Diversity Blog

Cultural and Religious Observances title with an image of a man smiling, a religious stained glass window, a woman wearing a hijab and colorful Indian art made with sand and flower petals

Cultural and religious observances – February 15-21, 2021

by

Vasant Panchami

Culture/religion: Hindu
Date: February 16

Photo of Saraswati with Vitarka Mudra
Saraswati. Photo credit: Christina Kundu, Wikimedia.org

Vasant Panchami is a festival marking the arrival of the spring season in India and is celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati – the Goddess of knowledge, music, learning and arts – who is the wife of Brahma, who created the universe.

It is believed that without Saraswati the world would be shrouded in ignorance, as she is the one who represents enlightenment. Vasant Panchami is the time when people start giving the first lessons on education to their children.

Yellow is said to be the Goddesses favorite color, so people wear yellow clothes and eat foods that are yellow.

Alternate names: Basant Panchami

Sources:

Basant Panchami 2020: History, significance, puja date and time, Hindustantimes.com

Vasant Panchami, Wikipedia

Ash Wednesday

Culture/religion: Christianity
Date: February 17

Photo of an altar set up for Ash Wednesday
Photo credit: Wikimedia.org

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and prayer, and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is primarily observed by Catholics, but many other Christians observe it too.

Ash Wednesday is derived from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting, and the practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head which represent the dust from which God made us. After receiving ashes during Mass, many take the day off to remain at home as it is generally inappropriate to go out in public, for example to shop or dine.

Ash Wednesday is a season of penance, reflection and fasting which prepares one for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Sources:

Ash Wednesday, Catholic.org

Lent

Culture/religion: Christianity
Date: February 17-April 1

Cross with purple sash clipart
Image credit: Nina Garman, Pixabay

Lent marks a 40-day period, beginning on Ash Wednesday, leading up to the celebration of Easter. Lent is observed by practices of self-denial, like fasting, meant to order their hearts and minds to the suffering of Christ during the 40 days he spent fasting in the desert.

The last week of Lent is Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Depending on the Christian denomination and local custom, Lent ends either on the evening of Maundy Thursday or at sundown on Holy Saturday when the Easter Vigil is celebrated.

Sources:

Christian History: Lent, Christianity Today

Lent, Wikipedia