In Theravadin countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the new year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background […]
This is one of the few holidays observed according to the solar calendar and marks the end of the winter solstice. It is celebrated differently across India with kite flying, bonfires, fairs, sun worship, ceremonial cooking in special pots, sweets based on sesame seeds, dance, etc. It is also a harvest festival.
Sadeh is a mid-winter celebration observed by preparing a large community bonfire. The bonfire symbolizes the victory of light over forces of cold and darkness. More Information
The second Sikh genocide was the mass killing of Sikhs by the Afghani Durrani Forces in February of 1762 during his sixth invasion of India in the present day state of Punjab in India. An estimated 25,000 - 30,000 Sikhs including women and children were killed, which was nearly half of the Sikh population at […]
The beginning of the 40-day season of Lent. Catholics and Protestants will have ashes applied to their foreheads in the shape of a cross, symbolizing penance, mourning and mortality A day of fast and abstinence from meat for Catholics over the age of 14.
Feast day of the patron saint of racial justice and of philanthropists. St. Katharine Drexel is the second American-born saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church. She was an American heiress, philanthropist, religious sister, educator, and foundress. She was the American founder of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters for Indians and Colored People (now Sisters […]
This is the “festival of colors" or the "festival of love. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and a festive day to meet others and plaster each other with colored powders and colored water. It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.
Hola Mohalla takes place on the first day of the lunar month of Chet, which generally falls in March. This tradition was established by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1701 for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in controlled battles. Hola Mohalla became an annual event and continues to be celebrated with martial […]