Celebrating festivals and cultures bind man to his roots, traditions and beliefs. Traditionally festivals are celebrated as they spread joy, festivity and laughter. Apart from festivals, some days are celebrated in the memory of great national leaders. India celebrates Gandhi Jayanthi on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, Teachers’ Day on the birthday of Dr S Radhakrishnan on September 5, Children’s Day on the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru on November 14.
In the same breath, we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14, Women’s Day on March 8, Friendship Day on August 1, Mother’s Day on second Sunday of May, Father’s Day on Second Sunday of June, Thanksgiving Day on fourth Thursday of November. With globalization taking place and the world entering our drawing rooms many of us celebrate all festivals and days as it marks an occasion and spreads happiness in our lives. We at TCG take a look at the festivals and days in the month of November.
Pushkar Fair: Pushkar Fair is one of the world’s largest camel fair and attracts thousands of visitors. Many of them flock to this fair for buying and selling livestock. Interesting competitions like ‘longest moustache’, ‘bridal competitions’ are held and there is sale of handicrafts. This festival ends on the day of Kartik Purnima and people flock to the ghats (banks) of Pushkar Lake at dawn for a bath and visit to the Brahma temple. It is believed that the waters of the Lake have mystical powers that would help in washing away people’s sins.
Bakra Eid/ Eid al-Adha: Across the globe Bakra Eid or Eid al-Adha is celebrated to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s faith and belief in God, as he was ready to sacrifice his son on the order of God. This day also marks the close of annual pilgrimage, Hajj. On this day, Muslims sacrifice domestic animals, such as goat, sheep, lamb, cow or camel. The animals are brought to their homes and well looked after before being sacrificed. The sacrificed animal is divided into three parts, one for the family, second for distribution to friends and relatives and third to the poor. The celebration of this festival too depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. On this day, men shave their heads and women cut a portion of their hair from their plait.
Gurpurab/ Guru Nanak Jayanti – According to the Hindu calendar, Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik month as Sikh religion founder and first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was born on this day. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 A.D. at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, presently in Pakistan. Special programmes and kirtans are held at Gurdwaras and homes and they are decorated and illuminated.
Prabhat Pheris, early morning processions, beginning from the Gurdwaras pass through the nearby localities singing ‘shabads’ (hymns) and on the day of the festival, Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Scripture) is also carried in a procession on a decorated float that is lead by Panj Pyaras (five armed guards) carrying the Nishan Sahib (the Sikh flag). Prior to this a three-day Akhand path (non-stop reading of the scripture) is held. Many of them work in community kitchens as part of karseva.
Many children must be aware of the anecdote of the Guru with a person near a masjid. The tale goes that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was one day woken up by a person and said that his legs were facing the god, he promptly told that person to shift his legs to that side where god was not there. After this, whichever side the person shifted Guru Nank Dev Ji’s legs, he saw god. It clearly confirms the guru’s saying: God is one, but he has innumerable forms. He is the creator of all and He himself takes the human form.
Kartik Poornima: Kartik Poornima is a Hindu festival and coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanthi. There are many names to this day like Tripuri Poornima/ Tripurari Poornima, Deva-Diwali/ Deva-Deepawali - festival of lights of the gods. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed demon Tripurasura with a single arrow to end his conquer of the whole world that he achieved by defeating the gods. It is also felt that Lord Vishnu’s fifth incarnation of Matsya (fish) took place on this day. Many of them perform Tulsi Vivah with Amla trees (Marriage of the Sacred fig and Citrus tree) on this day. Many people also take a dip in rivers as it is considered sacred. It also marks the culmination of month-long Kartik Snana (Kartik bath).
On the day of Kartik Poornima, Jains undertake pilgrimage to foothills of Shatrunjay hills of Palitana taluka to worship Lord Adinath atop the hill.
Children’s Day/Bal Diwas: This day is celebrated to honour the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who loved children and was popularly called Chacha Nehru. Born on November14, 1889, to Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani at Allahabad, Jawaharlal Nehru was loved by all. Nehru after earning a post graduation degree from Cambridge University returned to India and began working for the poor and downtrodden. Swayed by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru worked with him in the country’s freedom struggle and became the country’s first premier after India got Independence from the British.
Nehru loved children and roses and compared them with rose buds saying that the young ones were like the buds in a garden, who had to be nurtured lovingly with great care. On this day, many schools have cultural programmes and sports competitions. The children freak out and schools too treat them with biscuits and chocolates. Nehru is well remembered for letters to his daughter Indira, while imprisoned by the British. His ‘Glimpses of World History’ and ‘Discovery of India’ are quite well known.
United Nations has designated November 20 as Children’s Day with a move to honour the children world over. This day is preceded by International Men’s Day on November 19 so that people realize the positive roles men play in children’s lives. November 19 also happens to be the birthday of India’s first woman premier Indira Gandhi.
Thanksgiving Day: This day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November as part of a holiday season. In the US, this day is celebrated as one of the six important holidays along with Christmas, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labour Day. According to records, the first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days, providing enough food for 53 pilgrims and 90 local Americans and the First Thanksgiving was celebrated to thank God for looking after them.
Muharram: Muharram happens to be Islamic calendar’s first month and moves from year to year in comparison to the Gregorian calendar. For Muslims, Muharram happens to be one of the four sacred months of the year and people should stay away from fighting. Apart from fasting in the month of Ramadan, some Muslims fast during these days too. Some Muslims are of the opinion that Muharram is a period of mourning, commemorating the Battle of Karbala.
Festival Dates
November 2 – 10 – Pushkar Fair
November 6 - Bakra Eid/ Eid al-Adha
November 10 – Gurpurab/ Guru Nanak Jayanti
November 10 – Kartik Poornima
November 14 – Children’s Day/Bal Diwas
November 24 – Thanksgiving Day
December 6 - Muharram
In the same breath, we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14, Women’s Day on March 8, Friendship Day on August 1, Mother’s Day on second Sunday of May, Father’s Day on Second Sunday of June, Thanksgiving Day on fourth Thursday of November. With globalization taking place and the world entering our drawing rooms many of us celebrate all festivals and days as it marks an occasion and spreads happiness in our lives. We at TCG take a look at the festivals and days in the month of November.
Pushkar Fair: Pushkar Fair is one of the world’s largest camel fair and attracts thousands of visitors. Many of them flock to this fair for buying and selling livestock. Interesting competitions like ‘longest moustache’, ‘bridal competitions’ are held and there is sale of handicrafts. This festival ends on the day of Kartik Purnima and people flock to the ghats (banks) of Pushkar Lake at dawn for a bath and visit to the Brahma temple. It is believed that the waters of the Lake have mystical powers that would help in washing away people’s sins.
Bakra Eid/ Eid al-Adha: Across the globe Bakra Eid or Eid al-Adha is celebrated to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s faith and belief in God, as he was ready to sacrifice his son on the order of God. This day also marks the close of annual pilgrimage, Hajj. On this day, Muslims sacrifice domestic animals, such as goat, sheep, lamb, cow or camel. The animals are brought to their homes and well looked after before being sacrificed. The sacrificed animal is divided into three parts, one for the family, second for distribution to friends and relatives and third to the poor. The celebration of this festival too depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. On this day, men shave their heads and women cut a portion of their hair from their plait.
Gurpurab/ Guru Nanak Jayanti – According to the Hindu calendar, Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik month as Sikh religion founder and first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was born on this day. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 A.D. at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, presently in Pakistan. Special programmes and kirtans are held at Gurdwaras and homes and they are decorated and illuminated.
Prabhat Pheris, early morning processions, beginning from the Gurdwaras pass through the nearby localities singing ‘shabads’ (hymns) and on the day of the festival, Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Scripture) is also carried in a procession on a decorated float that is lead by Panj Pyaras (five armed guards) carrying the Nishan Sahib (the Sikh flag). Prior to this a three-day Akhand path (non-stop reading of the scripture) is held. Many of them work in community kitchens as part of karseva.
Many children must be aware of the anecdote of the Guru with a person near a masjid. The tale goes that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was one day woken up by a person and said that his legs were facing the god, he promptly told that person to shift his legs to that side where god was not there. After this, whichever side the person shifted Guru Nank Dev Ji’s legs, he saw god. It clearly confirms the guru’s saying: God is one, but he has innumerable forms. He is the creator of all and He himself takes the human form.
Kartik Poornima: Kartik Poornima is a Hindu festival and coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanthi. There are many names to this day like Tripuri Poornima/ Tripurari Poornima, Deva-Diwali/ Deva-Deepawali - festival of lights of the gods. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed demon Tripurasura with a single arrow to end his conquer of the whole world that he achieved by defeating the gods. It is also felt that Lord Vishnu’s fifth incarnation of Matsya (fish) took place on this day. Many of them perform Tulsi Vivah with Amla trees (Marriage of the Sacred fig and Citrus tree) on this day. Many people also take a dip in rivers as it is considered sacred. It also marks the culmination of month-long Kartik Snana (Kartik bath).
On the day of Kartik Poornima, Jains undertake pilgrimage to foothills of Shatrunjay hills of Palitana taluka to worship Lord Adinath atop the hill.
Children’s Day/Bal Diwas: This day is celebrated to honour the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who loved children and was popularly called Chacha Nehru. Born on November14, 1889, to Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani at Allahabad, Jawaharlal Nehru was loved by all. Nehru after earning a post graduation degree from Cambridge University returned to India and began working for the poor and downtrodden. Swayed by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru worked with him in the country’s freedom struggle and became the country’s first premier after India got Independence from the British.
Nehru loved children and roses and compared them with rose buds saying that the young ones were like the buds in a garden, who had to be nurtured lovingly with great care. On this day, many schools have cultural programmes and sports competitions. The children freak out and schools too treat them with biscuits and chocolates. Nehru is well remembered for letters to his daughter Indira, while imprisoned by the British. His ‘Glimpses of World History’ and ‘Discovery of India’ are quite well known.
United Nations has designated November 20 as Children’s Day with a move to honour the children world over. This day is preceded by International Men’s Day on November 19 so that people realize the positive roles men play in children’s lives. November 19 also happens to be the birthday of India’s first woman premier Indira Gandhi.
Thanksgiving Day: This day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November as part of a holiday season. In the US, this day is celebrated as one of the six important holidays along with Christmas, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labour Day. According to records, the first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days, providing enough food for 53 pilgrims and 90 local Americans and the First Thanksgiving was celebrated to thank God for looking after them.
Muharram: Muharram happens to be Islamic calendar’s first month and moves from year to year in comparison to the Gregorian calendar. For Muslims, Muharram happens to be one of the four sacred months of the year and people should stay away from fighting. Apart from fasting in the month of Ramadan, some Muslims fast during these days too. Some Muslims are of the opinion that Muharram is a period of mourning, commemorating the Battle of Karbala.
Festival Dates
November 2 – 10 – Pushkar Fair
November 6 - Bakra Eid/ Eid al-Adha
November 10 – Gurpurab/ Guru Nanak Jayanti
November 10 – Kartik Poornima
November 14 – Children’s Day/Bal Diwas
November 24 – Thanksgiving Day
December 6 - Muharram
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