Another Holi Related Story

There is a famous legend that relates Kaamadeva, the love god of Indian mythology, to the festival of Holi. According to this story, Lord Shiva's consort Sati committed herself to fire due to disgrace shown by her father Daksha to Shiva. At the same time, Parvati (the daughter of the mountains), started meditating to acquire Shiva as her husband. All this added to Shiva's already reticent nature with the result that he renounced his worldly duties and went into deep meditation.

To bring Shiva back to his original self, the gods went to Kaamadeva. Even though he knew that he might have to suffer the consequences of troubling Lord Shiva, Kaamadeva agreed for the sake of the world. Kaamadeva is believed to have shot his love arrow on Lord Shiva to break his meditation and evoke his interest in worldly affairs. Kama's body was reduced to ashes by the force of an angry Shiva’s third eye, when he shot a flower-draped arrow at him to disrupt his penance. On the tearful requests of Kama's wife Rati, the lord restored him, but only as a mental image, representing true love rather than physical lust.

People of Tamil Nadu follow the tradition of worshiping Kaamadeva, the love god of Indian mythology on Holi. The Holi bonfire, also known as Kama-Dahanam is a celebration of this mythological event. In fact, in the state of Tamil Nadu, Holi is known by three different names - Kamavilas, Kaman Pandigai and Kama-Dahanam.

The Trend of Holi Colours – Natural to Synthetic to Organic

Abeer and Gulal are the names for traditional and naturally made Holi colours. People also play with coloured water using pichkaris and other squirt guns on Badi Holi or Dhulendi. This coloured water is prepared using Tesu flowers.

The process of making natural colours involves gathering flowers from trees, grinding them, and mixing them with water to produce orange-yellow Holi water colour. Abeer is made from natural coloured talc and has always been very popular as a Holi colour. Another traditional Holi object now rarely seen is a red powder filled in Lakh bowls which are broken to spread colour on everyone. Since the past few years, all of us had lost touch with natural colours and synthetic or artificial colours are being increasingly used on Holi.

Naturally made colours like abeer and gulal have been in use since people started playing Holi. These colours have been understood to be safe for skin and for general health of a person. In the recent times though, there had begun a trend for using synthetic colours which were also more permanent. These colours were also harmful for use.

The recent trend has made people choose naturally made organic Holi colours. Now most people are adopting safe and alternative organic colours to have fun on Holi.

The Stories Of Holi Festival

The traditions that we regard as being naturally associated with Holi have a long history behind them. Some of the more popular ones are,

Legends Behind Holi Bonfire – Holika Dahan
Most of us would have read or heard of the association of the legend of Holika with Holi. This is particularly true of the tradition of the Holi bonfire which takes place the evening before the play of colours. Holika Dahan or Holikotsav has a direct relationship with this very famous legend.

Once upon a time, there was a demon king named Hiranyakashyap who had won all the three worlds of heaven, earth and hell and had thus, become very proud. He had beome overconfident and vain because of his powers so much so that he believed that he could defeat even Lord Vishnu. This evil king had ordered everyone in his kingdom to worship him above any god. He could not though influence his own son, Prahlad, who was a worshipper of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap tried to get his son killed and was unsuccessful every time. Finally, he asked his sister Holika to help him. Holika had a very special power. She was immune to fire. The king ordered that his son be made to sit with Holika in a bonfire. In the end though, Prahlad who by then was known as Bhakt Prahlad (Devotee Prahlad) came away unhurt whereas Holika was consumed by the fire.

Legend Behind Holi Colours
As with Holika Dahan, the story behind Holi colours is connected to another of Lord Vishnu's avatars, Krishna. Legend has it that Lord Krishna was not too happy with the fact that whereas Radha was fair complexioned, he himself was very dark. Krishna questioned his mother about this injustice. To make her son happy, Yashoda suggested that Krishna apply colour on Radha's face and change her complexion. Krishna was also understood to have played with milkmaids (gopis) by throwing colour and water on them. It was thus that the game of applying colours gained popularity and became a part of Holi traditions. Even now, the application of colours is also an expression of love.

Types of Holi Pichkaris or Water Guns

No Holi celebration is complete without one or many water fights. Everything from buckets to balloons to water guns (pichkari) and even hands can be the tool for these fun water games that are part of any Holi colour play. The basis of a water fight is to completely soak or drench other people and at the same time, staying dry yourself.

There are many different kinds of water guns or pichkaris that are used these days. Some of these are,

Two Way Sprinkler/Water Gun
As the name itself suggests, this water gun can squirt coloured water both ways. It is very easy to befool someone with this pichkari.

Pressure Gun Pichkari/Water Gun
These water guns are attached with a stylish tank for storing Holi colour/water and is provided with a fancy trigger. Coloured water need not be filled again and again for playing.

Colourful Pipe Shaped Pichkari
These traditional pichkaris work with a simple push mechanism. Holi pichkaris or water guns of such a shape are available in many colours and design patterns.

Water Guns in Unusual Shapes
Bikes, rats, elephant faces, guns to an engine or a knob, one can find water guns in various shapes and sizes. These adorable and unique pichkaris are very popular with small children.

More on Regional Holi Celebrations in India

In continuation to the last post, here are some more of the regional Holi celebrations across India.

Lathmaar Holi
The birthplace of Krishna and the place where Holi originated has a very interesting version to Holi celebrations. It is basically a play of genders between the men and womenfolk of Barsana and Nandgaon. Men are supposed to throw colours on women and to get a good beating in return.

Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla is actually an annual fair that is organised in a large scale at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab on the day following the festival of Holi. A number of durbars are also held where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan and religious lectures take place.

Shimgo
In the Konkan region of our country (Goa and parts of coastal Maharashtra), Holi is known as Shimgo. People play with Holi colours, send Holi gifts and prepare the dish of rich, spicy chicken or mutton curry called shagoti with sweets. Colourful dance drama processions are also carried out in Panjim, the Goan capital.

Phagu Purnima or Phagwa
Another name of Holi is Phagu Purnima. Phagu is a sacred red powder and purnima is the full moon day, on which this festival ends. In some parts of UP and in Bihar, people celebrate this spring festival as Phagwa and Holika Dahan is known as Samvatsar Dahan.

Regional Holi Celebrations in India

Holi is one of the most widely celebrated of all Hindu festivals.The scope of this festival is such that it has acquired many regional flavours throughout the length and breadth of the country. Some of these are,

Dulandi Holi
Holi has this name in the state of Haryana. The festival here highlights the relationship between bhabhi - the brothers wife and devar - husband's younger brother. Besides, there is also a tradition of breaking the pot of buttermilk hung high in the street by forming a human pyramid.

Rangpanchami
People of Maharashtra commonly know this festival of colours by the name of Rangpanchami as the play of colours is reserved for the fifth day here. The festival is particularly popular amongst fisher folk.

Basant Utsav
Vasant/Basant Utsav is celebrated in West Bengal in a very graceful manner. The tradition of Vasantotsav was started by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan (the university).

Dol Purnima
Holi is also known by the name of Dol Purnima, Dol Jatra or the Swing Festival in West Bengal. It involves colourful processions of the idols of Radha and Krishna and people singing and dancing to devotional songs.

Kaman Pandigai
Kaman Pandigai, Kamavilas and Kama-Dahanam are the name of the Holi celebrations in Tamil Nadu. The basis of Kaman Pandigai is the legendary story of Shiva, Kaamadeva (God of Love), Rati(Kaamadeva's wife) and Parvati (wife of Shiva). Songs are sung on Holi and people offer sandalwood to Kaamadeva, exchange Holi gifts and sweets on this day.

The Rose Flower – A Universal Gift Idea

Flowers are a presence across occasions. The reason for the same is also very simple. These beautiful flowers are representative of so many facets of human nature. Be it a loss or gain, happiness or sadness, celebration or remembrance, people send flowers to their loved ones or acquaintances.

Rose is the most popular flower. When it comes to choosing from a range of flowers, everyone prefers Roses above other blossoms.

Weddings and Wedding Anniversary
Someone is going to begin a new chapter in their lives. What is one of the most important part of the preparations, flowers and the principal one is the Rose. So, be it an anniversary celebrations or a wedding, Rose is bound to make its presence felt.

Birthdays and Other Anniversaries
All of us been a part of a birthday or anniversary celebration. These are never complete without the presence of flowers and the most favored of them all are Roses. They are either given as a Birthday gift or used as a decoration or grace some part of the celebration venue.

Cultural and Religious Festivals
Whether one is a Muslim, a Christian, a Hindu, a Jew, a Buddhist or belongs to any other faith, he/she associates flowers and Roses with so many positive qualities. This is the reason that flowers are an integral part of most of the religious or cultural festivals in the present day.

National Holidays and Remembrances
Flowers have also find their place in the festivities of many national holidays. A blossom like a Rose can be used to set the mood of the occasion as well. And if the occasion speaks of a sombre remembrance, there is no better flower than this magnificent bloom.

A Marriage Anniversary Gift of a Holiday

If you are in love with adventure, nature and so is your significant other, then a nature trek is a perfect idea of a luxurious holiday on your marriage anniversary. The luxury being the uninterrupted time that you will be able to spend with your loved one and add to your memories. This experience will promise you much more than a holiday. It will give you the much needed privacy from the outside world. It will be the best wedding anniversary gift that you could have asked for.

It is important to be well informed about the terrain in which you are heading out for a trekking cum camping trip. It helps if one is also well versed in the ways of surviving in times of emergency in such places.

One good idea that will make you feel more secure is travelling with a group of people or another couple or two. Make sure that your group is not very large as well. The whole purpose of your nature trek is lost if a crowd of people heads out together. It will lead to less privacy and the need for constant coordination among the many trekkers.

The anniversary gifts that add to a lifetime of memories are always more precious than other gifts. It is experiences like these that make for long lasting relationships.

Traditions of Holi 2010

Holi is a festival that speaks of trust, love and goodwill. This is probably the reason that all its traditions are also representative of this feeling of brotherhood and the victory of good over evil.

Holi Milans or Baithaks
Many days or sometimes weeks before the actual Holi-day, people sit together and sing Holi songs in Holi milans. Hori are the special type of Holi folk songs which are also sung in these musicals.

Holi Bonfires
Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfire takes place on the eve of Holi. The day is also popularly called Chhoti Holi or Small Holi.

Songs and Dance
This festival of colours is played in most parts of the country. Apart from the usual tradition of playing with coloured powder and water, Holi also involves fun filled processions of folk songs and dances.

Exchanging Gifts
There is a popular tradition of greeting each other with Holi gifts like Holi colours and traditional Indian sweets like Gujiya, Gazak, Mathri, Malpuas and Dry fruits on Holi.

Bhang ki Thandai and Sweets
Making and drinking bhang ki thandai (an Indian milk shake) is another very popular custom of Holi. Bhang is made from female cannabis or hemp plant, it can be understood to be a homemade drug. People also mix bhang in sweets and other preparations being offered to guests.

Holi Colours
Abeer and Gulal are the names for Holi colours. These are the traditional and naturally made Holi colours. People also play with coloured water using pichkaris and other squirt guns on Badi Holi or Dhulendi.

This year all of us will be celebrating Holi on 1st March 2010.

Birthday Gifts of Jewelry for Her

Birthday Jewelry
It is her birthday and beautiful yet delicate jewelry is definitely on her list of favourites. Gift her a pendant or bracelet with her name or her initials on it. You can even team each of these with a range of other gift ideas.

For example, a pendant and earrings set or an anklet with a pendant or bracelet would also be good ideas of birthday gifts. You can select from silver, gold or platinum jewelry. The important thing is knowing her choice of the metal. Birthday jewelry can have the name of the receiver imprinted or engraved on it for a personal touch.

Personalised Jewelry
The word personalised means to have printed, engraved, or monogrammed with one's name or initials. And, personalised jewelry is a gift that evokes memories of a person or event with which it is associated. Women especially love such gifts that have an emotional value attached to them.

Gifts that have a personal message, a picture and/or the name of the person imprinted on them are ideal for occasions such as birthdays. Thus, birthday jewelry makes for an ideal gift idea to let the woman in your life know how special she is to you.

Writing a Love Poem on Valentines Day

Be it prose or poetry, it requires a different kind of mind and thought process to feel expressive enough. But, that does not mean that the not so creative lot cannot write a few lines that speak of their love and their heartfelt emotions. Here's how you can do it,

You must look inside yourself, feel deeply and then let the words flow. There is nothing more important than your love to be transparent in the words. That is possible if you write with feeling and are honest to yourself. It is easy to get into the mood for romance if the occasion is Valentines Day.

There should be no binding rules when you are putting thoughts to paper. But, still if you are in a dilemma whether what you have written is poetry or not. You need not worry, if what you have composed does not rhyme but still is able to convey your deepest emotions then it has to look and sound beautiful. Poems that do not rhyme are called prose or freestyle.

One of the most personal and intimate ways of putting thoughts to paper is when they are handwritten. It is best to avoid any other form of presentation. So, do not have your love poem typed by someone else or even printed. Write it in your own hand and decorate it with love quotes or love messages and present it to your Valentine on Valentine's Day.

Avoid sitting with a reference or a dictionary or anything that guides you. The love poem that comes from your heart does not need fanciful words or a difficult language. The innocence of the poem may be lost when you use artificial words. You do not have to prove your literary genius, a simple expression will touch your Valentine's heart much more than pretty words would.

When writing a love poem (as a Valentine gift) it is important that one uses very simple language. In fact it would be far better if you use those words or that vocabulary that you normally use. So, be true to what you would actually say, or at least how you would actually say it rather than using words you don't know.

Also, one should not force creativity. If you feel that the flow of thoughts has ended and so have the words, that is where you should end your valentine love poem. There are no guidelines anywhere that ask you to define the length and breadth of the expression. Your poem should be made of only those words that come naturally to you.

Holi – The Springtime Festival of India

Also known as Vasant Utsav or Spring Festival, Holi marks the onset of Spring in India. This year all of us will be celebrating Holi on 1st March 2010. Based on the regional influences there are many names with which we know this festival of colours. Some of these are Dhulendi, Rangpanchami, Basant Utsav, Dol Purnima, Hola Mohalla, Lathmaar Holi, Shimgo, Kaman Pandigai and Phagu Purnima.

Singing and dancing on the beat of dholaks is one of the integral parts of any holi celebration. People drink bhang ki thandai and exchange popular Indian sweets and dry fruits as holi gifts. Sweets and mithai include gujiya, puran poli, dahi badas, papads, kanji, mathri, malpuas.

It is also customary to greet each other with 'bura na mano holi hai' before acting completely naughty and pouring colours on each other. Enmity is forgotten on this festival and people make it a point to visit and greet everyone alike.

Contrary to popular knowledge holi festivities last many days.

Holi Milan or Baithaks
Many days prior to Holi, people take an active part in Holi Milans. These are musical soirees or gatherings wherein folk songs related to the festival are sung. The epic love story of Radha Krishna features prominently in these songs. The special type of songs, which we all know as 'Hori' are sung as well.

Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan
On the eve of holi celebrations begin with the custom of Holika Dahan or the lighting of bonfires. The word Holika Dahan in Hindi language means burning down of Holika. It signifies the victory of good over evil. The day is also popularly called 'Chhoti Holi'. The word Holi has also originated from the word Holika.

Badi Holi
Holi celebrations reach a peak on this day. People wear light coloured clothes and play with holi colours on Dhulendi. It is customary to wet each other thoroughly with water and water colours using a pichkari on Holi.

Expression of Love on Valentines Day

Being able to express ones feelings to the people who matter the most in our lives is a task which is not easy for everyone. Some of us are bound to be more expressive than others. Then there are others among us who find it especially difficult to explain their love to the person who needs to know about it before anyone else.

When to Do It
The first thing is to be sure of yourself, do you really love the person to whom you are about to say the three magic words. 'I Love You' is not a phrase to be taken lightly. So, say it when you know that you really mean it from the bottom of your heart.

Right Time and Place
Now that you know that what you are feeling for someone is genuine, the next important step is to decide on the time and place. This Valentines Day should remain the most special for the one you love, if your 'to be Valentine' wants to be loved and pampered, or you yourself want the expression to become memorable for life, choose the correct time and place for the proposal. This helps in setting the mood for the occasion and you never know that that might tilt the answer in your favour, if nothing else.

How To Say It
Now that you know that you are well prepared in terms of the time and the venue. The next step is how to go about saying it. The best way to do it is to be as forthright as possible. Say it with flowers, gifts or chocolates or through the written word to add charm to the occasion. Personalised and thoughtfully done Valentine gifts are the best choice when it comes to making this day last in your memories forever.

Be Prepared
It is natural to feel skeptical and more so if you do not know how the other person will react. But, either ways, one should always be strong enough to take any answer in their stride. After all, it always is better to not keep yourself and the other person guessing. Then whatever maybe the result, there will never be any regrets in life.

Relive the Romance in Life on Valentines Eve

Valentines Day is a day that honors love, commitment and promises for a life together. And understandably so, since we as a people hanker after those things that are usually lacking in the world around us. This is a major reason for this craze regarding love and romance.

Valentines Eve falls on the night before Valentines Day. Surprising your valentine on the night before is a sure shot way of winning the affections of him/her. There are many ways of winning over a lost love or rekindling the romance in our lives.

You can make a public declaration of your love on the midnight of 13th and 14th February. This can be done using the many media options available, sky writing, radio are all ideas of doing the same. But, if you are a very private sort of person this idea is not for you.

One way this can be done is by sending a valentines gift to your valentine so that it reaches on Valentine Eve or on the night preceding 14th February.

Another great idea is to surprise him/her by planning a personal and romantic celebration that involves just the two of you. Time spent together will bring a new life to your relationship.

Going on along drive/sail or a romantic getaway the evening before is also a great way to set the mood for romance and to make this Valentines Eve special for the two of you.

Though, there is a rising trend of 'celebrating love in all its forms', this festival mainly retains its initial relevance to romantic love. It is still known more for its affiliation to romance and sensuousness than for any other kind of bond.

Valentines Day Gifts for Wife

Valentines Day is an occasion that encourages us to celebrate the present day relationships that matter the most. It is that time of the year once again, when we have the chance to make 'the love of our life', our wives feel loved and cherished. Some valentines day gift ideas for wives are,

Clothes
It is a well known fact that women love clothes. Their styles may differ from being eccentric to sophisticated to under stated. But, whatever their choice of dressing up, they do love splurging on a new set of clothes every now and then. This valentine's day gift your wife something that will make her day and make the occasion memorable for both of you.

Jewellery
If we are talking about your wife, she would definitely have either of the feelings commonly associated with jewellery, desire or passion. Though your decision on what to buy her purely depends on your understanding about her taste in ornaments.

Travel
Planning a weekend or a good 4-5 days together is a great valentines day gift idea. With our ever busy and complicated lives giving us lesser time for our family, time spent with our loved ones becomes very rare and thus more precious.This Valentine's Day give your wife something she will remember for a long time to come, a trip to a place she loves.

Personalised Gifts
Since, Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate the deepest and the most heartfelt of all human emotions, love. Thus, personalised gifts are an excellent gifting idea on this occasion. This includes flowers, engraved gifts, greeting cards, candles and decoratives, to name a few.

Celebrating Love Through Valentines Week

This is a tradition gaining popularity especially in urbane and semi urbane regions of the world. In fact, Valentine's Day which has its origins in Christianity has now completely lost all aspects of being a religious holiday.

The increasing popularity of Valentine's Day has led everyone around the world to take the concept of Day of Love a step ahead. These days the celebrations marking this day have extended to a week.

Rose Day – People give their would-be Valentines a rose on this day. The rose colours and their relevance as per this day are, red is for love, pink is for grace and gentle feelings of love, yellow with a tinge of pink represents friendship blossoming into love. This first day of the week, which falls on 7 February every year is rose day.

Propose Day – The dictionary meaning of a proposal is ' an appeal for a consideration'. In terms of Valentine's week this proposal of love is to be made on propose day which comes on 8 February every year.

Chocolate Day – 9 February or the third day of Valentine's week is called chocolate day. This is the day on which you gift valentine chocolates to the person you love

Teddy Day - The fourth day of the week of Valentine is celebrated on 10 February every year. People can gift their Valentine's or would-be valentines soft toys on this day which is known as teddy day.

Promise Day – Valentine's swear to abide by the promises they have made to their loved ones on this day that is known as promise day, it is the fifth day of Valentine's week and falls on 11 February every year.

Kiss Day – The sixth day of Valentine week is kiss day which falls on 12 February every year. As the name itself suggests, it is the day when you can convey your feelings for the one you love by this silent expression of love.

Hug Day – A hug is another expression of emotions that need not be spoken aloud. Hug day is the seventh and final day of this week and comes on 13 February.

How has Valentines Day Changed Over Time?

From a day of romance to an occasion that celebrates love in all its forms, that is how Valentine's Day has evolved over the years. From gifting tokens of love to girlfriends, wives to boyfriends and husbands this day has now become significant for sending Valentine gifts or tokens of love and affection across relationships. So, be it your wife or sister or mother you can now find this occasion as a reason to express your love for all of them through the various means that have become popular these days.

The reason people began celebrating Valentines Day was to honour a priest named Saint Valentine. Gradually the basis of this occasion has changed to a day that is relevant for the feelings of love, from the passionate desire and intimacy of romantic love to the nonsexual emotional closeness of familial love, which is more platonic in nature. In fact this is one celebration that has lost the significant association with its origin.

Valentine's Day has also evolved into a commercial occasion. From cards and chocolate companies to florists, these days everyone comes into action with the knowledge of Valentine's Day being round the corner. It has definitely become associated as being one of the most 'profitable' occasions in a calender year.

This is a day which has so many facets to it and that too also since it is an occasion which is so personal in nature. That has resulted in the celebration having taken a different flavor with differences in places, regions and cultures across the world.

Gift Ideas for Wedding Anniversaries

People celebrate their wedding anniversaries in varied ways. These may range from a quiet personal ceremony to merrymaking which is more public in nature. All such celebrations do have something common among them and that is the ritual of exchanging gifts.

First Wedding Anniversary
The first wedding anniversary speaks of a new beginning. It represents the freshness of a new and innocent love. Paper is considered to be the traditional gift idea for someone's first marriage anniversary. Thus, this occasion includes gift ideas ranging from books, photographs, picture frames to stationary, paintings, love letters, posters and tickets (for an event or trip). Gifts made of plastic are an example of a more modern first anniversary gift idea.

Fifth Wedding Anniversary
It has been five years of marriage. This marriage which represents five blissful years of togetherness and durability. Thus, the traditional material symbolic of this union is wood. Some examples of gifts that are most suitable for this occasion are wooden baskets, shaker boxes, puzzles, wooden paper weight, wooden name plates, wooden racks for storage, wood sculptures, furniture and so on. Some of the more contemporary gifts for the fifth marriage anniversary are silver tableware.

Tenth Wedding Anniversary
After ten years of being married, the qualities that become the most valued among couples are adaptability and receptivity. Gifts made of tin, aluminum come under the category of traditionalist gift ideas for a tenth marriage anniversary. Among the more modern gift ideas for a tenth marriage anniversary is jewelry made of precious stones like diamonds and sapphires. Tin or aluminum paper weights, wall sconces of tin or aluminum, antique tin toys, cutters made of tin and so on.