Religion in any human being's life extends a big influence on his daily activities, behaviour, sensibility and why even provides context to his entire life. How do we practise religion? Through some routine habits like prayers to Almighty, charity, visiting places of importance as prescribed in religion and most importantly celebrating festivals.
Here is where, the culture of a place, which in turn is determined by the nature surrounding the place plays a big part in festivals. E.g. Yesterday was Ramnavami which is celebrated in many parts of India in different manner. The reason of the festival is the same across the country which is to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama who is regarded as the harbinger of goodness and adherence to values.
Here is where, the culture of a place, which in turn is determined by the nature surrounding the place plays a big part in festivals. E.g. Yesterday was Ramnavami which is celebrated in many parts of India in different manner. The reason of the festival is the same across the country which is to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama who is regarded as the harbinger of goodness and adherence to values.
From my younger days I have seen huge celebrations of Ramnavami purely because our house was next door to a Ram temple. I used to see the huge consumption of "Neer mor" (in Tamil) or "Chhaas" (in Hindi) or buttermilk and "panakam" (a drink which has jaggery in it). I used to always think what is the significance of these two drinks and why is it so special on Ramnavami. Maybe Lord Rama used to love it, is it?
Over the years, I realized that, time of the year and hence nature and hence the demands presented by it have a big influence on our festivals. Ramnavami, I understood was a marker for beginning of the summer season in the country. So the consumption of these two drinks is basically a way to show that heat is increasing and you need to have these coolants to take care of yourself. Ramnavami is potentially also the last big festival in India. Thereafter begins the months of May / June / July / August where there are no festivals. Why we may ask? Logic is simple isn't it! It is difficult to congregate and celebrate in the summer and in the rains right? The cycle again starts with who else but Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi.
The entire Hindu philosophy of festivals always has a inner meaning or a double meaning or a multi layered meaning. Hindu calendar is marked with festivals for seasons and every important season identified with festival. Like Pongal / Makar Sankranti / Lohri / Bihu etc signify the harvesting season for the crop post winter, Holi signifies the onset of spring, Ramnavami brings summer, Ganesh Chaturti says end of rains, Sharad navratri is celebration of autumn and Diwali is onset of winter. The customs are also hence prepared accordingly. You cook rice in Pongal and take bath in warm water in Diwali!
Interesting isn't it? Sometimes, I think how interesting it would be to lead a life by festivals and then getting driven by the markers in these festivals rather than living by calendar days and weekdays and weekends and then marking in those days when is a festival? The entire Hindu philosophy of festivals always has a inner meaning or a double meaning or a multi layered meaning. Hindu calendar is marked with festivals for seasons and every important season identified with festival. Like Pongal / Makar Sankranti / Lohri / Bihu etc signify the harvesting season for the crop post winter, Holi signifies the onset of spring, Ramnavami brings summer, Ganesh Chaturti says end of rains, Sharad navratri is celebration of autumn and Diwali is onset of winter. The customs are also hence prepared accordingly. You cook rice in Pongal and take bath in warm water in Diwali!
However, with weather and climate patterns changing it is possibly now difficult to observe the same customs that people have been following for ages. Like nowadays Holi probably signifies summer and not spring as potentially in many parts of India there isn't a spring anymore!
But, let us atleast look at these customs in a different way rather than observing them blindly just by stating "elders have advised this way"!!!
So enjoy the summer holidays and keep thinking! As Krishna says "Swayam vichaar kijiye" (Think about it yourself)!!!
