Sri Ram Navami is celebrated with great devotion in India

Shri Ram Navami is the festival which is celebrated in most parts of India with great devotion. Sri Ram Navami is celebrated every year on the ninth day of Chaitra month. It marks the end of nine day festival known as Chaitra Navratri or Vasanta Navratri. On this day religious processions are taken out through the streets.
 
Ram Navami is the auspicious day on which Sri Rama was born in Ayodhya. On this day devotees observe fast and visit temples to offer prayers. According to the religious texts, it is advised to keep Ram Navami Vrath. It is easy means of gaining happiness in material world and achieving salvation. This Vrath includes performing religious pooja and keeping a strict fast on the day of Ram Navami. Many Lord Ram temples celebrate this festival for nine days beginning from Gudi padwa day. It is celebrated by periodic readings of Ramayana and arranging spiritual lectures called Kirtans. During these nine days some people ensure to recite Ramraksha eleven times every day. The fairs hosted during Ram Navami festival displays excellent fireworks.

 
Ayodhya observes a massive celebration of love and devotion of the devotees towards their hero. During Ram Navami mela worship begins with a holy bath taken early morning and chanting Vedic mantras which are dedicated to Vishnu. People in large numbers offer flowers, fruits and sweets to the deity. The devotees maintain a fast which is broken at midnight by eating fruits. Beautifully decorated Rath yatras or chariot processions are taken through the town. The prime attraction of these processions are the chariots with astonishing decorations carrying four people assumed to be Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman and his favorite disciple Hanuman. These chariots are followed by people dressed like traditional army of Lord Ram. These Rath yatra’s are continued for two days accompanied by devotees. Songs describing Ram raj are sung during the procession. Places like Ujjain and Rameshwaram also draw many devotees from different parts of the country during Ram Navami. A special bath is taken in the sea of Rameshwaram before praying at the Ramanathaswamy temple. 
 
In many regions of India especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh public gatherings called sat-sangs are organized on this day. These sat-sangs or the company of the knowledgeable persons provides an opportunity for the common masses to acquire more knowledge. They guide people regarding how to spend their life in more perfect manner. Along with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh Ram Navami is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Pondicherry. Both the places have been mentioned in Ramayana.
 
This years Ram Navami will be celebrated on 1st of April 2012. It will be the best time to make a Sankalpa in your life. On this day set some goals in your life to help the needy persons in your community or society. For your family or the dear ones gift something so that they will enjoy the valuable moments of life. Magic Holidays  is an option to provide them a vacation every year for a period of twenty five years.

Celebrate Gudi Padwa - Ugadi - Cheti Chand - Baisakhi

The first Holy festival which marks the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day for the Hindus falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is known as Gudhi Padwa (in Maharashtra), Ugadi (in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh). [In other parts of country it is celebrated during Nau Roz (Kashmir), Baisakhi (Punjab), Cheti Chand (Sindhi), Naba Barsha (Bengal), Goru Bihu (Assam), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala)

About Gudi Padwa celebrations

India being a multi cultural, multi religious country, New Year is celebrated at different times as per regional calendars. First of January according to Christian calendar is celebrated throughout India as common New Years celebrations. Nouruz is Parsi New Year celebrated by Parsi community. The first day of Marathi calendars month Chaitra or Gudi Padwa is celebrated in Maharashtra as Marathi New year celebrations. The premises in and around the houses are cleaned and decorated in traditional way by making rangoli designs at entrance of the houses. Entrance doors of the houses are decorated with Torans made from mango leaves, flowers and rice. The most important part of the celebrations is to raise Gudi. Gudi’s are seen erected on the balconies or windows of most of the houses. A Gudi is a long stick with a brand new piece of cloth placed under a copper kalash. The festival received its name Gudi padwa from this Gudi’s. Traditionally, bitter leaves of neem tree are eaten on this day. A paste of crushed neem leaves, cumin seeds, jaggery and salt is taken prior eating any food in the morning. Special sweets called puran poli containing sweet stuff puran inside are prepared on this day. Gudi Padwa is considered a very auspicious day in Maharashtra. New ventures are undertaken; poojas are performed to make houses free from all evils. Gold is purchased on this day as this day is considered among the three and half Muhurtas of Hindu religion. There are some legends behind celebration of Gudi Padwa. It is said that the Universe was created by Brahma on this very special day and Satyuga or the Age of Truth and Justice began on this day.

How Gudi Padwa is celebrated in Maharashtra

Being a Maharashtrian festival it is celebrated with enthusiasm at many places in the state. Mumbai observes a festive mood during this day with Marathi dominated areas taking out huge processions called Shobha Yatras. The participants are in traditional Marathi costumes like men in Sadra, Payjama and women with the Navwari sari decorated with conventional ornaments. The Shobha Yatra proceeds with the typical Marathi music and Lezim at the background. Thane as well is not lagging behind, regarding the Gudi padwa celebrations. Men and women in saffron turbans and navvari saris dance on the rhythm of music. Goa having majority Hindus is also celebrating Gudi Padwa. Shirdi celebrates this festival by keeping the spiritual aspects in mind.

This years Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on Friday 23^rd March. What are your plans about buying some precious things on the sacred time of the three and half Muhurtas. This year instead of purchasing the routine gifts you can go for a gift which will be remembered for a longer time. Celebrate Gudi Padwa  by buying the vacation package of Magic Holidays  for a long period of 25 years.    

Know more about Women’s Day celebrations around the globe

It is said that there is always a woman behind every successful man. In order to honor women around the globe, Women’s Day is celebrated world wide to appreciate their efforts. Like every year this year also, Women’s Day will be celebrated on 8^th of March. The United Nations have declared a theme “Empower Women – End Hunger and Poverty” for International Women’s Day 2012. The theme can be different in every country. In many countries, International Women's Day is an occasion to honor and praise women for their accomplishments. This year the inspiring women will be cheered up by sending a free international Women’s Day e - Card.   The women, who have made efforts that will bring some positive changes in the fight against hunger and poverty, will also be honored. Such women will be awarded with a special award.

Different days like Fathers Day, Mother’s Day, Women’s Day are celebrated in order to appreciate and honor the role of that particular person in the society. Women’s day was initially called International Working Women’s Day celebrated every year on 8^th of March. The celebrations range from showing appreciation and respect towards women’s social, economic and political achievements. The real tribute to the woman around us can be paid by assigning her a place of dignity in the society, providing equal rights like men and recognition of her achievements in her life. This will be the best way to cheer up the encouraging women and celebrate coming Woman’s day. 

Another new trend which has become common is gifting the lady near and dear to you like your mother, sister, grandmother or fiancée with exclusive gifts. The first national Women's Day was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States. To mark the economic, political and social achievements of women, lots of events are hosted on this day as well as throughout March. This day is celebrated in different manners worldwide. In some of the countries like Cameroon, Romania and Bulgaria it is customary to give flowers and small gifts to the women.

In Italy men give yellow mimosa flowers to women. Whereas these flowers and chocolates are also the most common Mother’s day presents in Russia and Albania. In countries like Portugal, groups of women usually celebrate woman’s day by arranging only ladies dinners and parties on the night of 8^th March.

In India we look at woman as the symbol of strength. Her courage, natural compassion, attitude of fighting the odd situations in life all must be praised. Coming Women’s Day choose your absolute woman from a list, representing above qualities and give her a gift of lifetime. You might be wondering about that gift, which can be remembered for the rest of her life. It will prove to be a special gift and a salute to the Absolute woman on the Woman’s Day. Celebrate coming Women’s Day by gifting a vacation package called Magic Holidays, offering vacations for a period of twenty five years on one time inflation free payment.

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