Siami Siami is the harvesting festival observed by the Zemi Nagas of the North Cuchar Hills. It is, in fact, a festival organized by the boys and girls of Marungs of the village. In the festival, the youths are required to get themselves prepared for the observance of this festival, much ahead of the actual celebration. Holding the grand feasts with the meals of hunted animals and birds with rice-beer, dancing...

Shab-e-Barat Shab-e-Barat is an Islamic festival celebrated on the night of the 14th of Shahan every year to mark Prophet Mohammad’s ascent to heaven. Muslims believe that on this day God writes the destiny of all men for the coming year. Muslims celebrate it with merry-making, illuminations and fireworks. Sweets, especially sevvaiyan (vermicelli), are sent to the houses of friends and relatives. `Fateha’ or blessings are recited over food in the...

Saraswati Puja Saraswati puja falls on the fifth day of Wasant’ – spring. Therefore, it is also known as the day of Vasant Panchami. Actually, Vasant Panchami falls on the fifth day of Magh shukla. Saraswati is the wife of Lord Brahma. She is also the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge as well as the Goddess of creativity and inspiration. On this day, Saraswati is worshiped with flowers. Decorations are mostly...

Republic Day Essay No. 01 Republic Day is celebrated annually on January 26, in New Delhi, the capital of India, state capitals and Union Territories. India became independent on August 15, 1947, but it was on January 26, 1950, when the constitution of India was adopted that India became a sovereign democratic republic. Since then, this day began to be observed as India’s Republic Day. The day is celebrated at New...

Ravidas Jayanti Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated in North India in `Magha’ (January-February) in honour of the birthday of Ravidas. He hailed from Varanasi and lived during the first quarter of the 14th century. Ravidas was born in 1376 in a family of cobbler. He was a devout worshipper of Lord Rama. His father did not like his activities and therefore ordered Ravidas to leave the house. After that Ravidas took up...

Rath Yatra Rath Yatra is an unusual festival in the memory of an eighty-year old event. In the month of Ashada, this celebration takes place in the state of Orissa. Rath Yatra means a ‘Chariot ride’, which is preserved as the gateway to heavens by the devotees. The ritual ride is observed in the Jagannath temple in the city of Puri in Orissa. The Jagannath temple is a trinity abode or...

Ramzan The holy month of Ramzan is very auspicious to the Muslims the world over. It is celebrated the day after the crescent (Id Ka Chand) is sighted. The Muslims are ordered to observe fast for 30 days starting with the sighting of the new moon and end it after seeing the new moon the next month. It is believed that the holy Quran came into existence during this month. The...

Ram Navami Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra. The day commemorates the birth of Lord Rama. It is believed that Lord Rama was the seventh ‘avatar’ of Lord Vishnu. Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic, explains that king Dasharatha of Ayodhya had three wives. But he could not parent a child. Forgetting a son, he observed a yagna to please and seek...