Mahavir Jayanti (April 5, 2012)

Photo from sikkimnow.blogspot.com

Vardhaman Mahvir was the founder of Jainism and 24th religious guru of the faith. This holiday celebrates his birth. Jain shrines and temples are decorated with flags for the occasion. The idol of the tirthankar is given a ritual bath before being taken out in a grand procession.

The custom of donating money, food and clothing to the poor is also an important aspect of celebrating Mahavir Jayanti. In addition, Jain organizations arrange free food and drinks for everyone.

Please pray for Jains living in Bangalore today. Ask God to help them understand that salvation does not come through good works or following gurus. Pray that they will grow to understand that Jesus is the greatest teacher and only Savior.

Ugadi



Photo from spicyrasam.wordpress.com

In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh (two states in South India), Ugadi is a Hindu festival celebrated to mark the first day of the new year according to the Hindu calendar. Bangaloreans celebrate this festival with great vigor. According to legend, this is the day that the Hindu creator, Brahma, began his work of making the earth and all that is in it.

Like other Hindu festivals, preparation for Ugadi begins a few days prior to the actual festival. On Ugadi, Bangaloreans will participate in ritual bathing and prayers for good health and prosperity in the coming year. A unique dish is served with six different flavors symbolizing the different experiences in life's journey.

On March 23rd this year, please pray for Hindu Bangaloreans as they celebrate Ugadi. Ask God to reveal Himself as the Creator and the only One worthy of worship and service. As individuals and families pray for prosperity in the coming year, ask that they would come to know that every good and perfect gift comes from God.

Holi (March 8, 2012)



Photo from totallycoolpix.com

If you venture outside in Bangalore on Holi, you might come home looking like a brightly decorated Easter egg. Thousands of Hindus and others will join in the revelry of Holi by throwing colored powder and water on one another. Originally this holiday was a celebration of Spring, but for many it honors Hindu legends.

One such story is about a king who required everyone to worship him. Out of loyalty to Vishnu, the king's son refused to do this. The king tried unsuccessfully to kill the son many times. Finally the king’s evil sister, Holika, who was immune to fire carried the son into the flames and held him there. Due to his devotion to Vishnu, he escaped without injury and Holika was destroyed. During Holi many bonfires are lit to commemorate this event.



Nowadays Holi is associated with a loosening of moral and social codes between castes and genders. A once frivolous holiday has become increasingly dangerous as some add chemicals or harmful things to colored powder.



Today, please stop and pray for Hindus in Bangalore. Pray that no one would be hurt during the festival this year. Pray that like the legendary son who was willing to die before bowing down to any other god, Hindus would turn to Christ and forsake all other gods. Pray that they would have the faith and integrity of men in the Bible who endured a fiery furnace for their faith.



Russell Market

Russell Market, located in Shivaji Nagar, is one of Bangalore's oldest markets - built almost 85 years ago. This is part of Bangalore's old military cantonment area. It is predominately Muslim now, but there are many Christian and Hindu influences as well.


Photo from rickcjensen.blogspot.in


The market is a large Islamic looking building with many stalls inside. There is a huge assortment of flowers, vegetables, meats and other food items. Scattered throughout are clothing and household products as well.

About a week ago, an electrical fire destroyed about a third of the shops inside. On Friday Russell Market reopened. To commemorate the occasion, a special Hindu prayer was offered, the Qur'an was read and a Catholic priest offered a blessing. In a market with so much diversity, they probably wanted to make sure all the bases were covered.

Please pray for the vendors who were affected by the fire. Pray that they would be able to get their businesses up and running again. Praise God for his protection - no one was hurt in the fire. Pray that this market would become a place where God is worshipped, and it would spread from there throughout the city.

Shivratri



In some parts of the city, the beating of drums and ringing of temple bells has already begun as Hindus celebrate Shivaratri in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the gods forming the Hindu trinity. According to popular legends, Shivaratri is the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is also believed that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a linga for the first time on this day.



Picture from IndoVacations.net



Shiva devotees fast on Shivaratri, many eating only fruits and milk and some avoiding everything including water. Worshippers follow all the traditions and customs related to Shivaratri festival because they believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day releases a person of his sins and also liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shiva is regarded as the ideal husband, therefore on Shivaratri unmarried women pray for a husband like Him. Married women pray for the wellbeing of their husbands on this auspicious day.

Please pray for Bangaloreans participating in Shivaratri today. Ask God to help them understand that sins and liberation only come through Jesus. Pray that God would give Hindus a biblical understanding of marriage and the roles of godly husbands and wives. Pray as Hindus turn to Jesus, husbands and wives would learn how to love and honor one another as Jesus taught.

It's A Girl!

Last week in Bangalore, the state Social Welfare Board organized an observance of National Girl Child Day. In other major cities, it is observed annually on January 24th and the week following is used for educational activities.

In India, there are many responsibilities that come with raising a daughter, such as providing a dowry for marriage. Spending money to educate, feed and clothe someone who will later belong to her husband's family can seem like a waste, especially for poorer families. It is illegal to find out the gender of a child before it is born. Because of this, some girl babies are still killed to get rid of the burden she will cause to her family.

Please pray for poor women who will give birth to daughters this year. Pray that despite financial hardships, these little girls will be loved and taken care of by someone. Ask God to help parents to view daughters as blessings and not burdens. Pray that they will receive love and have their physical needs met. More than this, pray that they will have opportunities to learn about Jesus and become daughters of the King!

Photo from thisweekbangalore.com

Milad-Un-Nabi

Many Muslims in India observe Milad-un-Nabi, which commemorates the Islamic Prophet Muhammad's  birthday. Those who observe this holiday gather to remember Muhammad's birth and his teachings. Many Sunni Muslims celebrate this event on the 12th of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal (February 4th this year), while the Shi'a community celebrates it on the 17th.

Photo from karnatakamuslims.com

Many people carry green flags or banners or wear green ribbons or items of clothing when taking part in these events. The color green represents Islam and paradise. It is also a government holiday so many public offices will be closed. Parades and other events are common as well.

Please pray for Muslims today as they celebrate this holiday. Ask God to give them dreams and visions that confirm that Jesus is the one whom they should be following. Pray that God would remove the scales that cover their eyes from seeing the truth about Muhammad and his teachings.