FESTIVALS
HISTORY
Diwali, the festival
of lights, has many legends that are derived from Hindu scriptures. Although
these legends differ in their story and characters, they all have a central
theme of the victory of good over evil.
Lord Vishnu, who was reincarnated as Krishna defeated Narkasura, who was creating sorrow amongst everybody in the world. People believed that Narkasura was a demon that was covered in dirt. Narkasura would abduct women, and make them live with him. When Krishna found out, he came to rescue them. He had to defeat a five-headed monster, to get to the demon’s home. Narkasura wished that if he died he might give others joy. Krishna let the women go, and fulfilled his wish. To Hindus, this story serves as a reminder that good can come out of evil.
Lord Vishnu, who was reincarnated as Krishna defeated Narkasura, who was creating sorrow amongst everybody in the world. People believed that Narkasura was a demon that was covered in dirt. Narkasura would abduct women, and make them live with him. When Krishna found out, he came to rescue them. He had to defeat a five-headed monster, to get to the demon’s home. Narkasura wished that if he died he might give others joy. Krishna let the women go, and fulfilled his wish. To Hindus, this story serves as a reminder that good can come out of evil.
Holi, an ancient
festival in India, which used to be known as “Holika”. Some
people believe that the meaning of the festival has been altered over the
years. It used to be an exceptional ritual performed by married women for the
good of their families and the full moon, also known as Raka.
In certain parts of India, Holi is celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The accurate definition of the word “Holi” is burning. There are many different legends to clarify the definition of this word, the most common legend is the legend that is related to the demon king Hiranyakashyap.
Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody to worship only him, but his son Prahlad became a
keen fan of Lord Naarayana. Hiranyakashyap made his sister, Holika go into a scorching fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a blessing where she could go into a fire without receiving any damage at all. She didn’t know that her blessing only works if she goes into a fire alone. Prahlad was saved by a god for his great loyalty, but Holika was not saved. The festival of Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
In certain parts of India, Holi is celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The accurate definition of the word “Holi” is burning. There are many different legends to clarify the definition of this word, the most common legend is the legend that is related to the demon king Hiranyakashyap.
Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody to worship only him, but his son Prahlad became a
keen fan of Lord Naarayana. Hiranyakashyap made his sister, Holika go into a scorching fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a blessing where she could go into a fire without receiving any damage at all. She didn’t know that her blessing only works if she goes into a fire alone. Prahlad was saved by a god for his great loyalty, but Holika was not saved. The festival of Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
TRAVELER'S DESCRIPTION
Diwali is a five day
festival, it is called the festival of lights. This festival celebrates the
victory of good over evil. Diwali, the festival
of lights, has many legends that are derived from Hindu scriptures. Although
these legends differ in their story and characters, they all have a central
theme of the victory of good over evil.
Holi, a springtime festival celebrated in northern India, where people cover each other in colored powder. Some people believe that the meaning of the festival has been altered over the years. In certain parts of India, Holi is celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Holi, a springtime festival celebrated in northern India, where people cover each other in colored powder. Some people believe that the meaning of the festival has been altered over the years. In certain parts of India, Holi is celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
MOVING ON
1. Onam, a festival celebrated in Kerala during August to September
is the biggest festival in Kerala. It celebrates the return of King Mahabali.
Onam is a showcase of Kerala’s traditions and cultures
and lasts for ten days.
During the reign of a powerful King, Mahabali, everybody in Kerala was happy. Mahabali had many good traits, there was only one fault about him, and it was that he was egotistic. People believe that the Gods ended Mahabali’s reign because he was egotistic, but because Mahabali had done so many good things for the people of Kerala, they decided to let him visit his people every year.
2. Pongal, one of the most popular Hindu festivals, is celebrated in Tamil Nadu during January to February. This festival lasts four days, and shows thanks to nature for supplying the people of Tami Nadu with food. There are many different rituals performed during Pongal some such as chanting of prayers, and the tradition of cooking rice in new pots until they erupt.
During the reign of a powerful King, Mahabali, everybody in Kerala was happy. Mahabali had many good traits, there was only one fault about him, and it was that he was egotistic. People believe that the Gods ended Mahabali’s reign because he was egotistic, but because Mahabali had done so many good things for the people of Kerala, they decided to let him visit his people every year.
2. Pongal, one of the most popular Hindu festivals, is celebrated in Tamil Nadu during January to February. This festival lasts four days, and shows thanks to nature for supplying the people of Tami Nadu with food. There are many different rituals performed during Pongal some such as chanting of prayers, and the tradition of cooking rice in new pots until they erupt.
SOURCES
http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/gallery/photos/22.html
http://www.festivalsofindia.in/introduction.aspx
http://festivals.indianetzone.com/1/history_festivals.htm
http://www.holifestival.org/history-of-holi.html
http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-in-history.html
https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
http://www.pongalfestival.org/pongal-festival.html
http://www.onamfestival.org/
http://www.festivalsofindia.in/introduction.aspx
http://festivals.indianetzone.com/1/history_festivals.htm
http://www.holifestival.org/history-of-holi.html
http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-in-history.html
https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
http://www.pongalfestival.org/pongal-festival.html
http://www.onamfestival.org/