Calendar

Mar
29
Fri
2024
Good Friday
Mar 29 all-day
Good Friday

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday,[1][2][3] or Easter Friday,[4] though the last term properly refers to the Friday in Easter week.

Source: Wikipedia

Apr
10
Wed
2024
Eid Ul Fitr
Apr 10 all-day
Eid Ul Fitr

THE MONTH OF RAMADAN

The Islamic year is guided by the lunar calendar, rather than the solar calendar. Ramadan is the 9th month in the Muslim lunar calendar. As a result of the lunar cycle, Ramadan typically falls approximately ten days earlier than the previous year. Since the twelve month cycle takes thirty three years to complete, Ramadan falls at different seasons of the year, but is always celebrated in different countries throughout the world at the same time.

PILGRIMAGE TO MAKKAH

Ramadan is the month in which the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace) received the first revalation of the Qur’an from Allah near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Every year millions of Muslims from around the world journey to Mecca in commemoration of this sacred occasion. This journey, known as Hajj, is a great achievement for Muslims, with any person completing the journey earning the right to add the title of Haji or Hajin to his or her name. It is the goal of every Muslim to make at least one journey to Makkah in his or her lifetime, since it is a pilgrimage which strengthens his or her love and devotion to Allah.

DEVOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Ramadan is a time of great religious and social significance for Muslim communities around the world, and all devotional activities during the month of Ramadan are carried out either individually or as part of a group. It is the period prescribed by the Qur’an for fasting which occurs each day, with the intention of teaching self discipline and self restraint to all Muslims.

NIGHT OF POWER

During Ramadan, Muslims read a part of the Holy Qu’ran every day until they complete the entire book. Many participate in extra prayer sessions or Taraweeh Salaat at the Masjid or mosque, and spend the night praying, especially during the Lailatul-Qadr or Night of Power. The Night of Power is the night on which the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace) was first visited by the angel Gabriel on Mount Hira. Although the exact date of this occurrence is not known, it is generally believed to have occurred within the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.

Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months” (Surah 97 V3) because Allah brings down during it his mercy and forgiveness for His servants. This entire night is spent in prayer at mosque or at home. A person who engages in worship is given a reward better than one who has performed worship for a thousand months. This night is among the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, however many believe it to be the 27th night.

Today, many Muslims spend these last ten nights in devotional prayers at mosques, until the final night of Ramadan when the moon is sighted. The sighting of the moon signifies the end of the month of Ramadan and signals the beginning of the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.

 

Source: Nalis

Oct
31
Thu
2024
Divali @ Trinidad and Tobago
Oct 31 all-day
Divali @ Trinidad and Tobago

ORIGINS OF DIVALI
Divali is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and across the world on Amaavasya, that is, the fifteenth night of the dark fortnight of the month of Kaartik (October/November). The word “Divali” is a variation of the Sanskrit word “Deepavali” – Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. This festival has been referred to as Divali, Diwali, Dipavali and Deepavali among other variations. Generally, however, it is considered the Festival of Lights. Traditionally, it is marked by the lighting of deyas which are made from clay and filled with oil or ghee. Devotees also clean their homes and surroundings, wear new clothing and give charity to the needy.

Several legends surround the origins of this festival. Some of the more widely accepted accounts are outlined below.

THE STORY OF RAMA AND SITA
One of the most common stories about Divali is the return of Lord Rama (Lord Ram) and his wife Sita to Ayodhya after their fourteen year exile. This is related in the Ramayana (i.e. the Story of Rama). It tells the tale of how Lord Rama, with the aid of the monkey warrior, Hanuman, vanquished the evil king Ravana of Lanka and rescued his wife Sita who had been captured.

After this victory, the entire city of Ayodhya was decorated with garlands and flowers in celebration for the arrival of Lord Ram’s return. The surroundings were very clean and beautifully scented. Throughout Ayodhya devotees were fasting, anxiously waiting for the arrival of Lord Ram. Ram returned to Ayodhya with Sita and was greeted with joy and celebrations and the people lighted rows of clay lamps welcome him. This signified the triumph of good over evil and the coming of God-consciousness into the life of the devotee. The day he destroyed Ravana was called Dussehra, and the day on which he returned to Ayodhya was called Divali.

It is believed that Divali falls on the 20th day after Dussehra which is on Amavasya (new moon), during the fortnight of Kartic, some time in October or November.

THE DEFEAT OF NARAKAASURA BY LORD KRISHNA
Another story behind the evolution of Divali is that Lord Krishna slew the evil king Narakaasura on Divali day. Narakaasura used to kidnap beautiful young women and imprison them. It is said that this misfortune fell on some 16,000 celestial princesses. Eventually, their cries for rescue were heard by Lord Vishnu, who came in the form of Krishna and destroyed the evil king. A slightly different version of this story states that Lord Krishna destroyed Narakaasura with the aid of his consort Satyabhaama.

THE STORY OF KING MAHABALI AND THE DWARF
Some texts suggest that King Mahabali (or King Bali) is remembered during the festival of Divali (Maharaj and Maharaj; Bonne Adventure Hindu Temple). He is considered either a demon king or a benevolent ruler depending on which version of this legend one reads. All agree however that he was a very ambitious ruler who controlled heaven and earth and he never refused a request. Some of the Gods pleaded with Vishnu to check King Mahabali’s power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf (Vamana) dressed as a priest.

The dwarf approached King Mahabali and asked if he would you give him the space that he could cover with three strides. King Mahabali agreed to the dwarf’s request, and at this point the dwarf changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and the whole Universe! King Mahabali was sent to the underworld. Lord Vishnu however, granted him one wish because of his magnanimous nature. Thus, Mahabali is allowed to visit the earth for one day a year (Divali) and his subjects light deyas and join in joyful celebration. Interestingly, this legend is also cited as the origin of the Onam Festival that is celebrated in the second half of August by the people of Kerala, South India (Thundy).

THE GODDESS LAKSHMI
The Goddess Lakshmi is one of the central figures of Hindu mythology associated with the festival of Divali. Legend states that Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk after the churning by the devas (gods) and the daanavas (demons). This event is a source of great joy because Lakshmi is considered to be the embodiment of loveliness, grace and prosperity. Another event associating Lakshmi with Divali is highlighted in the The Puranas (a series of Hindu religious text steeped in allegory). According to these texts, Divali represents the day Lord Vishnu (the Preserver) married Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth and prosperity). The marriage of Lord Vishnu to Goddess Lakshmi denotes the connection between preservation and wealth.

THE PHILOSOPHY
Whatever the story, Divali is a very special occasion for Hindus throughout the world. The many ceremonies signify one’s journey and the qualities that should be fostered for self-enlightenment. One is reminded to wake up from the slumber of ignorance and to pursue knowledge. As light dispels darkness, so should knowledge dispel ignorance. Through learning, man is expected to advance to the stage of enlightenment in which he realizes that God is the Light of lights, and that God brings warmth, love and illumination to all beings and therefore there can be no light greater than God.

The aim of Divali celebrations is to get man moving on the spiritual path and ultimately attain illumination by becoming one with God. As they light the lamps in their houses, those celebrating Divali are reminded to light the lamps of wisdom, goodness and God-consciousness in themselves. It is through this, that they can attain the “Light of Lights” – God.

Source: Nalis,

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