Why are Indian festivals celebrated? Find out the true significance!
India has a lot of traditions, lets understand the true meaning of some of these traditions.
FYI my favorite festival is Holi.
This image is taken from Wikipedia commons
Let's start!
Diwali
Diwali is the festival of lights. (deep = light and avali = a row ) which roughly translates to a row of lights.. It's by the most awaited festival in India. Eating good food, buying news gifts and spreading joy and laughter, what's wrong with that?
Significance: The king of Lanka ( Ravana) kidnapped Lord Rams wife. To rescue Lord Rams wife ( Sita) , Ram attacks the king of Lanka, which results in a war. When Ram returns home victorious the whole city is decorated with tiny diyas or lamps . This tradition is still widely followed.
This image is taken from Wikipedia commons
Holi -
Fesitval of colors or festival of sharing love
This image is taken from Wikipedia commons
If you are in India , at the time of holi , you can't help but smile. You'll see kids running around spraying each with water guns, adults chasing each other , with only one aim in mind , to spray colors on the other guy. Nowadays you see high powered water guns and factory colors but the charm is still there. Before the celebrations , a bonfire is conducted to destroy evil.
It is one of the rare occurrences wherein Indians welcome the use of cannabis leaves . It is mixed into various drinks and sweets and consumed during the celebrations
Significance:
Lord Krishna applied color on Radhas cheek on his mothers advice. He was self conscious about the fact that they had different colored skins. Hence nowadays you might see families, friends , loved ones applying colors on each others faces to show love.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is observed between mid August and early September. This year it will be celebrated on the 5th of September. Indians who celebrate this festival buy clay idols of Lord Ganesh. After a week the idol is immersed in a nearby river .
Significance : Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh the remover of obstacles.
This image is taken from Wikipedia commons
All gifs taken from http://giphy.com
If you are interested, I'll make this into a series.Let me know!
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