Festivals

Question 0

Describe the festival of Diwali

Answer 0

• october/november for 5 days
• festival of light
• Sikhs, Hindus + Jains
• story of Rama & Sita
• prosperity + strengthen family ties
• DAY1: wealth (Lakshmi) - house cleaned, new clothes, bless accounts, charity (welcome her)
• DAY2: Kali - prayers, Sura Puja, cards/gifts
• DAY3: Rama - temple, lights, rangoli, guests, fireworks (welcome him + ancestors souls)
• DAY4: Rama’s coronation - buy gold
• DAY5: Brothers & Sisters - sisters cook meal for brothers, gifts to sisters, blessings to younger people, praying + worship

Question 1

Describe the festival of Holi

Answer 1

• 2 days in Spring (harvest time)
• festival of colours (throw powder, loosening of social restrictions)
• swing festival (images of Gods placed on swinging platforms, women dance around)
• bonfires (God’s protection), paints, plays, dances, food offered & pilgrim to Mathura (Krishna)
• SHIVA: distracted by Mandana (dressed as nymph), so destroys him with 3rd eye - bonfires
• KRISHNA: thew coloured water over gopis
• PRAHLAD: worshipped Vishnu, father (king) cross so Holika (king’s sister) tricks him to sit on her lap in bonfire. He is unharmed + she is devoured by flames - bonfires