Variety

Come January....

More significant events to celebrate

January 1, 2011, is the first day in the calendar introduced by Pope Gregory xii (1502 - 35) which is known as the Gregorian Calendar. It was adopted in most of

Janus after whom the month of January is named

Western Europe by 1752 and is now followed world-wide. But, there are other days that mark the beginning of a new year, like April 13 or 14, which is observed in our country as New Year's Day, the Chinese New Year which begins in late January or early February and the New Year's Day in the Muslim Calender.

New Year's day varies from year to year in the Muslim calendar which is made up of lunar months, that is, months calculated from one new moon to the next new moon.

January first is generally a holiday observed in all Christian countries. Most of you must be aware by now that January is named after Janus, the God of doors and gates. He is the god of beginnings and is represented with two faces; one looking forward to the future and the other backward to the past.

'In Japan too, January first is New Year's Day. "Japan is never more Japanese than on January 1". This is the opening sentence in an article in 'Japan News' issued by the Embassy of Japan. It says, "the home is given a new look, the well is cleaned, linen and clothes replaced, old transactions settled, any "debts of conduct", are forgiven and forgotten and relationships are renewed.

"In the newly cleaned house the entire family sits for the customary bowls of noodles, symbolising longevity. At the stroke of midnight everybody can say, "akemashite umedeto gozaimas' - Cheers, the new year has come.

Japanese children receive a gift of money from parents, grandparents and other adult relatives. The money is put in a small paper envelope called pochi bukro. Many Japanese recall the thrill of anticipation felt as a child.

Commerce has stepped in, and taken pochi bukro into their hands. Now pochi bukro with different colourful designs are for sale. However, envelopes with traditional designs are still on sale. Adults enjoy choosing an attractive and appropriate design, but kids are more interested in the contents than in the design on the envelope.

Epiphany

Meanwhile, the Christian and Catholic community who celebrates the birth of Jesus in December closes their celebrations with Epiphany on January 6. It commemorates the visit of the Magi or the Three Wise Men or kings, to the infant Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem. Although Epiphany passes without any celebrations now, it is one of the three principal and older festival days, in the Christian calendar, with the other two being Easter and Christmas.

The festival originated in the Eastern church (Greek Orthodox, Russian, Armenian) and marked the birth of Jesus.

In Armenian and other Eastern Churches Christ's birthday is celebrated on January 6. Since the 4th century, the Roman Catholic Church began celebrating Epiphany on January 6 to mark the visit of the Magi.

In the West the evening before Epiphany is called the twelfth night; It is the twelfth night after Christmas. One of Shakespeare's plays is titled "Twelfth Night". The play has been given that name, because it was first performed on the 12th night after Christmas.

Thai Pongal

Pongal is a harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, Karnatake and Andra Pradesh in South India and in Sri Lanka. South Indian Hindus living in countries like Malaysia and West Indies, also celebrate Pongal. Thai Pongal falls on January 14 and occasionally on January 15 and the next day is called Maadu Pongal, in honour of the bull (maadu) who has helped the farmer in his cultivation and harvesting. The bull is bathed and his horns decorated.

Makar Sankranti

The same harvest festival is called Makar Sankranti in North India. The day is celebrated with the traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. Both Hindus and Sikhs celebrate Makar Sankranti.

They gather in the thousands at the gaily decorated temples and Gurudwaras (Sikh temples). One of the main items of the Makar Sankranti is a dip in the sacred tanks of various historic Gurudwaras and Hindu temples.

Thousands of devotees take a dip in the Yamuna river at Delhi and at Sagar Island at the confluence (where two rivers or river and sea meet and become one) of the Ganga and Bay of Bengal. They pray to the sun god before immersing in the cold water. Bengal Kshipra river at Ramghat in Ujjaini is another place where devotees come, braving the cold weather, to take their dip.

Some anniversaries.

Australia which for over a century was a colony of the British Empire was made independent and proclaimed 'The commonwealth of Australia' on January first 1901. January 1 is also Cuba's National Day. January 4 is Myanmar's National Day, the anniversary of the cutting of all connections with British rule, and declaration of Independence.

The First Boy Scout Group was also organised on January 1, 1908.

January 8 is the birth anniversary of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, the fourth Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the founder of the SLFP.

- Sumana SAPARAMADU