Chand Raat Mubarak -- Tonight is Expected to be Chand Raat

For Muslims across the globe, Eid-ul-Fitr, or Meethi (Sweet) Eid as it is known in Pakistan and India, is one of the favourite celebrations of the Muslim calendar.

1st Shawwal: Muslims Mark the End of Holy Ramadan and Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “charity” and so the holiday symbolises the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated starting on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

New Dresses, Matching Shoes, Mehndi (Henna), Bangles (Churiyan) All Are Part of Eid and Chand Raat Festivities

Festival before Eid-ul-Fitr – Chand Raat:

'Chand Raat' is considered to be the eve of Eid Moon or the night of the sighting of the new moon. The term Chand Raat refers to the evening on which first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal is sighted. Chand Raat (pre-Eid night) is celebrated as a very special occasion by Muslims all over the world.

Chand Raat: A Festival Night Before Eid-ul-Fitr

Chand Raat (pre-Eid night) is a multicultural Islamic celebration/event. Chand Raat which means 'night of the moon ' in the Urdu language marks the end of Ramadan and the start of month of Shawwal and Eid-ul-Fitr falls on 1st of Shawwal (10th month of Islamic/lunar calendar).


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Shandur Festival 2011 - - Began Today at the World’s Highest Polo Ground

Shandur Fesival 2011 Began Today

The annual Shandur polo festival kicked off today which has attracted large number of tourists after many years of tourism slump due to security concerns in the whole region.

Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, inaugurated the event while Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would be chief guest at the concluding session.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar, Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah besides other ministers and lawmakers would also attend the event.

Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on behalf of TCKP and people of the province had already invited the newly-wed royal couple, Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton, to watch the final of the polo tournament.

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Shandur Polo Festival, Chitral - - History and Background of the Game of Kings

Polo - - The King of Games and The Game of Kings

Polo in Pakistan:

 

The sport of free style polo had its beginnings in Baltistan Northern Area of Pakistan. Baltistan's princely kingdoms adopted the sport and made it their own, with their natural proclivity for riding. Kingdoms kept special stables for polo ponies, and their teams included among the very best in the world. Very often, the players were the rulers and members of their families, though their armies also encouraged the sport. In fact, if the sport has a presence in the country today, it is because the former royal families have continued to provide encouragement for it.

Polo continues, as it has done for so long, to represent the pinnacle of sport, and reaffirms the special bond between horse and rider. The feelings of many of its players are epitomized by a famous verse inscribed on a stone tablet next to a polo ground in Gilgit, Pakistan: "Let others play at other things. The king of games is still the game of kings."

 

History of Polo:

 

Polo is possibly the oldest recorded team sport in known history, with the first matches being played in Persia over 2500 years ago. Initially thought to have been created by competing tribes of Central Asia, it was quickly taken up as a training method for the King’s elite cavalry. These matches could resemble a battle with up to 100 men to a side. 

 

As mounted armies swept back and forth across this part of the world, conquering and re-conquering, polo was adopted as the most noble of pastimes by the Kings and Emperors, Shahs and Sultans, Khans and Caliphs of the ancient Persians, Arabs, Mughals, Mongols and Chinese. It was for this reason it became known across the lands as "the game of kings". 

 

British officers themselves re-invented the game in 1862 after seeing a horsemanship exhibition in Manipur, India. The sport was introduced into England in 1869, and seven years later sportsman James Gordon Bennett imported it to the United States. After 1886, English and American teams occasionally met for the International Polo Challenge Cup. Polo was on several Olympic games schedules, but was last an Olympic sport in 1936.

 

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Sindhi Topi: Cultural Symbol of Rich Heritage - Sindh to Observe 2nd Sindhi Topi Day on December 4

Sindh Province is very rich in terms of heritage, culture and distinctive traditions. Sindhi Topi (cap) and Ajrak are the indispensable part of this culture and traditions. People of Sindh love to use Sindhi Topi (cap) and Ajrak as a part of their daily dress. It is usually offered to guests, along with a traditional Sindhi Ajrak, as a token of respect.

Last year people of Sindh observed the first ever Sindhi Topi (cap) Day on December 6. The call to celebrate the day was responded enthusiastically and people showed their love to their culture and tradition; especially Sindhi Topi (cap). 

Sindhi Topi Day - December 6, 2010

 In 2010, it is decided to observe the Sindhi Topi (cap) day on December 4. It is now being regarded as the Culture Day. As the December 4 is approaching; arrangement are being finalized to observe the 2nd Sindhi Topi (cap) Day. It is announced that seminars and symposiums will be organized and rallies will be taken out with Sindhi Topi (cap) and Ajrak on.

On this culture Day; Sindhi Topi (cap) and Ajrak will be distributed among common people to highlight the significance of Sindhi culture and to make this day memorable.

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Sindhi Topi (Sindhi Cap): The Most Essential Part of The Sindhi Culture - - Sindh Celebrated The First Ever "Sindhi Topi Day"

Chand Raat - - A Night Full of Celebration and Happiness

"Chand Raat" ... Festival Before Eid:

'Chand Raat' is considered to be the eve of Eid Moon or the night of the sighting of the new moon. The term Chand Raat refers to the evening on which first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal is observed. It is celebrated as a very special occasion by Muslims all over the world. Chand Raat (pre-Eid night) is a multicultural Islamic celebration/event. Chand Raat which means 'night of the moon ' in the Urdu language marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid ul Fitr. Since the Islamic Calendar is lunar, Eid ul-Fitr is on the first of Shawwal - the tenth month of the Islamic year.

"Chand Raat" ... Markets and Bazaars:

On this special night, City streets, markets, shopping malls gives a look of a festival. They are decorated very brightly. Markets and shopping malls remain open till late night. This is the eve on which gifts are exchanged among friends, family and loved ones. People wear their best dresses to celebrate and enjoy this eve. Parents try their best to get the best clothes and Eid gifts for their children so that they can enjoy the full excitement of Eid day.

"Chand Raat" ... And Bangles (Churiyan):

Woman always inclined towards jewellery on special occasions like Eid and hardly imagine about Eid celebration without jewellery and makeup. Colourful and Bright Churiyan (bangles) lit the whole market with its beauty and vibrant colours.

People from all age groups can be seen in the markets buying Bangles for themselves or their loved ones. The tradition of buying bangles for Eid on the “Chand Raat” (The night before Eid) is still a much practiced Eid ritual.

The young girls would take to the markets on the night before Eid where they would buy colourful bangles and specially prepared ‘bangle sets’ to be worn on Eid Day. Bangles have been an integral part of a women’s life since her childhood in the subcontinent.

"Chand Raat" ... And Henna (Mehndi):

The latest type of henna (Mehndi) “glitter tattoos” and Bangles in different patterns and designs have hit the markets, as colourful henna tattoos with glossy appeal add magnificence to the Eid festivities.

Shiny bangles, jewellery, bright clothes with matching footwear are part and parcel of the Eid festivities but applying glittering henna on hands and feet bring real fun for the young girls on “Chand Raat”.

Now the henna tattoos are also available in markets and are easy to paste on hands and feet and can be removed easily. The young girls admire henna tattoos associated with celebrations of Eid specifically.