Some weird rituals and festivals in India - part 3

India is known for its multiple cultures and rituals. History shows the origins of these cultures and rituals. Some events happened in history are tragic while some are weird. Let's take a short introduction to some of these rituals and festivals.

Dhinga Gavar :

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Dhinga means 'fun' and Gavar is consort of Shiva which is another name of Gangaur (Parvati). This festival is celebrated in Jodhpur city of India. Dhinga Gavar is a folk diety. People start to celebrate it from the next day of Holi (full moon) and the festival ends on the following third day of no moon. The festival goes on for 16 days. During the festival, large crowd gather together on the streets. Decorated images of Ishar (Shiva) is taken through the main markets of cities.
This festival is of women. Unmarried and married women celebrate it with dancing and singing with make-up and costumes on. Some women keep the fast and those women are called Teejania. It is said that men who get beaten by Teejania are likely to get married soon with their suitable match.

Mourning of Muharram :

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Muharram is a month of Islamic calender. In mourning of Muharram, Muslim Shia community commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Many events take place in congregation halls known as Hussainia. Imam Hussain was the son of Hazrat Ali and the grand son of Prophet Muhammad. 14 centuries ago, on the day of Ashura, Imam Hussain was brutally killed by the tryant rulers in the battle of Karbala, for standing for justice and equality. He was accompanied by his friends and family surrounded by enemy army of thousands. It was a tragic event in the history of Muslims. It is said that Brahmins and Christians were on the side of Imam Hussain.
In order to express sorrow, some people remain thirsty as Imam Hussain and his friends & family were kept water deprived for 3 days before killing them. While some perform the acts shown in above image.

Varuna Yajana :

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Varuna is a Hindu God of water. He is God of oceans according to hindu Puranas. He is worshipped every year before rainfall season begins. Aryans started worshipping five natural forces, jala (water), agni (fire), vayu (air), bhumi (earth) and shunya (space or zero). They started it in Vedic era.
When rainfall is low, it is believed that rain God Varuna is upset and holy priests have to perform Varuna Yajna to please him. Yajna is also called as Yagna or Yagam which means 'sacrifice'. Holy priests sit in water containing barrels and perform prayers in it to please the God of water.

Sources :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourning_of_Muharram
https://www.thequint.com/voices/blogs/what-is-muharram-know-about-mourning-on-ashura
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varuna
http://zeenews.india.com/spirituality/varuna-yajna-the-practice-of-worshipping-god-of-rains_1955109.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhinga_Gavar
https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/dhinga-gavar-festival-in-jodhpur/articlecontent-pf14638-001956.html