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 .