FESTIVALS
The important Hindu festivals of Uttar Pradesh are
Navaratri, Diwali, Shivaratri, Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami
Karva
Chauth: This festival falls on nine
days after Dussehra, on the
fourth day of the  dark fortnight of Kartika. Karva Chauth is held by married
Hindu woman for the safety and prosperity of their husbands.
The day is spent in complete fasting till the rise of the moon and it is
worshipped by women. Four days later,
is the festival of Ahoi Astami, when women fast
and pray for the welfare of their children. Followed five days later,
by a
series of festivals culminating in Diwali, the festival of lights on Kartika
Amavasya.
Annakoot is celebrated which is devoted to feasting and Govardhan puja in the evening and rounded up
next day by Bhaiya Dooj when sisters apply vermilion tika (auspicious mark) on
the forehead of their brothers who reward them with money. On Dooj weapons,
pen and inkpot are also worshipped.
Shitla
Ashtami, which falls on eight day after Holi, is devoted to the goddess
of small-pox, followed by Ram Navami on Chaitra Sudi Navami, commemorating the
birth of Lord Rama; Baisakhi Purnima, a big bathing day; Bargadee Amavasya in
Jaistha Dussehra, another great bathing day; Guru Purnima in Asadh when Vyas
Puja is held and Nag Panchami dedicated to the worship of the Snake God, Shesha.
Janmashtami is the most important Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of
Lord Krishna. This festival is followed by Hartalika Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi,
Anant Chaturdashi, and Pitra Visarjan Amavasya devoted to making of
oblations to the pitras (dead ancestors) and is called Pitra Paksha.
Bharat Milap
which is celebrated during the month of October or November is
performed at Nati Imli on the day following Vijayadashmi (Dusshera). It pertains
to the episode of the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile,
and his reunion with his brother Bharat. Just as the last rays of the setting
sun touch the stage, the performance takes barely three minutes to enact.
Another episode from Ram Lila pertains to
Shoorpnakha, demon king Ravana's
sister. This festival is held on the 4th night of Kartika at Chetganj. It lasts
almost the whole night. The 'Kalia Daman' episode from 'Krishna Lila' is celebrated in November on
the Tulsi ghat. Shivratri is celebrated on the 14th day of Phalgun. 'Ganga-Dussehra' and
'Nirjala Ekadashi' fall on the 10th day of bright
half of Jayestha. It is believed that Ganga waters reached Haridwar this day in
the remote past. The next day, is the day of fasting for all the devotees.
Panchkoshi Parikarma is another famous pilgrimage. It is held in the month of
Vaisakh, circumambulation of 'Kashi-Dharma Kshetra'.
MUSLIM
FESTIVALS
The most solemn and colourful Muslim function held in the state is
Muharram,
commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet.
In all cities and towns Muslims take out impressive processions of colourfully
decorated tazias, replicas of the martyr's tomb at Karbala. The most solemn and
impressive Muharram is observed in Lucknow, where gold and silver replicas of old
Nawabi times are brought out and men beat their breasts in mourning constantly
until blood oozes out. The two Imambaras and Shah Najaf are beautifully
illuminated for two days. An impressive event is a fire-walking feat held in one
of the Imambaras. After the burial of the tazias on the tenth day, a gathering
of mourners in utter darkness is held, known as Majlis Sham-i-Ghariban, one of
the most soul-stirring events among Muharram observances. The other occasions of
religious importance for Muslims are Id-Ul-Fitr, Ramzan (a month devoted to
fasting), Chehlum, Bara Wafat, Shah-i-Barat and Id-Uz-Zuha.
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