Archive for the ‘2010 January’ Category

Parsi New Year Celebrations

Parsi delicacies play a very important role in the New Year celebrations. A sweet Ravo (made from sugar, milk and suji) and vermicelli are the best breakfast for Navroz. After breakfast, whole family visits a nearby Fire Temple or Agiary. Priests perform a thanks giving prayer in the temple called Jashan and the congregation offers sandalwood to the Holy Fire with covered heads. They wish each other 'Sal Mubarak'.
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Parsi New Year Traditions

Jamshedi Navroz is the time to be with the near and dear ones and pay respect to the elders of the family. On this day, people get up early in the morning, clean their house, take bath and dress up in new clothes. They decorate the entrance of their houses with colored powders, light incense sticks and place a burning coal scuttle sprinkled with sandalwood powder. This is done to keep the air clean and fresh. There is also a tradition of offer food to the poor on this day.
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History of Baby New Year

It is said that the custom of using a baby to depict the beginning of New Year began in Greece around 600 BC. At that time, the Greeks honored their God of Wine - Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket. This ritual represent the annual rebirth of Dionysus as the spirit of fertility. Besides, early Egyptians are also said to have used the baby as a symbol of rebirth.
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Islamic New Year's Day

New Year celebrated by Muslims is not a gala affair rather it's a quite and sober celebration. People gather in mosques and dargahs to offer special prayers. Muslims celebrate this day to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad. The most important part is to tell the hijra (Muhammad's flight from Medina to Mecca). This story is also broadcast on radio. Maal Hijra or the Islamic New Year is spent on reflecting how one's leading his or her life and their own mortality.
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Jewish New Year

The origin of Jewish New Year can be traced from the holy Bible which is celebrated over a thousand years. The Jewish New Year takes place in the month of Tishri that are months of September and October according to the Gregorian calender.

When is it Celebrated?
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Jewish New Year Celebrations

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two major festivals ritually performed during ten days celebrations.

Rosh Hashanah
The day commemorates with lighting of candles. Family get-together is the common scene while celebrating Rosh Hashanah. People eat traditional food which includes apples dipped in honey reminding of all that is sweet in life and a baked challah bread. Prayers play a very important role in the celebrations. People recite kiddush prayers on this day.
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Christian New Year Celebrations

New Year ushers in the festive spirit. People splurge in the New Year activities with fun and excitement. New Year brings in happiness and so people make it a grand affair to welcome the coming year. New Year celebrations begin with the New Year Eve. Christians attend balls, theme and private parties to celebrate the New Year. Party halls are booked in advance and there is rarely any place which is not hit by the partiers. Festive music and songs rock the New Year parties. People dress up in their best clothes to celebrate the New Year. At the stroke of 12 at midnight, people make a lot of noise, hug, kiss and wish each other “Happy New Year”.
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Christian/Gregorian New Year Traditions

New Year traditions create a sense of responsibility and also ties an emotional bond of togetherness, belief and faith. New Year traditions are being followed with immense devotion and joy by the people of Christian community. Tradition of New Year Baby is used as a symbol of rebirth by many Christians. Image of a baby with New Year's banner is displayed at many houses.
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New Years in the Month of April

Theravadin Buddhist New Year - The Tharavadin Buddhists of Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Lao celebrate the New Year on the first full moon day with three days of celebration.

April 14 - Solar New Year (Songkran) - This new year's day is celebrated in many southeast Asia countries as Baisakhi in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka (or Varushapirapu); Songkran in Thailand; Boum Pimay or Bun-Pi-Mai-Lao in Laos; Thingyan in Myanmar; and Bon Chol Chhnam in Cambodia. The exact time on the 13th or 14th is determined by astrologers.
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New Years in the Month of March

March 1 - Roman New Year also called the Festival of Mars, aka Feriae Marti, honored Mars, the Roman god of war.

March 14 - Sikh New Year Day - It is the first day of Chet, the first month of the Sikh calendar.

March 21 - The Baha'i New Year (Naw-Ruz) is always celebrated on the 21st March.
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