Christmas - celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ

Christmas or Christmas Day is an auspicious religious festival for Christians. It is being celebrated every year on the specified date December 25 with great fervor to commemorate the birth and life of Lord Jesus Christ. Christians on this occasion gather at the churches in the morning for the 'church service', popularly known as mass, for Christ. Christmas, nominally a holiday is observed in various innovative ways apart from following traditional practices that includes: preparation of dishes, exchanging gifts, offering prayers and enjoying meal with family members. Following the centuries old customs and beliefs, Christians will observe Christmas 2013 on Wednesday in the month of December.

For pilgrims and ardent followers of Jesus, Christmas is a season for pilgrimage. To make long and tiresome journeys to shrines or the sacred city Bethlehem, located in Palestine, Jerusalem that is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus according to the New Testament Gospels of Luke and Matthew.

Merriment of Christmas has a long history and believed to bring goodwill. For many people, this festival is truly a magical season as they can stay at their houses and spend some good moments with their friends and family members. Christmas is a very special occasion for children because they fantasize Santa Claus travelling a long journey carrying fancy gifts for them. 

The festivity of Christmas usually continues nearly for a month. But preparation gears up a few weeks ahead of Christmas. Houses, churches and offices are fascinatingly embellished with colourful lights to mark the religious festival in a grand way. Delicious cuisines and traditional dishes such as turkey, fruit cake, roasted potatoes, fudges and more are an integral part of this celebration. 

Christmas is celebrated across the world following customs that varies from one to another country. But certain customs prevails irrespective of geographical boundary that includes sending warm Christmas greetings, fancy Christmas gifts and Christmas cards; to hold nativity plays, beautify Christmas tree and visit church to sing Christmas songs praising or reliving baby Jesus and Holy Mother Mary.

The excitement of the festival is also expressed and shared with lovely and snappy Christmas SMS or messages. Happy Christmas and Merry Christmas quotes available in varied languages are also popular as successful medium to share the spirit of joy and peace of the occasion.

Christmas tree, known as Yule tree, has a distinctive significance in this festival. The Christmas tree is adorned with beautifully wrapped gifts, ribbons and attractive items to make the occasion more pleasant. But with the growing awareness to protect trees and go Eco-friendly, people now opting for artificial Yule tree at their houses to observe Christmas.

Christmas is the best time for a vacation. As New Year follows the festivity, people plan for long rejuvenating vacation making the occasion a memorable one. 

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'Thalaivaa'

Release Date: Will Vjay's Film Hit Theatres on 9 August?

The release date of Vijay's "Thalaivaa" has been confirmed as 9 August. Earlier, there were reports that the film would be released on 2 August. But the release date was pushed further by a week.According to Ayngaran International, the UK distributors of the film, "Thalaivaa" will hit the theatres on 9 August with an aim to earn during the Eid weekend.However, senior film journalist Sreedhar Pillai tweeted that the release date - 9 August - is tentative. He said that the Kerala, Karnataka and overseas distributors of "Thalaivaa" are not happy with the date as it clash with Shah Rukh Khan's much-awaited "Chennai Express", which will hit the theatres a day ahead, on 8 August.

TODAY GOLD RATE:

Gold Price in CHENNAI - Today Wed, Jul 24th, 2013
City	22 Karat	24 Karat
CHENNAI Wed, Jul 24th, 2013	1g Rs. 2,593 8g Rs. 20,744 10g Rs. 25,930 100g Rs. 2,59,300 1 KG Rs. 25,93,000	1g Rs. 2,777 8g Rs. 22,216 10g Rs. 27,770 100g Rs. 2,77,700 1 KG Rs. 27,77,000

Southern industry in shock at actress Manjula Vijaykumar's sudden death

Manjula Vijayakumar was a South Indian actress. She acted in more than 100 films in South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. She and actor Vijayakumar married shortly after they fell in love on the sets of Unnidam Mayanguhiren. 

Popular southern actress Manjula Vijayakumar, who was suffering from jaundice, breathed her last Tuesday at the SRMC hospital. She was 59-years-old. "She was admitted to Sri Ramchandra Medical College (SRMC) a week ago after she suffered a severe fall in her house. She was undergoing treatment for this and two days back was diagnosed with jaundice," said a source close to the family.

She is survived by her husband Vijayakumar, popular Tamil actor, and three daughters - Vanitha, Preetha and Sridevi.Her last rites will be performed in the evening on Tuesday.

Manjula, once a popular face in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada cinema, had starred in over 100 films in her three-decade long career. She made her cinematic debut in Tamil romantic-drama "Shanti Nilayam" (1969), in which she played the teenage daughter to Gemini Ganeshan. Some of her best films include "Rickshawkaran", "Ulagam Sutrum Valiban" and "Alluri Seetarama Raju".

VALI: KOLLYWOOD PAYS FINAL RESPECT

Tributes continued to pour in for Tamil cinema lyricist Vaali, who died in Chennai yesterday following illness.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi, actors Kamal Haasan and Khushboo, top music directors M S Viswanathan and Ilayaraja, veteran director S P Muthuraman and a slew of cinema and political personalities paid homage to the poet at his R A Puram residence in Chennai.

Karunanidhi paid rich tributes to Vaali, a Padmashri recipient, describing him as a comrade. The 90 year-old leader, who has shared many a platform with Vaali at literary events, said Vaali may have passed away but his evergreen and memorable songs will keep his glory and pride alive.

MDMK leader Vaiko, senior BJP leaders including former state president  Ganesan paid homage to Vaali. DMDK founder Vijayakant and VCK leader Thol.Thirumavalavan condoled Vaali's death, saying his passing away had caused an irreparable loss to the Tamil cinema industry and to the state in general.

After suffering from respiratory problems, Vaali, born T S Rangarajan in the temple town of Srirangam in Tiruchirappally, breathed his last at a private hospital here yesterday.

He has penned nearly 10,000 songs, while working with the charismatic actor and former Chief Minister, M G Ramachandran (MGR) in many movies including blockbusters such as Enga Veetu Pillai.    He had worked with actors, musicians and directos across generations including Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan and Dhanush.

Mariyaan tamil movie review

Ratings:3/5

             The movie’s pace is leisurely all the way and the director might have deliberately slowed it down for the audience to feel the intensity of the emotions longer. The first half is mostly used to set up the deep bond between Maryan and Panimalar and whether this bond can withstand all the pain and suffering, is what the second half narrates. Verdict: A movie with breathtaking visuals, heart-stopping music, terrifically talented cast set on a very leisurely paced narrative.