This chapter was fun to read! From this chapter alone, India seems to be a pretty exciting place. There are hundreds of different festivals each year in India--from domestic events to large Indian holidays. I realize that not all people participate in all festivities, but it seems that at any given time in India, there is some type of festival or special activity going on somewhere. Apparently communities even compete to put on the best display or hire the most popular musicians for some local festivals. One of the festivals I enjoyed reading about what the festival for Ganesh's birthday. Ganesh is one of the gods worshipped by Hindu's. For Ganesh's birthday there is a procession to the sea where celebrants immerse Ganesh images in the water. These images can be anything from pictures to large clay replicas of the deity. While in India, I was actually able to see some of these large idols made to celebrate Ganesh's birthday. These statues were so elaborate and artistically beautiful--it amazes me that they were made with the purpose of being thrown in a river! On the day after the festival, the waters of Mumbai are tinted with paints from the decorations. I bet this is an interesting site to see! So many people come to celebrate Ganesh's birthday that it's polluting the water to an extent that environmentalists become concerned over the toxins in the water!
Another interesting festival is Holi. This is celebrated on the lunar year's end. For this holiday people get to violate normal rules of social respect. For example, children are allowed to mock adults, women can tease men, and men horseplay with one another. If you ask me, this sounds like a pretty funny festival to attend!
For the seasons of the year, there are different festivals to represent those seasons. Spring festivals conclude the winter season and begin the hot. This festival is for hopes of a good crop. The fall festivals mark the harvest, the cold season is a time for cattle fairs and weddings, and the hot season is the time of the Goddess. Pilgrimages are also popular festivals. These can include a trip to the Ganges to spread ashes of a deceased parent, or a trip to a nearby shrine, or a trip across India to a particular place. I am amazed at all of the festivals and activities that take place in India! With all that goes on, we are bound to end up being in India during at least one festival this summer!
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