Former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi described Andaman “The Mini India.” With various castes, sects, and religions mixing and celebrating their joys together, the Andaman Nicobar Island truly symbolise India. Festivals and fairs are significant components of the Andaman Nicobar Island tourism industry. Many times, visitors prolong their stays after attending the great fairs by remaining for an additional week in order to see the fairs and festivals during Andaman Packages. Fairs and festivals are observed in practically every area of this tourist haven.
The remaining holidays are observed by members of the relevant religious organisations, but what is amazing is that everyone, regardless of their affiliation, freely celebrates the holidays of everyone else. Each religion has its own festivals that are observed in accordance with its lifestyle and financial situation. Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and Hindus are all treated equally in this country. Marriages between different castes and religions are very widespread.
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This harmony, which is a historical gift, greatly aids in the promotion of the Andaman Nicobar Island socio-culturally integrated festivals. The most significant holidays are associated with Hindu culture, customs, and faith, aside from the religious celebrations like Deepavali, Christmas, Ramadan, etc.
Fairs typically have to do with government initiatives, such as islands held in March, trade shows, the Navy Mela display, etc. The Andaman Nicobar Island Tourism Festival is a significant holiday celebrated by the government of Andaman Nicobar Island.
Most Important Festivals of Andaman Nicobar Island
Swastik Holiday Mumbai Travel Agency, compiles a list of most important festivals of Andaman Nicobar Island which are given below:-
Kali Pooja
This celebration is connected to the veneration of Maa Kali, the goddess of destroying evil. This occurs in the Hindu calendar’s Aswin month, which runs from October to November. Bengalis show deep interest and enthusiastically celebrate. At Prem Nagar, the Kali temple is wonderfully decked with coloured lamps.
Durga Pooja
This is a significant Hindu event that is also observed during the Ashweis month of the Hindu calendar with tremendous fervour. For nine days, the Hindus conduct this pooja under the name Navaratri pooja (Nava Durga Pooja). These islands hold an annual Durga puja during the months of September and October. Along with pictures of other gods like Ganesh, Sri Karthik (Sri Murugan), etc., Bengali associations and some organisations create very decorative images of the goddess Durga matha out of clay and perform pooja with the assistance of priests.
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Ayappa Pooja
Depending on when Thai New Year falls, Ayappa Pooja is observed on January 14 or 15. (Tamil month). The devotees observe between 45 and 60 days before the first day of the Thai month. Poojas are performed three times a day beginning at five o’clock in the morning by all Ayappa followers. The followers visit the Ayappa temple on Thai 1st to honor Lord Ayappa. Bhajans, songs about Ayappa performed with clapping and other musical instruments, are performed on these days. It’s fascinating to note the widespread conviction that Lord Ayappa will bless this pooja and worship.
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Ganesh pooja
This puja has been observed as a celebration by everyone except for native Americans. Every year, during the month of Bhadrapad Sudha Chaturthi on the Hindu calendar, Ganesh pooja is observed. “Vinayagachaturthi” is the name given to this pooja by southerners. People purchase Ganesh idols based on their needs. The priests, also known as pujaris, perform special poojas or “Artis” in honor of God Ganesh at the exquisitely decorated Ganesh temples located at Aberdeen Bazaar, Goal Ghar, and other locations.
Gokula Ashtami
This holiday is enthusiastically observed by Punjabis. It honours the Sikh Guru Nanak’s birthday. According to the Hindu calendar, this festival is observed on Karthik Poornima. Songs, bhajans, prayers, and other special features are performed at the Police Gurudwara in Aberdeen Bazar and the Dr. Diwan singh Gurudwara, which is located behind the state of India. They plan a straightforward but great procession that is tranquil and includes songs and bhajans that end with the phrase “Gurunanakjiki jai.” Four-wheelers are used by the participants in this parade.
Sri MarriammanThiruvizha
This is the Hindu religion’s second-largest festival in honor of the goddess Arulmigu Sri Mariamman. This shrine is located six kilometres away, near the town of Astinabad. Buses from Port Blair end on the Chidiyatappu route. All people of all religions hold the view that Goddess Mariamman has been watching over these islands. In this temple, Goddess Marimman is worshipped by all people, regardless of their religion or geographic location. Foreign visitors and local visitors alike never leave these islands without praying in one of these two temples during andaman nicobar tour package from surat. Every year in February, they celebrate their festivals.
PanguniUttiram
The residents of Andaman Nicobar Island place a lot of significance on this holiday. God sriVetrimalaiMurugan (God Karthik), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is honoured at this festival. The oldest temple in these islands is the Murugan temple at Sri Vetrimalai (Victroy hill). The fact that visitors from every region and religion in our nation as well as foreign tourists makes this temple significant. The people firmly believe that God Murugan grants their petitions and blesses them.
Pradhosha Pooja
One of the most significant poojas performed and offered to Lord Shiva is this one. All temples dedicated to Shiva commemorate it. Before 1999, this puja did not receive much attention. The islanders have understood the significance of Pradhosha Pooja since 2000. Every month, there are two Paradhosha poojas. One is seen during the waxing moon phase, the other during the waning moon phase.
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Prakash Yatra
Just one day before Christmas, this is observed by participating in a lengthy parade. All denominations of Christians take part in the event. Participating in the celebration/procession are about 6000 Christians. Both men and women take part, and each participant carries a lit candle while reciting Bible verses. The procession is carried out on foot and is conducted in a serene manner. People congregate in groups at various locations to watch the march.
Sankatahara Chaturthi Pooja
The Lord Sri Ganesh is the recipient of this puja. The words “sankat” and “hara” together have the meanings “to put away or to eliminate,” “difficulties,” “problems,” “sorrows,” “trails,” “troubles,” “sufferings,” and “narrowness,” respectively. Therefore, the worshippers make poojas to Lord Sri Ganesh in order to end their difficulties. You should perform this Pooja when go for Andaman Tour Package from Nagpur.
Saraswati Pooja
Regardless of faith, it is a widely observed holiday that is enthusiastically enjoyed. The festival of Saraswati puja, which honours the goddess MaaSaraswati, the patroness of learning and vidhdhai (Vidhya) Knowledge, is another one that is observed by everyone in these islands, including individuals, educational institutions, and businesses like the Post Office.
Aarti and Pooja are performed continuously throughout the day. Everyone worships the goddess MaaSaraswati, including the general population, tourists, and staff. The procession of immersion is viewed by a sizable throng.
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Sri Shivaratri
Sri Shivaratri
This festival, which takes place in the Hindu calendar month of Magha, primarily in February or March, is another highly significant one observed on the Andaman Nicobar Island. In addition to their customary decorations, Lord Shiva temples in Delanipur, PaharGoan, and Garacharma execute special poojas and aartis. The Shiva Lingam in the Sri VetrimalaiMurugan Temple is particularly decorated with vibrant flowers intended for Lord Shiva. Bhajans, Kirtana, devotional songs, talks, lectures, drams, and video films on Shiva Parvathi are continuously played throughout the night at all Lord Shiva Temples.
Villakku Pooja
Goddess maamaha Lakshmi is offered this villakku puja. This used to be the practice at the time. Villakku Pooja is now celebrated by the entire community throughout Andaman Nicobar Island. Every temple has begun to celebrate the villakku Pooja, especially Shri Ganesh Temple in Dairy Farm, Shri VetrimalaiMurugan Temple in Port Blair, and Mariyamma Temple in Astinabad.
All Sumangalis visit these temples carrying their KuthuVillakku along with other offerings like flowers, kumkum, oil, sugar, turmeric, and candies, among other things. The Sivachariyar (Priests) will set up a location for each participant before the pooja starts.
Other Festivals
Nag Phanchmi, Pongal, Ram Leela, Deepavali, and Vasanta Panchami are among the other Hindu holidays observed in this area. The festival of lights known as Deepavali or Diwali is significant. Both on the mainland and in these islands, it is observed, but the celebrations over here differ greatly. In the Andaman Nicobar Island, every home celebrates Deepavali by dressing in new clothes, making and giving out sweets to loved ones, regardless of their faith or location.
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The houses are decorated with candles, strings of lights, and serial lamps in the evening, and crackers are also set off. The MahaKarthiakai celebration, which is held in remembrance of Sri Murugan, the God of Wisdom and Courage, is more significant than Deepavali. Other communities who live on these islands also celebrate certain significant holidays in addition to those of the Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs.