Nilanjana Rai Reward Points : 27800 Member Since : Saturday, March 14, 2009
When is Ganga Mahotsav held in Varanasi? Can somebody provide me with the details of this festival?
Posted On : 4/3/2009 10:10:04 PM
Mohanlal Chaturvedi Reward Points : 20700 Member Since : Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Ganga Mahotsav is a classical music and dance fest organized in the enchanting backdrop of the religious town of Varanasi and river Ganges . This five-day festival coincides with the sublimely fantastic Dev Deepavali festival of lights celebrated with aplomb at Varanasi . The festival has been named Ganga Mahotsav out of respect and devotion for the River Ganges. The festival provides music and dance lovers with an opportunity to enjoy spirited performances from celebrated artistes. Some of the laureates who have enthralled connoisseurs here include Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pundit Chhanulal Misra, Girija Devi, Bal Murli Krishnan, Bhimsen Joshi, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Zila Khan, Sujat Khan and Zakir Hussein. The ghats of Varranasi and banks of Ganges come alive and abright on the occasion of the Kartik Purnima with thousands of diyas during this time
Posted On : 4/4/2009 2:19:26 AM
Anju Malhotra Reward Points : 61200 Member Since : Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Ganga Mahotsav is a five day event celebrated on the banks of the river Ganges in Varanasi. This festival is celebrated to promote Varanasi as the cultural capital of India and the Ganges as India s lifeline. Ganga has always been an integral part of India and is considered as a thing of reverence by the Hindus. Ganga gives a sense of belonging to the people of India especially those living near the banks. Ganga Mahotsav is organized on Dev Deepavali or the full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik. It is believed that on the day of Dev Deepavali God descends from Heaven to take a bath in the Ganges. The banks of the river Ganga are lit with earthen lamps or diyas amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. The ghats of Ganga wear a mystic look as hundreds of people walk to take bathe in the wee hours of the holy day. Men and women take a holy dip in the river while chanting mantras and doing surya namaskar or bowing to the sun-God. The festival also gives importance to dance and music as various cultural programmes promoting Indian dance and music are organized. Some of the exponents of Indian music have performed in this festival. They include stalwarts like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pundit Chhanulal Misra, Girija Devi, Bal Murli Krishnan, Bhimsen Joshi, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Zila Khan, Sujat Khan and Zakir Hussein who added zest to this festival. The event is a must for all tourists to get a glimpse of the culture of Varanasi.
Posted On : 4/4/2009 3:09:34 AM
Riya Sen [Guru] Reward Points : 93800 Member Since : Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The River Ganges has always the lifeline of India and also the felicitator and nourishment of the Indian Civilization. To mark this contribution of River Ganges, an annual festival is organised that has been titled Ganga Mahotsava . It is a 5-day festive event held on the banks of Ganges in Varanasi. Ganga Mahotsava tends to promote Varanasi and Ganga as the cultural capital and lifeline of India respectively. The event gives highlights the promotion of the classical style of Indian music and dance. It provides opportunity to viewers, to witness performance of the great exponents of Indian classical dance and music. Some of these proponents of art reside in Uttar Pradesh itself. In the past editions, laureates like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pundit Chhanulal Misra, Girija Devi, Bal Murli Krishnan, Bhimsen Joshi, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Zila Khan, Sujat Khan and Zakir Hussein have performed in this festival. This festival also coincides with Dev-Dipawali, the festival of lights at Varanasi. It is believed that on the day of Dev Deepavali God descends from Heaven to take a bath in the Ganges. The banks of the river Ganga are lit with earthen lamps or diyas amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. The ghats of Ganga wear a mystic look as hundreds of people walk to take bathe in the wee hours of the holy day. Men and women take a holy dip in the river while chanting mantras and doing surya namaskar or bowing to the sun-God.
Ganga Mahotsav is organized on Dev Deepavali or the full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik. It is believed that on the day of Dev Deepavali God descends from Heaven to take a bath in the Ganges. The banks of the river Ganga are lit with earthen lamps or diyas amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. Men and women take a holy dip in the river while chanting mantras and doing surya namaskar or bowing to the sun-God. The festival also gives importance to dance and music as various cultural programmes promoting Indian dance and music are organized. Some of the exponents of Indian music have performed in this festival. They include stalwarts like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pundit Chhanulal Misra, Girija Devi, Bal Murli Krishnan, Bhimsen Joshi, Birju Maharaj, Amjad Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Zila Khan, Sujat Khan and Zakir Hussein who added zest to this festival. The event is a must for all tourists to get a glimpse of the culture of Varanasi
Ganga Mahotsav
