As Shishir Ritu commenced into January, residents were greeted with hide and seek of Sun resulting in extreme cold and foggy mornings. The two festivals celebrating “Uttarayan” or movement of sun towards northern hemisphere were celebrated with gusto and traditions. Lohri was celebrated on 13 January in The Crescent. A bonfire was arranged at the central park, where residents gathered for Lohri rituals, traditional songs and later shaking a leg on Bollywood songs! Makar Sankranti, the festival celebrating the Sun crossing Tropic of Capricorn and entering the astronomical sign of Capricorn, was celebrated with religious observances on 15 January.
On 22 January, on the auspicious occasion of consecration/Pran Pratishta ceremony in Ram temple at Ayodhya, the Crescent Cultural Committee organized Shree Ram Prabhu Vandana in morning at society club hall. The residents also participated in the Prabhat Feri of F-block. In the evening, the cultural committee organized Ram Deepotasava wherein all residents, young and old, defied the declining mercury level and came out with diyas and candles to celebrate. The vast lit-up at the park podium in the shape of “Jai Shri Ram” was so breathtaking that even moon, shining bright, came out right in the middle of the society to pay its obeisance. Residents sang devotional songs for Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. Suneeta Kaul, resident of A-block, brought Kashmiri Kahwa to all present in that biting cold, the hot Mogul Chai as it’s called, tasted wonder! There was distribution of sweets/prasad also for the occasion. The diyas and candles remained lit till dawn, as a tribute and memory for the residents on this fortunate event.
26 January, the Republic Day, was another moment that brought the entire society together as all residents gathered at the central park for unfurling the national flag. As patriotic songs reverberated in the society, the mood was full of nationalism and love for the country. The weather was misty and hazy, but sun did make some efforts in becoming a part of the honour. The event culminated by distribution of sweets and special ice crème for all residents.
As the Crescent family ended the month, the comradeship and social affinity for what it’s known, continued in all the big and small functions. Special thanks to the cultural committee and management committee for making the coldest month of the year a memorable one!!
