Holy festivals and Religious festivals and Observances

Celebrate as per the Scriptures and obtain Bliss !

The purpose of celebrating Hindu festivals and Vowed religious observances

The celebration of Holy festivals and Religious festivals are the foundation of India’s Sanatan Dharma. They not only give us happiness while we are alive, but also help our subtle body gain momentum after death. The purpose of celebrating these festivals and keeping Vrats (Vowed religious observances) reflects the changes in Nature, increases our devotion to Incarnations, Saints, provides spiritual education such as preventing denigration of Deities, etc.

When traditional rituals such as these festivals and Vrats are performed as karma (Action which gives rise to destiny) instead of as a kruti (Activity), that is, by understanding its Divine foundation, the jiva’s (Embodied soul’s) soul energy is activated and it attains contentment. Since karma is subtler than kruti, the effects last longer.

Difference between Holy and Religious festival

Activity which generates happiness wherein those celebrating it or participating in it experience Anand (Bliss) and mental peace, is known as a ‘Religious festival.’ It is also expected that those who look at the Religious festival also experience Anand.

Religious traditions are in fact opportunities that teach us actual Dharmik (Righteous) conduct. The impressions of Dharmik conduct created through the medium of Holy festivals and Religious festivals and Vowed religious observances can take our country towards the ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

The difference between Holy festivals, Religious festivals and Vowed religious observances is not well-defined since some Holy festivals are also celebrated as Religious festivals and Vowed religious observances. For example, Shriram Navami when celebrated individually is a Holy festival; when celebrated socially, it is a Religious festival and when celebrated individually with a specific sankalpa (Resolve), it becomes a Vowed religious observance.

From the perspective of God-realisation

From the perspective of God-realisation, these festivals and Vowed religious observances have a spiritual foundation, since celebrating them leads to creation of Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) which helps even an ordinary individual progress towards God.

Sometimes there is a difference in the ways of celebrating Holy festivals and Religious festivals due to regional variations, social customs and ways of worship.

Gudhi Padwa celebrated in Maharashtra as the first day of the New Year, also known as Bihu, Vaisakhi, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Vishu, Navreh, Puthandu, Pahela Baishakh, etc. in other States is celebrated as per local customs.

The historical reason for this Holy festival is that on this day, Shriram killed Vali. The spiritual reason is that Deity Brahma created the Universe on this day, marking the beginning of Satyayug (The first in the cycle of four eras since the origin of the Universe). On this day, the sagun-nirgun tattva (Materialised and non-materialised Principles) of Deity Brahma and vibrations of Dharma-shakti spread onto Earth with the mission of spreading Dharma. On this day, one can obtain control over weaknesses and egoistic acts performed in the previous year, and enter the New Year.

Another auspicious Holy festival is Akshayya Trutiya, the first day of Tretayug. On this day, the combined waves of Deity Brahma and Shri Vishnu from the higher subtle region of Deities arrive on Earth. The acts performed for Deities and ancestors on this day become akshayya, meaning, indestructible. Hence, the sattvikata on Earth increases by 10%.

The seasons of Varsha, Sharad and Hemant fall in the period of Dakshinayan (when the Sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere). More Holy festivals are celebrated in these seasons, especially in the Varsha season. Due to the monsoon rains, the incidence of diseases is high; hence more attention needs to be paid to health.

The Holy festivals bring about occasional fasting and consumption of sattvik (Spiritually pure) food, in addition to restrictions on food from outside. Spiritually speaking, due to lesser availability of sunlight during the monsoons, the strength of negative energies increases, thus increasing the Tama component (Denoting inertia and ignorance) in the Universe, which is harmful. To counter this, we need to increase our Sattva component (Denoting purity and knowledge). Thus, the festivals also reflect the changes in Nature.

Strengthening the fabric of social unity

Religious festivals and Vrats are an inseparable part of the religious life of Hindus. They help in improving social behaviour and strengthen the fabric of social unity. Since the resolve of Sages is behind these observances, those who observe these faithfully receive the fruit according to their wishes. Since all celebrate it together, one forgets any discrimination between rich-poor, literate-illiterate, etc. to become one with society. Festivals are celebrated so that man overcomes social limitations and tries to blend with society. Forgetting all differences such as those of status, caste and class, literacy, etc. everyone participates in festivals.

Preparing to celebrate

A day before a Holy festival, the house should be cleaned, painted, etc. A picture of Deity Ganapati should be installed near the main entrance. Rangoli (Holy designs made on the ground from white marble powder) with auspicious symbols such as a swastik, lotus can be drawn. New clothes and ornaments should be worn, Prasad (Holy sacrament) should be prepared, wealth be donated, etc.

Important Holy and Religious festivals include Gudhi Padwa, Ram Navami (to proclaim the birth of Shriram), Hanuman Jayanti (to celebrate the birth of Deity Hanuman), Akshayya Trutiya, Guru Purnima (to express gratitude unto the Guru), Mangalagour, Gokulashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Tulsi vivaha, Makar Sankranti, etc.

(For details, please read Sanatan’s Text – ‘Appropriate method and science in celebrating Holy festivals’)

Oppose practices harmful to Dharma and culture !

Even when there is no scientific basis, celebrating festivals merely as an age-old tradition is incorrect. Such baseless traditions should be discontinued and only those practices as advocated by the Scriptures should be continued.

Such traditions have got an important place in society; for example crackers are lit during festivals such as Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi; people even indulge in immoral practices during festivals of Ganesh Chaturthi and Navaratri. Such practices are also prevalent in society today. The harmful impression future generations will have about these festivals is – ‘Such practices are essential parts of celebrating festivals’. Banning these practices and opposing them amounts to practising Dharma (Righteousness). Sanatan’s Texts expose the hollowness of such harmful, immoral practices and encourage society to celebrate festivals so as to make the environment sattvik.