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Ramnaumi
 The
birthday of Lord Rama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls on the
ninth lunar day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra (March-April). This
festival, celebrated with great sanctity and fasting, is one of the five
important fasts (Maha-vratas) observed by Hindus since ancient times.
On this day temples are specially decorated and religious discourses narrating
the life story of Rama are given.Chariot processions (Ratha Yatras) carrying
the idols of Rama, his wife Sita, brother Lakshman, and devotee Hanuman
are held in major cities and towns.
An extraordinary religious function consisting of sacred discourses, the
singing of bhajans, and dramas depicting the life story of Rama, is held
at Ayodhya, birth place of Lord Rama. In Andhra Pradesh, Ramanavami is celebrated
for nine days. One of the significant events of the celebration is the re-enactment
of the wedding ceremony of Rama and Sita known as Srirama Kalyanmahotsavam.
Sawan Jhula Mela
Commences on the third day of the second half of Sarvana and
lasts till the second half of the month. The images of the deities (specially
of Rama, Lakshman & Sita) are swung in swing in the temples and taken
to Maniparvata, where a big gathering joins in swinging these idols in
swinging these idols in swings hung from the branches of trees. The deities
are later brought back to the temples.
Parikramas
Ayodhya is perhapas the most noted place in northern India where parikramas
are undertaken by Hindu pilgrims. These are circumbulations of important
religious places and are of varying durations, shortest being the ?Antargrahi
Parikrama? which has to be completed within a day. After taking a
dip in Saryu, the devotee commences the parikrama from the Nageshwarnath
Temple and passes through Rama Ghat, Sitakund, Maniparvata and Brahma
Kund, finally terminating at Kanak Bhawan.
Panchkoshi Parikramas
Then there is the ?Panchkoshi Parikrama?, circuit of 10 miles,
which touches Chakratirtha, Nayaghat, Ramghat, Saryubagh, Halkara-ka-pura,
Dasrathkund, Jogiana, Ranopali, Jalpa Nala and Mahtabagh. On the way the
people pay homage to the deities in the shrines which are situated on the
route.
Chaturdas Koshi Parikramas
The ?Chaturdaskoshi Parikarma? constitutes a circular journey
of 28 miles made once a year on the occasion of Akshainaumi, which is completed
within24 hours.
Shri Ram Vivah Utsav
The festival of the marriage of sri Ram is celebrated with pump and gaiety
on Aghan Shukla Panchami every year. The celebration of the festivals continues
for three to four days.
Ramayan Mela
During the period of Ram Vivah Utsav, the festival of Ramayan Mela is organised.
This festival is being celebrated every year in Ayodhya since 1982.
Shiv Ratri
 This
festival is celebrated on Phalgun Krishna Trayodasi and Charturdashi.
On this day, the pilgrims offer prayer and take blessings at Nageshwarnath
Temple and other temples of Lord Shiva.
Bharat Kund Mela
This fair is organised at Bharat Kund on the day of Somvati
Amayasya. Where a number of pilgrims came.
Surya Kund Mela
This fair is organised at Suraj Kund on the Sunday which fall after Bhadrapad
Shukla Shashthi.
Kartik Purnima
This festival is celebrated on the day of full moon (purnima) during the
month of Kartik. On this day lacks of pilgrims come to Saryu River to take
holy dip, after which they visit various temples and seek Blessings from
Gods and Goddesses.
Makhoda Ka Mela
On the North -East of kutila Sangam is situated the holy
Maskhsthan and Manorama River known as one which kills all evils. It is
said that King Dashrath made many Ashwamegh Yagyas at this place after
which he was blessed with such sons as Ram, Laxman , Bharat and Shatrughan.
It is also said that all Devas, Yakshas, Naag, Kinnar along with Indra
and all the tirths take bath with pomp, gaity and festivity and all who
take bath here is blessed with their desires. A festival is organised
on every Chaith Purnima and is also Known as Makhoda situated at present
in village Madsi.
Diwali
 The
word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepawali, meaning "a
row of light". This festival falls on the new moon night of Kartika
(October-November) and is celebrated over the period of five days. The
first day is considered very auspicious for the purchase of new clothes,
utensils, housewares and other such items. Diwali is associated with several
mythological stories.
According to one myth,Lord Krishna is believed to have destroyed Narakasura
on the first day of Diwali. In some parts of India, effigies of demon
Narakasura are burned on Diwali to celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna
over the demon. In the North India, the second day of Diwali is dedicated
to the worship of the sacred hill Govardhana, near the town of Mathura,
a site of deep religious significance to the devotees of Lord Vishnu.
Hindus believe that on the day of Diwali, Rama returned to Ayodhya
after defeating Ravana, and the people of Ayodhya celebrated the return
of Rama by lighting thousands of clay lamps.
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus with extraordinary festivity. Houses are
cleaned and painted. Utensils are cleaned, and cushions and upholstery
of furniture are changed. People wear new clothes and take pledges to
begin a new life. Shops and offices are decorated with colored electric
lights. Businessmen close their old account books and begin new ones.
At dusk, homes and shops are illuminated with coloured lights, followed
by fireworks. People exchange gifts and visit friends and relatives.
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