New Year's Day

New Year's Day is celebrated globally on January 1, the first day of the year on the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations may begin on the night of December 31, the New Year's Eve. The first time January 1 was celebrated as the New Year Day was in Rome in 153 BC.

One of the popular New Year’s traditions includes making New Year resolutions by which people promise themselves to do something good, such as quitting a bad habit or to do well in studies.

In most countries, people greet the New Year with fireworks. In London, thousands of people assemble to watch the fireworks around the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel on the south bank of the River Thames. Another famous display of fireworks is performed in Sydney, Australia.

In India, the New Year’s Day has been one of the most popular celebrations. It is a secular celebration in India, with people of all faiths, languages and regions observing the day.

It is observed as a joyful occasion in which people of all age groups greet their dear and near ones with good wishes for the New Year. Some people may celebrate it with parties in hotels, clubs or other locations, or may visit tourist destinations. Some people may arrange celebrations at their homes. There can be colorful illuminations, feasts, crackers, music and dance.

Restaurants, resorts and markets are decorated for the occasion well before the day. It is also the occasion for shopping for many people. Exchanging greetings, messages and gifts are part of the celebration.

The significance of the New Year is bidding farewell to the bygone year to welcome the New Year, full of new aspirations and hopes for happiness, peace, harmony and prosperity for everyone.

Christmas, a short essay

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year. It is a festival to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, 10 km south of Jerusalem. Though it is one of the most important festivals in Christianity, it is also celebrated by people of other religions and faiths.

Informed by angels about the divine birth of baby Jesus in a manger, some shepherds went to see him. The Three Wise Men from the East, the Three Kings, spotted a new star moving in the sky and followed it until they reached baby Jesus. They presented him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. These first visitors informed the world about the birth of Jesus.

Christmas decorations include colored lights, display of nativity scenes, garlands, mistletoe, etc. Carol singing is also an important tradition. People also setup Christmas Trees at homes, gardens, streets and public squares.

Another popular tradition is the visit of Santa Claus or similar figures such as Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas. Children eagerly wait for Santa Claus who gives them toffees, chocolates and other gifts.

Christmas is an occasion for get-togethers of family members and friends. They also exchange greetings and gifts. Many people and charitable organisations generously provide food and gifts to the needy and the poor.

Special foods for the festival include Christmas Cakes, pudding, almonds, candies, chocolates, Turkish delights, ginger, oranges and raisins.

Many cities and towns celebrate Christmas Day by decorating public buildings and streets with Christmas Trees, banners, flags, ribbons, balloons and electrical illuminations.

The central message of this celebration is universal love, brotherhood, kindness, peace and happiness among all humans.

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) and the surrounding Sacred Pool

Guru Nanak Jayanti is the celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. It is celebrated on Kartik Poornima, usually in November, though the exact date each year varies according to the Indian lunar calendar.

This Guru Nanak Gurpurb, also known as Prakash Utsav, lasts three days. Two days before the birthday, Akhand Path, a 48-hour nonstop recital of Guru Granth Sahib, is performed at Gurdwaras.

One day before the birthday, a procession is organised which is led by the Panj Pyare (the Five Beloved Ones) and the Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib. It is followed by devotees singing hymns, brass bands and 'Gatka' (Sikh martial arts performance).

The Guru Nanak Jayanti day celebrations begin early in the morning with the singing of hymns. It is followed by Katha and Sikh religious discourses.

After Ardas and distribution of Karah Prasad is the Langar, wherein volunteers serve food to tens of thousands of devotees. The Langar is a symbolic expression of devotion, brotherhood and community service to show that everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or class, shares food.

Some Gurdwaras also hold night prayers which begin at sunset, followed by Kirtan till late night. At 1:20 am, the actual time of birth of Guru Nanak, the congregation sings Gurbani. The celebrations come to end around 2 am.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India, attracts a large number of devotees from all over the world.