Karva Chauth

The traditional Indian calendar is one long pageant of colorful festivals, a colorful mosaic of festivals, fairs and fasts as diverse as the land itself. The festival and fast of Karva Chauth is celebrated with much exuberance and fanfare. It is considered an important and auspicious day for married women. A married woman celebrates this day with great fervor and dedication, by observing a fast and praying for the long life of her husband. The fast is observed during the month of Kartik on the fourth day of Krishna Paksha (descending moon). This generally falls in the month of October. This year Karwa Chauth is on October26, 2010

The earliest reference of a Karva Chauth can be found in the great epic of Mahabharata. As per Mahabharata, Arjun, a supreme warrior and one of the Pandavas, went to the Nilgiri Hills to offer his prayers and worship the gods. Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, was accompanying him. On the way, Draupadi was struck with fear believing that she was alone in the forest with no one to protect her. As she treated Lord Krishna as her Brother, she invoked him to appear before her and help her out of this grave situation.

On listening to her fear and perplexity, Lord Krishna cited an example of Goddess Parvati. Parvati in a similar situation asked Lord Shiva's help. Lord Shiva explained to her that to ward off such apprehensions, a woman could observe a fast on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi as a remedy. Lord Krishna advised Draupadi to undertake this fast and also assured her of he victory of the Pandavas. Women also pray to Lord Ganesha for the fulfillment of all their wishes.

The fast has all the trappings of festivity. In Rajasthan, Women dress up in their best finery, with henna-decked hands, bindis, colorful bangles, vermilion in their hair-parting and the best of jewelery. However, they do not eat even a morsel of food, neither drink a drop of water, from dawn till the moon rises. Finally, when the moon is sighted, the wife goes out to view it. The moon is worshiped and then she turns to view her husband's face through the pores of a sieve, praying for his long life. After performing the puja, its finally time for food.

Diwali Diyas

Diwali or Deepawali is the festival of lights and sweetness. It is basically a symbol of the victory of good over evil, brightness over darkness, and truth over falsity. Each and every legend associated with this fabulous festival gives the same message. The thick dark new-moon (Amavasya) night on which the Diwali festival is celebrated, seems like a full-moon (Purnima) night, because of the effulgent light of numerous diyas or deepaks lighted on this night. These diyas not only make Diwali, the festival of lights, but they also symbolize the supremacy and consequence of brightness over darkness. The same message is given by the Hindu Upanishads by saying, “Asato Ma Sadgamaya”. The lighted diyas on Diwali also remind us of the same teaching of the Upanishads.

Diya can be defined as a small earthen lamp that is specially lit on Diwali for pujan and decoration purposes. A cotton wick is used in diyas, and oil or ghee serves as the burning fuel. Diyas are plain and colored, big and small, simple and fancy, and so. Different types of diyas are appropriate for different applications.

As the festive season approaches near, markets get flooded with various types of gifts, decoration, and puja items. The crafted and designer diyas are one of the big attractions in such markets. Diyas embellished with zari, painted patterns, mirrors, etc. are quite enticing by their very appearance.

Aapno Store brings you a multitude of handcrafted items made by ceramic and handicraft artists throughout the Rajasthan. Diwali diyas are one of the major attractions this festive season. Aapno Store showcase beautifully handcrafted multicolored and vibrant colored diyas.

However old may be the tradition of diyas on Diwali, it has never lost its significance and charm. Diwali celebrations are incomplete and graceless without the use of Diwali diyas. There is no doubt, diyas were, are, and will remain a significant part of the Diwali festival.

“Warm and Cozy” Rajasthani Quilts.

Rajasthani quilts are a specialty of Jaipur in Rajasthan, the desert region of north-west India. Nobody quite knows when and how this mini marvel came into being. Why did Rajasthan alone become the home of this unique form of winter covering when quilts were common all over? Certain factors seem to have played a part, the inhospitable desert terrain, the bitter winter and the age-old Rajasthani penchant for being constantly on the move. Sundown in winter always sent the temperatures plummeting among the dunes. For those who stayed home, there was warmth enough but to many a Rajasthani male, home was none other than the dunes themselves with only the sky for cover. Princes and chieftains on the warpath, soldiers in the saddle, banjaras (gypsies), bhopas (itinerant bards), shepherds, traders, camel caravans rolling along the featureless sands on private business all needed something to keep the chill out without adding significantly to their saddle bags. And some genius who remains unsung to this day found the perfect answer in the Jaipuri quilt.

Aapno Store brings you a wide range of Stylish and comfortable Quilts. All the quilts are of beautiful and exclusive designs. Their elegancy would add a style and beauty to your décor. Made in variety of colors, style, fabrics and threads these quilts by Aapno Store would bring special touch to your emotions.

Puppetry - Ancient Form of Merriment

Rajasthani Puppets are string marionettes that originate from the state of Rajasthan in India. The puppets are controlled by a single string that passes from the top of the puppet over the puppeteers. Characteristic to this form are the shrill voices produced by the lead puppeteer which are spoken through a bamboo reed. The art of Rajasthani puppetry (also called Kathputli) originated a thousand years ago when the Bhatt community began to practice this art. Puppetry is one of the most costly medium of entertainment, it involve activities like drawing, painting, wood carving, carpentry, plaster cast making, clay modeling, costume designing, story, script writing, dramatization, song and music composition.

Patronised by many ruling families in the state, it soon grew into a major art form of the region. Due to the invasion of Rajasthan by the Mughals, Kathputli gradually lost its importance. It has been one of the oldest forms of entertainment. Historically, these puppets were not only a source of entertainment, but also provided moral and social education. The shows tackled problems like the dowry system, women's empowerment, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, and cleanliness. These puppet shows made people aware of the social problems that everybody was facing and also showed ways of solving them.

Etnic Watch made out of Rajasthani handicraft. Ideal for drawing and living rooms.

Exquisite woodcraft at Aapno Store

Rajasthan is famed for its exquisite woodcraft. Aapno Store brings you an exclusive and antique hand carved wood craft collection from all over Rajasthan and beyond. Hand carved wooden screens, friezes and jharokas (windows) of latticework or Jali, furniture (cabinets, stools, chairs, tables and cupboards) and house hold items (boxes, picture frames, spoons and ladles) are made of wood. Aapno Store has recognized that Barmer, Jodhpur, Kishangarh and Shekhawati regions have all their unique styles of furniture making and then decided to directly contact the artisans, so that you could avail these meticulously designed wood craft at most reasonable rates.

The miniature paintings embossed sleek tables and chairs at Aapno Store which is sourced from Barmer have made a name for themselves while the quaint Jodhpur pieces lend an old world charm to the homes. Ornate designing and intricate patterns provide these furniture a rich and opulent look.

Tilonia Furniture at Aapno Store is famous for the designs woven out in jute. Wooden frames are coupled with jute or leather to create beautiful woodwork furniture. Beautifully designed Sheeham (rosewood), Aam (mango wood), and acacia arabica are embellished with traditional Mughal motifs and patterns.

Turban: The Crown of Rajasthan!!!

The turbans of Rajasthan are the most colorful and impressive in whole of the India. The use of turbans was basically started by the Rajput community, who reside in the Indian state of Rajasthan. They used to wear distinct turbans and the Hindi pronunciation of turban is Paag, Safa or Pagri. Aapno Store went across local Rajasthan borders and different villages to bring a mesmerizing collection of these colorful Turbans for you. Once you experience the royal culture of Rajasthan, you will be amazed with the variations of colorful turbans.

It is said that the style of the turban changes with every 15 km you travel within the geographical boundaries of Rajasthan. In some parts of the region, the size of turban indicates the position of the person in the society they live.
Relevance Behind Each Colored Turban!!!
Turbans add brilliant splash of color and style to monotonous and barren lands. Each color has its own importance and significance like Ochre is the color of the mendicant, while the saffron is commonly worn at the time of weddings.

In Rajasthan each caste have their own distinguishing colors, by which they are recognized, like shepherds wear red turbans, Bishnois, who are known as the most nomadic shepherd tribes and environmental conservationists, always wear white turbans and the other tribal communities wear printed turbans

Seasonal Turbans!!!

Some turban colors are seasonal to wear like in between February and March, flowers bloom and crops are harvested, it makes the best time for tourists to see the royal Rajasthani men, wearing a falgunia turban having white and red designs. In the month of July, the predominant color is motiya or pearl pink. A green and pink striped or yellow and red striped lahariya turban, where the colors are tie dyed in waves, are worn during the time of monsoon

Different Turbans For Different Festivals!!!
The famous Black Chunari (tie dyed) with the red borders is mainly used at the time of Diwali (festival of lights). The Falgunia Turban, having white and red patterns is worn at the time of Holi (festival of color. The Mothara turban, with tiny round designs is worn at the time of Raksha Bandhan (festival, when brothers pledge to protect sisters). Yellow turban for Basant Panchami (spring festival) and the light pink turban is wore in the month of October, at the time of Sharad Poornima (full moon night). Commonly called a Safa, this beautiful turban is nine meters long and about one meter wide.

Advantages of Turbans!!!

The turban's size and shape is influenced by the climatic conditions of the different regions. Turbans in the hot desert areas are large and loose. Farmers and shepherds, who need constant protection from the elements of nature, wear some of the most voluminous turbans. They also have many practical functions. Exhausted travelers use it as a pillow, a blanket or a towel. Water, if muddy, can be strained through a turban. Unraveled, it can be used as a rope to draw water from a well with a bucket. The Maharajahs of Rajasthan were known for their colorful traditional costumes and grand turbans. The people of Rajasthan down the years would adopt approximately the same style of headgear as the reigning king.