Chaand Raat
Chaand Raat | |
---|---|
Observed by | Muslims |
Type | Cultural |
Related to | First eve of Shawwal, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha |
Chaand Raat (lit. 'Night of the moon') is a South Asian Cultural observance on the eve of the festival of Eid al-Fitr; it can also mean a night with a new moon for the new Islamic month Shawwal. Chaand Raat is a time of celebration when families and friends gather in open areas at the end of the last day of Ramadan to spot the new moon, which signals the arrival of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the day of Eid. Once the moon is sighted, people wish each other Eid Mubarak ("Blessings of the Eid day"). Women and girls decorate their hands with mehndi (henna), and people prepare desserts for the next day of Eid and do last rounds of shopping.[1] City streets have a festive look, and brightly decorated malls and markets remain open late into the night.[2][3] Chaand Raat is celebrated festively and passionately by Muslims (and occasionally non-Muslims as well) all over South Asia, and in socio-cultural significance, is comparable to Christmas Eve.
Etymology
The term is derived from the Hindustani chānd rāt (Devanagari: चाँद रात, Nastaʼlīq: چاند رات), literally translating to 'moon night'. The two words in the term are derived from the Sanskrit words candrá (चंद्र) "moon"[4] and rā́tri (रात्रि) "night",[5] respectively.
Background
Chaand Raat celebrations occur on the eve of Eid ul-Fitr, which is celebrated on 1 Shawwal. Originated in
Festivities
Once the new moon is sighted, announcements are made from
See also
- Festivals in Bangladesh
- Festivals in Pakistan
- Ruet-e-Hilal Committee
- Islam in South Asia
References
- ^ Jamila Achakzai. "'Chand Raat' is here again". The News. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ Aamir Khan (3 May 2022). "Chand Raat brings joys to shoppers, traders". Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ "City gears for Chand Raat". The Times of India. 5 December 2002. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- ^ "चन्द्र, candra, moon". Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- ^ "रात्रि, raatri, night". Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
- ^ "Chaand Raat in Old Dhaka". 16 July 2015.