June Festivals In India

June Festivals In India

June is the starting point of monsoon and actually a plethora of colorful and effective festivals in India. Here are some notable festivals celebrated across the country during this month: Here are some notable festivals celebrated across the country during this month:

Ganga Dussehra

• When: June: The last ten days before the festival. The same takes 10 days, that is up to the Dashami Tithi and the Dashami Tithi is considered to be the most auspicious.
• Where: the job is mainly concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
• Key Cities: Some of the most famous holy cities are Varanasi, S Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Rishikesh, Patna and many more.
• Significance: Being the divine process through which the Ganga descended to the earth, ‘Aarti’ for Ganga is performed at dawn and in the evening. A shower is considered as a baptism to wash off their sins and orgies are held in the river banks.
• Mythological Background: The River Ganga is the most sacred river of North Indian Origin and according to Hind mythology this river sprung down from the Heavens when King Bhagirath went to the Gods to seek pardon for the souls of his ancestors who were cursed by Sage Kapila to end up in Hell. This was due to the act of God’s mercy brought by King Bhagirath who prayed to God to make Ganga descend on earth.
• Spiritual Importance: There are several beliefs in the Hindu religion, some of them strongly think that by taking a bath in the Ganga during Ganga Dussehra all sins of their sins will be washed off and they will be bestowed with purity and blessings. The Festival is vested with the enthusiasm of worshipped deities and acts as a platform for religious vows to be carried out.
• Highlights: Puja, disturbing the waters by bathing, sprinkling water on the body, recitation of the Mantras, performing operas and myths, especially on the sacred ghats of river Ganga at Varanasi, Haridwar, Allahabad, etc. It narrates the eternal link between the river and the Indian society and culture and defines the importance of the Ganga as a divine instrument as well as a dwindling source.

2. Hemis Festival

• When: In rehearsed performances its occurrence will depend on the day chosen for performance but it usually is at the end of June or in early July. Ponlochaa is observed on the tenth of Tse-Chu, which is the Tibetan lunar month of Tse-Chu
• Where: Hemis Monastery is one of the most prominent Gelugpa schools situated in the region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Hemis belongs to the Dard group of tribes and is about 45 kilometers from Leh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Significance: Honors Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a major religious festival of the Buddhists in Ladakh. He is credited with spreading Buddhism in Tibet and the Himalayan regions in the 8th century.
  
• Spiritual Importance: Special pujas (prayers) and rituals are conducted by the monks, involving the chanting of sacred texts and making offerings to Guru Padmasambhava. Devotees from all over Ladakh and beyond participate in these ceremonies, seeking blessings and praying for health, happiness, and prosperity.
• Highlights: Colorful mask dances (Cham dances) performed by monks, traditional music, and the display of the monastery's rich collection of ancient relics and artifacts.
• It is a time of joy, devotion, and community bonding, making it a memorable experience for all who attend.

3. Saga Dawa

• When: The festival is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, which usually falls in June.
• Where: Sikkim and other Tibetan Buddhist regions. The most elaborate celebrations take place in monasteries like Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, and Tashiding Monastery.
• Significance: History lists Guru Padmasambhava as the founder of the Tibetan Buddhism. Worldwide, it is known to be the revered Buddhist festival in the region of Ladakh. Shakamuni is attributed to have propagated Buddhadharma in Tibet and the Himalayas in the 8th century.
• Spiritual Importance: The direction of the ceremonies is in the hands of the Lamas, where chanting of the texts and ‘tsh 灸’ is performed and offerings are made to Guru Padmasambhava. Ladakhis and people from other parts of the region come over to perform these rites to seek health, happiness, and wealth, among others.
  
  Highlights: There were husky dances, colorful mask dances (Cham dances) by monks, popular and traditional music and musical instruments, and a view of the relics and antiques of this monastery.
  
  This time is one of happiness and commitment besides the reinforcement of all members since it is an event viewed as fun by all attendees.

4. Sitalsasthi

• When: The festival is held on the full moon day or ‘Purnima’ in the fourth month of the Tibetan colander, which comes in June normally.
• Where: The above pendants are related to the regions of Sikkim and other Tibetan Buddhism regions. Monasteries like Rumtek, Enchey, and Tashiding Monastery exhibit grand celebrations during these festivals.
• Significance: Symbolically, it represents the birth of Buddha, his attaining enlightenment, and his final passing away (Parinirvana). Thus, it becomes a season of spiritual value and hence is celebrated. The Month of Saga Dawa also holds immense importance in the Buddhist calendar; they practice that all the deeds or prayers done in this month are carried out hundredfold.
• Spiritual Importance: In monasteries, they do have special prayer services and rituals such as the recitation of mantras, the lighting of butter lamps, and the burning of incense. They perform several religious activities through chanting, dignity, communication, and ceremonial movements that include dances as they present symbolic items such as food and light to the Buddha statues.
• Highlights: Religious ceremonies such as the celebration of the holy book, prayer, and chanting in monasteries. To adore the stupas, pilgrims burn butter lamps and incense which is also a form of worshipworship.

It is a time of God, love, and togetherness hence people attend the event with a lot of alerts and it becomes a good point to celebrate.

5. Rath Yatra

• When: Late June or early July (depending on the lunar calendar).
• Where: Puri, Odisha (also celebrated in other parts of India). Rath Yatra is also celebrated in other parts of India and around the world where Jagannath temples are present, including cities like Kolkata, and Ahmedabad, and even internationally in places with significant Hindu populations.
• Significance: Commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. This journey is symbolic of the deities’ visit to their birthplace, bringing them closer to the devotees who otherwise might not be able to enter the Jagannath Temple due to its strict entry restrictions.
• Highlights: Grand chariot procession (Rath Yatra), pulling of the chariots by devotees, and large gatherings of pilgrims.

Thousands of devotees eagerly pull the ropes of the massive chariots, believing it to be an auspicious act that brings good fortune and blessings. The chariots travel from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, covering a distance of about 3 kilometers. The procession is accompanied by chanting, dancing, and the beating of drums, creating a lively and spiritual atmosphere. Millions of pilgrims from all over India and abroad converge in Puri to witness and participate in the Rath Yatra, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

6. Bonalu

• When: Starts in June and continues through July, often culminating in the last Sunday of the month. The actual dates range every year in line with the lunar calendar.
• Where: Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Celebrations are centered around important temples dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, such as the Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad and the Sri Mahakali Temple in Lal Darwaza, Hyderabad
• Significance: A one-week traditional Hindu festival celebrated with full devotion and enthusiasm in the various regions of the country to worship the Goddess Mahakali. The festival is celebrated to show the appreciation and faith of the community towards the goddess, as a way of thanking her for a good harvest and protection of their lives.
• Highlights: Bonam dances, the women carrying decorated pots on their heads filled with rice, turmeric, and other items offered at the temple; colorful processions, and folk dances. The women cover themselves in bright sarees, wear bangles and other ornaments, and also place flowers on their heads. They put the Bonam on their heads and dance in the processions to and from the temples.

7. Kabir Jayanti

• When: Finally, the detailed plant knowledge harvesting is scheduled in June (on the full moon day). It occurs on the auspicious full moon night (Purnima) in the month of Jyeshtha, generally in June.
• Where: In their areas of operation in Uttar Pradesh.
• Key Cities: North Indian cities such as Varanasi, which witnessed his birth and still celebrates his existence, Magar where he has become one with the god, and other regions as well.
• Significance: Kabir Jayanti is the annual celebration of the birth anniversary of the saint poet Kabir, who was born in 1398 AD. Various intellectual personalities, Islamic and Hindu Sufis, and people from different sections of society share their insights about Kabir and his teachings that may serve as motivation for the present literate society. Such discourses are in tune with his message of love, unity, and the enlightenment of a man’s spirit.
• Highlights: Sessions of reading and singing of Kabir’s doshas, religious discourses andyawm meetings.

8. Sindhu Darshan Festival

• When: It also marks the full moon day of June. This festival is observed in June on the Purnima or full moon day and usually coincides with the ‘’Guru Purnima’.
• Where: In India, at Leh, the capital of Ladakh, to be precise at the banks of River Sindhu (Indus).
• Significance: Honoring the Sindhu (Indus) River – god and goddess of common people, emerging from the central region as a symbol of communal unity.
• Highlights: There are also cultural exchanges, various rites by the riverside, and people from both Udupi and other parts of India performing their folk dances and songs and displaying their ethnic ornaments, clothing, and toys.

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Conclusion

June is a culturally colorful part of the year in India, where festivals are organized that are religious, spiritual, and cultural and depict the communal harmony in India. From the extreme devotion of Ganga Dussehra and Rath Yatra to fun-filled Saga Dwar and Boita Puja; from the great display of carnival spirit in Hemis and Bonalu; these festivals present the varied cultural ethos of Indian society.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is the significance of Ganga Dussehra?

Ganga Dussehra is a festival of the Hindus and is more commonly observed in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal states. It celebrates the story of the Ganga, the goddess who descended from heaven along with Bhagirath to shower the earth with its holy waters. People of the region believe that the Ganges has the power to wash away sins and there are beliefs of doing rituals on the river sides. Special occasions include the Kumbh Mela festival and other occasions like Ardh Kumbh, Purna Kumbh, and Scan, which are performed in cities including Varanasi, Hardwar, and Allahabad in the form of rituals, prayers, cultural performances, and dance on the bank of ‘Ganga’- the sacred ghats.

What are the highlights of the Hemis Festival in Ladakh?

The Hemis Festival is celebrated in the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, to commemorate the death anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, who established tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The festival, taking place at the end of June or the beginning of July, is remotivated by colorful mask dances – cham dances for monks. These dances are danced to tunes and melodies of traditional music. The monastery also keeps lots of relics and other interesting artifacts of the ancient period and showcases them to the public and devotees to experience the wonderful and jam-packed ethnological pageantry of the occasion.

How is Kabir Jayanti celebrated across India?

Kabir Jayanti is a festival that is dedicated to Guru Kabir, who is known to be one of the great poets of India, and it is celebrated on the full moon day in June. P Kitchener, Rituals are especially important in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, in which much of Kabir’s life was spent. Some of the celebration patterns observed during the worship are recitation of Kabir’s doshas, discourses, and Satsang. They listen to the devotional songs containing quotations from verses of Kabir and perform Bhakti Marg, follow the processions, and religious speeches and discourses explaining the messages of Kabir regarding love, equality, and the formless deity. The participants can develop a close unit and spiritual sensibility through these activities.