Manjusha Bhaskarwar on LinkedIn: **Nag Panchami: Honoring All Creatures** Nag Panchami is a festival that… (2024)

Diversity in ChaturthiGrowing up in Pune, Maharashtra, I used to see real close upfront the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi at a scale probably unrivalled anywhere else in India. Thanks to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who leaned on reviving this festival among the masses, whose souls were battered by the British, to breathe a sense of pride in our own traditions. That was over 100 years ago. The cries of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, a friendly hailing of a deity so dear to all, marks the 10-day festival, with so many festivities each day that it probably surpasses Diwali celebrations later in the year.Emotions run high all through these ten days. Communities and colonies alike, take out processions parading the murti of Ganesh in all His glory, displaying their devotion according to their own means. Some are larger than life murtis, and some as small as what fits into one’s pooja room at home. The “visarjan” or the dissolution of the murti in 3 or 5 or 10 days (depending on what each community or family follows, again depending on their means) triggers tears, and anticipation of His coming next year. “Pudchya varshi laukar yaa” (Come soon next year!). Down south, Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated as well with fervor, but not in as grand a fashion as in Maharashtra.Such love, devotion articulated so respectfully in myriad ways. Not vying with each other. Not one hom*ogenous way. To each his own. That diversity of thought and emotion is what is India, the land of diversity.Be it the names used to describe Ganesh - Ganpati (Lord of the people), Vignesh (Lord of the obstacles), Vinayak (The one who leads); or the size of the murtis; or the duration of the celebration; or the colors used to represent Ganesh; or the material used to make the murtis, now increasingly becoming more biodegradable; or the different cultural tones across States. Such diversity for just one of the many festivals that are coming our way now.The beauty of diversity is that it allows individual expression, shaped by the context of the local. Just like each of us have finger-prints unique to us alone. But it also signals coexistence, not just tolerance. Just as in Nature. And India is filled with such diversity at every nook and corner. And Nature is filled with the exact same diversity. The linearity of human thought ultimately transcended by the curves of Nature.At Bio Basics, we celebrate this diversity. By building the most diverse granary in India. 60+ varieties of rices, 10+ varieties of wheats and 10+ varieties of millets, and much more, which are both mainstream and alternate, thriving in coexistence.This Ganesh Chaturthi, we want to express this diversity of thought, diversity of celebrations and diversity of grains, in our own small way, by making modaks not only from white rice, but also from red rice. Here is what we put together. Let us celebrate diversity this Chaturthi, like never before, and keep doing so all year around.

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Durga Puja has a great significance among Bengali community people. They celebrate this festival with great grandeur. People bring the idol of Goddess Durga at home or at Pandals and worship the Goddess. This festival is mainly celebrated in West Bengal, Kolkata, Assam, Odisha, Bihar and Tripura with great pomp and pomposity. It is ten day long festival. The Pandals are beautifully installed decorated with different themes. The streets are crowded with people out to see these pandals and the ethereal idols that reside within.As per Hindu Mythology, the warrior Goddess Durga fought with the demons during these days of Navratri and Durga Puja is the day when Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura got a boon that no man could kill him so he tried to take over the abode of Gods. These deities and Gods were not able to defeat that demon.To get out of this situation, they all came together along with trinity gods and created "SHAKTI" from their energies and power. They named the Shakti as Durga.Once Mahishasura laid eyes on the goddess and wished to marry her then the battle started and Goddess Durga fought this battle for five long days and got the victory by killing the demo Mahishasura.Creative Economy around Durga Puja 2019 research report looks at 10 creative industries that drive Durga Puja, possibly the world's largest public arts festival. The report estimates the economic worth of the creative industries around Durga Puja in West Bengal at Rs 32,377 crore (GBP 3.29 billion, USD 4.53 billion), which is the size of the economy of many smaller countries across the world. Durga Puja accounts for 2.58% of the state GDP and is just a weeklong festival.Kolkata’s Durga Puja, one of the biggest street festivals in the world, is also one of the largest employment generators in the state, providing jobs to over 1 lakh people for nearly six months every yearWith more than 10,000 Pujas in the state and 1,000 more in other parts of India and overseas, the festival has in recent years emerged as a hub of activity with each community Puja sustaining a micro-economy, particularly in Kolkata. From those erecting the pandals to the decorators, idol-makers to craftsmen, electricians to security persons, priests to dhakis, the Pujas help thousands boost their earnings.

Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, is widely celebrated across India. However, Maharashtra is particularly known for its grand and elaborate festivities associated with Ganesh Chaturthi. Here are some special aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra:1. **Public Celebrations:** In Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and as a public event. Various organizations, societies, and individuals install large public idols of Lord Ganesha in beautifully decorated pandals (temporary structures) that are open for public worship.2. **Ganesh Mandal:** Different neighborhoods or localities form Ganesh Mandals, which are groups responsible for organizing the festivities. These Mandals often compete to create the most magnificent and creative idols and pandals.3. **Ganesh Idol Immersion (Visarjan):** The immersion of Ganesh idols in water bodies, typically on the last day or the 10th day of the festival, is a significant event. The processions during Visarjan are vibrant and lively, accompanied by music, dance, and a sense of community.4. **Famous Celebrations:** Some of the most famous Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Maharashtra take place in cities like Mumbai and Pune. The Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati in Pune are iconic examples known for their elaborate decorations and massive crowds.5. **Eco-friendly Initiatives:** In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly celebrations. Many Mandals have adopted the use of eco-friendly idols made from clay and promote responsible idol immersion to protect the environment.6. **Cultural Programs:** Alongside the religious rituals, cultural programs, dance performances, and music concerts are organized during the festival, adding to the festive atmosphere.7. **Unity and Community Spirit:** Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra fosters a sense of unity and community spirit. People from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate, and it's a time when social and cultural bonds are strengthened.It's important to note that the scale and style of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations can vary from region to region within Maharashtra, but the festival's significance and cultural importance remain consistent throughout the state.#GaneshChaturthi #Maharashtra #Mumbai

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#HAPPYVASANTPANCHAMI 😊 Vasant Panchami is a joyous festival that celebrates knowledge, creativity, and the beauty of nature. It brings people together in a spirit of reverence and festivity, marking the transition from the cold winter months to the bright and cheerful days of spring.#basantpanchami #festival #festivalsofindia #festivalvibes #festivals #culture #springfestival #india #indiafestival #indianculture #explore #exploremore #explorepage #linkedin #linkedincommunity #linkedincommunity #linkedinlearning #linkedin #linkedinfamily #linkedinconnections #linkedincommunity #linkedingroup #connections #connectingprofessionals #connectandgrow #connection #connectingcommunities #connectingtalent #growth #growtogether

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Indians love #festivals the joy of us which tells about our country's diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability. Today, I thought to take a #walk on the streets, and this one day is observed in so many ways. Some of us just celebrated Ayudh Puja, Navratri, and Durga Puja. And in some days we will be celebrating DiwaliThe vibrance of a city or country lies in people. While walking, I captured some beautiful #moments of people through my eyes. A few days ago a day before Dussehra evening at McDonald's, BTM Layout, I saw 2 members doing some Rangoli and people loved watching it. While I captured it visually I also adored the things they kept in mind while doing it. Like as simple as keeping the public away from wearing shoes and entering that particular spot, to those beautiful hand cravings. I can recall all of it again. Now we will be celebrating Diwali in a few days and it will be a #celebration of lights, color, and meeting your cousins, family members, sweets, and decorations. That's how we celebrate #festivals and welcome everyone to be a part of it. We need to make our cities, generations, and environment more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable just like these festivals. How can you be a part of this journey? Join me by #contributing some of your time every week to create more cities like that and we can plan on what we can do together to have such spaces. Fill the form here: https://lnkd.in/gjHf6A33#bangalore #festiveseason #india #climate #mcdonalds #volunteer #volunteering #impact

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You are a “villager” so what do you know about the Dhandiya night dance party?This was a comment from my close friend living in Chennai. .Short answer: The world rushes fast, but I simply want to slow down and savor the moments with my family. .Long Answer:For Me, Celebrations were never about dance, booze, and wild fun.From where I come from, we celebrate every festival with family. This time for Ayudha Pooja and Saraswathi Pooja, - My mom cleaned the house. - I mopped and dusted off the house. - My sister arranged flowers and things. - Dad took care of all the purchases.And our dog acted as a silent supervisor 🐶It's the most fun I've ever had. .I do feel left out when I see my friends living in the city go to parties, let loose and be crazy. Cities are good for networking but it is in my home that I truly feel the celebration. Also, we only have a few festivals that we celebrate as a family before things change. So if you save time and spend it with strangers whom you might never meet again - What's the point?So yes - I am not embarrassed about being a “Villager” and celebrating with my family :)What's your view on this?How do you like to celebrate festivals?-💫#contentwriting#contentwriter#founders

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Karwachauth is a festival celebrated by Hindu women, especially in northern and western India, who fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being and longevity of their husbands. It is also a time of joy, love, and celebration for many couples and families. But what does this festival cost to the middle class population of India, who make up about 31% of the households in the country⁷?According to a survey by PRICE (People Research on India’s Consumer Economy), the middle class in India is defined as those with an annual household income of Rs 5-30 lakh⁷. This segment of the population has seen a significant growth in the last decade, as well as an increase in their spending power and aspirations. However, they also face challenges such as inflation, unemployment, and economic inequality.The festival of Karwachauth involves various expenses such as buying new clothes, jewellery, cosmetics, gifts, puja items, and food. According to a report by ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India), the average spending on Karwachauth by urban women ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000. This means that for a middle class household earning Rs 5 lakh per year, Karwachauth could cost up to 5% of their annual income. For a household earning Rs 30 lakh per year, it could cost up to 0.8% of their annual income.While some may argue that spending on Karwachauth is a matter of personal choice and preference, others may question the social and cultural pressures that influence such spending. Is Karwachauth a symbol of devotion or consumerism? Is it a way of expressing love or flaunting wealth? Is it a tradition or a trend? These are some of the questions that the middle class in India may need to reflect on as they celebrate this festival.What are your thoughts on this topic? Share your views in the comments below.

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Art/Culture events in Delhi or elsewhere should be democratic and extra effort must be put in to include those who normally do not have access, namely poorer sections of society. Inviting the same 200 privileged people again and again and posting pics on Facebook/Insta is a status quoist device to announce and protect social privileges. Nassim Taleb calls these people rent seekers; people into physical or intellectual real estate. There is no real or lasting contribution to society, just squatting and collecting 'rent' for influence, real or imaginary. Globally art is being used as a powerful tool of social change, to remove boundaries between people. In India and elsewhere. The thekedars of these islands of privilege should sit up or take notice. Before the people take over. Some years back I took an autorickshaw driver to the India Art Fair (I had to buy a pass for him.) He thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Yes, there are art galleries and cultural spaces which don't charge but we know the invisible barriers. Don't we? #MinistryofCultureGoI

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News18 Lokmat organized an event to commemorate the auspicious Mangalagauri festival in a celebration of Maharashtra's rich cultural heritage...Read More At:-https://lnkd.in/dr98HDZCNews18 India #organized #event #mangalagauri #festival #celebration #maharashtra #cultural #news #media #newsupdate #newsfeed #newsflash #newsmedia #trendingnews #latestnews #dailynews #todaynews #breakingnews #englishnews #dailynewsupdate

Tutorials are popping up on every platform, yet they're rarely seen on stage for a theatrical performance. This unique blend of entertainment was brought to Pune by Alliance Française de Pune, a strong representative of French culture. The response was fantastic, and for a first-time representation in India, the venue was packed, well done.We chose a segment from a seminar that was not only comedic but also grounded in real facts. Synchronized movement offers numerous benefits; it's a common practice in sports and the performing arts, and it's gradually making its way into the corporate world.Indeed, it can yield many advantages:𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬Engaging in these practices can also release positive hormones like oxytocin, cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin. Overall, it has a positive impact on well-being. Laughter, which was abundant during this performance, is excellent for the same reasons. While the piece covered many diverse topics, this particular segment resonated with us. Ketki Ramavat thanks for the invitations 😊#pune #theatre #seminar #corporate #activity

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