GHOSTS ARE HERE

According to ancient Celtic and other cultures, the border separating this world and the nether world is very low around the end of this month. The departed spirits (both harmful and peaceful ones) make their presence felt more. This Halloween day on October 31st, be prepared to meet Ghouls, Vampires, Dracula, Werewolves, Goblins, Ogres, Ghosts and other sorry souls. According to Christian theology, the All Saint's day (Nov 1) commemorates all the souls who have attained heaven. All Souls day on November 2nd remembers the departed spirits and other wandering souls who have not yet reached heaven. The strong belief of the souls' movement around this time led to the observation of Halloween day where the spirits of the dead wander freely among humans, sometimes troubling them. In olden times, October 31st also marked the end of the harvest season, and people began to store stockpiles of food for the cruel winter. The bones of animals were cast into a big bonfire as a celebratory ritual and also to ward off the evil spirits which are active- and hence bonfires are a big part of Halloween. People dress up in scary costumes which is believed to scare off the departed spirits.

For children, Halloween is associated with the tradition of trick or treating. Children dress up as ghosts or fictional figures, and go from house to house to ask for treats. They should be provided with chocolates and candies or else they would threaten to caste an evil spell on the house! Pumpkin carving is also associated with this day where grotesque faces are carved on a pumpkin (much similar to the cultures of some Indian regions where faces are drawn on pumpkins to ward off the evil eye). Head hunting rituals by the Celts and the "Brazen Head" way of predicting the future (a device used by ancient wizards, which looked like a human head and could answer questions correctly in the form of a YES or a NO format) were probably the precursors of the pumpkin carving ritual which is followed today.

Horror stories are said, and all the ghastly myths about the dead people seem to come true on a Halloween day... Ghost tours, costume parties, horror movies and other ghoulish paraphernalia are everywhere. Though primarily aimed to keep the children entertained and scared, everybody should be on their toes. So beware, masquerade in a different attire and don't let the bad spirits recognize you! And don't look under your chair- there's a ghost hiding beneath you. Happy haunting!

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Deepavali (Diwali) is almost here. Deepavali is from the sanskrit words DEEPA (light) and AVALI (row). Hence, it is Deepavali and not Diwali. Diwali is just a shortened form of Deepavali.

Deepavali is celebrated with great fervour by many faiths. The Sikhs celebrate Deepavali to celebrate the return of Guru Har Govind ji from imprisonment by Jahangir. The Jains too celebrate Deepavali to commomerate the attainment of Nirvana by Mahavira. The Hindus celebrate Deepavali for the following reasons:
1. Return of Lord Rama from his 14 year exile
2. The slaying of Narakasura by Lord Krishna
3. Triumph of good over evil

People of all religions and beliefs celebrate Deepavali in India for the many splendours associated with it. For Hindus, Deepavali is celebrated over 5 days. The first day is Vasu Baras, where cows are worshipped. The second day is "Dhana Trayodashi", which is auspicious for acquiring gold and other new items. The third day is the "Naraka chaturdashi", which marks the day Narakasura was slayed. Most festivities in South India are centred around this day. Meeting friends and relatives, going to the temple, wearing new clothes, eating lavishly, and burning firecrackers mark this day. The next day is the Lakshmi Puja, which signals the end of a good harvest season. The Godess of wealth is propitiated this day. Its also a "new year day" where everything is started afresh, especially businesses and accounts. The following day is the Bali Pratipada or Govardhana Puja- this is to celebrate Mahabali's return to earth for a day or Krishna role as a saviour by lifting Govardhana mountain to save the villagers from rain.


The firecrackers that go about during Deepavali are quite a spectacle in itself. In a day of organized chaos with bombs and other fireworks going off literally everywhere, joy hits a new crescendo with so many things happening that day. The above picture depicts the general mood of the day- bombs and other crackers are meant to destroy evil (Naragasuran is a tamil version of Narakasura, the demon). The real significane of Deepavali is however the realization of our inner light, the knowledge of which would dispel all fears and doubts. In a sense, it is the festival of lights to clear darkness and ignorance. Happy Deepavali/Diwali everyone!

Photo copyright: Matt Pichette (letter bomb)