FOOD
A lactovegetarian diet is followed by most Hindus. A lactovegetarian diet means there is no meat, poultry or fish, no eggs, but milk products are allowed. Beef is forbidden, as the cow is considered sacred in Hinduism. The cow is respected in Hinduism and the very name for the cows is aghnaya which means “not to be killed”. Five products of the cow are milk, curd, ghee, urine and dung are used in worship (puja). Those who don't follow a lactovegetarian diet still do not eat beef.
There are many fasting days and periods in the Hindu calendar, some days have only some restrictions such as only eating plant foods.There are at least 18 feast days a year. Dates change because they are in accordance with the lunar calendar. The feast days include Holi, Ramnavamni, Dusshera, Pongal, Janmashtami, and Diwali. Food also plays an important role in the celebration of birthdays and marriages as well as funeral rituals.
Hindus believe providing food for the poor and needy and to the devout is good karma. Hindu temples often distribute food to people at the end of religious ceremonies. Brahmins may have restrictions on who prepares their food and how it is stored.
There are many fasting days and periods in the Hindu calendar, some days have only some restrictions such as only eating plant foods.There are at least 18 feast days a year. Dates change because they are in accordance with the lunar calendar. The feast days include Holi, Ramnavamni, Dusshera, Pongal, Janmashtami, and Diwali. Food also plays an important role in the celebration of birthdays and marriages as well as funeral rituals.
Hindus believe providing food for the poor and needy and to the devout is good karma. Hindu temples often distribute food to people at the end of religious ceremonies. Brahmins may have restrictions on who prepares their food and how it is stored.
MAJOR FESTIVALS
Festival of Lights:
Diwali is the biggest of all Hindu festivals, it is the festival of lights. It is marked by four days of celebration, which literally lights up the country with its brilliance, and impresses all with its joy and celebration. Each of the four days of the festival is separated by a unique tradition, but they are all a celebration of life and it's enjoyment. Historically, the origin of the festival of lights is often traced back to ancient India, when it is estimated to be a harvest festival. Some believe it to be the celebration of the wedding of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu All of the rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and also the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.
There is also a tradition of gambling on Diwali. The story behind it is that it is believed that on this day, goddess Parvati played dice along with her husband, Lord Shiva. She decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the following year. Diwali is related to wealth and prosperity in some ways, and the festival of 'Dhanteras' is celebrated two days before the festival of lights. In every legend of Diwali lies the importance of the victory of good over evil. From darkness to light, the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to sensible deeds, that which brings us nearer to deities.
Festival of Colours:
Holi, the festival of colours is a boisterous occasion when Hindus smear each other with the bright colours. It is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March. Holi celebrates good harvest and fertility of land. Holi a joyful time in India because it takes place during the spring harvest during which there are many crops and lots of food. Based on this are other names for Holi: 'Vasant Mahotsava' and 'Kama Mahotsava'. During the festival of colours, practices, which at other times could be considered offensive, are allowed and are common in society. Squirting colored water on strangers in the street, dunking friends in mud, getting intoxicated on bhaang and reveling with companions is acceptable during Holi. Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules. Many tourists travel to India to part take in this festival as well as Diwali.
Diwali is the biggest of all Hindu festivals, it is the festival of lights. It is marked by four days of celebration, which literally lights up the country with its brilliance, and impresses all with its joy and celebration. Each of the four days of the festival is separated by a unique tradition, but they are all a celebration of life and it's enjoyment. Historically, the origin of the festival of lights is often traced back to ancient India, when it is estimated to be a harvest festival. Some believe it to be the celebration of the wedding of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu All of the rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and also the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.
There is also a tradition of gambling on Diwali. The story behind it is that it is believed that on this day, goddess Parvati played dice along with her husband, Lord Shiva. She decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the following year. Diwali is related to wealth and prosperity in some ways, and the festival of 'Dhanteras' is celebrated two days before the festival of lights. In every legend of Diwali lies the importance of the victory of good over evil. From darkness to light, the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to sensible deeds, that which brings us nearer to deities.
Festival of Colours:
Holi, the festival of colours is a boisterous occasion when Hindus smear each other with the bright colours. It is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March. Holi celebrates good harvest and fertility of land. Holi a joyful time in India because it takes place during the spring harvest during which there are many crops and lots of food. Based on this are other names for Holi: 'Vasant Mahotsava' and 'Kama Mahotsava'. During the festival of colours, practices, which at other times could be considered offensive, are allowed and are common in society. Squirting colored water on strangers in the street, dunking friends in mud, getting intoxicated on bhaang and reveling with companions is acceptable during Holi. Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules. Many tourists travel to India to part take in this festival as well as Diwali.
DAILY LIFE
In addition to the regular activities associated with someone’s job/career (varna dharma) and their current stage in life (shrama dharma), the daily routine of a devout Hindu is to perform five daily duties. These five practices have been written in sacred texts to help guide a person through everyday life in a peaceful and spiritual way.
1. Worship god in the form of a family deity. The devata should be the object of all prayers and meditations. This helps create a divine presence in someone’s consciousness, during all daily activities. Family members are often encouraged to worship together so that it united the entire family with the energy generated during worship. Families pray together with the hopes that it will bring and keep them close to each other.
2. Study Vedas and other scriptures. This practice refreshes one’s mind with sacred knowledge and also helps to preserve and enrich this sacred knowledge.
3. Contemplating teachings of the sages, saints, holy men and women, and one’s forefathers in order to preserve, enrich and continue cultural heritage and family values.
4. Give food for those in need. This is to create the spirit of sharing with others.
5. Serve all people, irrespective of their status with love, respect and reverence This practice is the basis for the traditional hospitality of Hindu households.
Daily life also consists of things like following the dietary restrictions, meditating, doing yoga and working/learning.
1. Worship god in the form of a family deity. The devata should be the object of all prayers and meditations. This helps create a divine presence in someone’s consciousness, during all daily activities. Family members are often encouraged to worship together so that it united the entire family with the energy generated during worship. Families pray together with the hopes that it will bring and keep them close to each other.
2. Study Vedas and other scriptures. This practice refreshes one’s mind with sacred knowledge and also helps to preserve and enrich this sacred knowledge.
3. Contemplating teachings of the sages, saints, holy men and women, and one’s forefathers in order to preserve, enrich and continue cultural heritage and family values.
4. Give food for those in need. This is to create the spirit of sharing with others.
5. Serve all people, irrespective of their status with love, respect and reverence This practice is the basis for the traditional hospitality of Hindu households.
Daily life also consists of things like following the dietary restrictions, meditating, doing yoga and working/learning.