Easter Sunday significance and features

The festival of Easter is considered to be the holiest festival of the Christian community. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion (that day is marked as Good Friday) and is a joyous celebration to mark the day of Christ's return. Churches and chapels are decorated with Easter lilies and buntings. Happy organ music is played and joyous hymns are sung.

An important feature of the Easter celebrations in a Church is the Paschal candle. This is a very special candle on which the cross is etched. It is lighted on Easter and kept alight continuously for 7 weeks - this period is known as the "Great Fifty Days" and this entire period is considered to be the season of Easter (and not just Easter Sunday).

One of the lovely aspects of Easter is the traditional Easter egg, the eggs considered to be a symbol of Christ's resurrection. In the way Christ arose from the confines of the tomb, so also the yolk comes out when the egg is cracked. Read more: Easter Eggs

Good Friday significance and features

Good Friday is an centuries-old tradition to mark the anniversary of  the death of Jesus Christ.

Why is Good Friday called good?
Although the horrid treatment and crucifixion of Jesus Christ is not good, the day is considered as "Good Friday" because Jesus Christ sacrificed His life and what happened subsequently - His resurrection - is a good occurrence.

What is the Last Supper?
The last meal which Jesus Christ had with the 12 Apostles in Jerusalem before His crucifixion is known as the last supper.

The Last Supper

What are the various features of Good Friday?
On this day, followers of the Christian community fast and do penance. The fast involves not eating any form of meat and not snacking. There are different rules for fasting as per the parish and, generally, the fasting guidelines apply to people between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine (other than those with health problems).

Another important aspect is that Good Friday is the second part of the Paschal Triduum, the other days being Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

What are the main traditions of Good Friday?
1. Veneration of the Cross: people kneel before the cross, thereby showing respect to it, and kissing the foot of the cross. During a mass church service, the worshipers kneel together.

2. The Stations of the Cross: The Stations refer to 14 images or sculptures which depict various scenes that took place during the crucifixion of Christ.

3. Preaching and Singing of the Passion: This involves reading out parts of the Gospel or even saying them out in a sing-song way.

Gudi Padwa sms greetings in Marathi

सोनेरी  सुर्याची  सोनेरी  किरणे

सोनेरी  किरनाचे  सोनेरी  दिवस

सोनेरी  दिवसाच्या  सोनेरी  सुभेचा 

गुडी  पाद्वाच्या  हार्दिक  सुभेचा

नूतन  वर्षाभिनंदन 

Soneri Suryachi soneri kirane,

Soneri Kiranache soneri diwas,

Soneri diwasachya soneri subhecha

Gudi Paadwachya hardik subhecha

Nutan varshaabhinandan

-----

श्रीखंड  पूरी

रेशमी  गुडी

लिम्बाचे पान

नव  वर्ष जाओ  चान !

माज्या  तर्फे  नूतन  वर्षाच्या  हार्दिक  सुभेचा

Shrikhand puri,

Reshmi Gudi,

Limbache paan,

Nav varsha jao chaan!

Mazya tarfe nutan varshachya hardik subhecha

-----

विश्वासाची  काथि

विवेकाची  वाती 

प्रयात्नाच्या  गाथी

उभारू  हीच  खरी  जिवनातील  यशाची  गुडी

नूतन  वर्श्च्या  सुभेचा !

Vishwasachi kaathi

Vivekachi vaati

Prayatnachya gaathi

Ubharu hich khari jivanaatil yashachi Gudhi

Nutan varshchya subhecha

Where to buy khadi India national flag in Mumbai

The national flag of India is the most prominent symbol of patriotism and takes the spotlight on Independence Day and Republic Day. It is also in great demand during sporting events. Since India has reached the finals of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, naturally fans want to show their patriotic fervour!

Khadi National Flag of India Retail outlets in Mumbai

1. Khadi Gram Udyog Bhavan

286, Dr D N Road, Fort, 

Mumbai - 400001  

Ph: 022 - 2207 3280

[Note: at the time of posting this information, information was obtained that it is closed]

2. Shudh Khadi Bhandar - franchise of Khadi Gram Udyog Bhavan

Irani Chawl, 

Senapati Bapat Marg, 

Mumbai - 400028  

Ph: 022 2422 2045 ‎  

Timings: 9.30a.m. to 9.30p.m.

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Profile

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj the great Maratha warrior and King

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the son of Shahaji Bhosale and, like his father, grew up to be a strong and brave warrior. It was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who deserves credit for laying the foundations of the great Maratha kingdom and for encouraging the culture and traditions of the State of Maharashtra as we know it today. An efficient administrator, a kind ruler, a savvy military startegist ....Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was all these and more. He feared nobody, not even Aurangzeb who imprisoned him or his other enemies who tried to kill him. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's fierce determination to achieve independence for his people was ably supported by his loyal band of followers and troops. While today school textbooks extol his virtues, what Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj did and who he was can never be confined to the pages of any book. The legacy he left behind goes far beyond words on pages. 

Here are some photos of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which I took from various places, including exhibitions, posters, and shops:

Shivaji Maharaj holding court

Raja Shivchhatrapati

Shivaji Maharaj with his son (at the window) in the custody of Aurangzeb - Oil on canvas by A. H. Muller

Shivaji Maharaj beautifully captured in threadwork

A young boy dressed up as Shivaji

Shivaji Jayanti Celebrations Maharashtra

Holi pichkaris types and models

Holi pichkaris are nothing but plastic guns used to spray water on all and sundry during the colourful festival of Holi. However, these pichkaris are no longer just gun-shaped, but come in a huge variety of odd shapes and sizes.

Holi SMS greetings and wishes in English

H – Happiness of life

O- Ocean of colour

L - Language of Love

I – Integration with one another

Wishing you & your family a very Happy & Colourful Holi!

--

Celebrating the colours of our beautiful relationship.

 I wish you and your family all the bright hues of life

--

Blue is song

Yellow is music

Green is dance

Red is beauty

White is love

Pink is joy

I wish all these colours may fall on you

Happy Holi!

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May God gift you all the colours of life,

Colours of joy,

Colours of happiness,

Colours of friendship, and

All other colours you want to paint in your life

Happy Holi!

--

Red 4 prosperity

Green 4 happiness

Blue 4 sensitivity

Orange 4 progress

Pink 4 friendship

May you be blessed with all the shades of Holi!

--

May God paint the canvas of your life with the most beautiful colours

And sprinkle peace & joy at every moment! 

Happy Holi

--

Holi SMS greetings in Hindi


Make natural Holi colours at home


Puranpoli and Bhang, Rituals and Traditions

Holi pichkaris