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Festivals

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

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.

Categories
Events

Kailash Kher to Make a Comeback in Udaipur Along with Raju Shrivastava. Know Where!

After World Music Festival 2017, Kailasha Kher will make our feet groove and heart sing again with his musical rendition at this year’s Diwali-Dushehra Mela which will be conducted at town hall Nagar Nigam campus. The music artist will be accompanied by the great Indian comedian Raju Shrivastava in the fair. The fair will begin from 28th October stretching all the way for 14 days and coming to an end on 11 November 2018.

Udaipur Municipal Corporation has announced a week-long schedule which will include lots of entertaining elements for people of all ages.

On 28th and 29th October, the stage of the fair will serve all the local talent of the city that will involve singers, dancers and other performers. People interested to participate in the activity can register their names at Nagar Nigam by 11th October.

The next day i.e. on 30th October Kailash Kher will melt the hearts of all Udaipurites with his sweet melody. On 31st October, a Raas Leela would be performed on Shree Krishna’s life followed by Raju Shrivastava’s performance the next day i.e. 1 November 2018. The schedule for the rest of the days would be as such – 2nd November: Ghazal and Bhajan, 3rd November: Kavi sammelan where artists like Surendra Sharma, Suman Dubey, Vineet Chauhan, Kumar Sambhav, Ashok Charan, Dinesh Banti, Sunil Jogi, Abdul Gaffar, Gaurav Golcha, etc. will perform. On 4th November, Performance by Prince Gupta and dance group will be held.

Do you have any feedback regarding the article? Or have an interesting story to share with us? Write to me at juhee@udaipurblog.com.

Categories
Festivals

Dusshera Diwali Mela Schedule

Here is a Visual for The Dusshera Diwali Mela that is to Start From 27 October onwards Every Evening. 🙂 Enjoy With your Family And Friends.

Venue:  Town Hall, Udaipur

Categories
Events

Fun- O -Carnival

Fun ’O’ Carnival

Carnival !! Nowadays an earshot for Udaipur people !!! Really because what Udaipur celebrated on 10-10-10 was actually a history !!! The people who attended the Lakecity Carnival were amazed by the glory of unforgettable performances, fireworks, and definitely the unforeseen gathering & environment. Moreover the people who missed it, still feels miserable !! Resembling that they have missed something big, something really entertaining & pleasing. So Everyone, this time another huge event will shortly take place and I feel glad to notify that yes it is again a Carnival !!! Yeah,  Diva’s RBS Group in association with Ashoka Cinema (Cineplex) has organized a remarkable Fun-o-carnival on 24th October 2010 (Sunday) in the premises of Ashoka Cinema (at 3 Panchsheel Marg, Surajpole).

As the name Fun-o-Carnival indicates it’s gonna be totally fun filled… There will be various entertaining & amusing activities to delight everyone !! Yeah, like Puppet Show, Toffee & Bubble Clown, Magic Show, Kid’s FUN Rides, Juggling , Folk Dance, Performance by Live Band ‘ADBHUTT’, Horse Ride, Candy Land, Tattoo Artistry,Peanut Master , Bamboo Man, Tarot Cards ,Photo Studio, Gaming Zone, Food Court, Shopper’s Stop-Exhibition cum Sale Booths, Lucky Dip, Camel Ride and lots more…….

Everything at same place same day same time !!! 😀

Organizers, Sponsors & Supporters:

Organizers: Diva’s RBS in association with Ashoka Cinema.

Sponsors: Dainik Bhaskar, Jagat Retreat, Rajasthan Bakery, Sangram Marbles, OMG Restaurant (Rkay Mall),Arhaam Event Organizers etc.

Suppoters: Pacific Industries, SRG Financers, Roopsi International, D Fair deal Properties, NICC, Shubh Gp & Shubh Builders, Nahar Coatings, Mewada Hospital, Gopalia Petrol Pump, Kanish Computers, Tvs Udaipur etc.

Don’t forget to buy your passes (Free for children below 10 yrs.) at just 30 for children (10-18 yrs.) and 70 forAdults.

Buy your Passes at:

  • Rajasthan Bakery, Surajpole
  • Cake Plaza, Chetak
  • Jai Ambe Boutique, Shakti Nagar
  • Rajasthan Bakers, Fatehpura

Note: For more Details on stalls and passes contact on 8890018048.

We invite and advice you to participate and attend the first ever Fun-o-Carnival (fun unlimited) on 24th October. Make sure this time you don’t miss the truly enjoyable, beyond doubt, fun filled occurrence.