Priti Sharma’s Post

Songkran, also known as the Thai New Year, is Thailand's biggest and most important annual festival. It's a vibrant celebration that marks the start of the traditional Thai solar calendar, usually around mid-April. Here's a breakdown of what Songkran is all about: Water Splashing: The most famous aspect of Songkran is the water splashing! People take to the streets armed with buckets, water guns, and hoses to playfully drench each other. This tradition symbolizes washing away bad luck from the previous year and starting fresh in the new year. Temple Ceremonies: Songkran is also a time for religious observances. People visit temples to make merit, offer prayers, and participate in merit-making activities. Respecting Elders: Younger family members traditionally pay respect to their elders by performing a ritual called "Rod Nam Dam Hua." This involves gently pouring water mixed with fragrant flowers over the hands of elders to ask for blessings and forgiveness. Family Reunions: Many Thais travel back to their hometowns to celebrate Songkran with family. It's a time for bonding, sharing meals, and strengthening family ties. Overall Significance: Songkran is a joyous festival that combines traditional rituals, water fights, family gatherings, and a sense of renewal. It's a time to celebrate life, culture, and the start of a new year. Here are some additional details you might find interesting: The exact dates of Songkran can vary slightly from year to year, but it usually falls around April 13th. Songkran festivities can last for several days, with the most intense water fights happening on the first day. Colorful decorations and traditional music add to the festive atmosphere. People often wear bright clothing and flower garlands during Songkran. If you're ever in Thailand during Songkran, be prepared to get wet! It's a fun and unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Thai culture.

🎊 Happy Chinese New Year! 🎊 🙏 The joyous Chinese New Year Festival is upon us once again! As many prepare to set the table for the celebrations, unlocking prosperity in life is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps to arrange the worship table for Chinese New Year and invite luck, popularity, and wealth throughout the year. 👉 The key points for setting up the worship table generally encompass nine important aspects: ✅️ Point 1: Position the worship table in front of the idol or altar. ✅️ Point 2: Place the incense burner in front of the altar or idol. ✅️ Point 3: Arrange candlesticks and flower vases on the left and right sides of the incense burner. ✅️ Point 4: Include 5 or 3 cups of fried rice. ✅️ Point 5: Set up tea cups or liquor cups. ✅️ Point 6: Prepare a drinking water cup. ✅️ Point 7: Display savory foods or "Sa Sae," 3 types of offerings or "Hong Sae," and 5 types of offerings, which should include 3 types of meat – animals with hooves, like pigs; animals with wings, like chickens or ducks; and animals with fins, like fish. If the table is dedicated to worshiping ancestors, include a side dish with soup. ✅️ Point 8: Include dessert or fruit, equivalent to the savory foods offered in worship. ✅️ Point 9: Place silver and gold paper on the worship table. ✨️ For those unable to set up a formal worship table, paying respects in your own way is just as meaningful. Remember, the essence of celebrating Chinese New Year lies in expressing gratitude to ancestors. Reflect on the merits of your forebears to receive their blessings. 🎉 On behalf of SCGC, we seize this moment to wish everyone luck and success throughout the year. And as you revel in the festivities, don't overlook the accompanying food packaging. Before disposal, remember to separate them, wash them thoroughly, and let them dry. Avoid tossing them with food scraps and contribute to increasing the chances of recycling leftover materials. Cheers to a prosperous and eco-friendly celebration! 🌟🍊🧧 #ChineseNewYear #Prosperity #Celebration #Gratitude

How Midsummer celebrates in Northern Europe? While #Midsummer festivities share some common threads across Northern Europe, there are interesting variations between countries. Here’s a glimpse into how some countries celebrate Midsummer: Sweden: Midsummer ( #Midsommar ) is a much-anticipated public holiday. Swedes head to the countryside, adorn themselves with flower crowns, and raise a decorated maypole (midsommarstång) for dancing around. Traditional foods like pickled herring and strawberries are enjoyed alongside singing and merriment. Finland: Known as #Juhannus, Finnish Midsummer is another public holiday. Bonfires are a central feature, believed to ward off evil spirits. Finns often retreat to summer cottages for barbecues, sauna sessions, and playful games like mölkky (Finnish skittles). Denmark: The Danish Midsummer, called #Sankthansaften, is on June 23rd. Bonfires are a mainstay here too, often accompanied by the burning of a witch effigy made of twigs and cloth. Danes enjoy traditional meals, lively music, and games. Latvia: #Jāņi, #Līgo the Latvian Midsummer, is a two-day celebration. People gather for outdoor festivities around bonfires, singing folk songs and enjoying a traditional cheese dish called Jāņi cheese. Elaborate headwear made of oak branches and flowers is a unique feature here. Norway: #Sankthansaften (meaning St. John’s Eve). Key elements: Bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and symbolize the summer sun. People gather for singing, traditional foods like grilled fish and strawberries, and games like egg rolling. Estonia: #Jaanipäev (meaning John’s Day. Key elements: Bonfires are a focal point, around which people sing folk songs while swinging on swings. Competitions in swinging are a fun element! Flower crowns are worn, and some Estonians believe Midsummer is a time for divination. Lithuania: #Joninės (also called Rasos). Key elements: Bonfires are central, and people jump over them for good luck. Wearing oak wreaths is a tradition, and some Lithuanians light torches and carry them around fields to symbolically burn away negativity. Special foods like cheese pastries are enjoyed.

In the spirit of the Ileya Festival celebration, it's a wonderful time to reflect on our past actions and intentions: ✅ Reflection on Our Past Days: - What We've Been Doing Right: Celebrating traditions, spending quality time with loved ones, showing kindness and generosity, and maintaining our spiritual commitments. - What We've Been Doing Wrong: Perhaps we've overlooked connecting with some family members, neglected self-care, or missed opportunities for charity and community involvement. Intentions for Improvement: - Improving Our Dealings and Behavior: Let’s aim to be more present and attentive in our interactions, extend help to those in need, and practice patience and empathy. - Making Every Moment Count: Embrace mindfulness, cherish small joys, and prioritize meaningful activities and relationships. Reconnecting with Loved Ones: - Checking on Aged People: Make an effort to visit or call elderly relatives, ensuring they feel valued and supported. - Involving Friends and Families: Strengthen bonds through shared activities and open communication, ensuring no one feels left out. Gratitude and Appreciation: - Thanking Benefactors: Express heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported us. - Appreciating God's Blessings: Recognize and give thanks for the grace, favor, and mercies we enjoy daily. Happy Monday, and may the blessings of the Ileya Festival enrich our lives!

Holi - the festival of colors, joy, and unbridled revelry. This year's Holi celebrations were a riot (pun intended) of unprecedented proportions. As I nursed my sore muscles and scrubbed off the last vestiges of Gulaal from my skin, I couldn't help but reflect on the profound life lessons this Holi had to offer. So without further ado, here are 5 game-changing learnings I'm taking away from this festival: 1. Release and Renewal: Letting go of past burdens fosters personal growth and brighter days ahead. 2. Childlike Wonder: Rediscovering joy and spontaneity enriches our lives, reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously. 3. Unity in Diversity: Holi's inclusive spirit teaches us to celebrate our differences and find strength in unity. 4. Adaptability: Embracing spontaneity and quick thinking leads to creative solutions and resilience in the face of challenges. 5. Self-Nurturing: Prioritizing self-care amidst the chaos ensures we can fully enjoy life's festivities and rejuvenate for what lies ahead. So there you have it, folks - 5 life-changing learnings from this year's Holi celebrations. Who knew that a festival of colors could be so deeply profound? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to plan my Holi celebrations for next year. After all, the more chaos, the merrier! #holi #learning

Let the colours of joy, love, and togetherness wash away all your worries this Holi. Here are 5 meaningful lessons from the Festival of Colours that we can carry with us throughout the year. https://lnkd.in/drTDAcCT

Communication: The festival of Holi, with its vibrant colours and joyous celebrations, is a testament to the rich cultural tapestry that Indian Americans bring to the United States. As the community is growing in this area, we had three different Holi celebrations happening on the same day this year.  The event is typically packed with lots of fun, food, and dance on popular Bollywood numbers for all, as usual, but our main objective has been to make it family-friendly and safe for everyone. Our team's motivation has been passing on traditions and memories to future generations, which they can cherish for a lifetime. Now, the task was to communicate this effectively to the public and grab their attention. When the objectives are set clearly, we can plan for the execution of the project well. We worked with our town management and got their help. The focus was set on clear communication about logistics, such as free parking and shuttle services. We publicized via all our channels primarily on how to be there quickly and for free. People already knew what to expect in the 'Holi' event. Our focus on logistics made a huge difference. It created much excitement about the event and conveyed our mission very well. Over five thousand people had a memorable Holi with their friends and family, and our festival was ‘uneventful’. The result is a cherished, intergenerational experience that honours the past while embracing the inclusivity of the present, fostering memories that will indeed last a lifetime. Swiftly conveying the right message is extremely important in today's age of little attention span. https://lnkd.in/dB-SUM7k #marketing #communication

Midsummer's Eve – when Dusk meets Dawn In Estonia, summer evenings are renowned for their "white nights" due to the country's northern location. During this time, the sun sets late and rises early, leaving hardly any darkness. Midsummer, or St. John's Day—known as Jaanipäev in Estonian—aligns with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, occurring around June 21st. In Estonia, Midsummer celebrations commence on the eve of June 23rd and conclude on June 24th. Last year, we shared the tradition of searching for glowworms. However, one of the most famous Jaanik or Midsummer rituals is lighting bonfires and jumping over them. This act is believed to ensure prosperity and ward off bad luck. Conversely, neglecting to light a fire is thought to invite misfortune, such as a house fire. The bonfire also serves to scare away mischievous spirits, thereby promising a good harvest. The larger the fire, the further these spirits are kept at bay. On Jaaniõhtu, Estonians across the country gather with family or at larger events to celebrate with singing and dancing, a tradition that has persisted for centuries. The festivities of Jaaniõhtu typically continue through the night, marking the most significant celebration of the year. P.S. Many northern countries actually have a similar tradition. Happy Midsummer's Eve everyone!

Today is Northern Xiaonian, let's see the differences between Northern and Southern Xiaonian Celebrations in China 🎆 Xiaonian, or Little New Year, is a significant traditional Chinese festival observed on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. While the essence of the celebration is consistent across the country, there are notable differences in the timing and customs between the northern and southern regions of China. 1. Timing: Northern Xiaonian: In the northern part of China, Xiaonian typically falls on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, which is a preparatory period leading up to the Chinese New Year. It marks the commencement of various rituals and activities to ensure a smooth transition into the upcoming year. Southern Xiaonian: In the southern regions, Xiaonian is often observed on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, a day later than the northern celebration. The delay is attributed to regional variations in traditional customs. 2. Rituals and Customs: Northern Xiaonian: Worshipping the Kitchen God: Families engage in rituals to worship the Kitchen God, expressing gratitude for the past year's protection and seeking blessings for the coming year. Offerings of various foods are presented to the Kitchen God. Making Rice Cakes: It is customary to make rice cakes during Northern Xiaonian, symbolizing family unity and prosperity. The process involves collaboration within the family, fostering a sense of togetherness. Southern Xiaonian: Red Decorations and Lanterns: Southern regions emphasize the use of red decorations and lanterns during Xiaonian, believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Homes are adorned with vibrant red elements, creating a festive atmosphere. Praying for Prosperity: People in the south often spend Xiaonian praying for prosperity and good fortune. Temples and ancestral halls witness increased visitation as individuals seek blessings for the coming year. 3. Festive Atmosphere: Northern Xiaonian: The atmosphere in the north is characterized by family gatherings, where members come together to perform rituals, share meals, and strengthen familial bonds. It is a time of reflection and preparation for the Chinese New Year festivities. Southern Xiaonian: Southern celebrations tend to focus on vibrant decorations and community activities. Streets are illuminated with lanterns, and local temples become central hubs for collective prayers and festivities. In summary, while the core spirit of Xiaonian is shared throughout China, the specific traditions and timing of the celebration vary between the northern and southern regions, reflecting the rich diversity of Chinese cultural practices. #dragonyear #happynewyear #chinesenewyear #northernxiaonia

"✨🙏 Celebrating the spirit of new beginnings and prosperity with Ganesh Chaturthi! 🙏✨ Discover the rich traditions, the joy of eco-friendly celebrations, and how you can make this Ganesh Chaturthi special for your family! 🌿🎉 Dive into my latest blog.