Holidays & Festivals
By
AC, JH,
HA, IG
PS 87
Laura Truitt,
Teacher
Hindu Holidays(Hindus=78.8% of population)DiwaliThe word Diwali is made from the word Dipauil which means a group of lights. In most parts of India, Diwali is seen as a start over with life. People light lamps for the dead to find their way. Holi On Holi, people throw color on other people in the streets. Holi is to honor Holika, a minor goddess. On Holi, the children play a lot of outdoor games. Shivarati Shivarati is in March. Shivarati is on a New Moon. Some people eat at morning and at night. Vassehra Vassehra takes place in a town. Vassehra is in Kaluin, in the far north. Vassehra is celebrated for a mother goddess. Navarati Navaratri means nine nights. Navaratri is created for a mother goddess. The holiday is after the New Moon. Pongal Pongal is celebrated for the harvest. Pongal is in the month of January. Pongal is a three-day holiday. The first day honors land and is called Bhogipong. The second is called Suhrapongal and honors the sun god. The third is Muttupongal which celebrates the cattle. Muslim Holidays
Eid-ul-Fitr After Ramadan is "Breaking of the Fast." It takes place on the first day of Shawal and celebrates the end of the ninth month, Ramadan. After Ramadan, they have a big big feast to celebrate the end of Ramadan. It is called Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Adha A lot of Muslims have to know this story about a
man. One time there was a man and a woman. They were both very
old. God said they would have a baby. When they had the baby,
the man and the woman were very happy. Christian Holidays
Christmas In India, they decorate banana and mango trees for Christmas. They also decorate their houses. Christmas is about getting together for Christ's birth. Churches are decorated with candles. Easter is a festival of life and living. On that day, Christ arose again after His death. In India, they eat chocolate eggs for Easter. Saint Days These are celebrations of Saints' birthdays. Sikh Holidays Baisakhi Baisakhi is celebrated in April. It is to remember Khalhis, a group of soldiers that went to fight for their culture. Hola Mohhalla Hola Moohalla is celebrated the day after Diwali. Traditionally, the festival was a day of mock battles and military games which was followed by music and poetry contests. Diwali Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs. The word Diwali means "cluster of lights." Gurpurds The main Gurpurd is Guru Nanak's birthday. A special service is held at 5:00 PM. Buddhist
Holidays Wesak Wesak is the celebration of Buddha's
birth. Vassa This is a time put aside for meditation and
study. Uposatha Days There are four of these days in every Lunar
month. On these days Buddhists fulfill religous duties. Jainism Holidays
Diwali Diwali is celebrated by Jains, but it means something different
to them. Jains celebrate one of their heroes' death and arrival
in Nirvana during Diwali. Paryushana This is a festival which lasts 8-10 days for the purpose of repentance
and restoring one's soul. Non-religious Holidays Republic Day This is India's National Day. It is celebrated on January 26th
and honors the day India decided on its constitution. Independence Day This is celebrated on August 15th. Children's Day November 14th
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