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 »Shab-E-Barat: Prayers for forgiveness – Day of Atonement
India is a home of many religions and cultures; every religion celebrates their specific festivals. Muslim community also contributes to Indian population. Muslims from across the world commemorate the festival of Shab E Barat with splendor and zest. They believe that the god writes the future of all men by accounting for all the past deeds committed by them on …
Read More »Shab-E-Miraj: Night of Ascent – Holy festival for Muslims
Shab-E-Miraj means the “night of Ascent“. It was the blessed night when the Holy Prophet of Islam was spiritually transported to heaven and he reached the highest stage of nearness to God Almighty which is beyond ordinary human comprehension. The Ascent took place on 27th day or Rajab, 2 years before Hijra. The journey was not with a physical body …
Read More »Margashirsha Purnima, Battisi Purnima, Dattatreya Jayanti
Margashirsha Purnima: According to the Hindu scriptures, Margashirsha is regarded as a month of dedication. The full moon day falling in this month is known as Margashirsha Purnima. Moon is worshiped on the day of Margashirsha Purnima because the moon was blessed with Amrit on this day. Margashirsha Purnima is also celebrated as Dattatreya Jayanti. Lord Dattatreya was born on …
Read More »Kali Puja: Hindu festival of worshipping Maa Durga – Shyama Kali
Kali Puja: Maa Kali is the fearful and ferocious form of Maa Durga. She is usually shown with her feet on the chest of Lord Shiva and wearing a garland of skulls. She symbolizes the darker side of life and epitomizes strength or “Shakti“. Kali is worshiped on the night of Kartik Amavasya in October / November. The day is …
Read More »Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Information For Hindus: Kojagori Purnima
Kojagari Lakshmi Puja: After the celebrations and festivities are over, post Durga Puja and Dussehra, people of Bengal, Assam and Odisha worship Goddess Lakshmi on Kojagori Purnima night, i.e. the full moon night in the month of Aswin (Bengali calendar), barely 4 days after Durga Puja or Dusshera in the month of October. Kojagori has a significant meaning as it …
Read More »Navratri / Durga Puja Festival Information: Celebration Date
Navratri / Durga Puja Festival — Navratras are observed twice a year, once in Chaitra, preceding Rama Navami, and then in Ashvin (September – October) preceding Dussehra. The nine-day Navratra commences with the new moon of Ashvin and terminates with Maha Navami, on the ninth lunar day of the bright half of the month. During these nine days, devotees keep strict …
Read More »Vishwakarma Puja: Date, Legends and Celebration
Vishwakarma Puja Information For Students: Vishwakarma is known as the divine Engineer since the Puranic age. As a mark of reverence he is not only worshiped by the engineering community but also by all other professionals. This festival is celebrated in the month of September. On this day all the workers in the workshops and offices worship their tools and …
Read More »Naga Panchami Information, Date, Puja Katha in Hindus
Naga Panchami is celebrated by Hindus in most parts of India. Naga Panchami is celebrated on Panchami in Shravan month. On this day, they worship Naga Devata (Cobras). Cobras are considered divine in Hindu mythology. People go to temples and snake pits and they worship the snakes. They offer milk and silver snake to protect them from all evils. They also …
Read More »Eid el-Adha: Bakrid – Islamic Festival of Sacrifice
Eid el-Adha – A ritual of sacrifice and thanksgiving announces a religious pilgrimage. Eid el-Adha / Bakrid: Islamic Festival of Sacrifice Eid el-Adha is an officially observed religious holiday that precedes the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Islam‘s holiest sites. Eid al-Adha, is one of Islam’s most important celebrations, announcing the beginning of the Hajj, the celebrated yearly …
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