Hinduism: Special Occasions

Question 1

What is Holi?

Answer 1

• Associated with Vishnu (Krishna)
• Celebrates victory of good over evil and the immortal love of Krishna and Radha
• The night before, people gather, pray and perform religious ceremonies in front of a fire, to destroy their internal evil like Holika, the sister of a demon, was killed in a fire
• They go into the streets and cover each other in water and colour
• Families reunite and forgive each other

Question 2

What is Navaratri?

Answer 2

• Festival of the mother goddess
• Depending on the location, it can be called Navaratri, Durga Puja or Dasera
• Celebrates the triumph of Durga ofer the buffalo demon Mahishasura - light over dark
• Nightly feasts and dancing
• Families return home for nine days, then leave on the tenth, as Shiva only allowed Durga to see her mother for nine days in the year

Question 3

What is Diwali?

Answer 3

• Associated with Vishnu (Rama) and the mother goddess (in the form of Lakshmi - Sita)
• Remembers the Ramayana: the victory of good over evil, but also celebrating women’s dignity
• Lights called diyas are lit in honour of Lakshmi, and of Rama and Sita’s return to Ayodhya
• Cows are worshipped as they are believed to be the reincarnation of Lakshmi
• Gifts are exchanged

Question 4

What is Mahashivratri?

Answer 4

• Associated with Shiva
• Shivratri is held on the day before the new moon between February and March
• Celebrated through the night to better understand Shiva’s nature and to ensure the follower’s devotion, as it takes resolve and energy to stay awake
• Celebrates various things that happened on the day:
• The marriage of Shiva and Parvati
• The day Shiva won against all his enemies
• Ascetics believe it’s the day Shiva became one with the Mountain Kailash and became completely still

Question 5

What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

Answer 5

• Celebrated by most Hindus as Ganesha is the remover of obstacles between them and the other gods
• Believed to be when Ganesha comes to Earth to give blessings to his devotees
• A clay model of Ganesha is made
• Gods are infused into murtis
• Ganesha is worshipped

Question 6

What is Raksha Bandhan?

Answer 6

• Associated with Vishnu (or the Mother Goddess)
• Celebrates the relationship between a brother and sister
• The sister ties a rakhi (bracelet) to her brothers wrist. It becomes his duty to protect her.
• In the past, it was the wife who tied a rakhi to her husband’s wrist
• Nowadays, rakhis are also tied on the wrists of:
• Congregation members by the priest
• Close friends
• The prime minister by women
• Soldiers