Chinese Valentine’s Day: Valentine’s Day, the annual tribute to romantic love, is fast approaching. Florists, card shops, and chocolate vendors are all doing a raging business as lovers rush to purchase tokens of their affection. The Chinese also have a day devoted to love. Qi Qiao Jie, or the seventh eve, is often referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day. While …
Read More »Bhishma Ashtami: Legends, Importance, Fasting
Bhishma Ashtami is an important ritual observed by Indian Hindus as part of their respect to legendary Bhishma. As per the incidents related to Mahabharata, Bhishma is regarded as the youngest son of King Shantanu and Ganga Devi. According to the Hindu mythology, Ganga agreed to marry Shantanu only on the condition that he will never question her for whatever …
Read More »Ratha Saptami: Lord Surya Jayanti Festival
Introduction to Lord Surya Jayanti Ratha Saptami or Saptami Tithi is devoted to the Lord Surya (Sun God). It is also called Magha Saptami. People believe that Lord Surya began his process of giving light to the entire universe on this special day and this day is also known as date of birth of Lord Surya. This day is also …
Read More »Basant Panchami: Saraswati Puja Festival
Basant Panchami: Saraswati Puja Festival: Vasant Panchami, sometimes referred to as Basant Panchami or Shree Panchami, is a Hindu festival celebrating Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and art. It is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the Indian month Magh (January-February), the first day of spring. Traditionally during this festival children are taught to write their first …
Read More »Attukal Pongala: Kerala Hindu Religious Festival
‘Attukal Pongala’ is the most important festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The offering of Ponkala is a very special temple practice in the southern part of Kerala. The ten-day- long celebration commences in the Malayalam month of Makaram-Kumbham (February – March) on the Karthika star. Ponkala ceremony is on the auspicious day of Pooram star which coincides with full moon. …
Read More »Pongal: Harvest Festival Info For Students
Pongal is an important festival in India, with prayers to the Sun God on this occasion. Pongal is one of such highly revered festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu to mark the harvesting of crops by farmers. The house is cleaned, and all maintenance jobs are done before this festival. Held in the middle of January, it is the time when …
Read More »Lohri: Sikh Festival, Bonfire Harvest Festival
Amidst the freezing cold weather, with the temperature wobbling between 0-5 degree Celsius and the dense fog outside, everything seems stagnant in the northern part of India. However, below the apparently frozen surface, you would be amazed to find a palpable wave of activity going on. People, especially in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Himachal Pradesh, …
Read More »Three Kings Feast (The Epiphany): Goa
Three Kings Feast (The Epiphany): A very popular event in Goa (India) is the Feast of Three kings. This feast is celebrated on the Festa dos Reis or Three Kings Day (The Epiphany) on January 6 every year. It takes place in the village of Verem in North Goa and those of Chandor and Cansaulim in South Goa. The Feast …
Read More »Christmas Day Information For Students, Children
Christmas Day Information: Christmas is a Government holiday in India. It is one of the two major Christian celebrations that are officially observed around the world. Along with Easter, it is considered a high holy day and a time of great celebration for Christians. In US & Europe, it is highly appropriate to throw a company Christmas party. The holiday’s …
Read More »Dhanu Sankranti Information For Students
Dhanu Sankranti marks the day when Sun enters in the Sagittarius or Dhanu Rashi. Dhanu Sankranti marks the beginning of the ninth month in Hindu Solar Calendar. This symbolizes the beginning of the auspicious Dhanur mas for the Vaishnava sect. On this day, Lord Surya or the Sun God is worshiped. Devotees take a dip in the sacred rivers like …
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