Let’s Find The Real Essence Of Festivals

 

Last week Ganesh chaturthi, today Onam and Ramzan underway, OurCountry has the largest number of festivals as we are a country of various religions and cultures.

Festivals mean celebration, and celebration means collective consciousness where people share joy and happiness with one another. Festivals are more than holidays, as they give one an opportunity to meet with family and friends.

It is really great to see that our country celebrating Ramadan grandeur along with Onam & Ganesha festivities. Seeing these rare combinations in a brotherly social setting during a pleasant rainy season is an experience beyond words to describe.

Festivals bring us together because as a society we like to share our joys and sorrows with others, no matter which religion they belong to. If we look at any festival, of any community, the main motto is to mingle with friends and family.

I like celebrating Indian festivals a lot. I get to meet my all relatives and friends. These festivals give the feeling of all being one and the joy of togetherness. Moreover, festivals have some social motive too; it gives us an opportunity to remove evil thoughts from our minds. It brings a sense of oneness among people.

I believe a lot of good comes of celebrating any festival as it enhances peace and harmony among communities. But one needs to understand the real meaning of festivals as they are not just celebrations but have deeper meaning.

Firstly, any kind of celebration gives an opportunity to bond with neighbours, relatives and friends. Secondly, it gives an opportunity for rejuvenation for people who lead a fast-paced life. Thirdly, rituals involved in a festival like fasting in the holy month of Ramzan will purify us physically. Moreover, fasting has significance, so far as it teaches us to control our desires so that each one of us could lead a content and happy life.

I will not be wrong to say that we don't know the significance of many festivals, at least to some extent. Many people don't even know the reason behind festivals these days.

Today, even though we are celebrating the festivals there is no real feeling or purpose left. It is mainly due to the fact that festivals have now become a battleground for political war among different parties.

In the month of Ramzan many selfless people organize Selfless Iftar parties to help the poor in continuing fasts with ease and promote friendship and brotherhood in society.

The Iftar parties which are the order of the day unfortunately look like politics will not spare any of the noble goals of any religion, including Iftar. The present day Iftar parties are essentially serving vested interests. Specially grabbing Muslim voters and other related benefits. We have conveniently forgotten the noble goals of offering Iftar to the fasting. Selflessness, simplicity, charity, brotherhood and so on.

Further certain festival might represent the domination of a certain political party which others might disagree to; and because of this people have lost the sense of bonding and the true meaning of festivals. People prefer to celebrate at their homes and have lost interest in celebrating as they used to in the past. Political colours have diminished the colours of festive joy.

It is the right time for Parents, Friends & relatives to explain the significance of all the festivals specially to the younger generations. Textbook education provides knowledge, and not the real meaning of festivals.

Life is a festival only to the Wise .....(Ralph Waldo)

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