Tag: Important dates of years

JANMASHTAMI

By: Astha Raghav.

 Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindhu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is observed according to the Hindhu lunisolar calendar, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Shraavana or Bhadrapad (depending on whether the calendar chooses the new moon or full moon day as the last day of the month), which overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian Calendar.

It is an important festival, particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism. Dance-drama enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana (such as Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila), devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born, fasting (upavasa), a night vigil (Ratri Jagaran), and a festival (Mahotsav) on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations. It is celebrated particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan, along with major Vaishnava and non-sectarian communities found in Manipur, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and all other states of India.

Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which celebrates the occasion when NandaBaba distributed gifts to the community in honor of the birth.

Every year, Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. Though we all have nicknames, Lord Krishna has a whopping 108 names! Some of his names include Govind, Mohan, Hari, Vasudeva, Shyam, Ghanshyam, and to name a few more! These names reflect in all the bhajans and hymns which devotees sing on Janmashtami!

Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Hindus across the Indian subcontinent and beyond. In “A Janmashtami Journey”, we take a whistle-stop tour around the world to look at how this great festival is celebrated.

In countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, and New Zealand, where there is a large community of Hindus, Janmashtami is celebrated. The day is marked with great fanfare and fervour in London, the US, and Poland and there is a unique temple in the Macau peninsula.

Thank You!

RAKSHA BHANDAN

 

By:Astha Raghav 

Raksha Bandhan, also Rakshabandhan, is a popular, traditionally Hindu annual rite, or ceremony, which is central to a festival of the same name, celebrated in South Asia, and among people around the world influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman, or amulet, called the Rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.

An occasion like Raksha Bandhan rings the bell once in a year, and it’s a moment which means a lot to a sister, so adore your loving sister with some super fantastic gift items which can make her delighted on this special day. You will never go wrong with offering a package of dark chocolate, personalized mug, favorite teddy, etc. So, dedicate a meaningful gift that can bring a big smile of happiness on her face on this special day.

Thank you!

He would have always surprised you with lots of gifts on various occasions. Now, it’s time to return the favor by giving your brother a little token of love. With blessings and loads of love, offer some heart-touching gifts to naughty brother on the special occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Delight him with cute and adorable gifts such as personalized pen stands, personalized photo frame, God idol, etc. and let him know how much he means to you.

World Elephant Day

 

By: Astha Raghav 

On August 12,2012, the inaugural World Elephant Day was launched to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants. The elephant is loved, revered and respected by people and cultures around the world, yet we balance on the brink of seeing the last of the magnificent creature.

The escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment in captivity are just some of the threats to both African and Asian elephants. Working towards better protection for wild elephants, improving enforcement policies to prevent the illegal poaching and trade of ivory, conserving elephant habitats, better treatment for captive elephants and, when appropriate, reintroducing captive elephants into natural, protected sanctuaries are the goals that numerous elephant conservation organizations are focusing on around the world.

World Elephant Day asks you to experience elephants in non-exploitive and sustainable environments where elephants can thrive under care and protection. On World Elephant Day, August 12, express your concern, share your knowledge and support solutions for the better care of captive and wild elephants alike.

Thank you!