Rakhi Traditions and Rituals

Raksha Bandhan has been celebrated in the same way and through similar traditions for a long time. Only the means have evolved with changing lifestyles and have made Rakhi celebrations more elaborate and lively.

On Rakhi day, sisters prepare the puja thali with diya, roli, chawal, rakhi thread and sweets. The rituals begin with a bath and early morning prayer, sisters tie Rakhi on the wrist of their brothers amid chanting of mantras, put roli and rice on his forehead and pray for his well-being. She bestows him with gifts and blessings.

In return, the brother acknowledges his sister's love with a promise to stand by his sister through all times, good and bad and pledges to take care of her. He then gives her a return gift. Rakhi gifts symbolize the acceptance of her love, is a reminder of their togetherness and his pledge.

The increasing distances have made people value family time and thus Rakhi day has become a time for family reunions. The joyous meeting, the rare family get-together, that erstwhile feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood also calls for a memorable celebration. Those near and dear ones who are not able to meet each other, send e-rakhis, rakhi cards and/or send rakhi online and through mails on Raksha Bandhan.

Onam Festival of Kerala – An Introduction

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. Since, this occasion represents the rich culture of the state, it was made the National Festival of Kerala in the year 1961.

The festival of Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to the Gregorian Calendar. It is a harvest festival and according to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

The Onam carnival lasts for four to ten days. First day Atham and tenth day Thiruonam are the most important of all. Grand feasts, folk songs, elegant onam dances, energetic onam games, elephants, snake boat race and Onam gifts, all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Government of India has taken due notice of this vibrant and colourful festival. It promotes Onam internationally in a big way and celebrates 'Tourist Week' for Kerala during Onam celebrations. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit Kerala to be a part of Onam.

Raksha Bandhan Festival in India

Rakhi is undoubtedly one of the most popular cultural festivals in India. It is an occasion that speaks of the undying love between a brother and a sister. Raksha Bandhan is a promise to protect and cherish forever the sacred bond that symbolises this relationship.

This is one of those rare ancient cultural occasions that does not limit the rituals to a brother and a sister. You need not be a related by blood or family to tie a Rakhi and do pooja on Rakshabandhan. Owing to the regional influence of the local legends and their relevance in different parts of the country, the celebrations of Rakhi in India vary throughout India.

This festival is primarily known as being associated with the north and north western part of the country. But, it can be safely said that with changing times and the world having become a smaller place, this occasion has gained popularity in many parts of this country and even so the world.

10 Ideas on Anniversary Gifting

Anniversaries are a time of reminiscing and of joyous celebrations. There is also a lot of planning and preparation involved any anniversary party or get-together. Whether it is only family or a couple of close friends or maybe a huge group of merry makers, a common presence are anniversary gifts.

Every year or at every other celebration one meets the same people and thus thinking of a different gift idea every time is not really an easy task. The decision though rests with the giver, one can stay with the conventional gifts or go with unusual ones wherein the confidence in the anniversary present is the key point to your gift being a success. A mix of the regular and novel gift ideas are listed here:

Cakes with Flowers
Decorative Items
Anniversary Hampers
Flower Vases
Paintings
Feng Shui Gifts
Personalised Photo Gifts
Chocolates and Soft Toys
Photo Frames
Jewelry with or w/o Jewelry Boxes

Express Your Love on Parents Day

It is the little things that matter more in life. So is true when it comes to our relationship with the people that make it worth living. Parents are those special beings that we come to know in the very beginning of ours. They introduce us to this world and guide us towards the identity of individuals we soon become.

Our parents would never forget the important days when we were growing up, the milestones in our journey which they made us capable enough to reach. Parents Day is the time for us to acknowledge and pay tributes to whatever they have done for us selflessly. This is one little gesture that accomplishes so much in making a big statement.

One need not do anything big, a small thoughtful act goes a long way when it comes to those we love. Handmade cards, baking a cake or making a meal, making a scrapbook or a collage, sending them on an amazing trip to someplace nice, Parents Day gifts of love, a Parents Day celebration for them and those they love. These are just some of the many ideas that are sure to touch our parent's hearts.

Friendship Day Celebrations

In any culture, friends and friendship is considered one of the most admirable of all relationships. It is one of the few of all human bonds which encompasses so many values and yet seems so simple. It is said that human emotions do not change with changing physical boundaries and geographical and cultural differences, this holds true even in the case of friendship.

Friendship Day means time spent with friends, it means making friends feel special and cherished. Though a universal celebration, this occasion has a different meaning for everyone and is thus celebrated by every individual in their own way. Most among us choose to celebrate the entire day in the company of their friends. There are others who mark Friendship Day by being a part of or organising Friendship Day parties for their friends.

Friendship Day celebrations are particularly marked in educational institutions and work places. Distances appear meaningless in this atmosphere and people wish their friends through calls, SMSes, cards and Friendships Day gifts. In recent times, the concept of celebrating Friendship Week is also fast catching up mostly so with the younger generation.