The ‘Battle’ of Mellans and Avresses is a mock fight tradition (with men on stilts) in 1951 in Namur, Belgium. Do you know: This tradition is also known as la bia bouquet or the gold stilt combat. Traditionally, men divide themselves into two groups; the Mellans are the ones found on the black and yellow […]
Anastenaria is a fire-walking custom prevalent in various parts of Europe. Do you know:Anastenaria is headed by a group of twelve, of which majority are women. There are two huge events of Anastenaria that are dedicated to Saint Catherine and Saint Helen. The events include processions, music and dance as also animal sacrifice. For all
Battle of the Queens or Combat de reines is a cow-fighting tournament that is held in the Alps. Do you know: While the competition involves serious cow-fighting, very often the cow may not have been interested in engaging in a fight and just walks away. The battle of the queens is an annual festival where
The São João or Saint John Festival is a popular tradition held in June, in Portugal. Do you know: The festival is dedicated to saint John who is considered the patron saint of lovers. The São João festival is an extremely popular custom where various dishes in large quantities are made and sweet Port wine
Falling Asleep of the Virgin is a tradition with festivities carried out for a period of ten days in Markopoulo, Greece. Do you know: The European cat snakes that can be seen during this period are known as ‘our lady’s snakes’. The festivities that occur for ten days revolve around the village church of Panagia
The Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme, is a festival carried out in Las Nieves, Spain for the individuals who have had near death experiences. Do you know: On this day, those who cheated death are paraded in coffins. The festival dedicated to the patron saint of resurrection, Saint Marta de Ribarteme, begins with thousands
Goat Tossing Festival is a bizarre tradition held in a small village known as Manganeses de la Polvorosa. Do you know: This event, which is held in the end of January, is actually carried out to honour the local patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul. The goat tossing tradition is performed exactly as the name
In the town of Marostica in Vicenza, Italy, a game of chess is performed with actual human beings. Do you know: This tradition of a human chessboard goes back all the way to 1451. The human chess game originated with the lord of the Marostica castle. When two knights were in love with his daughter,
The entire populace of Ayodhya had come to the banks of the Sarayu with Sri Rama as he prepared to take jala-samadhi, the final peace of death by submerging himself in water. He entered the whirlpool that appeared in the river. The gods had come there along with sages and saints, the army of monkeys
The people of Ayodhya followed Sri Rama to the banks of River Sarayu. “If you go to heaven, O Lord, allow us to follow you there too,” said the citizens who had come with him. Rama told Vibheeshana, “Remain the King of Lanka as long as you live. Protect your subjects and follow the correct
Rama was so grief-stricken after disowning Lakshmana and his departure, that he wished to hand over the kingdom to his brother Bharata. “I will arrange for your coronation, Bharata, and then go into the forest,” he told Bharata. But Bharata said, “O Brother! I do not want the crown or the kingdom without you. In
Lakshmana also looked at his brother with tears in his eyes but he knew that the rule of law could not be broken. Bowing to Sri Rama, he said, “I have disobeyed you, my brother. I know the punishment is death. Fulfil your orders.” Sri Rama consulted Vasishtha, his mentor and teacher. Vasishtha said that
Sri Rama was surprised to see Lakshmana enter the room against his clear orders. But when he heard that Sage Durvasa had come, he came out to meet him. Bowing to the great sage, Rama offered him the hospitality of the palace. Durvasa had fasted for a thousand years and this was the day he
While Rama and Dharmaraja were conversing, Sage Durvasa came to the palace. He had come to meet Sri Rama urgently. Durvasa was famous for his impatience and his fiery temper. He came to the room where Lakshmana stood guard. Lakshmana bowed to him and said, “Revered sir! Sri Rama is doing something urgently at this
Having ensured their privacy, Rama turned to Dharmaraja and asked for Lord Vishnu’s message. “Lord, your life on earth is over. I have come to fetch you If you like to serve mankind for a little while longer, you may do so, according to your will,” explained Dharmaraja. “O Dharmaraja, I am so happy you