Tabernacles Tabernacles is a Jewish festival which is observed all over the world from the 15th to 23rd of Tishri, i.e. in the months of either September or October. Historically, the festival is observed in commemoration of the time when Jews left Egypt and became wanderers in the search of Palestine, their religious home. At that time, they were devoid of any name and had to spend days and nights in...

St. Francis Xavier Day The body of St. Francis Xavier lies in a silver casket in the Church of Bom Jesus in Goa. Ceremonies to honour his death are performed on December 3, the day he was buried. There are many stalls selling trinkets and souvenirs in the fair that is held on the occasion. A wide variety of food and drinks are available. The atmosphere is happy and festive. St....

Sonepur Mela On the confluence of Gandak and Ganga lies Sonepur, a station of Northeast Railway. It is the place where Asia’s largest cattle fair is organised. The fair begins on the full moon of Kartik purnima and it lasts for a month. In Sonepur fair, cattle, especially elephants, brought from all over India, are sold. Cattle are decorated and painted in crimson, orange, pink and purple to facilitate identification. The...

Skanda Shashti Skanda Shashti is celebrated in South India with great rejoicing and devotion in the Tamil month of Tulam during October-November. Generally, it is celebrated with an extra measure of grandeur in temples dedicated to Subramanya. According to legend, Skanda, the second son of Shiva, also known as Karthikeya or Subramanya, was born without the intervention of any female. Shiva cast his seed into the fire and it was received...

Sindhu Festival Many rivers and river valleys worldwide have played a significant role in the evolution, sustenance and development of civilization. The mighty Sindhu river symbolizes the power of the ancient Indian civilization, which evolved over a period of thousands of years. The name of the river comes from the Sanskrit word Sindhu. It is mentioned in the Rig Veda. Words like Hindu, Hindustan and India have been derived from Sindhu...

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...