Happy Republic Day

National Flag

The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. In the centre of the white band is a navy-blue wheel which represents the chakra.

The top saffron colour, indicates the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The green shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.

Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes. The design of the National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947.

It is really amazing to see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its first inception. It was discovered or recognised during our national struggle for freedom. The evolution of the Indian National Flag sailed through many vicissitudes to arrive at what it is today.

Happy Republic Day- 66th Celebration

Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950.

A salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National Flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on that day. Thereafter 26^th of January was decreed a national holiday and was recognised as the Republic Day of India.

The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to choose their own government and paved the way for democracy. Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in Government House and this was followed by the Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the National Flag.

Army Day

Army Day in India is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year on 15th of January. It has been started celebrating to respect the Lieutenant General of India, K. M. Cariappa (Kodandera Madappa Cariappa) who was the first Indian Army’s Commander-in-Chief. It is celebrated every year at all the Army Command headquarters and national capital by organizing army parades including many other military shows.

Army Day 2015

Army day 2015 would be celebrated on 15th of January, at Thursday. It would be celebrated as the 67th Indian Army day in the national capital.

Why Army Day is Celebrated

It is celebrated to pay homage and salute to the courageous and brave Indian soldiers who have been sacrificed their lives for protecting the country. Indian Arny General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was succeeded the British Army General Roy Butcher and became the first Commander-in-Chief of the independent India.

Indian Army soldiers are always ready to fight with all the hard times at Indian borders as well as with the natural disasters. They courageously face all the challenges and difficulties come their way to save the nation and people.

Army Day Celebration

Indian army plays a great and big role during the disaster situations in the country as they are dedicated to the country to become the War Winning Team. The day was decided to be celebrated as the army day in India to start paying tribute to the sacrificed Indian army soldiers at the “Amar Jawan Jyoti” at India Gate in New Delhi.

After paying homage, an excellent parades including military shows takes place to indicate the new technologies and accomplishments in the Indian Army. Bravery awards including Unit credentials and Sena Medals are distributed at this great occasion.

At the Army Day celebration in Jammu and Kashmir, serving army personnel get the bravery and famed service awards (Sena medals, Vishist Seva medals and etc). The day has been marked to memorize the daring and bold Indian soldiers who lost their lives while protecting their nation.

Army Day Parade

Army day parade during the army day celebration is carried out by the Indian army soldiers (Indian army bands) which involves the exhibition of BLT T-72, T-90 tanks, Brahmos Missile, carrier Mortar Tracked Vehicle, 155 MM Soltum Gun, Advanced Light Helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps and etc.

Serving Indian armies take a pledge at this day to maintain their service and protect the nation from enemies whether they are foreign or domestic.

Wish you all Happy Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Lohari ...

Approved Festivals for Grant of Festival Advance for 2015 ( AP Circle )

Navratri Special: 9 colours to wear on each day of the festival and their importance

The Navratri festival and Durga Puja is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga or her avatars and celebrated all round the globe. Navratri 2014 begins on September 25 and this festival is celebrated for nine nights and most importantly nine forms of the Devi are worshipped.

On Navratri, each Goddess of Navadurga is worshipped and puja begins with Shailputri Maa and ends with Siddhidhatri Mata. Dussehra falls on the 10th day and is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra. Every year on Navratri eve, devotees are excited to know the list of nine different colours that they are supposed to wear on each day of the festival. We provide you a list of the nine colours of Navratri 2014 to be worn by devotees as well as Goddess Durga with their significance:

First Day – Ghatasthapana / Pratipada (25 September, 2014) – YELLOW

Shailaputri Maa is the first amongst Navadurga which is worshipped. On the first day of Navratri, this Goddess is dressed in a ‘Grey‘ saree and on Ghatasthapana which is done that is installation of earthen pot. The colour to wear on the first day for devotees is ‘Yellow‘.

Second Day – Dwitiya (26 September, 2014) – GREEN

Bharmacharini is the second form of mother goddess which is worshipped on the second day. It is believed that this goddess enlightens elegant forms with great power, divine and spiritual grace. The goddess is dressed in ‘Orange’ attire. The colour of the day for devotees to wear on this auspicious day is ‘Green‘.

Third Day – Tritiya (27 September, 2014) – GREY

Chandraghanta is the third appearance of the goddess who symbolises peace, serenity, beauty and bravery in one’s life. She is decorated with a ‘White‘ saree and on the third day of Navratri. Aswayuja Shukla Thadiya is done that is Gauri Vrata. Sindhoor Tritiya Sowbhagya Teej is observed on this day. ‘Grey‘ is the colour of the day for devotees.

Fourth Day – Chaturthi (28 September, 2014) – ORANGE

Kushmanda is the fourth form of goddess that is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. She is mainly considered as the creator of the universe. Mother goddess is drape with ‘Red‘ coloured saree and on this day Bhouma Chaturthi is followed. The colour for the fourth day is ‘Orange‘.

Fifth Day – Panchami (29 September, 2014) – WHITE

Skandamata is a face of Maa Durga always known for demolishing the demons. She is dressed in a ‘Blue’ saree and on this day and the Upang Lalitha Gauri Vrata is observed. On the fifth day of Navratri that is known as Panchami, devotees are supposed to wear ‘White’.

Sixth Day – Shashti (30 September, 2014) – RED

Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. She is regarded as an avatar of Goddess Durga. She is dressed in ‘Yellow‘ attire on the sixth day of Navratri and when Maha Shashti is celebrated. People are supposed to wear ‘Red‘ on this day.

Seventh Day – Saptami – (1 October, 2014) – BLUE

Kaalratri is the seventh figure of Goddess Durga and is supposed to protect all her devotees from trouble and evil and grant them with freedom and happiness. The goddess on this day is supposed to be adorned with a ‘Green‘ coloured saree. Maha Saptami is the beginning of Utsava Puja and the colour of the day must be ‘Blue‘ for devotees.

Eighth Day – Ashtami (2 October, 2014) – PINK

Maha Gauri is worshipped on the eighth day and is regarded for forgiving her devotees’ sins and helping them to get purified. the goddess is dressed in ‘Peacock Green‘ colour on Durga Ashtami. On this day, Saraswati Mata Puja is done whole-heartedly and ‘Pink‘ is regarded as the colour of the day for all.

Ninth Day/ Tenth Day – Navami / Dashmi / Dussehra (3 October, 2014) – PURPLE

Siddhidatri is the form of Maa Durga for the ninth day of Navratri and is known to have great supernatural powers. This miraculous goddess is dressed in ‘Purple‘ attire and Maha Navami puja is done. Kanya puja is also done on this auspicious day, giving importance to females. ‘Purple‘ is the colour of the day for ardent devotees as well. This year, Navami and Dashmi / Dussehra fall on the same day that is October 3.

Happy Navratri to all out there, celebrate the nine days with great fun and enthusiasm!

via:-http://www.india.com

Garba Folk Dances of Gujarat

Garba Dance is a popular folk Dance of Gujarat. It is a circular form of dance performed by ladies on the Navaratri days, Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchami, Holi and such other festive occasions. The basics of the dance are singing and clapping rhythmically while going round the goddess.

Garba is the leading dance of women in Gujarat. The Garba dance is performed throughout nine nights of Navaratri. The actual performance begins at night after the women finish their house hold work. All gather at street corners.

Women folk come out into the open and with perforated earthen pots holding lighted lambs poised on the head sing, clap. Garba songs are mostly in praise of Mother Goddess Amba. The rhythm is kept by a Dholi or drummer who sit in the centre.
The costumes and the instruments used during these folkdances are also typical folk costumes which mostly consist of a short coat called Kedia with tight sleeves with embroidered borders and shoulders, tight trousers like the Churidars and colourfully embroidered caps or coloured turbans and a coloured waist band.

Instruments

Damru, Tabla, Nagara, pot drum, percussion, Ektaro, Ravan hattho, Jantar, Pavo, shehani, murli, turi, and taturi

Deepavali - The Festival Of Lights

Diwali, popularly called Deepavali in some parts of India, is a festival which we all long for every year. The preparations for Deepavali start long before the festival date. The victory of Good over Evil is the reason for celebrating Diwali. This festival is celebrated to mark the return of Rama to Ayodhya after his defeat of Ravana. First, the excitement for us would be the new dresses that are bought to be worn for Deepavali. Since Deepavali is a festival for more than 2 days, we have 2 or 3 new dresses. Apart from this all elders visiting us buy us sweets and dresses also. Jeans, T shirts, Trousers and shirts were all bought for me by my parents. The other major excitement for Deepavali is the bursting of crackers and fireworks. This year we were taught in school not to burst crackers, as it causes pollution. Hence, we avoided bursting any Sparklers, Rockets, Ground Chakkars and Flower pots .

The third rejoicing aspect of Deepavali is the eating of sweets. We visit relatives and friends with sweets and snacks. They also visit us with sweets and snacks. We seek their blessings on the festival day. Gulab jamun, Laddoos, Halwas and Kaju cakes were my favorites. Lots of people also start new ventures on this day after performing Lakshmi Puja. This is marked by lighting of lamps, candles and diyas by the women folk in the family. The light and colour add to the celebrations.

In all, I can say that Deepavali is the brightest festival to be celebrated in India. The delicious food associated with the feast makes us feel that this festival must come more often in a year.

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY

REPUBLIC DAY

India became independent of the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. India did not have a permanent constitution at this time. The drafting committee presented the constitution's first draft to the national assembly on November 4, 1947. The national assembly signed the final English and Hindi language versions of the constitution on January 24, 1950.

India's constitution came into effect on Republic Day, January 26, 1950. This date was chosen as it was the anniversary of Purna Swaraj Day, which was held on January 26, 1930.The constitution gave India's citizens the power to govern themselves by choosing their own government. Dr Rajendra Prasad took oath as India's first president at the Durbar Hall in the Government House, followed by a residential drive along a route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled India's national flag. Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor across India.