Lessons For Unity: Indians Will Celebrate Three Festivals While Observing Good Friday This Week

They say, every day looks like a festival in India. The beauty of our country is in its diversity. India is home to over 100 languages, over 700 different tribes, every major religion in the world. This year four different festivals of different religions are falling on the same day i.e 14 April.

On 14 April, it¡¯s Mahavir Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti, Good Friday and Vaisakhi which shows the multiculturalism and integrity of India. The day is more relevant today when communalism is overpowering humanity.

Mahavir Jayanti

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One of the significant festivals of the Jainism Community is Mahavir Jayanti. The day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. On this auspicious occasion, Jain temples are beautifully decorated and prayers, religious processions take place. One of the most auspicious festivals for the Jain community is on 14 April this year.

The basic teachings of Jainism include world peace and harmony and no or least harm to any living creatures. Jains do not believe in a God or gods like many other religions but believe in divine (or at least perfect) beings who are worthy of devotion.

Who is Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara of Jainism?

Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BC to King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala in Kundalagrama in Bihar. In search of inner peace and spirituality, he renounced his crown at the age of 30 and spent 12 years in exile as an ascetic away from all worldly pleasures. He preached non-violence and was also known as Sage Vardhamana. He was the 24th and the last Tirthankar (teaching god who preaches dharma). His teachings are the main pillars of Jainism, also known as 'Jain Agamas'.

He is considered the founder of Jainism. Lord Mahavir had exceptional control over his senses and got his name for it. At 72, he went attained enlightenment (Nirvana). According to him, one should follow the following principles to live a righteous life:

• Nonviolence
• Truthfulness
• Non-stealing
• Chastity
• Non-attachment

Ambedkar Jayanti

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The day is dedicated to the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar. Born in 1891, the day marks his birth anniversary and is also called ¡®Bhim Jayanti¡¯. Constitution values among citizens are promoted on this day.

Who Is Dr. B. R. Ambedkar?

It was 1928 when his birthday was celebrated first publically in Pune by Janardan Sadashiv Ranapisay, a follower of Ambedkar and social activist. Babasaheb was India's first Law Minister in the Cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Narrowing him as only the Dalit leader will be unfair to talk about the genius of his time. He was a strong political leader, eminent jurist, activist, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, writer, economist, scholar and editor, too.

He was a man of wisdom and played a role in social reform movements, especially caste reforms. Dr. Ambedkar devoted his life to bring equality and fighting against caste oppression and discrimination. Babasaheb immensely worked for the upliftment of so-called untouchables, women and labourers and other socially backward classes.

He spearheaded a socio-political movement called the Dalit Buddhist Movement in the country in 1956. The movement was a massive success and witnessed the participation of millions of people from the community. Later, the movement later got converted to ¡®Navayana Buddhism¡¯ or ¡®Neo-Buddhism¡¯, which is considered a re-interpretation of Buddhism.

Dr. Ambedakar was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990.

Why Do We Observe Good Friday?

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Christians observe Good Friday worldwide. It is considered to be the most sorrowful, sombre and sacred day of the year as Jesus Christ died on the cross for humanity. The day is observed in memory of Christ¡¯s Passion, crucifixion, and death. Good Friday is also called Holy Friday, Easter Friday, Great Friday or Black Friday.

On this day, churches remember Christ¡¯s death with hymns, thanksgiving prayers and observe the Lord¡¯s Supper. Catholics do not eat meat on the day but can eat fish instead. Usually, they fast on Good Friday unless they have health issues or are below the prescribed age.

The etymology of the term ¡®good¡¯ in Good Friday is debated as some say ¡®good¡¯ means holy, while others indicate that it is a modification of ¡®God Friday.¡¯

Why do We Celebrate Vaisakhi?

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The day of Vaisakhi marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is also a day to celebrate the year 1699 when Sikhism as a collective faith was born. The day is also the harvest festival of Punjab where farmers thank for a good harvest and pray for the same in the year to come. Vaisakhi is observed on 13 April and after every 36 years, on 14th April.

Vaisakhi is significant for the Sikh community for various reasons and one among many is the establishment of Khalsa Panth by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Khalsa is the collective name given to baptised Sikhs. Many Sikhs choose the day to be baptised in the Khalsa.

People of the community celebrate the day by visiting Gurdwaras and organising food charity or Langar Seva, colourful processions including Nagar kirtans. In Nagar kirtans, the community sings hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book.

Sadly, the day has bitter memories too as Jallianwala Bagh Massacre happened on 13 April 1919 which reflects a shameful act in British-Indian history. Several hundreds of people were killed on this day as British colonial officer General Dyer opened fire on gathered Indians to celebrate the Vaisakhi..

Hope we continue to live together in peace.

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