Festivals

**__Holi__**
Holi is a 1 to 5 day spring festival. It represents good over evil. Bonfires are lit and powder and dye is thrown everywhere. The grand finale normally takes place on full moon day so the night before is called small Holi. Children light bonfires and sing and dance. By throwing in all the dead leaves and twigs, represents the evil spirits being thrown into the fire. People run out onto the streets and anyone they see will throw bright colours of blue, red, pink and many more. I think it would be an amazing sight to see all these different colours being thrown everywhere.

//All the different coloured powders, ready to be thrown!//

**__Shivaratri__**
This festival is in honor of Shiva, a god that Hindus believe in. The name of the festival means, 'Great night of Shiva.' Every night of the full moon people pray to Shiva, but this one night is very important. It is believed it was the night Shiva did a cosmic dance from creation to destruction. Milk is poured on the lingam, which is his symbol. This is to honor Shiva.

//Shiva//

**__Janmashtami__**
This festival celebrates Krishna's birthday. Hindus believe that Krishna was born at midnight. In the evening the community meets at the mandir and move lamps in front of statues. This is called the arti ceremony. Hindus don't eat until midnight. People dance and sing religious songs too. At midnight everyone will share a big meal, sweets or fruit. //Krishna//

**__Dussehra__**
This festival is one of the most significant and celebrated all over Hindu festival. It is when Lord Ram defeated demon King Ravana, people celebrated the victory of good over evil. They burn an image of Ravana to celebrate. It is a ten day celebration, I think this is because the war between Ravana and Ram went on for ten days. Ravana had kidnapped Ram's wife, Sita. In the end Ram rescued his wife and killed Ravana. The story is to remind Hindus that good always wins over evil.

//Lord Ram fighting demon king Ravana.//

__**Ganesh Chaturthi**__
Ganesh is a popular god, having an elephant head. The festival is in honor of Ganesh's birthday. The festival is in August/September, the celebration goes on for ten days. The festival dates for 2009 were August 23rd to September 3rd. In Western India people make clay images of Ganesha's head and place them in their house to pray to. He is worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good luck.

//Everyone celebrating Ganesh's birthday!//