India : A land of festivals | By Samyuktha M

India is the land of festivals, where people from different religions coexist harmoniously. The wide variety of festivals celebrated in India is a true manifestation of its rich culture and traditions. There are many Indian festivals and celebrations. While the celebrations happen all over the year, October till January is the time when the country can be seen at its vibrant best.

India is one country where every religion and community celebrates their culture. There are festivals of India state wise, religion-based, and community-wise. So, every day is a new celebration in this country.

Beyond all those enjoyments, there are few scientific reasons behind each festival, which makes a great sense of that festival.

Most of the Indian festival begins with this “KOLAM”.

1. KOLAM

Scientific reason: The reason a rangoli is drawn at the entrance of a house is because of it’s calming effect on a visitor who is just about to enter into the house. It manifests into vibrations (brainwaves) in the visitor’s mind, putting him at ease, making him comfortable and happy.

2. DIWALI

Diwali, one of the most prominent Hindu festivals of India, is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show. During this festival of lights, houses are decorated with clay lamps, candles, and Ashok leaves. People wear new clothes; participate in family puja, burst crackers, and share sweets with friends, families, and neighbors. It is the most popular festival in India.

Significance: The festival marks the return of Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, after a long exile of 14 years.

Scientific reason: The scientific explanation for this is in the winter month a lot of insects multiply and destroy crops. When you light lamps in millions they came and fall into it, you don’t kill them and so you don’t earn sin.

3. Holi

Also known as the festival of colors, Holi is one of the famous festivals of India, celebrated with a lot of fervor across the country. On the eve of Holi, people make huge Holika bonfires and sing and dance around it. On the day of Holi, the famous festival of Indian states, people gather in open areas and apply dry and wet colors of multiple hues to each other, with some carrying water guns and colored water-filled balloons. It tops the charts of 10 famous festivals in India as it is celebrated all across the world with happiness.

Significance: It signifies the victory of good (Prince Prahlad) over evil (Holika) and the arrival of spring.

Scientific reason: Holi is played in the Spring Season which is a period between end of winter and advent of summer. We normally go through the transition phase of winter and summer.  The period induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature of the nearby area raises around 50-60 degree Celsius. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrama (go around the bonfire/pyre), the heat coming from the bonfire kills the bacteria in the body and cleanses it. This helps in rejuvenating the human body. Their physical movement while playing with colors also helps in the process.

4. RAKSHA BANDHAN

One of the famous festivals in the list of festivals of India, Rakhi is celebrated among Hindu. Signifying the brother-sister bonding, during Rakhi, the sister performs Aarti (prayer), applies tilak, and ties rakhi (a sacred thread) on the brother’s wrist wishing his well being. The brother, in return, vows to protect the sister. Another festival which has a strong similarity to Rakhi is Bhai Dooj which comes just after Diwali.

Significance: It symbolizes the strong bonding of a brother and sister.

Scientific reason: The red colored Rakhi tied on the right wrist of the brother is symbolic of the fire element. And as per the Hindu belief, red stands for purity and a sister ties a red thread to ensure that there is strength, security, power and protection in the relationship. The whole idea behind the festival is that the sisters pray for the safety and prosperity of their brothers, while the brothers vow to safeguard and stand for their sisters.

__ Samyuktha M