CULTURE IN ISALAMIC PUNE

As called the Cultural Capital of Maharashta, Pune has a proud calendar comprising of a number of festivals and cultural activities ranging from Classical Music to Rock Concerts. What Pune is most known for, is the Pune Festival,

Muslim Holidays or festivals list during 2009.Ramzan is one of the major festival for muslims. Muslims in India observe all the Islamic festivals that are celebrated in other parts of the world, the dates of Muslim festivals keep changing. Muslim festivals that are celebrated in India, include Ramzan (Ramadan), Muharram, Id-e-Milad and Bakr-Id. special prayers offered in mosques, fasting, feasting and exchange of wishes.


Milad-un-nabi or or Id-a-Milad or Eid-e-Miladulnabi

Milad-un-nabi or or Id-a-Milad or Eid-e-Miladulnabi is a key festival and day of celebration among Muslims. It is celebrated as the birthday of Mohammed. Milad-un-nabi (translated: birth of the prophet) is observed on the date of 12 Rabi’ al-awwal according to the Islamic calendar.




The festival of Eid-e-Miladulnabi is also popularly known as Barah Wafat the twelfth day. The day commemorates the birth and also the death of Prophet Mohammed. Bara Wafat falls on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal. Here, Barah or twelve, stands for the twelve days of the Prophets sickness.



The celebrations of birthday are subdued as the day also happens to be the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. The day is marked by holding religious discourses, reading the Holy book of Quran and giving alms to the poor. The main thrust of these Milad-un-Nabi gatherings is to remember, observe, discuss and celebrate the advent of the birth and teachings of the holy Prophet Muhammad.



Prophet Mohammed



Prophet Mohammed was born in 571 A.D on April12th, in Mecca in Arabia. Circa 610 AD, Prophet is said to have gained revelations from Allah through the angel Gabriel that he was His Messenger. In 622 AD Mohammed along with his followers went to Medina.



This flight from Mecca to Medina is known as Hijrah and marks the beginning of the Islamic era. By 630 AD, Islam came to be accepted as a religion and Muhammad as ruler by a large number of people. However, in 632 A.D. Muhammad led the pilgrimage to Mecca, preached his farewell sermon and died soon after.



Celebrations of Eid-ul-Milad



Barah Wafat does not call for any kind of grand celebrations as the birth day and death anniversary of Prophet Mohammed coincidently falls on the same day. Hence, Muslims spend this period in spiritual activities. Special prayers meets and discourses on Quran are also organised in mosques to mark the day of Milad.



Learned men and scholars focus their sermons on the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammed and inspire people to follow the path of good life as shown in Quran. Hence, the festival gives a chance to people to introspect their deeds and think of ways of being a better person.



Besides, in some places hymns are sung and elegies or marsiyas are recited in memory of the last days of the Prophet. Acts of charity are also done by devout Muslims and alms are distributed to the poor and the needy. Later, people invite friends and relatives for a feast.



In some mosques, however, a ‘sandal rite’ ceremony is performed over the symbolic foot prints of the Prophet engraved in a stone. A stone imitation of buraq the horse on which Prophet Mohammed is said to have ascended to his heavenly abode is placed near the foot prints and anointed with sandal paste or scented powder. Besides, the house and casket containing this are elaborately decorated.




Muslim Festivals Calender 2009



JAN 2009 07 Wednesday Ashura



MAR 2009 09 Monday Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet), Sunni



14 Saturday Milad un Nabi, Sunni



AUG 2009 22 Saturday Ramadan begins



SEP 2009 21 Monday Id-Ul-Fitr, Ramadan Ends



NOV 2009 28 Saturday Eid-Ul-Adha



DEC 2009 18 Friday Al-Hijira/ Muharram

Climate

Pune stands on the leeward side of the Western Ghats on an altitude of 559m.(1863 ft.). The temperatures are pretty moderate. Though not as unpredictable as the British weather, the city of Pune does have its share of uncertainties in different seasons.

SUMMERS: Summers here begin from early March to July. Though not as hot as Northern parts of India, the daytimes are very sunny with dry heat. Early mornings are pleasant and evenings after six, cool and breezy.

Bright summery clothes are an obvious suggestion with sunglasses for driving. The temperature ranges from 38°C to 20°C. Though, last year, summer hit a new high with 40+ a common temp.



MONSOONS:

Being on the leeward side of the ghats, Pune has a good three months of rains from July-August to October. Clear skies in the morning are not to be deceived by, as it does rain in the evenings. Umbrellas for pedestrians and raincoats for drivers are a must, as there lies no escape. While driving, beware of potholes and use a minimum of two pairs of shoes as drying takes about 2-3 days. Temperatures range from 18-19 degrees to 30 degrees.

WINTERS: From November to January, Pune has it’s winter season. Though light woollens are fine during the day, early mornings, evenings and night times require more clothing as it’s chilly.

6°C was the lowest recorded last year. For drivers, windcheaters and head covers are a must. Hot cupsa coffee are highly enjoyable during mornings and evenings.

SPRING:

Though not in the real sense of the term spring, late Jan to March are the most pleasant months in Pune. The sun is bright and warm and temperatures move in the moderate zone. Overall, the climate and temperature does not go to extremities and humidity is negligible here. Any time of the year Pune is perfect for morning and evening walks.

CITY FACTS

Fondly called as the Oxford of the East and the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune as a city has grown manifolds over the past few decades.




LANGUAGE: The regional language out here is Marathi. Unlike many other Indian regional languages, Marathi is easy to understand, posing not too many problems to the tourist.



Much can be attributed to the similarity it holds with the national language Hindi.



TRAFFIC: The traffic out here does get congested and it is best to travel either via two-wheelers or auto rickshaws in the interiors. The amount of two-wheelers and women drivers here is probably one of the highest in the country.



SAFETY: As is with the most of the cites, the intra-city areas are very safe even during the night. Venturing alone or into unknown areas near the ghats or on the outskirts are not advisable.



Though Pune does not report of very serious crime rates, petty thefts etc. are to be watched out for. Do not stop to give lifts or to ask directions during night times in isolated areas.





CURRENCY:

The Indian Rupee is the used currency. Many new currency exchange points and ATM centers have come up all over the city over the last two years making money very easily accessible for visitors. Always carry loose change in coins for urgent calls, parking etc. Beware of the Rs 500 notes, check them before using.



THE PUNEITE:

The Puneite is definitely much more relaxed and friendly than the average Bombayite. A warm greeting about his wellbeing will do him in and mind you, he’s very touchy about Pune.

The most outstanding aspect of Pune and its people is the sound balance they have maintained between modernity and their age-old rich culture and tradition. No wonder, it’s called the ‘Cultural Capital of Maharashtra’ as well as ‘The Oxford of the East’.