Where does tobacco come from? The name given to the plant and cured leaves of Nicotiana, and it can be used in various ways – for smoking, chewing and snuffing. It was first cultivated by the Indians of North and South America. Accounts of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage in 1492 speak of the natives of Cuba using ‘smoking reeds’ – …
Read More »What are Easter Island Facts? Rapa Nui, Te Pito te Henua, Paaseiland
What are Easter Island Facts? Easter Island, Chilean dependency in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the easternmost outpost of the Polynesian island world. It is famous for its giant stone statues. The island stands in isolation 1,200 miles (1,900 km) east of Pitcairn Island and 2,200 miles (3,540 km) west of Chile. Forming a triangle 14 miles (23 km) long by 7 miles (11 km) …
Read More »What is Easter Island? Facts, Moai monoliths, World Heritage Site
Easter Island has been synonymous with the huge, spectacular stone monoliths, known as Moais, which once dotted its landscape. Located over 2,000 miles from the nearest population center, (Tahiti and Chile), it is one of the most isolated places on Earth. What is Easter Island? In the 1860s, Tahitian sailors gave the island the name Rapa Nui, meaning ‘Great Rapa‘ …
Read More »Why Holi is known as festival of colors?
Why Holi is known as festival of colors? In Vrindavan and Mathura (Where Lord Krishna grew up) the festival is celebrated for 16 days in remembrance of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother (“Radha kyon gori, main kyon kala“) about his dark skin complexion and Radha’s fair. That’s when Krishna’s …
Read More »How is Holi Celebrated in Barsana?
Lath mar Holi is a local celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. It takes place well before the actual Holi in the town of Barsana near Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The name means “that Holi in which hit with sticks”. How is Holi Celebrated in Barsana? Legend has it that Lord Krishna visited his beloved Radha’s …
Read More »When is Holi Festival celebrated? Holika Dahan & Dhulandi Date
Holi falls in the lunar month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar. This date corresponds in the months of February or March as per the Gregorian calendar. It is marked on the last full moon day (Phalgun Purnima). The festival of Holi is a celebration of unity and brotherhood wherein festivities are observed with high spirits irrespective of caste, …
Read More »Festival of Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of which season?
Festival of Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of which season? Spring: Holi, the festival of colors ushers in spring and is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Phagun. The dry winter leaves make way for the shiny green buds of spring, and the mustard fields are a riot of yellow. Most of all, …
Read More »What is the significance of Holi Festival?
What is the significance of Holi Festival? Holi is associated with many legends or folktales focussing on Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap. There are many stories surrounding Lord Krishna and Radha as well. Significance of Holi: Hindu mythology Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap: As per Hindu scriptures, there was a prince called Prahlad who was an ardent believer of Lord Vishnu. This didn’t go …
Read More »What is the dry colour used in Holi Festival known as?
What is the dry colour used in Holi Festival known as? Earlier Gulal was made out of dried seeds of flowers like the palash or flame of the forest. Dried silt from the riverbed was added to give it lustre. However, synthetic dyes are more in use these days. They are mixed with the fine dust of mica, which may …
Read More »What is Social Significance of Holi?
What is Social Significance of Holi? Holi helps to bring the society together and strengthen the secular fabric of our country India. For, the festival is celebrated by non-Hindus also as everybody like to be a part of such a colorful and joyous festival. Also, the tradition of the Holi is that even the enemies turn friends on Holi and …
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