RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES OF INDIANS IN SOUTH ASIA

SEMESTER II 2017/2018

GIA 2008

ASSIGNMENT 2

DETAIL OUT ANY 6 MAJOR FSTIVALS CELEBRATED BY HINDUS IN SOUTH

ASIA AND THEIR IMPORTANCE.

NAME : VASUGI A/P KANA

MATRIC NUM : LEB 150141
LECTURER’S NAME : DR MOHANA DASS
TUTORIAL CLASS : ATIKAS, TUESDAY, 9AM – 10AM
INTRODUCTION

Deepavali, Christmas, Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and etcetera are few of the festivals that
are being celebrated throughout the world till to date. Festivals regardless of any race and
religion, each one of them not only have historic significance, cultural significance is also
deeply embedded into every souls.
Nevertheless, there are great number of festivals celebrated by people living in India. Widely
known, Hindus in South Asia countries have great influence from the customs and traditions
that are practiced in India.
In Hinduism, the Sanskrit word for festival is known as ‘utsava’. This word is derived from
"ut" meaning "removal" and "sava", which brings us to the meaning "worldly sorrows" or
"grief".
These festive seasons are mostly celebrated and rejoiced by the people. A festival may be
observed with acts of worship, offerings to deities, fasting, feasting, vigil, rituals, fairs,
charity, celebrations, Puja, Homa, aarti etc.
Hindus from South Asia have high spirit of celebration when it comes to festivals. They love
celebrating those special occasion with colourful lights, delicious food, brand new clothes
and etcetera. Most of the houses will be filled with laughter and happiness which symbolises
strength of family bonds and unity.
Agreeably, it is a difficult task to list out few out of great number of festivals rejoiced by
Hindus from South Asia. But, following lists out the four major festivals most widely
celebrated by Hindus from South Asia:

I. Deepavali;
II. Thai Ponggal;
III. Thaipusam;
IV. Maha Sivaratri.

I. DEEPAVALI

Deepavali is one of the most significant festival celebrated by Hindus across the world. The
idea behind celebrating this day of light is to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness.
Simply put, it is the day which celebrate good over evil and places importance on abundance,
nobility and love. Much similar to ‘Festival of Colors’ or commonly known as ‘Holi’,
Deepavali or Diwali also known as the lighting of ‘diyas’. ‘Diyas’ which means ‘lights’
marks the beginning of our bright and colourful life paths.
Celebration of Diwali often begins as early as one month prior to the day of festival. Ladies
at home usually start by cleaning and beautifying the house, buying new clothes and
furniture, preparing traditional cookies (ie. Murukku. Adhirasam, vadai, laddu and etc.),
drawing kolam, playing light fireworks and etcetera.
On the day of occasion, Hindus would usually rise up from sleep as early as 5am in the
morning (even before the sun is up) and take oil bath. Although oil bath is a part of tradition,
it is usually the best part of the day. After taking the most relaxing bath, Hindus would
change into their brand new clothes and step into prayer room. The young ones will fall to the
feet of the elders and get their blessings. Later, in the morning, they will eat the food served
before the God as their ‘prasadam’ or which is believed as form of blessing from God.
The mothers at most houses will cook their lunch and it will be served to their guests. All the
traditional cookies will be enjoyed by the families with all laughter and happiness.

II. THAI PONGGAL

Pongal marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai. It marks the transition of the Sun
into Makara rasi and it is one of the most popular harvest festivals of Tamil Nadu. This
festival usually lasts up to four days and each day has got its names as per in Hinduism
context and its own significance. Those days are Bhogi, Thai ponggal, mattu ponggal and
kanni ponggal.
As mentioned above, Thai ponggal often falls on the 14th January on every year. It is harvest
festival celebrated largely by the farmers. Historically speaking, this festival was celebrated
by all Hindus to thank the Sun God for the abundance of agriculture. This day is celebrated
by presenting Ponggal to Sun God, conduct some temple prayers and share the dish with the
neighbouring people.

III. THAIPUSAM

Thaipusam is a festival celebrated by Hindus on the full moon day of the Tamil month of
Thai. The word ‘Thaipusam’ can break down into two words which carries significant
meaning. ‘Thai’ is referred to as the Tamil month and ‘pusam’ refers to the star that marks
the location of the moon.
While referring to the Hindu contexts, the day of occasion has a hidden story and
significance. The Vedas depicts that Parvati (the wife of Lord Shiva) gave her son,
Murugan a spear. She did so to enable Murugan could vanquish the evil demon,
Soorapadman.
The Hindu devotees would gracefully dance to celebrate the special day. That dance is called
‘Kavadi Attam’ and the devotees would perform the dance while carrying ‘Kavadi’ on their
backs.
‘Kavadi’ or burden, is a special offering for Lord Muruga by His devotees. While there is
puranic legend behind this practice, to make the long story short, here is the brief summary of
its origin and its significance. The practice of carrying of kavadi begun in remembering
Idumban, the most devoted follower of Lord Muruga. The history speaks the rest of his
greatness.
As we all can obviously witness during Thaipusam at Batu Caves, Kavadi is usually
decorated with peacock colourful feathers and a small milk pot at each ends of the pole.
Purification of the devotees’ bodies is highly crucial while carrying kavadi. This bearing of
burden enables the devotees to implore the assistance of Lord Muruga and that fulfils the
pilgrimage journey of devotees.
 IV. MAHA SHIVARATRI

Lord Shruti is one of the deity among the Hindu Trinity, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and
Lord Shiva. ‘MahaShivratri Festival’ of commonly known as ‘The Night of Shiva’ is
celebrated by Lord Shiva devotees across the world with full devotion seeking for His
blessings. This day of Festival falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu
month of Phalgun.
On this day, Lord Shiva’s followers would stay awake the whole day and night while
reciting His mantras and worshipping Lord Shiva by offering ‘Bilva’ leaves to Him. Not only
that, they will take upon a religious fasting the whole day as to cleanse their bodies while
offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
Throughout the day and night, Lord Shiva is worshipped to appease Him and to seek his
blessings for our wellbeing. The priests in every temples will perform Pooja by showering
Shivalingam with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and many other offerings. Recitals of
Lord Shiva and chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ will be repeated by His devotees in the
bliss of His devotion. The temple bells will be ringed throughout the day which collect all the
positive vibes around the temple.
The devotees will break their fast on the following day, only after performing prayers to
Lord Shiva. Their fast will end after the prasadam offered to the deity.

IMPORTANCE OF THE HINDU FESTIVALS

There are abundant importance of the Hindu festivals celebrated and rejoiced across the
world. Each one festivals carry important messages for the Hindus devotees. Most festivals,
like every other religions, teaches the devotees to practice good over evil and to always be on
the side of truth and justice. This is ensure that everyone leads a harmonious and peaceful
life.
These festivals also teaches the devotees to spread love among all mankind and nature.
Socially, festivals act as tools to promote unity among those who celebrates it and it also
reminds to respects every other religions as much as we do to our own religion.
Moreover, it will also instil a sense of purity and calmness into the hearts and minds of those
who are celebrating them. Celebration of festivals relieve us from monotony of life and to
forgive our enemies.
These festivals will also ensure that a cultural harmonious environment to be created. In this
modern age, these festivals and their practises have gone through certain modifications. It
may not only show added social values into traditional festivals but it will also promote the
uniqueness of these young generations. The more colours added into the events of festivals,
the more unique and exciting the celebration will be.
Nevertheless, festivals constantly reminds us to embrace the bond of love among those
celebration the joy and happiness. To spark and to ignite the liveliness of celebration of these
festivals, the society would come together in moulding the joy of celebration into a unified
whole.

CONCLUSION

Not forgetting the diversity of celebrations by Hindus across the world, festivals have always
been close to our hearts as it showers us with wholesome of joy and happiness. It rejoices
with a sense of purity and fills our hearts with a complete bliss. We often feel light-minded
during these times as we are always surrounded by shower of blessings from the elders.

That said, it has to be in our minds that it is highly important for us to remind the young
minds pertaining the importance of festivals. They are the young generations that will uplift
and continue the beauty of these festivals. Thus, let us all embrace the colours of these
festivals and celebrate them alongside remembering its unique significances.

“May these festivals colour our hearts”.

REFERENCES

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