Other festivals
in UP
Annakoot is celebrated which is devoted
to feasting and Govardhan puja in the evening and rounded
up next day by Bhaiya Dooj when sisters apply vermilion
tika (auspicious mark) on the forehead of their brothers
who reward them with money. On Dooj weapons, pen and
inkpot are also worshipped.
Lucknow Festival
The Lucknow Festival held in the months of November-December
captures the undying elegance and splendours of Awadh,
now Lucknow. A brilliant showcase of the arts, crafts,
and above all the heavenly cuisine of this land, the
festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This festival celebrates Lucknow's living culture.
The capital city of Uttar Pradesh is alight with excitement
during this ten day long event. Colourful processions,
traditional dramas, Kathak dances in the style of the
famous Lucknow gharana, sarangi and sitar recitals alongwith
ghazals, qawalis and thumri create a festive atmosphere.
Exciting events like ekka races, kite flying, cock fighting
and other traditional village games recreate an atmosphere
of Awadh's nawabi days.
Shitla Ashtami, which falls on eight
day after Holi, is devoted to the goddess of small-pox,
followed by Ram Navami on Chaitra Sudi Navami, commemorating
the birth of Lord Rama; Baisakhi Purnima, a big bathing
day; Bargadee Amavasya in Jaistha Dussehra, another
great bathing day; Guru Purnima in Asadh when Vyas Puja
is held and Nag Panchami dedicated to the worship of
the Snake God, Shesha.
Janmashtami is the most important
Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Krishna.
This festival is followed by Hartalika Teej, Ganesh
Chaturthi, Anant Chaturdashi, and Pitra Visarjan Amavasya
devoted to making of oblations to the pitras (dead ancestors)
and is called Pitra Paksha.
Bharat Milap which is celebrated during
the month of October or November is performed at Nati
Imli on the day following Vijayadashmi (Dusshera). It
pertains to the episode of the return of Lord Rama to
Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and his reunion with
his brother Bharat. Just as the last rays of the setting
sun touch the stage, the performance takes barely three
minutes to enact.
MUSLIM FESTIVALS
The most solemn and colourful Muslim function held
in the state is Muharram, commemorating the martyrdom
of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. In
all cities and towns Muslims take out impressive processions
of colourfully decorated tazias, replicas of the martyr's
tomb at Karbala. The most solemn and impressive Muharram
is observed in Lucknow, where gold and silver replicas
of old Nawabi times are brought out and men beat their
breasts in mourning constantly until blood oozes out.
The two Imambaras and Shah Najaf are beautifully illuminated
for two days. An impressive event is a fire-walking
feat held in one of the Imambaras. After the burial
of the tazias on the tenth day, a gathering of mourners
in utter darkness is held, known as Majlis Sham-i-Ghariban,
one of the most soul-stirring events among Muharram
observances. The other occasions of religious importance
for Muslims are Id-Ul-Fitr, Ramzan (a month devoted
to fasting), Chehlum, Bara Wafat, Shah-i-Barat and Id-Uz-Zuha.
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