Kalasham
An earthen pot filled with water and using mango leaves and coconuts is used to initiate any pooja) only on auspicious occasions to propitiate Gods.
Mango Leaves toran
The significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. It is said that Kartik and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes. As the legend goes Kartik exhorted people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway signifying a good crop and general well-being.
Raw mango
Seasons first mangoes come during the time of Ugadi,which is when the harvest of mangoes happen. Raw Mango for its tang, signifying surprise, is the key ingredient in the Ugadi pachadi.
Neem flowers
Neem Buds for its bitterness, signifying sadness and is used in the Ugadi pachadi a special mixture consists of all flavours which tongue can perceive, could also mean each flavour stands for some feeling or emotion which is natural in life.
Nilavilakku
Nilavilakku is a traditional lamp made of bronze or brass and is usually lit on auspicious occasions. It is an integral part of Vishukkani - the first thing you see on the day of Vishu.
Kanikonna
Also called the golden shower, is the state flower of Kerala. This flower blooms only at time of Vishu. Kanikonna is one of the most important items kept in a visual arrangement of auspicious articles called The Vishnukkani (The first sight seen on the day)
Vishupadakkam
Vishu is considered a festival of light and fireworks, where decorations with lights as well as bursting of crackers are a big part of the celebrations in Kerala. Children enjoy bursting the crackers in morning and evening.
Vishu Sadhya
The Vishu Sadhya (feast) consist of equal proportion of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Vishu Kanji, Thoran, Vishu katta are most important delicacies in the feast.
Streamers
An essential feature of Baisakhi is the ‘Nagar Kirtan’ procession,where devotees recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, through the streets of towns.The entire route of the procession is decorated with buntings, flowers and colourful streamers, which further adds colour to the festive fervour.
Dhol
Men and women dressed up mostly in their finest yellow festive clothes dance the energetic Gidda and Bhangra to the pounding rhythm of Dhol. This folk dance of Punjab is performed as an expression of the farmer’s joy on seeing healthy crops,ready for harvest.
Wheat fields
On Baisakhi,the first harvest of the main crop of Punjab,wheat, is gathered and offered to deities Celebrations are held in wheat fields after the harvest, where loud cries of “Jatta aayi Baisakhi ” can be heard throughout the day and men and women enact the various stages of farming like sowing,tilling,harvesting as a part of Baisakhi celebrations.
Kite flying
Baisakhi Fairs are traditionally organised all over Punjab,where kite flying festivals are held,where children as well as elders ,engage in kite flying with much gusto and enthusiasm.
Alpana
Rangolis with flour are prepared in courtyards and entrances of homes,and its center is adorned with an earthenware pot decorated with the auspicious shostika
Shostik
The Shostik is a slightly varied version of the symbol ‘Swastika’, which looks like a stick figure of a human being. It is also drawn on all auspicious occasions as a lucky charm to protect from evil and attract goodwill.
Bengali Sweets
Sweets are one of the the most important aspect of any Bengali festival. Rosogolla, gulab jamun, misti doi and lobongo lotika are just few amongst the many that one must try, this time of the year!
Kalash
Kalash, filled with holy water and mango leaves to symbolize a prosperous year for the family, is kept in the centre of the Alpana.
Sugarcane
Gudi Padwa falls on the first day of the month Chaitra,according to the Hindu Lunar calendar,which marks the onset of summer.It is also a festival to celebrate the harvest of the rabi crop and sugarcane being a widely cultivated crop in Maharastra,is an integral part of the celebration.
Neem leaves
Traditionally,families begin the festivities by eating bittersweet leaves of the neem tree with jaggery. This is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases and is consumed by all members of the family. It also signifies that the coming new year will have a bit of sweet as well as bitter moments in it,and to take them in the right spirit!
Rangoli
On this festive day,houses are swept clean and courtyards and doorsteps of houses are decorated with intricate rangoli in vibrant colours, celebrating the myriad spring colours in nature.
Gudi
A Gudi is a silver or copper pot placed in an inverted position over the tip of a long bamboo, with bright cloth, along with a necklace of sugar crystals (gaathi), neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of flowers.It is hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a place at some height,from where it is clearly visible. The Gudi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.
Jaapi
Jaapi is a traditional Assamese hat,made with woven bamboo or cane. It is a part of the traditional attire of Bihu dancers and is also offered as a sign of respect in ceremonies.Sometimes it is also placed at the main entrance of houses as a welcome sign.
Pithas
Traditional Assamese snacks - ‘Pithas’ such as Til, Ghila, Sunga, Monda, Tekeli Pithas and Laroos (different kind of snack made out of rice flour, coconut, molasses or sugar) - are prepared for Bihu,which furthermore add to the festive feel of the season.
Pepa
Bihu dance and Bihu songs (Bihugeet),using instruments like dhol,taal and pepa are an inseparable part of the seven day Rongali Bihu festival. The pepa is a hornpipe musical instrument,made with the horn of a buffalo,used in traditional music in Assam.
Kopou Phool
The kopou phool, also Assam’s state flower is an integral part of the Bihu dancer’s attire. It is also considered to be a symbol of love and fertility. This is the time of the year when the air in the Assam valley is filled with the sweet fragrance of Kopou Phool blossoming all around & the entire valley becomes vibrant and colorful.
