Varanasi: The City of Fairs and Festivals By David H. Urmann At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Varanasi is the last pilgrimage spot for Hindus located on the left bank of the Ganga River along the Uttar Pradesh state. Their rich cultural traditions and heritage of Varanasi has made it the city of fairs and festivals.

Varanasi is known as the oldest living city in the world. It is also the culture capital of India. The place became the center for fairs and festivals by virtue of their cultural and religious importance. Festivals are celebrated almost every month. The celebration symbolizes life at its best with the dedication of Varanasi’s beliefs.

Varanasi is commonly known as Banaras or Banares. The city became the center for learning and civilization over 3000 years ago. Its culture is greatly associated with the river’s religious traditions. It has been the symbol for Hindu renaissance and devotion to the gods. People believed that the Ganges River has the power to wash away the sins of mortals. Hence, a person who dies on Varanasi would achieve freedom and salvation.

Many festivals are celebrated in high spirits. A huge number of foreigners visit the place in order to witness the significance of each fair.

Bharat Milap at Nati Imli
Bharat Milap is celebrated from October to November. The festival is held in regard of Lord Rama’s (the chief protagonist of Ramayana) return to Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile and his reunion with his brother, Bharat. The festival attracts millions of devotees in a whole day fair following Dussehra. The festival shows the profound love of the Lord Rama and Bharat and the victory of good over evil.

Buddh Purnima in Sarnath
Buddh Purnima is held in May celebrating Lord Gautam Buddha’s birth. This festival connotes the birth and death of Buddha on a full moon day. The relics of Buddha are taken out to view by the public on procession. Sarnath is the place for the large fair celebrated with rare abandon.

Ramlila of Ramnager
Ramlila is a month long feast with regards on Goswami Tulsida's Ramcharitmanas. A live show of ancient rituals or pantomime is presented in the form of Surpnakha Nasika Chedan, Dhanush Bhang and Ram Janmotsav. The two performances tackle the story of Lord Rama.

Dhrupad Mela
Dhrupad Mela is held every March. It is a 5-day musical festival performed by renowned artists. Tulsi Ghat is a popular place among tourists that come to experience the musical extravagance.

Hanumat Jayanti Janmotsav
Hanuman Jayanti Janmotsav is celebrated at Sankat Mochan Temple. It is a 5 day cultural and musical affair by Indian artists. The fair is based on Hanuman Charitra, Saraswati, Ram and Krishna Lila. It commemorates the birth of Hanuman (mythical character).

The Nakkatayya and Nah Nathaiya are other festivals in Varanasi which is dedicated for Rama and the Lord Krishna.

Nakkatyya – Chetganj
A stage play is reenacted showing the story of Ramayan during this festival. This is a story wherein her sister Surpnakha insisted to attract Laksman and Ram. The cutting of the nose of Surpnakha was enacted in a beautiful way onstage. Decorated lags are taken out for the occasion.

Nag Nathaiya
Nag Nathaiya is part of the Krishna Leela ceremony. It is a mythological tradition depicting the life episode of Lord Krishna jumping into the Ganga River for Nag Nathan. Nag Nathaiya’s origin can be traced back to the Mahabharata. The festival is held at Tulsi Ghat during the month of November to December.

Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva where a marriage procession of Lord Shiv is presented from Mahamritunjaya temple to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Around 50,000 to 60,000 people gather here to see this much loved festival. All the temples are decorated and devotees offer milk, songs, bhajans and hymns to create a sacred atmosphere.

Other fairs and festivals are the Panch Koshi Parikrama and Dev Deepavali (festival of lights). The pure and divine ambiance of the festivals attracts many people. The blessed city of Varanasi captivates many devotees, expressing their cultural tradition.

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