Bakula Amabasya

Bakula Amavasya, popularly known as Vakula Amavasi, is observed during the month of December and January in Orissa. The festival is primarily dedicated to the mango trees, as this is the season of the mango blossoms. The new fruits are called baula in Oriya. Special food is prepared on this day and offered in temples as well as to the mango trees. The ritual is performed to invoke a rich mango harvest during the season.

Bada Osa

A festival of fasting called the Bada Osa is observed in every Hindu Oriya family during the month of November. It is primarily celebrated at Dhabaleswar temple in Cuttack district. The Lord is worshipped with the offering of bhoga (i.e. prasad) named gajabhoga (a sweet made of milk derivatives) and attakali (a local sweet dish made with flour) followed by the Bada Singhara Besha which is considered a most pious occasion by the devotees. These rituals hark back to the story of Lord Indra who took a holy dip here on full moon day in the month of Kartika to rid himself of the leprosy inflicted by Brahma's curse.

Baranaja

Baranaja (literally meaning twelve grains) is a traditional mixed farming system widespread across wide ranging regions of rainfed Garhwali agriculture, in Uttarakhand.

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Basohli Painting

During the late 17th and the 18th centuries, school of Pahari miniature painting that flourished in the Indian hill states are known for its bold vitality of colour and line. Basohli is a small town which was founded by Raja Bhupat Lal in 1635. stuated on the banks of river Ravi at an altitude of 1876 ft. It was known for magnificent places which are now in ruins and miniatures paintings later known to be Basohli Paintings.

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Buddhist Chants of Laddakh

The recitation of Ancient sacred Buddhist text is done every day by Buddhist monks in the Trans-Himalayan Region of Laddakh. The recitations have spiritual value and are done in order to appease the wrath of evil spirits and invoking the blessing of various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, deities and Rinpoches (high 'Lama' reincarnate) for the well being of people and the world at large. The chanting helps in the meditation process and believed to be a path tp enlightenment. The chanting is often accompanied by music and dance. While chanting the monks wear special costumes and make (hand) gestures representing the divine being of the Buddha. Bells, drums, cymbals and trumpets are used to add the rythm.

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Source IGNCA Inventory of ICH, Janapada Sampada Division, IGNCA

Contributed by Aditya, CEE Ahmedabad