A Wisdom Archive on Spiritual Festivals

Spiritual Parenting is a topic relevant to all parents and all who are in contact with children in any way. The following article is a summary of the speach about Shristhi - the Art of Parenting that was delievered by Radhika Dasaji of the Golden Age Foundation at the Oneness Festival, 16-22 of February 2004.

Read more here: » Spiritual Parenting, summary of lecture at the Oneness Festival

Ridvan is a garden chosen by Baha'u'llah for announcing his divine mission. The Festival of Ridvan is celebrated over 12 days from April 21 to May 2. The first, ninth and twelfth days are consecrated for special worship and service.
 
The Baha'is believe that the events in the Garden of Ridvan are of tremendous significance for the regeneration of humankind. So the festival is celebrated with great joy and fellowship.

 
(See also: Festival of Ridvan, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Festival of Ridvan: Festival of Paradise, The Baha'i Ridvan  

There is an ancient lore associated with the festival of Raksha Bandhan that is celebrated during the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan. The Bhavishya Purana refers to a battle between the deities and demons.
 
The king of the deities, Indra, was feeling depressed. Indra's wife Sachi then took a thread, charged it with sacred verses for protection and tied it on Indra's hand. Through the strength of this thread Indra conquered his enemies.

 
(See also: Raksha Bandhan, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Raksha Bandhan: Of Human Bonding And Celebration - about Raksha Bandhan  

The traditional festivals of the Indian diaspora all reflect the ancient concept of the Utsav Mela, which encouraged everyone to congregate, meet and mix amid festivity and pageantry. In fact, the word mela (fair) is derived from the word mil , meaning 'to meet'.
 
Baisakhi epitomises the mela notion of convergence for it brings together people of all castes and communities on the first day of Vaisakha, the beginning of the traditional Indian New Year. Basically a harvest festival, Baisakhi marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, especially in the Punjab. It is called the Naba Barsha celebrations in Bengal, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Pooram (Vishu) in Kerala.

 
(See also: Baisakhi, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Baisakhi: Baisakhi Is Both Sacred And Secular  

The festival of Lohri marks the beginning of the end of winter and the coming of spring and the new year. The fires lit at night, the hand-warming, the song and dance and the coming together of an otherwise atomised community, are only some of the features of this festival. The Lohri of north India coincides with Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Samkranti in Bengal, Magha Bihu in Assam, Tai Pongal in Kerala, all celebrated on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti .

 
(See also: Lohri, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Lohri: Lohri Celebrates the Spirit of Life