Queen Elizabeth - Queen Mother's Death Anniversary

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (Full Name: Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon), who passed away on 30 March 2002, aged 101, was the Consort of George VI.

Born into British aristocracy, Elizabeth married Prince George in 1923 after previously refusing him twice. She unexpectedly became Queen after the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936.

Adolf Hitler called her "the most dangerous woman in Europe" for her activities in rallying public spirit during WWII.

Rajasthan Diwas

Rajasthan Diwas, also known as Rajasthan Statehood Day, is celebrated on March 30. This date marks the formation of the state in 1949 when Rajputana was incorporated into the Dominion of India. Since Jaipur was the biggest city, it was designated as the state capital. Rajasthan, the largest state in terms of territory, is referred to as the "Land of Kings" or the "Land of Kingdom." It is a country with a great cultural diversity, situated in the northwest. Rajputana was absorbed into the Dominion of India on March 30, 1949, creating the state. The largest city, Jaipur, was chosen to serve as the state capital.

Vincent van Gogh Birth Anniversary

Vincent van Gogh, born on 30 March 1853, is considered the greatest Dutch painter after Rembrandt.

Van Gogh was a largely self-taught artist who remained poor and unknown throughout his life. Today, his paintings are some of the most expensive in the world. Van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" sold for $82.5 million and "Irises" for $53.9 million.

He is known as much for his unstable psychological health, including famously cutting off his own ear, as he is for his huge body of post-Impressionist paintings (e.g. "Sunflowers" and "The Starry Night"), drawings, and sketches.

World Idli Day

 

World Idli Day which we celebrate on March 30 every year, started 9 years ago. Eniyavan, a passionate idli lover decided to dedicate a day for idlis and soon it became a trend in the food world. The story of this day is as interesting as the origin of idli itself. The delicious South Indian staple that can be served in any meal has actually become staple for the entire country and the reason is its simple recipe and many health benefits

According to media reports, World Idli Day is the brainchild of Eniyavan, a popular idli caterer from Chennai. It has been reported that in 2015, he made 1,328 varieties of idlis to commemorate this day. To celebrate the day, a giant 44-kilogram idli that was cut by a bureaucrat to seal the deal and declare March 30 as World Idli Day.

According to food historians, idli first originated in Indonesia, which is known for its long tradition of fermented food. Later, it came to India in the form of steamed idli during the period of 800-1200 CE. Some theories believe that the word was derived from ‘Iddalige’, and was mentioned in a Kannada work of 920 AD, and it indicates that it was made from an urad dal batter. Also, the Sanskrit Manasollasa of 1130 AD has ‘Iddarika’, that mentioned it a dish made with urad dal. And Tamil people first mentioned it as ‘Itali’ in the 17th century. All these references make it clear that since the very beginning idli had the use of rice grits, urad dal, long fermentation process and the steaming of the batter to tasty fluffiness.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday, also known as Easter Eve, falls between Good Friday and Easter and is a period of silent and reflection as Christians await the resurrection of Christ and joyous celebration of Easter. The day also marks the end of the 40 days of Lent, a period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday. The seventh day of the Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, Holy Saturday commemorates the day when Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb after his crucifixion on Good Friday and before his resurrection on Easter Sunday. On this day, devout prepare themselves physically and spiritually before celebration of Christ's resurrection.

Holy Saturday History

Good Friday is observed on the day when Jesus Christ was crucified after his arrest and charge of claiming to be the King of the Jews. According to scripture, after his death, Jesus was buried in a tomb, fulfilling ancient prophecies of his resurrection on the third day. Following the custom of the time, women, including Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary, visited the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with oils and spices. However, they discovered the tomb empty, with only the burial cloths remaining. A week later, Jesus appeared to his disciples, confirming his resurrection.

Holy Saturday Customs and Traditions

Holy Saturday, or Easter Vigil, is marked by diverse customs globally. In Mexico, it is dubbed Judas Day, where effigies of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, are burned. In Czech tradition, it is known as White Saturday, symbolising purity and anticipation of renewal. Across cultures, the day is observed with a vigil service held an hour after sundown, symbolising the wait before Jesus' resurrection. Lighting fires and candles signify Christ's passage from death to life, while bell tolling marks the end of Lent. On this day, preparations for Easter are also made worldwide, including egg colouring and decorating.

Holy Saturday Significance

Holy Saturday is the time for deep spiritual reflection, anticipation, and preparation for the upcoming celebration of Easter. It is considered a sacred day in the Christian calendar. Holy Saturday is an integral part of the liturgical calendar of the Christian Church and various rituals are practiced to commemorate this solemn day, including the Easter Vigil. In some Christian traditions, Holy Saturday is associated with the belief that Jesus descended into the realm of the dead or 'hell' after his death on the cross. This belief, known as the 'Harrowing of Hell,' holds that Jesus liberated the souls of the righteous who had died before his coming and proclaimed salvation to all.