Prayer sessions mark 137th Unitarian Day in Meghalaya

Shillong: The Unitarian Day, which is a state holiday in Meghalaya, was celebrated in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills on Wednesday with the faithful attending special prayer sessions at unitarian churches.“Today marks the 137th anniversary of Meghalaya’s Unitarian Church, a notable spiritual movement in our state. We offer heartfelt congratulations to its members on this milestone and wish everyone a blessed Unitarian Day,” chief minister Conrad K Sangma said. Unitarianism in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills is a unique movement in the realms of spiritualism, which draws its theology largely from the indigenous Khasi religion. “As with traditional Khasi faith, the major emphasis of Khasi Unitarianism is to carry out one’s duty towards God and fellow humans. Unitarians stress on the unity of God as opposed to Trinity,” says an elder practicing the faith.

Pookalam, prayers & prasad: Festive spirit marks Onam celebrations

The Malayali community in Indore celebrated Onam at the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Mahalaxmi Nagar with traditional rituals, a floral rangoli, and a feast. Devotees arrived early for prayers and prasad. Families opened their homes to friends and neighbors to share the cultural richness of Onam Sadya.

The God on our plates

Thirukkural with the Times explores insights from Thirukkural on food's value and its makers. Bharathi Bhaskar highlights respecting cooks, viewing cooking as a sensory art form. The piece stresses dining together's significance, appreciating meals, and honoring those who prepare them, drawing from Thiruvalluvar's teachings on ethics and morality.

Cross-faith bond enriches festivities in Walled City

In Ahmedabad's Bhadra Fort, Yasin Rafiq Sheikh and Vijaysinh Devda have maintained a 15-year tradition of celebrating each other's religious events. This cross-cultural bond began with their fathers' friendship and continues to foster community unity. Both men are influential figures among local hawkers.