Rama Navami: Honoring the birthday of India’s Rama

April 08, 2014 by Leave a Comment

TUESDAY, APRIL 8: For more than a week, starting with the Hindu new year Ugadi, families across India celebrate the April 8 birthday of Lord Rama. Hindu descriptions of Rama vary, but he generally is described as a divine of Vishnu, the supreme deity in Hinduism. Lord Rama certainly is one of the most popular deities in India and his annual festival is a time for recalling ancient Indian stories about him.

The Ramayana, or Rama’s Journey, is one of the greatest masterpieces in world literature—and a great epic in India’s sacred traditions. Written down in sanskrit about 2,500 years ago, the Ramayana is made up of 24,000 verses. Lengthy readings and recitations from the epic are a beloved part of this season each year.

Inspiring readings, decorations and fasting are traditional preparations for the birthday on April 8, this year. While Rama’s story is not widely known in the U.S., his image is echoed in other Asian cultures and also reportedly was an inspiration for the blue figures in James Cameron’s 2009 movie, Avatar.

Care to dig further into the vast riches of the Ramayana? Wikipedia has a fairly extensive introduction to the epic.

Observances vary widely by region. This year, The Hindu newspaper reported on one center in  Coimbatore, a city in southern India, where an 18-day celebration of Rama Navmi is underway! If you live near an Indian temple in the West, you are likely to see local Hindu communities planning all-day services for this special period of the year.

(Originally published at readthespirit.com, an on line magazine covering religion, spirituality, values and interfaith and cross-cultural issues.)

Ugadi or Yugadi: It’s a new year for millions in India

March 31, 2014 by Leave a Comment

MONDAY, MARCH 31: Some of the world’s oldest cultures start a new year with the return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere, as many did around the Equinox. But, millions of men and women across India celebrate Ugadi (or Yugadi) based on the start of the Saka or Indian national calendar, an ancient system of marking time that balances both lunar and solar cycles. This year, the Saka calendar places Ugadi, which literally means “the beginning of an age,” on March 31.

In India, families clean their homes, make decorations of fresh mango leaves, prepare special foods and offer traditional prayers for the new year. In some communities, there may be a public reading of a thoughtful forecast for the new year.

The Hindu newspaper has been reporting on a wide range of public programs tied to the holiday: Sports and traditional dance festivals, plus an essay contest about ways young people can contribute in a positive way to Indian society.

The most common holiday food is Ugadi Pachadi (spelling varies), a sweet and tart blend of at least a half dozen ingredients that are popular in India and symbolize sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise. It’s not an easy dish to prepare in most American homes, since ingredients such as neem buds (from a tree in the mahogany family) and jaggery (a dark brown, unrefined form of sugar) aren’t common in the US.

(Originally published at readthespirit.com, an on line magazine covering religion, spirituality, values and interfaith and cross-cultural issues.)

Maghi, Lohri, Makara Sankranti: Hindus and Sikhs celebrate

January 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment

MONDAY, JANUARY 13 and TUESDAY, JANUARY 14: Hindus, Sikhs and residents across India and Nepal usher in the arrival of spring with the auspicious Makara Sankranti, an ancient harvest festival that universally celebrates light over darkness. Celebrated in a variety of forms and in cultures, Makara Sankranti can take on almost as many characteristics as there are people who hold it dear.

Scientists describe Makara Sankranti as the day that the sun begins its movement away from the tropic of Capricorn and toward the Northern Hemisphere, which for Hindus signifies the turning away from darkness and toward the light. By turning toward the light of knowledge and spiritual wisdom, Hindus believe people can mature in purity and goodness, therby releasing the dark misconceptions that many call reality. (Wikipedia has details.) During this days-long festival, residents of Punjab eat rice in boiled milk; across India, the sky is filled with a rainbow of colors, as young and old gather beneath the sun to fly kites.

Did you know? In contrast to many Hindu festivals, which are lunar, Makara Sankranti is a solar event; thus, the date remains constant over a long term.

The darkest days of the calendar year—calculated by Hindus as lasting from mid-December through mid-January—mark an inauspicious phase, and that phase ends with Makara Sankranti. Multiple legends are associated with this festival, and even the most ancient epics mention its significance. Among the traditional stories, Hindus share that Maharaja Bhagiratha liberated his ancestors from a curse, merging the Ganges with the sea, and to this day, millions enter the waters at Ganga Sagar (the point where the Ganges River meets the Bay of Bengal) during Makara Sankranti. (Find details, greetings, recipes and more at I Love India.)

LOHRI:
BONFIRES, FRESH STARTS
& AN END TO WINTER

Largely in Punjab (and known by alternative names, such as Boghi, in other regions of India), the night preceding Makara Sankranti is filled with bonfires and folk dances. In many regions, people burn unnecessary belongings to make room for change in their lives, releasing attachment to material belongings and focusing on turning toward the light. (Wikipedia has details.) Sugarcane, sweets, rice, popcorn and peanuts are thrown into the flames of Lohri bonfires by families and friends. Those who have recently experienced marriage or childbirth are especially vigilant in their actions.

MAKARA SANKRANTI
ACROSS INDIA:
SWEETS, KITES

The colorful traditions of Makara Sankranti are almost as numerous as the kites in the sky during this festival of gaiety, as each region of India boasts its own customs. In Andhra Pradesh, infants and children are gifted with jujube fruits for protection from evil, sweets are prepared for all, brothers reaffirm filial love for their married sisters and new clothes are donned; in Bihar and Jharkhand, a rich khichdi dish takes center at the table and is prepared only once per year. In Tamil Nadu, thanks is offered to cattle for their assistance in agriculture, and during this festival they are fed sweet rice and sugar while decorated with flowers and bells; the infamous kite festivities across the state represent devotees’ reaching toward the sun and all that is good.

MELA MAGHI:
SIKHS COMMEMORATE
‘40 LIBERATED ONES’

For Sikhs, the larger festivals of Lohri and Makar Sankranti signal an anniversary: It was on December 30, 1705, that the bodies of 40 Sikh martyrs were cremated. Though they had previously deserted 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, the Chali Mukte returned to battle and defended their leader with their lives; the massive imperial Mughal army was forced to retreat. (Read more at All About Sikhs.) Following their martyrdom on December 29, Guru Gobind Singh blessed the ‘40 Liberated Ones’ and declared them as having reached mukti (liberation).

In gurdwaras worldwide, Sikhs gather for recitals of the Guru Granth Sahib, or Sikh holy book, while participating in religious divans for Mela Maghi. In Mukstar (Punjab), a three-day celebration draws pilgrims with fairs, promises of a dip in sacred waters and opportunity for worship at various shrines. Events conclude with a procession from the main shrine to gurdwara Tibbi Sahib.

SIKH NEWS:
SIKH CARTOONIST COSTUMES
AS CAPTAIN AMERICA IN NYC

Much like a fictional superhero, Sikh cartoonist Vishavjit Singh set out for the streets with a valiant goal in mind: to battle negative forces in the city. For this turban-donning version of Captain America, however, the negative forces were stereotypes. In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Vishavjit revealed the prejudices he has encountered in the city he calls home—and how drawing Sikh comics helps him to release frustrations. Vishavjit says he hopes to continue drawing attention in a fun, creative way, to battle religious and ethnic stereotypes.

MAKARA SANKRANTI NEWS:

High-profile events for Makara Sankranti began days in advance, including the gathering of more than 1,000 film stars and celebrities for the Punjabi Cultural Heritage Board’s Lohri in Andheri last Saturday. Meanwhile, kite sellers report politicians as hottest in this year’s kite trends, trumping cartoons and even Bollywood stars. Devoid of slogans, the kites picture just the faces of politicians, with the most popular being Narenda Modi and Arvind Kejriwal. (Read more in the Times of India.)

For years, each Maghi (harvest festival) in Nepal brought worry to young girls in the impoverished community of Tharu: during this festival, the girls were sold by their families to the wealthy in servitude, through an annual contract. This custom continued until 2000, TIME recently reported, when the Nepal Youth Foundation drew up plans to ban this practice through initiatives for families and education for the kamlari girls. Though approximately 12,500 girls have been rescued since efforts began, around 500 remain in the homes of powerful figures. This Maghi, rescued girls will be raising awareness of the now-outlawed practice, knocking on doors to free the last of the kamlari.

Bodhi Day, Rohatsu: Buddhists embrace Buddha’s enlightenment

December 08, 2013 by Leave a Comment

“How marvelous, I, the great earth, and all beings are naturally and simultaneously awakened.”
Buddha, upon seeing the first morning star during enlightenment

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8: It’s the season of light for several world religions—Nativity/Advent for Christians, Hanukkah for Jews, Yule for Pagans—and today, Mahayana Buddhists join the festivities by celebrating Buddha’s enlightenment on Bodhi Day (Rohatsu, in Zen Buddhism).

For some Buddhists, Bodhi spans the entire month; in Japanese Zen monasteries, Rohatsu incorporates a week-long sesshin, or meditation retreat, during which participants spend all waking time in intense meditation. For most lay Buddhists, however, Bodhi Day is spent contemplating the Dharma, dining on tea and cake and chanting Buddhist sutras. Families with children may string colored lights or bake cookies in the shape of the Bodhi tree’s leaf, celebrating their own traditions in the midst of the holiday season. (Find more ideas at Family Dharma.)

Note: Theravada Buddhist commemorate Buddha’s enlightenment on Vesak, a holiday that collectively celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing into Nirvana.

The historical Buddha was born Siddhartha Guatauma in approximately the 6th century BCE (calculations vary by sect. Wikipedia has details). Born into a noble family, Siddhartha left wealth and luxury in his late 20s to seek the answer to the question: What is the root of suffering? Once he had seen the suffering of the commoners in his community, Siddhartha became determined to figure out why. He would go on to spend years in ascetic practice, retreating to the forests of India and Nepal for deep meditation. (Gain clarity in celebrating Bodhi Day in the 21st century in this article from the Huffington Post.)

Did you know? According to 2012 polls, approximately 14 percent of Asian Americans are Buddhist.

The details leading up to Siddhartha’s enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree vary by tradition: some believe that he made a vow to find the root of suffering, while others refer to temptations made by the god Mara (literally, Destroyer). Yet within the pages of the Pali Canon is a collection of discourses written by Buddha, describing the night of his enlightenment as occurring in three stages. (Get Buddhism fast facts at CNN.) During the first watch of the night, Siddhartha discovered the cycle of rebirth; in the second, he became aware of the Law of Karma; in the third, he understood the Four Noble Truths, and finally reached Nirvana. Upon enlightenment—at age 35—Siddhartha became a Buddha: “Awakened One,” or “Enlightened One.”

IN THE NEWS:
OLDEST BUDDHIST SHRINE UNCOVERED IN NEPAL

Archaeologists in Nepal recently discovered traces of a wooden structure beneath the Mayadevi temple in Lumbini—a structure believed to be the world’s oldest Buddhist shrine. (The Guardian reported.) Most intriguing to Buddhists is the fact that the structure has been scientifically dated to approximately the 6th century BCE—meaning that it could have been in existence when the historical Buddha was born at the temple site.

Krishna Janmashtami: Hindus show devotion, playfulness for Lord Krishna

August 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28: Prepare the buttermilk pots and ready the infant figurines of Lord Krishna, for the enormously popular Hindu festival of Krishna Janmashtami. Celebrated with fervor across India and in several other countries by hundreds of thousands of devotees, Krishna Janmashtami marks the birthday of the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Based on both astrological calculations and scripture, tradition holds that Lord Krishna was born at midnight in 3228 BCE, and today, most adherents fast throughout the day until midnight. Festivities typically begin at dawn today, extending until 12 a.m., when the figure of Krishna is revealed by priests in a grand display. Colored altars, elaborately dressing rituals and meticulous bathing customs have welcomed the beloved Lord Krishna.

The rising of the sun signals the start of most merrymaking events for Krishna Janmashtami—though preparation of these events began weeks ago—and Rasa Lila, dramatic reenactments of the life of Krishna, can be seen on the streets while Dahi Handi draws boys from far and near to compete in the breaking of buttermilk pots.  (Wikipedia has details.) Known for his love of mischief, Lord Krishna draws devotees to expose their playful side today: kites soar in Jammu; sweets are cooked in eastern India; floors are decorated with flour in southern India, to represent Krishna’s childhood pastime of stealing butter from houses.

Krishna Janmashtami is a national holiday in Bangladesh, celebrated widely by Hindus in the Caribbean and in the United States, and carries great importance with the 80 percent of Nepalese residents who consider themselves Hindu. Yet nowhere is Krishna Janmashtami met with more excitement and splendor than in India.

BORN INTO DANGER

The festivities of Krishna Janmashtami focus on the lighter side of Krishna’s life, but at the time of his birth, the situation was anything but. Born the eighth son of Princess Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva, six of Krishna’s preceding siblings were killed by Princess Devaki’s brother, who desired the throne for himself. Knowing his life would be endangered, Devaki and Vasudeva secretly passed Krishna to foster parents.

INCENSE, MEDITATION
& THE BHAGAVAD GITA

Not all customs of Krishna Janmashtami are playful; his deity is worshiped with great devotion. In many Hindu temples, the religious scripture Bhagavad Gita is read, chants are recited and songs, known as bhajans, fill the air. Burning incense wafts through the temples decorated with elaborate flower garlands, and pilgrims flock to places significant in Krishna’s life. When the day-long fast is broken at midnight, festivities escalate even more and enormous feasts are served.

CELEBRATING KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI AT HOME

Even if you don’t live in a hub of festivities, Krishna.com offers advice for celebrating Krishna Janmashtami at home: Decorate the house with homemade flower garlands; read stories about Krishna and meditate on his life; prepare special foods for family and friends, as temple volunteers do in Hindu communities—following the fast, that is; and tune into Krishna.com’s webcams for festivities at some of the major temples of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

IN THE NEWS:
SNAKE BOATS, MEDEIVAL ART, JAIPUR THEATRE AND A EUROPEAN MANOR

Ceremonial and magestic snake boats have made their way down the river Pampa once again—legend has it that the boats are the sacred vessel of Lord Krishna—and, despite their costly upkeep, more than 20 participated in the parade this year; a major feast will take place today where the boats have gathered, at the Sri Parthasarathy temple. (Read more in The Hindu.)

Organizers regret that traditional recipes and skilled cooks are lost amid young generations, which is why a webcast of the feast began in 2011 and a Facebook page was created—both of which have been successful in drawing young interest and tourists alike. Next, organizers are hoping to receive more funding for the aging boats. (Get details from the Deccan Chronicle.)

Mumbai artist Purvii Parekh will showcase her bold oil and acrylic paintings throughout Krishna Janmashtami this year, with a series on Lord Krishna. (Read more in the Times of India.) In a style known as “Ragamala,” Parekh hopes to revive the illustrative style of painting that showcases Indian musical nodes and ragas, which was first used in the 16th and 17th centuries. Each piece reflects the mood of Krishna, claims the artist, which is a characteristic of Ragamala paintings.

Residents and visitors of Jaipur can experience a higher level of street plays this year, as a group of theatre professionals present a Broadway-style performance at a city auditorium. Despite financial constraints, organizers have arranged performances with rich content, hi-tech music and lighting. The Times of India reported that inspiration was drawn from Zangoora, Broadway and a Bollywood musical.

Europe’s Hindus can visit Bhaktivedanta Manor today, joining the more than 70,000 pilgrims expected for the grand festival of Krishna Janmashtami. Housing Europe’s largest cow protection project, Bhaktivedanta Manor will stage cultural dances, showcase Krishna deities, display illuminations of Krishna’s pastimes and serve vegetarian food to all attendees.

Raksha Bandhan: Hindu sisters & brothers tie symbolic bonds

August 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21: Do you have Hindu friends, neighbors or co-workers? Ask them about this holiday and you may find someone showing you a colorful new band around a man’s wrist—placed there by his sister. It’s a tradition known as Raksha Bandhan—or “the bond, or tie, of protection” in English—and it is popular in Indian immigrant communities as well as in the Indian homeland.

This affectionate custom calls on women to tie a rakhi, or woven bracelet, onto the wrist of a brother or sometimes a male cousin. The sister recites sacred lines that declare her wishes for a long life for her brother, while the brother promises to protect his sister under unconditional circumstances; she places tilak on his forehead. As the sister has baked or bought a variety of sweets, she and her brother then feed each other, and the brother presents her with money or another form of gift. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike partake in this popular festival, although the legends behind it are many.

SACRED STORIES SHOW ANCIENT ROOTS

An ancient Vedic festival, evidence is found in early manuscripts of the celebration of Raksha Bandhan. Several stories exist pertaining to this holiday, with among the most popular:

  • Yama and Yamuna: Lord Yama, the Lord of Death, had a sister himself, whose name was Yamuna. When Yamuna presented a gift of rakhi to Yama, he was granted immortality. Lord Yama was so impressed by the serenity of the occasion that he declared any brother who receives a rakhi from his sister will also be granted immortality.
  • Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun: During the Medeival period, Rani Karnawati was the widowed queen of the king of Chittor. When threat loomed of an attack, Rani felt helpless. In defense, she sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun; Humayun was so touched that he sent his troops to defend Chittor, rather than attack it.
  • Alexander the Great and King Puru: Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BCE, and upon this event, Alexander’s wife sent a sacred thread to Porus, asking him not to hurt her husband in battle. Porus had full admiration for the rakhi, and when the opportunity came for him to personally kill Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his wrist and resisted.

Aside from siblings and cousins, priests may tie rakhis around the wrists of congregation members; dear friends may tie rakhis for each other; rakhis are tied around the wrists of soldiers. Design can be complex, intricate and of expensive materials with adornments like stones and beads, or simple and conservative. Nonetheless, a rakhi of any kind carries with it a sacred duty, and the recipient regards his obligation to the giver as an honor. It is said that the protection offered by a rakhi lasts for one year.

TAGORE’S VIEW:
CELEBRATE BROTHERHOOD

Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore reinterpreted Raksha Bandhan, declaring that it should be a festival not just for brothers and sisters but for the brotherhood bonds among all of mankind. Tagore argued that all members of society have the obligation to protect one another, and thereby a harmonious society would emerge. Tagore regarded Raksha Bandhan as the most appropriate day to spread his message.

IN THE NEWS:
BAZAARS & GLUTEN-FREE SWEETS

Merchants and event planners have welcomed the influx of Raksha Bandhan customers for weeks. Shoppers have been snapping up the most attractive rakhis, gifts and sweets. For the high-end shopper, fashion shows like the recent Vimonisha Exhibitions have promised a chic selection of jewelry, clothing and gifts, particularly at its Raksha Bandhand Designer Exhibition and Sale.

Bakeries are noting an explosion in the demand for gluten-free and sugar-free cakes and treats this year, as more brothers and sisters opt for healthier options on Raksha Bandhan. (The Times of India reports.) Prices vary depending on design and size, and bakers indicate that no difference can be detected between the low-sugar, gluten-free cakes and their high-calorie, sugary counterparts.

‘Cakes & Prayers’: 60th anniversary for Mount Everest, Queen Elizabeth II and a unique interfaith celebration

May 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, and SUNDAY, JUNE 2: The New York Times captured the spirit 60 years ago in its headline: “CAKES and PRAYERS.” The Times staff was scrambling to assemble scattered information on the first successful human ascent of the world’s highest mountain. The Times story described New Zealand beekeeper Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay as eating mint cake and offering prayers at the summit. It was a moment of “reverence and gratitude,” the Times reported, as “each man prayed in his fashion.” Hillary (1919-2008) was Christian; Norgay (1914-1986) was a devout Buddhist.

Around the world, the British Commonwealth still was recovering from World War II. The startling news of a human conquest of Everest’s deadly height snowballed into coverage of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Newspapers reported that the first news-flash to reach London of the Hillary-Norgay success was delivered personally to Elizabeth on the eve of her big own big event. Reporters described the Everest accomplishment as a coronation gift for the new queen.

These landmark anniversaries will be jointly commemorated this year when Hillary’s son, Peter, and Norgay’s son, Jamling, join Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Geographical Society in London.

MOUNT EVEREST:
STATS, FACTS AND
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

‘THE SUMMITS OF MODERN MAN’
In the months approaching the 60th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest, climbers of every age and ethnicity have been heading to the mountain to break more records. In a book released in tandem with the anniversary, humanities professor Peter Hansen points out that human fascination with Everest is a powerful metaphor for our changing relationship with the environment. The book is titled The Summits of Modern Man: Mountaineering after the Enlightenment.Hansen argues that mountain peaks were viewed with awe and reverence throughout most of human history. Only with the Age of Enlightenment did popular culture shift toward “defeating” these massive works of nature.

MT. EVEREST RECORDS:
OLDEST, YOUNGEST & EVERYONE IN BETWEEN
We know you’re wondering: What are the latest stats for Mt. Everest climbs? Upward of 3,000 people have scaled the world’s tallest mountain since Hillary and Norgay—with more than 200 perishing in the attempt—but recently, more mountaineers than ever have been attempting to break records. Here’s the official list:

    • Oldest: Japanese climber and extreme skier Yuichiro Miura scaled Everest at age 80, just a couple of weeks ago—his third ascent of Everest since his 70th birthday.
    • Youngest: American Jordan Romero took on Everest at age 13 in May 2010.
    • Most frequent: Nepalese native Apa Sherpa has reached Mt. Everest’s top a record 21 times. “Super Sherpa” made his 21st climb in May 2011. Sherpa also is a global hero because of his work with the Eco Everest Expedition, the team that has brought down more than 12 tons of other climbers’ garbage over the past three years.
    • More 2013 firsts: Arunima Sinha became the first woman to climb Mt. Everest with prosthetic legs; meanwhile, Raha Moharrak became the first Saudi woman to top Everest, making a dent in the conservative Saudi view of women’s roles. Nepalese climber Chhurim (who, like most Sherpas, goes by just one name) became the first female to summit Everest twice in one season.

CHANGING FACE OF THE WORLD’S TALLEST MOUNTAIN
As pointed out by both scientists and Norgay’s grandson, Everest celebrations should also recall the crucial need to preserve the Himalayas. Tons of garbage has collected on the mountain from climbers through the years. The mountain’s runoff waters are vital to a large region during the dry season, so decomposing refuse can spell catastrophe for tens of thousands. Global warming is melting snow and ice atop the Himalayas at an increasing rate, causing glaciers to disappear faster every year. (The Guardian reports.)  After a 13 percent overall glacier shrinkage since Hillary and Norgay took to the peak—the climb is quite different now than it was 60 years ago.

CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II:
A STORYBOOK MOMENT JUNE 2, 1953

Events surrounding the coronation went on for weeks and news stories popped up around the world day after day. In the era after World War II—but decades before the Internet—a “live television” broadcast from an unfolding news event was rare and exciting. The BBC network had been a pioneer in this technology and first broadcast a live TV show in 1929! But live on-the-scene news events were unknown until after World War II. In 1953, the crowning of Elizabeth was the first coronation ever broadcast live. (Watch a portion of that original broadcast on YouTube.)

On that day, 27-year-old Elizabeth rode the Gold State Coach through the streets of London, leaving Buckingham Palace to arrive at Westminster Abbey. Approximately 3 million spectators had been lining the streets overnight to catch a glimpse of Elizabeth, and more than 200 microphones had been stationed along the procession route. Foreign royalty and heads of state rode in a seemingly endless parade of carriages, as 750 commentators broadcast the events in 39 languages. (Learn 50 facts about the Queen’s Coronation from the official website of the British Monarchy.)

Despite objection by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Elizabeth had previously asked that her entire coronation be filmed by television cameras—with the exceptions of being anointed and taking communion. Before 8,000 live spectators and millions of television viewers, Elizabeth swore an oath to uphold the laws of her nations and to govern the Church of England. As Elizabeth left Westminster Abbey that day, guests sang out, “God Save the Queen.”

CELEBRATING THE MILESTONES TODAY

Sixty years isn’t the same as a 50-year or centennial milestone, so anniversary events vary widely. Most are regional in nature. Check news sources in your part of the world for events marking these 60th anniversaries. Many public television stations across the U.S. will be airing a three-part series on the life of Queen Elizabeth II called The Diamond Queen; some also will air a portion of the 1953 TV coverage of Elizabeth’s coronation. But, check your local TV guide for details and these programs will not air everywhere.

Popular media is buzzing over the royal baby’s due date of July 13—right in the middle of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Festival. British newspaper also are reporting on the more serious role that the queen has played in recent history. The more conservative Telegraph newspaper headlined one story: “Only the Queen has Been Our Constant,” commenting on her loyal status through the ever-changing demands of the last six decades. The Telegraph also notes, in a separate story, that the next royal coronation will break longstanding tradition by making a place for people of faith outside of Christianity.