Culture & Tradition of India

Bonfires and Bonhomie: Creating an aura of warmth to ward off the winter chill, there are a host of harvest festivals lined up for mid-January. So while it’s Lohri in North India, it’s Uttarayan in Gujarat, Pongal and Tamil New Year in the South, Magha or Bhugali Bihu in Assam, and Makar Sankranti in the rest of the country to …

Lohri is one such festival which works as a tie-up bond for various communities. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and exuberance especially in North India. Farmers celebrate this harvest festival with traditional dances and songs. It falls on the 13th January when the Earth starts moving towards the sun marking the auspicious period of Uttarayan. Astrological Influence of …

Uttarayan and Kite Festival: As millions of kite enthusiasts pitch themselves at the rooftops, waves of flying kites overwhelm an otherwise deep blue sky. On January 14, watch the sky change colors… like a rainbow in a glittering sun after the rain and bask in the glory of Uttarayan, when the skies of Gujarat give way to colorful kites. About …

When is Guru Gobind Singh Birthday Celebrated: Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday is known to Sikhs as Guru Gobind Singh’s Prakash, or the dawn of spiritual light. Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday, or Prakash, celebration is known as Gurpurab, a commemorative event, and is observed with a Sikh worship service which includes kirtan, the singing of divine hymns. Guru Gobind Singh Ji …

Hanukkah Kid Crafts Ideas: Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that is celebrated by Jews all across the world. Like many other festivals, it is also associated with creative and artistic activities. Kids indulge in making Hanukkah craft projects at homes as well as in the classroom. In fact, creating beautiful crafts comes across as another way of having fun on …

Hanukkah Movies: Hanukkah – the festival of lights, prayers and customs – is a commemoration of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem (Israel). The entire festival is a roller-coaster ride of fun, enjoyment and gala time. This is one time of the year when every person tries to renew his / her faith and move forward in life …

Hanukkah Party Games: Hanukkah is a festival of fun, gaiety and enjoyment. It is also called the “Festival of Lights”. The primary ritual or custom of the festival is to light the nine-branched “Menorah”, a special nine-branched candelabrum, starting from the first night of the holiday and progressing till the last day. A prime attraction during the festival is the …

Karwa Chauth Puja: Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus in India. Typically, a festival of north and north western India, Karwa Chauth falls on nine days prior to Diwali, to be precise, on Kartik ki Chauth. Married women observe fast all through the day after eating the traditional meal ‘sargi‘ early in the morning, before sunrise. The …

Bengalis celebrate Bhai Phonta: The occasion, which is celebrated two days after Kali Puja in the state, is completely dedicated to brothers and sisters. Bengalis celebrate Bhai Phonta Interestingly, the ceremony is also celebrated by other Indian communities under different names, like ‘Bhai Bij’, ‘Bhau-beej’ or ‘Bhav Bij’ amongst the Marathi and Konkani-speaking communities in the states of Maharashtra, Goa …

Bhai Dooj Teeka: Two days after Diwali comes the Bhai Dooj festival. It marks the end of Diwali celebrations and Bhai Dooj Teeka is a mark of auspiciousness. According to the Hindu scriptures and mythology: “A forehead without a Tilak is worthy of condemnation and they exist for name’s sake only.” The ritual on bhai dooj is that the sisters …