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festivals are celebrated is not
known, but one scholar of
Hinduism has listed more than
a thousand different Hindu
festivals.
As in most ancient religions,
many of the Hindu holidays
are based on the cycle of
nature. They mark the change
of seasons, celebrate the
harvest, and encourage
fertility of the land. Others are
dedicated to a particular deity,
such as Shiva or Ganesh.
The main Hindu texts are the
Vedas and their supplements
(books based on the Vedas).
Veda is a Sanskrit word
meaning ‘knowledge’. These
scriptures do not mention
the word ‘Hindu’ but many
scriptures discuss dharma,
which can be rendered as
‘code of conduct’, ‘law’, or
‘duty’
Still other popular holidays
commemorate events in the
lives of Rama or Krishna. In
addition to the major Hindu
festivals that are celebrated
throughout India, many
regional festivals are also held
in honor of various deities.
In general, Hindu festivals
“are intended to purify, avert
malicious influences, renew
society, bridge over critical
moments, and stimulate or
resuscitate the vital powers of
nature.” They include a wide
variety of rituals, including
worship, prayer, processions,
magical acts, music, dancing,
lovemaking, eating, drinking,
and feeding the poor.
Major festivals likely to be
observed by most Hindus are:
Holi
Holi (also called Holaka or
Phagwa) is an annual festival
celebrated on the day after
the full moon in the Hindu
month of Phalguna (early
March). It celebrates spring,
commemorates various
events in Hindu mythology
and is time of disregarding
social norms and indulging in
general merrymaking. Holi is
probably the least religious of
Hindu holidays.
Diwali
Hindus celebrate many
holy days, but the Festival
of Lights, Diwali is the best
known.
The 2001 census recorded
559,000 Hindus in Britain,
around 1% of the population.
Hindu Holidays and Festivals
It has been said that Hindus
have a holiday for every day
of the year, but even that
may be an understatement!
Exactly how many Hindu
FEBRUARY 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET