Which Festival is Celebrated in The Summer Season

Which Festival is Celebrated in The Summer Season

During the summer season, several festivals are celebrated across India, each with its unique cultural significance. Some of the notable summer festivals in India include:

Ratha Yatra

One of the festivals celebrated in the summer season in India is Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival. It usually occurs in the Hindu month of Ashadha, which falls between June and July. During this festival, large chariots carrying deities are pulled through the streets amidst vibrant processions and festivities, particularly in Puri, Odisha, where it is most famously observed.

Devotees honor Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra by pulling elaborately decorated chariots through the streets in a grand procession. It includes the procession of elaborately adorned chariots wearing the deities via the streets. This festival draws millions of devotees from across the country and abroad to witness the divine spectacle and seek blessings from the deities.

 Which Festival is Celebrated in The Summer Season

Bonalu

Another festival celebrated in the summer season is Bonalu, primarily in the Indian state of Telangana. It is dedicated to Goddess Mahakali and involves the offering of food, clothes, and other items to the deity. Bonalu is typically observed during the Hindu month of Ashadha (July-August) and is marked by colorful processions, music, and dance. The festival typically involves colorful processions, music, dance, and the distribution of offerings to the deity and the community.

The festival holds deep cultural and religious significance in Telangana, drawing large crowds of devotees who participate in various rituals and festivities. It is considered a time of spiritual renewal and community bonding, as people come together to express their devotion to the goddess and seek her blessings for well-being and prosperity.

Hemis Festival:

Held at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, the Hemis Festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. It features colorful masked dances, music performances, and religious rituals. It attracts pilgrims and tourists from far and wide, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of the region.

The Hemis Festival, held annually in Ladakh, is a vibrant celebration that attracts devotees and tourists alike. It showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region through colorful masked dances, traditional music performances, and religious rituals. The festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the spiritual essence and cultural diversity of Ladakh amidst the majestic landscapes of the Himalayas.

Rathajatra of Mahesh:

Celebrated in West Bengal, the Rathajatra of Mahesh is similar to the Rath Yatra of Puri. It involves the procession of chariots carrying idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.

This sacred event is a testament to the deep-rooted cultural heritage and spiritual devotion of the people of West Bengal.

Chithirai Festival:

This festival is celebrated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, to mark the coronation of Lord Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. The spotlight of the competition is the grand procession of deities on embellished chariots.

Kharchi Puja:

Observed in Tripura, Kharchi Puja is a week-long festival dedicated to the worship of the fourteen gods of the Tripuri community. It involves rituals, prayers, and cultural performances.

Gangaur:

Celebrated primarily in Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat, Gangaur is a colorful festival dedicated to Goddess Gauri (an incarnation of Parvati). It involves women dressing up in traditional attire, worshiping the goddess for marital bliss and longevity of their husbands, and carrying out various rituals and processions.

Ambubachi Mela:

Held in Guwahati, Assam, the Ambubachi Mela is an annual fair celebrated at the Kamakhya Temple. It marks the menstruation period of the goddess Kamakhya and is considered a time of fertility and rejuvenation. Devotees from all over the country gather to seek blessings and participate in various rituals.

The reason behind the Ambubachi Mela is rooted in mythology and legend. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that during the Ambubachi period, the goddess Kamakhya undergoes her annual menstrual cycle. As per local belief, the earth becomes impure during this time, and thus the temple remains closed for three days. After the third day, the temple reopens, and devotees gather to witness the divine energy of the goddess and seek her blessings.

The festival is considered auspicious, and thousands of devotees, tantric sadhus, and pilgrims from various parts of India visit the Kamakhya Temple during this time to participate in rituals, offer prayers, and seek blessings. It is believed that during the Ambubachi period, the goddess Kamakhya's powers are heightened, and prayers offered to her are especially potent, granting devotees their wishes and fulfilling their desires.

Ganga Dussehra:

Observed mainly in North India, Ganga Dussehra is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and commemorates the descent of the Ganges River to Earth. Devotees take holy dips in the river and perform rituals to honor the sacred river's purifying powers.

Aadi Perukku:

Celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Aadi Perukku is a festival that honors the rivers, especially the Cauvery River. It marks the beginning of the monsoon season and is observed with prayers, rituals, and offerings to the rivers for their life-sustaining properties.

These are just a few examples of the diverse festivals celebrated in India during the summer season, each reflecting the rich cultural heritage and religious diversity of the country.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is Rath Yatra?

One of the festivals celebrated in the summer season in India is Ratha Yatra, also known as the Chariot Festival.

What is Kharchi Puja?

Kharchi Puja is a popular festival celebrated in Tripura, a northeastern state of India. It is dedicated to the worship of the fourteen gods of the Tripuri community, who are collectively known as the Chaturdasha Devata.