Navratri

Navratri is a festival of Hindus celebrated with devotion, love and fervour all over India. It is also called as Navratras. The mood of Navratri is very colourful & unique. It incorporates veneration along with commemoration by means of song and dance. Navratri basically means "Nine Nights" ("Nav" meaning nine and "Ratri" meaning nights). These nights are devoted to the reverence of Goddess Durga (Maa Durga) who exists in many forms and is the manifestation of the absolute energy that pervades the Universe. During these days and nights prayers are offered to Mother Goddess. For the devout these days are the sacrosanct for it is during these days when Goddess Durga takes a stock of her devotees and grants all blessings, removes ills and evils and ensures unproblematic life for her devotees.
Navratri in March - April is called Vasantha Navratri which is good for attaining success in endeavours and this year it falls between 27 March 2009 and 3 April 2009(only 8 days because this time ashtami and navmi is on same day.
Navratri's each night is dedicated to one form of Goddess Durga. That is every ratri of the Navratri corresponds to worship of different forms of Maa Durga. This embraces

Maa Shailputri, who was the daughter of Parvatraj Himalaya (King of the Mountain), wife of Lord Shiva and mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya;

Maa Brahmachaarini-, who gives the message of pure love to the world;

Maa Chandraghanta, who establishes Justice and wears crescent moon on Her head;

Maa Kushmaanda, who provides the basic necessities to the world; Skand Maa, who gives the gift of differentiation of right from wrong to the world;

Maa Kaatyayini, who persistently battles against the evil and deceitful entities;

Maa Kaalratri, who killed Raktabeej ( a demon who produce a demon from every drop of blood that fell from his body. Goddess eventually licked the blood before it could reach the ground and hence conquered him);

Maa Chaamunda, who killed two demons--Chanda and Munda and restored tranquility;

Maa MahaGauri who also liberate the world of evil forces;

Mata Sidhidaatri, who is a treasure house of Mystic Powers (Yantra Tantra) and Knowledge

Some may also say that the nine days are divided and devoted to the Trinity of God worshipped in a female form in which for three days Maa Durga (Goddess of valor) is worshipped, for three days Maa Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and three days for Maa Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge and Art). On the fifth day, that is, Lalita Panchami books are gathered, lamp is lighted to invoke Saraswati. The eighth and ninth day, Yagna (sacrifice offered to the fire) is performed to honour heavenly Goddess and bid her farewell.
This period of Navratri also allows for recitation of sacred scriptures such as Durga Sapshudi from Markanday Puran. This narrates how Goddess Durga was blessed and provided with weapons by our Trinity of Gods to annihilate Maheshasur, the demon who had forced Gods to leave heaven and take refuge on earth. Musical recitations (Kirtans) by famous musicians are offered for the benefit of the Goddess and devotees.

Holi Celebrations

Holi is one of the major festivals of Hinduism celebrated with lot of joy and verve throught India.Holi starts with holi Pooja that is done a day before Holi.This day is called as 'Holika Dahan'.Holika Dahan preparations begin almost 40 days before the festival. People start gathering woods on the important crossroads of the city.On the day of Holika Dahan, an effigy of Holika and Prahlad is placed on the huge heap of woods. Effigy of Holika is made of combustible material while Prahlad's effigy is made of non-combustible material.On the eve of Holi, the heap is set alight and the people chant Rakshoghna Mantras of the Rig Veda to cast away the evil spirits.Once this pooja is done its time to play Holi Holi is a festival in which people have their enthusiasm at their peak as no other festival provides you so much liberty as Holi... It is on this day people forget all their enemity and difference of all type is drowned in the colours of Holi and people enjoy playing colours with each other.Although Holi is celebrated in India from many years but its popularity seems to grow with every passing year.Children in particular enjoy this festivalas they throw colors,water filled baloons on every passerby and if he opposes then they have only one dialogue to say"Bura na mano holi hai" which results in a sweet smile on irritated face...This is a lovely festival to enjoy...In the midst of these colouring games are savoured the mouth watering holi specialities like gujiya, malpuas, mathri, puran poli, dahi badas etc..After playing colors people take bath and dress themselves in new dresses and visit their friends and relatives..On this day many communities organise meets which they call it as "Holi Milan Samahroh"..All in all people enjoy every moment of this festival

Mahashivratri

Today is Mahashivratri and it is an important festival for devotees of lord Shiva.Mahashivratri means night of lord Shiva.It was on this auspicious day lord Shiva and Parvati got married.

As a tradition, devotees who are on a strict fast on Shivaratri take bath with the water and after putting on fresh new clothes, a devotee visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to perform the ritual Shiva Linga bath with milk, honey etc. Following the sacred bath, devotee applies haldi-kumkum on the lingum and place a garland of white and pink lotus flowers on it. Bel leaves are also placed at the top of the Lingum. Aarthi and bhajans in praise of Lord Shiva are also sung to invoke his blessings. Devotee also light incense stick and ring temple bell to invoke the blessing of the large-hearted Lord Shiva.It may be noted that unlike most other festivals, where after performing the Puja of the deity a feast follows, a Shivratri fast continues all through the day and night. Devotees observe an all night vigil while chanting the mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya" and singing devotional hymns and songs. Even during the night, Shiva Lings is given the holy bath every three hours. An offering of fruits is also made to the deity. There is also the tradition to listen to the recital of various legends and stories related to Shivaratri and Lord Shiva and to understand its deeper meanings. It is only in the following morning that a devotee breaks the fast by consuming the prasad offered to Lord Shankar.