Dear Friends,

As assured in my previous article, ‘Important Days in the month of May 2019’ I am writing about two festivals i.e. Mount Abu Summer Festival and Moatsu Festival, Nagaland of North-East.

(1)Mount Abu Summer Festival :

Where/location : Mount Abu of Rajasthan

When : 17 – 18th May 2019 (exact date changes every year)

About the Festival :

  • Mount Abu is the only Hill Station in Rajasthan. It is a major pilgrim tourist centre situated in the south-west of the state of Rajasthan.
  • This festival is held every year during Buddha Purnima in the month of May or June.
  • This summer festival celebrates the affection and joyfulness of the people of this hill station. The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque locations and enjoyable climate during the Hindu month of Aasadh (May-June) make it a perfect location for the summer festival of Rajasthan.
  • This festival showcases the traditions, culture and the tribal life of Rajasthan.
  • This festival is basically celebrated to honour the local people, their rich hospitality, colourful life and their sweet gesture towards all the visitors and tourists.

Major Attraction :

  • A traditional parade/procession starts from the RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation) Hotel Shekhar and assembles at the Nakki Lake Chawk. Folk performances are performed by artists from Rajasthan and Gujarat.
  • The summer festival starts with the singing of narrative song which is followed by folk dances.
  • The festival features Ballads, Gair, Ghoomar and Daph folk dances. These captivate the spectators with their elegance and diversity.
  • Exciting boat races/rowing competitions are conducted on the Nakki Lake.
  • Skating Race, Skater’s show, CRPF Band show, Boat Race, Horse Race, Tug of war, Panihari Matka Race and Deepdan add grace to the festival.
  • Mount Abu is a place of worship for the Jains. Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (Spiritual Leader) also visited Mount About and graced the city.
  • The Sham-e-Qawali is a much awaited musical extravaganza. Renowned qawwals (qawwali singers) from all over the country come here to showcase their talent.
  • The grand finale of the festival is a display of dazzling fire works which is one of the main attractions and delight for the tourists.

(2) Moatsu Festival :

Where/Location : Mokokchung district villages (particularly Chuchuyimlang village), Nagaland.

When : 1st week of May each year.

About the Festival :

  • Moatsu festival is the festival of Ao tribe of Nagaland. It is celebrated during first week of May every year.
  • This harvest festival is observed after the sowing is done with various rites and rituals. This is a period of relaxation and entertainment after the stressful work of cleaning fields, burning jungles and sowing seeds.

Major Attraction :

  • There is a lot of singing, dancing and merry-making seen in the festival.
  • The whole festival is observed only for three days.
  • Sangpangtu is one of the main celebrations where a big fire is lit and men and women dressed up with their best attire sit around it.
  • Women serve the wine and meat to the attendees. Rice–beer is prepared and all the reared pigs and dairy animals are slaughtered during the festival for grand feast.
  • Women weave the traditional garments and adorn themselves with traditional jewellery.
  • Women join men in dancing, eating, drinking and composing warrior songs. 

Friends,

We have learnt about two festivals, one of Rajasthan which is in North-West part of the country and another festival in Nagaland which is in North-Eastern region.  Our country is a vast country with various cultures, traditions, dresses, food habits, languages and what not?  Really we are unique, we are a country within country.  But the great thing is that India is Unity in Diversity.

We should know our country well, that’s why I will be writing and informing about a few of the festivals that are celebrated in various parts of the country in various months.

I hope you will be benefitted through this article.  I would request you to give your valuable comment. 

…Ratikanta Singh