Indian Festivals: Diwali

Indian Festivals: Diwali

This is perhaps the most well-known of the Indian festivals: it is celebrated throughout India, as well as in Indian communities throughout the diaspora. It usually takes place eighteen days after Dusshera. It is colloquially known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, verandahs, and gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls. In urban areas, especially, candles are substituted for diyas; and among the nouveau riche, neon lights are made to substitute for candles. The celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. In north India, Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival; similarly, it heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season. Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Laksmi, goddess of wealth. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians.

Because there are many regions in India, there are many manifestations of the Diwali festival. In at least one area, the festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship Laksmi. In the Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power. Instead, a wealthy person is considered to have been rewarded for good deeds of a past life.

On the second day Kali, the goddess of Strength, is worshipped. This day also focuses on abolishing laziness and evil.

On the third day (the last day of the year in the lunar calendar), lamps are lighted and shine brightly in every home. The lamp symbolizes knowledge and encourages reflection upon the purpose of each day in the festival. The goal is to remember the purpose throughout the year.

The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year. At this time, old business accounts are settled and new books are opened. The books are worshipped in a special ceremony and participants are encouraged to remove anger, hate, and jealousy from their lives.

On the final day (Balipratipada) of the festival, Bali, an ancient Indian king, is recalled. Bali destroyed the centuries old philosophies of the society. However, in addition to this, he is remembered for being a generous person. Thus, the focus of this day is to see the good in others, including enemies.

History of the Pamplona Bull Run

The origin of this fiesta is lost in the mists of time. There are chronicles from the XIIIth and XIVth centuries which already mention the Sanfermines which, up to the XVIth century, were held in October to coincide with Saint's festival but were later moved to July because of the unpredictable weather of the former month.

According to historians the Sanfermines were not born spontaneously but arose out of the conjunction of three separate fiestas: those of a religious nature in honour of San Fermn and which have taken place since time immemorial, the commercial fiestas organised since the XIVth century and the taurine festivals which were centred around the bullfights, also since the XIVth century.

Little by little, the commemoration of San Fermn which was held on the 10th of October, began to be filled out with other elements such as music, dance, comedies, trading posts and bull fights. This motivated the Town Council to request that the fiesta of San Fermn be moved to the 7th of July as this was a more suitable date.

Thus, with the union of the elements of the three fiestas and with the change of date, in 1591 the Sanfermines were born which, in their first incarnation lasted for two days and included a procession, musicians, a tournament, theatre and bull fight. In following years other means of celebrating were incorporated such as fireworks and dances and the fiestas were prolonged up to the 10th.

The chronicles of the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries speak of religious acts taking part right next to musicians, dancers, tournaments, acrobats, bull runs and bulls; they talk of the clergy's concern over the abuse of drink, the permissiveness of young men and women and the presence of people from other lands who, with their shows, "made the city more amusing."

During the XIXth century it is worth noting fairground curios and attractions as bizarre as the woman cannonball, unbreakable pencils, exotic animals or wax figures, while the Comparsa de Gigantes (Company of Giants) made their debut with cabezudos' (big-headed figures), kilikis and zaldikos. On the other hand, the fact that there was no double wall on the bull run meant that the bulls escaped into the city's streets on numerous occasions.

In the XXth century the fiestas reached the height of their popularity. The novel "The Sun Also Rises" (also known as "Fiesta"), written by Ernest Hemingway in 1926, encouraged people from all over the world to come and take part in the fiesta of Pamplona and live for themselves the emotions described by the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The interest which they arouse today is so great that the amount of people that come is one of the main problems of the Sanfermines which, in the last century, have incorporated new elements such as the Riau-Riau, the Chupinazo or the cultural program.

The Bull Run

The bull run is the most well known act of the Sanfermines and the reason why so many strangers make their way to Pamplona on the 6th of July. Basically, it consists of running along certain stretches of the streets which have been previously walled off, and the aim of which is to take the bulls from the Santo Domingo corrals to the Bull Ring where, later that afternoon, they will be fought. A total of six bulls are "run" as well as two herds of tame bulls and the route, which runs through different streets of the old city centre, measures 825 metres.

This dangerous race, which is run every morning between the 7th and 14th of July, begins at 8.00 a.m., although the runners will have entered the run at 7.30. A few minutes before the race is due to begin the youths who will make the run entrust themselves to San Fermn and sing three times before a niche of the Saint decorated with the scarves of the peas, or social groups, which is located on the Cuesta de Santo Domingo. The song goes like this: "We ask San Fermn, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing."

At eight o'clock exactly the first rocket is launched announcing the opening of the gates of the small corrals' of Santo Domingo, while the firing of the second indicates that all the bulls have left. From then on the animals run along the following course: they go up the Santo Domingo rise and cross the Town Hall Square in order to run in line down the Calle Mercaderes. A closed curve leads into the Calle Estafeta, the longest part of the route which is followed by a small part of the Calle Duque de Ahumada, also known as the Telefnica stretch, which gives access to the dead end street which leads to the Bull Ring. Once all the bulls have entered the taurine enclosure a third rocket goes up while the fourth indicates that the beasts have gone into the bullpens and the Bull Run is over.

The run lasts for three minutes on average, which are prolonged if any of the bulls should get separated from its brothers. Although all the stretches are dangerous, the curve of the Calle Mercaderes and the stretch between the Calle Estafeta and the Bull Ring are those which hold the most risk.

At present overcrowding is one of the main problems of the Bull Run and increases the danger of the run in which the youths should not try to hold out for more than 50 metres before the bulls.

All sections of the route are looked over by a large number of security guards and first aid assistants. However, the danger of the run has meant that between 1924 and 1997 14 people have dies and more than 200 been injured by the bulls.

USEFUL TIPS

As well as being the best known act of the Sanfermines the Bull Run is also the most dangerous. In order to ensure that the Run goes off successfully and to avoid danger it is advised that the spectators and runners bear in mind certain minimal rules which guarantee the normal running of the Bull Run.

Furthermore, in the event that any of the animals suffers an accident, or, for whatever other reason, any of them "looses" themselves or remains "unattached" to the herd, the runners should listen to the instructions of the technical personnel on hand during the running of the Bull Run.

The runners should place themselves in the stretch between the Plaza Consistorial and the Military Hospital on the Santo Domingo rise. Access to the said stretch is gained through the existing doors in the Plaza del Mercado and the Plaza Consistorial (next to the Seminary) which are closed at 7.30 a.m.

On arriving at the Bull Ring all the runners should place themselves as soon as possible inside the walled off section so that this can be freed for the shelter of others. For this reason the space between the walls is reserved exclusively for authorised personnel

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United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors

English Festivals & CelebrationsGuide picks

Links to traditional English festivals and holidays.

April Fools' DayOn 1st April people are sent on fool's errands, or have pranks played on them before twelve noon.

Christmas in EnglandLinks highlighting Christmas traditions in England.

Easter Holy WeekEaster derives from the festival of Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess.

Guy Fawkes or Bonfire Night"Remember, remember the fifth of November - Gunpowder, Treason and Plot."

Harvest FestivalThe English have given thanks for successful harvests, or ingatherings, since pagan times.

Hallowe'en in EnglandTraditional Hallowe'en celebrations and customs in England.

May DayTo rural folk, The Merry Month of May heralded the start of summer. Discover the significance of 1 May with your Guide to English Culture.

Midsummer CelebrationsDiscover how Midsummer Eve and the Summer Solstice are still celebrated in England.

Mothering SundayLaetare, or Mid-Lent Sunday, is a day when Christians can relax from self-imposed penitence and celebrate motherhood.

New YearDiscover how the English celebrate New Year.

Oak Apple DayIn parts of England, on the 29th May, people still commemorate Charles II's escape from the Roundheads.

St. Alban's DayOn June 23rd, English Christians celebrate St. Alban's Day with a Rose Service at St. Alban's Cathedral in Hertfordshire.

St. George's DayThe English honour their patron saint on 23rd April.

St. Piran's Day The Cornish celebrate St. Piran's Day on 5th March.

St. Valentine's DayIn England this day was traditionally a pagan festival for young people of marriageable age.

Shrovetide & Pancake DayThe three days before Lent are known as Shrovetide, taking their name from 'shrive' or confess.

Whitstable Oyster FestivalJuly 25th heralds the start of England's oyster season and an exciting day in Whitstable Bay.

http://gouk.about.com/cs/festival1/Festivals and and Special DaysCurious Customs and Festivals

Bank Holidays Lent / Easter

Christmas in EnglandShrove Tuesday

AdventWhitsun

Harvest FestivalFireworks

HalloweenGuy Fawkes

Remembrance DaySpecial Weeks and Days

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/United States of America

The United States of America consists of fifty states plus Washington D.C. in North America. Forefathers' Day, December 21. Commemorates the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620 on Plymouth Rock. Observed in New England. This day was first observed in 1769. Washington's Birthday, third Monday of February (Feb 16, 2004). Celebrates the birthday of George Washington, who was born on February 22, 1732. It was first officially celebrated in 1782, when its observance took the place of the birthday celebrations of the various sovereigns of Great Britain, which had been customary during colonial times. Services are held at Washington's home at Mount Vernon, and at the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. George Washington's birthday is a legal holiday in all states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. In Arizona it is called Washington Day. It may also be celebrated as President's Day or Washington-Lincoln Day in conjunction with Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Patriot's Day, third Monday of April (Apr 19, 2004). Commemorates the first battle of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. Also known as Battles of Lexington and Concord Day. Independence Day, July 4. On this day in 1776, patriots in the original thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence from England. Bill of Rights Day, December 15. The Bill of Rights was adopted on this day. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Flag Day, June 14. Anniversary of adopting the flag in 1777. Flag is called the Stars and Stripes. A legal holiday in Pennsylvania since 1937. Observed by displaying the flag. Some states observe additional flag days. Thomas Jefferson's Birthday, April 13. Celebrates the birthday of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the third president of the United States, and an important figure in American history. Kosciuszko Day, February 4. Celebrated in the United States by Polish-Americans on the birthday of Tadeusz Kosciuszko (1746), who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Carnation Day, January 29. Celebrates William McKinley's birthday. Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday of November (Nov 25, 2004). Thanksgiving was designated to occur on this date by President Lincoln in October of 1863. Christmas, December 25. See Christmas. In the United States, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus are considered one and the same unlike in some other countries. Another nickname for Santa Claus is Kris Kringle which probably derives from "Christkindle" (Christ child), a term that may have been brought here by immigrants from southern Germany.

The Civil War

The division between North and South last today, as illustrated in the different legal holidays, such as Confederate Memorial Day in the South. Robert E. Lee Day Honors Robert E. Lee (Jan 19, 1807-Oct 12, 1870). In Texas it is celebrated as Confederate Heroes Day. In Virginia, Lee-Jackson Day celebrates the birthdays of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson (b. Jan 21, 1824).

Jefferson Davis Day, June 3. Celebrates the birthday of Jefferson Davis (1808-1889). Confederate Memorial Day. Dedicated to the memory of Confederate soldiers who were killed in the civil war. Lincoln's Birthday, February 12. Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809. It was first publicly observed in 1887 by the Republican Club of New York City, and designated as a legal holiday in Illinois in 1892. It may also be celebrated as President's Day or Washington-Lincoln Day in conjunction with George Washington's birthday. National Freedom Day, February 1. Commemorates the abolition of slavery, which was achieved on this date in 1865 when President Lincoln signed the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution. This day was declared National Freedom Day by presidential proclamation in 1949. Appomattox Day, April 9. Celebrates the ending of the Civil War in 1865, when Lee surrendered to Grant at fort Appomattox.

Twentieth Century

Veteran's Day, November 11. Also called Armistice Day, and in Canada it is called Remembrance Day. It honors all who served in wars and is observed on the ending of World War I A legal holiday throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Women's Equality Day, August 26. Commemorates the anniversary of the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which gave women the right to vote. This day was proclaimed by President Ford in 1974. Also known as Susan B. Anthony Day. Inauguration Day, January 20. Every four years a newly elected president of the United States is sworn into office on this date. Prior to 1933, presidents were inaugurated on March 4, but when the Twentieth Amendment was passed, January 20 became the official date for inauguration. A legal holiday in Washington D.C. Iwo Jima Day, February 23. Commemorates the raising of the United States flag on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima by the Marines in 1945. Vietnam Day, January 27. Marks the anniversary of the signing of a peace agreement in 1973 to end the Vietnam War. Election Day, first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (Nov 2, 2004). A legal holiday in twenty-seven of the states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Armed Forces Day, third Saturday of May (May 15, 2004). Consolodates Army Day (April 6), Air Forces Day, and Navy Day. Navy Day, October 27. Labor Day, first Monday in September (Sep 6, 2004). Citizenship Day, September 17. Formerly called Constitution Day. Martin Luther King Day, January 15. Observed on nearest Monday.

Legal holidays are declared only on a state basis. The following holidays are legal holidays in all fifty states: New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday (name varies), Memorial Day (most states), Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Memorial Day is observed in most states on the last Monday in May. Except as noted, Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday of October, Martin Luther King Day is on January 15, Robert E. Lee Day is on January 19. In addition, some states observe their own holidays.

http://www.shagtown.com/days/usa.html

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