Indian Festivals: Scientific Reasons Behind Rituals and Customs

A Speech On Indian Festivals
Name: Anusha Bontha
Topic: Indian Festivals
General Purpose: To Inform
Specific Purpose: After listening to my speech, my audience will have a better understanding of the scientific and practical explanations behind certain
rituals and customs of Indian festivals.
I.Introduction
A.Many of us identify Indian festivals to be of colorful dresses and rituals, rainbow of food choices and lots of music and dancing.
B.Have any of you ever wondered the reasons behind all this pomp and show?
C.According to Kunzig from National Geographic, India has a population of over 7 billion."
1.Dallas area is a cultural "hot–spot" for Indians, especially for festivals.
a.According to Boardman, "Census numbers show that from 2000 to 2010, the population more than doubled, going from 49,181 to 106,964 for Collin,
Dallas, Denton, Rockwall and Tarrant counties."
D.Today, I am going to be telling you about the scientific reasoning behind certain Indian customs and rituals for festivals.
E.We will be looking into two main festivals – Deepavali, the festival of lights, and Holi, the festival of colors.
F.First, I will give an introduction of the festivals and then talk into more details about the time of the year these two festivals come in and the
environmental conditions during these times. Finally, I will discuss more about the scientific significance behind the festivals' rituals and customs.
Let us start with a brief introduction about these two festivals: Diwali and Holi
II.Body
A.
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Holi Project Management Assignment
Project Requirement: As per project requirement as a team we need to select a project based on different criteria like timing of project, complexity,
probability of success and enjoyment of team. We need to execute the project as per the project management methodology and prepare different
documents during life cycle of the project starting from initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control and closure. One of the team member has
to take leadership role of project manager and guide the team during project execution. At the end of semester we need to submit a project notebook
with detailed summary of project and different documents generated during project. Final Project: "Holi": Festival of Colors, Project Notebook
Relating to...show more content...
During initiation, all of us came up with creative ideas for the project. We utilized the brain storming technique to evaluate and rank the different ideas
and selected the project with higher weighted average score. Everyone was satisfied with the fact that his/her idea was discussed in team meet and
given a thought.
Ability to Manage: To manage project effectively we decided to conduct weekly meeting with project team and discuss the different aspects of the
project. Before every meeting ,we used to share the agenda of meeting so that everyone will be well aware of the points to be discussed and put their
thoughts. We used email as well as SMS for the communication among team members. Our meeting was organized and fruitful in terms of outcome.
We also used to prepare minutes of meetings (MOM) and circulate to team members after meetings.
Balance: In this project before assigning of the task we have discussed and identified the interest area and technical capabilities of each member to
perform the task. we have enlisted the activities and made a responsibility matrix chart and traced the team members with tasks. to perform some
activities we created a sub team within team, where a sub team leader was accountable of deliverables and other team members assisting sub team
leader to complete the activity. We did periodic project performance review to monitor project

My Favourite Festivals In My Family
My family along with other Nepalese celebrate innumerable big festivals where food is one of the main rituals. Dashain, Tihar, Holi are some of
the big festivals in Nepal and during Tihar (my favorite festivals among all), my family makes special meals like Chini roti (made of soaked rice,
sugar, ghee), Nepali authentic meal (dal, bhat, masu) , sel roti (made of soaked rice, sugar, ghee, soda, milk, cashews) and other several foods.
These festivals are like Christmas and Thanksgiving for us. The festivals and food have direct associations and are very significant to make the
occasion more delightful. Every member of the family tries to gather during this occasion to celebrate. During this big event, we are unlimited just to
foods, but we can see small kids playing with firecrackers and kites, whereas old playing cards and drinking games. Unfortunately, I was unable to be
with my family for the 3rd time this year.
Most of the special foods that my family prepare during the occasions are made of rice flour, wheat flour, coconuts, cashews, and milk. We even
make our homemade sweet from milk. Nowadays, whenever I visit an Indian store, I look for these sweets so that I can buy them. If I have the option
to choose any dishes, I will definitely choose sweets made from milk. I even tried making it in my apartment, but did not turn out the way I wanted and
sadly had to throw out everything.
I still vividly remember the day that I started cooking. I was almost 10 years old, and my

What Is The Spring Festival Essay
Title: Spring Festival. Names: Sherry, Leila, Angel, Delia, Raymond, Simon, Cristiano. Date: on May twenty–third 2017. Spring Festival is Chinese
traditional festival, and it is also a national festival. It started in the Shang Dynasty. Spring Festival has a history of more than 4000 years. There are
some stories about the origin of Spring Festival, the most famous legend is the Nian beast. We have lots of customs about Spring Festival, such as
eating dumplings, handing out red envelopes, wearing new clothes, and so on. Spring Festival is different from the past and present, but it is also one
of the most important festival in China, and there are many ways to celebrate it. Nowadays, some people don't think highly of Spring Festival, so we
should protect this festival....show more content...
It also is a festival which in China is particular, the source of Spring Festival has a legend, there was a griffin named "Nian" in archaic China. Its
head with tentacles, it looked very ferocious. "Nian" was always living in the sea, when it's time to New Year's Eve. It climed to the shoreside. It
ate domestic animals and hurt people, so people ran away at Spring Festival to avoid it. One year, the village came an old pauper. During this time,
villagers were ready to run away, only an old woman gave him some food. The pauper said if she could leave him one night, he would expel the
griffin. At midnight, the griffin found it looked different this year. Every family put red pasters, the houses looked candlelight. It felt scared, then it
ran away and shouted loudly, so there was a saying "celebrating the New Year" that is Spring Festival. Spring festival is the most important of the
traditional Chinese festival. It is often called the Lunar New Year, especially by people in mainland China and Taiwan.

Festivals Essay
[pic]
[pic]
Jacqueline Calvo, BBus, CQU.
ABSTRACT:
Cultural industries implies a 'massification' of culture and entertainment, as such, festivals are found to be a cultural industry, involving large numbers
of people working in organisation, administration, promotion, marketing, and the creative and performing arts. Festivals come in different forms
including agricultural, cultural, historical, horticultural, and arts festivals to specific audiences and sub–cultures (fringe festivals). Culture is about,
and has been used to shape and to govern, identity; therefore as Australia is a multicultural country rich with a complex migrant history. Australia's
identity, as such, is demonstrated as festivals are perceived to be a vehicle for...show more content...
This is demonstrated as festivals and the arts activities are perceived to be a vehicle for 're–imaging' cities, playing a major role in the contemporary
marketing of Australian cities as national and global destination, for example, Sydney's annual Mardi Gras festival is considered to have an
international following as people come from all different parts of the world to participate (Cryle n.d.). As Bennet and Carter (2001, p. 5) point out,
Australian culture is itself an international culture, just as Australia is, in many fields, a culture exporting nation. Gibson (2001); and Trotter (in eds.
Bennet and Carter 2001 p. 4) states that above all, culture is about, and has been used to shape and to govern, identity; also Community–based arts,
festivals and cultural programs could be seen as a valuable way of exploring our Australian identity and developing a way to bring about diversity and
harmony within and between cultures.
Across the nation, festivals thrive, from national events (i.e. Australia Day and Anzac Day), major capital city events (i.e. The Sydney Royal Easter
Show, The AdelaideArts Festival) to street fairs in the smallest rural towns (i.e. Morpeth Jazz Festival, The Woodford Folk Festival). From festivals
celebrating 'gay' and 'lesbian' lifestyles to those that praise multiculturalism or rural life, barely a weekend passes in this drought–stricken land and
island

Essay On Ambubasi Fair
Ambubasi Fair – Guwahati
India is a country of different cultures and beliefs. The Hindu Religion consists of a major part of the country's population. The Hindu Traditions and
rituals have been celebrated and performed in the country from years and years. One such tradition is the Ambubasi Fair, celebrated at Kamkhaya
temple in Guwahati state. It is one of the much known fairs, which is celebrated in the North Eastern part of the country with zeal and fervour. The
festival is also known as the Kamkhaya Devi Puja
Attractions:
A number of beliefs related to the Hindu culture have been connected with the fair. The fair is of major importance to the Hindu Devotees, celebrated
at the Kamakhaya temple at Guwahati. The fair attracts a major chunk of devotes from all over the globe. Ambubasi is closely related to the tantric
rituals that are performed during this festival. Ambubachi Mela is also known as tantric fertility festival or the Ameti Fair. The fair spans over four
days. The festival attracts Tantric from India and abroad during the time of the festival. The accumulation of Sadhus and Tantrics and sale of locally
produced arts and crafts, make it interesting place to visit....show more content...
A major attraction of the festival is at the Kamkhaya temple, which is flooded by the pilgrims for four days to celebrate the festival. The festival is
spread across a span of four days. This festival is associated with yearly menstrual cycle of the goddess Kamkhaya. That's why Temple remains closed
for first 3days to give privacy and rest to Goddess. Visitors and pilgrims wait for 4th day to get auspicious dharshan of goddess

The Holi Event In The Hindu Religion
Holi
The Holi celebration is most commonly celebrated by the Hindu faith and is unique to its kind. It was a little out of the norm form for me because
this type of thing isn't what I have experienced ever in my life. There was a variety of colors and music that was played throughout the experience. The
Hindu people allowed guests to enter their temple, without shoes, and dance and worship along with them to their music. The day that Holi is celebrated
is known as the Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, it is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other. As part of their
worship experience they have bonfires that are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika Dahan or burning of Holika. The Hindu...show more
content...
The cheerful experience one has while singing, dancing, and throwing paint at one another illustrates the joy that one human being can have for
another. The religious people that help this festival function every year encourage those that are participating in the festivities to do so with
enthusiasm and excitement while directed towards the celebration of good conquering evil in the world. Throughout the experience there were many
people who seemed to be quite happy to a point of natural ecstasy of the experience. The religious leaders expressed that we don't have to be drunk or
high to experience the natural highs of life like this celebration has the ability to bring out in people.
Works Cited
(SCFI), S. f. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2011, from Holi:

Lafayette Holi: The Festival Of Girard Park
Did you see the cloud of color floating above Girard Park this weekend? That was Lafayette Holi. Holi is an important Hindu religious festival with
several purposes; celebrating the colors of spring, telling winter goodbye, and more traditionally honoring legends that good wins over evil, and the
virtue of truth. Communities coming together and throwing colored powder on each other and dancing celebrate the festival, also known as, the
Festival of Colors. Hindus believe Holi is a time for reconciliation and rebirth; a time to restore broken relationships and rid themselves of emotional
impurities. Lafayette Holi is celebrated every year in Girard Park on the last Saturday of March. The Acadiana Indian Association began hosting the
festival

Advantages Of Festivals In Bhutan
Bhutan Fairs and Festivals:
Bhutan is culturally rich and named for its ethnicity. A popular tourist spot embracing the Himalayas has so much to offer that it can easily termed a
dream destination accessible to the world that asks for beauty and simplicity. The religious festival of Bhutan is notably termed as "Tsechu". It is
celebrated 10th day of the month in accordance with the lunar calendar. During the festival, localities join together to witness the popular mask dances,
receive blessings and greet and meet people. The festivals comprises all the vibrant cultural programs associated with the Bhutanese. Indeed, if you get
to witness the festivals of Bhutan during your visit, then it is indeed a treat to your eyes.
Below are the list of Fun Fairs and Festivals celebrated;
1....show more content...
THIMPU TSECHU: A prominent and biggest festival of Bhutan, celebrated by a large group of people. As stated the festival is celebrated in pomp
for 5 days in Thimpu which is the capital of Bhutan. According to the lunar calendar, the festival is celebrated on the tenth day of the eighth month.
The festival has been attracting lot of crowds locally and also from the neighboring countries. The festivals has the famous masked dance and other
dances which are strictly performed only by the monks. The mask dances includes Shaw Shachi and Guru Tshengye and these forms were introduced
by King Jigme Dorji.
2.PARO TSECHU: Yet another Tsechu celebrated popularly in Bhutan. The festival consists of trained monks performing the mask dances. It is a
Buddhist festival and the main event of the festival is unfurling of silk thangka which is very big and it is considered most sacred blessings in Bhutan.
A festival that brings all the cultural vibrant at one place which attracts people all over Bhutan and also the neighboring

Festival and Its Environment Impact
Festivals of India
Indian festivals are both colourful and extremely joyous. People enjoy the festivals with family and friends. The religious significance of the festivals
too can hardly be denied. Here are some of the very popular festivals that take place throughout India. There are many festivals in India like Durga
Puja,Navratri,Dussehra,Ganesh Chaturthi,Holi,Diwali,etc.
In India, festivals do not just offer people a temporary reprieve from their daily grind. Imbued with deep inner significance, each festival is a
multifaceted celebration. The day on which a particular festival is celebrated has a special astrological significance, and certain observances on these
days yield manifold benefits. That is why Indian festivals are marked...show more content...
Plaster is a man–made material, easier to mould, lighter and less expensive than clay. However, plaster is non–biodegradable, and insoluble in water.
Moreover, the chemical paints used to adorn these plaster idols themselves contain heavy metals like mercury and cadmium, causing water pollution.
Also, on immersion, non–biodegradable accessories that originally adorned the idol accumulate in the layers of sand on the beach.
Recently there have been new initiatives sponsored by some state governments to produce clay Ganesha idols.[15]
On the final day of the Ganesh festival thousands of plaster idols are immersed into water bodies by devotees. These increase the level of acidity in the
water and the content of heavy metals.[16]
Holi
Holi is a spring festival celebrated as a festival of colours. It is a Hindu religious festival which has also become popular with people of other
communities. Holi is of particular significance in the Braj region, which includes locations traditionally connected to the Lord Krishna: Mathura,
Vrindavan, Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh, and Barsana, which become tourist destinations during the season of Holi.[1] As per the Hindu calendar, Holi is
celebrated on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon), which comes in February or March in the Gregorian Calendar.
Environmental Impact of Holi
An alleged environmental issue related

Advantages of Festivals
Advantages of Festivals – 1
Festivals celebration is the the culture we got from our past generations.According to the history these festivals are celebrated when they achieve
something (symbol of victory),or on the occasions where they are benefited (crop gain,happy with some gatherings etc).
These festival celebrattions have got following advantages:
1. Increase the relations among the people
2. Create an opportunity to the people of community to share their feeling and exchange their ideas and thoughts.Additional help to discuss their
problems also.
3.If we consider the families , they gather together and have some fun with all the relatives which is a great mental relaxation and enrich family
relations.
4.Will help to be...show more content...
These rituals for Indina festivals have been followed for past several centuries with the same respect that was used several hundred years ago.
Every Indian festival have different rituals and prayers that are followed. Every day of weekday have a differnt stories (see hindu fasts) and different
reason behind having these seven days.
Apart from just Hindu festivals there are also several muslim festivals that follow rituals of their own and is known as Azzan and is performed
when a child is born or after the new born baby is given its first bath. This ritual is followed and prayers are offered to god. This process is followed
so that the first name that the child hears is that of the god.
Hence festivals are more important for countries like india.
Advantages of Festivals – 3
Indian Festivals celebrated by varied cultures and through their special rituals add to the colours of Indian Heritage. Some festivals welcome the
seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, saints, and gurus

(revered teachers), or the advent of the New Year. A number of these festivals are common to most parts of India. However, they may be called by
different names in various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion.
Many festivals celebrate the various harvests; commemorate great historical figures and events, while many express devotion to the deities of different

Holi Research Paper
On following day, people celebrate Holi with great enthusiasm. People visit friends and families to spray colored water on them. People roam on
streets and throw colored water balloons on others. Some people that don't wish to get wet play with dry colors solely. The people on whom these
colors are sprayed doesn't get angry. In–fact, in most of the cases, they have their own stock of colors ready at hand. People clean their homes in
advance. They make tasty desserts and share it with friends and family. They enjoy cold drinks such as "thandai". Some adult also consume drinks that
are intoxicating. Importance: On this day, individuals forget their enmity and forgive each others. Even enemies become friends and play Holi together.
This festival fosters a sense of brotherhood among people....show more content...
People used to play Holi with home based herbs such haldi (turmeric), chandan (sandalwood), etc. In modern times, the use of artificial colors and dyes
has causes several health related

Speech On Value Of Diversity
Diversity is defined as "a state of being different" however, the meaning extends further than just culture and race. It is a concept which revolves around
acceptance and respect. Understanding each individual, their tradition, their belief, their uniqueness, and their importance in the community builds up
the true meaning of diversity.
The concept "Value of Diversity" refers to, understanding each other and moving beyond religion andculture to appreciate the person's principles and
their presence in the society. Valuing diversity teaches respecting individuality while maintaining respect for others. It helps us to highlight the
contributions of various groups in making up a community. As evident from the speech by Kofi Annan at Global Centre...show more content...
When the importance is known, no group would dominate the other to overpower it with their morals. The most rival groups, Hindu and Muslim will
also observe that 'Diwali' has the name 'Ali' and 'Ramadan' has the name 'Ram'. The two groups will come to realize that apart there minor differences,
there are similar ideas and concepts that can bring them together, a wall of hatred and dominance is futile. Hence, the wall must be demolished keeping
all the differences apart, and shaking their hands in the name of unity and

Facts About Holi-DID You KNOW?
FACTS ABOUT HOLI– DID YOU KNOW?
Holi the festival of colors is enjoyed and celebrated throughout Indian and has even spread out to the far west. The lively exchange of Abeer, the
bhang pellets dissolved in the lassi, the revelry in the air is what Holi means to every Indian. However, it is not just limited to colors. Here are some
interesting facts about Holi.
Fact 1: About Holi: The festival of Holi is celebrated on the full–moon day of Phalguna (February–March). The festival is celebrated by throwing
Abeer or colored powders and water upon each other irrespective of caste, gender, status, and age. After few hours of rambunctious celebrations with
colors, people get home, shower off the colors, wearing clean clothes, and thereafter visit friends and relatives.
Fact 2: The story of...show more content...
As Hindu mythology goes, Lord Vishnu had a devotee called Prahlad, who was the son of King Hriranyakashyap. The king did not approve of
Prahlad's devotion to Vishnu, before that to his own father. Hence, he tried several times to kill Prahlad, but the Lord miraculously saved him each
time. Hence, the king's sister tried tricking Prahlad into walking into a fire while herself clad in an invisible cloak to ward of the fire. However Lord
Vishnu saved his devotee, and Holika was burnt in the fire. The legend is the reason for the Holika Dahan, or burning an idol of Holika in a grand fire
made by people on Holi, till date.
Fact 3: the other story of Krishna–
Stories associated with Holi are varied. One such mythological tale goes thus that Lord Krishna was skeptical about the pretty Radha and her gopikas
finding him attractive. Tired of his incessant worries, Krishna's mother, Rukmini, convinces him to approach her and color her in a color of his
choice. Convinced by his mother, Lord Krishna colors Radha and till date, Holi is commemorated and celebrated as a festival of love.
Fact 4: The many names of the

Importance Of Spring Festival Essay
Spring Festival Festivals and traditions are important part of human cultural. Many countries has their special festivals and traditions: People in
Thailand celebrate Water–Sprinkling Festival at April every year. They splash water to each other and believe they can start a new year with beauty
and purity; Indian splash colorful powder to each other at March to express their best wishes; Spanish celebrate Carnival to show their love for
freedom and peace. China, which is a strong country with five–thousand–year history, has their own festivals as well and Spring Festival is them. There
are many unique traditions in this festival like lucky money and couplets. I believe these traditions should be maintained because it is cultural and
...show more content...
This festival includes knowledge and belief of Chinese for the last four thousand years. Through celebrating this festival, people can more
comprehensively understand Chinese culture, especially for children. They can learn some knowledge about history and culture and be proud of
their country. As the same time, it offers people a chance to reunite with their family. Many parents have to leave their children because they have
to work in other places. Spring Festival is almost the only chance that they can get along with their children face by face and enjoy the company
with their families. They can create many happy memories with their children by playing firecrackers and telling the story behind this festival to
them. Children will understand the love and hard working from parents. It is also an important period for people to refresh their mind and release
their soul so that they have energy and passion to face new challenges next year. Moreover, it creates a big market and promotes consumption. Before
the festival, people purchase food for reunion dinner and new clothes for their family. Firecrackers, couplets and other festival mementos are not only
essential for people to express good wishes to the new year, but also a big market to sell

Holi Case Study
As for the setting of Holi, I feel that setting of the park did contribute to the program because we know that parks are locations that unite and make
people interact and socialize with each other when there are activities occurring throughout the park. So in the case of this program, it received a variety
of individuals that are Indians and others that are not, which relates to this quotation "you can't change people. But if you change the environment then
the people will change"(Eisner, pg. 107), which explains that the people that are from different cultures that attended Holi will adapt to the setting as
they enter the event. The berm of this program would be that booths were set up in a box shape and where I entered from was elevated,

DIWALI -THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Essay
Diwali rituals
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the important and widely spread holidays celebrated in India. It is a celebration of lights, and for many, it is
truly a sensory experience; some families decorate their houses with all sorts of lights and open up to the neighbors, sharing their love and their food.
Those celebrating Diwali spend time with family and friends. They perform religious ceremonies to bring in wealth and prosperity for a new year,
cook and eat delicious food, design rangolis, light up their lives by lighting diyas (small earthen lamps), candles and sometimes, by lighting fireworks.
Diwali is celebrated in honor of the lord Rama, who on this day returned from a forest exile. Diwali is actually the...show more content...
All homes are decorated and lit up by Diyas.
The fourth day is called New Year of Bestavarsh. The fifth day is called Bhai Dhooj. It is about brothers and sisters. Diwali is a time for fun and joy.
On Diwali kids light firecrackers and everyone enjoys.
Diwali in the Modern World
A growing number of scholars and people debate the need and justification of using fire crackers to celebrate Diwali for a number of reasons. One
is the amount of money that goes into flames every year in the name of celebrations towards the purchase of firecrackers . Secondly, many
companies that are engaged in the manufacturing of these fire crackers said to employ child labor and hardly follow the safety rules or welfare
measures. Thirdly, there is hardly any control on the quality of the fire crackers manufactured by these companies, which often results in injuries
and deaths due to accidents or poor performance. Fourthly, it is not uncommon to see irresponsible youth in various parts of India using
firecrackers to tease women and trouble helpless people in streets and public places. Fifthly, excessive use of fire crackers often lead to communal
clashes and social tensions. It also exposes the children of poor families to a lot of despair and loss of self esteem when they see other children
playing with them. Lastly the firecrackers are a source of pollution, although on the positive side people claim that the smoke and smell drive away the
insects and clear the air.

Indian Festivals: Scientific Reasons Behind Rituals and Customs

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Indian Festivals: Scientific Reasons Behind Rituals and Customs