Introduction Bangladesh has a long history in its culture. The land, the

rivers, and the lives of the Bengali people formed a rich

heritage with marked differences from neighboring regions. It has

evolved over the centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity

of several social groups of Bangladesh. The Bengal Renaissance of

the 19th and early 20th centuries, noted Bengali writers, saints,

authors, scientists, researchers, thinkers, music composers,

painters, and film-makers have played a significant role in the

development of Bengali culture. The Bengal Renaissance contained

the seeds of a nascent political Indian nationalism and was the

precursor in many ways to modern Indian artistic and cultural

expression. The culture of Bangladesh is composite and over the

centuries has assimilated influences of Hinduism, Jainism,

Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. It is manifested in various

forms, including music, dance, and drama; art and craft; folklore

and folktale; languages and literature; philosophy and religion;

festivals and celebrations; as well as in a distinct cuisine and

culinary tradition.

1 | P a g e

Bangladeshi Event, Culture & Society

Hierarchy

Bangladesh is a hierarchical society.

People are respected because of their age and position.

Older people are naturally viewed as wise and are granted

respect.

Bangladeshis expect the most senior male, by age or

position, to make decisions that are in the best interest of

2 | P a g e

the group. This is also valid in businesses, the majority of

which will be family owned/run.

Religion

The majority of Bangladeshis are Muslim. However, most still

very much mix this with pre-Islam folk traditions.

Bangladeshis identify with the folk traditions of Bengali

culture. This includes belief in shamanism and the powers of

fakirs (Muslim holy men who are exorcists and faith

healers), ojhaa (someone with magical healing powers), and

Bauls (religious mendicants and wandering musicians).

There is a strong tradition of music, dance, and literature

that includes classical devotions of Hindu and Muslim music.

Festivals

Islam defines many of the festivals in Bangaldesh. These

include two Eids (one after Ramadan and one after the Hajj)

Shab-e-Qadr (the night of power), Milad un-Nabi (birth date

of the Prophet Muhammad) and Shab-e-Barat (the night of the

fortune).

Hindu influences festivals include Durga Puja and Kali Puja

(community worshipping of Goddess Durga and Kali).

3 | P a g e

On the whole an entire community participates in each

other's religious ceremonies.

Customs and Etiquette in Bangladesh

Meeting & Greeting

Greetings usually take place between members of the same

sex.

The hand shake is common although they may feel rather limp.

Women will only really be met within business contexts and

even so, it is best to wait to see if a hand is extended

before doing so.

The traditional greeting for Muslims is Asalamu alaikum to

which the response is wa alaikum salam.

Naming conventions are very much based on the hierarchical

nature of Bangladeshi society.

Bangladeshis will append a suffix to a person's name to

denote respect and the level of closeness between the two

people.

In general, age dictates how people are addressed.

4 | P a g e

If people are of the same age, they use first names.

If the person being addressed is older than the speaker, the

person is called by their first name and a suffix that

denotes the family relationship.

Gift Giving Etiquette

Gifts are mainly given between family members at religious

holidays, especially after Ramadan and Hajj.

In cities, it is becoming more common for gifts to be given

on birthdays.

In Bangladesh the importance of gifts is in the thought

rather than the value. Part of the reason lies in the fact

that gifts should be generally reciprocated and it would be

considered rude to offer someone a gift that is difficult to

reciprocate.

Some general gift giving etiquette guidelines include:

When visiting a Bangladeshi's home, it is more common to

bring pastries, sweets or good quality chocolates.

If bringing flowers avoid frangipanis as they are used at

funerals.

Similarly white flowers indicate mourning.

5 | P a g e

Do not give alcohol or products containing non-halal meat to

Muslims.

Never give money.

It is considered bad form to open gifts in front of the

giver. Gifts are given with two hands.

Dining Etiquette

If meeting with people for dinner here are some basic rules

on etiquette and protocol.

If invited to a meal it is rude to flatly turn the

invitation down. One should always use less direct language

to suggest that it may be difficult such as "I will try." or

"I will have to see".

Meals both inside the house and outside will usually be same

sex.

Many people eat with their hands and it may be that you

share food from a common dish.

It would not be seen as impolite if you asked for utensils.

Ensure you wash your hands before eating.

6 | P a g e

Guests are generally served first then the oldest,

continuing in order of seniority.

Do not start eating until the oldest person at the table

begins.

You will constantly be urged to take more food. Simply

saying "I'm full" will be taken as a polite gesture and not

accepted at face value. It is therefore always best to pace

yourself to allow for more servings.

The left hand is considered unclean so only eat, pass dishes

or drink with the right hand.

Family Events of Bangladesh

1. Wedding event

A traditional wedding is arranged by Ghotoks (matchmakers), who

are generally friends or relatives of the couple. The matchmakers

7 | P a g e

facilitate the introduction, and also help agree the amount of

any settlement.

In Muslim marriages another settlement to make which is called

'Mahr' or 'Kabin' to be paid by the groom to the bride - which is

a religious requirement.

Bengali weddings are traditionally in four parts: the

bride's gaye holud, the groom's gaye holud, the wedding ceremony,

and the reception. These often take place on separate days. The

first event in a wedding is an informal one: the groom presents

the bride with a ring marking the "engagement" which is gaining

popularity. This can sometimes be considered as Ashirwaad.

A Bengali Hindu Marriage can be divided into the following parts:

Pre-wedding Rituals: Adan Pradan, Patri Patra, Ashirvad, Aai Budo Bhaat,

Vridhi, Dodhi Mangal, Holud Kota, Adhibas Tatva, Kubi Patta, Snan, Saankha

Porano

Wedding Rituals: Bor Boron, Potto Bastra, Saat Paak, Mala Badal, Subho

Drishti, Sampradan, Yagna, Saat Pak (couple), Anjali, Sindur Daan and Ghomta

Post-Wedding Rituals: Bashar Ghar, Bashi Biye, Bidaye, Bou Boron, Kaal

Ratri, Bou Bhaat, Phool Sajja, Dwira Gaman

8 | P a g e

1.1 Engagement

An engagement or betrothal is a promise to marry, and also the

period of time between proposal and marriage – which may be

lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to

be betrothed, affianced, engaged to be married, or

simply engaged. Future brides and grooms may be called the

betrothed, a wife-to-be or husband-to-be, fiancée or fiancé,

respectively (from the French word fiancer). The courtship

varies vastly.

Long engagements were once common in formal arranged

marriages and it was not uncommon for parents betrothing

children to arrange such many years before the engaged couple

were old enough to marry.

9 | P a g e

1.2 Mehndi Celebration

Mehndi is a ceremonial art form which originated in ancientIndia. Muslims also use it as an upcoming of age. Intricatepatterns of mehndi are typically appliedto brides before wedding ceremonies. The bridegroom is alsopainted in some parts of India. In Rajasthan, the grooms aregiven designs that are often as elaborate as those for brides.In Assam, apart from marriage, it is broadly used by unmarriedwomen during Rongali bihu, but there are no restrictions onits use by married women.Henna is also common in some gulf states, specially Yemen,where the night before the wedding night is dedicated todecorating the bride with henna, and called "Henna night".Some Muslims also use henna as a dye for their hair and forthe beards of males - intended to follow the presumedtradition of their prophet, Muhammad, who is said to have usedturmeric dye in his beard. It's considered a "sunnah" and akinto something fortunate/good. In one narration by him, heencouraged Muslim women to dye their nails with henna so theirhands could be distinguished from the hands of a male. In theMiddle East and Africa, it is common for women to apply hennato their fingernails and toenails and to their hands.In Bangladesh, henna is applied to women and girls during Eid,weddings, and visits to important people or relatives.  Inmost countries, henna is seen as a way for women to beautifythemselves (as jewels), so is well decorated and applied withgood care.

10 | P a g e

Weddings in Bangladesh, Pakistan or India can often be long,ritualistic, and elaborate affairs with many pre-wedding,wedding and post wedding ceremonies. The occasion of Mehndiceremony is often one of the most important pre-weddingrituals especially for the bride. It is a fun filled ritual,which is celebrated mainly by the bride's family. Differentregions of the country celebrate the ritual in a different wayaccording to their own marriage customs, rituals, and culture.The ceremony is mainly held at the bride's house or at abanquet hall on the eve of the marriage ceremony or few daysbefore the marriage. Generally the bride and groom attend theevent together and on the occasion a professional henna artistor a relative applies mehndi to the bride's hands and feet.The designs are very intricate. Often hidden within the mehndipattern the name or initials of the groom are applied. Theevent generally has a celebratory festival feel to it with thewomen dancing and singing traditional songs and the girlswearing vivid colors such as hot pink and yellow, often if thebride to be wishes to tease her future groom she will make him

11 | P a g e

wear purple. The groom usually wears jutti instead of westernfootwear.

1.3 Turmeric Ceremony / Gayee Halud

The turmeric ceremonies or gaye holud (Bengali: গগগগগ গগগগ gaeeholud, lit. "Yellowing the body") take place before the weddingceremony. There is one turmeric ceremony for the bride and onefor the groom. For the bride's gaye holud, the groom's family- except the groom himself - go in procession to the bride'shome. They carry with them the bride's wedding outfit, weddingdecoration including turmeric paste and henna, sweetmeats andgifts. They also take two large fish decorated as a groom andbride. There are local variations on this tradition, such asthe number of fish, the party responsible for cooking the fishand time the fish is taken to the groom's family.

12 | P a g e

The procession traditionally centers on the (younger) femalerelative and friends of bride, and they are traditionally allin matching clothes, mostly orange in colour. The bride isseated on a dais, and the henna is used to decorate thebride's hands and feet with elaborate abstract designs. Theturmeric paste is applied by the bride's friends to her body.This is said to soften the skin, but also colours her with thedistinctive yellow hue that gives its name to this ceremony.The sweets are then fed to the bride by all involved, piece bypiece. There is, of course, a feast for the guests. Thegroom's gaye holud comes next, and has the same form as thebridal ceremony.

1.4 Wedding ceremony

13 | P a g e

The wedding ceremony (Bengali: গগগগগ or গগগগগ bibaho/bie)follows the gaye holud ceremonies. As the wedding ceremony isarranged by the bride's family, much of the traditions revolvearound embarrassing the groom. The groom, along with hisfriends and family, traditionally arrive later than thebride's side. As they arrive, the younger members of thebride's family barricade the entrance to the venue, demandingmoney from the groom in return for allowing him to enter.There is a bargaining between groom and the bride's familymembers on the amount of money of the admission. There istypically much good-natured pushing and shoving involved.Another custom is for the bride's younger siblings, friends,and cousins to conceal the groom's shoes for money; to getthem back the groom must usually pay off the children.Siblings, friends and cousins also play many practical jokeson the groom.

For a Hindu wedding, a priest asks the couple tochant mantras from the holy texts that formalizes the following:

Kanya sampradaan (Bengali: গগগগগগগগগগগগগগ konnasomprodan lit."giving the bride"): the ceremonial giving away of the brideby the father of the bride

14 | P a g e

Saat Paake Ghora Bengali: সসস সসসস সসসস (The couple walks round the ceremonialfire seven times.  Saptapadi, Bengali: সসসসসসস.)''

For a Muslim wedding, the bride and groom are seated separately,and a kazi (person authorized by the government to perform thewedding), accompanied by the parents and

a witness (Bengali: গগগগগগগ wakil) from each side formally asksthe bride for her consent to the union, and then the groom forhis.At this time, for Muslim weddings, the amount ofthe dowry or mahr is verified, and if all is well, the formalpapers are signed, and the couple are seated side by side on

a dais. The bride's veil (Bengali: গগগগ or গগগগগ orna/ghomṭa) isdraped over both the bride and groom, and a mirror is placed infront of them. The groom is then supposed to say somethingromantic on what he sees in the mirror—notionally the first timehe has laid eyes on his bride. A traditional answer is to saythat he has seen the moon. The bride and groom then feed eachother sweets, while the bride's family members try to push thegroom's face into the food. All the guests then celebrate theunion with a feast.

15 | P a g e

In Hindu marriages on the day of the marriage (after weddingceremony is over), close friends and relatives remain awake forthe entire night. This is called the Basor Raat. Generally the dayon which wedding is held Basor Raat starts after midnight if thewedding ceremony is over by evening. Most Hindu Bengali marriageshappen in the evening. The next day, preferably before noon, thecouple makes their way from the venue to the groom's home, wherea bridal room has been prepared.

1.5 Wedding Reception

The reception, also known as the Bou Bhaat (Bengali: গগ গগগ lit."Bride feast") or walima (Bengali: গগগগগগগগ) among Muslims, isa party given by the groom's family in return for the weddingceremony. It is generally a much more relaxed affair, with onlythe second-best wedding outfit being worn.

16 | P a g e

Unlike in the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom act as a

couple at the reception; the bride and groom arrive together,

receive and see off guests together, and dine together. After the

party, the bride and groom go to the bride's family house for two

nights. On the second day, the bride's family is invited to the

groom's house for a meal, and they leave with the bride and

groom. This meal is called firani.

1.6 Flower Bed Ceremony

In the flower bed ceremony (Bengali: গগগ গগগগগ ful shôjja, lit."Flower bed"), the bride wears a lot of floral ornaments andtheir marriage bed is decorated with flowers by the groom'sfamily. This is the night of consummation. In Muslim marriages,this takes place on the night of the wedding. In Hindu marriages,this takes place on the night of the reception.

17 | P a g e

2. Baby Shower In some countries, a baby shower is a way to celebrate the

pending or recent birth of a child by presenting gifts to the

parents at a party. The term "shower" is often assumed to mean

that the expectant mother is "showered" with gifts, love and

blessings. Traditionally, baby showers were given only for the

family's first child, and only women were invited. The original

intent was for women to share wisdom and lessons on the art of

becoming a mother. Over time, it has become common to hold them

for subsequent or adopted children. It is not uncommon for a

parent to have more than one baby shower, such as one with

friends and another with co-workers. Baby showers are an

alternative to other European celebrations of nativity such as

Baptisms. However, these can tend to be less materialistic as

what is commonly known as a baby shower in the twenty-first

century. According to etiquette authority Miss Manners, because

the party centers on gift-giving, the baby shower is typically

arranged and hosted by a close friend rather than a member of the

family, since it is considered rude for families to beg for gifts

18 | P a g e

on behalf of their members. However, this custom varies by

culture or region and in some it is expected and customary for a

close female family member to host the baby shower, often the

grandmother.

There is no set rule for when or where showers are to be held.

The number of guests and style of entertainment are determined by

the host. Most hosts invite only women to baby showers, although

there is no firm rule requiring this. If the shower is held after

the baby's birth, then the baby is usually brought, too. Showers

typically include food but not a full meal. Guests bring small

or large gifts for the expectant mother. Typical gifts related to

babies include diapers, baby bottles, clothes, and toys. It is

common to open the gifts during the party. Some hosts arrange

baby-themed activities, such as games to taste baby foods or to

guess the baby's birth date or gender.

19 | P a g e

Baby showers and other social events to celebrate the impendingor recent birth are popular around the world. They are commonly"women-only" social gatherings.

In Brazil, a party called "chá de bebê" (baby tea) is offeredafter birth and is often a "women-only" event.

In Chinese tradition, a baby shower, called manyue ( গ গ ) isheld one month after the baby is born. Due to the lack ofadvanced medical technology in ancient times, the high infantmortality rate prompted families and friends to celebrate if ababy survived more than one month after birth.

In Costa Rica, a baby shower party is called té decanastilla ("basket tea").

In Hindu tradition, they are called by different namesdepending on the community the family belongs to. Innorthern India it is known as godbharaai, in western India,especially Maharashtra, this celebration is knownas dohaaljewan, and in West Bengal and Orissa it iscalled saadh. In Southern India, in Tamil Nadu/AndhraPradesh it is called seemantam or Valaikaapu (The expectingmother wears bangles), and in Karnataka it iscalled shreemanta and is held when the woman is in her 5th or7th or 9th months of pregnancy. These three types ofcelebrations are very similar to each other and are "women-

20 | P a g e

only" events. There is music played, and the expecting motheris decked in traditional attire with lots of flowers andgarlands made of jasmine ormogra. A swing is decorated withflowers of her choice, which she uses to sit and swing. Attimes there are symbolic cut-outs of Moons and Stars that areput up. There are blessings showered on her by the elderlyladies from the household and community. There are gifts givento the expecting mother. It is a very affectionate and fun-filled event for most of the expecting mothers since they areon the threshold of motherhood and entering a new life.In Kerala, it is known as Pulikudi, and is practicedpredominantly in the Nair community, though it's popularityhas spread to other Hindu sects as well over the years. On anauspicious day, after being massaged with homemade ayurvedicoil, the woman has a customary bath with the help of theelderly women in the family. After this, the family deity isworshipped, invoking all the paradevatas (family deities) and aconcoction of herbal medicines prepared in the traditionalway, is given to the woman. The woman is dressed in newclothes and jewellery used for such occasions. A bigdifference in the western concept of baby shower and Hindutradition is that the Hindu ceremony is a religious ceremonyto pray for the well-being of the baby. In most conservativefamilies gifts are bought for the mother-to-be but not thebaby. The baby is showered with gifts only after birth.

In Islam adherents are required to perform aqiqah of newlyborn child. This involves sacrifice of sacrificial animals.The meat is then divided in three equal parts; one for thepoor and needy, one for relatives and friends which caninvolve inviting them at home for a feast, and finally thelast part is utilized by the household itself.

In South Africa, a baby shower is called a stork party, andtakes place typically when the mother is about 6 months

21 | P a g e

pregnant. Stork parties are usually not attended by men, andSouth African men do not have an equivalent party of theirown. The stork party is accompanied by silliness such asdressing up, and babycare related gifts are given to themother. A stork party is often organized as a surprise withoutthe mother's knowledge.

In the United Kingdom, this is called wetting the baby's head, andis a more common substitute to a baby shower, which is seen asa materialistic American custom. Wetting the baby's head istraditionally when the father celebrates the birth by having afew drinks with a group of friends.

In Nepal baby shower is called Pasni. In is often done to theboys in 6 month of their birth and it is done to the girls in5 months of their birth. People give money and other giftsduring the baby shower.

In Bangladesh, Baby Shower just started and called as ShathMashi Program. It is often done during Seven months ofpregnancy at the daughter’s parent house.

3. Birthday Day Celebration A birthday is a day or anniversary when a person celebrates his

or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous

cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although

the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders

(e.g., Buddha's Birthday), Christmas – which is celebrated widely

by Christians and non-Christians alike – is the most prominent

example. In contrast, certain religious groups, as is the case

with Jehovah's Witnesses, express opposition to the very idea of

celebrating birthdays.

22 | P a g e

4. Akika

Akika (Arabic:  ة� ق� ي� is performed by Muslims throughout the world (ع�ق�according to their religion, Islam. Akika means slaughtering of

animal for the newborn baby to remove harmful things from him or

her. Muslims slaughter one sheep for a baby girl and two sheep

for a baby boy. It is recommended that one performs akika within

seven days after birth, but if guardians are unable to perform

akika then it can be conducted afterwards.

Benefit of Akika:

Muslims believe that after performing akika their children would

be safe from much harm. Akika is one of the types of Sadka and it

is also Sunnah.

5. Mother’s Day Mother's Day is a celebration that honors mothers and motherhood,

maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is

celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most

23 | P a g e

commonly in March, April, or May. It complements Father's Day, a

celebration honoring fathers.

Mother's Day is an American invention and it's not directly

descended from the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood

that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years;

like the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or

the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration. Despite this, in some

countries Mother's Day has become synonymous with these older

traditions.

In Bangladesh, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of

the month of May. In observance of the day discussion programs

are organized by government and non-governmental organizations.

Reception programs, cultural programs are organized to mark the

day in the Capital city. Television channels aired special

programs and newspapers published special features and column to

mark the day. Greeting cards, flowers and gifts featuring

24 | P a g e

mother’s specialty to the children were on high demand at the

shops, markets and cinema halls, and shopping mall.

6. Father’s Day Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating

fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in

society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June,

but it is also celebrated widely on other days. Father's Day

complements Mother's Day, a celebration that honors mothers and

motherhood.

7. Marriage Anniversary Wedding Anniversary , wedding anniversary meaning , definition of

wedding anniversary , what is wedding anniversary - 1 wedding

anniversary the anniversary of the day on which you were married

(or the celebration of it) 1.wedding anniversary - the

anniversary of the day on which you were married (or the

celebration of it)anniversary, day of remembrance - the date on

25 | P a g e

which an event occurred in some previous year (or the

celebration of it)silver wedding anniversary - the 25th wedding

anniversary golden wedding anniversary - the 50th wedding

anniversary diamond wedding, diamond wedding anniversary - the

60th wedding anniversary.

8. Family Picnic A picnic is a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten

outdoors, ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as

a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at

a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,

and usually in summer. Descriptions of picnics show that the

26 | P a g e

ideas of a meal that was jointly contributed and was enjoyed out-

of-doors were essential to a picnic from the early 19th century.

Picnics are often family-oriented but can also be an intimate

occasion between two people or a large get-together such as

company picnics and church picnics. It is also sometimes combined

with a cookout, usually a form of barbecue;

either grilling (griddling, grid ironing,

or charbroiling),braising (by combining a charbroil or gridiron

grill with a broth-filled pot), baking, or a combination of all

of the above.

On romantic and family picnics a picnic basket and a blanket (tosit or recline on) are usually brought along. Outdoor games orsome other form of entertainment are common at large picnics.Some picnics are a potluck, an entertainment at which each personcontributed some dish to a common table for all to share. Whenthe picnic is not also a cookout, the food eaten is rarely hot,instead taking the form of deli sandwiches, finger food,

27 | P a g e

fresh fruit, salad, cold meats and accompanied bychilled wine or champagne or soft drinks.

9. Family Reunion

The family reunion game is a great opportunity to hold special

events allowing teams members from each family to participate

while drawing close to one another. Let your family know how

special they by creating certificates and awards for them. Use

your imagination and try to think up as many categories as

possible in order to recognize the largest amount of family

members that you can. Be sure to also include categories unique

to your family (i.e. if you have lots of musicians have a ‘best

tobla player’ category. Basic categories suggestions:

Who traveled the least and greatest distances to

attend

The oldest and youngest family members

Who has attended the most consecutive reunions

Youngest grandparents

Oldest cousins

Couple with the most children or grandchildren

Tallest/shortest family member

Most enthusiastic family member (we all have one)

28 | P a g e

10. Hate Khori

The first session featured Hate Khori, an age-old tradition. In

the olden times while introducing the alphabet to the children,

they were given special sticks made out of bamboo or Khori to

write. They were introduced to alphabets through the ritual.

11. Ear Piercing or Kaan Foron

Ear piercing refers to putting a hole in the ear, usually the

lobe, in order to wear jewelry through the ear. It is one of the

oldest and most common forms of body modification in the world,

and is perhaps the oldest form of piercing. In the West, the

piercing of the earlobe has long been the most acceptable and

popular form of facial or body piercing. Today, many people also

have the upper and outer cartilage parts of the ear pierced as

well. And while pierced ears are associated primarily with women

in the modern West, men and women have both worn earrings in

29 | P a g e

cultures around the world, as well as in European and Western

history. In Bangladesh It’s a time for celebration by the

parents, when a kid first had his piercing first time in life.

12. A nnaprashan ( Mukhe Bhaat) Annaprashan is a Sanskrit term, which literally means "grain

initiation". It is commonly known as your baby's first feeding or

first rice-eating ceremony. It is called choroonu in

Kerala, mukhe bhaat in Bengal and bhaatkhulai in the Garhwal hills. 

A popular Hindu custom, annaprashan marks the beginning of solid

food in your baby's life. Following this ritual, you can slowly

start to introduce other weaning foods into your baby's diet.

While the rites of the ceremony may differ according to the

region, annaprashan essentially celebrates your baby's transition

to solids. 

30 | P a g e

Annaprashan is conducted when your baby is ready to make the

transition from a liquid diet to solids. It can be performed

anytime from six months until before his first

birthday. Annaprashan is performed during the seven months for

boys, generally in the child's sixth or the eighth month. For

girls, it is performed during the odd months, usually the child's

fifth or the seventh month. 

Annaprashan is mainly done at home or at a temple. However, some

parents prefer to hire a banquet hall or community centre for the

function. In Kerala, many parents prefer to perform the ceremony

at Guruvayoor, a famous Hindu temple. Alternatively, many

families in central or eastern India perform annaprashan at home.

If you're performing the ceremony at home, you may want to

contact a priest to help with the religious rites. 

The annaprashan ceremony is performed on a specific day and time

after consulting a priest. The baby is dressed in new clothes,

31 | P a g e

often traditional ones such as a dhoti kurta or a lehenga

choli. Annaprashan begins with a puja or a havan for your baby's

health and happiness, followed by the symbolic feeding of

the prasad or the first bite of solid food. It is an occasion for

celebration, and family and friends are invited to attend. 

The religious ceremony is often followed by a fun game where a

number of symbolic objects are placed on a banana leaf or silver

tray which your baby can then pick up.

The objects include:

books symbolizing learning

jewels symbolizing wealth

a pen symbolizing wisdom

clay symbolizing property

food items symbolizing a love for food

Family and friends have a great time cheering the little one

while he makes his choice. It is believed that the object your

baby picks up from the tray represents his area of interest in

future. 

13. Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Ceremony

Raksha bandhan is one of the most popular festivals in India.

Celebrating the divine bod of love between brother & sister,

32 | P a g e

Raksha Bandhan is also known as 'Rakhi'. Sisters tie a delicate

cord of 'Rakhi' on their brother's wrist, pulsating with sublime

sentiment and pray for their long life. Brothers, in turn, give

them enticing rakhi gifts and vows to protect and care for them

life long. Thus, the affectionate festivity of Raksha Bandhan

becomes a token of blessings, wishes, enthusiasm & love.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of

Shraavan (as per Hindu calendar), i.e. in the months of July and

August. As Rakhi is celebrated as per the Hindu calendar the

dates may vary year after year. In 2011 - Raksha Bandhan will be

celebrated on Saturday, 13th of August.

Rakih ceremony is one of the most interesting and loving

ceremonies performed in India and Bangladesh . An amazing bond of

love shared among siblings is what celebrated on the day of

Raksha bandhan. Sister select the brightest and the best designed

'Rakhi' for their brothers. Then they prpare the sacred 'thaali'

to perform the 'aarti' of their brothers. Best of the sweets

33 | P a g e

along with the Rakhi, vermillion and few grains of rice form part

of the pooja thali. Brother's aspire to strive for thr protection

of their loving sisters and facilitate them with exclusive gifts.

On this Rakhi occasions gifts are exchanged and special Rakhi

Recipes like;  Ghevar, Vermicelli Kheer, Malpua , Kesar

Burfi , Pista Sandesh & Rava Laddoo are prepared to fill this day

with lots of sweetness.

Types of Rakhi Threads:

Keeping up with time, the Rakhi thread has become more

fashionable and trendy. It flaunts the amalgamation of tradition

and modern lifestyle of people. Modern rakhi is available in

different shapes, sizes and materials. It can even be made of

gold attached with diamonds.

14. Karva Chauth or Sapta Sindhu Brath

Karva Chauth (Hindi: कककक ककक, Punjabi: कककक ककक) is an

annual one-day festival celebrated by Hindu and some Sikh women

34 | P a g e

in North India, the Indian state of Gujarat and parts

of Pakistan and Bangladesh in which married women fast from

sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their

husbands.  The festival falls on the fourth day after the full

moon, in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik. Sometimes,

unmarried women observe the fast for their fiances or desired

husbands.

Etymology and origins

Karva is another word for diya (a small earthen oil-lamp)

and chauth means 'fourth' in Hindi (a reference to the fact that

the festival falls on the fourth day of the dark-fortnight,

or krishna paksh, of the month of Kartik).

It is uncertain how the festival originated and how it came to be

celebrated only in the northwestern part of the Indian

subcontinent. One hypothesis is that military campaigns and long-

distance travel usually resumed around the time of the festival,

as the area dried and numerous rivers of the region subsided from

35 | P a g e

the effects of the monsoon. Women observed the fast to pray for

the safety of their husbands at this time as they ventured away

from home. The festival also coincides with the wheat-sowing time

(i.e. the beginning of the Rabi crop cycle). Big earthen pots in

which wheat is stored are also sometimes called karvas, so the

fast may also have begun as a prayer for a good harvest in this

predominantly wheat-eating region.

The Rituals

Women begin preparing for Karva Chauth a few days in advance, by

buying cosmetics (shringar), traditional adornments or jewelry,

and puja items, such as the karwa lamps, matthi, henna and the

decorated puja thali (plate). Local bazaars take on a festive look

as shopkeepers put their Karva Chauth related products on display.[11] On the day of the fast, women from Punjab awake to eat and

drink just before sunrise. In Uttar Pradesh, women eat soot

feni with milk in sugar on the eve of the festival. It is said

that this helps them go without water the next day. In

Punjab, sargi is an important part of this pre-dawn meal, and

always includes fenia. It is traditional for the sargi to be sent

or given to the woman by her mother-in-law. If the mother-in-law

lives with the woman, the pre-dawn meal is prepared by the

mother-in-law. The fast begins with dawn. Fasting women do not

eat during the day, and some additionally do not drink any water

either. In traditional observances of the fast, the fasting woman

36 | P a g e

does no housework. Women apply henna and other cosmetics to

themselves and each other. The day passes in meeting friends and

relatives. In some regions, it is customary to gift and exchange

painted clay pots filled with put bangles, ribbons, home-made

candy, cosmetics and small cloth items (e.g. handkerchiefs).

Since Karva Chauth follows soon after the Kharif crop harvest in the

rural areas, it is a good time for community festivities and gift

exchanges. Parents often send gifts to their married daughters

and their children.

15. Sunnat -e – Khatna or Khitan (Circumcision) event

Khitān (Arabic:  ان� ت� (خ�� or Khatna (Arabic:  ة� ن� ت� (خ�� is the term for

male circumcision carried out as an Islamic rite. It is

considered by some as a sign of belonging or introduction to the

wider Islamic community. It is also referred to by the

term Taharah, "purity".

Islamic circumcision is analogous to Jewish circumcision,

although there are a number of key differences. Muslims are

currently the largest single religious group to practice

widespread circumcision. However, it is not a condition for

converting to Islam or carrying out religious duties.

Circumcision is not mentioned in the Qur'an, but rather in

the hadith.

37 | P a g e

Circumcision   being performed in central Asia (probably   Turkestan ), c. 1865–1872. Restored   albumen

print .

The Qur'an itself does not mention circumcision. The ritual dates

back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. In the time

of Muhammad, circumcision was carried out by most Arabian tribes,

among them pagan Arabs as well as Jews and Christians for

religious reasons. According to tradition Muhammad was born

without a foreskin (aposthetic).Many of his early disciples were

circumcised to symbolise their inclusion within the emerging

Islamic community. These facts are mentioned several times in

the hadith. Some accounts report that king of

Byzantium Heraclius had referred to Muhammad as the "leader of

the circumcised people". The most common hadith attributed to

Muhammad mentions circumcision in a list of practices known

as fitra (acts considered to be of a refined person). Abu Hurayra

a companion of the Prophet quotes him saying, "Five things are

fitrah: circumcision, shaving the body with a razor, trimming the

moustache, paring one's nails and plucking the hair from one's

armpits" (reported in thehadiths of Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih

Muslim). So, despite its absence from the Qur'an, it has been

38 | P a g e

a religious normfrom the beginning of Islam. However, there is

another version of the hadith which does not name circumcision as

one of the characteristics of fitra and yet another hadith which

names ten characteristics, again without naming circumcision.

According to some hadith (Abdullah Ibn Jabir and Aisha), Muhammad

circumcised his grandsons on the seventh day after their

birth. This opinion is popular amongst the hadith and Islamic

jurists. Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim also quotes from Muhammad

that Prophet Abraham performed his own circumcision at the age of

eighty. It is also reported by Abu Dawud and Ahmad Ibn

Hanbal that Muhammad stated that circumcision was a "law for men

and a preservation of honour for women".

16. Griha Pravesh or Housewarming Party

A housewarming party is a party held within approximately 90 days

of moving into a new residence. It is an occasion for the hosts

to present their new home to their friends, and for friends to

give gifts to furnish the new home. Housewarming parties are

generally informal; usually there are no planned activities

besides a possible tour.

39 | P a g e

It is considered proper etiquette to invite guests at least a few

days, and up to three weeks, in advance. Gifts are customary but

not necessary. They usually consist of something for the new

house (such as a potted plant, a vase, or a picture frame) or

something to be enjoyed during the party (such as a bottle

of wine, a bouquet of flowers, or a gift basket of foodstuffs).

Bluebirds were once given as they were believed to bless the new

house with happiness and good luck, but in modern day it is more

customary to provide bluebird-themed paraphernalia such as

china. Pineapples are also common housewarming gifts and the

pineapple has served as a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome

through the history of the Americas.

40 | P a g e

The term "housewarming" is descended literally from the act of

warming a new house, in the days before central heating. Each

guest would bring firewood, and build fires in all the available

fireplaces, offering firewood as a gift. Aside from warming the

house, this was also believed to repel evil spirits by creating a

protective atmosphere of warmth. Uninhabited houses were

considered targets for vagrant spirits, and therefore required a

certain level of cleansing before a house was safe to be occupied

by young children.

17. Funeral Ceremony

A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, respecting, sanctifying,or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerarycustoms comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used bya culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, tovarious monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in theirhonor. Customs vary widely between cultures, and

41 | P a g e

between religious affiliations within cultures. Theword funeral comes from the Latin funus, which had a variety ofmeanings, including the corpse and the funerary ritesthemselves. Funerary art is art produced in connection withburials, including many kinds of tombs, and objects speciallymade for burial with a corpse. Hindu   Funeral :   Antyesti

Antyesti or Hindu funeral rites, sometimes referred as Antim

Sanskar, is an important Sanskara, sacrament of Hindu society.

Extensive texts of such rites are available, particularly in

the Garuda Purana.

42 | P a g e

Islamic funerals: Islamic funeral

1779   Algerian   funerals,   muslims   lift the dead body on their shoulders to carry it to its last staying place.

Funerals in Islam (called Janazah in Arabic) follow fairly

specific rites, though they are subject to regional

interpretation and variation in custom. In all cases,

however, sharia (Islamic religious law) calls for burial of the

body, preceded by a simple ritual involving bathing and shrouding

the body, followed by salah (prayer). Cremation of the body is

forbidden.

Burial rituals should normally take place as soon as possible and

include:

Bathing the dead body, except in extraordinary circumstances

as in battle of Uhud.

Enshrouding dead body in a white cotton or linen cloth.

43 | P a g e

Funeral prayer  ( ة� از� ت� .(ص�لاة� ال�ج� Burial of the dead body in a grave.

Positioning the deceased so that the head is faced

towards Mecca (Makkah Al-Mukarramah).

In Bangladesh: These entire events conclude as; Dafon Kulkhani Cholishaa Mritubarshiki (Anniversary )

ConclusionOur objective throughout this report is to find out what are the

various family events we have in our country. There are event

like father’s day, mother’s day, baby shower etc which recently

came to our society as part of celebration. That’s good. Apart

44 | P a g e

from that our own traditional family events like Wedding, Mukhe

Bhat, Hathe Khari, Akika is a integrated part of our culture.

Now times came to make the fusion, where east meets west. We

should combine latest western family events along with our own

traditional events. At the end of the day, we should think about

our family member’s happiness. So we believe all this event will

bring smile to our family members face.

45 | P a g e