The presentation contain a few main festivals celebrated in Pakistan and the presentation was presented at Jiangsu University of Science and technology, China.
3. Classification
Festivals:
• National Festivals
• Pakistan Day
• Independence Day
• Religious Festivals
• Eid-ul-Adha
• Eid-ul-Fitar
• Diwali & Holi
• Easter & Christmas
• Traditional & Cultural Festivals
• Shandur Polo Festival
• Baisakhi/Vaisakhi 3
4. National Festivals
1. Pakistan Resolution Day
• Republic Day
• The Lahore Resolution passed on 23rd March 1940.
• To commemorate and to honor the efforts of the
leaders and the significance of the resolution in
the country's history, the tower Minar-e-Pakistan
was built in 1960.
4
Independence Day
14th August 1947
6. Religious Festivals:
• Eid-ul-Fitar
• This is one of the most significant
religious festivals celebrated by
Muslims in Pakistan. It marks the end
of Ramadan (Islamic Calendar), the
holy month of fasting. Families come
together to celebrate with special
prayers, feasts, and the exchange of
gifts.
• First Eid-ul-Fitar was celebrated in 624
CE when Muslims in Madina
completed their first longest fasting
during the Holy month Ramadan. This
was initiated by the Last Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa(P.B.U.H).
6
7. Religious Festivals:
Eid-ul-Adha (Bakra Eid)
• It is a significant religious festival
celebrated by Muslims worldwide,
including Pakistan.
• This festival commemorates the
willingness of Prophet Ibrahim
(Abraham) A.S. to sacrifice his son as an
act of obedience to God. Before Ibrahim
A. S. could sacrifice his son, however,
Allah provided a lamb to sacrifice
instead.
• People sacrifice animals and distribute
the meat equally among family, friends,
and the less fortunate (Poor). 7
8. Religious Festivals:
Eid-ul-Adha
People do:
• Prayers
• Sacrifice animals
• Eid Greetings and visits
• Feasts and special
meals
• Charitable acts
• New Clothing and gifts
• Decorations and Lights
8
10. Religious Festivals:
Diwali ( A festival of Lights)
• The name is derived from the
Sanskrit term Dipavali, meaning “row
of lights”
• “The victory of light over darkness,
good over evil, and knowledge over
ignorance“
• It is celebrated between October and
November every year.
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11. Religious Festivals:
Holi ( A Festival of Colors)
• Celebrated in the end of
February or beginning of the
March each year. ( The last full
moon day of Sanskrit calendar)
• It is considered as triumph of
good over evil i.e. spring over
winter.
• There are two stories in Hindu
Methodology behind the Holi
celebration
11
12. Traditional & Cultural
Festivals:
• There are many ethnic, linguistic and religious
groups in Pakistan, so the reflection of festivals!
Like:
• Lok Mela
• Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lights)
• Chilam Joshi Festival ( By Kalash community from
Chitral)
• Shandur Polo Festival
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Zoroastrianism
The festival is rooted in Zoroastrianism, a religion practiced in ancient Persia that predates Christianity and Islam.
96.47% are Muslims, followed by 2.14% Hindus, 1.27% Christians, 0.09% Ahmadi Muslims and 0.02% others. These are some maps of religious minority groups. The 2017 census showed an increasing share in Hinduism, mainly caused by a higher birth rate among the impoverished Hindus of Sindh province.
Arabic Calendar (Lunar Calendar)
Sanskrit Calendar (Lunisolar Calendar)
Gregorian Calendar
Sahri and Iftar
(Video)
Good overcoming evil in Hinduism is rooted in the story of Hiranyakashipu. He was an ancient king who claimed to be immortal and demanded to be worshipped as a god. His son Prahlad was deeply devoted to worshipping the Hindu deity Vishnu, and Hiranyakashipu was angry that his son worshipped this god over him. According to the story, the Lord Vishnu appeared as half-lion and half-man, and killed Hiranyakashipu. In that way, good conquered evil.
Another story tied to the Holi Festival is that of Radha and Krishna. As the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishna, Krishna is seen by many as the supreme god. Krishna is said to have blue skin because as legend has it, he drank poisonous milk from a demon when he was a baby. Krishna fell in love with the goddess Radha, but feared she would not love him because of his blue skin – but Radha allowed Krishna to dye her skin with color, making them a true couple. On Holi, Festival participants apply color to each other’s skin in honor of Krishna and Radha.
Pakistan is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, and its traditional celebrations reflect the amalgamation of various ethnic, linguistic, and religious influences. Here are some of the traditional and cultural celebrations in Pakistan:
Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha: These are two major Islamic festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Pakistan. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, while Eid-ul-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
Basant: Although controversial and banned in some regions due to safety concerns, Basant is a traditional kite-flying festival celebrated predominantly in Punjab. The sky is filled with colorful kites, and people engage in friendly kite-flying competitions. Traditional foods and music add to the festive atmosphere.
Independence Day (August 14th): Pakistan's Independence Day commemorates the country's independence from British rule in 1947. The day is marked by patriotic events, flag hoisting, parades, and fireworks. People decorate their homes, wear green and white (the colors of the Pakistani flag), and participate in cultural programs.
Pakistan Day (March 23rd): Also known as Republic Day, this day commemorates the Lahore Resolution, which led to the creation of Pakistan. The celebrations include a military parade in Islamabad, showcasing the country's military strength and cultural diversity.
Lok Mela: This is a folk festival that showcases the diverse cultures of Pakistan. It includes traditional music, dance, crafts, and food from various regions, providing a platform to celebrate and preserve the country's cultural heritage.
Shandur Polo Festival: Held annually in July, the Shandur Polo Festival takes place in the Shandur Pass, known as the "Roof of the World." Polo teams from different regions compete in this high-altitude tournament, and the festival also features traditional music and dance.
Chilam Joshi Festival: Celebrated by the Kalash community in the Chitral district, this festival marks the arrival of spring. It includes traditional dances, music, and rituals, allowing people to celebrate nature and their unique cultural identity.
Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lights): This is a famous festival celebrated in Lahore to honor the Sufi saint Data Ganj Bakhsh. The shrine and the surrounding area are illuminated with lights, and people participate in devotional activities, including qawwali performances.
National Horse and Cattle Show: Held in Lahore, this event showcases Pakistan's rural and equestrian culture. It includes traditional sports, such as tent pegging and horse and cattle competitions, as well as folk music and dance performances.