Pakistan is a multicultural country with Islam as the dominant religion. Consequently, a number of cultural and religious festivals are being celebrated with great fervor. This article presents a brief but comprehensive description of the major festivals of Pakistan.
What is a festival?
The term ‘festival’ refers to an event or day that a religious, agrarian, or tribal community, etc. celebrates usually once a year. Some of the examples of religious festivals are Christmas, Easter, Eidul Adha, Holi, etc.
Festivals of Pakistan
The following is a description of each of the major religious and cultural festivals of Pakistan:
1. Eid-ul-fitre
- Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr at the end of the Month of Ramadhan on the 1st day of the Islamic month ‘Shawal’.
- on this day Muslims offer congressional prayers and greet each other.
- people make and wear new clothes and make different dishes at home.
- Families, friends, relatives visit each other and exchange gifts.
- People go on outings.
- Elders gift children with money (Eidi).
2. Eid-ul-Azha
- Muslims celebrate Eid ul Azha after the performance of the Haj on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Zilhaj.
- The essence of the observance of this Eid is to promote and revitalize the spirit of sacrifice for humanity by following the sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS)
- People offer congressional prayers and greet each other.
- Muslims slaughter halal animals and distribute meat among the deserving as per Islamic guidance.
- they make new clothes and make different dishes.
- Families, friends, relatives visit each other and exchange gifts.
- People go on outings with friends, family, and relatives.
- Elders gift children with money/ Eidi.
3. Eid Milad un Nabi
- Eid Milad un Nabi is the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on 12 Rabiul Awal
- Mehfil e naat is arranged at homes, schools, and mosques.
- Islamic scholars shed light on the life of the Prophet (PBUH)
- Muslims decorate homes, mosques, and markets with lights.
- The public holiday is observed.
- Special prayers are offered for the betterment of Pakistan, Muslim Umma, and humanity.
4. Nowroz
- Nowruz is basically a Persian festival. Communities in different parts of Pakistan celebrate with all zeal and excitement.
- It is a celebration of the start of the new year as per the ancient calendar new year starts on 21st
- People play music and perform traditional dances.
- People make different dishes as part of the celebrations of the Nawruz.
- They make new clothes and different dishes as part of celebrations.
- Families, friends, relatives visit each other and exchange gifts.
- They also go on outings.
- Elders gift children with money called Eedi.
5. Basant
- People in Punjab celebrate Basant which is a cultural festival to welcome the month of Spring.
- Kite flying is the main characteristic of this festival.
- People make new clothes, play music and perform dance
6. Holi
Hindu community worldwide celebrate Holly a religious festival in Hinduism. This festival is also called the festival of colors. Rituals i.e. bone fire, festive foods, dance, and playing with colors characterize this festival. In this event, an effigy of Holika is made and kept on the top of the fire to burn in a symbolic demonstration of killing the devil and victory of good over evil.
7. Religious Festivals of Christianity Community
A considerable number of Christianity community members also live in Pakistan. Their religious festivals include Christmas and Easter. Christian community members celebrate this festival with full zeal. they arrange ceremonies related to this festival at main churches and homes.
