|
|
|
Festivals |
Hindu festivals, which are based on the Hindu calendar and are often linked with seasonal
changes, serve a cathartic role in releasing community tensions and temporarily suspending the
distinctions of caste and class. Festivals mix worship with pleasure and are used to avert
malicious influences, to bond communities, and to stimulate the vital powers of nature. The
main festivals are Holi, Diwale, and Dusserah, although many local festivals exist, usually
dedicated to a regional deity. Holi, originally a fertility ceremony, celebrates the New Year
in March and the return of spring. A bonfire is lit on the eve of Holi to symbolize the destruction
of the old year, and on the following morning, festival-goers indulge in a spirit of playfulness,
forget about normal codes of behavior, and throw red-colored water and red powder at each other.
|
|
Diwali and Dusserah: Diwale celebrates Rama's return from exile. It is celebrated by inviting
Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, into the house, thus linking Diwale with traders and marking the start
of the financial year. Puja is performed to bring prosperity, gifts are exchanged, and lamps
are lit to dive out Alakshmi, misfortune. Diwale is held between late October and mid-November.
Dusserah, between late September and mid-October, lasts nine days and celebrates the triumph of good
over evil. In south India it celebrates the story of the Ramayana. In east India and
Bangladesh it is in honor of Durga slaying the buffalo demon. A large image of Durga is paraded in
the streets and immersed in a river on the last day.
|
|
|
|
The Festival Calendar
| January |
Lohri: Celebrated in the Punjab, this marks the end of winter. |
| February |
Pongal-Sankranti: A feast held in south India to celebrate the rice harvest. |
| March |
Holi: The national celebration of spring and the New Year.
Shivaratri: A national honoring of Shiva. Worshipers fast during the day, and an
all-night vigil is held at Shiva temples. |
| April |
Sri Vaishnavas: An honoring of Vishnu and his consort Sri, celebrated in
Madras at the beginning of the hot season. Images of Vishnu are taken from the
temples of the seashore. |
| May |
Rathyatra: The birthday of Lord Jagannath, celebrated with chariots in Puri. |
| August |
Janmashtami: The birthday of Krishna, celebrated nationally. Worshipers fast
during the day and break the fast in the evening, following a special puja, or worship. |
| September |
Dusserah: A celebration of the triumph of good over evil, in honor of Durga or Rama.
Ganesh Chaturthi: The birthday of Ganesh, celebrated nationally throughout India. Huge
images of Ganesh are paraded. |
| October |
Diwale: A national celebration in honor of Rama and his consort. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
