HINDU Festivals

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HINDU Festivals
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The Purpose of a Festival

1. Festivals have a social function in bringing
   families and communities together, and reminding
   them of their common bonds
2. They serve a religious and cultural function, as
   festivals are often rooted in the religious
   beliefs and practices and therefore educate the
   younger generations in the teachings and
   practices of the faith
3. They have an emotional and psychological function
   in providing the opportunity to reflect on ones
   life and experience the feelings of joy and
   suffering which are an inevitable part of ones
   own life, as well as providing a shared
   experience with the community

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Question

• Can you distinguish between the social and the
  religious aspects of festivals?
• Explain each aspect in your own words.

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Holi The Festival of Colour

• Celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of
  Phalguna (February)
• For Hindus, Holi is a celebration of the coming
  of spring, along with the joys of hope and
  happiness in family, relationships and
  friendships

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What is done during Holi?

• Night before, Hindus light a bonfire and roast
  grain and other things as offerings to the gods
• During the day, Hindus through coloured powder at
  each other
• Rules of behavior and caste as broken

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The Story of Holi

• Holika Prahlad
• Purpose of the story is to remind Hindus of the
  rewards of loyalty and devotion to god and how
  faith can overcome evil

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The Religious Meaning of Holi

• Religiously, Holi expresses happiness of being
  alive and to remove barriers of hatred and
  bitterness that causes unhappiness
• It reminds Hindus of the importance of loyalty
  and devotion to god and the belief that goodness
  can overcome evil.

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The Social Meaning of Holi

• It celebrates togetherness and unites in
  friendship all people, regardless of caste and
  social background
• It helps to renew bonds of friendship and unity
  among family and the community

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DivaliThe Festival of Lights

• Begins at the dark end of Asvina (October) to the
  beginning of the new moon of the next month,
  called Karttik (November)
• Divali marks the new year for Hindus
• There is a puja for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth

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The Story of Divali

• The name of the festival means Cluster of
  Lights and refers to the clay lamps related to
  the story of Rama and Sita
• Rama Sita

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The Religious Meaning of Divali

• The triumph of good over evil
• The coming of light or wisdom into the darkness
  of evil and ignorance

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The Social Meaning of Divali

• The opportunity to make a new start in all
  aspects of life
• Hindus in North America and Britain say that
  Divali is their Christmas because there is plenty
  of special food, exchange of presents and
  greeting cards and lots of lights

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Homework

• You are each responsible to complete the
  following questions that accompany the document
  titled Hindu Festivals.
• What is the Religious message of each of these
  festivals?
• What do you think is the most important function
  of festivals for the Hindu community both for
  Hindus living in India and the Hindu Diaspora.