Why Do We Celebrate Festivals?

Every country, culture, and religion has its own festivals. People celebrate festivals for many reasons. Sometimes, it is part of their faith, like Christmas, Diwali, Bakrid, Hanukkah, etc. Sometimes it is to celebrate their national identity, like the July 4th celebrations in the US. And at other times, it is to celebrate occasions like the harvest, natural phenomena like the summer solstice, and cultural traditions like the New Orleans (US) Mardi Gras festival and the Dia de Los Muertos festival in Mexico to honor the ancestors. There are even music and arts festivals like Woodstock.   

So, why do we celebrate festivals?

Festivals tell interesting stories

Every festival tells a story. Dussehra tells the story of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. Navratri tells the story of Goddess Durga’s killing of Mahishasura. Christmas tells the story of Christ’s birth. But they are not mere stories. They come with their own message. They may talk about how good always triumphs over evil. Or they may stress the importance of having values in life. Or the need to honor those who came before us. Apart from the stories, festivals have their own symbolism as well. Navratri is all about surrendering to the Goddess and letting her kill the negativity within us. Diwali is about letting the inner light within us shine forth. Christmas is about hope and redemption.  

Festivals unite people

Beyond all this, festivals also bring people together in love, friendship, and brotherhood. They are occasions when people forget the superficial differences that separate humanity, like caste, religion, language, etc. Festivals bring joy, and nobody wants to be excluded from moments of joy. It is human nature to seek and embrace joy in all its forms. It is a universal instinct. Festivals encircle us in warmth and affection, the glow of which spreads beyond family and friends to envelop the entire community.

Indian festivals have always stirred interest in all corners of the world. Recently, West Bengal’s biggest festival, Durga Pooja was inscribed in UNESCO’S Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Even foreigners show keen interest to take part in Indian festivals like Onam, Durga Pooja, Diwali, etc. Diwali was celebrated in the White House when Obama was the US President.

Festivals connect us with Nature

Festivals in India, where agriculture is a major part of the economy, are often linked to natural phenomena and the seasons. Harvest season is particularly important, not just for farmers but the entire country. So the farming community has many festivals to celebrate the sowing and harvesting of crops. Pongal, Onam, Baishaki, etc., are examples. In Tamil Nadu, during the month of Aadi, the river goddesses are propitiated for a good monsoon which is essential for a bountiful harvest. Too much or too little rain can spell disaster for farmers and lead to food shortages.

Diwali falls on a new moon day when it is quite dark. So the diyas serve to light up the environment and spread cheer and brightness. Holi is celebrated in March, when summer is at its peak. As the mercury climbs steadily, people relax and cool down by throwing colored water at each other.

Social and economic reasons

1.Festivals are like a breath of fresh air.

2.They help alleviate boredom and ennui.

3.They boost national integration and unity.

4.They teach us cultural values.

5.Festivals mean jobs for many people.

6.They boost the country’s economy.

Scientific reasons for celebrating festivals

Most festivals have their Dos and Don’ts, especially when it comes to food habits. Some festivals are observed with a fast or the avoidance of non-veg or spicy food, smoking, drinking, etc.

Fasting or vrat helps to detoxify the body. At such times, people take only one meal a day, that too only fruits or milk. Some observe a complete fast. As we tend to load our stomachs with food at other times, fasting is very good for our health. It removes all the accumulated toxins and can also bring relief from chronic ailments.

During some festivals, we are also meant to consume certain foods, as in Navratri. This is also intended to benefit our health. Some festivals like Shivratri involve meditation as well as fasting. Meditation has many benefits. It reduces stress, which causes most diseases.

Festivals, as mentioned earlier, bring people together. During important festivals, people take a break from work and reunite with their families and friends in their hometowns. Being with people whom we love and who love us in return is surely the best medicine. Also, it is a time to forget quarrels, grudges, and bitterness. This, too, has a wonderful effect on our health and well-being.  

Another important benefit of celebrating festivals is that we learn to be more in tune with nature. We live under the constant threat of extreme weather events caused by our failure to respect nature and mother earth. The use of eco-friendly idols and materials on Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri reminds us not to pollute the earth. The use of high-decibel crackers for Diwali has reduced considerably as it causes noise pollution and traumatizes animals.

Festivals like Naga Chaturthi, which involves snake worship, remind us that all creatures on earth are important and should be treated with compassion because their survival is inextricably connected to ours. For instance, people fear snakes, but farmers consider them as friends as they eat rats which destroy their crops.   

Remember all these things next time you celebrate a festival. It will make you appreciate and enjoy them even more!