Hindu Concepts through the Festivals – Sushma Sahajpal

Hinduism is often considered challenging to teach as there is no single source of authority to quote, founder to research or tradition to study; instead a range of devoutly followed spiritual paths and variations of practice across India and the world.

Notwithstanding, there are key ideas that can unlock understanding of Hinduism (or Sanatan Dharma as most Hindus would call their faith). The easiest way to access concepts in the classroom is through the Festivals. These neatly encapsulate both abstract Hindu philosophy and rich folk wisdom within the cultural traditions through the associated food, clothes, dance, music, mantras and stories.

A primary Hindu concept is that all creation is inherently divine in nature, and so is to be dealt with as sacred, respected and indeed celebrated. This explains the sheer number of festivals. It has been said that Hindus celebrate everything. The births & victories of deities, the new moon, full moon, new year, equinoxes & solstices, initiations, planting, harvest, plus a range of more localised festivals depending on the geographical region or strength of devotion to local deities.

India has arguably more national holidays than any other country, and prides itself on giving equal respect to non-Hindu religious festival holidays such as Christmas and Eid. This highlights a second key Hindu idea: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: the world is one family.

Interestingly, even though some Festivals are celebrated across India, the linked stories vary widely. The apparent contradictions and profusion of interpretations is possibly not surprising for the world’s oldest living religion, but the fact that Hindus are so relaxed about this highlights a third key Hindu idea, that of inherent pluralism. The ancient Rig Veda states: Truth is One, though the sages know it variously (Ékam sat vipra bahudā vadanti). Thus diversity is considered a natural consequence of being human and having different experiences. Thus India has a tradition of giving asylum to outsiders of all faiths throughout history, recorded as far back as 70BC from the arrival of Jewish people after the Destruction of their Temple, those communities still thrive in India, to famous present day refugees such as the Dalai Lama in exile from Tibet. This natural pluralism makes the range of festivals just as fascinating to Hindus and you may find Hindu children in your classroom offering alternative perspectives the one being taught, which is to be welcomed as it adds to the children’s appreciation of inherent diversity.

In running Hinduism Days, I’ve found certain festivals lend themselves to bringing a creative enrichment element into school as well as exemplifying key underlying Hindu concepts.

Here are a few universally celebrated ones I would recommend that you may know from your Agreed Syllabus.

October 13 2015: Autumn Navratri (as I write this)

Seasonal transition: Nine nights dedicated to the Power Goddess (Shakti) consorts of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva respectively. This includes an exciting battle story of the primary Shakti, Durga, a traditional circle dance and the opportunity to encounter the notion of God as divine Mother as well as Father.

October 22: Dussehra

commemorates Prince Rama defeating the wicked king Ravana of Lanka (as it was known then) and rescuing his kidnapped wife Princess Sita. There is a traditional burning in effigy of Ravana, not unlike ‘burning the Guy’, as part of celebrating this victory of Good over Evil.

November 11 2015: Diwali

Arguably the most celebrated of modern Hindu festivals, an engaging story of the triumphant return of Rama & Sita to their beloved kingdom after 14 years of exile and many trials. Diwali includes many celebratory traditions, the most symbolic being the lighting of lamps. Occurring on the darkest night of the year, the lights celebrate the victory of hope over despair and light (of knowledge) over the darkness (of ignorance). Hindus clear & decorate their homes and doorsteps to symbolically welcome Divine presence into their homes and hearts as they begin a New (Hindu/Lunar) year.

March 24 2016: Holi

Spring festival of colours – whilst of Hindu origin, traditionally all faiths enter into the fun and joy of celebrating the coming of Spring.

April 8: Spring Navatri – marking the opposite seasonal shift

April 15 Ram Navami: the birth of Rama – a fascinating birth story & opportunity to introduce the key concept of Avatar

Aug 18 Raksha Bandhan – a festival that celebrates selfless human love as exemplified in traditional Hindu society as that between a brother and a sister. Some wonderful classroom learning around this!

Aug 24/25 Krishna Janamashtami the magical midnight birth & childhood stories of the Avatar Krishna

A short summary of each festival (for all faiths, in fact) is available on the RE:Online website’s Festival Calendar https://www.reonline.org.uk/festival-calendar/ by clicking on the relevant month. It also offers links to other relevant websites so worth a look for deeper enquiry.

I hope this has given a good flavour of the range of festivals you could look at in school and ways to both enjoy them and deepen understanding of this fascinating faith!

Sushma Sahajpal

Hindu Representative for Bucks SACRE

Creative education consultant at www.connectar.co.uk