Have you started preparing for the Pujas !!

Sweet is thy LOVE!.........  Sweeter is thy ANGER!! ............ Sweetest is thy SMILE............. Mother!!!

Come August and the air of festivities begin in different parts of India. From Rakshabandhan to Janmashtami, to Ganesh Chaturthi to Navrathri and Deepavali, the list seems end less. Out of all these festivals, Durga Puja or Navrathri is celebrated with sincere pomp and joy in the eastern and northern parts of India.

As the name indicates, Navrathri is a celebration of ten days and nine nights, during which, the Mother Goddess Durga is said to have fought and vanquished the demon Mahishasura. Mythology has it that the fight to end the asura lasted for nine nights and ten days. It is also said that in the epic Ramayana, a similar fight happened during Navrathri with Rama killing the demon king Raavan on the tenth day.

All across India, these ten days are celebrated through fasting and ritualistic prayers, the climax of which happens on the tenth day. In Northern and Western India, giant effigies of Raavan are burnt to denote the end of evil. The practice is a little different in Eastern India, wherein, the presence of sacred Mother Goddess is invoked through prayers on the first day of the pujas (also called Mahalaya).

She stays  in the makeshift pandals for the next nine days, and is bid adieu on the tenth day. The idol that was used to signify the presence of the Mother is submerged in the holy waters of the Ganges on this day.

A national holiday is declared to allow everybody to enjoy the festivities to the fullest with their family and friends. Although, the holiday granted is only for a period of five days, the best time of the year starts almost as soon asyou start preparing for this grand festival. So, have you started your bit of shopping yet? Remember, the artisans are busy shaping up straw and bamboo idols of the Goddess and will be adding colour to them in no time. Just as you shop sarees and gifts, they will be drawing those beautiful eyes that will bless you during those holy days.

We, at Floralis, believe in giving each one of you an egde ahead of your peers through products that allow you enjoy any festival to te fullest. This Durga Puja as you venture into the market full of discounts on garments, jewellery, home decor, and much more, we give you rare discounts on exclusive designer bouquets and carnations, mats and wall hangings, candles and candle stands. Gift items that you could surprise your near and dear ones with. Or just add them to glowing ambience of your room, to add that extra sheen.

How Do You Go About Shopping With Us?

We have two showrooms in India, one in Kolkata, and one in Bengaluru. Visit these showrooms for a hands on experience of how our products add to the magic in any room. Your purchases will be greeted with discounts and yes, we also hope for some rare feedback from you.This will help us meet up to your expectations every time.

Further on, if you are unable to reach these showrooms, log on to our 24 hours active online boutique. And order your purchases for doorstep delivery. In fact, this has made the online boutique a raging success. So, start out on preparing to greet envious guests at home this Durga Pujas. Let your home decor be as exquisite as your dresses, this Durga Puja season.

Holi Hai !!

India is a colorful kaleidoscope of people, places and customs. Its festivals are celebrated for days and even weeks – something unheard of in Western civilizations. Talking of festivals, there is one that truly embodies the spirit of colors: Holi. It is a spring festival celebrated on Phalgun Purnima or Puranmashi (full moon), which according to the Gregorian calendar, falls sometime in the month of February or March. This year, it will be celebrated on March 27, Wednesday, with preparations already in full swing. Though primarily a Hindu festival, Holi is celebrated by all and sundry, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. 

Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India and Nepal – two countries with a Hindu majority – as well as in other countries with a smaller Hindu population like Pakistan and Bangladesh. The celebrations also extend to Malaysia, South Africa, the UK and US, Mauritius, Guyana and other places which have large Indian Diasporas. The festival is also very special for the people of Mathura, Vrindavan and Nandagaon as these areas are traditionally associated with Lord Krishna who is believed to have played Holi with Radha and other Gopis. These places become big tourist destinations during the Holi season.  

According to Indian mythology, the word ‘Holi’ came from ‘Holika’, who was the sister of Hiranyakashipu: the great demon king who, after a long penance, received a boon from Brahma, the Creator. It made him invincible as he couldn’t be killed during the day or night, by man or animal, not indoors or outdoors, and neither on earth nor in the sky. As a result of his unique gift, his arrogance got the better of him – he attacked the Earth and the Heavens, demanding everyone to stop worshipping the Gods and bow in front of him. But his own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Vishnu, the Preserver and tried to convince his father to change his ways.

Hiranyakashipu tried to kill his own son by having him trampled by elephants, poisoning him and throwing him amidst poisonous snakes. But no matter what he tried, Prahlada remained unharmed. Finally, Hiranyakashipu had his son sit on the pyre in the lap of Holika – his demoness sister. Holika also had a boon that made her immune to fire. Prahlada accepted his father’s orders and prayed to Vishnu for his safety. Everyone watched with baffled eyes as Holika burnt to death while Prahlada stayed unruffled. Holika’s burning and Prahlada’s salvation is celebrated as Holi. In Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festivities continue for 16 days, commemorating Krishna’s divine love for Radha. 

The festival of Holi also has other significances. It marks the end of winter and celebrates the many colors spring brings with it. Some also regard this least religious day as a way to appreciate good harvest and continuous fertility. People come out on the streets and roads, mostly dressed in white or light clothes, throwing colored powder and water at each other. It is a day that witnesses the blurring of differences in age, social status, gender, caste or religion. 

At Floralis, we hope these differences go away forever; and wish a colorful Holi to you and your family. Don’t forget to check out a wide range of gifts and novelties that make this day extra special for your loved ones.