Nebulae

The word ‘nebulae’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘clouds’. Indeed ,a nebula is a cosmic cloud of gas and dust floating in space. More than one Nebula is called nebulae. Nebulae are the basic building blocks of universe. They contain the elements from which stars and solar systems are built. Stars inside these clouds of gas cause them to glow with beautiful reds, blues, and greens. These are the result of different elements within the nebula.

Most nebulae are composed of about 90% hydrogen, 10% helium, and 0.1% heavy elements such as carbon, nitrogen, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron. These clouds of matter are also quite large. In fact they are among the largest objects in the galaxy. Many of them are the dozens or even hundreds of light years across. Nebulae are divided into five major categories. These are emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, dark nebulae, planetary nebulae, and super nova remnants. Emission and reflection nebulae tend to be fuzzy in appearance and lack any noticeable shape or structure. They are also known as diffuse nebulae.

Dussehra

Dussehra (literally means the tenth day) is one of the significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with much vigour in the entire country. The occasion marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana, the victory of good over evil.
The festivities commence on the first night in the month of Ashwin (September-October). The festivities last for ten days, of which nine nights are spent in worship, 'Navaratri'. The tenth day is devoted to the worship of goddess Durga, who occupies a special position in the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses. She is 'Shakti', the cosmic energy which rules over all beings.
Beautiful idols of the Mother Goddess are worshipped in elaborate pandals for nine days, and on the ninth day, these are carried out in procession for immersion (visarjan) in a river or pond.ate Some legends also associate this day to the destruction of mighty demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga. She further commands special reverence because of the belief that Lord Rama prayed to Goddess Durga before he commenced the war against Ravana in Lanka.
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, the next three days to Saraswati, Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days to Shakti (Durga).
In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, families arrange dolls(Bommai Kolu) on artificially constructed steps and prepare an elaborate spread of lamps and flowers. Women traditionally exchange gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets. Scenes selected from various stories in the epics and puranas are displayed. Traditionally women and children, and now men too visit their friends and acquaintances during these 10 days. They sing songs, tell stories that the dolls might depict and eat a dish made out of chickpeas (choondal).
In southern India, Vijayadashami, which is celebrated on the day of Dussehra, is an auspicious occasion for children to commence their education in classical dance and music, and to pay homage to their teachers. In Kerala, this day is celebrated as the day of beginning of education by writing the first letters by the kids.
Dussehra is the most important festival in Karnataka. The Dussehra of Mysore is quite famous where caparisoned elephants lead a colourful procession through the decorated streets of the city.
The festival is also celebrated with intense fervour and zest, in West Bengal, in the form of Durga Puja. In Punjab, Navaratri is taken as a period of fasting. In Gujarat, the evenings and nights are occasions for the fascinating Garba dance. The women dance around an earthen lamp while singing devotional songs accompanied by rhythmic clapping of hands.
In northern India, the colourful Ramlila is performed wherein various incidents from Rama's life are enacted. The most popular themes are the destruction of Ravana and Bharat Milap, that is the reunion of Ram and his estranged brother Bharat, on the former's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
Brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions depicting various facets of Rama's life are taken out during the Dussehra festivals. On the tenth day (the Vijayadasmi day), colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are placed in vast open spaces. Rama, accompanied by his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana, arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are filled with explosive material. It results in a mighty blast, which is welcomed with shouts of merriment and triumph from the spectators.

Diwali(Deepawali)

Deepawali or Diwali, is the Hindu festival which is celebrated in largest area of India. It is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the annihilation of spiritual darkness.
The word 'Deepawali' literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps). It is seen as an occasion for all members of a family to assemble together. Deewali is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Asvin (October-November) in Saka Calendar.
This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country. The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day. Lord Ganesha, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day.
Another view is that Deepawali is meant to celebrate the destruction of the arrogant demon (asur) king Maha Bali at the hands of Vishnu when the latter appeared in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar.
The occasion of Deepawali sees the spring-cleaning and white-washing of houses; decorative designs or rangolis are painted on floors and walls. New clothes are bought and family members and relatives gather together to offer prayers, distribute sweets and to light up their homes.
The previous day of Diwali is celebrated as Chhotti Diwali (small Diwali) in memory of Lord Krishna saving about 16000 Gopikas (cow-herd girls) who were enslaved by Narakasur, the demon. In some places, this festival is not celebrated separately, and it falls on the same day of Diwali.

Deep Diwali

This festival is celebrated to honour the Jain Teerthankaras (fold-makers), It also marks the final liberation of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Teertahankar, from the cycle of life (known as Kaivalya).
He died on this day at the age of 72, at Pawapuri in Bihar.
On this day, Mahavira is worshipped at midnight and early next morning. Sacred scriptures are recited and houses are grandly illuminated.
Girnar in Gujarat and Pawapuri are the important centres of this celebration.

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It falls on December 25 every year. During the days of Christmas, people decorate their houses with star -shaped lights. This is to symbolise the legendary star that showed the way for the magi (wise men) from the east who came to see child Jesus with precious gifts. Carol songs are sung by groups of people who move from house to house. This practice reminds one of the heavenly song sung by the angels on the night Jesus was born.
Jesus was born during the second census held in the reign of Augustus Caesar, the famous Roman Emperor. As per the royal decree, all male had to go to their ancestral home town with their family, to register their names. Thus, Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem (now in Palestine), the royal town of King David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. There Jesus was born. The town was full of people who came from far and wide. Mary wrapped the new born baby in clothes and placed him in a manger (the trough for the cattle to feed from), because there was no room for them in the inn.
To symbolise Jesus' birth in humble circumstances, the Christians make small huts resembling the cattle-shed where child Jesus rested. Miniatures of the characters present during Jesus' birth are placed within this. Thus, you can see Child Jesus, his parents, the wise men, the angels and the shepherds with their sheep, the cattle around and the divine star. The Bible says that the poor shepherds were the first to come to share the joy of the child birth, with Joseph and Mary.
The Christians attend church services in the previous night and the morning of the Christmas day.
Christmas is a winter festival. The message of this festival is "peace to men on earth', as the heavenly angels sang. The Christians believe that it reminds us of God's love for the humans because He sent His Son to the earth to die for the human kind. Thus, it is day of celebrations as well as thanks giving.

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha is widely celebrated, on the full moon night the month of Vaisakh (April/May) in the Saka Calendar.
All the four important incidents in the life of Lord Buddha occurred on the full moon nights of Vaisakh. The Buddha was born on the Full Moon day in the month of Vaisakh in 563 BC, in Lumbini, near Kapila Vastu (presently in Nepal). On another full moon day in the same month, he abandoned his family and all earthly pleasures and went in search of the Supreme Truth. Also, Lord Buddha attained enlightenment on a full moon night in Vaisakh at Bodh gaya in Bihar. He achieved nirvana on full moon night in the same month.
It is also believed that Yashodara, Gautam's wife, his charioteer Channa and even his horse Kantaka were born on full moon days in the same month.
On this day, Buddhists offer prayers in their temples. Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon (known as Dharmachakra pravartana) and Bodh Gaya are the main centres of celebration.

Baisakhi

Baisakhi is New Year's Day in Punjab. It falls on April 13, though once in 36 years it occurs on 14th April. It marks the foundation of the Khalsa (the Sikh brotherhood) by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, on this day in 1699. The Sikhs, therefore, celebrate this festival as a collective birthday.
Baisakhi is celebrated with music and dancing. Sikhs visit gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and listen to kirtans (religious songs) and discourses. After the prayer, kada prasad (sweetened semolina) is served to the congregation. The function ends with langar (the community lunch) served by volunteers.
Processions are taken out. Mock duels and bands playing religious tunes are part of the processions. These are followed by readings from Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs.
Baisakhi is the harvest festival of Punjab. It is seen as a festival of thanks giving and it marks the beginning of the next agricultural season by sowing.