the seven sisters of north-eastern part of India. Arunachal Pradesh bears a rich variety of tribes who still holds the true heritage of the state. Tamladu Festival is one of the main festivals of the tribe Digaru Mishmis. The Digaru Mishmis are one of the ancient tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.

Description of Tamladu Festival:

Tamladu Festival in Arunachal Pradesh is one of the ancient festivals of Arunachal Pradesh. The hills and valleys are the homeland of various tribes. These tribes still hold on to their conventional tradition and beliefs. Cultivation is the main livelihood of the hilly tribes. These tribes mainly depend on the agriculture and harvest and that make them to worship Nature.

Tamladu Festival is prayer that is offered to the God of Earth and the God of Water. The tribal people believe in nature worship and according to their belief, nature protects them from natural calamities. The supreme god of the tribe is Lord Jebmalu. Jebmalu is worshipped for the welfare of the people and crops and domestic animals.

Time For Celebration of Tamladu Festival:

Tamladu festival is observed in Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is celebrated on the 15th of February. The festival creates a wonderful ambience and invites everyone to take part in the occasion and make it magnificent one. Tamladu festival is one of the oldest festivals in Arunachal Pradesh. The tribal dance and the traditional customs make the festival more attractive towards the tourists as they get the opportunity to enjoy the old heritage of Arunachal Pradesh.

The 4th month as per lunar calendar is regarded as the holiest period for the Buddhists. This month marks the birth of Lord Buddha, his attainment of supreme enlightenment and his passing into the state of nirvana. It normally falls in the month of May. This occasion is celebrated with much fun and gaiety.

Introduction To Saga Dawa:

Saga Dawa, Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with a unique culture and tradition. Arunachal Pradesh with her scenic beauty attracts tourist to visit the land. In Arunachal Pradesh, the blend of various religious sects and ideologies can be seen. Buddhists and people from other religious backgrounds unite to form a new culture. Saga Dawa of Arunachal Pradesh is an important festival and this festival is celebrated by Buddhists of the state.

Description of Saga Dawa:

Saga Dawa festival of Arunachal Pradesh is the main festival of Buddhist sects of the state. People who believe in Buddhism celebrate the day of Enlightenment. On this day it is believed that Lord Buddha has achieved Nirvana and so it is celebrated as an important day among the Buddhists. The devotees follow a procession that carries the holy book of Buddhism. From Tsuklakhang Monastery the procession goes round the city with the holy teachings of Lord Buddha. Apart from Saga Dawa there are other festivals like ‘Losar’, ‘Reh festival’ ‘The Sanken Festival’. Losar is the New Year festival of Arunachal Pradesh. Apart from Buddhist sect, people from other religious sects make the land, ‘a land of colors and festivals’. Arunachal Pradesh is the best place to witness diversity and unity at the same time.

Time For Celebration of Saga Dawa:

Saga Dawa in Arunachal Pradesh takes place in the end of May or early June. The exact date depends on the local calendar and the full moon as the locals follow the lunar calendar in Arunachal Pradesh.

Monpas have a colourful festive heritage. The festivals are related with agricultural practices and religious events.

Introduction To Monpa Festival:

Festivals show the cultural heritage of any tribe or community. Arunachal Pradesh’s festivals are true to its tradition. The unique festivals of Arunachal Pradesh offer the tourist a glimpse into the heart of this culturally beautiful land. A Monpa festival is a well-know event in the state. Monpa is a tribe in Arunachal Pradesh that still holds the old tribal tradition. The Monpas celebrate many festivals, each having either an agricultural or religious theme.

Description of Monpa Festival:

The Monpa festival associated with harvest is held to ask the favor of the gods on the health of their crop. The local tribes believe in their individual customs and perform rites to protect their land from any evil supernatural attack. The local deity is worshipped for the welfare of the society. This festival is a colorful event where the locals celebrate with their traditional music and dance. People of different ages and social backgrounds take part to make the festival a remarkable one. This festival is the best time to witness the local tribal traditions and customs.

Among other Monpa festivals which are celebrated with a lot of zeal is ‘Losar’, which is the New Year for the people of Arunachal Pradesh The locals welcome the New Year with age-old customs. ‘Saga Dawa’ is another festival of that is observed among the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is a religious festival celebrated by the Buddhists of the state.

Time For Celebration of Monpa Festival:

The Monpa tribe follows lunar calendar. The Losar festival which is the main Monpa festival is celebrated on the first day of the New Year. The ‘Saga Dawa’ is celebrated in the 4th month of the lunar calendar.

Torgya is a monastic festival held every year for three days starting from 28th day of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, which generally falls in the last part of January. In order to drive off evil forces and to ward off any natural calamity. Monastic dances are performed for 3 days during Torgya festivals.

Torgya Festival Introduction

Numerous festivals are celebrated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India every year. Right from festivals with religious undertones to those entirely devoted to merry making, the festivals in Arunachal Pradesh display great variety and joie-de-vivre. Among the religious festivals of Arunachal Pradesh, the Torgya festival deserves special mention.

The festival of Torgya is celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh every year near the end of January. Mainly a monastic festival, Torgya is celebrated for three full days. Rich presence of color is one of the main features of the Torgya Festival of Arunachal Pradesh. It is indeed fascinating to watch the colorful dances that mark the occasion along with the gaiety displayed everywhere.

Speaking of the significance of the Torgya Festival of Arunachal Pradesh, it celebrates the destruction of negative forces and the ushering in of prosperity, peace and good will. It is also believed that the rituals performed during the Festival of Torgya help ward off natural calamities and other disasters.

As you travel to Arunachal Pradesh, do make it a point to be a part of the color and gaiety of the Torgya Festival. For details and related tour pacakges, get in touch with Indian Holiday today. You can choose from a good number of Arunachal Pradesh tour packages offered by Indian Holiday. So the next time you start planning a vacation, do remember us at Indian Holiday. We will help you plan out a most memorable holiday to remember.