According to a recent article published in Independent website, December is a particularly important month for other religions too, with Islam, Judaism and Buddhism among those also celebrating major festivals. Google is marking the month with a series of new Doodles relating to the month’s global festivities.
Here’s a brief note on few other important festivals celebrated around the world in the month of December apart from the well known Christmas.
Important Festivals in December
Chanukah – 25 Kislev to 3 Tivet
The Jewish festival of lights typically falls during the month of December and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple after it was ransacked by King Antiochus of Syria. According to tradition, the Jewish people discovered amid the destruction enough oil to keep the Temple’s everlasting light burning for just one day, but it instead lasted for eight – enough time for more to be procured. Another version of the story says the Jewish people celebrated the rededication of the Temple with an eight-day festival, and makes no mention of the miracle of the oil.
- Jews across the world celebrate the festival by lighting nine candles, with one used as the leader to kindle the others.
- On the first night of the eight-day festival, only one candle (and the leader) is lit; by the last night, the whole candelabra(Chanukiah) is filled.
- Jews celebrate by eating foods fried in oil, including doughnuts and potato latkes.
- Chanukah gelt – meaning money, but generally used to refer to chocolate coins –is given to children as a present and games are played with a spinning top known as a dreidel.
Ashura – 10th Day of Muharram
A Muslim festival celebrated in both Sunni and Shia Islam, Ashura commemorates the day on which Moses is said to have led the Israelites to freedom after years in which they were slaves in Egypt. It also marks the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680CE.The name “Ashura” is believed to stem from the Hebrew word “Asarah”, which means tenth. On the tenth day of the seventh month, Jews fast to commemorate Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.
- Ashura is a national holiday in many Muslim countries and some people make pilgrimage to the reported site of Husayn ibn Ali’s tomb in the Iraqi city of Karbala.
- The day is considered to be a time for spirituality, self-reflection and repentance. Many Muslims will wear mourning clothes, refrain from listening to music and avoid any kind of celebratory event.
- In some countries, people will cut themselves using knives or chains or carry out self-flagellation. Some Sunni Muslims also fast on the day.
St Nicholas Day – Death Anniversary of Santa Claus
The man on whom the tale of Santa Claus is based is celebrated by Christians on 6 December, The term Santa Claus stems from Sinterklaas – the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas. The legendary figure of Saint Nicholas was born in the third century AD and is said to have used his sizeable inheritance to help the poor and needy. Known for his generosity and love of children, he died on 6 December and the anniversary of his death soon became a day of celebration.
One tale recalls how Nicholas threw bags of gold through the window of a poor man’s house. They are said to have landed in stockings that had been hung to dry by the fire.
- In some countries, the Feast of St Nicholas, and not Christmas, is the main present-giving day.
- Children will leave shoes or stockings out in the hope they will be filled with presents during the night.
- It is also traditional for food and drink to be left out for Saint Nicholas and his horses or reindeer.
In some parts of Europe Known as Krampusnacht, the night of 5th December is, according to folklore, when a devil-like monster named Krampus appears. In a story similar to that of Father Christmas, many people say that Saint Nicholas visits only good children and delivers presents, while Krampus delivers lumps of coal to naughty children.
Bodhi Day – Enlightenment Day of Buddha
A celebration of the day that Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment while sitting under peepal tree, Bodhi Day is celebrated by Buddhists across much of south-east Asia, including in India, China and Vietnam. The Bodhi tree is believed to be a very old fig tree located at Bodh Gaya in the Indian state of Bihar. Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became Buddha, is said to have reached nirvana after intensive meditation underneath it. Bodhi means “enlightenment” in Sanskrit.
- On 8 December of every year, Buddhists celebrate bodhi day.
- To mark the event, Buddhists spend the day focusing on meditation and studying Buddha’s teachings, as well as celebrating with a meal of tea and cake, or rice and milk.
- Some hang strings of coloured lights in their homes and on trees to symbolise what they believe are the many paths to enlightenment.
Winter solstice – Shortest Day of The Year
December 21 is the shortest day of the year, and the solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years. The day was marked by Pagans as the festival of Yule. In ancient times, mid-winter was celebrated as marking the return of the sun.
- people lit fires and came together to drink and rejoice.
- Others, including the Celts, used to set fire to a log to illuminate the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring good luck to their families.
Many of these ancient traditions have been incorporated into Christmas; in fact, many people believe the Christian festival is rooted entirely in Paganism.
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Source: Independent
