September fun in India!

Come September and it's the month of enjoying the beauty of fall. If you are in the USA and thinking to visit India in September, here is a list of a few festivals where you can join the celebrations.

Ladakh festival, Ladakh, September 1-15.

A colorful extravaganza showcasing culture, music, dance, sports and handicrafts. This traditional fiesta promotes the region’s cultural heritage to its fullest. From yak, lion and Tashispa dances which depict the many legends and fables of the land, to lip-smacking dining treats and also barley beer called Chang – the festival is a feast for the senses. This annual fiesta is organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Deparment. Polo-match, music concerts, mask dance from the monastries, Thanka painting exhbition, archery, river rafting, and folk songs are also a part of the event. 

Ganesh Chaturthi, Maharashtra September 9-18

The auspicious ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi marks the journey of Lord Ganesha. Elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha are installed in homes and podiums. At the end of the festival, the statutes are paraded through the streets for ritual immersion. Though celebrated for 10-days, it is not uncommon to see people immersing their idols after a few days of celebrations as well.

Onam, Kerela September 16

This month is a good time to visit God's own country as Kerela celebrates Onam for ten days. Athachamayam festival, which kicks off the Onam celebrations, is celebrated on 7th September in Thripunithura near Kochi. Street parade is the highlight of the festival. Caparisoned elephants, traditional music and parasol bearing marchers add delight to the parade.

The ten-day harvest festival marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. It is a festival rich in culture and heritage. The festival sees a lot of shopping, feasts and dancing.

Aranmula Snake Boat Race, Kerela, September 20

This is the oldest snake boat race in Kerela. The event commemorates the installation of the idol of Lord Krishna at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. The race is held on the Pamba river which flows by the temple. The festival is celebrated on the fourth day after the main Onam festival.

The snake boats move in pairs on the Pamba River at Aranmula, with impeccable synchronization to the rhythm of singing. Almost 50 boats take part in the race, which starts in the afternoon after religious rituals are completed.

Do you have memories of celebrating these festivals back home in India? Do you still celebrate these while being in USA? Do you get together with friends, visit a temple or bring an idol home? What are the special dishes that you prepare for these festivals. Share these with www.india.com readers who are proudly Indian in the USA. 

If you love travelling, you can also visit www.india.com travel section to get more information.

Blog Credit http://travel.india.com/travel-blogs/where-to-go-in-september

Proudly Indian in the USA? Support Anna Hazare's anti-corruption drive in India!

Acclaimed social activist Anna Hazare is currently on a US tour. He not just led the Indian Independence Day parade in New York City this month but also visited many other places in the US.

Anna, who is a former soldier in the Indian Army is well-known and respected for his Gandhian ideals and is now synonymous with rural development and anti-corruption movement in India.

While in New York City, Anna also rang the opening bell at the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Though Anna did not interact much with the media, he created awareness on his stand on anti-corruption drive in India and a strong commitment to see through the implementation of the Lokpal bill in the country.

Indians in the US who have always been actively interested in the political activities in India, reaffirmed their support for the anti-corruption drive in the nation and to contribute to it with whatever means that they can.

When being asked how people can help Anna in his mission, he said that the NRIs should spread the message of anti-corruption movement on social networks and by aiding the movement with technological support that they have access to while being in the US.

Giving a glimpse of his own philosophy, Anna said, 'I have zero bank balance. I live in a temple. All that I have is one small room, a bed and a plate. I am 75 years old, have no high blood pressure, or diabetes or anything else. I never married, so instead of a family of four, a billion plus Indians are my family!'

India.com salutes Anna's efforts. Are you a proud Indian living in the USA? How do you think you can support Anna in his mission?

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It took years of blood, toil and sweat to finally breathe in a free nation. A country which we can call our own. A country which stands tall after years of impoverishment during foreign rule.

Though we have come a long way since our independence, Indians continue to cherish the pride of belonging to a free country, no matter where we live. Whether we are Punjabis, Gujaratis, Bengalis, Marathis or Tamilians, in certain ways we remain distinctly Desis.  So goes the saying “One can take an Indian out of India but not India out of an Indian!”

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India.com, for NRIs in the USA was launched with a big Bollywood fanfare at the 33^rd annual India Day Parade in New York City on August 18^th, 2013.  The parade which is the largest gathering of the Indian community outside India, had more than 150,000 footfalls. The streets of Manhattan were painted with saffron, white and green as the enthusiastic crowd cheered. 

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