Essay on the Hindu Festivals Celebrated in India !
1. Holi:
Holi was another important Hindu festival, which was observed in the month of Phalguna. The festival was celebrated by general rejoicing, music and feast. The huge bon-fires were followed by scattering of red powder (gulal) and singing of popular songs.
2. Shivaratri:
Shivaratri, was the festival of Lord Shiva, which fell on the fourteenth day of the waning moon in the end of Magh (January-February) or the beginning of Phalguna (February March). The religious minded Hindus observed the festival with night vigil and prayers. This festival was observed for the atonement of one’s sins and fulfillment of the desire of final emancipation after death.
During the Mughal period also the festival of Shivaratri was observed with all solemnity. Both Akbar and Jahangir took great interest in this festival.
Abul Fazl describes the festival thus:
“Once a year also during the night called Sivrat a great meeting was held of all the Jogis of the empire when the emperor ate and drank with the principal Jogis who promised him that he should live three or four times as long as an ordinary man.” Jahangir has also described this festival in his Tazuk-i-Jahangir.
3. Diwali:
Diwali was the most delightful of the Hindu festivals. It was observed on the fifteenth day of the first half of Kartika (October-November). The Hindus lighted wick lamps in vast numbers in their houses as well as in temples and other public buildings. The whole place looked like a flood of illumination. At night the Hindus worshipped Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity Fireworks were discharged.
Sweets and other Present were also exchanged. Certain sections of Hindu society indulged in gambling on the occasion. They thought it as their religious duty to observe night long vigil and try luck at dice. During the Mughal period this festival was celebrated by the Emperors as well. This festival was particularly observed by the Vaisyas or bankers.
4. Dussehra:
Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami, was observed on the tenth lunar day of Asuj (September-October) in commemoration of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. Usually the festival was preceded by Ram Lila. On Dussehra day people worshipped their respective implements of trade, profession or occupation
The Rajputs decorated their horses. The peasants and craftsmen worshipped their tools. The occasion was considered auspicious for undertaking military expeditions.
During the Mughal period the festival of Dussehra was celebrated at the Mughal Court, too. Description of the Dussehra festival celebrated on 24th of Mehr (1619) has been given by Jahangir. He says, “After the custom of India, they decorated the horses and produced them before me. After I had seen the horses, they brought some of the elephants.”
It was usual to offer present to the King on this occasion, who in return bestowed royal favours on the deserving.
5. Rakshabandhan or Rakhi:
Rakshabandhan, also known as Rakhi, was the greatest festival of the Brahmans. It was observed on the full moon day of Sharavana (July-August). On this occasion Rakhis or strings made of silk thread and tinsel were tied found the wrists of brothers by the sisters.
It was not only a prayer from the sister to protect the brother from the evil eye, but also a Moral commitment on the part of the brother to protect the life of his sisters. The Purohits or royal priests also tied Rakhis on the right wrists of their patrons, and received money in return.
The festival was so popular that there are numerous instances on record where ladies of one caste sent Rakhi to men of the other caste. Akbar started celebrating Rakhi as a national festival and his courtier is and nobles tied beautiful strings of silk, bejeweled with rubies and pearls and gems of great value on the emperor’s wrist.
6. Other Hindu Festivals:
In addition to the above festivals tie Hindus celebrated a number of festivals like Govardhan Puja, when the cows and catties were washed, ornamented and fed and worshipped. Ramanavami, which fell on the ninth lunar day in the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April), was the birth-day of Lord Rama.
Janamashtami was the anniversary of the birthday of Lord Krishna and was celebrated on the eighth of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadon (August-September).