Exploring cultural festivals

I am supposed to be writing post two about places to visit in Texas, a sequel to my last travel post, but then a few of my blogger friends asked me to share more about an Indian festival that just passed by! So here I am sandwiching this post in between my two travel posts, about a few festivals which are celebrated with joy and enthusiasm back in my country.

India has a rich cultural heritage. Some rituals and traditions are believed to be more than 4000 years old! According to Live Science, India’s culture is among the world’s oldest: civilization in India began about 4,500 years ago! India has 28 states and seven territories, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). I would not be able to go in details about all what India has to offer in terms of culture, traditions and beliefs; but if you are interested you can check this website knowindia.gov for more information. Read this post to learn more about festival attire and cultural clothing! Below are some ways to explore Indian cultural festivals.

Rakshabandhan:

The festival that made my blogger friends want to know more about is Rakshabandhan which was celebrated a few days ago on August 3rd. Rakshabandhan, also called Rakhi in short, is a very important and pious festival for North Indians. Raksha means protect and bandhan means bonding. So the word Rakshabandhan means bonding of protection. On this day, in each household the sister ties a rakhi on the wrist of her brother to protect him against evil influences, and prays for his long life and happiness. The brother gives a gift in return which is a promise that he will protect his sister from any harm. The Rakhis are threads with numerous designs that are tied on the wrist like a bracelet and the ceremony includes use of tikka/roli, rice, moli/thread and a sweet item for feeding. Within these Rakhis reside sacred feelings and well wishes. It is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the north of India.

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Diwali:

Another big festival for Indians is Diwali. Diwali is also called the festival of lights, and is celebrated in the fall in the month of October or November per the Hindu calendar. Diwali or Deepavali means spreading of lights through deep or diya or earthen/clay pots. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that are lighted outside homes to symbolize the inner light that protects the household and family members from spiritual darkness. Just like Christmas holiday is special to Christians, the Diwali festival is as special to Hindus. In addition to lights, there are fireworks also to mark this special day. The history of the festival dates back to more then 2500 years ago when Lord Rama returned back to his kingdom after 14 years of exile. All of the people rejoiced in the return of their beloved King and Lord, and lit the homes and streets with lights.

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Holi:

The next festival on my list is Holi, or the festival of colors. Holi is celebrated in spring in the month of March and is a very lively, fun, colorful and happy occasion! It also celebrates victories of various legends associated with the festival. Holi is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest; which gives people a good reason to rejoice, make merry and submerge themselves in the spirit of Holi. Dry colors as well as water colors are used to play this festival of colors. People go in groups to each other’s homes and celebrate with all ages – young or old. Food is always present for any festival or celebration, and this day is no exception.

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Navratri:

The next festival is called Navratri or Durga Puja, and my kids enjoy all the nine days of celebration! Navratri is made of two words, Nav means ‘nine,’ and ratri means ‘night.’ Navratri or the ‘nine nights’ is celebrated twice in a year- once in spring and once in fall, and the fall Navratri is the bigger festival. The festival symbolizes battle and victory of good over evil and is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In addition to 9 days of prayers, kids look forward to the Dandiya or Garba, both dances that have originated in Gujarat, and are performed during Navratri. Prayers are done all nine days, special good is prepared and on the 8th or 9th day (Ashtami or Navmi) Kanchak is celebrated where little girls are invited and fed Prasad, as a symbol of worshipping Goddess Durga in little girl form.

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Karvachauth:

As shared in my writing above that although there are so many cultural celebrations I can write about, I will be ending this post with the last festival of Karvachauth. This year Karvachauth falls on Nov 4. One of my favorite rituals and festivals, Karva Chauth is celebrated by married women in north of India. It is most famous with newly weds and even unmarried women celebrate it with love and affection. It is believed to bring prosperity, longevity and well-being to the family when women seek the blessings of God for their husband’s long life. The origin and significance about the festival of Karva Chauth was to renew and celebrate the relationship between god-friends (god-sisters) and the celebration included praying and fasting for husband by his wife during a celebration of her relationship with the god-friend. Times have changed since then, and now it is a special day between couples where they pray for each other’s strengthening of love in their married life.  A married woman celebrates this day with great fervor and dedication, by observing a fast and praying for the long life of her husband. She dresses up, with henna-decked hands, bindis, colorful bangles, vermilion and jewelry; and fasts from dawn till the moon rises. In the evening there is gathering with other women where prayers, puja and rituals are done to celebrate the special day. The dinner is a feast after looking at the moon and breaking the fast with a special course of meal.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, this post shares little information about exploring cultural festivals of India. I shared 5 of the festivals celebrated in India grandly with excitement, love, affection and remembrance! Rakshabandhan shows the special love between a brother and a sister, Karvachauth shows a special bond between couples, Navratri symbolizes battle and victory of good over evil, and Diwali the festival of lights as well as Holi the festival of colors both symbolize triumph of good over evil.

Dear readers, if you have a tradition or festival from your culture that you cherish and enjoy, please share here. We would love to know! You may comment below or send an email to nishtha@dawnandhope.com