Minority Project


CAP's Minority Project was launched in September 2010 and aims at working with the Hindu, Christian and Sikh communities of Lahore. The CAP team has already conducted over twenty-two interviews with various Hindu families and is moving towards working with the Sikh community from January 2011 onwards. Apart from these interviews, the CAP team also attends various religious festivals and takes an active part in their celebrations.
The CAP team has attended or plans on attending the following religious festivals:

Maha Shivratri: Usually falls in the month of February. This festival is celebrated to honor the Hindu deity of destruction, Shiv and his spouse Parvati. It is also believed that both of them were married on this auspicious day. On this day the devotees keep a fast and vigil all night.
Holi: is a festival of colors, which marks the beginning of spring. It falls towards the end of February or start of March. Celebrated through South-Asia, it has different legend for each region. In Pakistan the myth of Pralad Bhagat and his evil aunt Holka has gained prominence. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Shri Ram Navami: it is celebrated end of March and marks the birth of Lord Ram. Ram is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and his reign as King is considered to be ideal. The sun is worshiped on this day and devotees often dress up as characters from Ramayana for this occasion.
Raksha Bandhan: is celebrated towards the end of August. On this day the sister ties a piece of thread called Rakhi on the wrist of her brother, after which the latter gives her a gift. Rakhi symbolizes protection and on this occasion the brother promises to protect his sister from all troubles.
Sri Krishna Janamasthami: is a festival that marks the birthday of Sri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It falls either in the month of August or in September, depending on the lunar calendar. Traditionally various scenes from the life of Krishna are enacted, including his stealing of butter and his flirtation with the maidens. Various regions have differing traditions regarding the festival.
Durga Pooja: also known as Navratari, is the worship of goddess Durga for 9 consecutive nights. Legend has it that Sita prayed to Durga Mata, for the victory of Ram against Ravaan for 9 consecutive nights after which he emerged victorious. Devotees keep vigil on the night and then fast all day for 9 days.
Dashera: is the victory of Ram over Ravaan after 9 nights of prayer. On this day, an effigy of Ravaan is incinerated to commemorate the events from Ramayana.
Sri Valmiki birthday: falls towards the end of October or beginning of November. It is meant to celebrate the descend of the supreme deity of the Shudra (un-touchables), who is also the writer of Ramayana. Pooja and bhajan accompanied by Langaar continue throughout the night.
Diwaliutsav: is celebration of return of Lord Ram and Sita to their kingdom at Ayodhya. Lamps were lit all over the city to welcome them and so, on this occasion lamps are lit to commemorate the event and Laxmi Pooja is performed in the evening.
Birthday of Guru Gobind: is celebrated in the beginning of January. He is the 10th Sikh Guru, who was born in Patna. He formed the Khalsa, a body of Sikhs, which is an important event in Sikh history.
Lohri: also celebrated in January, this festival is a celebration of the winter festival. Different folk tales are recited on the occasion, including those of Dulla Bhatti, Bhagat Kabir, Pralad Bhagat.
Birthday of Guru Har Rai: is celebrated towards the end of January and beginning of February, depending on the lunar calendar. He was the 7th Sikh Guru and his most important contribution is the making of a hospital, where treatment and medicine was given out for free.
Hola Mohalla: is the Sikh (masculine) version of Holi and is celebrated around the same dates. Traditionally on this day Sikhs engage in mock wars with each other.
Baisakhi: is the traditional equivalent of Vaisakhi, the festival, which marks the beginning of harvest season. However, within the Sikh tradition it acquires a religious significance as it also marks the day when the Khalsa was formed by Guru Gobind. The festival is celebrated around mid-April.
Birthday of Guru Angad Dev: he was born in Sarai Naga, Punjab, and was the second Sikh Guru. His greatest contribution is the formation of the present Gurmukhi script, which became the hallmark of Sikh literature. His birthday falls towards the end of April or beginning of May.
Birthday of Guru Amar Das: falls towards the end of May. He was the 3rd Sikh Guru. His most important contribution to the Sikh tradition is the institutionalization of the community kitchen, Langaar, now an integral part of the community.
Martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev: marks as the turning point in Sikh history, which forced them to eventually pick up arms against their oppressors. Guru Arjun was assassinated by Emperor Jahangir in Lahore and a large number of devotees throng to Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, which marks as the spot where Guru Arjun drowned in river Ravi. This event is commemorated usually in mid-June. Guru Arjun was the 5th Sikh Guru.
Birthday of Guru Hargobind: is celebrated towards the end of June or beginning of July. He was the 6th Sikh Guru and son of Guru Arjun. His greatest contribution towards the Sikh community was the formation of a Sikh army, which he said was to protect the poor from the tyrant. In this way, a spiritual movement, commenced by Guru Nanak, became, also, a political struggle.
Birthday of Guru Har Krishan: is celebrated towards the end of July. Guru Har Krishan was the 8th Sikh Guru, and became a Guru when he was only 5 years old, superseding his elder brother Ram Rai, which earned him the jealousy of his brother.
Birthday of Guru Ram Das: is celebrated towards the end of September or beginning of October. He was born in Lahore, Chuna Mandi, and today a Gurdwara stands over the house where he was born. He was also the father of Guru Arjun and one of his greatest contributions to the Sikh community is the organization of the community itself.
Diwali: also known as Bandi Chorr Devas falls on the same dates as Diwali. However, Sikhs, on this day celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind from Gwalior Fort, where he had been kept by the Mughals.
Guru Nanak Jayanti: is a celebration to the mark the birthday of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. It is celebrated start of November and is the largest Sikh festival. Most of the celebrations take place in Nankana Sahib, where Guru Nanak was born, however devotees visit other religious shrines at Hassan Abdal, Narowal and Lahore after the celebration as well. Thousands of people come from all over the world to celebrate the festival.
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur: Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and this event is commemorated towards the end of November. Guru Tegh Bahadur was the son of Guru Hargobind.
Christmas: is celebrated on the 25th of December and marks the birthday of Jesus Christ. It involves various rituals like setting up of the Christmas tree, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly.
Easter Sunday: is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 3 days after his crucifixion. These celebrations continue for 50 days, starting from February to April. Fasting marks these 7 weeks. Easter season includes the following celebrations:
a). Good Friday: this is the commemoration of the day of crucifixion of Christ. b). Pentecost: this literally means the 50th day after Easter, and on this day the disciples of Christ preached openly the message of Christ and converting a lot of people. c). Palm Sunday: this is the celebration of the triumphant entry of Christ into the city of Jerusalem.



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