Each month, we ask our Crowd to tell us about the special holidays they celebrate. March is all about International Women’s History Month and more! Read on to learn more about how our Contributors celebrated.
March 6, Māgha Pūjā (Thailand)
Māgha Pūjā is a Buddhist festival that is celebrated on the full moon of the third lunar month. The celebrations take place in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Sir Lanka. It is considered to be the second most important festival after Vesak. Māgha Pūjā celebrates the gathering held between the Buddha and his first disciples. In Thailand, the term Māgha-pūraṇamī is used for the celebration meaning, “to honor on the full moon of the third lunar month.”
It is also referred to as Buddhist All Saints Day. The festival focuses on the three fundamental teachings of the Buddha: refraining from harm, performing wholesome deeds, and purifying the mind.
March 8, International Women’s Day (Worldwide)
International Women’s Day is a global holiday that recognizes the women’s rights movement and was inspired by the women’s suffrage movement. International Women’s Day originated as a result of labor movements during the early 20th century as women spoke out about gender inequality in the workforce. The first known version of the holiday was in 1909 and was held by the Socialist Party of America in New York City.
International Women’s Day is a public holiday in several countries. Observances of this holiday include bringing awareness to the achievements of women throughout the years and calls to action to improve women’s rights.
March 8, Holi (India)
Holi is a popular Hindu festival also known as the Festival of Colors, Love, and Spring. This holiday celebrates the love of the gods Radha and Krishna. Holi originated and is predominately observed in India but has spread to other regions of Asia and parts of the Western world as well.
Celebrations begin the night before Holi with the Holika Dahan where people gather together and perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire. The next day is Rangwali Holi (Dhuleti) where people smear and drench each other with colored powder, water guns and water-filled balloons.
According to our Contributor, Chandrashekhar, “The most interesting information about Holi are that it starts with bonfires, we play with colors to symbolize equality, and people cook a variety of delicious food. “
