| Festivals |
| Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, falls in the Hindu month of Karttika (October - November). Its name comes from the |
| Diwali |
| Holi |
| One holiday that's great fun is Holi, which falls at the start of India's hot season in February - March. A bonfire is lit on the eve of Holi. The next morning, all barriers of caste and rank are forgetten, as people throw coloured water and bright powders at each other. Students chase their teachers down the street and workers spray their bosses. In the afternoon, people go home for a bath. The evening time is for visiting and exchanging sweets. People embrace one another and offer good wishes. Holi, or 'Holika', is an extremely popular festival observed throughout India. It is especially marked by unmixed gaiety and frolics, and is common to all sections of the people. This festival is very ancient. Known originally as 'Holika', it has been mentioned in very early religious works. Therefore, it must have existed several centuries before Christ. It was at first actually a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families, and the full moon was the deity worshipped by them. Thus the full moon festival of 'Holika' gradually became a festival of merrymaking and announcing the commencement of the spring season. According to the stories in the Puranas, and various local legends, this day is important for three reasons. It was on this day that Lord Shiva opened his third eye and reduced Kamadeva (the god of love, Cupid or Eros) to ashes. It was on this day that Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakasyapu, who tried to kill the child devotee Prahlad by taking him on her lap and sitting on a pyre of wood which was set ablaze. Holika was burned to ashes while Prahlad remained unscathed. It was again on this day that an ogress called Dhundhi, who was troubling the children in the kingdom of Raghu, was made to run away by the shouts and pranks of the mischievious boys. Though she had secured several boons that made her almost invincible, this noise was a chink in her armour due to a curse of Lord Shiva. The day itself came to be called 'Holika' since then. |
| Raksha Bandhan |
| Dusshera |
| Dusshera falls in the month of Asvina on the Hindu calendar, which is usually October on the Gregorian calender used in the West. It is celebrated in most parts of India and by Hindu communities all over the world, although various groups mark the holiday in different ways. Celebrations usually last for ten days. In northern India, barley is is planted in small dishes on the first day. By the tenth day the young shoots look like those in the fields. The plants have a special place on the family shrine. As well as being tied to the farming cycle, Dusshera celebrates the triumph of good over evil. In eastern India, the victory of the goddess Durga over the Buffalo Demon is the main focus of the holiday. In other parts of India, the holiday marks the victory of the god Rama (an avatar of Vishnu) over the demon king Ravana. Though he was a prince, Rama had been banished from his kingdom and forced to live in the forest. There his beautiful wife Sita was captured and carried off by the evil Ravana. But Rama defeated the demon with the help of Hanuman and his monkey army. The story of Rama is told in the sacred book of the Ramayana. At the time of Dusshera the story is acted out in cities and villages. The play is called the Rama Lila. On the tenth night, the actor playing Rama fires a flaming arrow into a giant paper statue of the demon, Ravana, which has been filled with firecrackers. Ravana is destroyed with a bang! |
| Makar Sankranti |
| Makar Sankranti, or Pongal, is the day when the sun begins its journey northward. It always falls on the 14th of January. For the people of the northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period when the sun is getting closer and closer to them, when the days are getting longer, and it is becoming warmer and warmer. To Hindus, the sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makar Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to joyously let the light within us shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge. In fact, the sun itself stands for all the ideals of the Pongal festival. Its message is that of light, unity, equality and true selfnessness. These are the ideals of Karma Yoga. Makar Sankranti is called Pongal by the Tamilians, from whom it ushers in the New Year. The day begins with worship of the sun, or surya pongal. The newly harvested corn is then cooked for the first time. Joyous festivities mark the celebration in every home. Servants, farmers and the poor are fed and clothed, and given presents of money. On the next day, the cow, which is regarded as the symbol of the Holy Mother, is worshipped. Birds and Animals are also fed. In this manner the devotee's heart gradually expands during the course of the celebrations. Love extends from household to servants, the poor, the cow and all other living creatures. During this holy festival we learn to feel our oneness with all creation. We learn to be unselfish and to tread the path of love, purity and forgiveness. We learn that our real wealth is the goodwill and friendship of those around us, the land on which our food grows, and the animals that help to make our work lighter. |
| Hinduism has many holidays. Some are celebrated by most Hindus, while others are celebrated only among certain communities or in special places. Below are some details about holidays. Most of the Hindu holidays are based on the Hindu calendar, developed in ancient India. It has twelve months, worked out according to the phases of the moon. |
| Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is also worshipped on Diwali. In most parts of India, Diwali marks the new year. Businesses open new account books at this time of the year. A ceremony called the Lakshmi puja is performed to bring good fortune in the coming year. An oil lamp is left burning all night to welcome the goddess. Diwali is also a time when people wear new clothes, visit friends and exchange sweets. |
| Sravani, the sacred thread changing ceremony, and Raksha Bandhan are celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan, (June - July) and are often regarded as two names for the same festival. Raksha Bandhan is held that if a chord made according to the prescriptions of the holy texts is tied round the wrist of a person on the full moon day of Shravan it will ensure him good health, success and happiness for the year that follows. Whatever be the origin of Raksha Bandhan, today it has become 'Sister's day', symbolising the love that binds them to their brothers. When a girl ties a rakhi on her brother's wrist, she makes fervent wishes for his prosperity, happiness and success in all he undertakes. In return, he renews his pledge to guard her honour and self - respect. Many days before the festival, small stalls are set up at different places, packed with colourful and glittering masses of Raksha Bandhan wristlets. In smaller towns, whole rows of bazaars sell nothing but these rakhis of all shapes, sizes and colours. At the same time, sweetmeat vendors do a roaring trade. They put out all their delicacies on display. The sisters will get up early on the day of Raksha Bandhan and wear new, clean clothes. Once everyone is ready, the girls cover their heads with their dupatta. She seats herself in front of her brother and daubs his head with vermillion, saffron and rice powder, takes the colourful rakhi and ties it to his wrist. She will then place some of the sweetmeat and playfully stuff it in her brother's mouth. He in return, as a mark of affection, places some money on the thali. |
| sanskrit word dipavali, which means a row of lights. Diwali marks the return of Rama to his kingdom to become the rightful king. People light rows of small oil lamps or candles along windows and balconies to welcome Rama home. |
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