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  • Diwali Hindu Festival

    Transféré par

    Sanatana Dharma Foundation
    264 vues2 pages
    The Magic of Hindu Festivals Hinduism is celebratory by nature. Hindus miss no opportunity to set mundane matters aside and join with family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike to feast and have fun, to renew the home and the heart and, most importantly, draw nearer to God. Festivals are perhaps more impressive and varied in Hinduism than in any other religion. The devout Hindu knows these are times of profound mysticism, when God and the Gods touch our world, revitalize our souls, lighten karmas and bless our families. Yet festivals do even more than this: they are essential to the perpetuation of religion, periodically reigniting the spark of zeal and devotion in the community. They provide the spiritual public square where Hindus engage with one another, affirming shared values and enjoying life's intersections. Before each celebration, vows are taken, scriptures are studied, pilgrimages are trodden and fasts observed in preparation--all individual acts of intimate devotion that bring the devotee closer to the Gods and keep him on the path to his inmost Self. As each festival begins, solitary adoration becomes a collective ritual, with millions of people taking their places in an ad-hoc choreography. Tradition is followed but the result is never the same; every festival is special and unforgettable in its own way. Thus the Hindu is reminded of his faith by the sounds, scents and the wild medley of tastes laid out for the feast. His mind and emotions are imbued with Hinduism as sacred mantra prayers are intoned, the spiritual teachings are recounted by saints and the Gods are praised in melodious bhajans. Each state of India, indeed each village, lends a little of its unique culture to how a festival is celebrated, creating almost endless variations. But recently, with the growing Hindu population outside of India, festivals have acquired an international dimension. They provide a window into Hinduism for the non-Hindu populations in countries as far flung as Norway, Chile and Canada. At the same time, for Hindus immersed in foreign and often very alien cultures, festivals are the most visible and memorable sign of their heritage. Celebrated with unmatched fervor but with paced regularity, festivals serve as a reminder of one's identity and allegiance to Hindu traditions and ideals. What could be more entertaining, alive, vibrant and yet pious and rich in symbolism than a Hindu festival? Professor Dr. Shiva Bajpai remarked that it is through festivals that most Hindus experience their religion: "Festivals, pilgrimages and temple worship are the faith armor of Hindus."

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    The Magic of Hindu Festivals Hinduism is celebratory by nature. Hindus miss no opportunity to set mundane matters aside and join with family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike to feast and have fun, to renew the home and the heart and, most importantly, draw nearer to God. Festivals are perhaps more impressive and varied in Hinduism than in any other religion. The devout Hindu knows these are times of profound mysticism, when God and the Gods touch our world, revitalize our souls, lighten karmas and bless our families. Yet festivals do even more than this: they are essential to the perpetuation of religion, periodically reigniting the spark of zeal and devotion in the community. They provide the spiritual public square where Hindus engage with one another, affirming shared values and enjoying life's intersections. Before each celebration, vows are taken, scriptures are studied, pilgrimages are trodden and fasts observed in preparation--all individual acts of intimate devotion that bring the devotee closer to the Gods and keep him on the path to his inmost Self. As each festival begins, solitary adoration becomes a collective ritual, with millions of people taking their places in an ad-hoc choreography. Tradition is followed but the result is never the same; every festival is special and unforgettable in its own way. Thus the Hindu is reminded of his faith by the sounds, scents and the wild medley of tastes laid out for the feast. His mind and emotions are imbued with Hinduism as sacred mantra prayers are intoned, the spiritual teachings are recounted by saints and the Gods are praised in melodious bhajans. Each state of India, indeed each village, lends a little of its unique culture to how a festival is celebrated, creating almost endless variations. But recently, with the growing Hindu population outside of India, festivals have acquired an international dimension. They provide a window into Hinduism for the non-Hindu populations in countries as far flung as Norway, Chile and Canada. At the same time, for Hindus immersed in foreign and often very alien cultures, festivals are the most visible and memorable sign of their heritage. Celebrated with unmatched fervor but with paced regularity, festivals serve as a reminder of one's identity and allegiance to Hindu traditions and ideals. What could be more entertaining, alive, vibrant and yet pious and rich in symbolism than a Hindu festival? Professor Dr. Shiva Bajpai remarked that it is through festivals that most Hindus experience their religion: "Festivals, pilgrimages and temple worship are the faith armor of Hindus."

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    264 vues2 pages

    Diwali Hindu Festival

    Transféré par

    Sanatana Dharma Foundation
    The Magic of Hindu Festivals Hinduism is celebratory by nature. Hindus miss no opportunity to set mundane matters aside and join with family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike to feast and have fun, to renew the home and the heart and, most importantly, draw nearer to God. Festivals are perhaps more impressive and varied in Hinduism than in any other religion. The devout Hindu knows these are times of profound mysticism, when God and the Gods touch our world, revitalize our souls, lighten karmas and bless our families. Yet festivals do even more than this: they are essential to the perpetuation of religion, periodically reigniting the spark of zeal and devotion in the community. They provide the spiritual public square where Hindus engage with one another, affirming shared values and enjoying life's intersections. Before each celebration, vows are taken, scriptures are studied, pilgrimages are trodden and fasts observed in preparation--all individual acts of intimate devotion that bring the devotee closer to the Gods and keep him on the path to his inmost Self. As each festival begins, solitary adoration becomes a collective ritual, with millions of people taking their places in an ad-hoc choreography. Tradition is followed but the result is never the same; every festival is special and unforgettable in its own way. Thus the Hindu is reminded of his faith by the sounds, scents and the wild medley of tastes laid out for the feast. His mind and emotions are imbued with Hinduism as sacred mantra prayers are intoned, the spiritual teachings are recounted by saints and the Gods are praised in melodious bhajans. Each state of India, indeed each village, lends a little of its unique culture to how a festival is celebrated, creating almost endless variations. But recently, with the growing Hindu population outside of India, festivals have acquired an international dimension. They provide a window into Hinduism for the non-Hindu populations in countries as far flung as Norway, Chile and Canada. At the same time, for Hindus immersed in foreign and often very alien cultures, festivals are the most visible and memorable sign of their heritage. Celebrated with unmatched fervor but with paced regularity, festivals serve as a reminder of one's identity and allegiance to Hindu traditions and ideals. What could be more entertaining, alive, vibrant and yet pious and rich in symbolism than a Hindu festival? Professor Dr. Shiva Bajpai remarked that it is through festivals that most Hindus experience their religion: "Festivals, pilgrimages and temple worship are the faith armor of Hindus."

    Droits d'auteur :

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Téléchargez comme PDF, TXT ou lisez en ligne sur Scribd
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    w w w. d i n o d i a .

    c o m

    Celebrating the Triumph of Goodness


    Diwali
    I f you rolled a bit of Christmas, New Year’s Eve and the
    Fourth of July all into one, then catered the affair with
    mountains of sweets and savory snacks, you would
    have a taste of what it means to celebrate Diwali, India’s
    best-known festival. It is a day of Hindu solidarity, when
    all Hindus gather in love and trust. It is observed by
    lighting rows of oil lamps and exchanging greeting cards,
    clothing and other gifts. Family bonds are strengthened
    and forgiveness sought. For many, Diwali marks the begin-
    ning of the new year. Joyous festivities and parties abound.

    What occurs on Diwali? new jewelry. Girls and women decorate


    Diwali (or Deepavali, “row of lights”) their hands with henna designs.
    is celebrated by Hindus worldwide to
    commemorate the triumph of good What does lamp-lighting signify?
    over evil, knowledge over ignorance, In Hindu culture, light is a powerful
    hope over despair. Oil-wick lamps are metaphor for knowledge and con-
    lit in every household, along with col- sciousness. It is a reminder of the pre-
    orful strings of electric lights, causing ciousness of education, self-inquiry and
    the home, village and community to improvement, which bring harmony to
    sparkle with dancing flames. The fes- the individual, the community and be-
    tival falls on the day before the new tween communities. By honoring light,
    moon in the month of Ashwin (Oc- we affirm the fact that from know-
    tober/November). Communities spare ing arises respect for and acceptance
    nothing in celebration. Lavish spreads of others. Lighting lamps reminds
    of sweets and treats reflect unfettered Hindus to keep on the right path, to
    partying. Diwali lehyam—a potent dispel darkness from their hearts and
    concoction made with ginger, pepper, minds, and to embrace knowledge and
    s o u m ya s i ta r a m a n

    ghee and more—is provided to help goodness.


    gourmands digest the sumptuous
    feast. Families reach out to each other What legends are associated
    with gifts of sweets, dried fruit and with Diwali?
    crunchy, salty treats. Everyone wears In the sacred text Ramayana, Di-
    colorful new clothing and many even wali marks the return of Rama to his

    54 h i n d u i s m t o day a p r i l / m ay / j u n e , 2 0 1 0
    sanghi
    Indian Carrot Sweet
    Carrot Halwa
    w w w. d i n o d i a . c o m

    Preparation time: 20 minutes


    Cooking time: 60 minutes
    Serves: 6-8
    Equipment: A small wok or round-
    bottomed pan, a ladle and a serving dish.
    Ingredients
    kingdom after defeating Ravana, the demon Narmada, Indus and Kaveri—into water col- 4 cups/1 kg grated carrots, 1 cup sugar, 2½
    king who ruled Sri Lanka and kidnapped lected in urns in preparation for an ablution cups milk, 1½ ladles
    Rama’s pious wife, Sita. It also celebrates after an oil massage. The special bath cleans- ghee, a few cashews and raisins,
    Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, the de- es the physical and auric energies of the 2 cardamom pods
    mon of ignorance. Rama and Krishna are individual. Fragrant powders of dried len- Method
    earthly incarnations, or avatars, of Vishnu. tils, roots, aromatic seeds, leaves and flow- 1. Wash, peel and grate the carrots.
    ers are used to remove the oil. Families then 2. Fry the cashews, raisins and cardamom
    Does ritual bathing play a part? don fine new clothes, beautiful patterns are in ghee and set aside.
    Diwali marks the conquest of negative forc- drawn on the ground, and lamps are lit until 3. Heat a ladle of ghee in the pan. Add
    es. To wipe away all traces of life’s struggle, entire streets glow. Even the White House in the grated carrots and sauté.
    the negative and draining energies of strife, Washington, D.C., is illumined by the gentle 4. Add enough milk to soak the carrots
    Hindus invoke the waters of India’s holiest glow of oil lamps during its annual Diwali and cook on low heat, stirring
    rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, observances. occasionally, until carrots are soft.
    Keep adding milk, a ladle at a time, and
    cook until the milk thickens, then stir
    in the sugar.
    Tidbits About Diwali 5. Cook over low heat until everything
    blends together into a firm mass that
    separates from the sides of the pan.
     What else is done for Diwali? Melas, or the celestial being who distributes wealth to 6. Garnish with the fried cashews,
    fairs, are held in all Indian towns and vil- mortals. As Hindus pray for comfort and the cardamom and raisins. Top
    lages. In the countryside, the mela includes family’s material wealth, it is believed that with a little ghee and pistachio
    a festive marketplace where farmers bring things should not be given away or donated slivers for extra flavor.
    their produce to sell and clothing vendors on this one day of the year.
    have a heyday.

     What are the giant effigies that are


    burned by big crowds? Huge effigies of Hinduism: Fact & Fiction
    Ravana, with ten heads, are built of straw
    FACT: Believing that the Divine resides in all things, Hindus practice non-injury and
    and filled with firecrackers. They are burned
    hold a deep respect, bordering on reverence, for all living beings. This embracing
    as a joyous, symbolic cleansing from evil, and
    lights are lit in every home, just as residents attitude is reflected in India’s history of welcoming refugees from all cultures and faiths.
    of Ayodhya did to welcome home their By following dharma, Hindus eschew violence and terror. Secure in their faith, they
    victorious king, Rama. interact harmoniously with their neighbors, regardless of religious affiliation.
    FICTION: Many people wrongly believe that Hindus, being proud of their religion,
     Are there customs for the day after Di- may disdain other cultures. In fact, Hindus fully accept the spiritual efficacy of other
    wali? The following day, families offer spe- paths and never proselytize.
    cial prayers to Lakshmi for a prosperous year.
    This ritual worship is also directed to Kubera,

    a p r i l / m ay / j u n e , 2 0 1 0 h i n d u i s m t o d ay 55

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