Easter Sunday falls on Apr. 20 this
year and the holiday celebrates the resurrection of Christ three days after his
death. Easter also marks the end of Lent.
The week prior to Easter Sunday is
called Holy Week, which includes several other important Christian holidays,
including: Maundy Thursday (honouring Jesus’ last supper with his disciples),
Good Friday (the day of his crucifixion) and Holy Saturday (commemorates the
time between the crucifixion and resurrection).
Quotes about Easter
"The resurrection gives my life meaning
and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my
circumstances." -- Robert Flatt
"To a Christian, Easter Sunday means
everything, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ." --
Bernhard Langer
"Easter says you can put truth in a
grave, but it won't stay there."
-- Clarence W.all
. "The great gift of Easter is
hope - Christian hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in his
ultimate triumph, and in his goodness and love, which nothing can shake."
-- Basil Hume
"It is the hour to rend thy
chains, The blossom time of souls." -- Katherine Lee Bates
. "The joyful news that He is
risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work,
discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to
do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice." -- Henry Knox
Sherrill
"Here is the amazing thing
about Easter; the Resurrection Sunday for Christians is this, that Christ in
the dying moments on the cross gives us the greatest illustration of
forgiveness possible." -- T.D. Jakes
Let the whole world join the happy
lay, Let the hills and vales break forth in singing, Christ, the Lord of Life,
is ris'n today." -- Lizzie Akers
Bible Verses About Easter
"For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have
eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
but that the world should be saved through Him." John 3:16-17
The Sinhala and
Hindu New Year
The Sinhala and Hindu New Year (Avurudu), is
celebrated on April 13th - 14th. This is a special time in Sri Lanka. The
larders are full since the harvest has just been collected, the trees are full
of flowers, homes are freshly painted and it is time for festivities. A time
for enjoyment and a time to show love and affection to elders. This is a
special time when families get-together.
The precise times
when the old year ends, and the new year begins, (most times the two do not
coincide) are calculated by astronomers, and is generally announced by the peal
of temple bells. Everything during this time must be performed at precise times
(Nakatha), and in the prescribed way.
The first lighting of the hearth, start of work,
first transaction, first meal and first application of oil to hair, to name a
few are all done according to Nekath times. In between these rituals, the time
is spent playing games, visiting friends and relatives, enjoying the many
sweetmeats that are made for the occasion, and generally having a great time.
Music and poetry has always been a part of village
life in Sri Lanka, and what better time to enjoy some singing and merry making
than the Avurudu festival?. Poetry contests or contests between teams of
drummers between adjoining villages are common during these celebrations,
Village beauties play the Rabana, a one sided drum, somewhat like an enormous
tambourine. Sometimes the older folk also engage in playing the Rabana.
In April (the month of Bak), when the sun moves
from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries)
in the celestial sphere; Sri Lankans celebrate Aluth Avurudu(in Sinhala) and
Puththandu (in Tamil). It marks the end of the harvest season and also
coincides with one of two instances when the sun is directly above Sri Lanka.
On the day of celebrations, the sun is directly above Koggala (where a Sun
devale can be found). A new year of the Saka era begins with each festival. The
nonagathe or punyakale, the neutral period, unlike western traditions the
ending of the old year and the beginning of the new year occur several hours
apart from one another(this span is determined by astrology as well). The Sri
Lankan New Year dawns with times drawn out by astrological signs.
During the nonagathe
according to custom people refrain from doing any activity and engage in
religious activities and traditional games.
Avurudu
games
There are traditional games people engage in during
the festive season and more often than not they start before the dawn of the
new year and continue till much after. The sound of crackers,nila, ahasgundu as
well as the sounds of the raban and joyous laughter, especially of children
mingles with the melodious call of the koel during this time.
Like all the age-old rituals connected with the New
Year these games are enjoyed by one and all. Then there are Avurudu Ulelas,
where many people participate in the traditional games.
BOC Pensioners’ Association
Housing project for displaced families in Mawilaru, launched by BOC Pensioners’ Association
nearing completion
The Bank of Ceylon Pensioners’ Association in keeping with
the “Pensioner’s Social Responsibility to Communities’ volunteered to build
houses for families displaced during the war in Suriyapura close to Maawilaru
in the Mahaveli Block D area
Recently several Office bearers of the Association visited the
site and observed that the construction of the houses had now reached roof
level.
(View Photos)
January 14 – Thai Pongal - ‘Thai Pongal’ the Harvest Festival of Tamils
After the Christmas and New Year
festivities, the focus is now on the Pongal harvest festival, popularly known
as Thai Pongal, celebrated in the first four days of the month of Thai in the
Tamil-Hindu calendar.
Traditionally, it is the festival of farmers who depend on Mother Earth, the sun, rain, other natural elements and cows and buffaloes for a bountiful harvest of their staple food rice. It is a time when the poor, the rich, the villager and the city-dweller offer thanks to the gods, worship the sun, the earth, the cattle and their bounty with devotion.
Traditionally, it is the festival of farmers who depend on Mother Earth, the sun, rain, other natural elements and cows and buffaloes for a bountiful harvest of their staple food rice. It is a time when the poor, the rich, the villager and the city-dweller offer thanks to the gods, worship the sun, the earth, the cattle and their bounty with devotion.
Pongal is uniquely Tamil that it has
been designated the ‘State Festival’ in Tamil Nadu. Unlike in Sri Lanka, in
Tamil Nadu, Pongal festivities continue in the first four days of Thai.
Four festivals are celebrated in Tamil Nadu over the four days. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated. People wear new clothes and cattle are gaily caparisoned with beads, bells and flowers – their horns painted and capped with gleaming metal. The first day of Pongal is Bhogi, marked by feasting and merry-making. It is time for the new to replace the old. Huge bonfires are lit and all unwanted items around the house are consigned to the flames.
Four festivals are celebrated in Tamil Nadu over the four days. Houses are cleaned, painted and decorated. People wear new clothes and cattle are gaily caparisoned with beads, bells and flowers – their horns painted and capped with gleaming metal. The first day of Pongal is Bhogi, marked by feasting and merry-making. It is time for the new to replace the old. Huge bonfires are lit and all unwanted items around the house are consigned to the flames.
Pongal is the only festival of the
Hindus that follows a solar calendar and is celebrated on January 14 every
year. Pongal has astronomical significance: It marks the beginning of
Uttarayana, the Sun’s movement northward for a six-month period. In Hinduism, Uttarayana
is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement
of the Sun. All important events are scheduled during this period.
Colourful designs
Throughout the month, front yards and
entrances of houses are decorated with Kolam in colourful designs. Kolam is
more than an art. It symbolises happiness and prosperity. Insects and birds
feed on the rice flour used for drawing the traditional Kolam. Thus, the Kolam
represents man’s concern for all living creatures.
Thai is an auspicious period to begin new ventures after the gloomy period of Margazhy. There is a Tamil saying Thai Poranthal Vazhy Porakkum, which means with the dawn of the month, a way for prosperity and happiness will be paved. Pongal signals the end of the traditional farming season, giving farmers a break from their monotonous routine. Farmers also perform pooja to crops, signalling the end of the traditional farming season. It also sets the pace for a series of festivals to follow in a calendar year.
Thai is an auspicious period to begin new ventures after the gloomy period of Margazhy. There is a Tamil saying Thai Poranthal Vazhy Porakkum, which means with the dawn of the month, a way for prosperity and happiness will be paved. Pongal signals the end of the traditional farming season, giving farmers a break from their monotonous routine. Farmers also perform pooja to crops, signalling the end of the traditional farming season. It also sets the pace for a series of festivals to follow in a calendar year.
Dedicated to cattle
The following day’s Mattu Pongal is
dedicated to cattle. Cattle play an important part in farming, thus Mattu
Pongal is the day when the cattle are worshipped and given a day of rest. They
are bathed, their horns painted with shining colours and then they are fed and
taken to the village centre where the devotees offer them flower garlands.Many
legends are associated with Pongal celebrations. The two most popular legends
are stories related to Lord Siva and Lord Indra.
According to Hindu mythology, this is
when the day of the gods begins, after a six-month long night. The festival is
spread over three days and is the most important and most fervently-celebrated
harvest festival of South India. A special pooja is performed on the first day
of Pongal before the cutting of the paddy. Farmers worship the sun and the
earth by anointing their ploughs and sickles with sandalwood paste. It is with
these consecrated tools that the newly-harvested rice is cut.
Wish all our Hindu friends and their families a happy and a joyful Pongal
Happy New Year 2014
New Year is the time to visit our
relatives and friends, to warm up relations and strengthen friendship.
Wishing you all a New Year with fun and party with
relatives and friends.
Christmas Greetings
Christmas
is the birthday of Jesus Christ, the son of God. People Celebrate
the birthday of their lord with wonderful Christmas decorations and sending
fabulous Christmas Gifts to their relatives and friends. Jesus is considered as
the most powerful man ever born. His birth literally divided the time, Mankind
transformed to love and kindness from barbarism. Time started evolving from his
birth, as BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno
Domini or Lord Year). Millions of people spend their time and afford
for spreading his teaching. Million of people consider him as their family
member and invite his presence in any family function. Nations conducted war to
protect his teaching. Whole world started spreading Christmas spirit with
wonderful Christmas decorations and passing Christmas carol
groups.
While people celebrate Christmas with Party, celebration and sending Christmas gifts, I am writing some Christmas wishes and Christmas quotes for you. I am sure this messages along with wonderful Christmas Gift will lift the Christmas spirit of any person. Let us celebrate Christmas with happiness and Joy.
Merry Christmas to You
Wishing you a merry Christmas and Happy New Year
May your Christmas be filled with
Fun and happiness
Fun and happiness
May the joy of the season fill in
your heart and soul
wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
May you and your family feel the
spirit of Christmas,