Hanukkah is a Jewish festival which is also called as the "Festival of lights" or the "Feast of Dedication". This festival is celebrated over a period of 8 days, somewhere in late November. Hanukkah is celebrated by kindling the lights of a unique candelabrum i.e. The nine-branched Hanukiah. One additional light is kindled each day, thereby making the total number of lights kindled as eight on the final day.
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy temple of Jerusalem at the time of Maccabean revolt against the Greeks. The Hanukiah consists of eight branches with an additional branch for an extra light which is called the Shamash. The purpose of the Shamash is to have extra light available for practical usage and purposes. The usage of other lights is confined to publicizing and meditating. Hanukkah is a Modern Hebrew word which translates into establishing or dedication. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev as per the Hebrew calendar.
