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Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival historically native to the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the Nepalese provinces of Madhesh and Lumbini. Prayers during Chhath puja are dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, to show gratitude and thankfulness for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request that certain wishes be granted.
Chhathi Maiya, the sixth form of Devi Prakriti and Lord Surya's sister is worshipped as the Goddess of the festival. It is celebrated six days after Deepavali, on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October–November) in the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat. The rituals are observed over four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (vrata), standing in water, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun. Some devotees also perform a prostration march as they head for the river banks.
This photo was taken in my village Simari in Madhubani district, Bihar. The puja was done in the village pond and the temple can be seen in the background.
There is a deeper significance to the diya. The oil in the diya symbolises the dirt in the human mind — such as greed, jealousy, hatred, lust etc — which human beings tend to nurture. The cotton in the diya is symbolic of the atma or the self or the soul. The diya presents light when the oil is burnt by the wick.
Each color tells a story, each look reflects an emotion.
Chaque couleur raconte une histoire, chaque regard reflète une émotion.
The Indian festival of Diwali is one of its most anticipated and widely celebrated festivals. And in a country so diverse, Diwali celebrations find resonance and retelling in multiple ways across the country. Popular traditions mark it as the day Lord Ram defeated the demon, Ravana, and returned to his home city, Ayodhya. Southern parts of India call it Deepavali instead and celebrate the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Irrespective of which mythological camp you fall in, Diwali or Deepavali is a time of joy and togetherness throughout the country.
Diwali one of the largest and brightest festivals in India, spiritually signifies the victory of good over evil. Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali !
Holi 2025: Celebration of Colors and Triumph of Good
Holi, one of the most vibrant and beloved Hindu festivals, marks the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is a time of joy, unity, and renewal, celebrated with colors, laughter, and love across India and other parts of the world.
Holi is more than just a festival of color — it's a celebration of joy, renewal, forgiveness, and the human spirit’s resilience. Whether it's dancing in the streets or quietly applying gulal to loved ones, Holi 2025 invites everyone to share in its vibrant spirit.
A lively celebration took place at Major Park in Durgapur during the 2025 Holi festival. This event featured people of all ages coming together to celebrate with colors, music, and dance, showcasing the festive spirit of the city.
There is a deeper significance to the diya. The oil in the diya symbolises the dirt in the human mind — such as greed, jealousy, hatred, lust etc — which human beings tend to nurture. The cotton in the diya is symbolic of the atma or the self or the soul. The diya presents light when the oil is burnt by the wick.
The pandal itself is often a temporary structure made with bamboo, cloth, thermocol, and other materials.
Themes can vary wildly — from mythological to contemporary social issues, or even replicas of famous architecture (like temples, palaces, or international landmarks).
The entire space is decorated with lights, flowers, and artwork, often custom-made by local artisans.
There is a deeper significance to the diya. The oil in the diya symbolises the dirt in the human mind — such as greed, jealousy, hatred, lust etc — which human beings tend to nurture. The cotton in the diya is symbolic of the atma or the self or the soul. The diya presents light when the oil is burnt by the wick.
I have become less and less active on Flickr. Lost all my amazing artist friends here. But out of the blues I get this image on Explore. So many of you visited this image and encouraged me with such kind words. This is so amazing..... A big thank you to all.
Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela, 2019 was the Ardh Kumbh Mela held at Triveni Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from 15 January to 4 March 2019.
Frazer Town, Bangalore
[Explored , July 8 2015]
Thank you all my dear friends for your faves and making this pic to be explored.
It is heartening to know that Hindus have always believed in worshiping the Male and Female aspect of God together and that Sri Ram was a staunch devoted husband. Not only that, one says Seeta Ram and Radha Krishna and as one can see the female name gets precedence.
Karva Chauth Day falls on the 4th day of the Kartik month every year. On this day it is customary for the wife to fast the whole day. She does not drink water either. She paints her hands and feet with henna, dresses generally in red apparel and on her hair parting she smears vermilion powder. All the above is the 'Shringar' of a bride.
A lady called Veeravati broke her fast and her husband died. She preserved the body of her husband and he came back to life the next Karva Chauth. It is believed that a Pati-Vrat woman has the power to confront the God of Death, Yama. This Karva Chauth fast is undertaken by the wife, so that the husband enjoys a long and prosperous life.
The story of Karva is well known. Her husband was caught by a crocodile. Karva bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. She then asked Yama to send the crocodile to hell. Yama refused. Karva threatened to curse Yama. Yama, afraid of being cursed by Pati-vrat (devoted) wife, sent the crocodile to hell. Karva and her husband enjoyed many years of wedded bliss. The fact that Yama was afraid of being cursed by a devoted wife showed the power a good faithful woman!
Maybe you have heard the story of Savitri. The latter followed Yama, who carried away her dead husband. Yama said that she could ask for any other boon except for the life of her husband. Savitri asked that she be blessed with children. Yama agreed. Being a Pati-Vrat wife, Savitri would never any other man, be the father of her children. Yama was left with no other choice but to restore Savitri's husband to life.
In the olden days, a woman was dependent on a man. Whether he was her father, brother, husband or Guru. Without a man she was considered incomplete. Today that may not be the case. But it is still refreshing to see a loving wife or a loving husband.
Makar Sankranti marks the end of a long winter with the return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere and hence the name Uttarayan. It is celebrated all over Gujarat but the excitement runs highest at Ahmedabad, Surat (known particularly for the strong string which is made by applying glass powder on the row thread to provide it a cutting edge) Nadiad and Vadodara. To be in any one of these places during this festival is to feel the heart and pulse of Gujarat and its people.
There is a wonderful set by the Meanest Indian on the colors of Uttarayan here
Ganeshchaturthi is a festival celebrate in India. Its been celebrate as birth anniversary for lord Ganesha where people work-ship by keeping idol for a week or ten days an do poojas for lord Ganesha, then finally they do immersion for lord ganesha in sea as a sending off ceremony. Idols will be created in different colors an different avatars. This photo was took at foreshore estate Beach, Chennai, India
Foreshore Estate Beach,
Chennai, Tamilnadu,
India.
Vijayadashmi is also popularly known as Dussehra Festival in India and it is celebrated in the month of october every year with a great joy. Vijayadashmi Festival celebration shows that A good wins every time and evil lost. the name Dussehra is having the mean in it’s word Dussehra - “The Tenth Day”. vijayadashmi is the day when Rama killed Ravana.
During the dussehra celebration the ‘Ramleela’ play is a must thing for devotees and people. ramleela is a play which shows us the complete story of lord ram and sita. Bhajans, songs, music and diffrent cultural programmes are also a part of vijayadashmi festival at diffrent places of India. this is the victory of good over evil, and it shows peace and love. On the day of Dussehra, big size effigies of ravana stuffed with fireworks are raised at big mela ground in diffrent cities. Ramlila performer who plays role of ram (sets fire to them). this is popularly known as ‘Ravan Dahan’.
On Karva Chauth day, which is observed in North India, tens of millions of women keep a fast, taking neither food nor water, for the well being and long life of their husbands. Only after seeing the moon do the women break their day-long fast in the evening/night. Normally women go out of their houses and on their roof tops to see if the moon is up yet. Even the 'I, Me, Myself' generation now celebrates the 'My Family' spirit, with Karva Chauth having become a cool fad among teenagers. Ultra-hip 17-year-olds observes a Karva Chauth fast, so what if traditionally it's a north Indian custom where married women keep off food and water for the long lives of their husbands. For some of these youngsters it's a trend, for others it's pure devotion, and there are still others for whom it's just fun giving company to her mother who observes the fast.
This photo was shot at the Diwali get together this year. There were some stage performances, dancing, music and loads of food and sweets. Later the group lit some fire crackers and enjoyed the festive occasion.
Diwali: This is an Indian Festival, the mood and celebration tempo is pretty similar to that of Christmas. There are Lights, Crackers, Gifts and Food all over.
Rama - the hindu god returns home after 14 years of exile after a victory over the evil Ravana. People light 'deepaks' (earth lantern lit using oil or milk fat) and decorate their home in the happiness. Rama brings blessings with him and this also starts the Hindu new year.