Happy Diwali!

The Five Days of Diwali

Otherwise known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a holiday of Hindu origin and is widely celebrated throughout India. The five-day event begins on the 13th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar, which falls in October or November. Celebrants light clay lamps, said to represent the destruction of anything negative […]

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Songpyun, a traditional Korean rice dish

Pining for Songpyun?

The Harvest Moon Festival, or Chuseok (meaning ‘Autumn Eve’), is one of Korea’s most cherished holidays. One of the main Harvest Moon Festival traditions is the food preparation, especially of songpyun; a traditional Korean rice cake made with pine needles. In Korean, Song means ‘pine tree’ and Pyun means ‘rice cake’. Oddly for a festival that takes […]

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Krishna

A Janmashtami Journey

Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is one of the most popular and important Hindu festivals. It marks the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who gave the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita – the guiding principles for every Hindu. In 2024, it falls on Monday August 26th and is celebrated with great […]

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Ramadan

Working during Ramadan in 2024

For most Islamic countries, Monday March 11th 2024 will be the first day of the Islamic month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan will last for 28 days, though the exact start and end dates in some countries is dependent on sightings on the moon. During Ramadan Muslims will fast from dawn until dusk, pray […]

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