A world of celebration, a world of faith.

Byline: By Francesca Craggs

Whatever the religion, festivals unite family and friends in fun and worship. Francesca Craggs looks at some of the ways different faith communities celebrate.

HINDUISM

Dating back over 3,000 years, Hinduism has a strong cultural and historical affiliation to India.

Hindus believe in Brahma, the creator of the world, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the renewer. There are around 500 million Hindus, about 400,000 of whom live in Britain.

Astrology plays a vital role in belief and the timings and movements of the stars are linked to the roles of different deities.

In Hinduism, there are many festivals which are celebrated throughout the world. The festival of Navaratri, which is also known as Norata Durga Puja, is usually in October.

In honour of the mother goddess, it consists of nine nights of dancing and commemorates Rama's victory over Ravana - the demon king of Sri Lanka who had kidnapped Sita. Diwali or Deepavali in autumn is a celebration of Rama's victorious return to his kingdom when his path was lit by thousands of lights.

It is the beginning of the financial year so special praise is offered to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. This is the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festival.

Krishna Kant Attri of the Newcastle Hindu Temple, said: "Known as the festival of light, we celebrate Diwali for three days. We light lamps in our shops and houses and everyone is welcome.

"We celebrate with fireworks, prepare traditional dishes, and exchange presents-just like a Christian Christmas."

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated around July/August time and is a popular family festival. Sisters tie red and gold amulets around their brothers' wrists, a symbol of the strong bonds in Hindu families.

Many more festivals celebrate particular gods and goddesses.

Originating in the Middle East, the traditions of Judaism can be traced back over 3,500 years.

There is no single founder, though its beginnings are associated with the Fathers or Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jewish people are called The Children of Israel, Israel meaning he who struggled with God.

There are a number of different types of Jews, from Orthodox (traditional) Jews to Progressive Jews and there are Conservative, Reform and Liberal communities. The Jewish day goes from evening to evening and all festivals begin in the evening.

Shabbat is the main celebration each week.

Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, in September/October, commemorates the creation of the world. New Year traditions in Jewish homes include eating a slice of apple dipped in honey to symbolise a `sweet' new year.

Sukkot, in September/October) celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles. The third harvest festival of the year, this was one of the three occasions when Jews travelled to the Temple in Jerusalem. It is also a reminder of their journey through the desert.

Hannuka, from May to June, is the festival of lights and celebrates the miracle of light. On this day the chanukiyah is lit, prayers are said and children given coins as presents.

Originating around 2,500 years ago in Nepal, Buddhism stems from the enlightenment and teachings of Prince Siddharta Gautama who lived around 480BC-thereafter known as the Buddha.

A major religion, Buddhism is found mostly in South East Asia and the Far East and there are around 300 million Buddhists. They believe they may attain Nirvana or enlightenment by following the Eightfold Path, and that suffering can be overcome by letting go of desire.

The law of Karma is a belief in rebirth with your status in the next life, dependent upon your actions in the present one.

There are many Buddhist festivals of which the most important are the following. Vasak in May on the night of the full moon celebrates the enlightenment of Buddha. Obon, from July to September, celebrates the passing on of Buddha, while the Buddhist New Year varies between countries.

Muslims believe there is one God (Allah), the supreme creator and sustainer of the universe.

Islam's main religious text, the Holy Qur'an, mentions 25 messengers of Allah, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. There are around one billion Muslims in the world, about two million of which live in Britain.

Islamic beliefs incorporate concepts of piety, righteousness, sin, freedom, equality, brotherhood, morality and peace.

Ramadan, one of the main festivals, involves fasting for the month. Eid-ul-fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the first day of the month of Sawwal. This is a large celebration, where food is eaten and prayers said.

Eid-ul-Adha is the festival of sacrifice on the 10th day of the 12th month. Most Muslims make their pilgrimage to Mecca during this festival as part of Hajj. Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic year.

The main religion of the UK, Christianity dates back around 2,000 years. Christians believe in the divine incarnation of Jesus, born by `virgin birth' and sent as God's son to redeem humanity from sin and death.

There are around one billion Christians world-wide, seven million of whom live in the UK. The largest denomination is Roman Catholic and there are many Protestant (Reformed) groups. The Bible is the main religious text.

The major Christian festivals are Easter, Christmas and Pentecost.

A relatively young religion, Sikhism only about 500-years-old.

It was started in the 16th century by Guru Nanak in the Punjab area of India. Sikhs have 10 gurus and believe in one God who is present in all people.

There are about 17 million Sikhs worldwide, around 300,000 in the UK. In Newcastle, most Sikhs arrived following political upheavals in Kenya and Uganda.

Their place of worship, the Gurdwara, literally the `doorway to the guru', is open to all and everyone is welcome to eat in the `Langar' or communal kitchen. Most Sikh festivals are related to the lunar year and the date changes each year.

Baisakhi, in April, is the most important festival, commemorating the day the Kalsa came into being.It is traditionally a harvest festival and is celebrated by prayers and thanksgiving, dance and music.

Diwali in October/November is celebrated by lighting candles and exchanging sweets and presents. Also in October/November is the birthday of Guru Nanak, celebrated by a complete reading of the Sikh holy text, Guru Granth Sahib, which is started in the gurdwara two days before the festival and finishes on the morning of the birthday. Sikhs try to attend the gurdwara as often as possible during the reading.

Surinder Ghura, a former nurse, has been teaching children about Sikhism for 26 years.

As a volunteer at the Sikh temple in Tindel Street, Newcastle, Surinder, 62, holds Tuesday classes and summer schools for children aged six to 16.

She said: "We teach respect for each other and other people's religions as well as learning to share belongings and give to others in need.

"Children recently raised money for St Oswald's Hospice.

"We also teach the importance of working hard for a living and to love god and recite his name."

Using examples from everday life, Surinder teaches children about the scriptures and they learn hymns and have trips and parties. It's fun and the two hours every week just fly by.The children love listening to the stories and singing hymns - it makes them feel they belong to something and have a sense of identity - every child should feel that.

"It's very much like the scouts or the girl guides. I've read about many different religions and they all have much in common. Nobody who is truly religious would harm anyone."

* This information was provided by Ethnicity in the North-East - a guide compiled by the Home Office Drugs Prevention Advisory Service and Government Office for the North East, with the support of One NorthEast and the North East Assembly.