Mango Festival Tour May 2013

Wild Trotters is organizing a fun trip this summer to Ratnagiri, Maharashtra to celebrate the season of mangoes. During the Mango Festival Tour, you will be residing on a farm in Ratnagiri and learn how mangoes are cultivated and picked. Best of all, you get to eat an unlimited number of mangoes!

MTDC Kokan Alphonso Tourism Festival 2013

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has collaborated with Kokan Green Life to organize a unique alphonso tourism festival in the Kokan region. After all, it is the mango season & what better way than to travel to the heart of mango-land in Maharashtra & get first-hand knowledge about the king of fruits!

2013 Turtle Festival Velas Beach Ratnagiri booking

Every year, turtle hatchlings, primarily of the Olive Ridley turtle species, are gently guided into the sea from over 600 nests across 30 or more villages around the beach of Velas. This beach is located in the district of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra.

The project of releasing the turtle hatchlings is celebrated as the Turtle Festival.

Why is tilgul offered on Makar Sankranti

The spring festival of Makar Sankranti in terms of cosmic movements signifies the movement of the Sun from one constellation (Sagitarius) to another (Capricorn). Since the Sun God is the God of Light, this significant movement entails auspicious beginnings as there are more hours of light and fewer of darkness.

2012 Dahi Handi venue locations Mumbai and Thane

Krishna with curds pot

A prominent part of the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations is the breaking of the handi (clay pot) which is set up high above the ground at the center of a long rope strung between two structures. Lord Krishna as a child always broke clay pots to eat the curds inside, hence the breaking of the clay pot is a similar activity. This activity is a part of festivities known as Dahi Kala utsav or Dahi Handi Mahotsav. It takes place just 1 day after celebrating Lord Krishna's birth. The 2012 Krishna Janmashtami date is August 9th, 12 midnight. On August 10th, the streets of Mumbai, Pune, Thane & Navi Mumbai will be filled by large groups of Govindas (men and women) who try to outdo each other in creating more tiers of pyramids to break the traditional handi. There is a great deal of joy in this, more so because of the cash prizes offered by political groups & private organizations.

Shri Krishna Aarti in Marathi

                                             

Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered to be the an avataar of Lord Vishnu. 

This divine avataar was born to destroy the evil King Kansa
 
You can read the full story here: Story of Lord Krishna's birth

2011 Dahi Handi locations in Mumbai and Thane

A day after Krishna Janmashtami, it is time to indulge in the playful childhood activity of Lord Krishna - breaking handis to steal curds! Maharashtra is where you need to be on this day, as it is in cities like Mumbai, Pune and other small towns & villages that you will see groups of people forming human pyramids to reach the handi dangling from a rope high above their heads. The celebration, though, is not just about breaking the symbolic handi, but winning a cash prize too for the group. Each year, the cash prizes for breaking the handis have increased phenomenally, with politicians primarily offering the largest amounts.

Where to go for Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai and Thane

1. Dadar Dahi Handi: (a) in front of Nakshatra Mall, near the wholesale vegetable market. (b) Ranade Road - there is one usually in front of V.M.Pendurkar Jewellers. (c) R.K. Vaidya Road.

2. Shivaji Park Dahi Handi: (a) in front of Ashray Hotel, in lane opposite Monginis cake shop. (b) in lane opposite Corporation Bank. (c) in front of Nebula Gypsy restaurant, Keluskar Road (South).

3. Worli Dahi Handi: The main dahi handi celebrations take place at Jamboree maidan, BDD chawls.

4. Kalachowki Dahi Handi: (a) Ganesh Galli, near Lalbaug market. (b) Shahid Bhagat Singh maidan, Abhyudaya Nagar. (c) behind Abhyudaya Bank, in compound of Coop. Society building.

5. Mazgaon Dahi Handi: Tadwadi

6. Chembur Dahi Handi: (a) Khardev Nagar naka. (b) Shivaji Chowk, Pandjarpole circle, near where Dr.C.Gidwani Road meets V.N. Purav Marg.

7. Ghatkopar Dahi Handi: (a) Gangawadi maidan. (b) On the Ghatkopar-Goregaon Link Road, near the signal before Shreyas cinema theatre. (c) LBS Marg, near Life Force Center

8. Kurla Dahi Handi: Bail Bazaar, behind Sheetal Cinema.

9. Vikhroli Dahi Handi: Kannamwar Nagar No.3, near the bus stop.

10. Bhandup Dahi Handi: (a) Bhandup Village Road, Shiv Sena Shaka Office. (b) Gadhavnaka, Sanman Singh Road, ahead of Kokan Nagar Society. (c) Pratap Nagar, near junction of Pratap Nagar Road and Quarry Road.

11. Dombivili Dahi Handi:(a) Baji Prabhu Chowk, near junction of Kelkar Road and Manpada Road. (b) DNC maidan, near DNC Multipurpose High School, Nandivali Road. Note: at both places, lots of cash prizes being offered!

12. Bhiwandi Dahi Handi: Kalyan Bhiwandi naka.

13. Borivali Dahi Handi: (a) Devipada maidan, Boriviali (East); (b) Kajupada. (c) Kora Kendra maidan, opp. Parekh Nagar.

14. Thane Dahi Handi: This is where some of the biggest cash prizes are being offered depending on the number of tiers of the human pyramid. Special prizes for women govinda groups too! .(a) Vartak Nagar. (b) Sangarsh, Open House Panchpakahadi - at this venue, a special group of acrobats from Catalunya, Spain, known as the Colles Castelleres, will be competing with the local govindas. The Castelleras are a group of 175 members & are world famous for being skilled at making a 9 tier human pyramid.

Top 7 Krishna Janmashtami SMS Greetings Hindi English

Radha ki chahat, he Krishna,

Uske dil ki virasat, he krishna,

Chahe kitna bhi raa racha le krishna

Duniya to phir bhi yahi kehti hai

Radhe Krishna Krishna

Janmashtami ki haardik badai!

राधा  क़ी  चाहत  हे  क्रिष्णा,
उसके  दिल  क़ी  विरासत  हे  क्रिष्णा,
चाहे  कितना  भी  रा  रचा  ले  क्रिष्णा
दुनिया  तो  फिर  भी  यही  कहती  है
राधे  क्रिष्णा  क्रिष्णा
जन्माष्टमी  क़ी  हार्दिक  बधाई!

 ---------------------------------

 Yashoda ke Krishna Ki

Radha ke Shyam Ki

Gwalo ke Kanha Ki

Gopiyon ke Makhan Chor Ki

Janamdin ki hardik shubhkamnao ke sath!

यशोदा की क्रिष्णा की  

राधा की श्याम  की  

ग्वालो  के  कान्हा  की  

गोपियों  के  माखन  चोर  की 

जन्मदिन  की  हार्दिक  शुभकामनाओ  के  साथ!

 -------------------------------------------

Radha ki bhakti

Murli ki mithas

Makhan ka swaad aur gopiya ka raas

Inhi sabse milkebantha hai janmasthami ka ye din khas

Happy Janmasthami

राधा  की  भकति

मुरली  की  मिठास 

माखन  का  स्वाद  और  गोपिया का  रास 

इन्ही  सबसे  मिलके बनता है  जन्मस्थामी  का  ये  दिन  खास 

हैप्पी  जन्मस्थामी!

-------------------------------

 

Chandan ki khusbu,Resham ka haar
Phulon ki shugandh, Barish ki fhuhar
Dil ki ummide, Apno ka pyar…
Mangalmay ho aapko Sri Kirshna Janmashtmi ka tyohar
Happy Janmashtami!

चन्दन  की  खुसबू , रेशम  का  हार
फूलों  की  सुगंध , बारिश  की  फ्हुहार
दिल  की  उम्मीदे , अपनों  का  प्यार …
मंगलमय  हो  आपको  श्री  किर्श्ना  जन्माष्टमी  का  त्यौहार
हैप्पी  जन्माष्टमी!

 ---------------------------

Dahi ki handi
Barish ka fuhar
Makhan churane aaye nandlal
Mubarak ho aapko janmastami ka tyohar!

दही  की  हंडी
बारिश  का  फुहार
माखन  चुराने  आये  नन्दलाल
मुबारक  हो  आपको  जन्मस्तामी  का  त्यौहार!

 -----------------------------------

 Chandan ki Khushbu, Resham ka Haar
Saawan ki sugandh Barish ki fuhar
Dil ki umidhein Kanhaiya ka pyar
Mubarak Ho apko Janmasthmi Ka Tyohaar!

चन्दन  की  खुशबु , रेशम  का  हार
सावन  की  सुगंध  बारिश  की  फुहार
दिल  की  उमीदें  कन्हैया  का  प्यार
मुबारक  हो  आपको  जन्मस्थ्मी  का  त्यौहार!

----------------------------------

Today is a very precious day
Someone special was born
Born to fight against inhumanity
Born to save the trust in God

Happy Janmashtami!

Read the Story of Lord Krishna's Birth: Janmashtami

Narali Purnima festival rituals and traditions

Narali refers to coconut and Purnima to the full moon. The Indian festival of Narali Purnima is celebrated by the fisherfolk, primarily in Maharashtra, on the full moon day during Shravan.This full moon day also coincides with Rakhi Purnima, better known as Raksha Bandhan.

Nag Panchami pooja stotra

When offering sweets and performing aarti of the serpent God on Nag Panchami, you can say this stotra (it is a verse with rhythm which is said during the worship of a deity in praise of the deity):

Nag Panchami  Pooja Sloka / Stotra

नाग पंचमी पूजा स्लोका  / स्तोत्र

अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पध्मनाभ च कम्बलम |

शंखपालं धृतराष्ट्र तक्षकं कालियं तथा      ||१||

एतानि नव नामानि नागानां च महात्मनाम |

सायंकाले पठेन्नित्यं प्रात:काले विशेषत:     |

तस्य विषभयं नास्ति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत्||२||

This Sanskrit stotra for Nag Panchami mentions the 9 names of the serpent dieties.

Rakhi with serpent and trident (Lord Shiva's weapon)

Anantam vasukim shesham padhmanabham cha kambalam |

Shankhapalam dhartarashhtram taksakam kaaliyam thatha || 1 ||

Aitani navnamaani naaganaan cha mahatmnaam |

Sayankaale pattenitya praatkaale visheshth |

Tasya vishbhay naastit sarvatra vijayee bhavet || 2 ||

How to do a simple Nag Panchami pooja at home

Nag Panchami is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. 

Nag Panchami rituals and traditions

On the day of Nag Panchami, fields are not ploughed and no fried food is served. This is because, on this day, snakes should not be harmed in any way. 

- No ploughing the field with cattle to prevent the snake from getting crushed

- No cutting with farm equipment to prevent the snake's skin from getting scarred

- No frying to prevent the snake from getting charred

Nag Panchami festival origins and legends

On seeing a snake you’re likely to jump a foot in the air & break Usain Bolt’s record in trying to get away from the reptile as fast as possible! Not so with the devotees of Shesh Nag, the Lord of the Serpents. They consider the snake to be sacred and they worship Shesh Nag with great fervour. This fervour is at its peak during the festival of Nag Panchami. 

Where to buy Easter eggs in Mumbai

Easter is a joyous festival which is incomplete without yummy Easter goodies! Here's a list of stores in Mumbai which sell Easter eggs and Easter confectionaries:
1. Hangout Cakes n More
7, Norwood Building, Next To Hallmark, Lokhandwala Complex Andheri (West), Mumbai- 400053
Ph: 022 - 26358989

2. French Connection Cake Shop
Shop No 7 Building No1, EMP Thakur VILL, Kandivali (E) Mumbai- 400101
Ph: 022 - 28858066

3. Thomas Bakery
D'Monte Lane, Orlem, behind Orlem Church, Malad (W), Mumbai - 400 097
Ph: 022- 28883389

4. Vienna Bakery
Terrace Building Housing Society, L.J.Road, Mahaim -400016
Ph: 022-65777501

5. Lorraine Marzipan
Vile Parle, Mumbai-400056
Ph: 022-26148176

6. Delite Almeida
G-1, Heimat, near Lakshmi Stores, Central Avenue, Santacruz (W), Mumbai -400054
Ph: 022 - 26049305

7. High Light Bakery
Bellavista Building, Shaitanchauki, Dadar (West), Mumbai - 400028
Ph: 022 - 24304721

8. Monginis
Hari Niwas, Ground floor, L.J.Road, Shivaji Park, Mumbai - 400028.
Ph: 022- 4458710

9. A1 Stores and Bakery
89 B Ramdas Naik Rd, Hill Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai - 400050
Ph: 022 -  26426211

10. Theobroma Restaurant and Cake Shop
Shop No 24, Colaba Causeway, Cusrow Baug, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai

Ph: 022 - 22873778

 

11. Theobroam Pastry Shop

Cusrow Baug Colony, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai

Ph: 022  - 65292929

 

12. Desiree Cake Studio

ONGC Complex, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W), Mumbai

Ph: 022 - 26454962

13. Le 15 Patisserie

Krishna Building, near Podar Hospital, Worli, Mumbai

Ph: 9820487727

14. Toujours

Shop No.4, 63, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Breach Candy, Mumbai -400026

Ph: 022-61616551

 

15. Indigo Deli

5, , Ground Floor, Pheroze Building, Chattrapati Shivaji Maharishi Marg, Apollo Bunder, Mumbai - 400 039.
Tel: 022 - 6655 1010

 

16. Indigo Deli

1st Floor, Palladium Mall High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013

Ph: 022 - 43666666 

Easter SMS greetings and wishes

May this Holy Season witness you being blessed 

With Happiness and Prosperity

Happy Easter!

-----

With loads of love

Here I come

With Easter bunnies

To wish you lots of fun

Happy Easter!

-----

Bright is the day, sweet is the air

Wishing you happiness

For an "egg"cellent Easter

And tons of fun!

-----

Merry is the wind

Happy is the Sun

Easter is here again

So let's get together and have tons of fun!

Wishing you & your family a jolly Easter

Easter Sunday significance and features

The festival of Easter is considered to be the holiest festival of the Christian community. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion (that day is marked as Good Friday) and is a joyous celebration to mark the day of Christ's return. Churches and chapels are decorated with Easter lilies and buntings. Happy organ music is played and joyous hymns are sung.

An important feature of the Easter celebrations in a Church is the Paschal candle. This is a very special candle on which the cross is etched. It is lighted on Easter and kept alight continuously for 7 weeks - this period is known as the "Great Fifty Days" and this entire period is considered to be the season of Easter (and not just Easter Sunday).

One of the lovely aspects of Easter is the traditional Easter egg, the eggs considered to be a symbol of Christ's resurrection. In the way Christ arose from the confines of the tomb, so also the yolk comes out when the egg is cracked. Read more: Easter Eggs

Good Friday significance and features

Good Friday is an centuries-old tradition to mark the anniversary of  the death of Jesus Christ.

Why is Good Friday called good?
Although the horrid treatment and crucifixion of Jesus Christ is not good, the day is considered as "Good Friday" because Jesus Christ sacrificed His life and what happened subsequently - His resurrection - is a good occurrence.

What is the Last Supper?
The last meal which Jesus Christ had with the 12 Apostles in Jerusalem before His crucifixion is known as the last supper.

The Last Supper

What are the various features of Good Friday?
On this day, followers of the Christian community fast and do penance. The fast involves not eating any form of meat and not snacking. There are different rules for fasting as per the parish and, generally, the fasting guidelines apply to people between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine (other than those with health problems).

Another important aspect is that Good Friday is the second part of the Paschal Triduum, the other days being Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

What are the main traditions of Good Friday?
1. Veneration of the Cross: people kneel before the cross, thereby showing respect to it, and kissing the foot of the cross. During a mass church service, the worshipers kneel together.

2. The Stations of the Cross: The Stations refer to 14 images or sculptures which depict various scenes that took place during the crucifixion of Christ.

3. Preaching and Singing of the Passion: This involves reading out parts of the Gospel or even saying them out in a sing-song way.