Tag: Hariyali Amavasya

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All About Hariyali Amavasya

hariyali amavasya

About Hariyali Amavasya

Popularly referred to as “Sawan month”, Shravana is a Hindu lunar month. This entire month is regarded as an ideal time for offering homage to Lord Shiva. This month is considered to be a lucky month and is dedicated to the significance of the environment. Worshipping agricultural equipment throughout this month teaches us about the value of agriculture. Hariyali Amavasya or Shravani Amavasya is the most celebrated day of Sawan Month as it falls in this month.

Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated on the day when there is no moon (Amavasya) during Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana. It indicates the beginning of the monsoon season. Moreover, it is the first Amavasya of Shravana month with a strong religious foundation. Hariyali Amavasya celebrations are well known in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. Moreover, it is also celebrated as “Gatari Amavasya” in Maharashtra, “Chukkala Amavasya” in Andhra Pradesh, and “Chitalagi Amavasya” in Odisha.

The Importance of Hariyali Amavasya

The month of “Shravana” is devoted to Lord Shiva, and Hariyali Amavasya occurs three days before the celebrations of “Hariyali Teej.” It is most significantly connected with the monsoon season, which is essential for a productive harvest and the avoidance of draughts. In Hindu mythology, the month of “Shravana” is considered lucky for requesting the blessings of Gods and Goddesses. Pitru Tarpan and Daan Punya are considered lucky rituals to do on Hariyali Amavasya . According to Hindu mythology, the peepal tree is home to Tridev, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. Hence, people worship the peepal tree on Hariyali Amavasya.

Moreover, it is considered lucky to worship Lord Shiva and Parvathi on this day as it is believed that they will set the worshippers free from their problems. In the northern part of India, Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated with a special puja, whereas in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat it is celebrated in the form of Ashadha Amavasya. Furthermore, this religious festival is also marked by the disciples of Lord Krishna, who organize festivals in Mathura and Vrindavan in order to receive his blessings.

Celebration of Hariyali Amavasya Festival

People worship Lord Shiva on this lucky day. All their prayers are dedicated to wishing for a successful monsoon that will result in a wholesome agricultural harvest. Lord Krishna’s followers visit the Dwarkadish temple in Mathura and pray there. People do the same by going to the Banke Bihari shrine in Vrindavan. The Phool Bangal Utsav concludes at this location on the Hariyali Amavasya day. Jaipur organises a large-scale “puja” as well.

hariyali amavasya cellebration

Hariyali Amavasya Celebration in Udaipur

The Hariyali Amavasya festival is celebrated in a unique way in Udaipur by organizing a fair. The fair continues for two days where there are multiple food stalls, amusements, games, clothing, and jewellery. An aura of playfulness seeps into this fair. Everybody, from the young to the old, enjoys the fair, which attracts visitors from all over the nation.

History says that the Hariyali Amavasya fair was initiated by Maharana Fateh Singh, who also designed the renowned Fatehpur Sagarwas. He saw that the Dewali Pond’s water was being wasted to a great extent. So he transformed it into a reservoir to satisfy the requirements of the people. Hence after its completion, a fair was held on a moonless night during the rainy season, which later was known as the Hariyali Amawas. This fair was organised by the rulers in power for the ordinary people. The fact that the ritual is being performed today is also just astonishing.

The fair is dispersed from Saheliyon ki Badi to lake Fateh Sagar. Embellished with stunning and vibrant costumes, traditional music, dance, jewellery, and food vendors, this fair is a pure wonderland that leaves everyone enchanted. Although both men and women attend this fair, the second day of the fair is devoted exclusively to ladies. Men are not allowed on the second day of the fair. All the women pray for their families’ well-being on Hariyali Amavasya.

 

 

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Festivals

Hariyali Amavasya Mela 2019: Udaipur’s way of welcoming Monsoon

Hariyali Amavasya Mela 2019

If you have ever heard about Udaipur, its culture and traditions, there are hardly any chances you haven’t heard about the Mela (fair) of Hariyali Amavasya. Hariyali means greenery while Amavasya refers to the no-moon day as per Hindi terminology. It is a festival to rejoice rains due to which the earth gets covered with a blanket of greenery. Every year this festival is celebrated with high energy and enthusiasm in the Mewar region. There are many rituals associated with this fest, and people in Northern states of India celebrates this with great fervor.

Hariyali Amavasya Mela 2019
Credits: Siddarth Nagar

 

As it is a known fact that rains are considered as blessings of God and to show gratitude towards nature and its blessings, people celebrate Hariyali Amavasya to welcome the onset of monsoon. Like Rajasthan it is also celebrated in other Northern states of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Maharashtra it is celebrated as ‘Gatari Amavasya’, in Andhra Pradesh as ‘Chukkala Amavasya’ and in Orissa it is known as ‘Chitalagi Amavasya’. As with the names, the rituals and traditions vary in different parts of the country, but the spirit of celebrations remains same.

Hariyali Amavasya Mela 2019
Credits: Siddarth Nagar

Being an Udaipurite I still remember, how eagerly as kids we used to wait for this day. The chief thing that attracted us the most about this festival was the Mela (fair) and which still is. We eagerly used to wait for this day which was marked by a school holiday and it was customary to visit the fair to enjoy rides and food with family. Everywhere you could see, are the vibrant colors, the bustling crowd and the vendors shouting out loud. While the women folks mainly loved to shop at the fair stalls, however, we as kids would make it sure not to miss out any of the rides and food was ofcourse our motto of life. The interesting part is, still after so many years nothing has really changed except the climatic changes.

 

Hariyali Amavasya Mela 2019
Credits: Siddarth Nagar

Let’s know some interesting facts about this Mela:

  • It is believed that the first Hariyali Amavasya Mela was set up by Maharana Fateh Singh, to celebrate the completion of a reservoir near Dewali pond, which eventually became a tradition and is still continuing.
  • Hariyali Amavasya is a two day celebration where the last day is usually reserved for women.
  • Like any other festival, this festive fair is not confined to a particular religion but gathers people from all the religion, class and castes which is certainly a mark of cultural integration.
  • The famous dish of Rabdi-Malpua is the showstopper of this mela. Most people just visit to palate the renowned dish which is also considered as a monsoon cuisine by locals.
  • Public places such as Moti Magri, Saheliyon ki Baari etc which usually have an entrance fee during other days of the year are kept free for these two days.
  • The Mela is more of interest to the tribals and rural crowd near Udaipur region, who comes up in huge crowd in traditional costumes and jewelry.
  • Also elderly folks of this region have a strong belief, that it will definitely rain on the day of Hariyali Amavasya.
  • The wooden sword wrapped with colorful papers, a colorful feathered hat and small trumpets of paper called Poopadi in native language are the souvenirs which validate your presence at Mela.
  • Women collectively pray for good rainfall and bountiful harvest.
  • Green is the color of the day and ladies in the Mewar region wear green which represent their love for nature.
  • Several schools and social groups & organizations celebrate it a day before, organizing cultural programs.
  • It is considered auspicious to plant a sapling on this day which is also having religious significance as per Hindu community.

This year Hariyali Amavasya will be observed on 1st of August, which will also be a collector declared holiday for schools, colleges and all government organizations. Observing the increasing popularity of this festival among domestic and international tourists,efforts are also made by Municipal Corporation of Udaipur to have this historic fair registered in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Hariyali Amavasya Mela 2019
Credits: Siddarth Nagar

While the festival is the time to rejuvenate and rejoice, there is an increasing threat as well from past few year, about depleting rainfall and vanishing forests in the Aravali region. As true Udaipurites lets join hands to protect our environment and trees so that our future generations could also enjoy this historic Mela.

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Festivals

कभी सोचा है मेवाड़ में हरियाली अमावस्या का मेला क्यों भरता है ?

आज हरियाली अमावस्या के इस मौके पर कई लोगों को रंग बिरंगे कपड़ों में अपने अपने घरों से निकलते हुए देखा होगा। स्कूल और कॉलेज में भी बच्चों को हरे रंग के कपड़े पहनने को कहा जाता है। लेकिन आज भी कई ऐसे लोग होंगे, ख़ास तौर पर बच्चे और जवान लोग, जो की इसका मतलब नहीं जानते होगे। तो इससे पहले हम इस त्यौहार के हर्षोल्लास में मन्न्मुग्ध हो जाये, आइये जानते है हरियाली अमावस्या के बारे में कुछ बातें।

क्यों मनाते है हरियाली अमावस्या?

हरियाली अमावस्या वह त्यौहार है जिसे हिन्दू सभ्यता के लोग ‘सावन’ की शुरुआत के तौर पर मनाते है। इसे अमावस्या के दिन मनाया जाता है जिसकी वजह से इसका नाम हरियाली अमावस्या पड़ा। हिन्दू कैलेंडर के हिसाब से इसे श्रावण महीने के ‘कृष्णा पक्ष’ में मनाया जाता है और ग्रेगोरियन कैलेंडर के हिसाब से यह दिन जुलाई-अगस्त तक में आता है। इस दिन शिव जी की बहुत ही श्रद्धा से पूजा होती है। इसके साथ इस मौके पर बारिश और हरियाली की भी पूजा होती है। बारिश फसल के लिए काफी ज़रूरी है। कई क्षेत्रों में पीपल के पेड़ की भी पूजा होती है।

हरियाली अमावस्या सिर्फ राजस्थान में ही नहीं बल्कि और भी कई जगहों पर मनाया जाता है। महाराष्ट्र में ‘गटरी अमावस्या’, आंध्र प्रदेश में ‘चुक्कला अमावस्या’, और ओडिशा में ‘चितालागी अमावस्या’ के नाम से इसे मनाया जाता है। इसके नाम ही की तरह, इसे मनाने के तरीके भी बदलते है लेकिन त्यौहार का मकसद वही रहता है – सावन और उससे मिलने वाली ख़ुशी।

उदयपुर में हरियाली अमावस्या का मेला

सहेलियों की बाड़ी से शुरू होता हुआ यह मेला फतहसागर तक भरता है। उदयपुर के कई लोग तो हरियाली अमावस्या को उसके मेले की वजह से ही जानते है। यह मेला दो दिन तक चलता है। खाना, मस्ती, कपडे, जेवर, झूले और दोस्तों के साथ ख़ुशी के कुछ पल, अगर सब कुछ एक जगह पर मिल जाए तो ना जाने की तो कोई वजह ही नहीं है।

इस मेले में ना केवल उदयपुर के लोग आते है बल्कि उदयपुर के आस पास के क्षेत्रों के जन जातीय लोगों का भी आना होता है। मेले की रबड़ी और मालपुए ही आधे लोगों को अपनी तरफ खींच लाते है। अलग अलग दुकान वालों का शोर-गुल, बच्चों का बाजे बजाते हुए चलना, जलेबी और कचोरी की सुगंध हर कोने से आती हुई, और झूलों पर सवार हस्ते खिलखिलाते हुए बच्चे इस मेले में जान डाल देते है।

 

मेवाड़ में इस मेले की शुरुआत कैसे हुई?

ऐसा माना जाता है की मेवाड़ में इस मेले की शुरुआत महाराणा फतेह सिंह जी ने की थी। उन्होंने देखा की देवाली के तालाब में बहुत सारा पानी बर्बाद हो रहा है। तो उन्होंने वहाँ एक जलाशय बनाने का सोचा जिससे लोगों की पानी की ज़रूरते पूरी हो सके। इस जलाशय के निर्माण के पूरे होने पर उन्होंने यहाँ अमावस्या के दिन एक मेला भरवाया। धीरे धीरे यह मेला आम लोगों के लिए भी खुला और तब से आज तक इस मेले का लुत्फ़ लोग उठाते आ रहे है।

हरियाली अमावस्या का यह मेला सावन की सबसे पसंदीदा जगह रहती है और इस मेले में जाकर सावन का आनंद हर एक उदयपुरवासी को लेना चाहिए।

क्या आपके पास भी कोई रोचक और दिलचस्प कहानी है जो आप लोगों के साथ बांटना चाहते है? तो वह कहानी मुझे भेजे juhee@udaipurblog.com पर।

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Festivals

Hariyali Amavasya – Welcoming Greenery and Monsoon

haryali amavasya udaipur

haryali amavasya udaipur

Haryali Amavasya – A perfect green day for recreation and enjoyment in Udaipur. The
 beautiful festival is round the corner, waiting for a splendid welcome 
by us on 30th of this very rainy month. As the name suggest, it is 
celebrated on first amavasya of ‘saawan’ to celebrate the lush greenery
 of Udaipur.

 Haryali amavasya is a day of extreme importance for us as it traces its
 path from the past. The kings of Udaipur considered it as an
 auspicious day and used to put on a fair for the common people of and around Udaipur. The fair gathers all the people together acting as a means of national
 integration. Being a traditional fair, the tradition is followed unbroken till date.

There is a huge festive fair that begins from Saheliyon ki Bari and spreads its 
glories till Fatehsagar. The various places midway are open for the people for free like Moti Magri, Saheliyon ki Bari. The loud noise and screams of the vendors fill this
 fair with extreme energy.
Guess what adds taste to this vibrating festival??  
Yes!! The very famous “Rabri Malpua”  😀 of Udaipur. Adding to the life and color of this festive fair are ‘poopadia’, ‘paani ke gubbare’, colorful caps, chat-pakoda stalls, and various high rides and swings. Traditional songs, dance, food and costume escalate the verve of hariyali amavasya celebrations.

The fair is continued to next day but is restricted only till female 
folks. The vibrant colors of the costumes and ethnic jewellery
 catch the attention of all the beautiful ladies. A special care is 
taken, that the joyous moments of these beauties are not stolen by the
 men. All the females of the city can walk around, dine with friend
and shop for themselves without any obstructions.

 This day is usually declared as an off for all the government offices and schools by the Collector of Udaipur City. In the plight of this, the various schools celebrate it a day before with
 colorful and energetic programs. The social clubs running in Udaipur 
celebrate this amavasya with enthusiasm and excitement through
 execution of various cultural programs including tree plantation and
 enjoying the feast together. Many delicious food items are cooked at homes also and families are seen enjoying Garma Garam Pakodas and boiling hot tea with roasted Corn at Fatehsagar.

The festival just adds to the unforgettable memories. The light scatters from the rain drops and spreads the feeling of brotherhood, humanity and love for the tradition.

 But let’s not forget our duty and love for our very own city. This charming city belongs to us and being fellow citizens it is our responsibility to encourage cleanliness and spread the word of hygiene all over. It is seen very often that a traditional event is well 
followed by the usual sight of littering roads, thrown wrappers and
 peels of fruits which leads to various kinds of fatal diseases like
 malaria and cholera. The beautiful lakeside is seen carrying rubbish
 on the surface of water which masks its sparkling blue color. It’s a humble 
request to all the Udaipies to keep the city clean, green and beautiful. Contribute in the best possible way to take care of cleanliness of this heaven on earth.

 Let’s unite, rejuvenate and enjoy this festive season to the fullest!! 🙂

Article By : Himani Sethiya Contributed by: Chani Soni and Edited By: Palak Jain

:: Here are a Few Pictures of Last Year’s Celebration by Yash Sharma ::

haryali amavasya udaipur

haryali amavasya

haryali amavasya