AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 17 of 170 Farewell Lt Col AC Suryanarayanan, VSM, AMC, a member of the Association, has decided to relocate himself. He has moved to Mysore. His new address is: No 144A, 7 th Main, Gokulam 3 rd Stage, MYSORE – 570 002 Email: acsurya@hotmail.com Bakrid This 3-day festival is celebrated on the 10th or 12th day in the month of Dhul Hijjah. This festival is based on the lunar calendar so the date keeps changing. This year it falls in on 12 th March. The word “Id” is derived from the Arabic word “Iwd” meaning festival. This day is also known as Id-ul-Zuha. “Zuha” means sacrifice. On this day a goat or Bakr is sacrificed. Hence the day is also known as Bakr-Id. Joyful merrymaking and sombre rituals mark this festival. The main celebrations are on the first day when every Muslim is expected to take a bath, adorn new clothes, apply itr and visit the mosque to offer prayers. He recites the Takbir aloud before eating anything. The celebrations include Do Rakat Namaz that can be recited anytime from sunrise to just after noon. Prayers offered during this festival are considered to be more rewarding than other daily or weekly offerings. Every Muslim owning property more than 400 grams of gold is expected to sacrifice a goat or sheep. This symbolizes a person’s devotion to Allah and his desires.. Idi’s and gifts are exchanged and many undertake a pilgrimage to Haj, Mecca. This day coincides with the anniversary of the day when the Quran was declared complete. Prophet Mohammed said that Id is to be celebrated for three days to ensure that the entire community participates. The legend behind the festivities and rituals is that Id-ul-Zuha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God’s orders when he was asked to sacrifice his son Ismail. His love for his son made it difficult for the Prophet to obey the orders, so he blindfolded himself and put Ismail to the altar at Mount Mina. After performing the act when the Prophet opened his eyes he found his son alive in front of him and on the altar lay a slaughtered sheep. Thus Prophet Ibrahim passed the test Allah put him through. It may be noted that Haj is to be performed only during this period. In other words the culmination of Haj is on the last day of Bakrid. Shivratri Shivratri is truly the night of Shiva - the lord of dissolution. Hindus celebrate the festival all over the country with great enthusiasm. This event, also known as Mahashivratri falls on the new moon night of the month of Phalguna. It is based on the position of the moon so the day falls between the months of February-March. This year it falls on 01 st March. The day starts very early with devotees thronging the temples to perform the traditional Shivalinga worship, to please the all-giving God. The devotees fast the entire day and break