garhwal's tradition

 Spring season has begun across the country. As the weather warms up and the biting cold winters give way to the breezy summers, there are a number of festivals lined up as per the Hindu calendar. The first one, Basant Panchami, marks the onset of spring and brings an end to the winter season. This is closely followed by Mahashivratri or 'the Great Night of Shiva'. Mahashivratri this year falls on 1st March and will be celebrated by devotees with much fervour and aplomb. Here is all you need to know about this festival's customs and significance, along with some vrat-friendly recipes that you can make on this auspicious day. Mahashivratri falls on the 13th or 14th day in the month of Phalgun as per the Hindu calendar. There are many legends associated with why Mahashivratri is celebrated. One suggests that it marks the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, while another says that it was the night that Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and d

Basant Panchami is a festival celebrated in Uttarakhand to welcome the season of spring. The winter weary soul cheers the arrival of sweet spring when the flowers bloom, the birds sing, the splendid sun beams and cold no longer stings. Basant Panchami is also referred to as Sripanchami. On the occasion of Basant Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. According to Hindu religion she is the goddesses of learning and music. She is highly revered and respected and people seek her blessings by praying to her. They want her to grant them the wealth of knowledge. Yellow is considered her favorite color. On this day, everyone uses yellow cloth, yellow handkerchiefs and put a yellow tilak on their foreheads. They even clad themselves in yellow. The sight of all the people adorned in clothes of such a bright color is wonderful. On this day, the young particularly rejoice. They participate in unrestrained merry making. Kesar Halva, a sweet dish which is also yellow in color is enjoyed avidly