Who celebrates Christmas on December 25

Christmas - a family holiday. And the most beloved and joyful. In the days of Advent the whole world absorbed by the pleasant bustle, filled with music and bathed in multicolored lights. New Year's Eve is not so honored, and noted it is often in the company outside the home. 

In Italy, especially before Christmas are conducted large-scale general cleaning. At the very festive night of urban life is quiet and calm and find a running shop, restaurant, discotheque, bank impossible. Public transport is also almost no work.'s Christmas liturgy begins at midnight and lasts for half an hour. Vatican Mass serves as the Pope. And in every church be fitted with a miniature figure of a baby crib of Christ. By tradition, a Mass must be present the whole family, without exception. But over the past few years, the percentage of believers Italians drastically reduced. Today only 20 percent of them. So go to church is not all. But the gala dinner is worthy of note: pork feet, sausages, baked fish and sea fruit "(different shellfish mixed with traditional spaghetti), an Easter cake with candied fruits and raisins ... 

Presents each family member receives the early morning hours of December 25. Previously, the Italians love to get very useful in the household belongings. Now you can donate anything, as long as man was pleasant. 

New Year's Eve in Italy, noisy and at times downright volatile - because of the much-loved Italian fireworks. After the New Year's fun in the hospital received hundreds of victims of burns. But before the New Year from the Italians (especially in the south of the country) decided to throw out as many old things, including furniture, right from your desktop. 

In Spain - a very merry Christmas. The central streets of Madrid, Barcelona and other cities on Dec. 25 to failure downtrodden people. Population dress up in costumes, begins to dance and sing loudly. Serene joy accompanied by widespread illumination, Christmas trees on every corner, wandering Santa Claus, magicians and jugglers. Before Christmas Mass taken to assemble at the main entrance to the temple and dance, holding hands. Church, in spite of everything, go to almost everything, but usually come there for long. Much time spend in the company of friends and relatives for the holiday table favorite restaurant, with plenty of wine and champagne. Shops closed the 24 th about six o'clock in the evening. But all night selling profitable souvenirs and confectionery shops. A festival does not end with the onset of the morning. Dec. 25 celebration continues, and again in the restaurant, where to get just from the street, you can not (be sure to reserve a table in advance). 

In the good old Prague with special care dress up a Christmas tree in the evening the 24 th. This time of day called generous. First, for a good mood give each other presents and then a family dinner. On the table binding baked with caraway carp. It will certainly buy more alive, give some time to swim in the bathtub, and then killed in cold blood and tuck in the oven. Starting from December 20 in each corner of Prague can be found tubs with well fed fish. After dinner, wondering. The most common way - on the apples. Fruit cut across, and if you get right inside the star of the bones, then the coming year will be happy. Moreover, taken to let the water lighted candles in shells of walnuts. If the candle does not sink, then happiness will come for sure and very quickly. 

In Austria, on Dec. 24 made the whole family to go to church. Only after the solemn service Austrians returned home, and allow yourself a little refreshment. In each house catches the eye a large Christmas tree, generously hung with chocolate and jelly. During dinner, first eat the national noodle soup, and the second - carp. During the meal, the Austrians are not used to close the doors. At any time, and employers can join distant relatives, friends and mere acquaintances. On Christmas Eve decided put on the best suits and dresses. 

In Germany, Christmas - the most important holiday. New Year's Eve there is much more modest. Recently, instead of the old mythological characters (shaggy terrible old man Knecht Ruprecht, or the infant Jesus) now distributes gifts to children Father Christmas, in appearance similar to our Santa Claus. Gifts Grandpa lays in socks that hung on door handles (on the reverse side). Christmas dinner in German - a roast goose and a cake with nuts, marzipan and raisins. In Catholic areas, particularly in Bavaria, during the Christmas holidays the streets of the procession pass maskers, many of them look awesome: face smeared with soot, or hidden under a terrible horned masks. 

A few days before Christmas in all the French cathedrals begin the evening concerts. Home Christmas service is held, of course, Notre Dame de Paris. Shining lights festive trees in large quantities are not only in the apartments and on the streets, but in the doorways of houses. A massive scale harvested traditional (including Christmas) delicacy - goose liver. The French tend to on Christmas night and it was good opportunity for all, and in some urban restaurants can even dine for free and get "a Christmas basket with a festive meal. The first three days after Christmas, most shops tend to not work. 

In the New Year on the Champs Elysees is a massive outdoor event. In the New Year's Eve there as bright as day - from the set of colored light bulbs, hanging in the trees. Do not worry, when complete strangers citizens will pour you champagne and kiss to climb, a local tradition. 

In Denmark, the preparations for the Christmas holidays begin in about two months. The streets and squares appear garlands, red hearts made of paper and silk and straw goat. In every self-respecting window - multi-colored bulbs. At the city's main square near the city hall is established central spruce, and under it a large glass box, which should throw good money for poor children from other countries. Children's parties in Denmark have already started on December 22. As a rule, and old and young pleased to lead a ring around the tree. Gifts are awarded each other the evening the 24 th. Dinner at seven o'clock in the duck with apples. An indispensable addition to adopting drink champagne everywhere - "grog" (a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, wine and water). First Christmas week decided to light a candle with a thick divisions. Each day has its own portion of combustion. In addition to the night service Danes can go to church in the morning - in 10 hours. 24 th and 25 th shops do not work. The Government of Denmark is extremely worried about their citizens in a drunken Christmas Eve. To them, God forbid, do not sit behind the wheel of a car, according to Copenhagen all night walking the additional buses, whose drivers do not take a drop in his mouth. 

In the UK you will be met with Christmas hymns, church masses and typical English cuisine pudding and turkey. On Christmas Eve, crowds gather in Trafalgar Square, the main tree of England, where the charitable organizations to arrange representation for adults and children with the singing of hymns. Much the same happens in Leicester Square, where the fun fair. Tourists can have fun at carnivals and festivities in Coven Garden, loosen up the traditional Christmas swimming competition for the prize of Peter Pan, and then relax in Hyde Park and the Serpentine pond. Concerts and performances will take place in the Barbocan, at the Royal Opera and Royal Hall Festivals. 

December 28 in England celebrated Boxing Day. 

Christmas in Switzerland, begins with the church's Christmas Mass, which takes place in all towns and villages. Religious Christmas songs around the house going on the holiday tree. By the way, toys, bells and bows for Christmas trees in each family decided to make themselves (no purchase ornaments). Generally, the Swiss are beginning to prepare for Christmas a month before the holiday itself: a special table lay a wreath made of branches and flowers and every Sunday put it on a candle. The emergence of the fourth candle means offensive Christmas. And on any holiday table - a traditional salmon and a special recipe roast. 

In the United States are preparing for Christmas, and especially cherished presents are given a lot. They are stacked under the tree throughout the holiday week, but on Christmas night and brings presents to children and even Santa Claus. In case it will be hungry, the children leave him near a Christmas tree all specialties - chocolates, biscuits and some milk. In the small towns of America preserved sweet tradition: they all go together to visit and sing carols - Christmas carols. Firs placed two days before Christmas, and he is accompanied by the traditional holiday ham and turkey. 

New Year in America, as in most other countries, the holiday less tremulous. This is usually going to the restaurant, a bar or a visit. In the streets of fireworks. 

Most shops are closed on 25 December and 1 January, working only some supermarkets. 

In Brazil, Christmas is a family. But the New Year ... His encounter in white dresses. At infinite embankments Rio - carnivals, fireworks, dances, carnival. And swimming in the ocean all send candles on wooden stands. And make a wish. The longer the candle goes out, the greater the chance that it will turn

Comilla Buddhist Vihara

Buddhist Vihara or monastery is an important form of institution associated with Buddhism. It may be defined as a residence for monks, a centre for religious work and meditation and a centre of Buddhist learning. Reference to five kinds of dwellings (Pancha Lenani) namely, Vihara, Addayoga, Pasada, Hammiya and Guha is found in the Buddhist canonical texts as fit for monks. Of these only the Vihara (monastery) and Guha (Cave) have survived.

Epigraphic, literary and archaeological evidence testify to the existence of many Buddhist Viharas in Bengal (West Bengal and Bangladesh) and Bihar from the 5th century AD to the end of the 12th century. These monasteries were generally designed in the old traditional Kusana pattern, a square block formed by four rows of cells along the four sides of an inner courtyard. They were usually built of stone or brick. As the monastic organisation developed, they became elaborate brick structures with many adjuncts. Often they consisted of several storeys and along the inner courtyard there usually ran a verandah supported on pillars. In some of them a stupa or shrine with a dais appeared. Within the shrine stood the images of Buddha, Bodhisattva or Buddhist female deities. More or less the same plan was followed in building monastic establishments in Bengal and Bihar during the Gupta and Pala period. In course of time monasteries became important centres of learning.

An idea of the plan and structure of some of the flourishing monasteries may be found from the account of hiuen-tsang, who referred to the grand monastery of po-si-po, situated about 6.5 km west of the capital city of Pundravardhana (mahasthan). The monastery was famous for its spacious halls and tall chambers. General cunningham identified this vihara with bhasu vihara. Huen-tsang also noticed the famous Lo-to-mo-chi vihara (raktamrittika mahavihara) near Karnasuvarna (Rangamati, Murshidabad, West Bengal). The site of the monastery has been identified at Rangamati (modern Chiruti, Murshidabad, West Bengal). A number of smaller monastic blocks arranged on a regular plan, with other adjuncts, like shrines, stupas, pavilions etc have been excavated from the site.

One of the earliest viharas in Bengal was located at Biharail (Rajshahi district, Bangladesh). The plan of the monastery was designed on an ancient pattern, ie rows of cells round a central courtyard. The date of the monastery may be ascribed to the Gupta period.

A number of monasteries grew up during the Pala period in ancient Bengal. One of them was somapura mahavihara at paharpur, 46.5 km to the northwest of Mahasthana. The available data suggests that the Pala ruler dharmapala founded the vihara. It followed the traditional cruciform plan for the central shrine. There were 177 individual cells around the central courtyard. There were central blocks in the middle of the eastern, southern and western sides. These might have been subsidiary chapels. It was the premier vihara of its kind and its fame lingered till the 11th century AD.

The famous nalanda Mahavihara was founded a few centuries earlier; Huen-tsang speaks about its magnificence and grandeur. Reference to this monastery is found in Tibetan and Chinese sources. The fame of this monastery lingered even after the Pala period.

Reference to a monastery known as vikramashila is found in Tibetan records. The Pala ruler Dharmapala was its founder. The exact site of this mahavihara is at Antichak, a small village in Bhagalpur district (Bihar). The monastery had 107 temples and 50 other institutions providing room for 108 monks. It attracted scholars from neighbouring countries.

The name of the Odantapuri monastery is traceable in Pagsam jon zang (a Tibetan text), but no full-length description is available in the Tibetan source. Gopala I (?) built it near Nalanda. This was the monastery invaded by bakhtiyar khalji.

Very interesting and important structural complexes have been discovered at mainamati (Comilla district, Bangladesh). Remains of quite a few viharas have been unearthed here and the most elaborate is the shalvan vihara. The complex consists of a fairly large vihara of the usual plan of four ranges of monastic cells round a central court, with a temple in cruciform plan situated in the centre. According to a legend on a seal (discovered at the site) the founder of the monastery was Bhavadeva, a ruler of deva dynasty.

Other notable monasteries of Pala period were Traikuta, Devikota (identified with ancient kotivarsa, 'modern Bangarh'), Pandita vihara and jagaddala (situated near Ramavati). Excavations conducted in 1972 to 1974 yielded a Buddhist monastic complex at Bharatpur in the Burdwan district of West Bengal. The date of the monastery may be ascribed to the early medieval period. Recent excavations at jagjivanpur (Malda district, West Bengal) revealed another Buddhist monastery of the ninth century AD. Unfortunately, nothing of the superstructure has survived. However, a number of monastic cells facing a rectangular courtyard have been found. An interesting feature is the presence of circular corner cells. It is believed that the general layout of the monastic complex at Jagjivanpur is by and large similar to that of Nalanda.

Beside these, scattered references to some monasteries are found in epigraphic and other sources. They were no less important. Among them Pullahari (in western Magadha), halud vihara (45 km south of Paharpur), Parikramana vihara and Yashovarmapura vihara (in Bihar) deserve mention

Moynamati is the most attractive Tourist spot

Vote now for Cox's Bazar, Perhaps most beautiful sea beach in the world
Vote now for Sundorbonn Largest Mangrove Forest in The World


Mainamati is the most attractive tourist spot in Comilla, Bangladesh . About eight kilometers west of the Comilla town among the range of low hills known as Mainamati-Lalmai Bridge.It is famous as an important centre of Buddhist culture from the 7th to 12th centuries, the buildings built here were made wholly of baked bricks. There are more than 50 scattered Buddhist sites, but the three most important are Salban Vihar, Kotila Mura and Charpatra Mura.



Salban Vihara was a well-planned, 170 sq metre monastery facing a temple in the centre of the courtyard. Nearby is a museum housing the finds excavated here, which include terracotta Plaques, bronze statues, a bronze casket, coins, jewellery and votive stupas embossed with Buddhist inscriptions. Kotila Mura comprises three large stupas representing Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the `Three Jewels of Buddhism'. The most important discovery at Charpatra Mura were the four royal copper-plate decrees, three belonging to Chandra rulers, the other to Sri Viradhara Deva, a later Hindu king. Note that some of the major ruins are within a military cantonment and cannot be visited without permission from military officers.

Fanatics in Bangladesh banned women to walk on certain streets

In Pirodzhpure - a city located in eastern Bangladesh - Muslim fanatics forbade women to walk down the street on which the mosque stands. Compliance with the ban following the self-styled "holy man": a retired military Mohammad Abdus Satar, carrying his watch with a cane in hand and ready to punish women who dared to violate the ban.

"On this street is the mosque, and you can not walk here from the viewpoint of Islam," - leading newspaper Daily Star Satar words. Under the previous government, which is favorably applied to religious fundamentalists, some fanatics have tried to impose such a ban, but if they prevented the people of the town.

Meanwhile, on a busy street located mail, restaurants and college. Because of the activity of an impostor restaurant owners are complaining of falling sales, women can not get on the e-mail money transfers, and college students are forced to walk to school in fear. But police and city administration do nothing to restore the law, informs RIA Novosti.

Bangladesh - a state in South Asia, in the north-eastern Indian subcontinent, bordered by the Bay of Bengal the Indian Ocean. In the west, north and eastern borders with India, south-east - Burma (Myanmar). Over 85% of believers - Sunni Muslims, approximately 12% - Hindus, Buddhists - 0.5%, Christians - 0,3%.

Citizens of Russia and CIS countries to visit the country requires a visa, which can be made in the consular department of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Moscow, and on arrival at the international airport in the city of Dhaka.

In Bangladesh, has started its own Taj Mahal

Bangladesh has completed the construction of a copy of the legendary Indian Taj Mahal. The cost of the mausoleum, which is located in the small town of Sonargaon (Sonargaon), in a few hours drive from the capital of the country - Dhaka, has already exceeded $ 58 million. Some materials such as marble and granite, had brought from other countries.