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	<title>Festivals of India</title>
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	<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com</link>
	<description>Know about rich culture, traditions and Festivals of India</description>
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		<title>Gangaur Festival of Rajasthan</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/west-india-festivals/gangaur-festival-of-rajasthan/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/west-india-festivals/gangaur-festival-of-rajasthan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:30:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Rajasthan Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West India Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gangaur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hindu Festivals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1302</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[‘Poojan dyo gangaur, o sa mahne poojan dyo gangaur…’ When these melodious Marwari lyrics are floating in the air, no prize for guessing, the beautiful Marwari women, all adorned, are ready to celebrate the most important and the most anticipated festival of Rajasthan – Gangaur. The vibrant, vivid, richly cultured, princely state of India – Rajasthan celebrates Gangaur in the month of Chaitra, which is the first month of the Hindu calendar or in the month of March-April according to the Gregorian calendar. This 18 days long festival of Rajasthan begins as soon as we bid adieu to the colourful festival of Holi. Gangaur Fetsival 2013 This year, Gangaur festival will be celebrated on 13 April 2013 Legend behind Gangaur Festival of Rajasthan ‘Gan’ is synonyms to lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ is for his companion/wife Gauri or goddess Parvati. Gauri is the epitome of devotion, love, marital bliss and longevity. It is believed that Gauri comes to her maiden home from her husband’s home and the celebrations begin. Women and girls worship Gauri during these 18 days. They principally pray for their husbands, they also pray for monsoon, sufficient harvesting, marital fidelity, prosperity, well-being and safety of their family members, [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Makar Sankranti</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/makar-sankranti/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/makar-sankranti/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:01:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hindu Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harvest Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Makar Sankranti]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1289</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Makar Sankranti is one of the major harvest festivals of India and is the first big festival celebrated in a year. It is celebrated all over India though with different names. It is called Uttarayan in Rajasthan and Gujarat; Maghi in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh; Pongal in Tamil Nadu; Bhagali Bihu in Assam; Shishur Saenkraat in Kashmir; Makara Vilakku in Kerala; Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh; Paush Parbon in West Bengal; and Makar Sankranti in rest of the states in India. What is Makar Sankranti Festival? The term &#8216;Sankranti&#8217; in Hindu astrology refers to the movement of sun from one Rashi (zodiac sign) to another Rashi. Makar (Capricorn) is one of the 12 Rashis. When the sun migrates from Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius) to Makar Rashi (Capricorn), it moves from Dakshinayan (South) towards Uttarayan (North). Thus the names Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan both represents the celestial significance of this festival. Traditionally, Makar Sankranti is one of the harvest festivals of India which is celebrated with great zeal through culture and area specific rituals all over the country. Apart from being a harvest festival, Makar Sankranti is also considered as the beginning of an auspicious phase. It ends the inauspicious phase which begins [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Dussehra</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/dussehra/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/dussehra/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:05:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hindu Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dussehra]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1265</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dussehra 2013 Date 14 October 2013 Dussehra is one of the major festivals of India- the festival that celebrates victory of good over evil, the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. It not only represents this mythological victory of Lord Rama depicted in Ramayana but also make people remember each year that bad cannot survive for a long and that the evil in oneself should be killed by the virtues to lead a peaceful and happy life. The physical representaion of this philosophy each year can be seen in the burning effigy of the ten headed Ravana. &#160; When is Dussehra Celebrated? Dussehra is celebrated on the day just after the Navratri and Durga Puja festivals in the Hindu month of Ashwin (October/November). It falls on the day of Ashwin Shukla Dashami (tenth day of the brighter half of Ashwin month) and thus is also known as Vijaya Dashami where &#8216;Vijaya&#8217; indicates the victory of Rama over Ravana and &#8216;Dashami&#8217; is the tenth day. Dussehra Date 2013- This year, Dussehra will be celebrated on 14 October 2013. &#160; How is Dussehra Celebrated? The preparation for Dussehra celebrations begin days before the actual date of Vijaya Dashami. Tall [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Navratri</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/navratri/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/navratri/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:12:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gujarat Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hindu Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Durga Puja]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gujarat Festival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Navratri]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1250</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Navratri Dates 2013 Navaratri in 2013 will be celebrated during 5-12 October 2013 Navratri Ghatsthapana- October 5, 2013 Navratri Chandra Darshan- October 6, 2013 Navratri Sindoor Tritiya- October 7, 2013 Navratri Varad Vinayak Chaturthi and Lalit Panchami- October 8, 2013 Navratri Upang Lalita Vrat &#8211; Lalitha Panchami- October 9, 2013 Navratri Saraswati Awahan- October 10, 2013 Navratri Saraswathi Puja &#8211; Maha Lakshmi Puja- October 11, 2013 Navratri Mahashtami &#8211; Annapoorna Parikrama- October 12, 2013 Navratri Mahanavami- October 13, 2013 The tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami Navratri meaning nine nights (nava= nine; ratri=nights) is a nine day long festival to celebrate the nine forms of Goddess Durga. People in India worship Durga for her &#8216;Shakti&#8217; or power that made her conquer the buffalo demon Mahishasura that gave her the name &#8216;Mahishasura Mardini&#8217; (the Annihilator of Mahishasura). This festival represents victory of good over evil and through all its rituals and traditional celebrations, Navratri symbolises with the essence of conquering one&#8217;s evils with the goodness of one&#8217;s soul. Sharad Navratri Every year this Sharad Navratri is observed for nine nights starting on the first day of the bright half of Ashwin month (September/October). It is called Sharad Navaratri [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Mahalaya</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/east-india-festivals/bengal-festivals/mahalaya/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/east-india-festivals/bengal-festivals/mahalaya/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:42:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bengal Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bengali Festival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Durga Puja]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[East India Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mahalaya]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1236</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mahalaya Date 2013 4 October 2013 Mahalaya (মহালযা) is the day when countdown to Durga Puja begins- six days before the grand Mahashasthi when Goddess Durga is awakened to the five days extravagant worshipping and festivities! Mahalaya is an auspicious day which marks &#8216;Agomoni&#8217;- the advent of Durga. Durga Agomoni can be understood as a kind of invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth through Mahalaya songs that fill the predawn hours of the day. Everyone in Bengali homes seem to invite their dear Maa Durga by reciting such songs as &#8220;Jago Tumi Jago&#8221; (O Mother! Please be awaken!). The whole atmosphere becomes holy and serene due to chanting of mantras and echoeing devotional songs everywhere. When is Mahalaya Celebrated? Mahalaya is celebrated on the last day of &#8216;Pitrupaksha&#8217; (the fortnight dedicated to pay homage to ancestors) which also marks the beginning of &#8216;Devipaksha&#8217; (the fortnight of Devi or Goddess Durga). Mahalaya falls on Amavasya or the new moon day of Ashwin month which corresponds with the English months of September/ October. Mahalaya 2013 Date- This year, Mahalaya falls on 4 October 2013. How is Mahalaya Celebrated? &#8211; The Rituals As Mahalaya marks the end of &#8216;Pitri Paksha&#8217; &#8211; [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Durga Puja</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/east-india-festivals/bengal-festivals/durga-puja/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/east-india-festivals/bengal-festivals/durga-puja/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 Sep 2012 11:32:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bengal Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bengali Festival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Durga Puja]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[East India Festivals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1213</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Durga Puja Dates 2013 Durga Puja during 9-13 October 2013 Mahalaya- 4 October, 2013 Maha Sasthi- 9 October, 2013 Maha Saptami- 10 October, 2013 Maha Astami- 11 October, 2013 Maha Nabami- 12 October, 2013 Maha Dasami- 13 October, 2013 Durga Puja is the most dear and biggest festival of Bengal. Durga Pujo (দুর্গা পুজো ) or simply &#8216;Pujo&#8217;, as it is called in Bengal, is one of the important aspect of a common Bengali without which life seems to be incomplete! Durga Puja is a way of life for a Bengali. The statement might look an exaggeration but it is a fact- Durga Puja is not only a religious festival for a Bengali, it is also a major, in fact, biggest socio-cultural-artistic festival of Bengal. During Durga Puja, the life of people here comes to a standstill for 5 days and everything becomes &#8216;Durgmoyee&#8217; (indulged in Durga)! So, what is it? What is Durga Puja? What is Durga Puja? Durga Puja is a festival to worship &#8216;Maa Durga&#8217;- the Goddess Durga revered as Mother of all. It is the biggest festival of West Bengal where it is also referred to as Durgotsava (দুর্গোত্সব ), Akalbodhan (অকালবোধন ), Sharadiya Pujo (শারদীয পুজো ), [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lord Ganesh Birth Story</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/legends-stories/lord-ganesha-birth-story/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/legends-stories/lord-ganesha-birth-story/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:20:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Legends Stories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ganesh Birth Story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ganesh Chaturthi]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1195</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Lord Ganesha is one of the dearest gods of Hindus. Lord Ganesha is worshipped by every Hindu before doing any auspicious work or even before worshipping other gods and goddesses and his festival Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the major festivals of India. God Ganesha is especially popular among the kids too who love to listen to the stories that tell about Lord Ganesha- their cute elephant headed god! Why is this Elephant God worshipped so much and before every work? The answer to this question lies in the birth story of Ganesh itself. Ganesh Birth Story Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Parvati had done great tapasya (performed penance) to get Shiva as her husband as is known from the story of Marriage of Shiva and Shakti Parvati had left all luxuries of life when she married Shiva and came to live with him on Mount Kailas. One day she asked Nandi, the most devoted bull and vehicle of Shiva, to guard while she bathed. She strictly instructed Nandi not to allow anybody in. However, when Lord Shiva came home, Nandi could not ask his master not to enter his own home. Parvati was very [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ganesh Chalisa</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/devotional-songs/ganesh-chalisa/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/devotional-songs/ganesh-chalisa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:14:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Devotional Songs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devotional Materials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ganesh Chalisa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ganesh Chaturthi]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1182</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ganesh Chalisa (गणेश चालीसा) meaning &#8216;Forty Chaupais (चौपाई) on Lord Ganesha is a devotional song praising the Hindu Elephant God Ganesha. Shree Ganesha Chalisa can be called a poem which is written in Awadhi language. Written by Sundardaasa, Ganesh Chalisa draws a character sketch of Lord Ganesha as the supreme intelligent and kind god who removes all the obstacles that come in way of His devotees&#8217; success. It also narrates the birth story of Ganesha and the legend of severing of His head by His father Lord Shiva. Ganesh Chalisa is recited by His devotees everday when they pray their God. The Chalisa becomes all the more special during Ganesh Chaturthi- the festival of Ganpati Bappa! Sundardasa, the author of Ganesh Chalisa, completed it in the month of Bhadra in Vikrama Samvat 2014-15 (AD 1953)- the same month when Ganesh Chaturthi is observed. Here you will find Ganesh Chalisa text in both Hindi and English. You will also be able to see and listen Ganesh Chalisa song video. Ganesh Chalisa In Hindi &#8211; हिन्दी गणेश चालीसा &#124;&#124; दोहा &#124;&#124; जय गणपति सदगुणसदन, करिवर बदन कृपाल। विघ्न हरण मंगल करण,जय जय गिरिजा लाल॥ &#160; &#124;&#124; चौपाई &#124;&#124; जय जय जय गणपति [...]]]></description>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ganesh Chaturthi</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/ganesha-chaturthi/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/community-festivals/hindu-festivals/ganesha-chaturthi/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:24:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hindu Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Maharashtra Festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ganesh Chaturthi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[West India festival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1171</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ganesha Chaturthi 2013 Date 9 September 2013 Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) is the birth festival of the Elephant God of Hindus known by numerous names, most famous ones being Ganesha, Vinayaka, and Ganapati. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is said that on the day of Ganesh chaturthi, Lord Vinayaka bestows his presence on the earth for blessing all his devotees. Although Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular festivals of India, it is celebrated with extra zeal in Maharashtra. Celebration of Ganesh Chatirthi in Mumbai and Pune are famous all around the world. This festival of Ganpati is also celebrated widely in Goa (Vinayak Chavithi) and the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu, it is known as Vinayagar festival. When is Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrated? Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the 4th day (Chaturthi) of the bright half of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September). In fact, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the beginning of 10 days long Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja (worship) which ends on the day of &#8216;Ananta Chaturdashi&#8217; (the 14th day of the bright half of Bhadrapada month). Ganesha Chaturthi 2013 Date Ganesha chaturthi in 2013 will [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Krishna Songs Bhajans</title>
		<link>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/devotional-songs/krishna-songs-bhajans/</link>
		<comments>http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/devotional-songs/krishna-songs-bhajans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2012 09:32:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Deepa Roy</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Devotional Songs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aarti Bhajan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Devotional Materials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Janmashtami]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://aboutfestivalsofindia.com/?p=1153</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Krishna is so charming and his childhood is like a magical story that casts a spell on those who hear it! Shri Krishna Janmashtami is the delightful celebration of the birth of Lord Shri Krishna which is made equally magical with the soulful Krishna songs and bhajans sung by his devotees all through the day. There are many Krishna songs that depict the childhood stories of baby Krishna that give a glimpse of the mischievous nature of Hindus&#8217; favourite god. Some of these songs of Krishna are more popular than others and are sung as bhajans (devotional songs) on the day of Janmashtami. One of such Krishna song is the famous &#8216;Hathi Ghoda Palki, jai Kanhaiya lal ki&#8217; which describes the joy and delight of people when Krishna was born in Gokul. This is, however, a different issue that Krishna was actually born in Mathura and brought to Gokul as described in the Birth Story of Krishna. This bhajan of Krishna is inevitably sung at midnight on Janmashtami when Krishna takes birth in every temple (as a ritual). Another very popular Krishna song is the &#8216;Chhoti Chhoti Gaiyaa, Chhote Chhote Gwaal&#8217; which describes the love of Krishna towards the cows [...]]]></description>
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