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Bharat Milap
This festival 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'.
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