Vatta Poornima

Makar-Sankrant

Napanchami 


Vatta Poornima
This occasion is specially for married women (typical Marathi called Suvashini, Saubhagyavati). Women worship the banyan tree in religious manner keeping whole day fast. They pray for long life of their husband.

The legend behind the banyan tree; is the story of Satyavan and Savitri. The story goes that Satyavan and Savitri were married. It had been foretold that Satyavan would die early. One day, Satyavan, after cutting the morning firewood, felt tired and lay his head down on Savitri's lap under a banyan tree. Savitri knew that the predicted end was near and waited fearfully for one of the messengers of Yama, the God of Death. When the messenger came, Savitri refused to give up her husband and sent him packing. Messenger after messenger tried to take Satyavan away, but in vain. Finally, Yama himself appeared before her. Since she was still adamant, he offered her a boon. She asked for the well being of her in-laws. He granted it to her. She then followed him as he took Satyavan's body away. He offered her another boon. She now asked for the well being of her parents. This boon, too, was granted. But she was relentless, and continued to follow him. As they approached Yama's abode, he offered her a final boon. She asked for a son. He granted it. She then asked him how it would be possible for her to beget sons without her husband. Yama was trapped and had to return her husband.
On the strength of this legend, married women pray to the banyan tree for the long life of their husbands and for children. Their fast is observed right through the night till the next morning.

Makhar-Sankrant
This festival is on the 14th of January. Sankrant means the passing of the sun from one Zodiac sign to the other which marks the Sun's passage from the Tropic of Dhanu (Sagittarius) to Makar (Capricon). People celebrate it by giving "Tilguls" & specially made sweet "Laddos" made of sesame and jaggery to each other & even if possible by flying kites. In typical marathi the saying goes "Tilgul ghya aani god bola" i.e. take this tilgul & be sweet & kind to each other.

This festival is specially for women. Women wore beautiful saries & Jewelries, visit all neighbor families, also give invitation to other known ladies for  "Haldi-Kunku" ceremony. Thus ladies enjoy the day offering sweets & chatting.

Nagpanchami
This festival is also called as Shraavan Shukla Paksha Panchami. It is celebrated on fifth day after New Moon. Statue of King Cobra is worshipped with Milk, Haldi-kumkum. Usually, it is said that wandering snake charmers visit homes with their pet cobras. Each household offers milk to the reptile and haldi-kumkum. A special fare called JATRA is organised in which people of all age group enjoy it with games & eating. Specially ladies play many kind of games.

Diwali
Ganesh Festival
Dassera
Gudipadwa
Navratri Festival
Holi
Gokul Ashtami
Sankasti Chaturthi
Shivaji Jayanti
Gurunanak Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti
Ambedkar Jayanti
M. Gandhi Jayanti
Ram-Navmi
Christmas/Nataal
Easter Sunday
Independence Day
Id-E-Milad
Maharashtra Day
Republic Day
Parsi New Year
Mahashivratri
Pola
Ratha Saptami
Narali Pournima
Kojagiri Pournima
Vatta Pornima
Makhar-Sankrant
Nagpanchami
Palkhi

About Pune | 24 Hours Pune | Travel Pune | Picnic Spots | Educational Pune | Pune District | Pune's Pride
Movies-Dramas | Entertainment | Pune Dating | Buy-Sell | E-Cards | E-Shopping | Home services | Ask Us
Women | Kids | Jokes | Chat | Matrimonial | SMS Fun | Article | Pune Album | Market Rate | India-Glance


View/Sign Guest Book  |  Mail This Site To Friend  |  Thanks To | Contact PuneDiary  |  Place Ad  |  About Us
We Value Your Feed Back | Donate Blood Save Live | Submit Site | Winners

Site Best Viewed With Internet Explorer at 800*600 Resolution.
© Copyright ( Registration No. SW-768/2002 Diary No. 458/2001-CO/SW )
All Rights Reserved  No Part of this site , Including photocopy is permitted to copy or  translate in any  language ,
without prior permission in writing from
punediary.com ( World Web Solutions )