Religious holidays around the world. Major Christian holidays
Planet Earth is inhabited by many different peoples and nations, differing from each other in traditions, religion, culture, language of communication, which cannot be said about rituals. It is they who are mostly repeated among many peoples, causing surprise in full or partial similarity. In their execution, the rites have differences, but carry the same meaning.
What is the relationship between the customs and religious characteristics of peoples?
Many religions are known, but the main and more common are Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Thanks to faith, wars of liberation, enmity and conflicts between different peoples were waged. It would seem that such beliefs have nothing in common. But in reality, everything is not so clear.
Putting boundaries between peoples according to their religious affiliation, humanity is moving away from higher intelligence. It is no coincidence that the rites of one nation have many common features with the traditions of other peoples. In most cases, the customs of African tribes are similar to Eurasian ones. There is a lot in common in wedding or funeral rituals, as well as in conspiracies, prayers, and communication between relatives.
Why are the rituals of different peoples repeated?
The answer to this question must be sought in the distant past. Before modern man news came that most of the peoples used to be ranked among the pagans. People believed in various gods, in extraterrestrial civilizations that patronized humanity in old days.
Higher powers bestowed on the ancestors many covenants, a store of knowledge aimed at learning the right way life. If there were violations of such rules, then the time of retribution and punishment would come.
With the development of civilizations, the customs of the pagans gradually faded into the background, but this was not always the case. Their transformation took place in the culture of certain states, they united with a new religion.
It is worth noting that Muslim celebrations can be a copy of Christian ones. For example, rituals Tatar people, whose religion is Islam, in many respects have something in common with the traditions of the Russian people. Customs are passed on from one generation to another, improved, modified, even supplemented, or some details are canceled. Taken together, the purpose of any rite clearly reflects its importance and relevance today.
Many traditions and rituals continue to exist today in their original form.
Slavic rites and holidays
The traditions and customs of the Slavs have passed through many centuries, have undergone certain changes, but still survived, and today they continue to live and delight the people. The most ancient rites are related to paganism, which was considered necessary for man. Indeed, according to such a religion, the destiny of the individual on earth was explained.
One of the oldest and well-known rituals among different Slavic peoples is associated with the deity Makosh. They celebrated the celebration between October and November. Gatherings during this period were starting, so that you could prepare for the winter season.
It was in the name of Makosh that they organized festivities. Representatives of the Slavic peoples bowed before this deity, performed a ritual of sacrifice, and brought various gifts. People did everything to ensure that Makosha provided her assistance in obtaining a rich harvest needed next year.
For the most part, the rites of the Slavs were related to agriculture, since people in those days were engaged in their lands and therefore the main thing for them was the harvest necessary for life.
Ancient rites and church holidays
To this day, customs associated with visiting the graves of deceased relatives have been preserved. People go to the cemetery church holidays, such as the Trinity, Radunitsa, and also Dmitrievskaya Saturday. From here came the tradition of commemorating the dead, while candles should be lit on their graves, food and drinks should be left.
Among the ancient rites should be attributed the current Christmas time, in honor of which people at home commemorate their dead relatives and friends. Holy Thursday is also relevant. IN this case rituals associated with cleanliness. On this day, it is necessary to clean the whole house, wash all family members. The essence of the tradition is that this is how the souls of dead people are cleansed and warmed.
Mankind celebrates today also the ancient Slavic holiday called Maslenitsa. This celebration is in close connection with commemoration, and therefore in our days, as in the old days, they continue to cook pancakes, which are taken to the grave of deceased relatives, they perform a ritual of remembrance.
During the celebration of Maslenitsa, fisticuffs in the air, other competitions were also taken under open sky. Among the ancient Christian rites, there was a place to commemorate a dead person. Customs such as wedding, baptism came to modern world from the distant past.
Popular holidays and traditions associated with religion
With the retreat of paganism, holidays and rituals began to appear, incorporating teachings from religion. Every religion has its own special traditions, which are daily, weekly, and also annual. There are episodic rites that are performed only once in a lifetime. Usually, they are related to such life processes as the birth of a child, marriage, or the death of a person.
Major Traditions in Christianity
Among the important and basic customs in Christian world it is customary to consider such as birth, baptism, marriage with an accompanying wedding, death followed by a funeral service. The brightest and main celebration in the Christian world is considered Holy holiday Easter. This tradition ends with Lent.
Another colorful holiday is Christmas, before which Christmas is coming fast.
Major Traditions in Islam
Every Muslim is required to read a prayer called Namaz. A person must pray 5 times every day, regardless of where he is. In the Muslim world, there are several major celebrations that have their own meaning. This is Eid al-Adha - the ritual of sacrifice, Uraza-Bayram - the holiday of breaking the fast, including Miraj - the night on which the seer Muhammad is raised to heaven, Mawlid - the birth of the prophet.
Solemn events are held according to the Muslim calendar.
The main traditions of Buddhism
This religion places a special place on the death of a person. An unusual burial ritual is performed, which includes several stages in its organization. Here it is necessary to read prayers, illuminate the places of burial, and also bury the dead person.
Vesak is an important holiday in Buddhism. It's bright solemn ceremony held on the occasion of the birth, enlightenment, and departure of Gautama Buddha from the world of the living.
Significant New Year in Buddhism. He is more famous as Tsagan Sar. It is celebrated differently, depending on which school or direction. For Buddhists, such a celebration is associated with renewal, a new period in life. This celebratory event carried out quite brightly, beautifully.
Major Traditions in Judaism
Considering the important holidays and customs related to religion, it is worth noting the features of the traditions and solemn events of Jewish Jews. The main and significant in Judaism is the day of God - Saturday, that is, Shabbat. According to tradition, one commandment out of ten is fulfilled.
At this time, you can not work on the seventh day of the week. Shabbat is very important ritual, which is considered the main part of the life process of the Jews. To such significant day there is a greeting - Shabbat shalom.
Hupa - beautiful holiday in Judaism, relating to the moment of marriage. The name of the solemn event came from the canopy of the same name, which serves to hold a wedding ceremony under it. At the same time, people sing songs, dance, and perform ancient rituals aimed at protecting and well-being of the newlyweds.
Pesach is another important and interesting holiday, which in Russian means - Easter.
Shavuot is a festive event organized in honor of the memory of how God gave Moses the Ten Commandments from the Bible.
Diverse and amazing is the world of traditions, rituals, holidays, religions of various peoples coexisting on the same planet.
These holidays fall into two categories:
Fixed (non-movable) holidays: they always fall on a strictly defined day of the month, regardless of the day of the week, which changes annually. These include nine twelfth church holidays:
Twelfth fixed holidays
| Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary | September 21 |
| †Exaltation of the Holy Cross (40 days from the Transfiguration) | September 27 |
| Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary | December 4 |
| †Nativity | Jan. 7 |
| January 19 | |
| †The Presentation of the Lord (40 days AD) | February, 15 |
| Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos (9 months BC) | April 7 |
| †Transfiguration | August 19 |
| Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | August 28 |
Movable (movable) holidays. moving part church calendar moves along with the date of celebration, which changes from year to year. All "mobile" holidays are counted from Easter and move in the space of the "secular" calendar along with it.
Twelfth rolling holidays:
The twelfth feasts each have one fore-feast day, with the exception of the Nativity of Christ, which has 5 days of fore-feast, and Theophany, which has 4 pre-feast days.
The number of afterfeast days is not the same - from 1 to 8 days, depending on the greater or lesser proximity of some holidays to others or to the days of fasting.
Some of the Lord's feasts, moreover, are preceded and concluded by special Saturdays and weeks (Sundays).
The services of the twelfth feasts of the fixed circle are in menstruation. Services of the twelfth holidays of the moving circle are located in Lenten and Colored.
In Russia, until 1925, the Twelfth Holidays were both church and civil.
Great non-twelfth holidays:
At the feasts of the Nativity and the Beheading of John the Baptist, the Circumcision of the Lord, the Intercession Holy Mother of God There is no fore-feast, after-feast and giving away of the Holy Primate Apostles Peter and Paul.
- Bishop Alexander Mileant
- Y. Ruban
- Holidays of the Christmas cycle Y. Ruban
- Twelfth holidays arch. Alexander Men
- Troparion of the Twelfth Feasts
Christian holidays
Christian holidays- certain days of the church calendar, celebrated with divine services that have an individual liturgical character. This is fixed in the names of the holidays and "penitent times", the dates and order of their celebration, as well as in the content of the texts performed during the service. Their purpose and meaning is the remembrance, glorification and theological interpretation of the key stages in the history of Salvation, which is embodied mainly in the events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ (the Savior), and the Virgin Mary, the real accomplice of this divine-human process. Hence - an exceptional place in the calendar of holidays dedicated to Them.
The holidays are distributed within two overlapping annual cycles - (menaion) and (triode, or Easter-Pentecost). Celebrations and memorable events of the first cycle are strictly fixed only by the days of the month (for dates julian calendar in relation to modern civil, an amendment is needed: n - 13 days, - for the XX-XXI centuries). The holidays of the second are fixed only by the days of the week, being rigidly correlated with Easter, which is the starting point for the entire moving annual cycle. The date of the latter moves within 35 days (“Easter limits”): from April 4 (March 22, O.S.) to May 8 (April 25, O.S.).
The most important holidays of modern Orthodox calendar are referred to as "twelfth", or "twelve" (from the Slavic twelfth - "twelve") (see). , as "holidays holiday", is outside this classification.
The second step in the festive hierarchical ladder is occupied by holidays, which are called “great” in liturgical word usage. These include: the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos (October 1/14), the Circumcision of the Lord and the memory of St. Basil the Great (January 1/14), the Nativity of John the Baptist (June 24/July 7), the memory of the supreme app. Peter and Paul (June 29 / July 12), the Beheading of John the Baptist (August 29 / September 11), and also, according to some old calendars, the repose (death) of St. John the Theologian (September 26/October 9), commemoration of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Mir of Lycia (December 6/19) and the transfer of his relics from Mir to the Italian city of Bari (May 9/22).
All other numerous holidays are dedicated to incorporeal forces ( common holiday- Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, November 8/21), Old Testament and Christian saints, commemorating the significant events of the Holy Biblical and Christian history, the appearance of miraculous icons, the discovery of relics.
The constant canonization of new saints means the continuous replenishment of the Christian calendar.
The Church Charter (Typicon) provides for the gradation of all holidays into five categories according to the degree of solemnity of their worship, which is fixed special characters(the sixth digit is unsigned). Patronal feast of any temple (whose name it bears) is equated for it in the liturgical aspect with the Twelfth Feasts. The same degree of solemnity can be inherent in "locally honored" holidays, even those that have a modest liturgical status at the general church level.
Holidays common to all Christians are, first of all, Easter and Christmas (the latter, as a special calendar celebration, does not have the Armenian and other Monophysite churches). The most important annual holidays are mostly the same for Orthodox and Catholics (because they are based on the same events of sacred history), but differ in dates, often in names and semantic nuances, as well as in the nature of the celebration.
Many saints of the one Church are equally revered: eastern ones in the West, western ones in the East (Basil the Great - Ambrose of Milan, etc.). But the saints of one Church who lived after the division of the Churches (1054) can be venerated in another Church mainly at the local level, with the permission of the church authorities. The official Catholic calendar, for example, includes the names of Sts. Cyril of Turov (May 11), Anthony of Pechersk (July 24), Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga and Vladimir (July 27 and 28), Boris and Gleb (August 5), Sergius of Radonezh (October 8); the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is also commemorated (September 7).
Protestants, rejecting the veneration of the Mother of God, saints, relics and icons, do not have their respective holidays in their calendars.
Studying Holidays in Context overall process is engaged in the formation of the church calendar (lit. "holiday studies") - an auxiliary historical discipline, one of the sections of academic liturgy.
Liturgical texts are contained in the Service Book, in 12 volumes (for fixed holidays), Lenten and Colored (for the mobile), the Menaia of the Festive, as well as in numerous editions of services certain holidays, often containing historical references, comments, notation and other applications.
“How to celebrate the holiday? We celebrate the event (to understand the greatness of the event, its purpose, its fruit for believers) or a person, such as: Lord, Mother of God, Angels and Saints (to delve into the attitude of that person towards God and humanity, into his beneficent influence on the Church of God, in general). It is necessary to delve into the history of an event or person, to approach the event or person, otherwise the holiday will be imperfect, unpleasing. Holidays should have an impact on our lives, should enliven, kindle our faith (hearts) in future blessings and nourish pious, good morals.
The main events and holidays that are celebrated in the main world religions.
Main Christian holidays
Christian holidays.
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holiday associated with the Christian tradition about how the Archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary the “good news” about the impending birth of the Divine Infant in Her. Celebrated on March 25 (April 7).
Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Entry into the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos is a feast in memory of the entry of the three-year-old Mary into the Jerusalem Temple, where She was given by her parents for education. Celebrated on November 21 (December 4).
Ascension
Ascension is a holiday in honor of the ascension of Christ to heaven. It is celebrated on the 40th day after Easter.
Palm Sunday
The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) is a holiday in honor of the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Celebrated in last sunday before Easter.
Exaltation of the Cross
The Exaltation of the Cross is a holiday dedicated to the events of the 4th century, when St. Helena found the Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem. Celebrated on September 14 (27).
Epiphany
The Baptism of the Lord (Theophany) is a holiday in memory of the baptism of Jesus Christ by the prophet John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Celebrated on January 6 (19).
Circumcision of the Lord
Easter
Easter is the main Christian holiday in honor of the resurrection of Christ crucified on the cross. Celebrated on the first Sunday after spring equinox and full moon. In Orthodox churches, Easter falls on the period from March 22 to April 23 according to the Julian style.
Protection of the Holy Mother of God
The Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is a holiday in memory of the apparition in the 10th century. in the Blachernae Church in Constantinople of the Virgin, who spread her veil over the Christians, thereby blessing them for a victorious battle with the Saracens. It is celebrated on October 1 (14).
Transfiguration
The Transfiguration of the Lord is a holiday in honor of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, who revealed to the disciples shortly before the Calvary sufferings his Divine nature. Celebrated on August 6 (19).
Nativity of John the Baptist
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holiday in honor of the birth of the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. Celebrated on 8 (21) September.
Nativity
Christmas is one of the main Christian holidays, in honor of the birth of Jesus Christ. Celebrated December 25 Orthodox churches celebrate this holiday on January 7 (Gregorian style).
Meeting of the Lord
The Presentation of the Lord is a holiday in honor of the meeting (meeting) of the great-eater Simeon of the Messiah - the child-Christ, whom the parents brought to the temple for dedication to God. It is celebrated on February 2 (15).
Trinity
Trinity (the Russian name for the day of Pentecost) is a holiday in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. It is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter.
Assumption of the Virgin
Major Christian posts
Fasting - abstinence on a certain period from any food or its individual types (especially meat). Every Orthodox must fast on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, Epiphany Christmas Eve, on the day of the beheading of John the Baptist, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord. There are also 4 multi-day fasts
Spring (Great) - begins on the first Monday after Maslenitsa and continues until Easter.
Summer (Petrov) - begins on the first Monday after Spiritual Day and ends on June 29 (July 12), on the day of the holy apostles Peter and Paul.
Autumn (Assumption) - 15 days before the feast of the Assumption.
Winter (Christmas or Filippov) - starts on November 15 (28) and lasts 40 days before Christmas.
Major Muslim Holidays
Muslim holidays.
Ashura
Ashura is the main date of the Shia religious calendar, the day of commemoration of the Shia imam al-Hussein ibn Ali (the grandson of the prophet Mohammed). It is celebrated on the 10th of Muharram. The first ten days of Muharram also mark the beginning of the Muslim New Year (lunar).
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha - the Feast of Sacrifice, one of the main Muslim religious holidays. It starts on the 10th of the month of Zu-l-Hijjah (the 12th month of the lunar calendar) and lasts three to four days. Islam instructs all believers on this day to make a blood sacrifice (slaughter a sheep, a cow, a camel).
Laylat al-bara
Laylat al-bara - the night of Creation, is celebrated on the night of Shaaban 15 (8th month of the lunar calendar). Muslims offer special prayers for the dead and for the atonement of sins.
Laylat al-qadr
Laylat al-qadr - the night of Predestination, is celebrated on the night of the 27th day of the month of Ramadan (9th month of the lunar calendar). That night, the “sending down” of the Koran to Muhammad began.
Mavlyud
Mavlud is a holiday in honor of the birthday of the prophet Mohammed. Since the exact date of his birth is unknown, it was timed to coincide with the day of his death. It is celebrated on the 12th of the month of Rabbi al-Awwal (3rd month of the lunar calendar).
Miraj
Miraj is a holiday in honor of the legendary journey of Mohammed on the white fabulous animal Burak from Mecca to Jerusalem, and from there along the light staircase to heaven for a conversation with Allah. It is celebrated on the 27th day of the month of Rajab (7th month of the lunar calendar).
Nowruz
Nowruz is the day of the spring equinox. It is celebrated in many Muslim countries, although it is not directly related to Islam.
Eid al Adha
Uraza-bairam is a holiday on the occasion of the end of the monthly fast (uraza). 1 Shawwala (10th month of the lunar calendar) is celebrated.
Jewish holidays
Holidays of followers of Judaism.
Yom kippur
Yom Kippur (Judgment Day) is the last day of the year. It is believed that on that holiday God weighs the actions of people and determines their fate.
Pesach
Pesach (Easter) - a spring holiday celebrated in honor of the "exodus" of the Jews from Egypt. It is celebrated in the month of Nissan (March - April).
Purim
Purim (rig - "lot") - a holiday in honor of miraculous salvation Jews from the danger of extermination. Its history goes back to biblical traditions. It is celebrated on 13 Adar (February - March).
Sukkot
Sukkot - a holiday in memory of wandering in the wilderness, "when the sons of Israel lived in huts" (sukka - "hut"), lasts seven days. The last day of Sukkot is called Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah). On this day, the annual cycle of reading the Torah ends. It is celebrated on the 15th of the month of Tishrei (September - October).
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah (New Year) is celebrated on the first day of the month of fireweed (September - October of the Gregorian calendar).
Hanukkah
Hanukkah (consecration) is a holiday in honor of the liberation of the Temple from pagan idols and its new consecration. It is celebrated nine weeks after the end of Sukkot.
Shabbat
Shabbat (Saturday) is the last day of the week, the day of rest.
Shavuot
Shavuot ("weeks") - a holiday in memory of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai to the prophet Moses seven days after the "exodus".
Hindu holidays
Holidays of followers of Hinduism and holidays of India.
The holidays have absorbed all kinds of religious activities, from the sacrifices of the Vedic Aryans to modern theatrical performances. Holidays-worship services are an important part of the life of any Hindu. They are held in honor of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, the goddess of knowledge Saraswati, the god of military prowess Kartikeya, the elephant-headed Ganesha and many other gods. A number of holidays are dedicated to events religious history, crafts, the strengthening of family ties, life cycle rituals, agricultural work, astronomical events, etc. Hundreds of religious festivals are celebrated every year in India. The most significant of them are Holi, Diwali, Dasera, Nagapanchami, etc.
The Indian calendar is a series of holidays, and if you choose the right time, then every day of your stay will be marked by some kind of holiday. Harvest festivals in the south, Ganesha bathing in Bombay, the chariot festival in Puri, kite boat races in Kerala, Republic Day in Delhi - in every region, every religion has a reason to celebrate. Below we list only some of the most important ones, but there are countless other holidays that you can find out about from the Government Office of Tourism of India representative in your country.
January February
Sankranti Pongal is celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Lasts 3 days and is very colorful. Tamil harvest festival.
republic day, National holiday in honor of the establishment of the republic on January 26, 1950. Includes a large military parade, a procession of dancers, etc. Goes to Delhi.
Vasant Panchami, a national holiday celebrated more in the eastern regions. Dedicated to Saraswati, the beautiful Hindu goddess of knowledge. Women wear yellow saris.
Baroque festival in Madurai, the birthday of the 17th ruler there. A barque with exquisite illumination carries decorated temple statues of deities along the reservoir Mariman Teppakulam to the sounds of singing joyful hymns.
February March
Shivarati (Shivratri), a national holiday that celebrates the main Hindu god Shiva with dances and chants. Especially celebrated in Chidambaram, Kalahasti, Khajuraho, Varanasi and Bombay.
Holi, mostly celebrated in the north, is popularly known as the festival of colors. Spring greeting. Animation reigns, everyone pours streams of colored water and throws multi-colored powder. National holiday.
The Mardi Gras carnival takes place in Goa for three days, often during the Christian Lent. Extraordinarily colorful.
Ramnavami, a national holiday in honor of the birth of Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu. There are no processions, but special performances take place in the streets and in folklore theaters. Mahavir Jainanti, Jain national festival celebrating the birth of Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirtankar.
Easter: Good Friday to Holy Sunday are national holidays.
February-April
Kumbh Mela, the oldest and most important Hindu holiday. It is celebrated every three years in one of the four great holy cities: Nashik in Maharashtra, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Prayag (Allahabad) and Hardwar in Uttar Pradesh. Millions of pilgrims flock to the celebration to bathe in the sacred river Ganges.
April May
Baysaki, a holiday in North India, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The Hindu New Year of the Sun, celebrated with the Bangra dance. Women wear yellow saris. Puram, the New Moon festival in Trichura. A picturesque sight of many elephants carrying ceremonial umbrellas around the temple. Fireworks are arranged at night.
Id-Ul-Zuha (Bakri-id), the national Muslim holiday, the main one in India. Arranged in memory of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
Eid-Ul-Fitr (Ramadan Eid), the national Muslim holiday in honor of the end of the month of Ramadan.
Meenakshi Kalyanam, celebrated in Madurai. The wedding of Meenaksha and Lord Shiva. Colorful temple festival; the statues of the gods are transported on a colossal wagon. The celebrations last 10 days.
Fair in Rajasthan, Urs Ajmer Sharif, 6 days in Ajmer. Religious, cultural and commercial festival dedicated to the Sufi. There are no processions, but there is a lot of music.
June July
Rath Yatra, celebrated mainly in Orissa. Great temple festival in honor of the god Jagannah (god of the universe). Thousands of pilgrims pull three colossal chariots from the temple of Puri. Similar smaller festivals are held at Ramnagar near Varanasi, Serampore near Kolkata and Jagannathpur near Ranchi.
July August
Tej is celebrated in Rajasthan, especially in Jaipur. A colorful procession led by the goddess Parvati, including elephants, camels, dancers, welcomes the monsoon season. Women wear green saris.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in Northern and Western India. Theatricalization of the legend. Girls tie rakhi (talismans) around the wrists of men.
Naag Panchami is celebrated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Dedicated to the thousand-headed serpent named Sesha. This day is celebrated in many other parts of Western and Eastern India.
Amarnai Yatra, a Hindu festival in the Lidder Valley, Kashmir, on a full moon. Pilgrims visit the place where the god Shiva revealed the secret of salvation to his disciple Parvati.
Aug. Sept
Independence day 15 august, national holiday. The Prime Minister addresses a message from the Red Fort in Delhi.
Janmastami, national holiday, birthday of Lord Krishna. Especially celebrated in Agra, Bombay and Mathura.
Onam, the harvest festival in Kerala. Colorful kite boat races take place in many parts of Kerala.
Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated in Pune, Orissa, Bombay, Madras and dedicated to the elephant-headed god Ganesha. Giant statues of the deity are carried and immersed in water. The colorful festival is best visited on Dive Day in Bombay.
September October
Dussera, a national holiday especially popular in countryside, is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. In the north, especially in Delhi, where he is known as Ram Leela, the life of Rama is remembered in performances and music. It is also celebrated brightly in Kullu. In Bengal and many parts of East India it is known as Durga Puja and in the south as Navarati.
Yar marka in Himachal Pradesh, takes place in the Kullu valley for 10 days and coincides with Dussera.
Gandhi Jainti, national holiday, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Processions are not arranged.
Diwali, a national holiday, is one of the most wondrous and colorful in India. In some parts, it celebrates the Hindu New Year. In Eastern India, the goddess of prosperity and prosperity Lakshmi is especially revered on this day. Great illuminations and fireworks are everywhere.
Gurpurab is celebrated mainly in Northern India. The festival of ten gurus, spiritual guides and forerunners of Sikhism. Processions are not arranged.
November
Muharram, a Muslim holiday commemorating the martyrdom of Immam Hussein. Dancers dressed as tigers lead a procession carrying decorated images of the Immam's mausoleum. Especially colorful in Lucknow.
Bihar, the largest livestock fair in the world. Passes for a month in Sonapur, Patna, on the banks of the Ganges.
The Pushkar Mela takes place in Pushkar, near Ajmer, in Rajasthan. An important and colorful holiday. A cattle and camel fair frequented by Rajputs from miles away. You can see camel races, acrobat performances, etc.
December
Christmas is a national holiday celebrated especially solemnly in Goa, Bombay and Tamil Nadu.
In addition to the above celebrations, there are hundreds of others, of local importance, but celebrated no less colorfully and pompously. The most traditional of these are: (1) temple festivals in South India, a list of which is available from the State Tourist Office of India; (2) numerous holidays in Ladakh, in Kashmir; (3) many holidays in Rajasthan, where one of them is either already underway or about to start.
Music festivals
Music (Hindustani in the north and Carnatic in the south) developed as part of national culture for many centuries. The constituent parts of music - tonal intervals, harmonies and rhythmic patterns - are derivatives of the richness of musical traditions and trends. They also differ from those familiar in the West. Basically, the music reflects Indian tales and legends, and also the rhythms of nature, depending on the time of year. Indian dances are as unique as they are ancient. Their performers can be found throughout the country during major holidays and ceremonies, or at folklore performances in concert halls and hotels.
Holi
HOLI - New Year's, the most colorful holiday, celebrated on the full moon of the month of Phalgun (February-March). The central moment of the holiday is the burning of a huge scarecrow or decorated tree. Sometimes they swing statues of the gods on a swing, jump over fire, walk on coals, arrange game battles between men and women. Both young and old sprinkle each other with colored powder and paint from buckets, bottles and even bicycle pumps. These days, the god of love Kama is especially revered, as well as Krishna, who loved to play with gopi gopis. But more often the holiday is associated with the myth and the name of the demoness Holika, the opponent of the solar god; her stuffed animal is burned during the holiday.
Diwali
DIWALI (from deepavali - a row of lamps) - a holiday associated with the autumn equinox and harvest, as well as the end of the rainy season. It is celebrated on the new moon of the month of Karttika (October-November). The main difference of the holiday, which gave it its name, is the use of lights, bowls with wicks, lanterns, garlands, light bulbs, etc. lamps. Every house, every street and city is lit up with lights. Now fireworks are being arranged, rockets are taking off, crackers are exploding. All this is done in order to scare away evil spirits. It is believed that on these days the spirits of ancestors visit their homes. In most areas, this holiday is dedicated to the goddess of happiness Lakshmi, whose favor everyone tries to achieve.
Dasera
DASERA - a holiday celebrated in almost all of India, roughly corresponding to autumn equinox. It is celebrated in the first 10 days of the bright half of the month of Ashvin (beginning of October). The 10th night, which gave the name to the holiday, is considered especially sacred. Dasera approximately coincides with the end of the rainy season, when, according to legend, the gods wake up from sleep and resume the fight against demons, and people resume their interrupted agricultural activities and therefore honor all kinds of tools and weapons with special rituals. In most areas, dasera is dedicated to the goddess Durga: bloody animal sacrifices are performed in her honor. In some areas of northern India, Rama, one of the incarnations of the god Vishnu, is also revered: he is perceived as an ideal ruler, and the time of his reign is like a "golden age". In honor of him, dramatic performances on the themes of the Ramayana, called ramlila, are arranged. They end with the burning of huge effigies of the demon Ravana and his brothers. IN eastern india This holiday is dedicated to the descent of the Ganges to the earth.
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The history of their origin, many holidays and rituals of the peoples of the world are inextricably linked with the religion, culture and spiritual heritage of a particular nation.
peoples of the world
Throughout the existence of mankind, these unique historical and cultural values were born, improved and disappeared, but the vast majority of them still managed to reach our days almost in their original form.
Rites of the Slavs: the history of their origin
Talking about cultural heritage, which managed to pass through the centuries, reaching the present time, should be cited as an example famous rites and traditions of the Slavic peoples.
The most ancient of these rituals and customs in their origin are directly related to paganism, which was once part of the very first universal ideas about man and the world, and later became the basis for all religions existing on the planet.
Calendar holidays and rituals among the Slavs
Connection with holidays
Official pre-Christian pantheon Slavic gods, approved by Prince Vladimir, included male and female deities, with whose name the very first ancient Slavic rites were associated. So, among the most ancient rites, one should mention the indispensable Slavic celebration in honor of the female deity Makosh (“mother good harvest, abundance"), held in late October-early November.
With these festive gatherings, the season of curious and very beautiful winter rites began. Arranging festivities in honor of Makosh, the Slavic peoples tried to propitiate the deity with sacrifices and all kinds of gifts in order to next year it favored fertility and a bountiful harvest.
In general, the festive rites and calendar holidays among the Slavic peoples were designed to reflect, first of all, the economic interests of the peasants, which explains the coincidence of dates festive festivities with certain agricultural seasons. In addition, the vast majority of all-Slavic holidays were closely connected with the firmly rooted cult of ancestors, which has survived to our time.
To this day (especially among the East Slavic peoples), the tradition has been preserved to visit cemeteries and graves of ancestors on Radonitsa, Trinity and Dmitriev Saturdays. From here, by the way, originate the customs of commemorating the dead with intoxicating drinks, leaving food at their burial sites and arranging a meal at the grave.
Until relatively recently, pagan funeral customs were traced in many Christian holidays - for example, on Christmas time or Maundy Thursday. So, at Christmas time it was customary to commemorate the ancestors at home, and on Maundy Thursday - to make bonfires and heat baths (so that the souls of the dead could warm up and cleanse themselves).
An interesting fact: very many Russians folk holidays and rituals go back both to the mentioned cult of ancestors and to the idea of fertility. The deceased relatives in the human mind were associated with the earth, and according to the ideas of those ancient times, a generous harvest depended on the benevolence of the ancestors. For example, the well-known festive ritual - Maslenitsa - is also inextricably linked with the theme of fertility and with the commemoration of ancestors, in honor of which fisticuffs and many other ritual competitions were held. It is characteristic that the main dish for Maslenitsa (pancakes) refers to funeral meals.
Notable religious holidays and rites
From the history
The religious holidays and rituals of the peoples of the world that have survived to this day began to take shape already in antiquity, when the all-encompassing paganism began to gradually recede into the background.
Each now known religion has its own specific rites, which can be daily, weekly, annual or episodic - which a person performs only once in a lifetime (as a rule, such rites are associated with a number of key stages of the life cycle: birth, marriage or death).
Basic rites in Christianity
The Christian Church also highlights such important events in the life of a believer, as birth and the sacrament of Baptism associated with it, marriage and the accompanying ceremony of the Wedding, and death, accompanied by the rite of the Funeral Service.
The most solemn and main holiday in Christianity is the bright holiday of Easter or Christ's Resurrection. This event ends the strict Great Lent. In turn, the Nativity of Christ - another major Christian holiday - is preceded by a strict Advent fast that lasts for forty days.
Basic rites in Islam
One of the important duties of Muslims is the daily prayer called Namaz. During the day, a Muslim is obliged to pray 5 times a day - no matter where the time takes him.
The important holidays of Eid al-Adha (the feast of sacrifice), Uraza-Bayram (the feast of breaking the fast), Miraj (the night of the ascension of the prophet Muhammad to heaven), Mawlid (the birthday of the prophet) are considered generally accepted in Islam. All festive events are celebrated in accordance with the Muslim calendar.
The main rites in Buddhism
In Buddhism, special importance is attached to rituals associated with the death of a person. The Buddhist burial rite is an unusually complex and multi-stage procedure in its organization, accompanied by the reading of prayers, the obligatory consecration of the burial place, and the funeral of the deceased.
One of important holidays in Buddhism, Vesak is considered - a magnificent festive ceremony arranged in honor of the birth, enlightenment and departure from the earthly world (into parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.
Other significant holiday is the Buddhist New Year, better known as Tsagaan Sar. This solemn event in Buddhism can be celebrated in different ways, depending on the school and direction, but for all those who profess Buddhism, this holiday symbolizes renewal, a new, important and serious stage in life, which turns into a whole ritual.
The main rites in Judaism
Rites in Judaism
Talking about what are folk rituals holidays, depending on a particular religion, one cannot but say about Judaism. The most important weekly ritual among Jewish Jews is the day dedicated to God - namely, Saturday (or Shabbat). On this day, one of the 10 biblical commandments must be fulfilled, which provides for a ban on work on the seventh day of the week. The ritual of holding the Sabbath among believing Jews has been known since antiquity, and for most Jews it is the most important part of the usual way of life, a component of material and spiritual culture. There is even a special greeting for Saturday:
Shabbat Shalom.
One of the most beautiful festive ceremonies in Judaism is Chuppah - a marriage ceremony, which got its name from the canopy of the same name, under which the ceremony itself takes place. This rite is accompanied by singing songs, dancing and performing ancient rituals designed to protect the young family in her later life.
The most important holiday for believing Jewish Jews is Passover (in Greek and in Russian - Easter), 50 days after which comes another holiday, Shavuot, organized in honor of the memory of God giving Moses the Ten Biblical Commandments.
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Judaism Christianity Islam Buddhism Holidays in world religions
Holidays of Judaism Pesach (Easter) Main holiday Judaism - Pesach (Easter). On this day, believers remember the liberation of the people from Egyptian slavery and the flight to the Promised Land. Celebrate it for 7 days. During the holiday, it is forbidden to eat leavened bread; instead, they eat matzo - bread made without yeast.
Holidays of Judaism Pesach (Easter) The holiday begins with a feast held in accordance with a strict ritual. All dishes on the table are symbolic meaning: bitter greens recall the bitterness of slavery, a dish of grated apples, dates, nuts and wine in color resembles the clay from which the Jews made bricks for Egyptian houses.
Holidays of Judaism Shavuot 50 days after Pesach, Shavuot comes - a holiday in memory of God giving Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. On this day, synagogues are decorated with flowers and green branches. The holiday is associated with the giving of the Torah, and therefore the teaching of Jewish traditions to children usually begins on Shavuot.
Holidays of Judaism Shavuot During the holiday it is customary to eat dairy products and abstain from meat. By tradition, a dish of milk and honey and curd cheesecakes are served at the festive table.
Holidays of Judaism Sukkot Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) is a Jewish holiday celebrated for seven days. According to tradition, at this time one should leave the house and live in a sukkah (tent, booth). This custom serves as a reminder of the wandering of the Jews in the Sinai desert. According to another interpretation, the meaning of this custom is that a person remembers poverty, even when he is rich, and does not become proud.
Holidays of Judaism Sukkot In Sukkot, the ritual "ascension lulav" is performed. A lulav is called both a palm leaf, which is part of a set of four plants, and all plants together. It is customary to bless all four types of plants, each of which symbolizes a certain type of people. On the eve of the holiday of Sukkot, bazaars are arranged where they sell lulavs, palm branches for roofing.
Holidays of Judaism Hanukkah Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday lasting eight days. According to legend, when Yehuda Maccabee and his warriors cleansed the Temple, they could not find clean oil for the menorah lamp. After a long search, one small jar with clean oil. But there was so little oil in it that it could only last for one day of burning the menorah.
Holidays of Judaism Hanukkah The Maccabees nevertheless decided to light the Menorah to consecrate the Temple. And a miracle happened: the oil was enough for exactly eight days - the time it took to prepare new oil. In memory of this event, Hanukkah began to be celebrated for eight days. On the first day, one candle is lit, on the second two, and on the eighth day all eight.
Holidays of Judaism Purim Fun party Purim is associated with the memory of the miraculous deliverance of the Jews from the extermination conceived by the villain Haman. This story is told in one of the biblical books. During the celebration of Purim, at the mention of the name of Haman, all those present begin to make noise, crackle with special rattles. On festive table on this day, a special triangular biscuit is served, which is called "Haman's ears".
The main Christian holidays Christmas Easter (Christmas day of the birth of Jesus) and the Resurrection of Christ - Easter are the main Christian holidays. Before them are multi-day posts. Fasting before Christmas is called Christmas, before Easter - Great. During fasting, Christians do not eat meat and dairy foods, and refrain from entertainment. These days we remember the last days of Jesus Christ, spent by him in Jerusalem, his sermon, the Last Supper (dinner) with the disciples, on which the sacrament of the Eucharist was established ( Maundy Thursday), taking into custody and crucifixion (Good Friday).
The main Christian holidays Christmas Easter Easter always falls on a Sunday. Her worship takes place at night. Opens with solemn procession around the temple, followed by Matins and Liturgy. The whole following week is called Easter or bright.
Christian Holidays Ascension Trinity Ascension is celebrated on Thursday, 40 days after Easter. Ascension - this day is considered a birthday Christian church. According to the Orthodox interpretation, on this day Christ ascended into heaven and sat down on right side God the Father. 50 days after Easter, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in the form of flames, they received the gifts of miracles and healing, and began to preach the Gospel. In Rus', this holiday began to be called the Trinity.
Christian holidays Epiphany Christmas - December 25 (January 7), January 6 (19) - Epiphany (Epiphany). In ancient times, Christmas and Epiphany were celebrated together. The ancient common name for these festivities is Epiphany, since by celebrating the birth of Christ and his baptism, Christians celebrate the coming of God into the world.
The main Muslim holiday is Kurban Bayram. As narrated in the Qur'an, the Archangel Jabrail appeared in a dream to the prophet Ibrahim and gave him a command from Allah to sacrifice him only son Ismail. Ibrahim went to the valley of Mina to the place where Mecca is now, and began preparations. His son, being obedient to his father and God, did not resist. However, this turned out to be a test from Allah. When the sacrifice was almost made, Allah made sure that the knife did not cut. And then the angel Jabrail, as a substitute for the sacrifice, gave the prophet Ibrahim a ram. On these days, Muslims visit the mosque for festive prayers and generously distribute alms. The holiday lasts 3 days, during which it is customary to ask for forgiveness from your loved ones for bad deeds, visit the graves of ancestors and relatives, pay visits to friends, put on new clothes, treat guests, give gifts. Holidays of Islam Eid al-Adha
Holidays of Islam Eid al-Adha These days, Muslims visit the mosque for festive prayers and generously distribute alms. The holiday lasts 3 days, during which it is customary to ask for forgiveness from your loved ones for bad deeds, visit the graves of ancestors and relatives, visit friends, put on new clothes, treat guests, give gifts.
Holidays of Islam Uraza Bayram One of the major holidays of Islam Uraza Bayram is celebrated in honor of the end of the 30-day fast in the month of Ramadan. In our country, this post is called Uraza. For a whole month, Muslims in daytime they do not eat, do not drink for days, do not inhale aromas and smoke, refuse all pleasures in order to think only about God and charitable deeds. On the holiday of Uraza Bayram, Muslims perform a collective prayer in the mosque. After that, believers congratulate each other, give gifts, go to visit or invite to the festive table.
Holidays of Islam Uraza Bayram The holiday of Uraza Bayram lasts three days. At this time, it is also customary to visit parents, elders and the sick, visit cemeteries, commemorating the dead.
Holidays of Islam Mawlid Mawlid is the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. It is accompanied by the reading of prayers and sermons in the mosque and the houses of believers, and solemn processions.
Buddhism Holidays Donchod "Donchod" is the most important Buddhist holiday, celebrated on the full moon day of the second month of the lunar calendar. Buddhists believe that on this day more than 2.5 thousand years ago in different years three events happened: the birth of the Buddha, his attainment of Enlightenment at the age of 36, and his departure to Nirvana at the age of 81.
Buddhism Holidays Donchod The celebration of Buddha's birthday lasts a week. At this time, solemn prayers are held in the monasteries, processions and processions are arranged. Temples are decorated paper lanterns and garlands of flowers. On the territory of temples, oil lamps are placed around sacred trees and stupas. Many vow to keep strict post and remain silent for all 7 days. The Buddha statues are washed with sweetened water (or tea) and showered with flowers. After the end of the festive prayer service on the Birthday of the Buddha, the laity arrange refreshments for the members of the monastic community and present them with gifts.
Holidays of Buddhism Sagaalgan "Sagaalgan" is a Buddhist new year. It occurs on the first new moon after the Sun enters the constellation Aquarius (not earlier than January 21 and not later than February 19). Buddhists live according to the lunar calendar, which does not coincide with the European one. During the 15 days of this holiday, a great prayer dedicated to the 15 miracles of the Buddha is performed.
According to Buddhist tradition, The Buddha, before leaving for nirvana, called all animals to him, but only the Mouse, Cow, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Chicken, Dog and Pig came to say goodbye to him. In gratitude, the Buddha gave each of these animals one year to rule, and the years were given exactly in the order in which the animals came to the Buddha. This is how the famous 12-year "animal cycle" was born. Holidays of Buddhism Sagaalgan
Christianity Islam Judaism Buddhism Christmas Eid al-Adha Passover Sagaalgan Baptism Eid al-Adha Shavuot Donchod Easter Mawlid Sukkot Ascension Hanukkah Trinity Purim Holidays in world religions
Prepared by: Altapova Ilsiya Iskhakovna teacher primary school MBOU "Apaykina-Garinskaya NOSH" Arsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan
