Taj Mahotsav

Taj Mahotsav is a festival celebrated in Agra, to honor the old Mughal rulers and their Nawabi style in the 19th century. It is a festival celebrated every year in the month of February. The festival begins with many parades. These parades consist of decorated elephants and camels as they symbolize the bravery of the Mughals in India. They also contain drum beaters, dancers, artisans etc. Artists from all over India come and display their arts, on a national level. There are many famous works from different states, which include wood/stone carvings from Tamil Nadu, bamboo work from North East India, wood carving from Saharanpur, brass wares from Moradabad, hand made carpets from Bhadohi, pottery and chikan fabrics from Lukhnow and many more. An interesting thing about the festival is that every year has a different theme. The theme for the last year was ‘ IN THE HERITAGE OF,' though this theme changes every year.

-Manav Rajput (SMSMB)

Loy Krathong Festival

Loi Krathong is a Siamese festival that is celebrated in the city of Chiang Mai in Thailand on November 13th this year. Although there is not one specific date, this festival mostly falls in the month of November. On this day, thousands of people gather near rivers or other bodies of water to release their Krathongs, which are tiny flower boats that carry candles, into the water. The light of a candle on a Krathong is a way of honoring Buddha, but also a symbolic way to let go of all the anger and bitter feelings of the past year. Strands of hair, nail clippings, or even bits of clothes that one doesn't use anymore are often put into Krathong according to the belief that it will get rid of the bad thoughts from the past year. The festival in Chiang Mai also includes Lanna-style sky lanterns (khom fai), which are released in the air at midnight to symbolize releasing bad thoughts too.

-Ava C. (JCD STEM)

White Night festival (Russia)

White Night festival is an international festival which is held every year in Saint Petersburg , Russia. All kinds of art festivals are held in some cities in the summer season. It is celebrated all around the world between the months of June and July. There are many musical events and carnivals also. Mostly the actors, singers, dancers and other people take part in this festival. The starting event which is known as the 'Stars of the white night' is held in the month of May. The summer days in Russia are known as 'White Nights' because this festival lies near the summer solstice day. Also, the nights do not turn dark completely. In the carnival, the actors dress up in their costumes and perform. About a million people attend this event. It is called 'Scarlet Sails' and is a huge celebration which includes burning firecrackers, musical events, dances, and other water shows.

-G.Krithika M. (SMSMB)

Parsi New Year

Parsi New Year or Navroze is a festival which marks the beginning of the Iranian calendar. It is a holy occasion for the Parsi community. It is believed that the Persian king Jamshed made the Parsi Calendar. Therefore, this festival is celebrated to honor Jamshed. It is celebrated by the Parsis . They dress up in traditional attires and visit fire temples. They offer many things like flowers, fruits, sandalwood, etc., to fire. On this day, they pray for their healthy lives. On the day of Navroze, people ask God for forgiveness for their sins. Many resolutions are taken for the year. The houses are decorated with flowers and rangolis. A number of delicacies are prepared for the occasion. Patra ni machhi and lagan nu custard are the most popular dishes prepared. This occasion brings a lot of joy and excitement for the Parsis to start with.

-Sampreeti Rastogi (SMSMB)

Burning Man (US)

Burning Man is an amazing celebration that has been growing for many years. It started in 1986 when Larry Harvey and his friend Jerry James assembled an 8-foot tall makeshift wooden figure and dragged it to San Francisco’s Baker Beach. They then lit it on fire and about 20 people watched. From the start of that, the size of the "man" grew to 105 feet in 2014, and nearly 70,000 people watched in 2017. The celebration takes place from the last Sunday in August to Labor Day. After the man is burned, the entire "city in the desert" disappears.

-Mason H. (JCD STEM)

RAKSHABANDHAN (India)

There is no better relationship than that between a brother and a sister. Even though we don't get to choose this relation but this bond is one of the most cherished and precious bond. Indians don't hesitate to showcase their love for their siblings and thus, celebrate this wonderful festival of Rakshabandhan. The festival is made up of two words, namely "Raksha" and "Bandhan." As per the Sanskrit terminology, the occasion means "the tie or knot of protection." In this festival, the sister ties a sacred thread ( called Rakhi) on the wrist of her brother. The sister also applies a dot of vermillion on the forehead of her brother and prays for his long life. The brother, in turn, gifts his sister a piece of jewellery , cloth or money and promises to protect her in times of difficulty. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu Lunisolar calendar in the month of Shravana which typically falls in the August month of the Gregorian calendar. In 2019, we'll be celebrating this festival on 15 August.

-Khushi Mishra (SMSMB)

Lohri (India)

Lohri, a festival that is gracefully celebrated in Punjab is a very famous festival that marks the culmination of winter. On this festival, people gather around the bonfire, throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames, sing popular songs and exchange greetings. The prasad comprises of five main things: sesame seeds, gazak, jaggery, peanuts, and popcorn. The gathering and celebrations make Lohri a community festival. The Punjabis living abroad also celebrate Lohri with equal zeal and fervor.

-Bhumi Sinha (SMSMB)

Seward's day (US)

Seward's day is a local holiday that people celebrate in Alaska. During this holiday, most businesses and schools are closed. During Seward's day, people watch special history programs that teach about Alaskan history. Seward's day takes place on the last Monday of the month of March. It changed from march 30th to the last Monday of the month. It originated when the USA bought Alaska from Russia. William Henry Seward signed the signed the treaty.

-Jackson W. (JCD STEM)

Bug Fest (United States)

Bug Fest is a small festival that takes place at Red Oak Nature Center, Batavia IL. it is a free family event that is held once a year at about August 18. The festival celebrates and teaches about the bugs that live in the Fox Valley River area. The first bug fest was held in 2010.

-Daniel H. (JCD STEM)

Mawleed al Nabi

Depending on the Islamic calendar, Mawleed al Nabi is celebrated between the months of March and May when residents of Afghanistan remember the birth of the revered Islamic prophet (Muhammad). It is a day to offer special prayers and visit mosques.

Thanksgiving

(United States)

Thanksgiving is an American holiday celebrated first when the pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians shared a harvest together. However, it wasn't until 1864 in which President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to be a national holiday. It is celebrated on the last Thursday of each November, in which people gather around a table and eat many Thanksgiving foods. These include turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing for the turkey.

-Andy Z. (JCD STEM)

Jaisalmer Desert Festival (India)

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an annual event that takes place every year in the month of February in Jaisalmer, a city of Rajasthan, India. People celebrate it with great delight. According to its history, Lord Krishna, ruler of the Yadav community, predicted and told Arjuna (one of the Pandavas) that a successor belonging to Yadav community would establish his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill. The ‘Prediction’ came true when Rawal Jaiswal, one of the descendants of the Yadav Community, had established his kingdom in the year 1196. So, to mark this prophecy, a celebration was organized throughout the kingdom. It later on, became an annual festival. In present time it is celebrated with colors, enthusiasm, and happiness. The festival starts with a procession held in the morning from Jaisalmer Fort to Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. Rajasthanis dress wear bright and colorful costumes. The Desert Festival is followed by Folk Dances, Fire Dances, competitions like Camel Polo, Gymnastics on camels’ back, Tug-of-War, Turban Tying, Mr.Desert, Longest- Moustache etc. take place. Sports like Camel Race and Cricket are also played. The festival ends on Poornima (full-moon day). Delicious Food is served to people during the event. Stalls are placed which are full of handicraft, souvenirs, and artifacts, displaying the significance of the festival.

-Manav Bhatia (SMSMB)

Ashura (Afghanistan)

During the month of Musharram, Afghans commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. Ashura marks the 10th day of the month-long mourning. People cook a special kind of soup and give it to poor people .

Eid e Qurban

Eid e Qurban falls between December and February on the Afghan calendar, during which animals like goats, camels, or sheep are sacrificed to mark the commencement of the Muslim pilgrimage (Haj).

Kindness Celebration

Every year we celebrate kindness celebration in our schools. the main purpose of this celebration is to help students and people in need and the students who have the ability to help others bring foods, clothes and money and then they will be given to students and people in need.

Maryam Bagramy talking about kindness celebration at Tajrobawi Girls High School.

Labour Day

Labour Day is a national holiday and a legacy of the Soviet era. We celebrate this day in Afghanistan to encourage workers to be more active in society.

Puri Ratha Yatra (India)

Puri Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival held at Puri which is in Odisha, India. It is associated with Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This festival celebrates Jagannath's annual visit to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple.

The deities of Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and his younger sister Subhadra are taken out in procession to the Gundicha Temple, where they remain for nine days. They are also escorted by the Sudarshana Chakra which is spinning, a disk-like weapon of Lord Vishnu.

Millions of devotees from all over the world go to Puri with an earnest desire to pull the Lords' chariots with the priests, as it is considered to be auspicious. Devotional songs with trumpets, drums, tambourines, etc. are also played.

-Khushleen Kaur (SMSMB)

Eid e Fitr

Eid e Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. During this celebration, people pray collectively in mosques and then gather with relatives and friends to enjoy a hearty feast.

https://www.asian-recipe.com/afghanistan/af-information/afghanistan-festivals.html

Running of the Bulls

Running of the bulls is a local festival where you run in front of bulls starting at Pamplona's corral and lead them to a bullfighting ring. It started in the 15th century, and the original date was in October but now it typically starts July 6th and ends around July 14th. The people participating in this festival will wear red to honor San Fermin. In order to participate you must be 18 years of age or older. The bulls used in this festival are called El Toro Bravo also known as, The Wild Bull. El Toro Bravo is one of the biggest bulls in the world. El Toro Bravo is so aggressive because most bulls along with cattle, are aggressive because they are blind to the color red. Also, the fact that there are so many people around them and it gives them a lot of pressure, sort of like humans. After the fight has finished, the matador plunge this sword through the bull’s shoulders puncturing the animal’s heart, and killing it. Every year, about 250,00 bulls are killed due to this event.

- Emmanuel H., Gael A., Yaretzi D., Iris V .(JCD STEM)

St. Patrick's Day (Ireland)

St. Patrick's day is held on 17 March every year and marks the death date of St. Patrick, a foremost patron saint of Ireland. It celebrates the heritage and Irish culture in general.

On this day, it is customary to wear a shamrock, a three-leaved plant, green clothing or green accessories as St. Patrick is believed to have used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. Christians also attend Church services.

A famous custom performed on this day is the 'drowning of shamrock'. At the end of celebrations, a shamrock is put in a cup which is then filled with whiskey, beer or cider. It is drunk as a toast (honor) to St. Patrick. The shamrock is either swallowed with the drink or is tossed over the shoulder for good luck. Famous landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Niagara Falls, Colosseum, etc are lit green on St. Patrick's Day. Parades are held as well.

-Khushleen Kaur (SMSMB)

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