Day - Akshay Tritiya
Date as per Gregorian Calendar - April or May
Month - वैशाख मास, शुक्ल पक्ष, तृतीय तिथि
Hindu month of Vaishakh, third lunar day of the bright fortnight.
Occasion - Formation day of the city of Bikaner
Started By - Rao Bikaji by flying round moon ( chanda ) kites
Special Meal - Khichra, Vadi ki Sabji, along with cooling drinks like Thandai and Imlani
The city of Bikaner in the state of Rajasthan celebrates Akshay Tritiya as its foundation day. Accordingly, on this day, Rao Bikaji had celebrated by flying circular kites, representative of the Moon, and ever since this day has come to be celebrated by flying thousands of Kites, of all colours, sizes, shapes by the citizens of this colourful and historical city.
This is not just a festival for the citizens but an inseparable part of their life, culture and existence. The exuberance, festivities, decorations of the historic places on the city by lights, such as The Maharaja Ganga Singh Monument is a sight to behold once the evening sets in.
Meanwhile, right from many days before the festival, buying of kites, Charkhi, Manjha ( Thread glued with ground glass ) begins in earnest. Women folk get busy making sweets,savouries and special meals on this day. All over the city, roofs and terraces are filled with families flying kites high in the sky with the women and children playing the supporting roles of holding the Charkhi for the men. The colorful clothes of the women, glasses to shade from the intense heat of the sun, and shouts of Boi katya fill the landscape. The festivities and excitement lasts all day long with kites - cutting fights and contests. Local kite flying clubs also arrange contests and get - together. Nowadays, kite lovers and fliers from out of the country also come over to participate in the competitions.
The sky is filled with thousands of colourful kites flying high in the sky and swaying with the gentle breeze. People get innovative in the shape of the kites with some going as far as making a train of 10 kites to fly together like a chain. Traditional kites are still round like the moon with many having special social messages written on them.The joy and happiness is palpable across all strata of the society.
Come evening, people wind up by going for a drive around the city to look at the beautiful buildings, clubs, palaces, monuments lit up. Nowadays, paper lanterns are also lit that float in the night sky adding to the beauty of the illuminated skyline. Snacks and eateries are available in plenty. Families and friends have a gala time enjoying the day together.
As it is, the day of Akshay Tritya is one of the holiest festivals in the Hindu community. On top of that it is even more special and significant for the citizens of this historic and tradition bound city of Bikaner as it doubles up their celebration on account of it being the Birthday of their city. The festivities, joy and happiness felt all around is something to be experienced to be truly understood.
Images - flickr and Youtube account of Rakesh Sharma
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