Hindu Festivals

A Diwali Fireworks Show at the Golden Temple, in
Armritsar, India

Hinduism has many festivals, most if not all based upon religion.  Three important festivals are Diwali, Holi, and Navarti.  Diwali, or the festival of lights, is among the most well know Hindu celebrations.  The festival lasts five days and, while the tales vary depending upon the region, celebrates the victory of good over evil.  Diwali is celebrated in October or November and honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.  Many people start new business endeavors; some even build a small shrine in their house dedicated to Lakshmi.  It is adorned with money and pictures of luxuries, such as cars or houses.  Doors are left open and buildings are laden with lights, traditional oil lamps, to guide Lakshmi into the buildings.  Since Lakshmi is granting wealth and prosperity, many Hindus gamble and spend profusely during Diwali.  Fireworks are very common during the festival, although many dislike the fireworks due to their polution and safety hazards.  Also, it is tradition to exchange gifts.  While common gifts used to be sweets and dried fruit, the gift exchange has developed into a shopping craze, and many believe that commercialism is corrupting the religious aspect of the festival.  

A large mass of purple, blue, and yellow people; a normal
sight during the Holi festival

Another famous festival is Holi.  Holi originates from the tale of a king’s son, Parhalad.  Parhalad was a dedicated worshipper of Vishnu, and his father, Haranyakashyap, wished he would give more devotion to him.  One day he asked his son “Who is the greatest, God or I?”  Parhalad responded “God is, you are only a king.”  Haranyakashyap was furious, and decided to kill his son.  He tried to throw him over a cliff, trample him with elephants, poison him with snakes, and kill him with soldiers.  None of these tactics worked.  So the king went to his sister, Holika, for help.  Holika agreed to kill the king’s son and sat in the center of a fire with the boy on her lap.  Holika had been given the gift of fire immunity by the gods and assumed that the boy would burn and she would survive just fine.  However, because she had used her power for evil, the gods punished her.  She burned in the fire, while the faithful praying Parhalad was protected by Vishnu.  Hiranyakashyap was killed by Vishnu and Prahad became the new king.  In order to celebrate this tale, many different traditions take place.  Many Hindus burn large bonfires, to commemorate Holika’s burning.  But the most popular tradition is the colorful celebration.  For the entire day, Hindus will throw colored powders and paints at each other, strangers and friends alike.  All traditional separations are broken, even the caste system.  Holi celebrates the equality of human kind, no matter your age, race, class, gender, or caste.  

A traditional dance preformed during Navaratri

Another important Hindu festival is Navaratri.  Navaratri, meaning nine nights, is a festival that celebrates Durga, the mother goddess.  Durga destroyed the demon Mhishasura after a incredible battle lasting nine days and nights, hence the importance of the number nine.  The festival lasts nine nights, hence the name, and is celebrated by communities dancing and having nightly feasts.  Many Hindus try to visit their parents for Navartri to celebrate the motherhood of both God and man.  It is a time for women to shop for new clothes and gold jewelry, and many of the gold vender are open much later during Navartri.  The festival is also celebrated by filling painted earth pots with water or a lamp.  The water symbolizes the transitory properties of Hinduism, while the flame represents the everlasting power of the divines.  

These three festivals share many aspects.  First of all, they all celebrate the victory of good over evil.  In Hinduism, the constant battle between good and evil is a very important aspect.  In the cruel samsara, the gods are the only thing keeping evil at bay.  So Hindus must worship these gods to keep at their work.  Also, many festivals are very commercialized.  This is partially the religion, and partially the mercantile system.  Like Christmas, Hindu festivals are rapidly becoming tainted with commercialism.  However, they are all specific to certain gods or deities.  They all represent different times, emotions, and goals.  This is both a repetitive and varied pattern, much like the Hindu gods that are honored in these festivals.