1. J&K govt to host its maiden SARAS Fair 2023 from February 4 to 14
Tags: Festivals State News
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is going to host the Saras Mela 2023 from February 4 to February 14 for the first time.
An overview of the news
The fair would be organised at Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu.
In the fair artisans and women self help groups from across the country will showcase their crafts, handcrafts, handloom and foods.
The national level food and cultural fair will showcase unique and famous indigenous products from different states and union territories of the country.
The event will provide a platform to the participants to sell and promote their self-made products.
Another prominent feature of this national fair is that it will have cultural programs showcasing the cultural and traditional heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is organised under the guidance of the Ministry of Rural Development.
The fair is organised jointly by the Centre-State Government as part of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in which entrepreneurs from across the country participate.
2. International Trade Fair on Millets and Organic Products held in Bengaluru
Tags: Festivals National News
The 4th International Trade Fair of Millets and Organics Products began on 20 January 2023 at Tripuravasini, Bengaluru.
An overview of the news
India is leading among countries to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
This three-day fair is organised by the Department of Agriculture and the Government of Karnataka.
The three day event is divided into multiple segments including Exhibition, Pavilion, B2B Networking and much more.
Promotion of millet and organic market
The trade fair is a platform for farmers, farmer groups, domestic and international companies, central and state institutions to explore opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, processing, machinery and agro-technology.
The fair includes more than 250 stalls, millet and organic food court, cooking, drawing and quiz competitions, display of millet recipes, etc.
The budget allocation for farmers has been increased six times.
The country is focused on developing 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and assisting farmers in setting up sorting and grading units along with producing value-added products ready for export.
Consumption of millets is a solution to malnutrition, which will also benefit farmers for better livelihood and increased income.
India as the Global Hub for Millets
In India, millet is primarily a kharif crop, requiring less water and agricultural inputs.
Millets are important because of their potential to generate livelihoods, enhance farmers' income and ensure food and nutritional security.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, global millet production in 2020 was 30.464 million metric tonnes (MMT), of which India accounted for 12.49 MMT or 41 per cent of the total millet production.
Karnataka pioneer for millet promotion
The Government of Karnataka has been a pioneer in the promotion of millets.
The first millets and organic fair was held in 2017, the second and third editions were held in Bengaluru in 2018 and 2019.
Karnataka is distributing millet grain through the PDS system and organising district-wise Kisan Melas.
3. HCHF and Ladakh Tourism Department organised the annual Ethnic Mamani Festival
Tags: Festivals State News
In Ladakh, the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) and the Ladakh Tourism Department organised the annual Ethnic Mamani Festival at the historic Satyang Kung village and Chiktan Shagran on 22 January.
An overview of the news
Steyang Kung village is about 500 years old and is still preserved and being developed as one of the heritage villages in Ladakh.
The history of Mamani Festival in Ladakh is linked to the ancient tradition of offering food to departed family members.
During Mamni, people exchange food with their relatives and neighbours and worship a variety of spirits (Lha).
These festivals have helped in reviving more than 35 cuisines of Kargil Ladakh.
Dr. Ghulam Mehdi, Principal Scientist, KVK Kargil was the chief guest on the occasion and the program executive AIR Kargil Annendra Singh was the guest of honour and Maj. Dr. Raja C. was the guest of honour.
Significance of the festival
The festival has great cultural significance as it allows communities to bond together and celebrate their shared heritage.
It also facilitates communal harmony as members of both Buddhist and Muslim communities in Ladakh participate in the festival, which strengthens social harmony in the region.
In 2018, the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation along with Anayat Ali Shotopa formally took the responsibility to organise the festival at various locations in order to preserve the heritage in the region.
4. Inauguration of International Science Literature Festival – Vigyanika
Tags: Festivals National News
The Science Literature Festival 'Vigyanika' is being organized at the Indian International Science Festival (IISF), Bhopal during the period 22 - 23 January, 2023.
An overview of the news
The "Science Literature Festival" is being organized as a part of the 8th India International Science Festival (IISF).
The 8th IISF is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Science and Technology and Vigyan Bharati.
The theme of this edition of IISF is “Moving towards Amrit Kaal with Science, Technology and Innovation”.
Vigyanika is being organized with the objective of promoting science through science poetry, multilingual scientific literature, science drama and folk art and showcasing the rich heritage of India by inculcating scientific temper among the masses.
Around 300 science writers, artists, journalists, young and budding writers, researchers, college students, children, science enthusiasts, science policy makers and citizens are expected to participate in the event.
IISF is being organized annually since 2015.
5. Maghi Mela Festival
Tags: Festivals State News
Maghi Mela festival is being celebrated from January 14 in Punjab.
An overview of the news
The Maghi Mela has been celebrated in the city of Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab for centuries in memory of the 40 Sikh warriors who died fighting the Mughals in the Battle of Khidrana in 1705.
It was only after this war that Khidrana was named Muktsar or Mukti Kund.
About Maghi Mela
Maghi Mela is held every year in the holy city of Sri Muktsar Sahib in January or in the month of Magh as per Nanakshahi calendar.
It is one of the most important festivals of Sikhs.
The festival marks the martyrdom of 40 Sikh soldiers fighting against the Mughals.
In the 1700s, the Mughals and the Sikhs were at constant war with each other.
The Khidrana War began when in 1704, during the siege of Anandpur Sahib by the Mughals, 40 Sikh soldiers deserted their posts.
About Battle of Khidrana
In 1704, during the siege of Anandpur Sahib by the Mughals, 40 Sikh soldiers abandoned their posts and fled.
On reaching their village near Amritsar, a woman named Mai Bhago scolded them and challenged the fighters to return to Anandpur Sahib in the service of their guru.
With Mai Bhago the freshly inspired soldiers marched towards Anandpur Sahib to help Guru Gobind Singh.
He met Guru Gobind Singh at Khidrana where he came face to face with the Mughal army and sacrificed his life in the process.
6. Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu Festival
Tags: Festivals State News
Union Minister of Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on 15 January burn the traditional Assamese Meji (bonfire) in Guwahati as part of the Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu celebration.
About Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu Festival
Bhogali Bihu which is also known as Magh Bihu is being celebrated in every province in Assam with great enthusiasm.
This is a festival of farmers. It is celebrated in the month of 'Magha' in the middle of January.
After the annual harvest, it is celebrated with community feasts.
The main attraction of this festival is food. The night before 'Bhogali Bihu' which falls on 15th January is called 'Uruka' which means the night of feasts.
The villagers build bamboo huts called 'Bhelaghor' or community kitchen where they start with the preparations for the festival.
Various dishes made from sesame, jaggery (black syrup from sugarcane) and coconut along with vegetables, meat and sweets like pitha and laru are made to celebrate this festival.
This festival is celebrated for a week. It is celebrated by singing, dancing, feasting and bonfires.
As per the customs of the festival, people eat the food prepared for the feast at Bhelaghar and then burn the huts the next morning.
The Sun God is worshiped on this day in different parts of India in the form of various festivals such as Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Maghi (Punjab) and Uttarayan (Gujarat).
7. Gangasagar Mela 2023
Tags: Festivals State News
Lakhs of pilgrims have started flocking to Sagar Island on the southernmost tip of West Bengal for the annual Gangasagar Mela, held between January 12 and 14 to celebrate Makar Sankranti.
About Gangasagar Mela
Gangasagar is a place of Hindu pilgrimage. Every year on the day of Makar Sankranti (14 January), hundreds of thousands of Hindus gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganges and Bay of Bengal and offer prayers (puja) in the Kapil Muni Temple.
The Gangasagar pilgrimage and fair is the second largest congregation of mankind after the triennial ritual bathing of Kumbha Mela.
Gangasagar is a village in the Kakdwip subdivision of the South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Sagar Island
Sagar Island is an island in the Ganges delta, located on the continental shelf of the Bay of Bengal, about 100 km (54 nautical miles) south of Kolkata.
The island forms Sagar CD block in Kakdwip subdivision of South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Although Sagar Island is a part of the Sundarbans, it does not have tiger habitat or mangrove forests or small river tributaries, as is characteristic of the overall Sundarbans delta.
8. Kota tribe of the Nilgiris celebrated Aiyanoor Ammanoor festival
Tags: Festivals
'Ayyanur Ammanur' is a festival celebrated by the Kota tribe of the Nilgiris. It is celebrated for a week.
An overview of the news
During this festival, this tribe collects clay to make pottery. The pot-making ceremony is held once every two years.
After making an earthen pot, they open their temple and then prepare food in this earthen pot and serve it to the whole village.
After the worship in the temple is over, men and women in their traditional costumes perform different dances during the day and night.
Other major tribal festivals
Medaram Jatra festival - It is the second largest fair in India celebrated for four days by the Koya tribe, the second largest tribal community of Telangana.
Bhagoria festival - This is a major tribal festival celebrated in Madhya Pradesh.
Mim Kut Festival - This festival is celebrated by the Kuki tribe of Mizoram.
Sarhul festival - This is the biggest nature festival celebrated by the tribal society. Which is celebrated in Jharkhand.
9. Chhattisgarh CM Celebrated Traditional ‘Cherchera’ Festival in Raipur
Tags: Festivals State News
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel organised the traditional festival 'Chherchera' at Dudhadhari Math in capital Raipur.
An overview of the news
Chherchera festival is celebrated on the full moon night of the Hindu calendar month of 'Paush'. It is meant to celebrate the joy of taking the harvest home after farming.
It is a festival of receiving and giving charity. Giving charity brings generosity in the mind and taking charity ends the ego inside the person.
On this day Lord Shankar begged for alms from Mother Annapurna, so people donate green vegetables along with paddy on this day.
On this occasion people from every class, including Annadata (Farmers), donate food grains.
The amount donated in Chherchera is spent on public welfare. People of every class including farmers donate food grains.
This year, there has been a good production of paddy in the state and 85 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured, which has been paid to the farmers immediately.
There are 2500 paddy procurement centres and 2000 committees where the work of weighing and lifting is going on continuously.
About Chhattisgarh
Capital: Raipur
Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
10. International Kite Festival kicked off in Ahmedabad
Tags: Festivals
The International Kite Festival 2023 began on 8 January in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
An overview of the news
The festival, which is being organised after a gap of two years, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
The previous edition was held in 2020 with 153 participants from 43 countries.
The festival is being organised by Gujarat Tourism on the G20 theme of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
Apart from Ahmedabad, the International Kite Festival will also be organised in Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Dwarka, Somnath, Dhordo and Kevadia.
After a gap of 2 years, the sky above the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad will be decorated with colourful unique kites.
More than 800 kite flyers from across India and the world will participate in the festival and display their unique creations.
This year kite lovers from different countries will attempt to create a Guinness World Record for the maximum number of kite flyers at the same time.
The 68 countries participating in the event include Australia, Canada, France, Russia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Colombia, Denmark, New Zealand, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Belgium, Bahrain, Iraq and Malaysia.
The International Kite festival
The International Kite festival has many names, it is also known as Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti in Gujarat.
This festival has been celebrated every year on January 14 since 1989.
The kite flying is led from Ahmedabad.
It is regarded as one of the biggest festivals of Gujarat.
It is believed that this is the day when the Gods wake up from their long sleep and the gates of heaven open.
