Draped in the green and soaked in the rain

Posted by on Sunday, August 18th, 2013

Hariyali Amavasya, the moonless night of the Shravan month, unites the colours and cultures of Rajasthan and binds them with celebration. The celebration of monsoon. The celebration of miles and miles of green all around.

This day can be traced back to the golden past of Rajasthan. Lord Shiva has been worshipped on this day for wealth and prosperity and in the hope of a great agricultural season. In the event of this day, a big fair is organized in full pomp and show for the common people of and around Udaipur. The fair gathers all the people together acting as a means of national integration. All traditions attached to Hariyali Amavasya are followed unbroken till date by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar. Inside the palace, a musical procession is carried out followed by a small ceremonial puja. Ladies can be seen adorned in the typical Lehariya attire (symbolic of water).

Different folks, different strokes!

Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated with utmost fervor in Madhura Dwarkadhish Temple, Banke Bihariji Temple in Vrindavan, and many other temples of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. This day culminates the Phool Bangal Utsav in Vrindavan Banke Bihari Temple. Hariyali Amavasi corresponds with Ashada Amavasya in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated as Chukkala Amavasya in Andhra Pradesh, Bheemana Amavasya in Karnataka, Gatari Amavasya in Maharashtra.

The one thing that remains common is the beautiful welcome of the monsoon and the expression of happiness.

Banke Bihariji Temple, Hariyali Amavasya, Hariyali Amavasya Udaipur, Madhura Dwarkadhish Temple, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, Vrindavan