The Hindu New Year

The First day of a year is beginning of a new year and as every one knows, we have different new years in our country.  One of them is Nav Sawantsar Prtipada known as Vikrami Samvat, celebrated in Chaitra Month's full moon day that falls in the month of March or April according to western calendar.Vikrama Samvat founded by Vikramaditya the great when he won over Shaks. According to the Purans -

Chaitramasi Jagadbrahma Sasarj prathamaahani !

Shukrapaksh samagre  tu  sada  suryodaye  sadi  !! 

The couplet says that says that the creator of universe, Brahma considering this day as the best day of all created the universe on this very day. We can find such quotes in different religious books like Arthveda and Shatpath Brahman also. According to Shakta sect the beginning of Vasant Navratri also takes place this very same day that ends nine days later on Shri Ramnavami day.  That also denotes the beginning of Basant or Vasant the spring, which adds to joys and happiness among the masses of this country.

The different methods of calculations of dates

According to Indian systems of calculation of dates and most of them based  on moon as  prime source having two fortnight better-known Krishna and Shukla fortnight. These two fortnights make a month consisting of twenty-nine and a half days. In southern parts of our country, people know them as Amant and Purnimant also. However, the beginning of the New Year brings happiness all around as this happens to be the season of crops that makes the occasion more worthy.

Beginning of festivals

The New Year marks the beginning of many festivals all over the Hindu world with festivals taking place on this particular day. People in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka celebrate this day as Yugadi that denotes the beginning of New Year, the Sindhi community celebrates it as the Birth Day of Jhulelal or Cheti Chand meaning happiness of Chaitra month. The Vikrami New Year known as one of the most celebrated festivals among the  Kashmiri Hindus as Navreh the beginning of Lunar New Year.

The people in Maharastra celebrate the day as Gudi Padawa and Bihu in Assam. The erstwhile Hindu state of Nepal celebrates the day on official level and Vikrmi calendar is the official calendar of Nepal. 

The Vikrami New Year is also part of life in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, part of Indonesia, Thailand and wherever Buddhist community with trust in Mahatma Buddha lives  besides Kerala, Manipur, Tamilnadu, Odessa, Punjab etc. are other states where people celebrate this day with total joy. Most of the regions in India including East, North, west and south celebrate their New year in the same month of Baisakh according to Hindu Calendar although, the dates may differ. Most probably, Gujarat is only state where the Vikrmi calendar begins on fourth day after Diwali.

How to worship

As per the Hindu belief that trusts in worshiping for whatever the occasion so has the New Year a particular way to worship as per advised by the Pundits. The most common way to welcome the New Year is as follows-

On the first day of the New Year of the Nav Sawantsar one should chant the following mantra taking a few flowers of red color, water of river Ganges and scented sticks in hand sitting in front of properly set fire altar with sand and decorated with Sandal and turmeric. A flower of lotus is best flower for the occasion with statues of Gods especially, Laxmi and Ganesha made of gold properly set. 

The mantra- Mum sakutumbasya Saparivarasya swajan Parijanasahitsya wa aurarogyeshwaryadisakal shubh faltrotra vradyartha, Brhmadisamvatsar devana Poojanamhn Karishye.

After chanting, this mantra for eleven times put the items present in your hands in front of the statues of gods and then prays to Brahma for your own and family’s welfare. Please keep it in mind that the best results are only available if you decorate your house with flowers and feast the Brahmins and sending them off with proper gifts. I am sure you are going to have a very happy New Year by following the above-mentioned procedure.        

Spring is the season of flowers and for Keralites, it’s the harvest festival. Onam – the state festival of Kerala is celebrated for 10 days, the Atham star marking the beginning of the festival. Onam is incomplete without Atham. To celebrate the occasion, Keralites are preparing floral decorations in their courtyard for ten days to welcome their beloved king Maveli. According to Keralites’ believe he is coming on an annual visit on Thiruvonam day. Atham is also known as Athappoo and Pookkalam. Before going to the significance of Atham, let me tell a few words about this festival.

Story behind Onam

Chingam is the first month of Malayalam calendar and Onam celebration is related to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Vamana. It’s believed that the great asura emperor Mahabali ruled Kerala centuries back. He was a good king taking care of his subjects well. It’s believed that during his reign country was prosperous, disease free and all his subjects were good people who never told lies! Seeing this, devas felt jealous and began to think how to destroy Mahabali whom people fondly call Maveli Thampuran or Chakravarthy meaning Emperor. Mahabali, though he was an asura, was a true devotee of Lord Vishnu and devas decided to exploit this situation. Mahabali was conducting a yaga to get supreme power to reign the whole world and seeing this, all devas came to Vishnulok. Seeing devas in distress, Vishnu took his fifth incarnation as a small Brahmin boy Vamana and came to earth. He asked Mahabali to give him 3 feet earth to build a house as alms. Generous Maveli without thinking anything grand him what he asked. His guru Shukracharya sensed the danger and with his powers, he knew that it’s none other than Lord Vishnu. Though he warned him Maveli didn’t hear his words.

Before starting any ritual, Kings used to dispense holy water from Kindi, a bowl type vessel with a narrow tube at one end. To prevent Maveli from doing so, Shukracharya changed himself to a bee and a hide inside its narrow neck. When Maveli found that water is not coming out, he began to find the reason. Very soon Krishna knew the reason and with a simple smile, he took a thulsi leaf to pull the bee out of the vessel. Maveli completed his grand by dispersing water. It’s believed that Shukracharya lost his one eye after this incident. As soon as his wish was granted small child began to grow to the size of cosmic proportions. With his first foot, he measured the earth and with the second, he measured sky. Then he asked Maveli where to put his third foot. Kings can’t go back from their promises. So, he showed his head. Maveli realized that it’s none other than Vishnu. Vishnu was also pleased seeing Maveli’s devotion, truth and politeness. Before he was pushed to Pathala, as requested by Maveli, Vishnu gave him permission to visit his subjects once in every year on Thiruvonam star of the first Malayalam month Chingam.

So, to welcome their beloved king, Keralites are starting preparations before ten days, decorating their courtyards with flowers, giving new dress to dear ones and on Thiruvonam day, a grand feast prepared. They involve in different games known as ‘Onakalikal’.

How Atham is prepared

Earlier, after cleaning the courtyard, people used to sprinkle cow dung water as it’s considered holy according to religious beliefs. Then Atham is made exactly perpendicular to the front door in the courtyard. For making atham, either clay or mud can be used. First make a big cone of regular size. Then it’s provided steps 5, 7, 9 or any odd number on which flowers are arranged in pattern. Then allow it to dry for a day. Usually atham is made just one day before atham star. Then daily, apply cow dung mixed with water on it, so that flowers stick on it well. Nowadays, when people are having concrete courtyard, no one is interested in making atham with mud and cow dung. Instead they are drawing patterns on the floor and flowers placed on it. At the exact centre, extremely top, a royal flower is placed which draw quick attention. It may be a rose, lotus, marigold or even a hibiscus with many layers. But real queen is a bunch of coconut flowers.

In some places, first day, only one column is made and single colour flower used. Next day, Chithira, one more column will be added and decorating the atham with two colours. Thus, when it reaches 10 days, 10 different colours will be present in their atham. In some places, there are some rules for flowers to be used. Lucas flower, known as ‘thumba poo’ in Malayalam is the most popular one. First two days, this flower is widely used in such places which follow the rules of adding one colour each day.

Onapoo – Onam flowers

‘Poo’ or ‘poovu’ means flower. Let me give a list of some flowers known as ‘Onappookkal’ in their traditional names – Kaakkapoov (Utricularia reticulata), thumbapoo, thechippoov (ixora), karuka, thiruthaali, poovankurunnu, kolambi poo (allemanda cathartica), kaithonni, arali (nerium), odinjukuthi, alari, kannanthali, mathan poo (pumpkin flower), uzhinja, nilappana, kayambu, mukkutti, chembarathi (hibiscus), kumbalam poo (white guard flower), kalyanasougandhingam (Hedychium coronarium) etc. They are medicinal plants too. Now, most of them are very rare even to see around.

Atham competitions everywhere

Though athams in courtyard is seen decreasing as years pass by, atham competitions are held everywhere. Nowadays it’s a new trend to conduct Onam celebrations and atham competitions at schools, colleges and clubs. Students normally wear Kerala set sari or set dhoti during this occasion. Though competitions are not there, Onam celebrations are incomplete without Atham. When Onam feast is given and Onam sports are arranged, they prepare pookkalams too. It shows the co-operation and uniqueness of students or club members when they are making decorations as a group. Athams are made in temples and churches too.

Atham competitions follow some rules

Most significant entity for which a particular floral carpet to gain more marks is its colour combination, imagination, neatness, uniqueness, creativity and proportionality. If it’s a competition, its radius should never exceed 1metre and its shape should be more or less a circle, though minor deviations according to creativity are allowed. Only flowers can be used, no artificial colour or salt. But leaves and grasses are allowed to give green colours to pookkalam. Normally it’s given three hours. If designs are already prepared and decisions about colours and type of flowers are made, it’s not a difficult task to complete a pookkalam within desired time. Contestants should have a clear idea about time needed to fill each columns and it’s a good opportunity to exhibit artistic talents and creativity.

Neatness is equally important to other factors. These flower beds should have a regular pattern and floor should never be visible. i.e. Flowers should cover the whole design, without leaving a single void. Also note that flower layering should be uniform, no crests and troughs, not uneven or irregular edges. Next important factor is its shape and proportionality. Suppose your atham has six petals in its design, all its petals should have equal same and shape, exactly the same. Even the flowers arranged should show a uniform and regular pattern. It’s common to pray Ganapathi before starting pookkalam. So a small sphere is made of mud and cow dung and a thulsi stalk with some leaves are pierced in it. At last a deepam is also lightened. A few grains of aval-pori ( a form of fried rice), banana bunch, agarbathis, a bronze pot filled with rice can also be placed. Just place a coconut flower bud bunch on the top of the rice pot to give it a Kerala signature.

Those poovilikal (flower-calls) that we miss these days

Poove poli poove poli poove………

Earlier, years back, it’s common to hear ‘poovili’ marking the beginning of new season. It’s nothing, but songs of small children in search of flowers. They used to carry a small bag made of palm leaves to collect flowers from homes and fields. White Leucas flowers known as ‘thumbapoo’ was everyone’s hot favourite. Though it was seen everywhere in old Onam days, those symbols of purity have disappeared from fields. Same is the case of green fields too. Now, no one is spending time to go to fields and nearby homes to collect ixora and hibiscus. Earlier, at least one or two steps of atham belonged to hibiscus petals, red, pink or white. Kids used to fix them in the moisture of cow dung solution. Then just below the atham they used to draw different patterns and flowers in their collection determined the size and number of columns needed to be added later. Now those days have gone. Instead, by spending just 50 rupees, they can get a small bag full of nerium, marigold, chrysanthemum and bachelor's button. That’s the main change Onam has seen over the past few decades. Also, athams in courtyards are also slowly disappearing. That may be the reason why people are giving more importance to Onam celebrations of schools, colleges and associations.

Flower festivals, not a part of Kerala only

Not only Keralites, but many foreigners are also celebrating flower festivals in their own way. Italy, Belgium, Brazils are a few countries among those who celebrate their festivals with ‘pookkalams’. Old city Florence is now known as Rome, the capital of Italy. Its Latin alternative is Florentia and its Italian derivative is Firenze, which mean ‘City of flowers’. The city is filled with grass bed of daffodils and Italians celebrate their events by making flower decorations on roads. Surprisingly, their flower festival is celebrated exactly the same time of Onam – July and August. Such floral decorations are the main attractions of Belgium and Brazils festivals. Crosby flowers of Belgium are very beautiful, which were once imported from Indonesian forests. By preparing floral decorations on maidans and near road side, they are celebrating their festivals. Thailand people are also not far behind. They celebrate their new year by lovely ‘pookkalams’. Wearing new dress and preparing royal feast, they make their celebrations grand in their own ways.

Kovalam belt most famous for pookkalams

No doubt, Kovalam-Vizhinjam belt attracts tourists more. So, pookkalams are given great importance in Kovalam-Chappath-Vizhinjam belt. Usually clubs organize such pookkalams as competitions, winner will get a trophy and cash prize too. Resorts are also making attams where foreigners also participate. For the first eight days, people of this belt make small athams and on the ninth day early morning, they cover the whole place with tents and start working. They make idols of Hindu mythology out of clay, dry and later decorate them with flowers. Usually marigold, chrysanthemum and Bachelor's Button are used as they won’t dry easy and stay fresh for a few more days. They use leaves to add green colour too. It may take more than 30 hours of work of more than 25 people to complete a huge atham by Thiruvonam dawn break and it’s bit costly too. So, they used to collect contributions of people who come to view them on Thiruvonam, usually after the royal feast. Many skilled artists and architects are invited to curve those beautiful idols and the uniform pattern by which they arrange flowers in more than 1 cent land which make every viewer’s mouth open for a while. At least five or six such huge athams can be seen in that coastal belt though it’s also seen decreasing every year.

It ends with Thumbithullal and Kaduvakali.

Thumbithullal is a traditional art form of Kerala done during Onam days. But it’s also slowly disappearing from the front stage. ‘Thumbi’ means dragon fly and ‘thullal’ means an active play. So, one lady will be seated in centre as thumbi and around her, a group of girls, to form a circle. Girls wear Kerala set sari of off-white colour. They wear jasmine flowers and gold ornaments and will do good make up. Thumbi holds a bunch of thumba flowers in her hands. The leading performer sings a traditional song and girls around her accompany her. Slowly, her song increases its pace. They clap and sway to tunes and hence when it goes fast, their movements will be vigour. That’s why this art form is given the name ‘thullal’. Gradually the centre performer will appear as if she has lost her control, yet she will be seated. Everyone will be dancing, seated. That’s the peculiarity of this art form. Then gradually, tempo of the song decreases attaining the first position. This art form really uplifts the spirit of Onam festival where women enjoy the occasion in a jolly and carefree mood. Thumbithullal is conducted on Thiruvonam evening, just before the atham (made of mud) is detached. A few people disguised themselves as tigers also dance during this occasion. Of course, a hunter with gun will also follow them. This art form is still popular everywhere and it’s known as Kaduvakali or puilkali. Kummatty, another traditional art form of Kerala also displays their wild beauty during this celebration. 

Such Onam plays are played in the evening of Thiruvonam after 4pm. Some other onam sports include Kalamadi, Kaikottikali, Sundarikku pottukuthu, Onathallu, Kayyankali, Talappanthukali, Kutukutu, Chess etc. Hoping I can present an article on ‘Onakkalikal’ very soon.

So, finally, its significance

It may be just a folk tale or story. Yet Keralites admire and respect their beloved king Mahabali a lot. Onam is that only festival that makes every Malayali feel, ‘We are one’. There lies the true sense of celebrating this festival. Through pookkalams, boat races, Onasadya and Onakkalikal(Onam sports),  every Malayali, all over the world, irrespective of caste and religion are celebrating this festival in true spirit!

Deepavali or Diwali , the festival of lights as it is popularly called is a festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world for four days, the lat two days of the month of Ashwin and the first two days of the month of Karthik.Deepavali is one of the most important festivals also one of the most looked forward to festivals in India.Everything starts afresh on this day and it is a new beginning for many a New Year.

All houseproud women spring clean their houses before Deepavali or Diwali which is an important aspect of the celebrations.In the olden days the front door of a house remained open all through the Deepavali festivities which went on for almost a week.This was with the belief that Goddess Lakshmi , the goddess of wealth made her entry into our home during this period and the house should be cleaned and ready to receive her and that she never enters a house filled with dirt and gloom.

For the women of the household the preparations for the festival begins at least a fortnight ahead of the actual day.Most people would get their houses painted and cleaned .However, since this was not possible every year,they spring cleaned the house which was a must for all conscientious housewives.

Spring cleaning if not taken systematically can become chaotic and time consuming , also never ending.By starting early and organising the work procedure one can make it easier. If you are planning to get your house spring cleaned this year start by making a spring cleaning time table so that you can go through a certain specified number of chores each day and finish the job with little strain and exertion.

Clear away the accumulated junk

This happens with all of us, we tend to collect stuff that we may or we may never use in our life time.This is the time to make a decision and decide once for all whether to keep or get rid of what has been lying around for ages.Go systematically through cup boards,attic,store rooms,wardrobes and every other place where things have been stored.

A safe yardstick to measure the utility of any stuff is to ask yourself - whether you even remember having it within your home, and more importantly whether you have used it in the past two years ? If the answer is NO, then most probably you are harboring a white elephant in your house and this is the time to take the crucial decision.

At times we have to harden our heart to give away these hidden treasures.No doubt throwing away a perfectly good alarm clock which has only one hand ,a badminton racquet which needs to be restrung if and when someone in the family decides to play the game or a tricycle which your children used and you have fond memories of , now lying around in the garage - can really be a wrench for most housewives. Men often fail to understand the sentimental attachment women have for 'relics'. I personally used to do this, take out all the stuff with the idea of giving them away and then clean them and put them back at the last minute. But a couple of years ago while I was away at my mother's place for Deepavali my hubby cold-bloodedly sold off everything and although I was devastated when I came back , later felt that what he did was right in a way!There seemed to be so much more space in the kitchen or for that matter everywhere in the house!

However,if you are planning to get rid of the accumulated stuff it is better to make an assessment of all the stuff you have stored since some of them like copper ware,brass ware and old vessels may be valuable.Getting rid of old tins,bottles,newspapers and magazines is easier but other stuff like metallic items need to be gone through and given after pondering over a few details like the prevailing market rate and which is the right place to sell them and whether you could still find some use for it .

Reclaim and Spring clean( autumn clean?)

Once you have decided to give away the relics and have also gone into the nitty-gritty of the issue, you will find that you have somewhat fattened your wallet and delighted with the extra space around the house which you can reclaim.Now is the time to begin your spring cleaning or to be more precise autumn -cleaning operations.

Get all the equipment needed like brooms both soft and coarse ,brushes ,duster clothes,pail and buckets ,dust pan,soap and detergent and some grease solvents like spirit or kerosene or any other cleaning liquid that is available and a step ladder or a sturdy reliable stool because we don’t want to have any accident due to misadventure just before the festival. Do take up one room at a time so that you don’t upset the routine of the family and sour tempers during the festival time.

Clean from top to down , starting from upstairs if you have two floors , working your way down.Throw open the windows and air the room.Remove all wall hangings ,curtains, posters, pictures from the walls.Wipe and clean them thoroughly paying particular attention to the frames especially if they are ingrained with intricate design.Check the back of the photographs for termites and silver fish and keep them away safely in another room.

Ceilings,windows and Floors

Remove cobwebs from the ceilings and wall corners .If you have a vacuum cleaner it is invaluable since it can be used for removing grime from the walls,if not use a long handled broom.Clean the ceiling fans first with a dry cloth and then with a damp cloth dipped in warm soapy solution and again with a clean cloth to dry it out.

Clean curtains and carpets in the mean time ,if you have heavy curtains and draperies this is the time to get them cleaned through dry cleaners.Carpets can be taken out and beaten with a stick to get all the hidden dirt out and you will be amazed at the amount of dust that will drop down.While doing this take care to wrap a cloth around your nose,mouth and hair especially so when you are allergic to dust.

Turn out all the cup-boards ,sort out the contents and discard the unwanted stuff.Reline the shelves with fresh newspapers or any other lining material of your choice before replacing the stuff back.Windows and door frames should be thoroughly cleaned with a mild soap solution and later dried with a clean dry cloth. A solution made with a spoonful of detergent and 2 tablespoons of vinegar added to half a bucketful of water will clean grime and dirt from wooden surface very easily.Make sure that you wipe dry immediately after cleaning it to avoid warping staining or cracking of the wooden surface.Clean the window glass with a small wad of wet newspaper finishing off with dry newspaper for a streak less gloss.You can use either diluted vinegar or any commercial glass cleaner.

In the bed rooms remove and sun the beds for at least a few hours or for as long as you are doing the cleaning .Wipe the cot thoroughly checking for bugs,spiders,cockroaches and termites.Sprinkle some talcum powder over the surface before replacing the mattress.Go through your wardrobe and after cleaning the interiors thoroughly ,put back your clothes neatly folded or put them neatly on the hangers.

In the Kitchen wash and clean the shelves ,sinks and working surface thoroughly. Get all faulty gadgets repaired or replaced as the case may be.Clean the gas stove and oven thoroughly .If the kitchen shelves look drab you can even paint the surface with a fresh lick of paint since it is relatively an easy job ...

Ceramic tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms have to be cleaned with soap solution and one can use old tooth brush to reach the corners where dirt normally accumulates.Most of the floor surfaces can be cleaned with soapy water to which washing soda is added or even the juice of a lime helps.

Minor repairs

Finally, at this time of the year do not neglect to take care of minor household repairs.Broken window glass can be replaced, also faulty latches or a leaky tap should be attended to.Plug small holes in the wall by using some white cement mixture or putty or even toothpaste which I find very handy ,later wiping off the excess with a cloth to get an even wall surface.

Take care of your garden and potted plants by removing weeds ,mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes and trees if any so that everything looks spic and span.You can also rearrange your furniture to give your living room a brand new look.Now that your home is clean,neat and tidy begin by decorating it by hanging Chinese lanterns ,glittering streamers and Rangoli patterns at the entrance and on your porch.

When you do the cleaning enrole the help of other family members and your maid or any other outside help.Many hands make the work lighter and your maid would be glad to give a hand when she knows that she will be compensated adequately for the extra work.Making your home gleam and sparkle for the festival is definitely well worth the effort!It also gives you something to look forward to each year because you get a neat,tidy and a sparkling home to live in for the rest of the year !

Traditional Christmas festival celebration is way of life

How Asian country celebrates Christmas is different from the Western part of the world. Philippines celebrate Christmas as most Western countries celebrate 'New Year' and Christmas with big joy and enthusiasm, love and joy. Philippines are one of the Asian countries where celebrations of Christmas and New Year get big importance and with all fanfare. This is the best season for family gathering and reunion aside from other special occasion such as wedding or baptism. 

The influence of different cultures is clearly visible on Filipinos the way they celebrate their festivals that reflects in certain manner. Most of the Filipino festivals have British, American or Spanish influence the way they speak and in their cultural affairs and celebrate festivals. Here are few examples of Spanish touches a section of Filipino follows during Christmas.

The Spanish connection

The name of Philippines itself comes from the erstwhile ruler of Spain, Philip II. Initially the name given to this beautiful country, which is a combination of islands founded by a SPANISH wanderer who found the group of more than seven thousand islands and named it ‘islands of Samara and Leyte’ - Las Islas Filipinas or The Philippine Islands. This is interesting to know that different  provinces in the Philippines are having Spanish names like 'Nueva Vizcaya',  Laguna, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Segovia, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Antique, Negros Occidental, Marinduque, Negros Oriental, and Valle de Compostela the Spanish influence is clearly visible on Filipino culture and festivals also.

Monito, Monita or Kris Kringle – Exchange of gifts

Exchange of gifts in the Philippines has different styles such as Monito, Monita or Kris Kringle. Monito in Spanish means little monkey and Monita literally means little blonde or in general means friendliness and affectionate. Kris Kringle is a Western style means Secret Santa. These two kinds of exchange of gifts usually take place in offices and schools.

The Monito, Monita is popular among schoolchildren. Girls and boys generally write their names in a small paper roll it and put inside two separate boxes. The boy will pick one rolled paper from the girls’ box and the girls will pick one rolled paper from the boys’ box. The process decides about who is going to be her Monito or his Monita and hand the gift to that particular girl or boy on their school Christmas party.

The other method, Kris-Kringle is popular among coworkers in offices because the gifts remain mystery to the receiver unlike with Monito, Monita wherein Monito (the boy) will hand the gift to his Monita (girl). In Kris-Kringle style, the Secret Santa traditionally writes the name of the person on the gift and put it secretly on his or her table that makes the Kris Kringle more exciting and surprising than Monito-Monita style.  

Misa de Gallo or Simbang gabi - ’The midnight mass’

Misa de Gallo is a Spanish version for midnight mass before Christmas or a mass celebrated at midnight of Christmas Eve. However, in the Philippines, Misa de Gallo is “Nine day of midnight mass celebration’ that starts on December 17 until Christmas Eve. Old folks believe that if any one wants to make a ‘wish’ he must complete the nine days of Misa de Gallo and your wish granted without fail. Misa de Gallo is most famous among lovers because of the general belief that completing the nine midnight mass would bless their relationship and make it successful. 

‘Noche Buena’ stands for Christmas Eve 

Noche Buena literally means Good night in Spanish language used by Filipinos to describe the big feast on Christmas Eve. Since Christmas is one of the best seasons for family reunion and gatherings, you should expect every household preparing all the special foods rarely served in general meals of daily life. One of the most traditional parts of Noche Buena is to share their foods with the neighbors to share the happiness of festival, as Filipinos are generally social people who live in complete harmony with their neighbors as most Asians do. 

Usually the food distributed among the relatives, friends and neighbors well before the midnight. This means abundance, the traditional belief that more you give the more blessings you receive during coming years. After the food feast, everyone gathers in front of the Christmas tree with arrays of gifts is waiting for distribution. Traditionally, the oldest among the family the head of family is the person who is supposed to be in charge of distribution of gifts among friends, family and neighbors.

December 25, Christmas day is family day 

Finally, the big day is here the Christmas and Christmas day in Philippines means family day. Parks, malls and other commercial establishments are likely to be most crowded during this day. Those who live in cities take this occasion to visit their relatives who live in provinces or nearby towns. Sometimes it is the other way round; relatives from provinces visit their relatives who live in the cities for a change and meet their friends and relatives. For the little kids this is the day to visit their Ninong and Ninang means Godfather and Godmother. Little kids will kiss or ask for blessings in “mano po” gesture in exchange of gifts from their Godfather or Godmother. For little kids, the more Ninong and Ninang mean more gifts and money.

Mano Po the way of life

Mano is a Spanish word means hand and ‘Po’ a Filipino word for showing or addressing respect to elders or older people. ‘Mano Po’ is all about taking the hand of the elders or older persons and touches it to the forehead of younger persons. This looks so similar to our own culture followed in India. However, there are so many similarities in between Philippines and Indian cultures that we never miss our country while in Philippines.  

However, the over-all emphasis on Christmas celebrations remain with exchange of gifts, which is the most awaited part not only by kids but also by the young and elderly in Philippines, as they love to do it with all their strengths, might and interest. The gift giving symbolizes the gifts offered by the Three Kings to little Jesus. For Filipinos, ‘gifting’ giving and taking is the way of sharing blessings, showing love and most of all the best ways to turn enmity into friendship.

PS- Hope to visit Philippines during Christmas again.