Winter Religious Festivals
HANNUKAH Hannukah is the Jewish Festival Of Lights. ' Hanukkah ' means dedication, and honours one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history. The celebration lasts for 8 days. The story behind Hannukah?
Jewish people remember their victory against the Greeks, who forbade them to practice their religion. Two thousand years ago, King Antiochus stopped all religious practice for Jews and made them bow to the Greek Gods. Worshipping statues or idols is forbidden by the Ten Commandments. Therefore a small group, the Maccabees, rebelled and war broke out. After three years of fighting the Jews won but the Jewish temple was destroyed. After cleaning and repairing it, victory was celebrated by lighting an oil lamp, or Menorah, which symbolised God ' s presence. Although there was only enough oil to burn the candle in the temple for one day, it burnt for eight days. The Menorah is one of the oldest symbols in Judaism. Families light one candle on the Hanukiah, the candelabra with nine candles every day after sunset. The lighting of each candle represents the original oil lamp that burnt for eight days in the temple. The ninth candle is out of place, usually higher than the others, and is lit first, then used to light all the others. Gifts are also exchanged each day when a new candle is lit.
GURU NANAK GURPURAB / Sikhism was founded by a wise man called Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru.
Sikhism is still based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh Gurus who followed him. Guru Nanaks birthday changes every year because he was born on the full moon therefore his birthday will change with the lunar calendar. Guru Nanak Gurpurab is a festival celebrating Guru Nanak ' s birthday!
The word ' Gurpurab ' is a mixture of the word Guru, which means ' teacher ', and Purab which means ' Festival ' or ' Celebration ' in Punjab The story behind Guru Nanak Jayanti is told. Children are dressed up in traditional clothes and offer the prayers( Ardaas) at the Gurudwara Sahib. Verses are read from the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Special delicacies are prepared, especially the Karah Parshad and distribute among neighbours and the pool in your locality. Rooms are decorated with lights, earthen lamps and candles.
BODHI DAY Each year on December 8th, Buddhists celebrate the day that Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment through meditation. The word Bodhi means awakening or enlightenment.
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, is popularly known as the Buddha. Siddhartha, once an Indian Prince, eventually abandoned his life of luxury for a much simpler one. Many believe that Siddhartha resolved to sit underneath a Bodhi tree and meditate until he found the root of suffering and how to free himself from it.
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The day quietly reflects the ways of enlightenment. No parades or fanfare herald the name of the Buddha through city streets. Some eat tea and cookies. Others decorate a Bodhi tree. For most, it’ s a day of meditation.