17 September - Lord Vishwakarma Jayanti

 

Lord Vishwakarma Jayanti, also known as Vishwakarma Puja, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect and craftsman of the gods. This festival typically falls on the last day of the Indian lunar calendar month of Bhadra, which usually corresponds to September or October in the Gregorian calendar. In some regions of India, it is observed on different dates.

Lord Vishwakarma is revered as the creator of the universe's various celestial palaces, weapons, and other divine objects. He is considered the ultimate craftsman and architect and is believed to be the original creator of various machines and tools.

On Vishwakarma Jayanti, artisans, craftsmen, factory workers, and industrial workers pay homage to Lord Vishwakarma to seek his blessings for their tools, machinery, and workplaces. The festivities typically include the following rituals:

1. Worship: People clean and decorate their workplaces and machinery. They offer prayers and perform special pujas (ritual worship) to Lord Vishwakarma. Idols or images of Lord Vishwakarma are installed and adorned with flowers and other offerings.

2. Distribution of Prasad: Sweets and other traditional offerings, known as prasad, are prepared and distributed among workers and family members.

3. Feasting: People often engage in feasting and celebrate the day with traditional meals and sweets.

4. Craftsmanship Exhibitions: In some places, exhibitions showcasing the work of artisans and craftsmen are organized to highlight their skills and craftsmanship.

5. Artisan Processions: In certain regions, processions featuring artisans and their tools are taken out as a mark of respect to Lord Vishwakarma.

Vishwakarma Jayanti is not only a day of religious significance but also an occasion to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of craftsmen, engineers, and all those involved in various forms of craftsmanship and industrial work. It is a day to celebrate the spirit of creativity, innovation, and hard work.

17 September - Hyderabad Liberation Day

 

Hyderabad Liberation Day is observed on September 17th each year. It commemorates the day when the Indian state of Hyderabad was liberated and integrated into the Indian Union in 1948.

Before its integration into India, Hyderabad was one of the largest princely states in India, ruled by the Nizam, who was the monarch. When India gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, the princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent. The Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, initially wanted to keep Hyderabad as an independent state, which led to tensions with the Indian government.

The situation escalated, and in September 1948, the Indian government launched a military operation known as "Operation Polo" to annex Hyderabad and bring it into the newly independent India. The operation resulted in the surrender of the Nizam's forces, and Hyderabad became a part of the Indian Union on September 17, 1948.

Hyderabad Liberation Day is celebrated in the state of Telangana, of which Hyderabad is now the capital, as a day to remember and honor the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union and the end of the princely rule. It signifies the importance of preserving the unity and integrity of the newly independent India.