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Pakistan's
calendar features a great many festivals, both purely
cultrual and also religious. Others are in memory
of National Heroes or commemorate political events
in the nation's recent history. Muslim
festivals are celebrated according to Muslim (Lunar)
Calendar and may occur some 10 days earlier each successive
Christian Year.
There are several folk
and festivals held regularly in every part of the
country. Exact dates of such festivals are fixed annually
by the District Administration of the respective area,
at least 01 month in advance, according to the tradition.
Pakistan's main festivals are listed:
1 . Eid-ul-Fitr
(17-18 December 2001)
Religious festival celebrating end of fasting month
on 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic Calendar.
Special prayer after sun-rise, exchange of sweet dishes,
visits. read
more.....
2. Eid-ul-Azha
(27-18 February 2002)
Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice
offered by Prophet Abraham. Celebrated on 10 Zilhaj,
12th month of Islamic Calendar. Collective prayers
after sun set, sacrifice of goats, sheep, cows or
camels and distribution of meat among relatives, friends
and poor. read
more....
3.
Shab-e-Barat
(24 November 2000, 14 November 2001)
Religious festival celebrated on 14th of Shaaban,
the 8th Islamic month. Prayers, fire works, exchange
of sweet dishes and visits.
4. Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi : (last week
of June, 2001)
(Birthday of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad,p.b.u.h. on 12th
of Rabi-ul-Awwal - the 3rd month of Islamic Calendar.
read
more....
5 Christmas. (25 December)
In Pakistan 25 December is a public holiday it is
however in memory of Jinnah the founder of Pakistan.
In
christian homes they celebrate christmas with the
exchanging of gifts and cards, the wearing of new
clothes and the visiting of houses of friends.
They have a chruch service which is packed on Christmas
day which is called Bara Din the big day. read
more....
7 Basant
(Spring festival of Colors and Kite-flying)
The festival is held on the second weekend of February.
The skies over Lahore explode in a kaleidoscope of
color. As the first kite rises over the horizon, a
joust for supremacy begins that brings millions of
kites of all shapes and sizes, soaring to challenge
it. This is a time for festivities that reflect the
true Lahori spirit of good-natured competition and
appetite for celebration.
read more .......
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For a visitor, Basant is the ideal time to appreciate
the mood and magic of Lahore.
From the floodlit skies, the manic beat of the 'dhol'
and cries of 'Bo kata!' each time the opposition loses
a kite, to a constant feast that lasts an entire week.
Lahore displays a charm and hospitality unmatched and
unrivalled by any other city in the world
8 . Sibi Festival :
(Last week of February)
At Sibi (Balochistan).
Traditional sports, handicrafts exhibition, folk music
and dances.
9 . Sindh Horse & Cattle
Show
(Last week of February)
At Jacobabad (Sindh).
Similar activities as in Sibi Festival.
10 . Jashan-e-Larkana
(Last week of February)
At Larkana (Sindh).
Traditional sports, exhibition of handicrafts, folk
music and dances.
11. Nauroze
(21-23 March)
Celebrated only in Gilgit,
Hunza,
Skardu and Chitral. Polo, foot-ball, volley-ball and
hockey matches, folk dances and music.
12. Mela Chiraghan
(Festival of lamps in memory of sufi-poet Madhu
La'l Hussein in March)
Held for 01 week outside Shalimar Gardens, Lahore.
13. Horse & Cattle Show : (End
of March till 1st week of April)
At Dera
Ismail Khan. Local games, folk dances, music, cattle
races and exhibition of local handicrafts.
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14.Besakhi:(April)
15.Holli:(March) read
more .....
16.Dewali:(5 Days Hindu Festival)
17. Jashan-e-Shikarpur : (In April
for 01 week)
At Shikarpur, Sindh. Cultural activities, local sports
and handicrafts exhibition.
18. Joshi or Chilimjusht
: (14-15 May)
Kalash festival of welcoming spring, held in Kalash
Valleys near Chitral. Folk dances, music and exchange
of dishes.
19. Shandur Polo Festival :
(July 7 - 9, 2001)
Traditional polo
tournament between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit
is being held on the highest polo ground of the world
- The Shandur Pass (Chitral district). Allied activities
include fold music, folk dances and other competitions.
A tent village along Shandur Lake will be set up in
cooperation with the local administration.
20 . Utchal : (15-16 July)
A harvest festival, celebrated by Kalash
people in Kalash Valleys, Chitral.
21. Phool : (20-25 September)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Reaping grapes
and walnuts, dancing and singing.
22. Lok Mela : (1st
week of October, for one week)
Folk Festival held at Islamabad. Folk Music, songs,
music contests, folk dances, craftsmen at work, exhibition
and sale of handicrafts. The festival presents a unique
opportunity to watch the culture and craft of the
whole country at one place.
23. Chowmas : (18-21 October)
Held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Welcoming of
winter with first snow-fall. Activities restrict to
indoor.
24. Karakoram Car Rally :(3-8 Nov,
2000)
PTDC Rally from Islamabad to Khunjerab Pass (the highest
point - 4733 m above sea level). A closing event will
be held in Hunza Valley.
25. Pakistan Day : (23 March)
Commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan Resolution
passed on March 23, 1940 at Lahore during the public
rally of All India Muslim League. Military parade
at provincial capitals and Islamabad.
26 . Independence Day : (14 August)
Meeting, processions, rallies, decorations and illustrations
all over the country.
27 . Defence Day of Pakistan : (06 September)
Parades and exhibitions of military equipment at Rawalpindi,
Lahore, Peshawar,
Quetta
and Karachi.
Visits to the war memorials. (No national holiday
except Armed Forces)
28.
National Industrial Exhibition Islamabad :
(May 20 - June 10, 2000)
26.Exhibition and sale of Pakistan's industrial products
and handicraft items.
29. National Industrial Exhibition Lahore : (3rd
week of November for 15 days)
Held at Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Exhibition and sale
of industrial products and handicrafts of Pakistan.
30 . National Horse & Cattle Show Lahore :
(3rd week of November for 05 days )
Held at Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Cattle races, cattle
dances, tent-pegging, tattoo show, folk music, dances,
bands, cultural floats and folk games.
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