Festivals in India

Sri Ram - The ideal man Avatar (Maryada Purushottam)

About Sri Ram

Sri Ram - the lifeline of Hindus and most popular of all deities was the seventh incarnation of Vishnu. A great warrior, ideal king & ideal son's purpose was to show how people should act in life. To set an inspiration among all, Sri Ram took avatar with limitations as a human. Ram has to undergo pain, fear and desperation to set an example of how patienly we can overcome it following dharma. Still in India, Sri Ram is recited from greetings to death rituals of a person. Sri Ram is religiously followed all over in Hinduism.

The Story of Sri Ram

Sri Ram, An Avatar of Vishnu was born in Treta Yug in Ayodhya province as the son of Dashrath & Kaushalya. Dashrath has three queen consorts - Kaushalya, Sumitra & Kaikeyi & four child - Ram, Laxman, Bharat & Shatrughan. After there marriage, Dashrath thought to crown Ram but Kaikeyi reminded Dashrath of two boons and asked him to crown his son Bharat & banish Ram on exile. The story of Ram is about the exile with his consort Sita & Laxman. Ravana - the demon king abducted Sita, Ram met Hanuman & formed an army to conquer Ravana & got back his wife Sita. They all returned to Ayodhya & Ram become the righteous King. Still today the Ram's empire (Ram Rajya) is hailed and Ram has become an eternal lifeline for all the race. The Story of Ram is mainly mentioned in great epics - Ramayana & Ramcharitmanas. The legend of Sri Ram is deeply influential and popular in the societies of the Indian subcontinent and across South East Asia.

Hinduism - A way of life

Hinduism is a dominant & the oldest religion of faith in South Asia, mostly India and Nepal. More than religion, it is a way of living. Many philosophies, many traditions, many Gods, many languages, numerous casts, creeds but Unity in Diversity - Vasudev Kutumbakam. Hinduism is a practice & main religion is referred as 'Sanatana Dharma' - The Eternal Law of Righteousness. This law suggests finding the truth within, self-realization & seeking wisdom. Hinduism is sometimes called "Framework of Spirituality", "Mother of all religions" as we can see all other religions are virtually influenced.

As per the Hindu philosophy, universe undergoes regular creation and destruction. Hence Space & Time are of cyclic nature. Everything is constantly changing and every creation will be destroyed. Birth of Universe is Brahma, followed by Life as Vishnu and Death as Shiva. Om (ॐ) is the first sound & origin of all creation.

Hindu Beliefs

Main objective of human life
Purushartha which has four goals - Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha

Laws of Karma and Dharma
Ultimate law of 'Cause and Effect'. Your destiny is your thoughts today.

Reincarnation and Liberation
All living things have souls which reincarnates and liberates due to Karma.

Vedas and Brahmans
Divine text of God with Cosmic hymns, incantations, and rituals. Ancient Indian texts.

Hindu Practices

Rituals
Puja, Bhakti, Chanting Mantras, Vedic Hymns, Prayers, Yagya, Hawana, Vrat(Fast), Pilgrimage

Rites
Solah Sanskar, rites from Pregnancy to Shradh including Upnayana, Vivah & Antim sanskar

Festivals
Ceremonies with Spiritual themes using Lunar calendar based on Hindu Mythology like Diwali

Yoga
Art of uniting Soul with Supreme through Meditation & Postures using mind & consciousness

Sacred Literatures and Books

Vedas

The most sacred and ancient Indian texts are collection of Hymns & religious text in Sanskrit.

Upanishads

Upanishads are mystic teachings, expounding the Vedic philosophy by teacher to pupils sitting down.

Puranas

Puranas are encyclopaedic collection of myth, legend, and genealogy of deities & saints.

Bhagwad Gita

Profound teachings to inspire & transpire the conciousness to attain spiritual wisdom.

Ramcharitmanasa

An epic scripture & poetic classic in Awadhi by Tulsidas ji. Its the lifeline of Indian culture.

Ramayana

A Sanskrit epic poem by Maharishi Valmiki. Its about the divine life & deeds of Sri Ram

Mahabharata

An epic poetry of Ancient India about shaping our way of life, relations, spirituality & wisdom

Srimad Bhagavat

An epic about the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, their teachings and spiritual wisdom.

Festivals in India

India has a rich and varied culture and heritage. Every third day in India is a festival and hence cultural India is a very Colourful India. The vastness of India separates with religion and united with culture, hence we follow "Vasudheva Kutumbakam" (Whole world is a family) and "Unity in Diversity".