There’s a festival, one or two, every month in the Indian calendar and each of them speaks aloud of India’s rich heritage. Some festivals celebrate the advent of harvest season; some commemorate historical figures, saints and Gods, and many mark the onset of the New Year, and in such happy times, the whole of India comes together forgetting their everyday chaos, animosity, rivalry and fear. Indeed every festival is that wonderful phase when the country is at the pinnacle of her communal harmony and where each and every household comes truly alive. The illuminated houses, mithai, giggles, dances, the aarti, overflow of various emotions, the energy, and the excitement. Feeling nostalgic?
Our Mother India has been fondly preserving and passing traditions from generation to generation since time immemorial. Those customs and rituals, the values and beliefs hold such importance in our lives even in this modern, techno age. No wonder, with each festival, be it Diwali or Pongal, Lohri or Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturti or Id-Ul-Fitr, India comes bursting with exuberance and joy. She smiles and makes us smile. Inspite of India being a country of contrasts with so many different languages, caste, food and customs, when it is festival time, all of her children come together to engage in each other’s festivity with same vigor and enthusiasm as they would, if it was theirs.
Festival is a very strange time in an NRI’s life. While it is a joyous occasion, on the other hand, the absence of your parents and relatives lowers your enthusiasm and often becomes one of those times when you repent being here and re-think about going back. For some NRIs, festival is a happy, sad moment. For them, no sweet can be as relishing as Ma ka haath ka ladoos. No music can be as amusing as the clatter and clamor in the neighborhood back in India. And no temple will be good enough for a heartfelt prayer. However, for an Indian, whether he resides in India or elsewhere, festivals will always remain as special days because it is a significant part of his lineage and his habits.
We, Indians, long for festivals, and why we shouldn’t. After all, a festival is that refreshing day when we break the repetitive cycle of our everyday life. It gives us a reason to connect with our family members and an excuse to indulge in our favorite delicacies. Festival offers that rare chance when the rich and poor meet at the same temple and an opportunity to make peace with our foes. So, come on people, let’s take a pledge to celebrate the upcoming festivals with renewed vigor and energy. Let’s submerge in the colors of festivity, reminiscence India’s rich heritage, and once again take pride in being an Indian.
Thoughtful..festival time is fun but miss India so much.
That’s quite a description! I always miss India…especially during Festivals, I just want to run back.