Lady of Aparecida Day (Brazil)
Our Lady of Aparecida Day honors Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil. The day commemorates the 1717 discovery of a small clay statue of the Virgin Mary by fishermen in the Paraíba River, which became a symbol of hope and faith. Over centuries, devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida grew into one of Brazil’s most cherished traditions. Millions of pilgrims visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of Aparecida, one of the largest churches in the world, to pay tribute.
Tamil Thai Pongal Day
Tamil Thai Pongal Day is a Tamil Hindu harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. Celebrated with the cooking of sweet rice (Pongal), Kolam designs, and rituals of thanksgiving, it marks prosperity and cultural unity. In Sri Lanka, it is a national holiday honoring Tamil traditions.