Posted in day, jan4, phillipines
Dinagyang is a celebration characterized by a wildly choreographed stomping of feet and loud yet coordinated drum beating. Dressed in unique costumes made from indigenous/local materials, participants paint their bodies black (to imitate the dark and slender “Aetas” who are the aborigines of Panay) and dance around town chanting “Hala Bira!”. It is a socio-cultural-religious festival...
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Posted in asia-south, day, india, jan1, lunar, sri lanka
The festival commemorates the day when Lord Siva’s consort, the powerful goddess Parvathi, helps her son, Murugun, by giving him the vel (lance) to vanquish three demons and a large army that were plaguing the world.
Before the festival, devotees have to undergo months of rigorous abstinence. One performs a viratham or fast from all forms of pleasure. This includes a strict vegetarian diet for...
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