The Syriac word 'Dhanha' (danha) can be defined as sunrise or dawn. Dhanaha Perunnal is celebrated on the 6th of January (after Christmas) every year by the Eastern Churches like the Syro Malabar Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches. This event marks the Glorious Manifestation of Lord Jesus Christ to the world (at the age of 30). The Son of God Who was born as a poor ordinary child of a humble Virgin Mother in a cattle shed and lead a concealed life until He attained 30 years, made Himself public with His Baptism at the Jordan river where the Most Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) together granted appearance to the public and to St John who performed the Baptism ritual. Dhaneha thirunnal is observed as a Holy and Obligatory day in the Syro-Malabar Church throughout the world.
In the western Churches, the same Manifestation Feast of the Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated as 'Epiphany' that commemorates the disclosure of His Divinity to the three wise men from the east who traveled all the way from the east and visited and adored Him, knowing about His birth from the stars. In most Churches in Europe, the Feast of the Epiphany is a Holy day of obligation.
Danaha celebration:
In the Syro Malabar Church, the Daneha Feast is celebrated as pindi kuthi perunnal (വാഴപിണ്ടി കുത്തി പെരുന്നാൾ) and rakkuli perunnal (രാക്കുളി പെരുന്നാൾ)
On the eve of this Feast day, Syrian Christians of Kerala (സുറിയാനി ക്രിസ്ത്യാനികൾ / നസ്രാണികൾ) used to perform a ceremonial bath in a river or canal and illuminate the plankton trunks erected in front of their houses with lamps.
The bath is to commemorate the Baptism of the Lord and the lamp fixing on the plankton trunks is to proclaim to the world that the Lord is the Light that shines in the darkness.
Some special sweets and dishes are also prepared and served on this occasion.
ദനഹാ കാലം:
In the Syro-Malabar Church's liturgical calendar, the 2nd season known as 'Danaha Kalam' commences with this great Feast which is one of the obligatory Holy Days (കടമുള്ള ദിവസം) prescribed by the Church and all the faithful are obligated to participate in the Holy Mass on this day without fail!
