Onam is a 10-day long annual rice harvest festival in India, celebrated widely in the state of Kerala and the Malayalee community around the world. But what is the origin of this festival? We tell you everything you need to know.

Onam 2022: What is the festival about and why is it celebrated?

On Wednesday, the El Salvadorian town of Nejapa held its annual fireball celebration, during which people hurled flaming balls of gasoline-soaked rags at one another.

Nejapa town in El Salvador celebrates annual fireball festival

Colombian “silletero” florists on Monday took out a parade carrying heavy-weighted flower arrangements at the year-long awaited Medellin festival.

Colombia’s Medellin holds annual flower festival

Belgium's famous flower carpet festival has opened up in Brussels. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the festival. Watch this special report.

Flower carpet festival opens in Brussels: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the festival

Cinema Paradiso has kicked off in the Louvre Museum. A selection of documentaries will be shown. 2500 spectators are expected to visit the cinema festival in Paris.

Cinema Paradiso kicks off in the Louvre Museum: Selection of documentaries to be shown

The 19-year-old climate activist, Greta Thunberg made a surprise appearance at the Glastonbury festival, with a warning regarding a potential “total natural catastrophe” unless citizens take immediate action.&nbsp;

After a moving speech from the Pyramid stage which was painted with an apocalyptic image of the future of the planet, Thunberg also led chants of "climate" and "justice" with cheers from thousands of people at the festival.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treaty-that-puts-climate-change-on-back-burner-to-be-challenged-at-european-court-of-human-rights-490351">Treaty that puts climate change on back burner to be challenged at European Court of Human Rights</a>

"We are approaching the precipice and I would strongly suggest that all of those who have not yet been greenwashed out of our senses to stand our ground. Do not let them drag us another inch closer to the edge. Right now is where we stand our ground," The Guardian quoted Thunberg.

Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the Glastonbury festival invited Thunberg to the stage by describing her as, "the most inspiring speaker of this generation”.

Thunberg claimed that the world leaders are to be blamed for failing to stop the climate emergency and for developing “loopholes” that allow ecological destruction to go unaddressed.&nbsp;

"It has not only become acceptable for leaders to lie, but it’s also almost what we expect them to do," she added.

Watch |&nbsp;Effects of climate change lead to food shortage | Air Pollution can cause infertility

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/effects-of-climate-change-lead-to-food-shortage-air-pollution-can-cause-infertility-490363/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The surprise in-person speech by Thunberg was announced on Saturday.

The climate activist said, "It is taking action. It is stepping outside your comfort zone. And if a bunch of school kids was able to get millions of people on the streets and start changing their lives, just imagine what we could all do together if we try."

Thunberg said that it was high time for society to start “creating hope” rather than waiting for it to arrive.

"Hope is not something that is given to you. It is something you have to earn, to create. It cannot be gained passively from standing by passively and waiting for someone else to do something."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/major-highlights-of-glastonbury-festival-2022-paul-mccartney-grohl-springsteen-and-more-perform-491894">Major Highlights of Glastonbury festival 2022: Paul McCartney, Grohl, Springsteen and more perform</a>

Thunberg's main intention to make a surprise appearance at the festival was to urge the people to make efforts to halt global warming before it is too late.

"These crises are the biggest story in the world. And it must be spoken as far and as wide as possible, as far as our voices can carry and even further still. It must be told in the articles, newspapers, movies, and songs; at breakfast tables, lunch meetings, family gatherings; in lifts and bus stops; and in a rural shop and music festivals like Glastonbury," she added.

(with inputs from agencies)

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The 19-year-old climate activist, Greta Thunberg made a surprise appearance at the Glastonbury festival, with a warning regarding a potential “total natural catastrophe” unless citizens take immediate action.

The 19-year-old climate activist, Greta Thunberg made a surprise appearance at the Glastonbury festival, with a warning regarding a potential “total natural catastrophe” unless citizens take immediate action. After a moving speech from the Pyramid stage which was painted with an apocalyptic image of the future of the planet, Thunberg also led chants of "climate" and "justice" with cheers from thousands of people at the festival. Also read | Treaty that puts climate change on back burner to be challenged at European Court of Human Rights "We are approaching the precipice and I would strongly suggest that all of those who have not yet been greenwashed out of our senses to stand our ground. Do not let them drag us another inch closer to the edge. Right now is where we stand our ground," The Guardian quoted Thunberg. Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the Glastonbury festival invited Thunberg to the stage by describing her as, "the most inspiring speaker of this generation”. Thunberg claimed that the world leaders are to be blamed for failing to stop the climate emergency and for developing “loopholes” that allow ecological destruction to go unaddressed. "It has not only become acceptable for leaders to lie, but it’s also almost what we expect them to do," she added. Watch | Effects of climate change lead to food shortage | Air Pollution can cause infertility The surprise in-person speech by Thunberg was announced on Saturday. The climate activist said, "It is taking action. It is stepping outside your comfort zone. And if a bunch of school kids was able to get millions of people on the streets and start changing their lives, just imagine what we could all do together if we try." Thunberg said that it was high time for society to start “creating hope” rather than waiting for it to arrive. "Hope is not something that is given to you. It is something you have to earn, to create. It cannot be gained passively from standing by passively and waiting for someone else to do something." Also read | Major Highlights of Glastonbury festival 2022: Paul McCartney, Grohl, Springsteen and more perform Thunberg's main intention to make a surprise appearance at the festival was to urge the people to make efforts to halt global warming before it is too late. "These crises are the biggest story in the world. And it must be spoken as far and as wide as possible, as far as our voices can carry and even further still. It must be told in the articles, newspapers, movies, and songs; at breakfast tables, lunch meetings, family gatherings; in lifts and bus stops; and in a rural shop and music festivals like Glastonbury," she added. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Greta Thunberg makes surprise appearance at Glastonbury festival

In La Paz city of Bolivia, thousands participated in the festival know as 'the Feast of the lord of Great Power'. They celebrated the festival to honor The Lord of Great Power after it had been suspended for 2 years due to Covid-19.

Bolivian people celebrate colorful 'Great Power' festival in La Paz

India is the 'country of honour' at Marche Du Film While this is great news, why are Indian films not winning big at international film festivals? We look for answers on Cannes 2022: The India Story with our experts Meenakshi Shedde & T.P. Aggarwal on WION Wideangle

Cannes 2022: The India story | WION Wideangle

Watch Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's 20-year journey at the Cannes film festival. The actress began her Cannes journey in 2002.

Watch Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's 20-year journey at the Cannes film festival

Hollywood star Tom Cruise becomes the show-stealer after the premiere of the Top Gun Maverick the premiere during the Cannes film festival 2022.

Day 2 of the Cannes film festival 2022: Tom Cruise becomes the show-stealer

India is celebrating the festival of colours, Holi which marks the triumph of good over evil. Watch ground report from the holy place of Vrindavan.

Holi celebration in Vrindavan: India celebrates the festival of colours

India celebrates the festival of colours: Festival marks triumph of good over evil

Holi, the festival of colours, It's one of the most exuberant festivals in the world. What are the legends and rituals of Holi? We look at different ways Holi is celebrated across India. Watch WION Wideangle with Ashwin Sanghi & Suhag A Shukla.

Holi: Legends & Rituals | WION Wideangle

As the sun set below the ridgelines of the Appalachian Mountains on Saturday evening, revelers donned fantastical papier-mâché masks — a bright red creature with striped horns, a boar with a floral headdress, an autumn leaf — and marched with gusto in an outdoor masquerade ball.

The celebration included Swiss folk songs, tiny Swiss flags and paper lanterns. It culminated in a parade through the streets of the village, led by an effigy of Old Man Winter, which was then thrown atop a raging bonfire, in an effort to hasten the coming of spring.

Helvetia, a community of just 85 people, has hosted Fasnacht for more than half a century. The coronavirus pandemic forced its cancellation last year — the first since 1967 — making this year’s celebration all the more sweet.

Doug Davis, a longtime festival organizer and public-school teacher, seemed buoyed by the festival’s return. “COVID killed the community spirit,” he said. “But here we are, recovering.”

Helvetia, like Fasnacht itself, has Swiss roots. The village was settled in the 19th century by Swiss and German immigrants, and the buildings feature traditional Swiss architecture. Hütte, a traditional Swiss restaurant, serves bratwurst, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and potatoes. The Beekeeper Inn is booked months in advance for Fasnacht weekend. The Helvetia General Store is also home to a Fasnacht mask museum.

In many parts of Switzerland, carnival — or Fasnacht — season is held in February and March. In Helvetia, it is the weekend before Fat Tuesday and draws enough visitors to swell the number of people in the town to more than triple its population.

While many revelers Saturday said they were relieved to see the tradition return, some described a sense of urgency in their desire to experience what may be West Virginia’s most unusual community celebration. Appalachia, said Joe Holmes, an attendee from Davis, West Virginia, 76 miles away, is “homogenizing like everything else. These little pockets of uniqueness are just drying up. It’s an inevitable result of technology and progress.”

This year’s events were moved outdoors as a COVID-19 precaution. Attendees milled about the banks of the upper Trout Run stream, warming themselves around campfires and enjoying rosettes and Fasnacht doughnuts, traditional Swiss sweets. Visitors lined up to peek inside a log cabin decorated with artifacts from some of Helvetia’s original settlers.

And Saturday evening, as the last bits of Old Man Winter were consumed by flames, festivalgoers joined in an a cappella rendition of the beloved John Denver anthem “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

As the sun set below the ridgelines of the Appalachian Mountains on Saturday evening, revelers donned fantastical papier-mâché masks — a bright red creature with striped horns, a boar with a floral headdress, an autumn leaf — and marched with gusto in an outdoor masquerade ball.

As the sun set below the ridgelines of the Appalachian Mountains on Saturday evening, revelers donned fantastical papier-mâché masks — a bright red creature with striped horns, a boar with a floral headdress, an autumn leaf — and marched with gusto in an outdoor masquerade ball. The celebration included Swiss folk songs, tiny Swiss flags and paper lanterns. It culminated in a parade through the streets of the village, led by an effigy of Old Man Winter, which was then thrown atop a raging bonfire, in an effort to hasten the coming of spring. Helvetia, a community of just 85 people, has hosted Fasnacht for more than half a century. The coronavirus pandemic forced its cancellation last year — the first since 1967 — making this year’s celebration all the more sweet. Doug Davis, a longtime festival organizer and public-school teacher, seemed buoyed by the festival’s return. “COVID killed the community spirit,” he said. “But here we are, recovering.” Helvetia, like Fasnacht itself, has Swiss roots. The village was settled in the 19th century by Swiss and German immigrants, and the buildings feature traditional Swiss architecture. Hütte, a traditional Swiss restaurant, serves bratwurst, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and potatoes. The Beekeeper Inn is booked months in advance for Fasnacht weekend. The Helvetia General Store is also home to a Fasnacht mask museum. In many parts of Switzerland, carnival — or Fasnacht — season is held in February and March. In Helvetia, it is the weekend before Fat Tuesday and draws enough visitors to swell the number of people in the town to more than triple its population. While many revelers Saturday said they were relieved to see the tradition return, some described a sense of urgency in their desire to experience what may be West Virginia’s most unusual community celebration. Appalachia, said Joe Holmes, an attendee from Davis, West Virginia, 76 miles away, is “homogenizing like everything else. These little pockets of uniqueness are just drying up. It’s an inevitable result of technology and progress.” This year’s events were moved outdoors as a COVID-19 precaution. Attendees milled about the banks of the upper Trout Run stream, warming themselves around campfires and enjoying rosettes and Fasnacht doughnuts, traditional Swiss sweets. Visitors lined up to peek inside a log cabin decorated with artifacts from some of Helvetia’s original settlers. And Saturday evening, as the last bits of Old Man Winter were consumed by flames, festivalgoers joined in an a cappella rendition of the beloved John Denver anthem “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

In a tiny Appalachian village, a beloved festival returns

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival took place on Saturday with much fanfare in the commercial center of Jeddah. The festival was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee (new Saudi Yoga Federation), a body under Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Ministry of Sports. Nouf Marwaai is president of the committee, which was formed on May 16, 2021. &nbsp;

Speaking to WION, the 2019 Padma Shri awardee said, "The idea behind holding the event was to bring yogis (yoga instructors) together. The Saudi Yoga Committee's strategy is to promote yoga in the society and encourage people to participate in yoga activity." &nbsp;

The event was organised at Juman Park, King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah. It saw participation of a number of top Saudi yoga teachers including Marwa Khairudeen, Lana Nazer, etc. Nouf Marwaai lauded the leadership of Saudi Arabia, saying that they have been "very supportive on health and wellness, and sports activities. This is part of vision 2030" and "response from people is amazing and it's very popular." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-budget-2022-economic-survey-projects-8-85-gdp-growth-for-2022-23-449130" hreflang="en">India Budget 2022: Economic Survey projects 8-8.5% GDP growth for 2022-23</a>

Two famous yoga teachers, who were seen at the Yoga Festival in Jeddah, were Saudi national Dana Algosaibi and Lebanese national Natalie Kriedeih. Khaled Alzahrani, a Saudi yoga teacher, who has a yoga center in Jeddah was seen performing Sirsasans and other asanas. Irum Khan, an Indian national, who teaches yoga in Saudi Arabia since 2008 and yoga master Murali Krishna also participated. &nbsp;

Asked about yoga facing any backlash over religious connect, she said, "I don't think there is anything in yoga that conflicts with religion like some people claim. Of course, yoga’s background goes back to vedic philosophy and sanatana dharma. I don't think it conflicts because there are lot of practices in yoga that doesn't conflicts with religion like asanas..breathing techniques." &nbsp;&nbsp;

She explained, "I never seen anything that conflicts with religion or that Muslims can't practice yoga. It’s for health and well-being. Yoga is a kind of cultural exchange too.". &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-madras-hc-orders-cbi-probe-into-alleged-forced-conversion-suicide-of-minor-girl-in-tamil-nadu-449128" hreflang="en">India: Madras HC orders CBI probe into alleged 'forced-conversion', suicide of minor girl in Tamil Nadu</a>

Indian Consul General Shahid Alam, Saudi Yoga Committee CEO Ahmad Alsaady were also present at the occasion. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Remember last yoga day, Saudi Arabia had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India for the establishment of a formal "yoga protocol (standards)" for the promotion of yoga in the country. This was also the first such bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia on yoga. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Yoga has been allowed in the country since November 2017. Amid the pandemic, yoga gained popularity in the west Asian country as it was seen as a supportive practice that reduces anxiety.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival took place on Saturday with much fanfare in the commercial center of Jeddah. The festival was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee (new Saudi Yoga Federation), a body under Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Ministry of Sports.

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival took place on Saturday with much fanfare in the commercial center of Jeddah. The festival was organised by the Saudi Yoga Committee (new Saudi Yoga Federation), a body under Saudi Arabia Olympic Committee, Ministry of Sports. Nouf Marwaai is president of the committee, which was formed on May 16, 2021. Speaking to WION, the 2019 Padma Shri awardee said, "The idea behind holding the event was to bring yogis (yoga instructors) together. The Saudi Yoga Committee's strategy is to promote yoga in the society and encourage people to participate in yoga activity." The event was organised at Juman Park, King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah. It saw participation of a number of top Saudi yoga teachers including Marwa Khairudeen, Lana Nazer, etc. Nouf Marwaai lauded the leadership of Saudi Arabia, saying that they have been "very supportive on health and wellness, and sports activities. This is part of vision 2030" and "response from people is amazing and it's very popular." Also Read: India Budget 2022: Economic Survey projects 8-8.5% GDP growth for 2022-23 Two famous yoga teachers, who were seen at the Yoga Festival in Jeddah, were Saudi national Dana Algosaibi and Lebanese national Natalie Kriedeih. Khaled Alzahrani, a Saudi yoga teacher, who has a yoga center in Jeddah was seen performing Sirsasans and other asanas. Irum Khan, an Indian national, who teaches yoga in Saudi Arabia since 2008 and yoga master Murali Krishna also participated. Asked about yoga facing any backlash over religious connect, she said, "I don't think there is anything in yoga that conflicts with religion like some people claim. Of course, yoga’s background goes back to vedic philosophy and sanatana dharma. I don't think it conflicts because there are lot of practices in yoga that doesn't conflicts with religion like asanas..breathing techniques." She explained, "I never seen anything that conflicts with religion or that Muslims can't practice yoga. It’s for health and well-being. Yoga is a kind of cultural exchange too.". Also Read | India: Madras HC orders CBI probe into alleged 'forced-conversion', suicide of minor girl in Tamil Nadu Indian Consul General Shahid Alam, Saudi Yoga Committee CEO Ahmad Alsaady were also present at the occasion. Remember last yoga day, Saudi Arabia had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India for the establishment of a formal "yoga protocol (standards)" for the promotion of yoga in the country. This was also the first such bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia on yoga. Yoga has been allowed in the country since November 2017. Amid the pandemic, yoga gained popularity in the west Asian country as it was seen as a supportive practice that reduces anxiety.

Saudi Arabia's first yoga festival organised in Jeddah

Las Luminarias, the Spanish festival made a comeback on Sunday (January 16). About 100 horses jumped through bonfires in a purification ceremony. This was the first time that the festival was organised since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The traditional nighttime celebration takes place in San Bartolome de Pinares every Jan. 16, the eve of Saint Anthony's Day, Spain's patron saint of animals.

It was cancelled last year because of pandemic restrictions.

Revellers rode their horses through the narrow cobble-stoned streets, which according to tradition, purifies the animals with the smoke and flames of the bonfires for the coming year.

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After an hour of horses jumping over flames, revellers then took to dancing and drinking.

"This comes from thousands of years ago. So that animals did not get unwell, the old priests would bless them with fires so that they would jump and be purified," said Fermin Abad, 64, a local resident.

About 100 horses and their owners took part in the festivities, Reuters witnesses said.

Despite coming under criticism from animal rights groups over the years, organisers told Reuters that the horses were not harmed due to precautions taken by riders to cut horse hair to avoid burns.

(With inputs from agencies)

Las Luminarias, the Spanish festival made a comeback on Sunday (January 16). About 100 horses jumped through bonfires in a purification ceremony. This was the first time that the festival was organised since the start of the Covid pandemic.

Las Luminarias, the Spanish festival made a comeback on Sunday (January 16). About 100 horses jumped through bonfires in a purification ceremony. This was the first time that the festival was organised since the start of the Covid pandemic. The traditional nighttime celebration takes place in San Bartolome de Pinares every Jan. 16, the eve of Saint Anthony's Day, Spain's patron saint of animals. It was cancelled last year because of pandemic restrictions. Revellers rode their horses through the narrow cobble-stoned streets, which according to tradition, purifies the animals with the smoke and flames of the bonfires for the coming year. After an hour of horses jumping over flames, revellers then took to dancing and drinking. "This comes from thousands of years ago. So that animals did not get unwell, the old priests would bless them with fires so that they would jump and be purified," said Fermin Abad, 64, a local resident. About 100 horses and their owners took part in the festivities, Reuters witnesses said. Despite coming under criticism from animal rights groups over the years, organisers told Reuters that the horses were not harmed due to precautions taken by riders to cut horse hair to avoid burns. (With inputs from agencies)

Horses jump through fire as Spanish festival makes a comeback

Themed Christmas trees set the mood for the festive season, as designer trees from around the world light up Moscow's Christmas festival.

Designer Christmas trees from around the world light up Moscow's Christmas festival

With Christmas approaching, Santa Claus is on a special mission to distribute gifts to animals at the Peruvian zoo.

Santa Claus on a special mission: Delivers presents at Peruvian zoo

It's the season of lush Christmas trees adorned with baubles and twinkle lights but every year after Christmas celebrations dead trees are left abandoned. Around 7 million trees end up in landfills every year but a start-up in London is now offering a solution for that, take a look.

Eco-friendly Christmas trees in UK, business picks up ahead of festivities

Ahead of festival season, Santa Claus in Guatemala can be seen flying in on a helicopter to visit children.

Santa Claus in Guatemala is flying in on a helicopter to visit children

"El festín de los muñecos" (Puppet's feast) is the standard to which all puppet shows are compared to in Latin America. Over the past 20 years, this festival has been held in Guadalajara city and gathers puppeteers from all over the world.

Mexico's fairytale puppet show returns to the stage

With the festival season just around the corner there are more than a million LEDs twinkling across central London. Usually, the Oxford streets unveils its Christmas light first. But this year, 20 streets across the west end, including the regent street, bond street and areas in Mayfair and Piccadilly. All lit up in sync for what was the biggest switch on-in the world. Well, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in London !

LEDs twinkling across central London mark the coming of Christmas

Every year harvesting Pomegranate villagers in Iran ran a festival by preparing local foods, playing games. Iran tops the list of the world's Pomegranate producers. The domestic production of Pomegranate in Iran exceeds 1 million tonnes annually.

Pomegranate Festival: Iranians celebrate annual harvesting season in Tehran

Thousands of Mexicans crowded into the main avenue of Mexico City for a lively Day of the Dead parade relishing the chance to mark the festive tradition after the coronavirus pandemic cast a thick pall over it last year.

Mexico returned to mass commemorations of the Day of the Dead

The famous 10-day long Dasara festivitiesCommenced in this palace city on Thursday with religious fervour, amid the shadow of COVID-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year.

Celebrated as 'Nada Habba' (state festival), the festivities began with senior political leader and former Chief Minister S M Krishna and Chief Minister B Basavaraj Bommai along with other dignitaries showering flowers on the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru royals, atop the Chamundi Hill.

Krishna, who had also served as Union External Affairs Minister and Governor of Maharashtra, was chosen by the government for inaugurating the Dasara festivities.

Mysuru in-charge and Cooperation Minister S T Somashekar, Revenue Minister R Ashoka, Kannada and Culture Minister V Sunil Kumar, Religious Endowments, Wakf and Haj Minister Shashikala Jolle and Mysuru MP Pratap Simha were among others present at the inaugural.

With COVID-19 pandemic casting a shadow, the government had decided to organise the 412th Dasara festivities in a "simple" way, by and large restricting it to keep up with the traditions.

The 10-day event that every year showcases Karnataka's cultural heritage resplendent with folk art forms and attracts large crowds and tourists, has been scaled down for the second consecutive year due to COVID-19.

The Mysuru administration has restricted people at most of the events and has arranged for live telecasts.

The state government has issued guidelines for celebrating the Dasara festival at Mysuru limiting the number of participants to 500 at prominent Dasara events, such as the cultural programmes in front of Amba Vilas Palace, the famous Dasara procession (Jumbo Sawari) and Torch Light Parade.

'Jumbo Sawari' procession of caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a golden Howdah on Vijayadashmi or the 10th day of the festival, which marks the culmination of celebrations on October 15, has been restricted to the Amba Vilas Palace premises.

Also, the cultural events, which otherwise used to be held at more than a dozen venues, have been restricted to the palace premises.

The palace, major streets, turnarounds or circles and buildings of Mysuru will be illuminated with lights in the evening during the 10-day long festivities. At the palace too, the royal family will celebrate the festivities as per traditions.

The Navaratri celebrations at the palace include several rituals, most remarkably Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of Mysuru royal family, dressed in grand attire, conducting Khasagi durbar (private durbar) by ascending the golden throne, amid chanting of vedic hymns.

Dasara was celebrated by the rulers of the Vijayanagar empire and the tradition was inherited by the Wadiyars.

Festivities were first started in Mysuru by the Wadiyar King, Raja Wadiyar I in the year 1610.

It became a private affair of the royal family following the abolition of the privy purse in 1971 and the discontinuation of the privileges of the erstwhile rulers.

However, a low-key Dasara used to be held on the initiative of the local people until the state government stepped in and the then Chief Minister D Devaraja Urs revived the Dasara celebrations in 1975, which is being followed till date.

Terming it as his "good fortune" to be at the service of "Naada Devate" (state deity) Chamundeshwari, Chief Minister Bommai said the world renowned festivities has slightly lost its shine for two years because of COVID and expressed hope about celebrating with grandeur and religious fervour from next year with the blessings of the goddess.

"I have prayed to the goddess to remove the people of the state from all difficulties and COVID pandemic," he said.

S M Krishna, in his speech, termed youth as an asset to the nation, and stressed on the need to give them the right direction by setting the right kind of ambitions.

Recalling his long association with Mysuru, he remembered the contribution of royals for Mysuru, including pledging their jewels to construct Krishnaraja Sagar Dam across the river Cauvery, which helped the progress of the farmers of the region.

He advised the state government to think about the Mysuru Dasara package for tourism by next year, aimed at covering all the major destinations in the state, as he pointed out that Singapore is an example on how a place can progress with cleanliness and proper planning.&nbsp;

The famous 10-day long Dasara festivitiesCommenced in this palace city on Thursday with religious fervour, amid the shadow of COVID-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year.

The famous 10-day long Dasara festivitiesCommenced in this palace city on Thursday with religious fervour, amid the shadow of COVID-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year. Celebrated as 'Nada Habba' (state festival), the festivities began with senior political leader and former Chief Minister S M Krishna and Chief Minister B Basavaraj Bommai along with other dignitaries showering flowers on the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru royals, atop the Chamundi Hill. Krishna, who had also served as Union External Affairs Minister and Governor of Maharashtra, was chosen by the government for inaugurating the Dasara festivities. Mysuru in-charge and Cooperation Minister S T Somashekar, Revenue Minister R Ashoka, Kannada and Culture Minister V Sunil Kumar, Religious Endowments, Wakf and Haj Minister Shashikala Jolle and Mysuru MP Pratap Simha were among others present at the inaugural. With COVID-19 pandemic casting a shadow, the government had decided to organise the 412th Dasara festivities in a "simple" way, by and large restricting it to keep up with the traditions. The 10-day event that every year showcases Karnataka's cultural heritage resplendent with folk art forms and attracts large crowds and tourists, has been scaled down for the second consecutive year due to COVID-19. The Mysuru administration has restricted people at most of the events and has arranged for live telecasts. The state government has issued guidelines for celebrating the Dasara festival at Mysuru limiting the number of participants to 500 at prominent Dasara events, such as the cultural programmes in front of Amba Vilas Palace, the famous Dasara procession (Jumbo Sawari) and Torch Light Parade. 'Jumbo Sawari' procession of caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a golden Howdah on Vijayadashmi or the 10th day of the festival, which marks the culmination of celebrations on October 15, has been restricted to the Amba Vilas Palace premises. Also, the cultural events, which otherwise used to be held at more than a dozen venues, have been restricted to the palace premises. The palace, major streets, turnarounds or circles and buildings of Mysuru will be illuminated with lights in the evening during the 10-day long festivities. At the palace too, the royal family will celebrate the festivities as per traditions. The Navaratri celebrations at the palace include several rituals, most remarkably Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of Mysuru royal family, dressed in grand attire, conducting Khasagi durbar (private durbar) by ascending the golden throne, amid chanting of vedic hymns. Dasara was celebrated by the rulers of the Vijayanagar empire and the tradition was inherited by the Wadiyars. Festivities were first started in Mysuru by the Wadiyar King, Raja Wadiyar I in the year 1610. It became a private affair of the royal family following the abolition of the privy purse in 1971 and the discontinuation of the privileges of the erstwhile rulers. However, a low-key Dasara used to be held on the initiative of the local people until the state government stepped in and the then Chief Minister D Devaraja Urs revived the Dasara celebrations in 1975, which is being followed till date. Terming it as his "good fortune" to be at the service of "Naada Devate" (state deity) Chamundeshwari, Chief Minister Bommai said the world renowned festivities has slightly lost its shine for two years because of COVID and expressed hope about celebrating with grandeur and religious fervour from next year with the blessings of the goddess. "I have prayed to the goddess to remove the people of the state from all difficulties and COVID pandemic," he said. S M Krishna, in his speech, termed youth as an asset to the nation, and stressed on the need to give them the right direction by setting the right kind of ambitions. Recalling his long association with Mysuru, he remembered the contribution of royals for Mysuru, including pledging their jewels to construct Krishnaraja Sagar Dam across the river Cauvery, which helped the progress of the farmers of the region. He advised the state government to think about the Mysuru Dasara package for tourism by next year, aimed at covering all the major destinations in the state, as he pointed out that Singapore is an example on how a place can progress with cleanliness and proper planning.

Dasara festivities begin in Mysuru amid COVID-19 restrictions

Bright colours, flowers and unusual architectural elements have turned the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve in Moscow into an open-air exhibition. There are twelve landscape compositions presented at the 4th annual festival of historical gardens.

Landscape festival attempts to define the ultimate Russian garden

Authorities in India's Ladakh organised a nomadic tribes festival.

This was done to bring unique eastern tribes' cultures and traditions on the tourist map.

The festival mainly focused on 'sustainable development.'

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A glimpse of the first -ever "Ladakh Nomadic Festival" held at Korzok Phu on August 30-31 
 
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It witnessed the participation of several nomadic tribes and included events like cosplaying, singing, Yak dancing, spinning, weaving, playing dice, and other types of art.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-to-attend-sco-summit-virtually-410116">Also read |&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend SCO summit virtually</a>

The festival will also showcase competitions like archery and horse racing.

Ladakh, the Himalayan desert, bordering China's Tibetan autonomous region, is a Buddhist dominated union territory, ruled by India.&nbsp;

The culture of Ladakh is similar to the Tibetan culture and is also home to several Himalayan tribes.

Authorities in India's Ladakh organised a nomadic tribes festival. This was done to bring unique eastern tribes' cultures and traditions on the tourist map. The festival mainly focused on 'sustainable development.

Authorities in India's Ladakh organised a nomadic tribes festival. This was done to bring unique eastern tribes' cultures and traditions on the tourist map. The festival mainly focused on 'sustainable development.' A glimpse of the first -ever "Ladakh Nomadic Festival" held at Korzok Phu on August 30-31 PC: Nawang Dorjey #Ladakh #nomads #korzok #tsomoriri @incredibleindia @tourismgoi @MinOfCultureGoI @DIPR_Leh @DIPR_Kargil @ut_ladakh @PBLadakh @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/UV2QQYOFJo — Ladakh Tourism (@utladakhtourism) September 1, 2021 × It witnessed the participation of several nomadic tribes and included events like cosplaying, singing, Yak dancing, spinning, weaving, playing dice, and other types of art. Also read | Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend SCO summit virtually The festival will also showcase competitions like archery and horse racing. Ladakh, the Himalayan desert, bordering China's Tibetan autonomous region, is a Buddhist dominated union territory, ruled by India. The culture of Ladakh is similar to the Tibetan culture and is also home to several Himalayan tribes.

Ladakh hosts nomadic tribes festival with the aim of preserving culture, tradition

The&nbsp;Cannes&nbsp;Film&nbsp;Festival&nbsp;returns&nbsp;next week, promising to bury the long months of darkness and solitude under an avalanche of celebrity, champagne and chin-stroking arthouse&nbsp;cinema.&nbsp;

It is billed as nothing less than a resurrection. "Cinema&nbsp;is not dead!" festival supremo Thierry Fremaux declared last month.&nbsp;

It is the first major fully-fledged&nbsp;film&nbsp;festival&nbsp;since the pandemic, and a truckload of Hollywood stars -- from Timothee Chalamet to Nicole Kidman to Matt Damon -- are expected on the Croisette between July 6 and 17.

It's not quite a return to normal, of course, even if France's Covid numbers have been steadily improving and most restrictions lifted.&nbsp;

There will be no "bises" -- the French-style peck on the cheeks -- at the top of the fabled steps to the Palais des Festivals.&nbsp;

And some of the&nbsp;glitz&nbsp;will be toned down, with many after-parties cancelled and the big galas cutting their invite lists in half to meet social distancing guidelines.&nbsp;

Organisers are also slowly waking up to the fact that the sight of celebrities and moguls arriving on private jets and mega-yachts doesn't seem so chic in an age of impending climate disaster.

So this year: no plastic, lots of electric cars, and most symbolic of all: a red carpet that is half the size and made from recycled material.&nbsp;

Stargazing&nbsp;

But our collective need to gawp at megastars on the Cote d'Azur will not be denied.&nbsp;

One&nbsp;film&nbsp;in this year's competition accounts for an outsize share of the celeb-count: Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch" includes Chalamet, Benicio del Toro, Bill Murray and many more.&nbsp;

Two other stars of that&nbsp;film&nbsp;-- Tilda Swinton and Lea Seydoux -- will be near-ubiquitous on the Croisette, with appearances in a remarkable eight movies between them.

Damon is in town for the premiere of his latest thriller, the Marseilles-set "Stillwater".

But&nbsp;Cannes&nbsp;is all about the filmmakers, and after last year's edition was cancelled due to the pandemic, a particularly rich crop of festival alumni is competing for the Palme d'Or.&nbsp;

Among those submitting themselves to the famously blunt audiences of&nbsp;Cannes&nbsp;are several past winners: Italy's Nanni Moretti with his new&nbsp;film&nbsp;"Tre Piani", France's Jacques Audiard ("Les Olympiades") and Thailand's master of the slow-burn Apichatpong Weerasethakul with his English-language debut ("Memoria").&nbsp;

The opening night&nbsp;film&nbsp;is also a first in English for France's Leo Carax, directing Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard in what is certain to be a bizarre and visually arresting musical about a celebrity couple and their mysterious child, "Annette".

Dutch shockmeister Paul Verhoeven, who made his name with Hollywood megahits like "Robocop" and "Basic Instinct", continues his late run of (slightly) more subtle European fare with "Benedetta" about lesbian nuns in 17th century Italy.&nbsp;

Sean Penn will also be hoping for a personal resurrection after his catastrophic&nbsp;Cannes&nbsp;appearance in 2016, when his Africa-based humanitarian love story "The Last Face" was mercilessly booed.&nbsp;

He is aiming for a warmer reception to "Flag Day", starring himself and his daughter Dylan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-calls-report-of-china-building-more-than-100-nuclear-missile-silos-concerning-395234">Also Read |&nbsp;US calls report of China building more than 100 nuclear missile silos 'concerning'</a>

Also in the competition are Iran's two-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi, who&nbsp;returns&nbsp;with "A Hero", and Russia's Kirill Serebrennikov, who is unable to attend due to an embezzlement conviction that is widely seen as punishment for criticising Vladimir Putin.

Gender imbalance&nbsp;

The panel judging the 24 entries is headed by US director Spike Lee -- the first time a black man has led the jury -- and includes "The Serpent" star Tahar Rahim and US actress Maggie Gyllenhaal.&nbsp;

With just four female directors in the competition, the festival's tendency to pick the usual (male) suspects of the arthouse elite is once again under scrutiny.&nbsp;

Only one woman has won the top Palme d'Or prize in 73 editions of the festival: Jane Campion for "The Piano" in 1993.

The selection is more balanced in the other sections, however, with over half the entries in the independent Directors' Fortnight and International Critics Week coming from women directors.&nbsp;

US actor-director Jodie Foster will likely field questions on the subject as she picks up an honorary Palme.&nbsp;

There is plenty happening outside the competitions, including a first showing of Oliver Stone's new documentary about the JFK assassination, updating his feature-length conspiracy theory from 1991.&nbsp;

That will play in the new&nbsp;Cannes&nbsp;Premiere section, along with other intriguing documentaries: one about troubled star Val Kilmer ("Val") and Charlotte Gainsbourg's ode to her mother Jane Birkin ("Jane").

The Cannes Film Festival returns next week, promising to bury the long months of darkness and solitude under an avalanche of celebrity, champagne and chin-stroking arthouse cinema.

The Cannes Film Festival returns next week, promising to bury the long months of darkness and solitude under an avalanche of celebrity, champagne and chin-stroking arthouse cinema. It is billed as nothing less than a resurrection. "Cinema is not dead!" festival supremo Thierry Fremaux declared last month. It is the first major fully-fledged film festival since the pandemic, and a truckload of Hollywood stars -- from Timothee Chalamet to Nicole Kidman to Matt Damon -- are expected on the Croisette between July 6 and 17. It's not quite a return to normal, of course, even if France's Covid numbers have been steadily improving and most restrictions lifted. There will be no "bises" -- the French-style peck on the cheeks -- at the top of the fabled steps to the Palais des Festivals. And some of the glitz will be toned down, with many after-parties cancelled and the big galas cutting their invite lists in half to meet social distancing guidelines. Organisers are also slowly waking up to the fact that the sight of celebrities and moguls arriving on private jets and mega-yachts doesn't seem so chic in an age of impending climate disaster. So this year: no plastic, lots of electric cars, and most symbolic of all: a red carpet that is half the size and made from recycled material. Stargazing But our collective need to gawp at megastars on the Cote d'Azur will not be denied. One film in this year's competition accounts for an outsize share of the celeb-count: Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch" includes Chalamet, Benicio del Toro, Bill Murray and many more. Two other stars of that film -- Tilda Swinton and Lea Seydoux -- will be near-ubiquitous on the Croisette, with appearances in a remarkable eight movies between them. Damon is in town for the premiere of his latest thriller, the Marseilles-set "Stillwater". But Cannes is all about the filmmakers, and after last year's edition was cancelled due to the pandemic, a particularly rich crop of festival alumni is competing for the Palme d'Or. Among those submitting themselves to the famously blunt audiences of Cannes are several past winners: Italy's Nanni Moretti with his new film "Tre Piani", France's Jacques Audiard ("Les Olympiades") and Thailand's master of the slow-burn Apichatpong Weerasethakul with his English-language debut ("Memoria"). The opening night film is also a first in English for France's Leo Carax, directing Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard in what is certain to be a bizarre and visually arresting musical about a celebrity couple and their mysterious child, "Annette". Dutch shockmeister Paul Verhoeven, who made his name with Hollywood megahits like "Robocop" and "Basic Instinct", continues his late run of (slightly) more subtle European fare with "Benedetta" about lesbian nuns in 17th century Italy. Sean Penn will also be hoping for a personal resurrection after his catastrophic Cannes appearance in 2016, when his Africa-based humanitarian love story "The Last Face" was mercilessly booed. He is aiming for a warmer reception to "Flag Day", starring himself and his daughter Dylan. Also Read | US calls report of China building more than 100 nuclear missile silos 'concerning' Also in the competition are Iran's two-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi, who returns with "A Hero", and Russia's Kirill Serebrennikov, who is unable to attend due to an embezzlement conviction that is widely seen as punishment for criticising Vladimir Putin. Gender imbalance The panel judging the 24 entries is headed by US director Spike Lee -- the first time a black man has led the jury -- and includes "The Serpent" star Tahar Rahim and US actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. With just four female directors in the competition, the festival's tendency to pick the usual (male) suspects of the arthouse elite is once again under scrutiny. Only one woman has won the top Palme d'Or prize in 73 editions of the festival: Jane Campion for "The Piano" in 1993. The selection is more balanced in the other sections, however, with over half the entries in the independent Directors' Fortnight and International Critics Week coming from women directors. US actor-director Jodie Foster will likely field questions on the subject as she picks up an honorary Palme. There is plenty happening outside the competitions, including a first showing of Oliver Stone's new documentary about the JFK assassination, updating his feature-length conspiracy theory from 1991. That will play in the new Cannes Premiere section, along with other intriguing documentaries: one about troubled star Val Kilmer ("Val") and Charlotte Gainsbourg's ode to her mother Jane Birkin ("Jane").

Cinema glitz returns with a reborn Cannes

Thousands of heavy metal fans are camping, singing, and even moshing, in the rain at Britain's first full music festival since the start of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus pandemic</a>.

The three-day Download Festival, taking place at Donington Park in central England, is one of a series of test events to see whether mass gatherings can resume without triggering outbreaks of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19</a>.

About 10,000 fans, a tenth of the festival's pre-pandemic attendance, have tickets to watch more than 40 bands including Frank Carter &amp; The Rattlesnakes and Bullet for My Valentine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/uk-study-indicates-covid-resulting-in-long-term-loss-of-grey-matter-392567">UK study indicates Covid resulting in long-term loss of grey matter</a>

Attendees all took COVID-19 tests before the event, and don't have to wear masks or follow social distancing rules during the festival.

Promoter Andy Copping said there was a real sense of euphoria,&nbsp;at the event, which runs through Sunday, despite the wet weather. He said, "it wouldn't be Download unless there was a bit of rain."

Britain has recorded almost 128,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest toll in Europe. The government has delayed the planned lifting of remaining social and economic restrictions until July 19 amid a rise in cases driven by the highly contagious delta variant.&nbsp;

Thousands of heavy metal fans are camping, singing, and even moshing, in the rain at Britain's first full music festival since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousands of heavy metal fans are camping, singing, and even moshing, in the rain at Britain's first full music festival since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The three-day Download Festival, taking place at Donington Park in central England, is one of a series of test events to see whether mass gatherings can resume without triggering outbreaks of COVID-19. About 10,000 fans, a tenth of the festival's pre-pandemic attendance, have tickets to watch more than 40 bands including Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Bullet for My Valentine. Also read | UK study indicates Covid resulting in long-term loss of grey matter Attendees all took COVID-19 tests before the event, and don't have to wear masks or follow social distancing rules during the festival. Promoter Andy Copping said there was a real sense of euphoria, at the event, which runs through Sunday, despite the wet weather. He said, "it wouldn't be Download unless there was a bit of rain." Britain has recorded almost 128,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest toll in Europe. The government has delayed the planned lifting of remaining social and economic restrictions until July 19 amid a rise in cases driven by the highly contagious delta variant.

UK holds 1st festival since pandemic start

Ramadan, also known as Ramazan or Ramzan, is just around the corner! It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by people belonging to the Muslim community all around the world. It is considered to be the holy month of fasting and praying, and of engaging in humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged. 
 
The celebration is all about the breaking of the dawn-to-dusk fast and is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal (the 10th month). It comes approximately 11 days earlier than the one the previous year when following the Gregorian (solar) calendar. 
 
This year, Ramadan begins on April 13 and ends on May 12. This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. It is said that Ramadan is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad`s first revelation. 
 
During this fast, people have their first meal before the sunrise known as Sehri (also called Suhoor) and the other meal is Iftar, which is served after sunset.Eid al-Fitr, which comes after the holy month of Ramadan, is also called `Meethi Eid`, and the signature dish of the celebration is sweet vermicelli or `Meethi sewai`. 
 
The celebration often comprises a wide gamut of sweet delicacies such as sheer khurma, khubani ka meetha, and khalja pheni. Muslims across the world offer their prayers to the almighty and then prepare for a lavish Eid feast featuring scrumptious delicacies and drinks.If you are planning to treat your family members with sweet delicacies, we have got you covered! 
 
Ex Radisson Chef Anil Dahiya has suggested five types of sewai dishes that one can relish on the auspicious occasion of Eid-al-Fitr: 
 
1. Sheer khurma 
 
Ingredients:* Milk (high fat) 2 litres* Clarified butter (ghee) 200 gms* Dry dates (kharak), cut lengthwise 250 gms* Cashews 250 gms cut in half* Almonds 200 gms thinly sliced* Pistachios 200 gms thinly sliced* Raisins (kishmish) 200 gms* Cardamom powder 1/2 Tsp* Cardamom seeds - 2 Tbsp* Thin vermicelli (sewai) - 100 gms 
 
Method: Dry roast the vermicelli till it is reddish pink in a kadhai (wok) and let it cool. Fry all the dry fruits (cashews, almonds, pistachios, and raisins). Don`t fry dry dates just cut them lengthwise after deseeding them. Save the ghee (clarified butter) after frying to be used as this will lend flavour to the dish. Take out the seeds of cardamom and keep them aside. Also, keep some cardamom powder ready. Boil the milk. Take 5 tablespoon ghee in a pan and fry the cardamom seeds. Pour this mixture on the hot milk. Then add all the fried dry fruits and keep the gas flame low. Add raisins in the last. Add the vermicelli and switch off the gas. At last, sugar is to be added. Tip in the sugar and stir. Add cardamom powder and mix it well. Sheer Khurma is ready to be served! 
 
2. Kimami Sewai: 
 
Ingredients:* 1 cup Semiya (Vermicelli) , (Fine Banarsi Sewai)* 1 cup Khoya (Mawa)* 1 cup Sugar* 1 cup Milk* 1-1/2 cup Water* Ghee, as needed* 1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)* 1 cup Phool Makhana (Lotus Seeds), chopped* 1/4 cup Badam (Almond), slivered, 1/4 for garnish* 1 tablespoon Whole cashews, slivered, 1/4 for garnish* 1 tablespoon Raisins, 1/4 for garnish* 2 tablespoons Dry coconut (copra) 
 
Method: To begin making the Kimami Sewai recipe, heat a pan on a low flame and roast dry sewai till it turns dark brown. Keep it aside and make sure to avoid over-roasting the delicate Sewai.In the same pan, heat ghee and fry the makhana (fox nuts) till it gets crunchy. Fry the fox nuts for five to six minutes on low medium heat. After that, add dry fruits to the pan and saute it for about two minutes. At last, add coconut as it burns quickly, be very careful while frying it. Fry all the products together and keep them aside.In a deep pan, add sugar, khoya, milk, water and mix it well. Put it on the flame and keep stirring till the first boil. Slow down the flame to cook the sugar syrup till it gets thicker and you feel heavy while stirring.Then add half a cup of water or milk to the thick syrup and give another boil. Add roasted sewai, dry fruits makhana coconut mixture and cook on a slow flame for about five minutes and switch off. Sprinkle green cardamom powder for fragrance and mix well. Cover the lid and leave for 10 minutes. Switch off the heat, give it a mix and garnish with almonds, cashews, and raisins. Your Kimai Sewai is ready! 
 
3. Sewai Pudding: 
 
Ingredients:* 1/2 cup vermicelli (sewai)* 2 cups of milk* Half can of condensed milk (around 1/2 cup) or sugar to taste* Few almonds and raisins (or any dry fruits of your choice* 2-3 green cardamom pods (peel &amp; crush the seeds to powder consistency)* 1 tbsp of ghee/clarified butter * 200gms fresh-cut fruits * Few strands of saffron (optional) 
 
Method: Heat ghee in a vessel and once hot, roast the vermicelli on medium flame. Keep stirring to ensure they don`t stick. Once they turn slightly golden, remove them on a plate and keep them aside.In another vessel, bring milk to a boil and then add the condensed milk and crushed cardamom seeds and stir. (Note:- if you are using only sugar and no condensed milk then add the sugar after vermicelli has cooked i.e. along with the dry fruits mentioned). Once it starts bubbling, add the roasted vermicelli and let it simmer on low-medium heat for 10 minutes. In the meanwhile, blanch the almonds, peel the skin and chop into small pieces. Add these along with few raisins to the boiling milk and vermicelli. Allow simmering. Add some saffron threads, stir and simmer again. Refrigerate for an hour then top it with fresh fruits and serve cold. Your chilled pudding is ready to be served! 
 
4. Dry Sewai: 
 
Ingredients:* 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)* 1 cup of broken vermicelli (seviyan)* 2 cups of milk or 500 ml milk* 1/4 cup sugar or add as per taste* 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder* 1/4 cup milk powder* 10-12 raisins* 4 to 5 almonds sliced thinly* 4 to 5 pistachios sliced thinly* 4 to 5 cashews sliced thinly 
 
Method: For the preparations, keep all the ingredients ready for making dry sewai. Break the sewiyan and keep aside. Chop the dry fruits and place them aside. Then heat a pan and add one tbsp ghee. Let the ghee melt and then add one cup of the broken sewiyan.On a low to medium flame, with frequent stirring roast the sewiyan till it becomes golden. Add all the chopped dry fruits and raisins. Stir them nicely. Lower the flame and pour two cups of milk. Instead of milk, you can also add water. Stir and mix very well. Then continue to stir for two to three minutes. Now add one-fourth cup of sugar. Keep stirring the mixture. Add one-fourth cup of milk powder. If you do not have milk powder, then just skip it. Mix again. Sprinkle half teaspoon cardamom powder and stir well. The mixture will start thickening and the sewiyan will also begin to absorb milk. When all the milk has been absorbed, switch off the gas.Serve meethi sewiyan, hot or warm or chilled. You can even garnish with some sliced dry fruits while serving. 
 
5. Mango Sewai 
 
Ingredients:* Vermicelli - 1 cup (100 grams)* Sugar - 1/2 cup (100 grams)* Ghee - 2 tbsp * Almonds - 8 to 10* Cashews - 8 to 10* Mango juice- 100ml* Mango sliced 
 
Method: Heat a pan and then add one tbsp ghee. Let the ghee melt and then add one cup of the broken sewiyan. Then roast the sewiyan till they become golden. Add all the chopped dry fruits and raisins. Stir them nicely. Lower the flame and pour one cup of mango juice. Stir and mix very well. Then continue to stir for two to three minutes. Now add one-fourth cup of sugar. Keep stirring the mixture. The mixture will start thickening and the sewiyan will also begin to absorb the juice. When all the juice has been absorbed, switch off the gas. Serve meethi sewiyan hot or warm or chilled. You can even garnish with some sliced dry fruits and fresh mango while serving. 
 
Since Eid-al-Fitr falls during the peak of summer, people also love a glass of rose sharbat to complement their meal. Feast and indulge in your favourite delicacies for this Eid and stay safe.&nbsp;

Ramadan, also known as Ramazan or Ramzan, is just around the corner! It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by people belonging to the Muslim community all around the world.

Ramadan, also known as Ramazan or Ramzan, is just around the corner! It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by people belonging to the Muslim community all around the world. It is considered to be the holy month of fasting and praying, and of engaging in humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged. The celebration is all about the breaking of the dawn-to-dusk fast and is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal (the 10th month). It comes approximately 11 days earlier than the one the previous year when following the Gregorian (solar) calendar. This year, Ramadan begins on April 13 and ends on May 12. This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. It is said that Ramadan is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad`s first revelation. During this fast, people have their first meal before the sunrise known as Sehri (also called Suhoor) and the other meal is Iftar, which is served after sunset.Eid al-Fitr, which comes after the holy month of Ramadan, is also called `Meethi Eid`, and the signature dish of the celebration is sweet vermicelli or `Meethi sewai`. The celebration often comprises a wide gamut of sweet delicacies such as sheer khurma, khubani ka meetha, and khalja pheni. Muslims across the world offer their prayers to the almighty and then prepare for a lavish Eid feast featuring scrumptious delicacies and drinks.If you are planning to treat your family members with sweet delicacies, we have got you covered! Ex Radisson Chef Anil Dahiya has suggested five types of sewai dishes that one can relish on the auspicious occasion of Eid-al-Fitr: 1. Sheer khurma Ingredients:* Milk (high fat) 2 litres* Clarified butter (ghee) 200 gms* Dry dates (kharak), cut lengthwise 250 gms* Cashews 250 gms cut in half* Almonds 200 gms thinly sliced* Pistachios 200 gms thinly sliced* Raisins (kishmish) 200 gms* Cardamom powder 1/2 Tsp* Cardamom seeds - 2 Tbsp* Thin vermicelli (sewai) - 100 gms Method: Dry roast the vermicelli till it is reddish pink in a kadhai (wok) and let it cool. Fry all the dry fruits (cashews, almonds, pistachios, and raisins). Don`t fry dry dates just cut them lengthwise after deseeding them. Save the ghee (clarified butter) after frying to be used as this will lend flavour to the dish. Take out the seeds of cardamom and keep them aside. Also, keep some cardamom powder ready. Boil the milk. Take 5 tablespoon ghee in a pan and fry the cardamom seeds. Pour this mixture on the hot milk. Then add all the fried dry fruits and keep the gas flame low. Add raisins in the last. Add the vermicelli and switch off the gas. At last, sugar is to be added. Tip in the sugar and stir. Add cardamom powder and mix it well. Sheer Khurma is ready to be served! 2. Kimami Sewai: Ingredients:* 1 cup Semiya (Vermicelli) , (Fine Banarsi Sewai)* 1 cup Khoya (Mawa)* 1 cup Sugar* 1 cup Milk* 1-1/2 cup Water* Ghee, as needed* 1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)* 1 cup Phool Makhana (Lotus Seeds), chopped* 1/4 cup Badam (Almond), slivered, 1/4 for garnish* 1 tablespoon Whole cashews, slivered, 1/4 for garnish* 1 tablespoon Raisins, 1/4 for garnish* 2 tablespoons Dry coconut (copra) Method: To begin making the Kimami Sewai recipe, heat a pan on a low flame and roast dry sewai till it turns dark brown. Keep it aside and make sure to avoid over-roasting the delicate Sewai.In the same pan, heat ghee and fry the makhana (fox nuts) till it gets crunchy. Fry the fox nuts for five to six minutes on low medium heat. After that, add dry fruits to the pan and saute it for about two minutes. At last, add coconut as it burns quickly, be very careful while frying it. Fry all the products together and keep them aside.In a deep pan, add sugar, khoya, milk, water and mix it well. Put it on the flame and keep stirring till the first boil. Slow down the flame to cook the sugar syrup till it gets thicker and you feel heavy while stirring.Then add half a cup of water or milk to the thick syrup and give another boil. Add roasted sewai, dry fruits makhana coconut mixture and cook on a slow flame for about five minutes and switch off. Sprinkle green cardamom powder for fragrance and mix well. Cover the lid and leave for 10 minutes. Switch off the heat, give it a mix and garnish with almonds, cashews, and raisins. Your Kimai Sewai is ready! 3. Sewai Pudding: Ingredients:* 1/2 cup vermicelli (sewai)* 2 cups of milk* Half can of condensed milk (around 1/2 cup) or sugar to taste* Few almonds and raisins (or any dry fruits of your choice* 2-3 green cardamom pods (peel & crush the seeds to powder consistency)* 1 tbsp of ghee/clarified butter * 200gms fresh-cut fruits * Few strands of saffron (optional) Method: Heat ghee in a vessel and once hot, roast the vermicelli on medium flame. Keep stirring to ensure they don`t stick. Once they turn slightly golden, remove them on a plate and keep them aside.In another vessel, bring milk to a boil and then add the condensed milk and crushed cardamom seeds and stir. (Note:- if you are using only sugar and no condensed milk then add the sugar after vermicelli has cooked i.e. along with the dry fruits mentioned). Once it starts bubbling, add the roasted vermicelli and let it simmer on low-medium heat for 10 minutes. In the meanwhile, blanch the almonds, peel the skin and chop into small pieces. Add these along with few raisins to the boiling milk and vermicelli. Allow simmering. Add some saffron threads, stir and simmer again. Refrigerate for an hour then top it with fresh fruits and serve cold. Your chilled pudding is ready to be served! 4. Dry Sewai: Ingredients:* 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)* 1 cup of broken vermicelli (seviyan)* 2 cups of milk or 500 ml milk* 1/4 cup sugar or add as per taste* 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder* 1/4 cup milk powder* 10-12 raisins* 4 to 5 almonds sliced thinly* 4 to 5 pistachios sliced thinly* 4 to 5 cashews sliced thinly Method: For the preparations, keep all the ingredients ready for making dry sewai. Break the sewiyan and keep aside. Chop the dry fruits and place them aside. Then heat a pan and add one tbsp ghee. Let the ghee melt and then add one cup of the broken sewiyan.On a low to medium flame, with frequent stirring roast the sewiyan till it becomes golden. Add all the chopped dry fruits and raisins. Stir them nicely. Lower the flame and pour two cups of milk. Instead of milk, you can also add water. Stir and mix very well. Then continue to stir for two to three minutes. Now add one-fourth cup of sugar. Keep stirring the mixture. Add one-fourth cup of milk powder. If you do not have milk powder, then just skip it. Mix again. Sprinkle half teaspoon cardamom powder and stir well. The mixture will start thickening and the sewiyan will also begin to absorb milk. When all the milk has been absorbed, switch off the gas.Serve meethi sewiyan, hot or warm or chilled. You can even garnish with some sliced dry fruits while serving. 5. Mango Sewai Ingredients:* Vermicelli - 1 cup (100 grams)* Sugar - 1/2 cup (100 grams)* Ghee - 2 tbsp * Almonds - 8 to 10* Cashews - 8 to 10* Mango juice- 100ml* Mango sliced Method: Heat a pan and then add one tbsp ghee. Let the ghee melt and then add one cup of the broken sewiyan. Then roast the sewiyan till they become golden. Add all the chopped dry fruits and raisins. Stir them nicely. Lower the flame and pour one cup of mango juice. Stir and mix very well. Then continue to stir for two to three minutes. Now add one-fourth cup of sugar. Keep stirring the mixture. The mixture will start thickening and the sewiyan will also begin to absorb the juice. When all the juice has been absorbed, switch off the gas. Serve meethi sewiyan hot or warm or chilled. You can even garnish with some sliced dry fruits and fresh mango while serving. Since Eid-al-Fitr falls during the peak of summer, people also love a glass of rose sharbat to complement their meal. Feast and indulge in your favourite delicacies for this Eid and stay safe.

Treat your loved ones with these 5 sweet vermicelli dishes on Eid-al-Fitr

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