Bakra Eid

The feast of Bakra-Id is an occasion to give and to sacrifice. It is a day to thank the Almighty for one's good fortune and to share it with the less fortunate people. Eid al-Adha or Id-ul-Azha, as it is known in Arabic, translates as 'the feast of sacrifice'. Traditionally, Bakra-Id is marked by the slaughtering of animals as sacrificial offerings, after which the meat is distributed among the needy and deprived. It is celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Hazrat Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail at the behest of Allah. Hence, on this day just like Ibrahim, a true follower of Islam is expected to sacrifice something that is dear to him.

The animal sacrifices made during Bakra-Id are mainly to provide food to the poor and deprived and to mark the noble act of Ibrahim. This spirit of sacrifice is what truly underlines the spirit of Bakra-Id. Incidentally; the day also coincides with the day when the holy Quran was declared complete. Bakra-Id is celebrated from the tenth to the twelfth day in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. Every year, while pilgrims to the Mount of Mina make animal sacrifices as part of the pilgrimage rituals, Muslims the world over celebrate Bakra-Id in a similar fashion. A goat, sheep, camel or any other four-legged animal is slaughtered during one of these three days.

Festivities mark the first day, when people wear new clothes, offer prayers at the mosque, and greet friends and relatives. The celebrations are carried on through three days to ensure that the entire Muslim community partakes in the noble of act of giving and sharing. Bakra-Id is celebrated all over India with much zeal and gusto, as it is in the rest of the Islamic world. The name Bakra-Id is most popular in India. However in Arabic, the feast is usually referred to as Id-ul-Azha or Id-ul-Zuha.
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Short Paragraph on Nag Panchami

Snakes are worshipped on this day. Snakes according to Hindus are powerful Gods, some well disposed towards humans, other malevolent. The fifth day of Shravan is dedicated to them and they are worshipped in various ways. In South India, where snake worship is very common, people, feed snakes. They offer milk and fruits. On Nagpanchmi it is forbidden to plough field. A legend says that a farmer while ploughing his field accidentally killed some serpents with the ploughshare. In retaliation the mother of the serpents killed the farmer. Not content with this the mother went to the farmer's house and bit everybody there except a girl who was worshipping a serpent at that moment. On seeing the devotion of the girl towards her tribe, the serpent was pleased and repenting on her rash act, revived the farmer and his family by a charm she possessed.

Essay on The Muharram festival

The Muharram is hardly a festival. We may call it mourning. The Muslims celebrate it in honor of the great Husayn. He scarified his life after fasting for ten days. The Muslims of Shia take part in this festival.

The Story

The story of the festival is very touching. None can help weeping. The Muharram has a historical background. Mohammad, the prophet, had two grandsons through his daughter. They were named Hassan and Husayn. Husayn was bravest and the purest man of his time. Hassan was caught by the enemy, Yazid-ul-Maviya. He was put to death. Husayn fought against the enemy. The war went in for 20 days. In the end the enemies surrounded Husayn while he was crossing the desert. He was prisoned for ten days. He was given no food or drink. On the 10th day he was put to death.

How the Festival is Celebrated

The festival lasts for ten days. It begins with the appearance of the new moon of the month on which it falls. A place is selected. All the mourners, great and small, gather there. It is called the council of mourners. They pray thought-out whole day. All distribute alms to the poor. For ten days they weep for Husayn. They curse the cruel Yazid.

Celebration of the Tenth Day

On the 10th day, bamboo frameworks are taken out from the place in procession. These frame works represent the tombs of Hassan and his ones. They are called marsias.They weep bitterly. Some of the mourners become wild with grief. All shout 'O Hassan ! o Hassan!' Women beat their breast with their hands in sorrow. They pass the whole night in this way.

Last Day of the Muharram

On the tenth day, which is the last of the festival, the tazias are carried to the Karbala the burial ground. There they are buried with loud cheers to Hassan and Husayn. After this they return home. They pass an hour in prayers. Then they sit down to the great for them. Thus the great festival of the Muharram comes to an end.

Conclusion

The Hindus show sympathy with there Muslim neighbors in their sorrow. They offer cold drinks to the mourners. Some of them out flowers and sweet on the tazias. A bad aspect of the festival is that, when the tazias are taken out, the rival parties quarrel.

569 Words Essay on Raksha Bandhan

Festivals are the celebration of togetherness the celebrations of being one of the family. Festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is one such major occasion. It is the celebration of brothers and sisters.

It is one festival that primarily belongs to the North and Western regions of India but celebrated throughout the country with the same verve. Regional celebrations may be different but Raksha Bandhan has become an integral part of those customs.
Raksha Bandhan is known by different names in different states of India, by different communities. Raksha Bandhan significance also varies with the region. Raksha Bandhan has a different significance in southern and coastal regions. Rakhi Purnima is celebrated in the northern and north-western parts of India with a lot of zest and esprit.
Here, Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of the chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister. Raksha Bandhan is called Nariyal Purnima or coconut full moon in the Western Ghats that includes the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. Here Raksha Bandhan signifies the beginning of a new season for those dependent on sea.
The Raksha Bandhan day is called Shravani or Kajari Purnima in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar. Raksha Bandhan, here is an important day for farmers and women who have sons. The Raksha Bandhan day is celebrated as Pavitropana in Gujarat. Raksha Bandhan is the day when people perform the grand pooja or the worship of the three eyed God, Lord Shiva.
It is the culmination of the prayers done throughout the year. As per the traditions, the sister on this day prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal and rakhis. She worships the deities, ties Rakhi to the brother(s) and wishes for their well-being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sisters’ side through the thick and thin and gives her a token gift.
The festival has been celebrated in the same way with the same traditions for centuries. Only the means have changed with the changing lifestyles. This is to make the celebrations more elaborate. Raksha Bandhan is primarily a North Indian festival kindling the deepest emotions of love and affection amongst the siblings. Just like all Indian festivals, this is also celebrated with lots of verve.
The sister ties the rakhi on the brother’s wrist and both pray for each other’s well being followed by a pledge from the brother to take care of his sister under all circumstances. The brother usually gifts something to die sister to mark the occasion.
Celebrated enveloped in the festiveness. The mirth that surrounds the festival is unsurpassed. Amidst the merriment the rituals are also followed with great devotion. The rakhis and the sweets are bought and prepared generally before the Purnima. As per the tradition the family members get ready for the rituals early. They take a bath to purify mind and body before starting any preparations.
The sisters prepare die thali for the pooja. It contains the rakhi threads, kumkurn powder, rice grains, diya (an earthen or a metal lamp used for worshiping), agarbattis (incense sticks) and sweets. The brother in turn blesses the sister and promises to protect her from the evils of the world. He gifts something to her as a token of his love and affection. The rituals may differ a little from region to region but generally carry the same aura

Short essay on Holi Festival

Introduction

Holi is the festival of colors in India. It is a spring festival and perhaps the happiest festival of the Hindus. It is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra. It makes the beginning of the spring season. The beauty of nature makes this festival colorful. The lovely flowers with their dazzling colors and the sweet songs of the cuckoo provide a charming background to Holi.

Celebration of Holi

The Holi celebrations begin on the last day of Phalgun. People collect sticks and straws lying in streets at a place. At night they gather at that place and set fire to the huge pile of sticks and straws. They sing songs to the accompaniment of drums. They are mad with joy. They break up when the fire fades out.The main celebration follows the next day. People are in a happy mood. They sprinkle colored water on another. They smear their faces with colored powders. Children spray colored water on the passes-by. Even the old people are mad with joy. All people are in a jolly mood. They forget social distinctions. They mix with all freely. In our villages people move about with colored water. They sing, dance, and jump about. They beat drums and sing loudly in a chorus. In the evening they visit their friends and neighbors.

Its Importance

Holi is an important festival of the Hindus. It is a festival of joy. It gives us the message of friendship and goodwill. On this occasion we forget our old quarrels and mix with all freely. At least for one day we forget social distinctions completely. There is no difference between the rich and the poor. Holi gives us great joy. It is a happy occasion when we forget our cares and anxieties.

Evils of Holi

Holi has got some evils. Many people get drunk on this occasion. They indulge in rowdy behavior. Some people sing indecent songs and abuse women.

Conclusion

We should celebrate Holi in a decent way. We must realize that it is a festival of joy and friendship. We should share our joy with others. We must not behave badly.

Short essay on Eid Festival

Eid is the greatest festival of the Muslims. All over the world, the Muslims celebrate it with great pomp and show, zeal and gusto. The Muslims observe fasts for a full month after sighting the moon of ‘Ramzan’. When the month of ‘Ramzan’, is over and the moon of Eid is sighted, they end their Roja (fasts). The next day, the festival of Eid is celebrated. Every year it comes off on the first day of the month of Shawwal. It is a day of gaiety, festivity and feasting.

It is a believed that fasting in the month of ‘Ramzan’ purifies the soul and prayers after fasting save them from going to hell and open the doors of heaven. So during the month of `Ramzan’, they lead a pure and holy life. They observe fasts, offer regular prayers in the form of ‘Namaz’; read the holy Koran, feed the hungry and give alms to the poor. Charity is the greatest virtue to be practiced during the month of ‘Ramzan’. Fasting comes to an end when the new moon of Eid is sighted. The sight of the new moon of Eid is considered very pious and holy by the Muslims. It is a signal for the celebration of Eid the very next day.On the Eid day, Muslim people get up early in the morning. They take a bath and put on their best dresses. They visit mosques and offer prayers in the form of ‘Namaz’. They embrace one another and exchange Eid greetings. ‘Eid Mubarak’ is on the lips of each Muslim. Sweets are distributed, gifts are given and delicious dishes are prepared at home. Friends and relatives are invited to feasts. Sweet noodles are the most popular dish cooked on this day. At some places, Eid fairs are also held. Eid greetings are exchanged by one and all. Children buy toys and sweets.
In India, all communities join the Muslims in celebrating Eid. Sweets are shared and greetings exchanged by all. The Hindus, Sikhs and Christians greet their Muslim brothers on this day. The celebration of Eid promotes national integration and the feeling of brotherhood. Joys are doubled when they are shared. Eid brings a message of brotherhood for all of us.
It is a festival of love and goodwill. It gives us a message to love all and hate none. It teaches us to embrace all men as brothers. Separated lovers hope to meet on this day. It exhorts us to bid goodbye to hatred, jealousy and enmity and bring in an era of love, sympathy and brotherhood.

Short Paragraph on Durga Puja Festival

The Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsav,  is a Hindu Festival.  Durga Puja is the greatest festival in West Bengal. The Durga Puja is celebrated in the month of Ashwin i.e. October. The festival is very popular in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha and Manipur.
The festival is celebrated for 10 days , although there is more enthusiasm during the last 4 days .

Significance and Importance

Durga Puja festival is of great significance and importance. It signifies the victory of good over the evil.

Durga is the goddess of strength or Shakti.  The Goddess Durga holds various weapons in her ten hands. She rides on a lion. Mahisasura demon is attacked by her.

She comes along with Ganesh, the lord of the host, Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and Kartik, the god of heavenly forces. On the top is seated Shiva, the lord destroyer.
It also reminds us of the victory of Rama over Ravana , the demon king.

Celebration

Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and happiness. Men, women and children of all ages go to see the beautiful puja pandals.
On the day of Bijoya Dashami, the image of Goddess Durga is emmersed.

Conclusion

The Durga Puja Festival teaches us that virtue always wins over evil in the end . People from all walks of life enjoy the festival of Durga Puja.

Short essay on Diwali Festival

Diwali is one of the most colorful, sacred and loveliest festivals of the Hindus. It is celebrated every year with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the length and breadth of the country. It marks the happy return of lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen year’s exile. It is a festival of lights and festivities. It comes off about twenty days after Dussehra and shows the advent of winter. It is to the Hindus what Christmas is to the Christians. It lends charms and delight to our life.

Diwali or Deepawali means a row or collection of lamps. A few days before Diwali, houses, buildings, shops and temples arc thoroughly cleaned, white-washed and decorated with pictures, toys and flowers. They look as beautiful as a newly, wedded girl. Beautiful pictures are hung on the walls and everything is tip-top. On the Diwali day, people put on rich clothes and move about in a holiday mood. People exchange greetings and gifts or sweets on this day.
At night, buildings are illuminated with earthen lamps, candle-sticks and electric bulbs. The city presents a bright and colourful sight. Sweets and toy shops are tastefully decorated to attract the passers-by. The bazaars and-streets are overcrowded. People buy sweets for their own families and also send them as presents to their friends and relatives. Children explode crackers. At night, Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshiped in the form of earthen images and silver rupee. People believe that on this day, Hindu Goddess Laxmi enters only those houses which are neat and tidy. People offer prayers for their own health, wealth and prosperity. They let the light on so that Goddess Laxmi may find no difficulty in finding her way in and smile upon them. Businessmen open new accounts on this day. But it is very sad that some people gamble on this day. It marks the beauty and sanctity of the festival. Off the whole, this festival is an occasion for joy, thrill and excitement.

Christmas Short Essay

Christmas is a Christian festival. Jesus Christ, the founder of the Christian faith, was born on 25 December. Hence the day is observed as the 'Christmas Day' in order to commemorate Christ's birth.

On the day, the Christians dress themselves colourfully with a gay spirit. They wish 'Merry Christmas' to their friends and relatives. They visit one another's house in order to exchange good wishes.

The Christians decorate their houses on the occasion with the Christmas Tree which is an evergreen (artificial) tree beautified with small electric bulbs and zari laces or other tiny pieces of decoration like dazzling paper stars, halls etc. that add a typical festive mood to the occasion.

They prepare Christmas pudding rich dark plum cakes which are eaten at Christmas. The Christians all over the world enthusiastically celebrate the Christmas festival.

It is a great day also for the children, who sing the carol, which is a Christmas hymn in chorus in memory of Christ's birth. They fervently look for Santa Claus or the Father Christmas who is supposed to appear to distribute attractive gifts to the children on the day. Santa Claus dress­es himself in red and white, wears white and long false beard, and carry a bag full of presents for the children.

The shops, hotels, churches, schools, colleges-all are decorated with various types of coloured paper flowers or other designs, balloons and lamps on the Christmas day. The festival is now-a-days found to be enjoyed and celebrated also by other communities not as a religious belief, but as a festive occasion.

Saraswati Vandana Mantra

Sanskrit / संस्कृत:
या कुंदेंदु तुषारहार धवला, या शुभ्र वस्त्रावृता |
या वीणावर दण्डमंडितकरा, या श्वेतपद्मासना ||
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभ्रृतिभिर्देवै: सदा वन्दिता |
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेष जाड्यापहा ||
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सार परमां आद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं
वीणा पुस्तक धारिणीं अभयदां जाड्यान्धकारापाहां|
हस्ते स्फाटिक मालीकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थितां
वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धि प्रदां शारदां||

Hindi / हिंदी अनुवाद:
जो कुंद फूल, चंद्रमा और वर्फ के हार के समान श्वेत हैं, जो शुभ्र वस्त्र धारण करती हैं|
जिनके हाथ, श्रेष्ठ वीणा से सुशोभित हैं, जो श्वेत कमल पर आसन ग्रहण करती हैं||
ब्रह्मा, विष्णु और महेश आदिदेव, जिनकी सदैव स्तुति करते हैं|
हे माँ भगवती सरस्वती, आप मेरी सारी (मानसिक) जड़ता को हरें||


English Translation
She, who is as fair as the Kunda flower, white as the moon, and a garland of Tushar flowers;and who is covered in white clothes
She, whose hands are adorned by the excellent veena, and whose seat is the pure white lotus;
She, who is praised by Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh; and prayed to by the Devas
O Mother Goddess, remove my mental dullness!