Chand Raat 2011: A Festival Night before Eid-ul-Fitr - Shopping, Bangles, Mehndi, Fun and Celebrations

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).

Activities and Celebrations on Chand Raat:

Chand Raat activities and festivities start with the first sighting of the moon. Children, adults, young, old, ladies and gents all celebrate the Eid moon sighting with passion and zeal. 

Wish Each Other Chand Raat Mubarak

As children we used to wait for the sighting of the moon and the announcement after it was seen. What a frenzy when all the family members would be on the roofs of their houses to see the new crescent emerge once the last fast (or 'Roza' in Urdi and ‘Soam’ in Arabic) had been finished with dates, cold drink and 'pakoras' and samosas. Every body without any age limit, full of enthusiasm, wishes each other Chand mubarak or Eid ka Chand mubarak .

"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. 

Chand Raat: Bazaars and markets will remain open almost all the 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):

Chand Raat: Every female wants beautiful  bangles matching with dress and shoes

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. 

Chand Raat: Ladies concentrate on matching jewellery and accessories

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.

Chand Raat: A night with colors and brightness visible in eyes

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 Mehndi (Henna):

Chand Raat: Celebrations are incomplete without Mehndi (Henna)

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”.

Chand Raat: Beautiful Mehndi designs are made on hands and feet

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.

Shandur Polo Festival Kicked Off Today - - Inaugurated by Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah

Shandur Polo Festival Kicked Off Today (Thursday/July 7)

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.

Large number of local tourists mostly from down country (Punjab and Sindh), besides local polo fans are heading for the hot spot on the cool plateau at 12000 ft above sea level where traditional rivals Gilgit and Chitral will match their horse and man skill in a three day trial of Istor Ghal (polo) competitition. Other side shows like para gliding, tug of war, cultural shows etc have also been added to keep the visitors entertained.

For the first time Gilgit has been given rights over sharing arrangements of the festival and CM GB is scheduled to inaugurate the festival today. Though no official announcement has been made on the who will be the chief guest on the final day, but it is speculated that either the President or the PM would attend the closing day ceremony on Saturday.

'Lok Mela' Oepns Today (June 4, 2011) in Islamabad - - Cultural Entertainment with an Opportunity to Buy Handcrafts from All of Four Provinces

Lok Mela 2011 Opens June 4, 2011 in Islamabad

The artisans-at-work festival popularly known as ‘Lok Mela’ will formally open today (Saturday, June 4) in a prestigious ceremony to be held at Garden Avenue, Shakarparian. 

Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan will inaugurate the festival at Lok Virsa Open Air Theatre.

According to Lok Virsa traditions, the festival will open with a ‘Dastarbandi/Chadarposhi’ of an established master artisan.

Hundreds of craftsmen, folk artists, rural musicians and dance groups have already arrived in Islamabad from all the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir to demonstrate their skills for 10 days.

From Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa, a contingent of over 60 people is participating in the festival. They include Khattak dance group, master artisans in specialised craft fields such as embroidery, metal work, wax printing, Shawl weaving, Khes weaving and wood works and a number of folk artists. KPK musical night will be held at Lok Virsa open air theatre on June 10. Leading folk singers and musicians such as Gulraiz Khan, Bakhtiar Khattak, Salma Naz, Ahmed Gul, Rafia Bano, Israr Khan, comedian Saeed Rehman Sheno, Khalida Yasmin, Shazma Haleem, Sher Muhammad (rubab nawaz), Khan Muhammad (tabla nawaz) and Ali (harmonium player) would perform during the Lok Mela.

Besides Khattak dancers from KPK, other folk dance groups who would entertainment visitors during the festival are Multani raqs party ‘Gatta Ghora’, Leva dance group from Balochistan and Sheedi dancers from Sindh.

The festival would provide an opportunity to the diplomatic community and residents of the twin cities to have cultural entertainment and to buy handcrafts at reasonable prices.

The craftsmen would also get a chance to sell their products.

Source: Dawn

Second Day Celebrations of Eid ul Azha - - Three Special Dishes, Everybody Would Love to Enjoy on Bakra Eid

Second Day Celebrations of Eid ul Azha:

Pakistanis celebrated the second day of Eid ul Azha with religious zeal and fervour today.

The process of slaughtering of animals began soon after Fajr prayers, shared animals were also slaughtered.

After the sacrifice, meat is distributed among the poor, neighbors and relatives. During the process of meat distribution, the old, young and children took great interest and enjoyed the practice.

Eid ul Azha is being celebrated with slaughtering animals and arranging parties for friends and relatives.

Three Special Dishes on The Feast of Eid ul Azha

• Pepper Steak
• Chapli Kabab
• Beef/Mutton Pulao

Personally, I love these three dishes and love to enjoy especially on Bakra Eid (Eid ul Azha). I hope my readers will also give a try to these dishes using the recipes below.

• Pepper Steak:

Ingredients:

Beef 1/2 kilo (undercut)
Black pepper powder 1 table spoon
Mustard powder 1 tea spoon
Salt (to taste)
Ghee 2 table spoon

For the sauce
Vinegar 2 table spoon
Garlic 2 cloves (crushed)
Worcestershire sauce 1 table spoon
Salt (one pinch)
Margarine 1 table spoon 

Cooking Method:

1.      First spread the steaks on the cutting board and with a heavy knife pound it and spread it evenly then apply mustard pd, black pepper pd and salt over it and keep it aside.
2.      On 2 separate stoves keep 2 fry pans on it we can even alternate the frying pan with a big tawa.
3.      But the other pan should be smaller.
4.      On a high flame brown the steak for 1 minute on both sides each.
5.     In the other frying pan heat margarine, in that add garlic cloves, sauce, vinegar and salt and cook  it very nicely, when a strong steam oozes out of it then drizzle this over the steak.
6.     The steak should be served as soon as it is made.
7.     This is the way it tends to remain tasty.

• Chapli Kabab:

Ingredients:

• 1 kilogram of Beef (Keema) (finely minced)
• 1 tea spoon Red Chilli Powder (Pisi Lal Mirch) (crushed)
• ½ tea spoon Black Pepper (Pisi Kaali Mirch) (coarsely ground)
• 1 tea spoon Coriander (Dhania) (coarsely ground and roasted)
• 1 tea spoon Cumin Seeds (Sufaid Zeera) (roasted and finely ground)
• 4 Green Chillies (Hari Mirch) (finely chopped)
• 1 medium Onion (finely sliced)
• 4 Tomatoes (finely chopped)
• 1 bunch of Fresh Mint Leaves (Podina) (finely chopped)
• 1 bunch of Fresh Coriander Leaves (Hara Dhania)
• Salt (to taste)
• 1 Egg

• ½ cup Cooking Oil

 

Cooking Method:

1. Mix all of the ingredients with minced beef and knead mixture well. Set aside for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Take about 1 ¼ table spoons of meat mixture in your hand. Place it in center of palm. Roll it to form a smooth ball. Flatten the ball by pressing firmly between your palms. These Kabas should be a little bigger in size than usual round Kababs.
3. Heat oil in frying pan. When oil gets hot lower heat and fry Kababs until done normally, up to the taste.  

• Mutton/Beef Pulao:

Ingredients:

• Mutton/ Beef – 2 lb
• Basmati Rice – 3 Cups
• Onions(medium sized) – 2 chopped into pieces
• Ghee(Clarified Butter) – 3 tablespoons
• Tomatoes(medium) – 2 chopped into pieces of four
• Green Chilies – 3 to 5
• Garlic Paste – 1 tsp
• Garlic – 1 big head
• Cloves – 10
• Black Pepper – 1 tsp
• Cumin – 1tsp
• Cashew Nuts - 12 to 15
• Raisins - 10
• Water – 4 and half cups of water
• Oil – one third cup
• Salt to taste

 

Cooking Method:

1. Soak the rice in water for half an hour.
2. Heat 1 tsp of ghee (clarified butter) in a pan and fry the cashew nuts and raisins. Keep aside.
3. Take 4-1/2 cups of water in another big pan or pressure cooker. Add the mutton/beaf, the chopped onion (one), the chopped tomato(one), the cloves and the head of garlic.
4. Cook for at least 30 minutes. If using beef then at least 45-50 minutes. The meat has to be tender (dig a fork into the meat and see if it goes through easily without breaking it, the indication being that it is cooked well). If using a pressure cooker keep cooking the lamb for 10-15 minutes after one steam in low heat and 20 for beef.
5. All these above ingredients cooked with water will serve as the stock for the Pulao.
6. In another big pan heat 2 tea spoons of ghee, the oil and then add the cumin seeds and the second onion finely chopped. Sauté till the onion takes on a yellowish/brownish hue and becomes a little pulpy.
7. Add 1 tea spoon of garlic paste, the second tomato finely chopped and sauté them.
8. Take out the meat and cook it with this pulp. Sprinkle the black pepper.
9. Now bring the stock to a boiling point and then add the soaked basmati rice. Cook the whole thing in medium flame, stirring it with a spoon from time to time till it gets cooked and the water almost evaporates.(If the stock is not enough, add water as required when mixing with the rice).
10. Once the water almost escapes add the cashew nuts and raisins and keep it aside covered with a lid for about 5 minutes more.
11. Your Pulao is ready. Serve the delicious dish with Raita.

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.

Shandur Polo Festival:

At various tourist festivals in the North, polo has been introduced as a friendly, competitive sport. Perhaps the only place in the world where it is played, the game provides a great deal of amusement and mirth, but is not yet a serious pursuit.

In Pakistan Shandur invites visitors to experience a traditional polo tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit. Along with Shandur, Chitral and Gilgit there are also formidable polo teams in Shigar Baltistan, Kharmang, Rondu, Khapulo, Skardu, Astor, and Nagar.

Held once a year during the months of July or August, it is one of the most outstanding festivals that are held on Pakistan's Northern areas - The Shandur Polo Festival. The polo ground placed in Shandur (Chitral) is the highest polo ground in the world at 3,700 meters and visitors spend a whole week watching exciting polo matches with traditional music.A whole new world is built at Shandur before the event. Visitors take the advantage of having a breath-taking view of Shandur with its beautiful lush green mountains and not to forget its pure water lake. The festival provides visitors with the thrilling excitement of polo in its true form. Its true form means no rules and regulations, plus the traditional music played throughout each match. Along with polo, you will find hundreds of local and foreign tourists. The archrival teams of Gilgit and Chitral fight for the trophy. As hundreds of spectators watch the two teams take on each other.

Gilgit, Chitral and Skardu have always played the game of polo closest to its original form. In the past, local Khans, Mirs and Mehtars were the patrons of the game. At times, more than 50% of the annual budget of their principalities would be spent on supporting the game.

"Chand Raat" 2010 - - Alwida Ramadan Kareem, Welcome to Eid

"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.

Young girls shopping on Chand Raat



Read the latest and more comprehensive article on Chand Raat 2011 and its festivities  

Good Bye 2009.....Welcome 2010 - - New Year's Celebration in Pakistan

The New Year is celebrated by two ways in Pakistan. There is a group of people who follow the traditional zeal of Islam and there are also those follow to the foot steps of West.

New Year in Pakistan is marked by a difference owing to their distinct cultural background and ethnic background. Pakistan is a land of diverse cultures, which also presents a multi lingual, and a multi ethnic background. It is home to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley civilization. New Year in Pakistan is celebrated in March every year.

Pakistani New Year is traditionally referred as “Nawrooz” or ‘New Day’. Like most of the other countries which celebrates 1st of January as the New Year day, this day is officially declared as New Year in Pakistan. It is a time of celebrations, merriment and revelry. The festival of Nawrooz lasts for nearly six days marked by celebrations and enthusiasm, and passion. People welcome the New Year with the hope that the coming year will be more prosperous, successful and full of happiness as compared to the year gone by. The people of Pakistan usher in the New Year with hope and eagerness and the excitement is quite palpable.



New Year celebrations in Pakistan are marked by a difference due to the diverse and distinct cultural background. Different regions and provinces of the country have their different reasons to celebrate the day and their style of celebrating it may also vary. People in the mountain valleys of Pakistan like the hilly Chitral region observe the New Year as the harvest time of grapes and walnuts. It is better known as ‘Mela Chiragan’ or ‘Basant’.

In some parts of the country, the day is welcomed in a traditional manner with religious rituals and prayers being performed in mosques by the people. In popular cities of Pakistan, such as Lahore, Karachi, preparations for the New Year starts days before the arrival of the actual day. Different households welcome the New Year in different manner. In most of the houses, women folk become busy in cleaning the houses and people buy new clothes and prepare large variety of delightful dishes to entertain the guests and the family members. People also offer prayers or “namaz” at the nearest mosque and greet each other.

New Year celebrations begin with the New Year’s Eve in Pakistan when gunshots are fired in the air to signify the start of a new year. This is also a time for different art and traditional folk music festivals, which are held to mark the occasion and the festive mood. People look forward to this day with great enthusiasm and optimism. New Year in Pakistan is also the time for resolutions for bringing about more stability and peace in the country.

"Basant": The Traditional Festival of Colours and Hapiness - - Basant (Kite-Flying Festival) is Celebrated to Welcome Spring Season

In Pakistan all seasons have their own festivities, each has a different flavour. Pakistan shares all it's festivities with its neighbouring countries like India.

Lahore is the provincial capital of Punjab. It's a very historical city, Mughals who ruled the subcontinent found this city their favourite if you happen to visit this fascinating city you'll find a lot of monuments still showing that Mughals ruled this part of the world for a massive period of time. Lahore is such a famous city especially in Pakistan that people of Pakistan are used to say that (it's a term in Punjabi language which means) "One who hasn't seen Lahore has seen nothing".

Traditionally its said that Basant is celebrated to bid farewell to the winter season and to announce the arrival of spring season. Basant is celebrated in a big way in Pakistan and has become a very powerful traditional festival of Pakistan. It's a kite-flying festival which had originated from India and now it's famous across Pakistan especially in the Punjab province. In Lahore Basant is celebrated in the month of February usually around 20th of February. Lahorians prepare for the big event with a lot of enthusiasm and zeal. They start the preparation for the festival very early.

Basant is celebrated on Saturday evening which is usually called as night Basant. The night Basant is totally different thing to see. People prepare for the night Basant by putting floodlights on their roofs. If you get a look of sky at the night Basant you find that sky is covered with white kites floating in the sky like stars representing a spectacular scene. People especially ladies wear yellow clothes, which is a traditional dress of Basant. In contrast to night Basant the Basant on day is a totally different experience because unlike night now people fly colourful kites and sky is covered with vivid colours.

In March, Basant is celebrated in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The same is the scene here and same is the passion. In whatever city this fascinating festival is celebrated people love to come and enjoy. Hotels are packed to capacity and quite often it happens that people don't even find a room to stay. The reason for that is that not only people from all across the country come to participated in this festival with the locals but also people from neighbouring countries like India come to Pakistan to take part in this flamboyant festival.

For the last few years more and more organizations are celebrating this festival as commercial venture. This year the government has also jumped in to promote the festival so as to promote the culture of Pakistan. It has been made a part of spring festivities which continue for about one and a half month and includes fun fairs, flower shows, food fairs and kite flying competitions.

Kite making has developed into a big industry in Pakistan. Thousands of people are involved in this industry and are earning their livelihood from kites and thread. The small festival originating from Lahore has now spread all over the country enlightening the welcoming festivities of spring.