DECEMBER
On the 31st of December was Aamavasya Day, which in English is called New Moon.
It is believed that in Kashmir Yakshas or Semi Divine creatures used to inhabit
it.
There is a tradition in Kashmir that on this New Moon Day, Khichdi (Rice) is
placed on the rooftops of homes in Kashmir for the Lord of the Yakshas!
Celebrations in January
Makar Sankraanti is celebrated on the 14th of January.
Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
Known as Baqr-Id, Id-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th day of Zil Hajj, the last month of the Islamic year.
26th January is Republic Day
The Constitution of India came into force in 1950
Freedom from British rule came in 1947
Cansaulim Zatra is celebrated in Goa in the following manner: Men climb up to a church on a small hill near Cansaulim. They celebrate the arrival of the three kings from the East who came to visit baby Jesus.
Tai Pusam is also celebrated in January. Subramanya is the son of Shiva and Parvati.
He is also called Shanmukha, the one with six faces. One day Parvati gifted her son a magical spear that always returns after it is thrown because she was very happy when she saw her son with only one face like any other child. Tai Pusam celebrates her joy!
Guru Govindsingh (10th and last Sikh Guru’s birth anniversary)
FEBRUARY/MARCH
Vasant Panchami fell on the 2nd of February 2006. Vasant means spring and it is represented by the colour yellow…the mustard fields are yellow.
Vasant Panchami honors Mother Saraswati, the Goddess of the arts and knowledge and learning and speech…
Muharram
MahaShivratri
Valentine
Holi
Bhaiya Dooj
Sisters shower love and gifts /sweets on their brothers.
This festival comes after Holi nd Diwali
Holla Mohalla
A day after Holi is a day of Martial exercises for Sikhs.
Important places where it is celebrated is in Anandpur Sahib and Muktsar.
Mahaparinirvana
According to the Mahayana tradition, Mahaparinirvana is the day in Buddha left the body and was liberated from life and death.
Aa lights in the meditation hall of Buddhist temples are put off and relit after meditation. Texts from scriptures are cahnted in the belief that this will ensure that the Buddha’s teachings will become immortal.
Ash Wednesday
Christians begin Lent, a period of penance just before Easter to recall the 40 days that Jesus Christ fasted in the desert, before he began to preach. The people smear ash on their forehead to mark the occasion.
Narmada Mata Jayanti
The river Narmada rises in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh and travels about 1200 km before flowing into the Arabian Sea. People worship the river also because the pebbles that are found on its bed are believed to be in the shape of the lingam (Shivji) . This festival is celebrated in January/February two days after Vasant Panchami. On this day thousands of lamps are floated on the river Narmada.
Yaosang
Manipur celebrates the Spring Festival named Yaosang for six days. The Thaba Changba dance is performed at this time.
Guru Ravidas Jayanti
Kojagari Harvest Festival
Goddess Laxmi is honoured in different parts of the country depending upon the crop being harvested.
Palm Sunday
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, he was greeted by crowds waving palm fronds.
Christians believe that on Palm Sunday begins the last week of Jesus life.
Baha’i Navroze
The Bahai celebrate the first day of their New Year.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Five hundred and twenty years ago—on February 18, 1486 to be exact—the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna descended to this earth as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Golden Avatar (Gauranga Mahaprabhu). His descent was foretold in the Srimad Bhagavatam, the Mahabharata and the Atharva Veda and he came in this unique form for two reasons. First, Sri Chaitanya revealed the sublime nature of the highest love between Krishna and his most intimate devotees and he himself (Mahaprabhuji) continually relished the ecstasy of that love. And second, he popularized a simple yet potent method of God realization: the chanting of the maha mantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. For all Gaudiya Vaishnavas Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s appearance day holds great significance, second only to Janmashtami and is celebrated world over with great fanfare as Gaur Poornima.
March/April/May
Jhulelal -Dadi Nani Ki Kahaani
1st April: All Fool’s Day
On the above day practical jokes are played on people.
In Ireland and Cyprus hoaxes are played before mid-day.
It is interesting to note that during the late 16th Century, New Year was celebrated on 1st April Note that it more or less coincides with Maharshtrian, Sindhi New Year, and the advent of spring.
In 1852, Pope Gregory XIII replaced the old Julian calender. The New calender celebrated New Year’s Day on the 1st of January instead if 1st of April.
Many people refused to accept the new date. Some took advantage of the situation and sent traditionalists on ‘fool’s errands’
The above could be one of the reasons how April Fool’s Day originated.
Sri Hanuman Jayanti-13th April 2006
Mahavir Jayanti Dadi Nani ki Kahaani
Different Festivals that fall around this time:
Passover, one of Judaism most important festivals
Gabriel’s first appearance to Prophet Mohammed
Nowruz for the Parsees and Nawruz for the Bahais.
The latter festival is an acknowledgement of the spiritual springtime.
Gangaur
During Gangaur, women pray for the good health and long life of their husbands.
In Rajasthan women walk long distances in search of water. They carry clay idols of Goddess Gauri or Parvati in procession and immerse them in rivers, ponds…
Vishu / New Year, Kerala /
Vishukani: (Symbols of Prosperity) Gold, a golden, yellow vegetable, jackfruit, coins, lemons and a picture of Guruvayurappan is displayed.
Members of the household are blindfolded and led to see the above symbols of prosperity first thing on Vishu morning.
Nobo Borsho /Bengali New Year/ Tamil New Year / Bohag Bihu/ Rongali Bihu/ Assam are celebrated around this time every year.
Feast of Ridvan (Bahai):
‘Ridvan’ means ‘The Garden of Paradise in Persian
Bahaullah disclosed to his followers that he was the promised leader in Ridvan.
During a date in April Baha’is meet and elect 9 members from their community to provide services for a year, on a spiritual assembly.
Milad-un-Nabi
Alsocalled Barah Wafat. It falls on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal. This day is considered the birth day of the prophet Mohammed. Some believe that it is also the death anniversary.
April 18th
World Heritage Day
April 22nd
World Earth Day
April 23rd
World Book Day
Rishabhdev Akshay Tritya (Dadi Nani ki Kahaani)
May 1st
Labor Day
Christians honor St Joseph, the carpenter, Jesus foster father (Jesus’ Mother Mary was a Virgin Mother)
May 14th
Mother’s Day
Shakun Kimatrai 