Tradition Custom of Burning the Old Man Gloom on New Year Eve

What is the tradition of burning the "Old Man"?

This is an old tradition done on December 31st, on which day an effigy made from old clothes is made and set afire, thereby burning to ashes all the troubles and problems of the past 12 months and beginning a new year afresh without any worries or sorrows. People dance and sing in happiness, saying a glad farewell to the effigy known as "Old Man Gloom".
Read this interesting article on Santa Fe's Old Man effigy, known as "Zozobra": Goodbye Old Man Gloom!

Check out the photos of an old man prepared for the ritual burning on December 31st: 

An old man ready for burning, while another headless lies at his feet  one lies at his feet

 

 

 In the above photo, note the toy pistol lying near the feet of the headless effigy - looks like the worries of the old year are going to be shot away....Bang! Bang!....Poof!

A cardboard hold up the old man

In the above photo, note the lemon and chillies tied around the neck - in India, a lemon and chillies are tied and put at doorways of business establishments and new vehicles to ward off trouble and evil. So also, the above "old man" has a lemon and chillies tied around to get rid of its evil influences.

Best New Year Cards Messages SMS Greetings

Send 2011 New Year SMS Wishes from your cell phone and bring a smile to the recipient

 Ring out the old, Ring in the New!  

My Wish for you in 2011

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts

May love stick to your face like Vaseline & May laughter assault your lips

May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and 

May happiness slap you across the face & may your tears be that of joy

 May the problems you had forget your home address!

In simple words….may the next Year be the best year of your life!

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Hope your New Year is

Bright with happiness

Rich with laughter

and Warm with love –

'cause that’s the only kind good enough

For someone as wonderful as YOU!

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May your New Year joys be many,

Your New Year cares be few

And may your luck be good luck

In all you plan to do.

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Wishing you good fortune, good health and success,

And all you may need for complete happiness;

A wonderful new year,

Delightful all through,

A future so rich

In life’s joys for you.

Happy new year!

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A thought and a greeting

And a wish that’s sincere

May the 12 months to come

Make a Happy New Year!

Venues and Entry Passes for New Year Party in Mumbai

2011 New Year Eve party in Mumbai

It's time to welcome the New Year and what better way than to take your sweetheart or family or friends for a 2011 New Year Eve party?! Ring out the old, Ring in the new with a New Year party in one of the popular restaurants and hotels in Mumbai which are locations of New Year Parties in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Remember though: Don't drink and drive. Hire a driver to take you home safely (see details at the end of this article)

Here's a list of Hotels and Restaurants in Mumbai organising New Year parties and the entry passes fees of New Year Parties in Mumbai

Where to Go for New Year Parties in Mumbai

1. New Year Party at Essel World, Gorai

Entry Fee: Rs.990/-

Address: Borivali (West), Mumbai – 91 Maharashtra
Ph: +91-22-28452222, 2530, 2474, 2473 / Fax: +91-22-28452711

Head Office in Mumbai: Continental Building, 135, Dr. Annie Besant road, Worli – 18, Ph: +91-22-24997474.

2. New Year Party at Trattoria Hotel Taj President

Entry Fee: Rs.2,200/-

Address: Hotel Taj President, G D Somani Rd, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai -400005, Maharashtra.

Ph: 022 - 66650808

3. New Year Party at Wink Hotel Taj President

Entry Fee: Rs.5,500/-

Address: Taj President Hotel, G D Somani Rd, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Ph: 022 - 66650808

4. New Year Party at Red Zen, Marriott Hotel

Entry Fee: Rs. 2,000/-

Address: 215 Mathuradas Vasanji Road (Andheri-Kurla Road), Andheri East, Mumbai – 400059, Maharashtra
Ph: 022 - 61369999

5. New Year Party at Valhalla

Entry Fee:Rs. 2,000 – Rs, 3,000/-

Address: Eros Theatre Building, 42 Maharhi Karve Road,, Churchgate, Mumbai-400020 Maharashtra.
Ph: 022 - 67353535

6. New Year Party at Imperial Palace

Entry Fee: Rs.2,500/-

Address: Royal Palms, Goregaon East Mumbai, Maharashtra

Ph: +91 (22) 28716000 / +91 (22) 67133000

7. New Year Party at Hard Rock Café

Entry Fee: Rs.3,500/-

Address: Bdmc Compound, Behind Bombay Dyeing, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Maharashtra
Ph: 022 - 66155959

8. New Year Party at Shiro

Entry Fee: Rs.4,500/-

Address: Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ph: 022 24383008

9. New Year Party at Tryst

Entry Fee: Rs.4,000/-

Address: Phoenix Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai (next to Gajalee) Maharashtra
Ph: 022 - 66614366 , 66614365 

10. New Year Party at Atrium Lounge

Entry Fee: Rs.2,500/-

Address: Bandra West Band Stand, Mumbai Maharashtra
Ph: 022 - 66681234

11. New Year Party at Pollyesthers

Entry Fee: Rs.3,500/-

Address: Battery St, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ph: 022 - 22871122

12. New Year Party at Velvet Lounge

Entry Fee: Rs.2,000/-

Address: Lakeside Chalet, # 2&3B, L&T Gate, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400087
Ph: 022 - 66927576

13. New Year Party at Enigma

Entry Fee: Rs.6,900/-

J Address: uhu Beach Juhu Tara Rd, Mumbai, Maharashtra 

Ph: 022 - 66933000

New Year Party for Couples in Mumbai

1. New Year Party at Indulge

Entry Fee: Rs.3,000/-

Address: Palm Beach Road, Sector 14, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai Maharashtra
Ph: 0215 - 27563830

2. New Year Party at Kino 108

Entry Fee: Rs.6,000/-

Address: Veera Desai Junction, JP Road, 7 Bungalows, Andheri (W), Mumbai (Opposite Apna Bazar)

Ph: 9820052222

3. New Year Party at Prive

Entry Fee: Rs.7,000/-

Address: 41/44 Monrepos, Ground Floor, Minoo Desai Road, Formerly Athena Club, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ph: 022 - 22028700

4. New Year Party at Tetsuma

Entry Fee: Rs.7,000/-

Address: Minoo Desai Rd, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ph: 022 - 22876578

5. New Year Party at Vie Lounge & Deck

Entry Fee: Rs.7,000/-

Address: 102, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ph: 022 – 26603003 / 26604884

6. New Year Party at Hype

Entry Fee: Rs.8,000/-

Address: Royal Garden, 4th Floor, Atria Mall, Dr. Annie Beasant Road, (Opp Poonam Chambers), Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Ph: 022 – 24813799 / 67363799 / 9004775777

Once again an important reminder: PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! 

Where to hire a Party Driver in Mumbai to drive you home safely after the New Year party.

Contact: APT Party Drivers

Charges: Services are on offer from 10.00 pm to 2.00 am for Rs.400/- [beyond 2.00 am there is an overtime charge of Rs.50/-per hour]

Office - 3, Anjali Niwas,Vakola Bridge,Demello Compound, behind Dr. Manjrekar Clinic, Santacruz (East),
Mumbai 400055

Proprietor: Mr. Abhay Pednekar

Ph: 022 64482009
Mobile: 9004190255
Mobile: 9004190256

info@aptpartydrivers.com

Click here to make reservations

Please do share your New Party experience in the comments box below. Did it rock? Did you doze off out of sheer boredom? Did you really enjoy it?

How to send Christmas Gifts Online to India

Christmas Gifts Online to Maharashtra & other parts of India

1. Indian Gifts Portal

Website: http://christmas-gifts.indiangiftsportal.com/

* Christmas Hampers

* Christmas Toys

* Christmas Cakes

* Christmas Cookies

* Christmas Chocolates

* Christmas Flowers

* Christmas Jewellery

Contact Information

Indian Gifts Portal
4B Gokhale Marg,
Lucknow - 226001
Uttar Pradesh, India
Ph: +(91)-(522)- 4106443 (India)
Available Between 10:30 AM IST to 7:30 PM IST
(Monday to Saturday)
E-mail: orders@indiangiftsportal.com

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2. Orchids ‘n Roses

Website:  http://www.orchidsnroses.com/christmas.htm

* Christmas Soft Toys

* Christmas Tree, Bells, Candles

* Christmas Cakes

* Christmas Sweets

* Christmas Wine Hampers

* Christmas Chocolates in unusual shapes

Contact Information

Email / Chat:

apexflorist@gmail.com

apexflorist@yahoo.com

apexflorist@hotmail.com

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3. Gift with Love

 Website: http://www.giftwithlove.com/christmas_index.htm

* Christmas Handicrafts, such as framed photographs of Jesus Christ, pen stands with image of Jesus Christ, a cross with diamonds, etc.

* Christmas Trees and Candles

* Christmas Combos, such as Santa toy and plum cake, 1ft. tree with Santa, cake and Xmas bell, etc.

Contact Information

Email: gwlorder@yahoo.com.

For Enquiries and Order Status Call (or SMS) at: + 91 962 0877 748

Important Note: I am not personally endorsing any of the sites mentioned, their gifts' quality or policies. Please check carefully all policies (especially of payment) of online Christmas gifts websites before placing your orders.

Send free Marathi Merry Christmas and New Year Greetings Cards

Don't have time to post a Christmas or New Year card? Send  Marathi online Ecards!
Check out the links below to send Merry Christmas cards in Marathi and to send New Year cards in Marathi

Free Marathi Christmas E-Cards

Click here to send Marathi Christmas Cards 

Free Marathi New Year E-Cards

Click here to send Marathi New Year Cards

The Christmas Alphabet Words Lyrics

Best Merry Christmas SMS Greetings and Wishes

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 TO YOU and YOURS

Thinking with pleasure

Of things that you do (like reading my blog!),

Sending best wishes

Just for you,

And hoping a Christmas

Too nice to forget

Will be followed right up

By your BEST New Year yet.

 -----

 The happy thoughts and memories

That Christmas brings to mind,

Help to make this greeting

The very special kind

It is filled to overflowing

With the warmest of wishes too,

All of them intended

Especially for you!

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The tree is all trimmed

And the streamers are hung,

The candles are glowing

And carols are sung,

There's feasting and laughter

And warmth and good cheer

And everyone’s happy

For Christmas is here!

Have a perfect Christmas!

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He was born in an obscure village,

The child of a peasant woman.

He worked in a carpenter’s shop

And was an itinirent preacher.

He never wrote a book.

He never held an office.

He did none of these things one usually associates with greatness.

20 centuries have come and gone,

And today He is the central figure of the human race.

All the armies that ever marched,

All the navies that ever sailed,

All the Kings that ever reigned, put together,

Have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that

One Solitary Life.

May the love of our Saviour be with you at Christmas and always.

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May all the joy and the beauty

Of that still, Holy Night

Be with you at Christmastimes

And make the whole year bright.

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With joy and adoration

We celebrate the birth

Of the tiny little Savior

Who came to live on earth;

And as you sing His praises

May He be near to bless

Your Christmas and your New Year

With joy and happiness.

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Christmas lets us see again

The Star that lit the earth

When angels sang their song of joy

Proclaiming Jesus’ birth;

For now, as then, the Star is Hope –

A promise from Above,

And Christmas lets us see again

The brightness of God’s love

- B.J. Hoff

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A special touch of Christmas

On a Christmas card,

A special thought at Christmas

Sent with warm regard

Merry Christmas!

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A very Merry Christmas

Is my wish for you –

Filled with joy and laughter

And a Happy New Year too!

-----

Wishing you a Christmas

That is very bright and glad –

In fact, the very happiest time

That you have ever had

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When the sound of Christmas bells

Begins to fill the winter air,

When the spirit of the season

Spreads its magic everywhere,

It’s time to send a greeting

Meant especially to say

Here’s hoping someone special

Has a Merry Christmas Day!

Coming on the Christmas

As clear as Christmas chimes

Are special wishes for you there

Merry…happy times

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When the sound of Christmas bells

Begins to fill the winter air,

When the spirit of the season

Spreads its magic everywhere,

It’s time to send a greeting

Meant especially to say

Here’s hoping someone special

Has a Merry Christmas Day!

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Here’s hoping your Christmas 

Turns out to be a truly enjoyable one…

With lots of Surprises in all shapes and sizes ~

A whole lot of festive fun!

Christmas is a festive time and nothing can compare,

To the special cheer that fills the home for everyone to share…

So may your home be filled with joy

When Christmastime is here,

And may very special happiness be yours

Throughout the coming Year.

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May you enjoy the pleasures

Only Christmastime can bring –

 Special joy and happiness,

The best of everything –

 And may the New Year bring to you,

In the warmest kind of way,

Memories to treasure

Of a Happy Christmas Day.

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This brings a simple wish today

That you have often heard,

But never have more warmth and cheer

Been sent with every word – Merry Christmas!

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Hope – that shines bright as the first Christmas star

Faith – that led Wise Men to travel afar

Peace – and contentment the first shepherds knew

His Love – to guide you a bright New Year through

These are the wishes being sent your way

Not only at Christmas but for every day!

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Let’s light a candle with all of our warmth,

Our friendship and love and good will,

So that even when Christmas is over,

Its meaning will be shining still.

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Warm wishes, like candles,

All shining and new,

To bring a bright Christmas

And a new year to you! 

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Click here for Best New Year SMS Wishes