Celebrate festivals with caution

Festivals act like stress relievers and help us balance our emotions. More positivity naturally lowers negativity. It also provides an opportunity to reduce friction and brings estranged friends and relatives together in a bond of love. Nothing brings people together as festivals do. They play a pivotal role in nation-building; bringing people from every religious, economic, and social background together. If we look at the fascinating journey of human evolution, we understand that human beings do not invent or create something unless it is required. Festival is an auspicious day or period of religious or other celebration prevalent in all societies and religious communities. Festivals are an important part of our life. Most of the festivals in India are associated with religion. The Hindus are worshipers of many deities and naturally, Hindu festivals are many. Life is all about happiness and as human beings, social interaction with our fellow beings not only brings happiness but helps us grow our capacity to learn languages, familiarise ourselves with cultures, inquire, think, play and work. There is no written history to explain when festival celebrations started but in ancient Greece and Rome, festivals linked with religion, social organization, and political processes were celebrated. Agriculture, in addition to religion and folklore, has significantly contributed to the tradition of festivals. Many festivals across the planet are associated with the time of harvest. Religious festivals like Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, and Eid have gathered cultural significance over the centuries. Events of historical significance, such as important military victories or other nation-building events also provide the impetus for festivals. Festivals contribute immensely to feelings of social cohesion. Many such celebrations focus on cultural or ethnic topics and seek to inform community members of their traditions. They involve community elders sharing stories and experiences; setting templates for maintaining unity among families. Festivals have historically been a great source of entertainment especially before the advent of mass-produced entertainment. They divert peoples’ attention from their demanding lives and amuse them in their leisure time. We are dependent on social heritage, which is a mixture of customs, traditions, moral values, attitudes, festivals, folklore, beliefs, and ideas not only makes us who we are but binds us to pass it on from one generation to another. Festivals have both social and economic angles. In the chaotic and stressful planet, we inhabit, happiness is overshadowed by negativity and insecurity and so the need for something that could bring positivity has been felt time and again. Thus, festivals that give us the opportunity to forget all our worries and celebrate the positive side of life, even if it is for a few days, came into existence.