Encyclopaedia of Festivals (Set of 2 Volumes)

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India is a big country; its vastness has resulted in a variety of conditions viz., socio-religious, economic, political, linguistic, etc. and due to these varieties the country manifests rich cultural and religious heritage. It is under the umbrella of this kaleidoscopic heritage that there is a festival for every reason and for every season in India. Undoubtedly, India is a land of myriad festivals, in rhythm with the cycle of the seasons, with sowings and harvesting, and around them have grown legends, often depicting the victory of good over evil. But, each festival- be it at national, state or local level-is unique in style and is characterised by colour, gaiety, enthusiasm, feasts, prayers, rituals, pageantry, fun and frolic. Owing to these pompous and colourful festivals, the Indian society reflects a glimpse of the vast heritage as well as contemporary dynamism of its culture through the ages. Foreign travellers, however, are struck by the scale and multiplicity of Indian festivals that have evolved in the Indian society.

It is hoped that the present work Encyclopaedia of Festivals will be well received in the Indian sub- continent and elsewhere.

USHA SHARMA (b. 1951) after obtaining post-graduation in English Literature from Panjab University opted for the teaching profession in 1976. She has a long teaching experience and has attended many educational seminars and workshops. She has to her credit a number of publications including Kashmir Through the Ages, Women's Education in India, Rajasthan Through the Ages, Development of Child in India, Cultural and Religious Heritage of India, Marriage in Indian Society, Encyclopaedia of Higher Education: The Indian Perspective, Discovery of North-East India, Documents on North-East India, Child Labour in India and Female Labour in India.

Down through the history of mankind, festivals form an integral and important part of civilization, life and culture of a people. The word 'festival' owes its s origin to festivity, ie, an occasion to celebrate, feel happy and involves others in these celebrations. As it intends to mean institutionalized religious observances, the occasion shows a sense of unity to a community, to the followers of a religion or to the whole countrymen. Festivities, as a result of festivals, lead to regimentation. In a festival, one family does not rejoice alone, but the whole community is seen in a jubilant mood. Festivals enliven social milieu by uniting and bringing people together in joyful celebration of significant events and in shared remembrance of a common past. However, in many parts of the world, traditional festivals have given way under the impact of changes in religious institutions, customs and beliefs.

Festivals have their own reasons, i.e. they may be due to the victory of good over evil, the birth of the founder of a religion or a great event or achievement of a community in the past. The festivals may also be at the termination of a long spell of fasting. In the life of a country, there are occasions like the end of slavery or dawn of independence or riding the country of a tyrant monarch and transition to democratic set of the country, and they acquire the form of national festival. Such festivals are celebrated by all countrymen together, irrespective of religion or community. Further, some festivals are tragic which are concerned with the glorious tradition of self-sacrifice, i.e. martyrdom of a Guru, prophet and alike. However, the celebration of such festivals is not merrymaking but it excels in remembering the noble qualities of the noble souls. There are gatherings which unfold those great personalities in the form of lectures, vachans, poetic tributes, i.e. elegies, qaseedahs and marsiahs. No doubt, these tragic and other celebrations inspire the younger souls of that community to amulate the examples of such greatmen and keep their memories alive for posterity.