23 December - Vaikunta Ekadashi

 

Vaikunta Ekadashi is a Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. The festival falls on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the waxing moon in the Hindu calendar month of Margashirsha, which usually occurs in December or January of the Gregorian calendar. In year 2023 it is on 23 December.

Vaikunta Ekadashi holds special significance in the Vaishnavism tradition, and it is believed that on this day, the gates of Vaikunta, the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu, are opened. Devotees believe that observing fast and participating in prayers and rituals on this day will help cleanse them of sins and grant them entry into Vaikunta.

The day is marked by special ceremonies and rituals conducted in Vishnu temples. Devotees engage in singing devotional songs, listening to religious discourses, and performing acts of charity. Many people observe a fast on Vaikunta Ekadashi and break it on the following day, known as Dwadashi.

Temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, especially those with a shrine dedicated to Vaikunta, witness a significant influx of devotees on this auspicious day. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in various parts of India. The belief in the significance of Vaikunta Ekadashi is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and is observed with varying traditions and customs in different regions.

 

23 December - : Anglo Bengali Inter College, Allahabad postage stamp issued in 2002

 

C.M. Anglo Bengali College also known as C.M. Anglo Bengali Inter College and as Anglo Bengali Inter College is a boys' school in Bhelupur, Varanasi, India. It was established in 1898 by Chintamani Mukherjee

C.M. Anglo Bengali College was established by Chintamani Mukherjee in the year 1898. The intermediate college is affiliated with U.P. Board and offers education under the 10+2 education system. School campus is situated in Bhelupur, a southern suburb of Varanasi.

23 December - Swami Shraddhanand death anniversary

 

Swami Shraddhanand (22 February 1856 – 23 December 1926), also known as Mahatma Munshi Ram Vij, was an Arya Samaj sannyasi and an Indian Independence activist who propagated the teachings of Dayananda Saraswati. This included the establishment of educational institutions, like the Gurukul Kangri University, and played a key role on the Sangathan (consolidation and organization) and the Shuddhi (purification), a Hindu reform movement in the 1920s

22 December - Guru Gobind Singh born in 1666

 

 

Guru Gobind Singh born Gobind Das or Gobind Rai (22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708) was the tenth and last human Sikh Guru.He was also a warrior, poet, and philosopher. At the age of nine—after his father (Guru Tegh Bahadur) was executed by Emperor Aurangzeb—he was formally installed as the leader of the Sikhs.His four biological sons died during his lifetime – two in battle and two executed by the Mughal governor Wazir Khan.

Among his notable contributions to Sikhism are founding the Sikh warrior community called Khalsa in 1699 and introducing the Five Ks, the five articles of faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times. Guru Gobind Singh is credited with the Dasam Granth whose hymns are a sacred part of Sikh prayers and Khalsa rituals.He is also credited as the one who finalized and enshrined the Guru Granth Sahib as Sikhism's primary scripture and eternal Guru

22 December - Srinivasa Ramanujan birth anniversary

 

Srinivasa Ramanujan was an extraordinary Indian mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of mathematics. Here's a short write-up about him, including his birth and death dates:

• Birth Date: Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India.

• Early Life: Ramanujan displayed an early aptitude for mathematics and developed a passion for the subject during his childhood. Lacking formal training, he relied on self-study and exploration of mathematical texts.

• Mathematical Genius: Ramanujan's mathematical insights and discoveries were truly exceptional. His work primarily focused on areas such as number theory, infinite series, and mathematical analysis. He had an innate ability to intuitively grasp complex mathematical concepts and formulate elegant theorems.

• Collaboration with G.H. Hardy: Ramanujan's talent was recognized by British mathematician G.H. Hardy, who invited him to the University of Cambridge in England. Their collaboration resulted in groundbreaking research and theorems. Ramanujan's work on partition functions, mock theta functions, and modular forms, among others, was particularly noteworthy.

• Contributions: Ramanujan's contributions to mathematics continue to be of immense importance. His formulas and theorems have applications in various areas of mathematics, including number theory, analysis, and algebra. Mathematicians around the world still study and build upon his work.

• Death Date: Tragically, Srinivasa Ramanujan's life was cut short. He passed away on April 26, 1920, in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, at the young age of 32.

• Legacy: Ramanujan's legacy is celebrated worldwide, and he is considered one of the greatest mathematicians in history. His story is a testament to the power of human curiosity, talent, and perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge.

Srinivasa Ramanujan's life and work continue to inspire mathematicians and students, and his contributions to the field of mathematics are remembered and revered to this day.

 

22 December - National Mathematics Day India

 

National Mathematics Day is celebrated in India on December 22nd each year to honor the birth anniversary of the renowned Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan. This day was established to recognize his exceptional contributions to the field of mathematics and to promote mathematics as a subject of importance and interest.

Key points about National Mathematics Day:

1. Srinivasa Ramanujan: Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India. He was a self-taught mathematical genius known for his extraordinary mathematical insights and discoveries. His work has had a profound and lasting impact on various areas of mathematics, including number theory and mathematical analysis.

2. Recognition of Talent: Ramanujan's mathematical talent was recognized by British mathematician G.H. Hardy, and he traveled to England to work with Hardy at the University of Cambridge. His collaboration with Hardy led to significant mathematical breakthroughs.

3. Contributions: Ramanujan made substantial contributions to areas such as infinite series, modular forms, and elliptic functions. Many of his formulas and theorems continue to be studied and applied in mathematics and related fields.

4. Celebrations: On National Mathematics Day in India, various educational institutions, mathematicians, and math enthusiasts organize events, seminars, workshops, and mathematical competitions to celebrate the beauty and importance of mathematics. The day also aims to inspire students to pursue mathematical studies and research.

5. National Mathematics Day Resolution: In 2012, the Indian government declared December 22nd as National Mathematics Day to recognize Ramanujan's contributions and to promote the development of mathematics in India.

National Mathematics Day serves as an occasion to remember and celebrate the achievements of Srinivasa Ramanujan and to promote the study and appreciation of mathematics among the youth of India.

22 December - Samrat Vikramaditya commemorative stamp issued in 2016

 

Vikramaditya was an emperor of ancient India, considered the legendary king. He is well known for his generosity, courage, and patronage of scholars. Samrat Vikramaditya began his rule after defeating Shakas in the VikramSamvat era in 57 BCE.

Samrat Vikramaditya is a feature in several traditional stories including BaitalPachisi and SinghasanBattisi. Some scholars claim that King Vikramaditya was probably based on the Gupta king Chandragupta II. Based on coins and the Supia pillar inscription, it is believed that Chandragupta II adopted the title Vikramaditya.

The government of India issued this commemorative stamp of SamratVikramaditya, on 22nd December 2016 to commemorate him. 

21 December - The Central Bank of India established in 1911

 

The Central Bank of India is one of the oldest and largest commercial banks in India. It was established on 21 December  1911. The bank was founded by Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala, with Sir Pherozeshah Mehta as the Chairman. The Central Bank of India was the first Indian commercial bank that was wholly owned and managed by Indians. Over the years, it has played a significant role in the economic development of the country and has expanded its operations to serve a diverse range of customers.

 

21 December - World Saree Day

 

World Saree Day is celebrated on 21 December every year. The day is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the traditional Indian attire, the saree. Saree is a traditional garment worn by women in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian countries. It is a symbol of grace and elegance and comes in various styles, fabrics, and designs.

World Saree Day aims to showcase the versatility of the saree and encourage people, especially women, to embrace and celebrate their cultural roots by wearing sarees. The initiative also seeks to revive and promote the traditional art of handloom weaving and support the weavers who create these beautiful pieces of clothing.

People celebrate World Saree Day by sharing pictures of themselves wearing sarees on social media platforms, organizing events, workshops, and fashion shows related to sarees, and participating in discussions about the cultural significance of this traditional attire. It is a day to appreciate the beauty of the saree and the craftsmanship involved in its creation.

 

21 December - Pandit Sundarlal Sharma birth anniversary

 

Pandit Sundarlal Sharma (21 December 1881 — 28 December 1940) was a key figure in the independence movement from Chhattisgarh. He was largely responsible for ushering in political and social consciousness to Chhattisgarh. In 1920, he started the canal satyagraha, also known as the Nahar satyagraha, at a village called Kandel in Dhamtari Tehsil. Chhattisgarh has a university in the name of Pandit Sundarlal Sharma .