India is a country culturally diverse yet spiritually intertwined. Having over eight different religions and innumerable castes, creeds and tribes, I often wondered if the country is vulnerable due to the differences between the races. Time and again, I had heard how the differences are surpassed by the heartwarming festivals celebrated in India. And during my latest visit, I personally experienced the warmth myself.
Despite being born and brought up in India, I had spent a significant number of years abroad and each time I had gone back I was muddled with the chaos of the people, potholes and politics adorning the country. Again, we should never judge a book by its cover. So, during my year-long stay in the country, I was finally able to …show more content…
What could have been so unique and so different? The difference is the lives of the people revolve around these festivals. The intricate design and immense effort invested behind the creation of idols and pandals (stalls) is nothing less than a work of art. Imagine yourself, walking along the roads where you see idols as tall as skyscrapers, pandals replicating the Taj Mahal or Harry Potter’s Hogwarts and lights adorning every building of the entire city. I had often wondered what madness felt like, well, after my whole night pandal-hopping sessions with midnight meals and hour long queues even at 4 am in the morning, I think I know what madness feels like; it feels like being …show more content…
Diwali has been modified in different parts of the country but the burning of crackers and fireworks tend to remain same. I was happy to see people taking a step forward to encourage eco-friendly fireworks and crackers that helped to deteriorate pollution without reducing the merriments.
Many of us have the misconception that festivals in India were all about gods and idols. So, when a friend of mine suggested the beach festivals during Christmas at Goa, I was enthused. Despite not matching the extravaganza of the likes in Brazil, Goa Carnival definitely surpasses all others in spirit. Held during 25th Dec-1st Jan, the beach festival includes unlimited whole night music parties in plenty of beaches around the state. Moreover, the masked parades, dance festivals, mock battles and the cross dressing was enough to keep me entertained for a week.
During the month of January, I also visited the southern parts of the country to celebrate the Pongal or harvest festival. Despite failing to compete with the magnanimous arrangements the Ganesh or Durga worship, Pongal is a beautiful homely festival that involves the creation of rangoli or colorful designs in houses, making a special ‘Pongal’ dish and also performances of folk music and dance throughout the state. I had the experience of staying with a local family and enjoyed the 4-day
Despite being born and brought up in India, I had spent a significant number of years abroad and each time I had gone back I was muddled with the chaos of the people, potholes and politics adorning the country. Again, we should never judge a book by its cover. So, during my year-long stay in the country, I was finally able to …show more content…
What could have been so unique and so different? The difference is the lives of the people revolve around these festivals. The intricate design and immense effort invested behind the creation of idols and pandals (stalls) is nothing less than a work of art. Imagine yourself, walking along the roads where you see idols as tall as skyscrapers, pandals replicating the Taj Mahal or Harry Potter’s Hogwarts and lights adorning every building of the entire city. I had often wondered what madness felt like, well, after my whole night pandal-hopping sessions with midnight meals and hour long queues even at 4 am in the morning, I think I know what madness feels like; it feels like being …show more content…
Diwali has been modified in different parts of the country but the burning of crackers and fireworks tend to remain same. I was happy to see people taking a step forward to encourage eco-friendly fireworks and crackers that helped to deteriorate pollution without reducing the merriments.
Many of us have the misconception that festivals in India were all about gods and idols. So, when a friend of mine suggested the beach festivals during Christmas at Goa, I was enthused. Despite not matching the extravaganza of the likes in Brazil, Goa Carnival definitely surpasses all others in spirit. Held during 25th Dec-1st Jan, the beach festival includes unlimited whole night music parties in plenty of beaches around the state. Moreover, the masked parades, dance festivals, mock battles and the cross dressing was enough to keep me entertained for a week.
During the month of January, I also visited the southern parts of the country to celebrate the Pongal or harvest festival. Despite failing to compete with the magnanimous arrangements the Ganesh or Durga worship, Pongal is a beautiful homely festival that involves the creation of rangoli or colorful designs in houses, making a special ‘Pongal’ dish and also performances of folk music and dance throughout the state. I had the experience of staying with a local family and enjoyed the 4-day