Though India is often and justly described as a land of many religions and innumerable languages as well as traditions and cultures, it might well be described as a land of festivals as well. Hindu festivals are combinations of religious ceremonies, semi-ritual spectacles, worship, prayer, processions, music, dances and other activities of a religious or traditional character. While some festivals are celebrated regionally, others are celebrated nationally, the whole country as one, united and liberated. Each festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and Great Spirit
One among such auspicious occasions, Bhishma ashtami is associated with Bhishma Pitamaha, the most revered and grandiose character of the great Epic, Mahabharata. A noble Soul, a great learned person, Bhishma was respected for his honesty, sincerity and strong determination. He was a great warrior, an adventurous hero and on his day it was difficult for anyone to defeat him. For the sake of his father he sacrificed his marriageable life by taking an oath of celibacy and remained childless. It was on this day Bhishma had his last breath and this day is commemorated as the day of his Niryana. Bhishma ashtami occurs on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight (Sukla Paksha) in Magha Masam as per Hindu Lunar Calendar that usually falls during the months of January – February the day after Ratha Sapthami. In 2013 Bhishma Ashtami fell on 18th February while in 2014 it falls on 7th February
As per the mythology, Bhishma was the son of King Shantanu from his wife Ganga. When his father decided to marry a beautiful young maiden named Satyavati, her parents were not in favour, because it was Bhishma who was heir to the throne and if she had sons they would not inherit the kingdom. To fulfill the desire of his father's marriage, Bhishma vowed neither to get married and have children, nor to accept the crown as a prince of Hastinapur. His father Shantanu was very much pleased and in gratitude of his son’s sacrifice he gave him a boon that Bhishma would die when he wished known as Swachchanda Maranam. Shantanu then married Satyavati, bearing two sons who died without producing any children, but Satyavati had two grandchildren by a son who had been born before she married the king. Bhishma ended up raising these two and taking charge of the training of their children, who were known as the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
After her father’s death when she was 12, Hatshepsut became the queen of Egypt when she married her half-brother and he became the Pharaoh Thutmose II. He was the son of her father and one of his second wives. During the reign of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut assumed the traditional role of queen and principal wife. During their marriage, Hatshepsut and Thutmose II were not able to produce a male heir but had a daughter named Neferure. Because she was the first and main wife and queen of Thutmose II, when he died, she proclaimed herself the fifth Pharaoh while denying the old Kings son, her nephew.
Hatshepsut was born the daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I and Ahmose. At birth she was of royal blood. She was born in New Kingdom Egypt of the 18th dynasty. Archaeologists assume she grew up as most Egyptian girls and princesses did because there is really no existing record of Hatshepsut’s early life and childhood (Andronik 12). When her father passed into the afterlife she wed or married her half- brother Thutmose II at the age of twelve. With this marriage her role and title then became Queen Hatshepsut and the king’s Great Royal Wife (Andronik 14). With Thutmose Hatshepsut bore a daughter, but since the child was not male it was not a legitimate heir to the throne. She could not provide an heir. With Isis, a wife of his harem, Thutmose II was provided a male heir, Thutmose III. Therefore Thutmose III was next for the throne. When Thutmose II died his son was only a baby or small child at the time. His exact age is not known. At that age Thutmose III could not rule the great nation of Egypt properly so a regent was to be appointed (Dell 48).
...nd mortality in order to portray Siddhartha’s journey to Enlightenment. Time, love, and mortality all share one unique characteristic—they are all eternal. Throughout Siddhartha’s journey, he looses love; however he does not feel sorrow for he knows love is everlasting. While loosing love, he encounters death, and again feels no distress. Siddhartha learns one will soon return in another life—mortality. Not only are death and love endless, but also time shares this representative. As Siddhartha grows, he seems to struggle with the aspect of time until he realizes time is does not exist. Time is immortal. “Death is not an event in life: we do not live to experience death. If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present” (“Brainy Quotes” 1). Time, love, and mortality are infinite.
Research My first research experience took place from the Fall 2012 – Summer 2013 in a neurobiology laboratory (Dr. Daniel Plas) focused on Parkinson’s Disease. In this project an undergrad student and I were tasked with optimizing a cellular medium for neural growth of the model organism Lymnaea stagnalis. This was comprised of following established protocols and altering certain variables within the formulas (differing concentrations of ions, pH, et al.) to observe growth pattern differences in vitro.
Feasts and parties are means to celebrate any purpose that comprises of communal elaborate eating. Similarly, we see the early Mughal rulers celebrating their special occasions – victory after war, in honour of somebody, festivals, birth of a child or nuptials, or etc. by hosting a feast or a banquet. This explains the purpose of a feast simply but the question is: that is just it or could it hold a larger motive? Well, Brian Hayden, Dietler and Susan Pollock argues that feasts were an important event where commensality was not just limited to eating and drinking together but far more than just a physical act, it entails myriad social and political ties and a competition in order to display one's own wealth and well being. Definitely, a feast
There are two holy days in the Hindu religion named Diwali and Holi. Diwali is a festival of lights, and is India’s biggest and most important festival of the year. It is mainly celebrated in the months of October and November. This festival is a great time for family to get together and be together. Holi is another festival that family gets together. Holi is a festival of colors. Holi is a holiday where they get together and dance, play, and bring joy onto their home. Depending on the region, some cover their body is many different colors to celebrate the day.
From the rich traditions of food, architecture, clothing, celebrations, popular film industry and reputation has built India and the Indian heritage a leading culture in society. India is the second largest country in the word with many diversified groups who follows different religions and speaks different languages. The Taj Mahal is one of the main significance advance Indians have made and the other various temples that they have also created. Temples are the places where Hindus go to worship their gods. As for cuisines, the Indian cuisines are found in many different kinds of food, in fact the Indians have also changed many styles of American cooking to compliment Indian style cuisines.The use of spices and herbs are typically used by Indians, which is generally how many Indians cook. The clothing that women wear are very traditional one main importance the sari which the women wears and the men Kurta which is a long shirt that crosses the knee and usually have designs. These are traditional clothes that are worn to signify the importance of the Indian culture in everyday life. Indian marriage or a Hindu ceremony is what I enjoy most about my Indian heritage. First the bride must have little kids rub dye on her skin which is done in white sari to demonstrate her purity. When this is done the next day is her marriage where she dresses in an all red sari which can only be worn in marriage. This is also a
...ot of respect to the dead. All the ceremonies of India make up the customs which make up the culture. (“Customs of India”)
The festivals always had a basic function of giving thanks to a god or gods, but much like modern
Muslims celebrate Ramadan which is a month-long holiday. “During Ramadan, Muslims will fast (avoid eating and drinking) from sunrise to sunset and practice self-control.” After they are done fasting for the day, they will eat dinner which would include dates, rice, and a variety of spiced dishes. On the other hand, Hindus celebrate Festival of Lights. They will eat a small portion of chicken, lamb, or fish with lentils or beans. Their holiday dishes will contain about fifteen different spices and they will serve bread as well. (Food in Every Country)
Celebration can be an appeal to religion, if a not strong one. Celebrating a belief among others passes on the faith to the future generations.
The Republic of India is located in South Asia. India is home to one of the world´s largest populations and is known to be one of the oldest civilizations. These two factors have contributed for the development of rich cultural heritage and diversity, making it a big tourist attraction. However, this diversity has caused serious problems among the people, especially with the different religious views and beliefs.
As a country with multiple religions, a secular state, the political process has been moulded. around not only ethnicity and caste but religion has proved to be a major factor in the decision. India has long been known as a very spiritual, religious. area of the world. Religion is a way of life, an integral part of Indian tradition.
The Indian culture is an amalgamation of several cultures thus making India a diverse nation offering a myriad of elements relating to the cuisine, the adroitness of its artisans, literature, clothes and glorified architecture. The major forms of classical dances are namely Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi.
Every country in the world has its own festival and celebration. People all around the world love joining together and sharing good time through the festivals and celebrations. Festivals are great way to experience local culture. Sometime they even offer a glimpse into past. There are hundreds of festivals across the world. So are you ready to experience of fun and colorful festivals? Below are some of festivals from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.