THE FERVOUR OF JANUARY|JAIPUR BEAT

The best time of the year is here bringing with it a number of enthralling and exciting events. And Jaipurites, are known for celebrating the month of January will full zeal and enthusiasm.

After two years of pandemics, we are sure that all of us have been missing the celebratory vibes of Jaipur, and keeping in mind the current scenario, it seems like that this January will be the same too.

But there is nothing that can dim the festive spirit of Jaipur Wallas. Isn’t it? Even if things are different this year and there are restrictions – the heart of Jaipurites is always full of celebrations, love, and laughter. Even if we cannot go out and witness the events physically, we can always put our best dresses on, wear make-up, devour delicious delicacies and tune into the events virtually. We all have enjoyed attending the events physically in the past and we will continue to enjoy this part as well with positivity and hopes for a brighter tomorrow.

Let’s welcome the month of winter fog, mild sun, new hopes, and new celebrations. We have jotted down some of the most happening events that are scheduled to take place in January’22. Even if they happen or not, this blog would be a testimony that Jaipur is home to the most amazing events ever and that nothing can fade away the “Party Spirit” of Jaipurites.

Lohri and Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the harvest festival of the country. One day before Sankranti, i.e. on Lohri the new crop is offered to God through worshipping fire.

The entire pink city looks like it’s bathing in a riot of colors in the form of different kinds of kites that brighten up the sky and the sound of ‘Woh kaata’ is musical to the ears while gorging on the amazing variety of delicious food and snacks. Talking about snacks, the delicious feasts during these two festivals includes dishes like Daal Ke Pakore, Til Ke Ladoo, Daal Baati-Churma, Bajre Ka Khichra (not the song bajre ka sitta; stop singing it you’ll), Sooji Ka Sheera, Paushbara, Gajake among others. Drooling already?

Before the pandemic struck, the major ritual for Jaipurites would be rising with the morning sun and visiting the Galta Ji temple (sun temple), since, Sankranti is celebrated to venerate the “Sun God”.

One has to visit Kishanpol Bazar and Haldiyon Ka Rasta as these places come alive during Makar Sakranti. To be truly called a “Patangbaaz” in Jaipur, you have to visit the Handipura Bazar. Laden with thousands of kites of all shapes, sizes, and colors, this market becomes the epitome of vibrancy during the festival.

Take in the spirit of this exciting festival, Jaipur’s style, which will hold on to in your memories forever.

Date: 13^th and 14^th January

14^th Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) – 2022

For all the movie lovers!

Date: 07^th January – 11^th January

Time: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Jaipur Shahar Bazaar and Jaipur Talk Show

For all the entrepreneurs and shopaholics!

Date: 15^th – 16^th January

Time: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Lagan Mandap Wedding and Lifestyle Exhibition

For those who are looking to shop for their wedding!

Date: 18^th – 19^th January

Time: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2022

Do we really need an intro line for this? It’s the great literary show on earth!

Date: 28^th January – 01^st February

Stay tuned to their website for more details – https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/

Jaipur Music Stage 2022

For all the music enthusiasts!

Date: 28^th January – 30^th January

Stay tuned to their website for more details – http://jaipurmusicstage.com/

So, get ready to experience some of the best interesting events in the Pink City – be it physically or virtually, but with the same never-ending enthusiasm.

And don’t forget to mask up if you step out of home! Also, follow all the necessary COVID protocols.

Have fun!

Unfolding-what’s behind the celebration called Sankranti | Jaipur Beat

Did you know- Our body is capable of getting its Vitamin D reserves full with 3 full days of sunlight and the best quality of sunlight is the end of winter and beginning of summer.? See how wise our sages were of ancient India, who introduced the concept of flying kites in winter so that sunbathing wouldn’t add any kind of boredom!  How exciting it is that along with the joy of flying kites, kids get direct sunlight and stock a good dose of Vitamin D for the whole year. Now you know, why we’re so enthusiastic about celebrating the festival of Lohri and Sankranti?

On a religious note, the day of Sankranti is celebrated to venerate the ‘Sun’ god and the best way to do that is to rise with the morning sun and visit the 16th Century Galta Ji & the Sun temple located on the outskirts of the old city.

On this day, the devouts trek up the small hill to the temple exiting the City through Surajpol & Galtaji gate and pay homage to the deities in the temple downhill.

On Makar Sankranti, it is considered especially auspicious to take a dip in the 7 holy Kunds / water tanks located in this stunning Complex. While you are there, you might as well do some Surya Namaskars & get your quota of Vitamin D and all the other health benefits from the blessed rays of the Sun. Maybe just for today, you can go a little easy on the Sun-Block 🙂

Makar Sankranti is also celebrated as the harvest festival of the country. The Rabi crop is harvested in the month of January and corn, mustard, peanuts, sesame etc. are the major crops harvested at this time. One day before Sankranti, i.e. on Lohri the new crop is offered to God through worshipping fire.

Lastly, how can we miss the most important thing about any festival in the city-Food? Makar Sankranti food is all about pakode, moongfali, popcorn, khichadi, gajak, feeni, ladoo and papdi-chat.  Everyone loves to savour these special delicacies and the Children in the house go up and down the terrace for serving them. The youngsters become DJs playing the best songs the loudest on their rooftop.

Take in the spirit of this exciting festival, Jaipur’s style, this is special to hold on to in your memories forever.

Lohri and Sankranti Jaipur’s way

Do you know what one of the best things about our country is? That no matter where the festival originates, it just belongs to and spreads its joy across almost the entire nation J On this note we wish you all a very happy Lohri !! This festival originated in the state of Punjab to celebrate the harvest of Rabi crops, and went on to become a way to celebrate the fertility and joy of life.

Lohri is celebrated and enjoyed with a lot of dhoom dhaam in our lovely pink city as well. This festival offers a beautiful sight of people, friends and family dressed in bright colored attires, singing and dancing to the drum beats along with bonfire. The Punjabis in Jaipur living in Raja Park and Malviya Nagar areas especially started preparing for Lohri celebrations few days back and are all set for the energetic bonfire tonight !!

Apart from just dancing and doing the all time favorite Bhangra dance, everyone throws sweets, puffed rice, peanuts and popcorn into the flames signifying letting go of all the worries and grudges while singing popular folksongs and exchange greetings.  Last but not the least comes that thing which is the life of every festival; Food 😀 Since it’s Punjabi, it has to be the mouth-watering and delicious winter traditional dinner of makki-di-roti (millet bread) te sarson-da-saag (cooked mustard herbs) !! For dessert or meetha, sesame seed or Til is an inseparable part of the Lohri celebrations. Eating Til in any form like Til ke laddoo is considered be auspicious both for the festival and for the taste buds 😉

 

Kai Po Che !! 

The celebrations don’t end here!! As the fire of Lohri fades away, it gives way to another festival that is enjoyed with crazy fervor in Jaipur; Makar Sankranti, celebrated on 14th Jan every year. By the way did you guys know the meaning of Makar Sankranti? Makar means the zodiac sign Capricorn and Sankranti means transition of Sun from the Sagittarius zodiac sign to Capricorn, interesting right??

While all the men gang up at the roof tops and start flying their kites as soon as the sun rises, most of the women are passionately cooking the delicious dishes for the day. Friends come together for the day and even strangers meet at the flying get-togethers and are seen having the time of their lives.

And just for your information, kite flying is not just a festival in Jaipur, it’s a war 😉

Once the competition sets in, hardly anyone is a stranger, and the fun and excitement is unbeatable! Kites are flied across the city, at terraces, community parks, pre-decided venues like the Chaughan stadium, Ram Niwas Garden, etc.

Jaipur Tourism Development Corporation organises the International Kite Festival at a local stadium every year, where kite enthusiasts from all across the world show off their skills. A kite market is held, alongside which are food stalls, cultural performances and special kite displays at night, when illuminated kites – known as Tukals – are flown (14th January – 16 January 2014).

As and when the kites are being flown, comes an arena of amazing food i.e. dal ke pakode, peanut chikkis, jaggery (gur) and what not !!

 

The entire pink city looks like its bathing in a riot of colors in the form of different kind of kites that brighten up the sky and the sound of ‘Woh kaata’ is musical to the ears and talks about what the lively pink city is all about !!