BAHA’IS OF GANGTOK CELEBRATED NAVRUZ

Rangpo 22 march-

Baha’i community of Gangtok celebrated Navruz, Baha’i New year on 21^st March at Baha’i House, Nam Nang Road Gangtok. The celebration was organized by the Local Spiritual Asembly of the Baha’is of Gangtok. Many Bahais from Gangtok, Tadong, Siyari and Pani House attended the programme.

The programme started with a round of devotional prayers and reading of Holy writings. Secretary of the Regional Baha’i Council of Sikkim Mrs. Rupa Pradhan presented a talk on the importance of Navruz. Baha’i calendar has 19 month and 5 intercalary days in a year. Each month has 19 days. 1^st Day of the first Baha’i month is celebrated as Navruz all around the world. Navruz is the festival of Jews community also. Baha’is around the world arise for prayers before sunup from March 2 to March 20^th as they begin their yearly fasting period – “an annual renewal of faith.” It’s an invigoration, an annual cleansing. The 19 days fast is a special time for prayer and also involves abstaining from food and drink between sunrise and sundown. Members of the Baha’i Faith ages 15 to 70 observe the fast, which ends just before the Baha’i new year on March 21, the day of vernal equinox when day and night is equal.

The whole programme was conducted by Sarvada Pradhan and Pallawi Sewa. The Baha’i Youths of Tadong and Gangtok presented Baha’i Bhajans, songs and Dance. After the programme everybody greeted each other and said a prayer for peace and prosperity together.