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Racial Group » Indian » Festivals and Customs

Festivals and Customs

Hinduism

Divali

This is a widely celebrated Indian Festival of Lights, and it reminds Hindus how good can come from evil and darkness from light. In some parts of India this is a New Year Festival, and many Hindus believe that Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, visits homes which are well lit up with lamps (dipas). (Divali is also celebrated by Sikhs, for whom it recalls especially the arrival in Amritsar after his release from prison of the sixth of the great Sikh Gurus, Hargobind.)

A selection of other special days in Hinduism (of which there are many):

  • Birth Date of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (16 th century saint)

  • Holi (Spring festival)

  • Rama Navami (Birthday of Rama)

  • Nrsimha Caturdasi (Appearance anniversary of Krishna's half-man, half-lion avatar)

  • Ratha Yatra (Procession of deity of Lord Jagannatha through streets on hugh chariot)

  • Guru (Vyasa) Purnima (Birthday of Srila Vyasadeva, compliar of the Vedic literature)

  • Raksha Bandhan (Full moon during the month of Krishna's birthday)

  • Sri Krishna Janmashtami / Krishna Jayanti (Birthday of Krisha)

  • Birth Date of Srila Prabhupada (20 th century Vasinava teacher and saint)

  • Durga Puja / Navaratri (Homage to the goddess Durga, preceded by 9 nights of celebration)

  • Gita-Jayanti (Anniversary of the speaking of Bhagavad-gita)
The statement that Hindus have a festival for every day of the year has been said to be a serious underestimation! The above dates vary, according to the lunar calendar.

Sikhism

Vaisakhi
The foundation day of the Khalsa, the Sikh nation. On this day in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs called a large gathering at Anandpur Sahib (the City of Bliss). He initiated 5 people and said that they were now the Panj Payare (5 beloved ones) who represented the Khalsa. He then asked them to initiate him. To celebrate a street procession often takes place. Five initiated Sikhs lead and the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on a float through the streets of the town.

Other Sikh festivals include:
  • The Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (1666 CE) – January 5**

  • The Birthday of Guru Nanak (1469 CE) – April 14**

  • Martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev Ji – June 16**

  • Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahdur Ji – November 24**

  • Divali or Bandhi Chhor Divas (coincides with the Hindu Divali festival)

Some Sikh communities follow the Bikrami (lunar) calendar, while some Sikhs based in the West follow the Nanakshahi calendar which was established in 1999. This latter calendar uses standardised dates (indicated above by **) to ensure that they fall on the same date each year.

Customs Sikhism:

Birth Customs

Births are celebrated by thanksgiving at the Gurdwara (temple). At 13 days, the baby may be baptised into the Order of the Khalsa. Baptism is administered by five Sikhs in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, and may be performed at home or in the Gurdwara.

Death Customs

A dying Sikh will be comforted by reciting hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. If a patient is too ill to recite, then a relative or a Granthi (reader) from the local temple may do so. The family is normally responsible for all ceremonies and rites at death. Sikhs are always cremated, and their ashes should be scattered in running water.

Dress
 
Amritdhari Sikhs observe the five k's. They are Kesh, where the cutting or removal of hair is forbidden; Kangha, where hair is secured with a long comb and the head is always covered; the Kara, a metal bangle that is worn on the left wrist; the Kirpan, a small dagger; and Kachha, which are loose fitting underwear.

Customs Hindu:

The concept of purity is very important in Hinduism. Fire, water, earth and air are each important purifiers on particular occasions.

Birth Customs

A baby's head is shaved in the first, third or fifth year. When a boy reaches the age of seven, a sacred thread ceremony may be performed.

Death Customs

For a dying Hindu the family may wish for a Hindu priest to tie a Yagyopavit (sacred thread) around the patients wrist or neck, as a blessing or place drops of ghee (purified butter) in the patients mouth.

Background | Festivals and Customs | Health and Social Care | Language | Religion
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