The Festival of Memories - Vishu 2013.

The Festival of Memories - Vishu 2013.

വിഷു നവ വത്സര ആശംസകൾ

Sunday, April 14^th 2013. 

We, the Krishna Family  wishes you, your family and friends a happy, healthy and prosperous Varsha Pratipada- New Year and Vishu.

SWEETO Family`s Vishu And New Year Celebrations, 
Vishu Kineetam And Vishu Sadiya.

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Vishu Kineetam And Vishu Sadiya.

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The Festival of Memories - Vishu 2013.

Vishu is a festival of nostalgic memories and they are invariably associated with our childhood . Those memories are as golden as the ‘Kani Konna flower’

'Vishu' in sanskrit  means 'equal' or when day becomes equal to night, possibly denoting the equinox when this festival originated. The Malayalam New year as per  solar calender is celebrated around 14th or 15th of April every year.  The first of day of  Malayalam year (as per older tradition) or Medam 1st  falls on one of these days when the sun transits to the zodiac sign Aries (Medam). Sun enters Mesha, which is the Lagna or the birth sign of Kaal Purusha, the personification of 'Time', which we experience due to the movement of sun (Now, it is the movement of earth!) and  its resultant effect of  "Dishas", four sides and division of space, Varna or colours painted on vegetations by sunlight, Rasas or the secretions or juices filled in plants (and animals feeding on them) due to climatic seasons ( Rithus). Sun is the source for the diversity of life and  cyclic nature of earthly processes. There is a belief that Lord Brahma chose ‘Vishu” day as the right day for creation. Incidentally Vishu concides with many other festivals in India like 'Gudi Padva', 'Bihu', 'Ugadhi', 'Baisakhi' etc. Vishu also marks the beginning of sowing season in Kerala.

Distance, time and era may have diminished the dazzle of festivities. But it has in no way diminished our spirit that soars  high on every Vishu. 

The Vishupakshi still heralds the arrival of a good day,  sitting in the dreary “sit-out” of the flat, one’s memory flies back to his native village  (with paddy fields and tall-standing coconut trees) where he as a small boy roamed free along with play-mates, in a world that had no fences or walls! Feeling sad about the children, who are denied of those pleasures of the past? Agriculture once the mainstay has become a thing of the past! People live as birds packed in a nest, and big wall arose between houses and hearts. Children reduced to pawns in the games elders play and with no time to play! 

It is presumed that the first sight one see on Vishu day will have its impact for the whole year that follows! To let the children see this 'Kani” (“ka” pronounced as in “cut” and “ni” as in “Pony”) elder ones especially mother blind fold their eyes and lea d them before the lamp, makes them to stand with folded hands and then only to open eyes! All sorts of fresh fruits and Sri Krishna clad in yellow clothes with his favourite flute close to his lips and decorated with all flowers mother could collect, presents a sight before the child which may last till the next Vishu!.  There is no God as glamorous as Krishna!!!!!

The sight of golden hues and silky softness of konnapoo continues to permeate peace and happiness. 
Surely, the melody of Vishu is not a vanishing one. 

Indian Association Ibadan, HOLI 2013.

Indian Association Ibadan, HOLI 2013.
Indian Association Ibadan, celebration of our  HOLI festivals 2013.on the 7th of April, 2013 at FUN PALACE, No.702 B, Behind Grand Serene Hotel, Iyaganku G.R.A, Ibadan

Holi 2013@ICA Ibadan, Nigeria.

Holi 2013, Wednesday, March 27.

FESTIVAL OF COLORS 2013
Here's our Google+ Web Album Click below to watch Festival of Colors -
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Indian Association Ibadan, HOLI 2013.
Indian Association Ibadan, celebration of our  HOLI festivals 2013.on the 7th of April, 2013 at FUN PALACE, No.702 B, Behind Grand Serene Hotel, Iyaganku G.R.A, Ibadan

“Hurray, the spring’s back! — HOLI HAI…..” – words strike on ears. At first, it does not click and then suddenly we figure out, “Oh! It is a Holi Festival!!!”. Holi! Indeed, it is a great spring festival. It falls in the Hindu month of Phalgun (Feb- March) that is right after the Vasant Panchami. The way Deepavali is a festival of lights, Holi is a festival of colors. Like all other festivals, Holi also has some legends associated with it. But one legend is quite interesting. Perhaps, the word ‘Holi’ is evolved from this legend. Let us look at it.

This legend is about the king Hiranyakashipu, his son – Prahlad and his sister – Holika. The king was a bad guy. He commanded everyone to worship him. But his little son Prahlad refused to do so. Instead he became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. King asked Holika to punish Prahlad. Holika, possessing the power to walk through fire unharmed, picked up Prahlad and walked into a fire. Prahlad, however, chanted the names of Lord Vishnu and was saved from the fire. Holika  perished because she did not know that her powers were only effective if she entered the fire alone.

Celebrations

Holi is celebrated in memory of the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. Child Krishna, Radha and his friends used to celebrate Holi by singing songs, enjoying swinging and sprinkling Gulal (colored powder) at each other. The same tradition is continued even today.

Holi is an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy, fun and of course, lots of bright colors to  make a festive graffiti on every heart. With winter neatly tucked up in the attic, it’s time to come out of our cocoons and enjoy this spring festival. The images of Krishna and his consort Radha are often carried through the streets on this day.

During Holi, images of Holika are burnt in keeping with the legend of Prahlad and Holika. The

evening is celebrated by lighting huge bonfires as part of the community celebration when people gather near the fire to fill the air with folk songs and dances. People clean their homes, remove all dirty articles from around the house and burn them. It is believed that disease-breeding bacteria are thereby destroyed and sanitary condition of the locality is improved. People take a little fire from this bonfire to their homes. They believe that their homes will be

rendered pure, and their bodies free from disease.

The next day is most energetic and fun. Everyone get set to paint each other in the colors of joy. Children, youth, men and women visit each other’s homes. Gulal are thrown into the air and smeared on each other’s faces and bodies. Pichkaris and water balloons are filled with colors and spurted onto people. Even, the enemies forget their enemity and embrace each other. The funny thing is that anybody can sprinkle colors on anybody. Nobody feels offended. In case, if

somebody feels offended, you can get away by saying, “Bura na mano, Holi hai!” (Don’t mind, it’s Holi!”). It is just like the April Fool’s Day. Young people pay their respects to elders by sprinkling some colors on their feet, some powder is also smeared on the faces of the deities, especially Krishna and Radha.

Holi has social importance too. The social aspect is the uniting of the great and the small, of the rich and the poor. It is also the uniting of equals. The festival teaches us to “let the dead bury the dead”. Holi also means “sacrifice”. Burn all the impurities of the mind, such as egoism, vanity and lust, through the fire of devotion and knowledge. Ignite cosmic love, mercy, generosity, selflessness, truthfulness and purity through the fire of Yogic practice. So! This is what Holi is! Nowadays, Holi is more social than religious. Festivals like Holi really help to keep the society united.

FESTIVAL OF COLORS 2013

Here's our Google+ Web Album Click below to watch Festival of Colors -

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FESTIVAL OF COLORS 2013

Here's our Google+ Web Album Click below to watch Festival of Colors -

Google+

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