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India
is a land of often bewildering diversity. It is a jigsaw
puzzle of people - of every faith and religion, living
together to create a unique and colourful mosaic. There is
a festival for every reason and for every season. Many
festivals celebrate the various harvests, commemorate
great historical figures and events, while many express
devotion to the deities of different religions. Every
celebration centres around the rituals of prayer, seeking
blessings, exchanging goodwill, decorating houses, wearing
new clothes, music, dance and feasting. |
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Namaskar |
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Namaskar
or Namaste is the most popular form of greeting in India.
It is a general salutation that is used to welcome
somebody and also for bidding farewell.
While doing namaskar, both the palms are placed together
and raised below the face to greet a person.
It is believed that both the hands symbolize one mind or
the self meeting the self. While the right hand represents
higher nature, the left hand denotes worldly or lower
nature.
Other common forms of greetings by various communities and
regions in India are - sat-sri-akal by the
Sikhs, vannakkam by the Tamils,
Juley by the Laddhakis and Tashi Delay by the Sikkimese,
amongst others. |
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Tilak |
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Tilak
is a ritual mark on the forehead. It can be put in many
forms as a sign of blessing, greeting or auspiciousness.
The Tilak is usually made out of a red vermillion paste (kumkum)
which is a mixture of turmeric, alum, iodine, camphor, etc.
It can also be of a sandalwood paste (chandan) blended
with musk.
The tilak is applied on the spot between the brows which
is considered the seat of latent wisdom and mental
concentration, and is very important for worship. This is
the spot on which yogis meditate to become one with Lord
Brahma. It also indicates the point at which the spiritual
eye opens. All thoughts and actions are said to be
governed by this spot. Putting of the coloured mark
symbolizes the quest for the ‘opening’ of the third
eye.
All rites and ceremonies of the Hindus begin with a tilak
topped with a few grains of rice placed on this spot with
the index finger or the thumb. The same custom is followed
while welcoming or bidding farewell to guests or
relations. |
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Arati |
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Is
performed as a act of veneration and love. It is often
performed as a mark of worship and to seek blessings from God, to welcome guests, for children on their birthdays,
for family
members on auspicious occasions or to welcome a newly
wedded couple.
For performing Arati, five small lamps called niranjanas
are filled with ghee or oil and arranged in a small tray
made of metal. A wick is made out of cotton wool and
placed in the lamps. A conch shell filled with water,
auspicious leaves or flowers, incense or lighted camphor
are also placed in the tray. The lamps are lit and the
tray is rotated in a circular motion in front of the deity
or the person to be welcomed. The
purpose of performing arati is to ward off evil effects
and the malefic influence of the ‘evil eye.’ |
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Garlanding |
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Flower
garlands are generally offered as a mark of respect and
honour. They are offered to welcome the visitors or in
honour to the Gods and Goddesses.
The garlands are
generally made with while jasmine and orange marigold
flowers. They are weaved in thread tied in the end with a
help of a knot. |
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Bindi |
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A bindi is an auspicious mark worn by young girls and women. Bindi
is derived from bindi, the Sanskrit word for dot. It is
usually a red dot made with vermillion powder which is worn
by women between their eyebrows on their forehead.
Considered a
symbol of Goddess Parvati, a bindi signifies female energy
and is believed to protect women and their husbands.
Traditionally a symbol of marriage, it has also become
decorative and is worn today by unmarried girls and women
as well.
No longer restricted in colour or shape, bindis are seen
in many bright colours and in different shapes and
designs. They are also made of coloured felt and
embellished with coloured glass or glitter. |
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Nose Pin
Many Indian women wear a pin on their nose studded with
stones, called a nose pin. A symbol of purity and marriage, the nose pin is
today adorned by many unmarried girls as well.
Mangalsutra
Is a necklace made of black
beads, worn only by the
married women as a mark of being married. It is the Indian equivalent of the
western wedding ring.
The managalsutra is tied by the groom around his bride’s neck.
Mangalsutra is generally made out of two strings of small black beads with a
gold pendant. The black beads are believed to act as protection against evil.
The married women wear this to protect their marriage and the life of their
husband.
In southern India, the mangalsutra is called ‘tali’. It is a small gold
ornament, strung on a cotton cord or a gold chain.
Shakha-paula
Are a pair of shell (Shakha)
and coral (Paula) bangles worn as marriage symbols by the Bengali women.
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