The Ajwa Days in Malaysia, sometimes referred to as the Festival of Light, is celebrated on the full moon each month from the first day of April till the full moon of the month of October. A celebration such as this is a family affair with much decoration and fun. This festive occasion is one which brings the whole family together, no matter how many people you live with.
When we talk about the day itself, there are two parts, the pre-prayer and the post-prayer. The pre-prayer is normally an open church service officiated by a local priest and in this time special requests are made to the gods for specific favors. In return, these deities grant their followers good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Gifts, flowers, incense, prayer cards and other sundries are gifted to believers during this time.
On the other day, the believers praise the sun, and the blessings it brings to them, for the abundant radiance it sheds on the gardens, fields, house, market place and other properties. They also pray for the strength of the horses, the crops and other livestock and animals. Horses, especially, are known for their longevity. The sun is said to be so powerful that it is able to bring good luck and abundance to the owner of the land.
Ajwa Day celebrations mark the beginning of the rains or the start of summer. It is a very auspicious day and it is celebrated with great joy and happiness all over the country, irrespective of their religion. Although, the celebrations mark a very significant occasion, they are also not exclusive to Muslims alone. Christians and Hindu also celebrate Ajwa Day with great joy and enthusiasm. On this day, a special dinner called Malayai Jabin is arranged.
During this dinner, the five dishes which form the food for the day are cooked: rice, meat, vegetables, fish and a sweet dish or desserts. This is followed by dancing, song and dance performances by the female performers. There are many legends behind these traditional Indian customs and practices. Many believe that the first celebrations of Ajwa took place when the maharajas travelled to the place where now Mumbai stands and offered them shelter and support in return for their help in ridding the kingdom of the nasty Azimids.
It is believed that these dates were considered sacred by the ancient Persians and Hindus as well and it was solely the duty of the king of Persia to bestow a boon of Ajwa date on the people. Similarly, it is considered a very auspicious day for the Indians as it marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is one of the most important festivals of India when in the month of October / November, the entire country celebrates this day with all zeal. So if you are planning to gift something auspicious to someone in your life or to your loved ones, the ideal option would be to gift some delicious Ajwa dates. They have a distinctive smell and a very sweet taste, which is one reason why they have become very popular among people who are fond of sweets.
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