Courtnay S. Bell

Religion 100

Hindu Paper

November 12, 2007

 

Introduction

In the Hindu society, exceptional historical figures and important seasons are honored through a manifold of vibrant festivals that are held throughout the year. During these celebrations the Hindu people partake on many rituals, worship, magical acts, drinking, eating, volunteering, and praying (“Hindu Holiday and Festivals”).The atmosphere is always said to be blissful and pleasurable. Moreover, one of the essential reasons for the festivals within the Hindu culture is to forge a healthy sense of belonging by peacefully bringing together individuals, families, and communities (“Hindu Holiday and Festivals”).

Hindu Festivals

Of the infinite number of festivals held in Hinduism, three main types are conducted for the celebration or remembrance of momentous events in the lives of deities, of birthdays of particular holy persons, and of seasons or customs within the Indian culture (“Important Festivals”). Furthermore, the following paragraphs will discuss one Hindu festival from each of the main types of festivals of India.

 

HOLI: A Seasonal

Festival

Purpose and meaning Holi, also known as the “Festival of Colors,” is an annual event beginning on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month Phalguna, or early March (“Holi”). Originally Holi was an agricultural festival and its purpose was to celebrate the arrival of spring (“Holi”).Today, the merry holiday is no longer an event to celebrate just the beautiful elements of spring; it is also a time of ignoring social norms, thereby allowing the Hindus the opportunity to free themselves from the regulations and restrictions of the Hindu society. In addition, Holi, the second most important festival in India after Diwali is also held at the hottest time of the year and is characterized by ‘heated’ behavior (Fowler, 71).

In other words, during this celebration, vulgar language and behavior is permitted without penalty, and as the events progress, people are allowed to run wild, curse, shout, and create total mayhem in the streets of India. It is no wonder that Holi is regarded as the least religious of Hindu holidays (“Holi”).

 Rituals

In addition to the loosening of social norms, other significant rituals performed during the festival represent or aid in portraying the significance of this holiday. For instance, a vital ritual of Holi is applying colored water and powders on family and friends in celebration of the magnificent colors of spring.

Bonfires are also held at the rising of the moon to commemorate a noteworthy occasion in Hindu Mythology.

The History of Holi: different accounts of the origin of Holi

. Specifically, the commemorating done at the bonfire is in honor of a character of ancient Hindu history, named Holika. As the legend is told, an evil king, Hiranyakashipu, demanded his son, Prahlad to stop worshiping the god Vishnu (“Holi”). Ultimately, the king’s efforts to try to stop his son was in vain, so the king challenged his son to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika, who was said to be invincible to the hazards of fire. Nonetheless, as the flames of the fire surrounded both Prahlad and his Aunt, Prahlad prayed to Vishnu, and in the end Holika was left to burn, while Prahlad was saved. Before Holika was burned to death, she apologized for her heinous behavior, and Prahald promised Holika that she would be remembered every year through Holi. Therefore, Holi was created in remembrance of that promise.

. In the ancient Hindu period there was a different account of how the Holi festival originated. Great cannibals were known to India, and these cannibals took many innocent lives, including those of children. One of the cannibals is said to be named Holika or Putana, who especially enjoyed eating children. In modern day, the figure of Holika is burned in the fire, marking this legend as being the origin of the Holi festival (“Origins of Holi Festival”).

. An alternative account of the basis of the Holi involves the well-known Hindu god, Shiva. Because Shiva often prayed and meditated, his faith was tested by the God of Love, Madana, more specifically, she appeared to him as a glorious nymph. Shiva recognized Madana and angrily shot fire from his third eye at her, diminishing her into ashes. This story is known as one of the explanations for Holi’s bonfires (“Holi”).

Ancient vs. Modern- Day Hindu Festivals: Their similaries and differcences

The rituals and customs of the Holi festival today are not much different than it was thousands of years ago in India. In other words, similarly to that of the ancient times, the modern-day holiday is also held in order to have a break and relax from the rules of the Hindu society. In reference to the rituals or customs performed today they too throw colored powder on family and friends to celebrate the coming of spring. The modern day Holi worshippers also perform lewd acts, and shout and sing in the streets. The only difference about the modern day Holi festival is that it is filled with pranks, and the people recite poems and tell jokes (“Hindu Holi Festival”).

Mahashivaratri: A Festival in Honor of a Deity

Purpose and Meaning

In Hinduism, not only are festivals held for specific seasons, but they are also held in honor of an event in the life of particular deity or holy person. For instance, the festival of Mahashivaratri or Shiva Ratri, is a magnificent festival for the infamous Hindu god Shiva. The festival occurs on February 26 or on the 14th day of the dark part of the lunar month of Phalguna (“Mahashivarati”). This festival focuses on devoting time to honor and to worship Shiva.

Rituals

Meditation, fasting, and vigils are held throughout the holiday. While temples attract devotees to pray and meditate to Shiva, inside homes, families bathe the Shiva Linga with milk and honey, and offer it Bilva leaves, fruits, and other sacred foods (“Mahashivarati”). In addition, hymns are sung and an offering of grain is thrown into fire while the devotees are praising Shiva. At the end of the celebration, a Vigil is held at night for further meditation and prayer to Shiva.

The History of Mahashivaratri

Lastly, during Mahashivaratri, it is part of the ritual to stay up all night. This specific practice is in commemoration of the legend of how Shiva unintentionally unearthed a poison that was supposed to demolish the world. Shiva had the strength to take poison and still survive, but part of his survival was due to the gods who stayed up through the night entertaining him throughout the night, and this lack of sleep was apart of his healing. Therefore, today’s devotees or followers of Shiva stay awake through the night just as the gods helped Shiva to stay awake as a commemoration of this significant event.

. In addition to the staying up all night, the Bilva leaves that are offered to Shiva are in honor of him and of the Hindu story of the Hunter who climbed up a Bilva tree to escape a hungry lion (“Mahashivarati”). For the entire night the hunter stayed awake by picking Bilva leaves from the tree, which happened to collect at the tree’s bottom on top of a Shiva Linga that was already living there. Shiva who was pleased with the offering, saved the hunter in return. Therefore, the practice of offering Bilva leaves to Shiva and staying up all night worshiping him are done to honor him on this special holiday (“Mahashivarati”).

Sri Krishna Janmashthami: A Festival to Venerate the Birthday of a Holy Person

Purpose and Meaning

Sri Krishna Janmashthami is a festival held to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, an eighth incarnation of the Lord Vishnu who was born in the ‘Rohini’ star. Krishna means the ‘most attractive’, and he is known to be the divinity and the energy that pulls everything to it (“Sri Krishna Janmashthami”). Janmashthami is celebrated annually on the eighth day in the month of Shravana, from August to September. The commemoration of Sir Krishna lasts for two days: the first day, Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami and the second day, Kalastami or Janmashtami. In essence, Janmashthami aids in honoring the birth of Lord Krishna, which is significant because if it were not for his birth, then the wicked King of Mathura would not have been destroyed. The festival is an opportunity for the Hindu community to socialize and exchange words of wisdom and encouragement.

Rituals

The celebration of this holiday starts with the bathing of the idol of Lord Krishna. He then is dressed in elaborately designed yellow garb and beautiful jewelry. He is also offered special bhog which consists of milk and fruits (“Sri Krishna Janmashthami”). The devotees of Krishna sings bhajans, and chants hymns, offer special pooja and aarti to receive the blessings of the deity, as well as fasts until midnight (the time Krishna was said to be born). In addition, most of the foresaid rituals performed in devotion to Krishna take place in the temples dedicated to him. On this holiday, the many temples for the worship of Krishna are decorated with fruit and flowers, while doorposts are anointed with sandalwood paste, and ceramic pots filled with milk are hung from tall poles (“Sri Krishna Janmashthami”).                                                               

The History of Sir Krishna’s Birth

Kansa, the son of King Ugrasen, was a rude and cruel child that threw his father in jail, and, as a result, became the king. His sister, Devki, married a high ranking officer and had children. Unfortunately, after discovering that their eighth child would be born and would kill Kansa, Krishna, in fear, threw both his sister and her husband into prison, and killed six of their newborns. The seventh child could not die due to it having a different mother. Once the eighth child was born the prison gates flew open; the guards fell asleep, and the parents escaped. Subsequently, after a command to take the child to another family, the eighth child was given to the new couple. Once he grew up, he killed Kansa, therefore freeing all the people of Matuhura from his despotic regime. The celebration of the birth of Kishna is honored because through this happening, the Matuhura people were freed.

                                               Works Cited

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