That’s how we are embracing this new festival in India.Surprisingly,this year I am seeing Halloween everywhere ,kids dressed as different characters,teens are scarier,parties,selfies,contests on Facebook and twitter.It’s all over the place.It sounds like fun,but do we really understand it?The funniest incident was when this really cute kid,did a ‘puja’ for Halloween.When she was questioned,her innocent answer was ,’Halloween’ is a festival.Aren’t we supposed to pray on festivals?’.My heart goes out to her.
Halloween is also known as ,’All Hallows’ Eve’,time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.In Asia,countries like China,HongKong ,Vietnam,Indonesia and the others celebrate seventh month of the year as per the Chinese calendar where they offer food ,clothes etc to their ancestors.Equivalent to this is ‘Pitrapaksh’ in India with a similar concept.Here we do pujas and rituals in a more quiet and subdued manner to pay respect to our ancestors.
‘Calling of the spirit’ is considered a part of our mythology and in Buddhism they believe in the concept of ‘karma’,where your deeds in the past life is the genesis of next life.In most countries the same concept of playing with the spirit is celebrated as Halloween.
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| A typical Jack-O’-Lantern |
p.s.The views expressed in the blog are my own and are not intended to hurt anyone’s personal feelings.I would be happy to give credit for pictures .
In India ,Halloween has started with a great deal of fanfare,as kids get another chance to wear fancy dress and get a lot of candy.I myself,have distributed them to kids who came saying ‘Trick o Treat’ to my door.How can you say no to these cute,excited kids?
“I see more and more pictures of Halloween celebration this year on Facebook,though I am not sure if we know enough about the what,why and how?I am absolutely in favour of adding a little global flavour into our lives,but it needs to be meaningful or anchored to something’,Shaveta Bhardwaj,Group Accountant Director,Millward Brown India.
“When it becomes a cult,if some kids do not enjoy will become outcasts amongst their friends.So it takes very strong character at their age to say that I am not in for this party as I don’t see any logic to it”,Anamika Singh,Corporate Banking recruiter,in a Singapore based MNC.Further quoting Anamika,”Diwali,Eid or Christmas shows more culture and richness of our country. Rather than following something blindly”.
“My kids just enjoy Halloween and love dressing up and getting candy.”,this was the viewpoint of most moms embracing Halloween.
p.s.The views expressed on the blog are my own and not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings.I will be happy to give credit to anyone who claims this pictures.
