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Festivals of India
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Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are the two primary holidays observed by Muslims across the world. Although both are known as ‘Eid’, there are many differences between the two, including the reasons for their celebration as well as the nature of festivities. (Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Culture [GODL-…
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Though Eid postcards might seem obsolete today, they emerged as popular vehicles of cross-cultural iconography in the mid-20th century, and were posted across continents as Eid greetings. While most of these cards showcased Western iconography and visuals, Urdu poetry was often printed on them to…
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It is believed that Buddha Purnima marks the full-moon summer night that saw the birth of a boy who would go on to teach the world about finding happiness by understanding the true nature of life. Central to Buddhist thought are ruminations on suffering brought on by sickness, old age,…
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Many among us know about roza as an essential practice among Muslims during Ramzan (also called Ramadan). Did you know there are many other rituals that are followed as well? This ranges from e'tikaaf (a form of seclusion) to taraweeh (a special prayer at the end of the day). (Photo Source: Ayan…
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India has a host of harvest festivals, of which Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Bihu are some of the more popular ones. However, there are several other similar harvest festivals celebrated by various tribes, regions and cultures that might not be as well known, but are an essential aspect of…
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For most agrarian societies, harvest festivals are an integral part of their culture, and India is no different. Often, each community has a different name for the celebrations, but there is a lot that is common in the intent and festivities. Here we look at three—Ugadi, Gudi Padwa and Mopin—that…
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Christmas in Bandra is a sight to be seen. With a fascinating history, Bandra—which was once a 'dowry port' disputed by the English and the Portuguese—is an amalgam of Portuguese and Indian cultures with the added influence of the East India Company, hosting a large Christian community (Photo…
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In this edition of ‘Lore and Life’, we look at the history of Holi, the various myths, traditions and rituals associated with the festival, and how the festival was used in the Indian independence movement (In pic: A 19th-century painting of a prince playing Holi in his harem from the National…
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While colour-play is an integral part of Holi, there are also variations in the rituals and practices associated with festivities across different regions. Sahapedia.org looks at two such less-known traditions associated with Holi—Bhagoria in Madhya Pradesh and Yaoshang in Manipur (Photo Source:…
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