A three-day
harvest festival and one of the most joyful events in the
South. In Tamil Nadu, newly harvested rice is ceremonially
cooked. In Karnataka, the festival is called 'Sankranti',
and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed on 'Pongal'
( a sweet preparation of rice). In the evening, the cattle
are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music.
This Muslim
festival of sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid in India
is celebrated all over the country. On this day Muslims
sacrifice a goat or Bakr (Urdu) to commemorate the sacrifice
of Prophet Ibrahim, who willingly agreed to kill his son at
the behest of God. This festival coincides with the Haj
pilgrimage in Mecca. Prayers are offered in the mosques and
the sacrificial meat is then distributed after the Id prayers.
Special delicacies are prepared and served among family and
friends on the occasion.
The Festival
of Muharram (Arabic: احتفال محرم or مناسبة محرم) is an
important period of mourning in the Shi'ite branch of Islam.
It signifies the Karbala tragedy when Husayn bin Ali, a
grandson of Muhammad, was martyred. Muharram is the first
month of Islamic lunar calendar. This marks the time when
Prophet Muhammed was driven out of Mecca. He, along with
Muslims, took refuge in the city Ya-Th'rib, which was later
renamed to Medina (City of Prophet). Though Muslims around the
world celebrate the new Islamic year, the Shi'ite sect has
most visible celebration proceedings.
Amongst
India's innumerable festivals, Holi ranks as the most
colourful. It celebrates the arrival of spring and death of
demoness Holika; it is a celebration of joy and hope. Holi
provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people
from all walks of life enjoy themselves. In a tight knit
community, it also provided a good excuse for letting off some
steam and settling old scores, without causing physical
injury.
The Jain
community celebrates the birth anniversary of the 24th and the
last Tirthankara, Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. On
Mahavir Jayanthi, Jain temples are decorated with flags. In
the morning the idol of Mahavira is given a ceremonial bath
called the 'abhishek'. It is then placed in a cradle and
carried in a procession around the neighbourhood. The devotees
make offerings of milk, rice, fruit, incense, lamps and water
to the Tirthankar. Pilgrims from all parts of the country
visit the ancient Jain Temples at Girnar and Palitana in
Gujarat on this day.
Good Friday is
a holy day celebrated by Christians on the Friday before
Easter or Pascha. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus at
Calvary. Special prayer services are often held on this day
with readings from the Gospel accounts of the events leading
up to the crucifixion. Mainstream Christian churches view
Christ's crucifixion as a voluntary and vicarious act, and one
by which, along with his resurrection on the third day, death
itself was conquered.
An important
religious festival among Christians; it commemorates the
Resurrection of Jesus after his Crucifixion. Easter is
celebrated on a Sunday in spring, and the season of Easter, a
time of rejoicing, continues for several weeks. The
penitential season of Lent is a time of preparation for
Easter.
The Hindu Solar
New Year Day. People bathe in rivers and go to temples to
offer puja (worship). Baisakhi is of special significance
to the Sikhs. On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh organised
them into the 'Khalsa', brotherhood of man. In Punjab, farmers
start harvesting on this day with great fanfare. Villagers
perform the 'Bhangra' folk-dance.
