Diwali is one of the largest festivals found within Hindu tradition. Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists also celebrate this festival (Dilwali). It is a festival of happiness celebrated by Hindus all around the world. It is five continuous days, each day having an ideal or thought and being based on a legend. The legends differ based on what part of the world Diwali is being celebrated in (Festival). It is the harmony between these five ideas that makes Diwali such a special festival for Hindus (Diwali: Festival). New clothes are worn, gifts are exchanged, and sweets are baked (Festival). Diwali translates into “row of lamps” and involves the lighting of small oil lamps, which signifies the victory of good over evil. Diwali is the Festival of Lights. It is known as the Festival of Lights because of the many lamps that are lit throughout its entirety (Festival).
Diwali is usually celebrated in October or November. It began as a harvest festival, thanking God for the crops they were given, and marking the last harvest before winter. In India, the blessing of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is sought for agriculture. Hindus would pray for the success at the beginning of a new fiscal year. The day after the ending of Diwali marks the beginning of the new fiscal year. Today, this is performed by Hindus and the residents on India (Diwali—National).
The first day is Dhanteras and marks the beginning of Diwali. The root word, ‘Dhan,’ means wealth. Hindus worship the goddess Lakshmi this day for prosperity. Because of this, this day has become very significant for Hindu businesses. Houses and business are decorated to welcome Lakshmi. Using rice flour, small foot prints are drawn around the homes to exemplify her long antici...
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...ithin Christmas. From the star that guided the shepherds to the manger to the lights hung on homes throughout the season, light is everywhere. Being in darkness has been associated with ignorance and fear, while being full of lights has been associated with understanding the true meaning of life. At this time, Christians are called to live in God’s light and spread his light and message to others (Festivals).
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"Festivals Of Light." Festivals of Lights. SouledOut, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 1 May 2014.
Mardi Gras: Mardi Gras mean the ‘Fat Tuesday’. This festival marks the end of the carnival and the beginning of Lent period. The annual celebration starts in 1870. Some colorful dresses, ornaments, toys and the peoples are the main
Muslims celebrate Ramadan which is a month-long holiday. “During Ramadan, Muslims will fast (avoid eating and drinking) from sunrise to sunset and practice self-control.” After they are done fasting for the day, they will eat dinner which would include dates, rice, and a variety of spiced dishes. On the other hand, Hindus celebrate Festival of Lights. They will eat a small portion of chicken, lamb, or fish with lentils or beans. Their holiday dishes will contain about fifteen different spices and they will serve bread as well. (Food in Every Country)
There are two holy days in the Hindu religion named Diwali and Holi. Diwali is a festival of lights, and is India’s biggest and most important festival of the year. It is mainly celebrated in the months of October and November. This festival is a great time for family to get together and be together. Holi is another festival that family gets together. Holi is a festival of colors. Holi is a holiday where they get together and dance, play, and bring joy onto their home. Depending on the region, some cover their body is many different colors to celebrate the day.
Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 4:5 reads “Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful” (MSG).
The Jewish religious tradition of Rosh Hashanah celebrates the birthday of the world and a time of divine judgment. It is then followed by another holiday, called Yom Kippur ten days later. These two traditions are called the High Holidays. Rosh Hashanah encapsulates four major and interconnected themes, which are: The Jewish New Year, The Day of Shofar Blowing, The Day of Remembrance, and The Day of Judgment (Layton, 2014). This is the most significant time in the Jewish year, as it marks the chance for repentance and forgiveness in the eyes of God. During the High Holidays, Jews cleanse their soul and get the chance to start fresh with an unburdened conscience and the intention of doing better in the coming year (Layton, 2014).
This holiday is an annual event meant to celebrate and commemorate the departed. Day of the Dead is celebrated on first two days of November and is a day in which the dead spirits return to Earth to visit their loved
'What were the functions of popular festivals, etc. in Early Modern Europe? And why did the authorities, civil and ecclesiastical seek to control or suppress them?'
The Celts took part in many religious festivals that included Imbolc, Beltaine, Lugansa, and Samhain. The Imbolc festival celebrated fertility and growth. . This celebration was held in February. The Beltaine, held in May, was associated with the fertility of cattle and crops, which honored the Druids. During the Beltaine, the Celtic tribes drove herds between bonfires to purify and protect themselves against the evil spirits. The third festival that the Celts took part in is known as the Lugansa. Lugansa honored the gods and the harvest. The Lugansa also known as the harvest festival, celebrated from mid July to mid August. (Pierce Online) Lastly, the Samhain is the start of the New Year. The Samhain in the present day is known as Halloween. “During this celebration the division between this world and the other world dissolved and the spirits roamed the earth” (Pierce Online). According to Druidism, the spirits of the deceased roamed the earth on Samhain evening (Encarta Online). The four festivals were similar to the seasons and the important transitions.
On Diwali, during Amavasya day, newly installed statues of Lord Ganesha and Shri Lakshmi are worshipped. Apart from Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja, Kuber Puja and Bahi-Khata Puja (बही-खाता पूजा) are also done.
Agrasen Jayanti is a renowned event observed annually by the aggarwal roots of the Hindu community. This day is celebrated with full gaiety and devotion in the honor of their respected forefather , MAHARAJA AGRASEN . Agrasen Jayanti is observed on the “EKAM (1ST DAY ) of the Shukla paksha during the Hindu month of “Ashwin”.He is the founder of Agranari & Agarwal communities in India.
This festival falls in the month of February and signifies the beginning of the lunar year. This ten day festival is also known as the 'Phousnyi" among the local people. The foremost ritual of the festival is Kizie, in which they take a few drops of the rice water from Zumho (top of the Jug) and carefully put them into the leaves and place them at the three main points of the post of the house by a women. Next morning all the young men of the village get up early in the morning and take a bath in the village after which they adorn themselves with the new shawls. This ceremony is known as "Dzuseva". The main charisma of this festival is that the Thekra Hie, in which the youngsters of the village gather together for singing and dancing to the tunes of the traditional music and the participants make fun and enjoy themselves with the rice balls and plates of meat. Haunting is an another important excitement of thia festival. The major part of the ceremony falls on the eighth day when the gate pulling or the bride pulling is performed. This festival also includes beer drinking and merry making. All these works ceases during the ten days of feasting and song. It is no wonder that Nagaland is called as the ‘land of
Page - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia. The Hindu Encyclopedia, 6 May 2011. Web. 24 Sept. 2011. .
lit, it is a sign of good luck. The reason for the lights is to
Diwali is the most important festival celebrated in India. Diwali or Deepawali means an array of lights. It is a festival of lights symbolizing victory of good over evil and the glory of light. Diwali is celebrated as the day that Lord Rama returned to Ayoda after defeating Ravana. Diwali also signifies Harvest Festival.