commercialization of festivals.

Commercialization of Festivals has eaten in to essence of  why we celebrate the festivals.and also accused by many  of being a sacrilege. A main concern especially for environmentalists is the Commercialization of Diwali  and use of Fire crackers, which cause various types of Pollution which make conditions worse for humans as well as animals.

Our lives today are very fast paced, commercialized and digitized. Most festivals and their way of celebrations have under gone a drastic change to these changing lifestyles. I dont think there is any festivals that is being celebrated with same pomp and gaiety as in our childhood. Many festivals have even vanished from the scene. Today festivals are more about getting decked up and taking selfies to upload in social media than anything else.

I am not an ardent follower of festivals, for me it means more of a one day holiday and rest than anything else. But i still try to celebrate and prepare for it the best possible way for my kids to understand the importance and significance  of these festivals.

Many festivals especially Deepawali, Rakshabandhan and Karva Choth have monery angle.  It appears that Holi is the only festival of mirth and joy without any connection with money motive. 

It is not just Hindu festivities but even other religious festivals too have become commercialized. It is more pomp and show rather than substance 

Commercialization of Festival force people to go for expenditure that is not necessary. If we think of festivals as simply indulging ourselves and spending money, it ruins the very purpose of religious celebrations.

I remember the attraction of festivals as child. I think it was one of the limited sources of celebration and entertainment that we had. So it was awaited for and we cherished that- new dresses, traditional delicacies, being with family and friends.... the joy enticed us to the festivals. Now with plenty surrounding our life in day to day life, these small happiness and occasions have lost that touch

During Diwali, there is a belief that people should buy gold to please Goddess Lakshmi. In fact there is no rule like that. This is a glaring example for commercialization of festivals.

Festivals are now less and less connected with religion, giving etc and are now becoming more of events and parties where there is plenty of shopping, foods, show of wealth etc. Hardly one ever stops and gives a thought to the real meaning of the festivals. Be it Ganeshotsav, Eid, Diwali, Christmas or whatever. Festivals were supposed to be a time where people could take a breather from their daily routines, indulge in special foods, give what they had to the ones less fortunate etc. But are now reduced to a splurging of wealth and indulging in their own fantasies.

The simplicity in life have been overshadowed by exhibitionism. And so has happened to our festivals. Moreover, things that were part of our rituals around festivals no longer exist. I remember our Diwali preparation started a month before Diwali and we, the children around would take a pride in helping with all the chores- Cleaning, preparing wicks out of old cotton saris of my grandmother, helping with all the making of snacks and sweets etc.. So much of excitement was built around festivals. Now in the busy schedule we outsource most of our work So the hand and heart do not participate for the celebration, it is only head ( our intellect) that is a part of it. Everything is available ready made but excitement and fun can not be bought readymade

When everything around has changed the way we celebrate festivals also has to change.Outsourcing is because families are nuclear now and increasingly women are employed.Comptetion iscforcing children to devote more time to education and career building.Comparisons are not proper between today and distant past. Yes festivals are flash marketing leading to good turn over forcall concerned.Enjoy the festivals rather than usual microanalysis. Happy Diwali.

usha manohar wrote:

It is not just Hindu festivities but even other religious festivals too have become commercialized. It is more pomp and show rather than substance 

Celebration of festivals are not new one. We Indians are celebrating festivals for centuries. It depends on us how we will celebrate these. In these dayspeople have enough money in hand so they are spending it. Not only Deepawali, Rakshbandhan are Indian festivals, Idd. Gurupurv, Mahvir Jaynti and all festivals of Indian states are Indian festivals.

anil wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

It is not just Hindu festivities but even other religious festivals too have become commercialized. It is more pomp and show rather than substance 

Celebration of festivals are not new one. We Indians are celebrating festivals for centuries. It depends on us how we will celebrate these. In these dayspeople have enough money in hand so they are spending it. Not only Deepawali, Rakshbandhan are Indian festivals, Idd. Gurupurv, Mahvir Jaynti and all festivals of Indian states are Indian festivals.

But I can say that on a lighter note of one benefit that this commercialization has brought other than promoting consumerism and business--diluting the social and religious barriers among communities. For e.g, I do not have any memory of Christmas celebration during my childhood. But now it has become a regular celebration in our house and Santa is waited for the long year by my daughters. Same is for Halloween, which was never in our continent. My Muslim friends enjoy to grab the best offers during Diwali, while I wait for Id to buy the most authentic ethnic anarkali or plazo set from the vast collection launched during that time. 

Festivals are not meant to be opportunities for financial gain for Brands and companies. They are meant to be occasions for religious observance and for people to understand and respect the meaning behind them. 

Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:

Festivals are now less and less connected with religion, giving etc and are now becoming more of events and parties where there is plenty of shopping, foods, show of wealth etc. Hardly one ever stops and gives a thought to the real meaning of the festivals. Be it Ganeshotsav, Eid, Diwali, Christmas or whatever. Festivals were supposed to be a time where people could take a breather from their daily routines, indulge in special foods, give what they had to the ones less fortunate etc. But are now reduced to a splurging of wealth and indulging in their own fantasies.

Very true Kalyani, it is more a show than any meaningful celebration where people realise the importance of the occasion. I must add here that most of the Hindu festivals end up messing up the cities unlike the minorities..after Ganesh visarjan all water bodies get polluted and after Diwali the entire city is filled with the debris. Unless people take care and clean up the mess , there is no point blaming the authorities or the govt ..

usha manohar wrote:

Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:

Festivals are now less and less connected with religion, giving etc and are now becoming more of events and parties where there is plenty of shopping, foods, show of wealth etc. Hardly one ever stops and gives a thought to the real meaning of the festivals. Be it Ganeshotsav, Eid, Diwali, Christmas or whatever. Festivals were supposed to be a time where people could take a breather from their daily routines, indulge in special foods, give what they had to the ones less fortunate etc. But are now reduced to a splurging of wealth and indulging in their own fantasies.

Very true Kalyani, it is more a show than any meaningful celebration where people realise the importance of the occasion. I must add here that most of the Hindu festivals end up messing up the cities unlike the minorities..after Ganesh visarjan all water bodies get polluted and after Diwali the entire city is filled with the debris. Unless people take care and clean up the mess , there is no point blaming the authorities or the govt ..

I fully agree to both of you. In fact , we have awareness and spreading awareness programs against crackers in full swing. I am just back from my shopping. I could still see people spending like mads over crackers. Money can buy crackers and what about the adverse effects on environment. People just ignore it. We do so much of cleaning before the festival and post festival, the city is full of debris and the effect on environment is there for generations to suffer.  I wonder if that is an indication to Goddess Laxmi to leave till next year. 

How can celebration be so stupid and insensitive??? 

On Ganesh Visarjan day, One man is made up like Ganesh. And all through the way Vulgarity  in its worst form  is displayed. And  in the Pendal,People dance to  Cheap cinema  songs.  This is a common scene that can be seen on all the days of Ganesh puja.  It is the same condition in Other Festivals.

Arunima Singh wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:

Festivals are now less and less connected with religion, giving etc and are now becoming more of events and parties where there is plenty of shopping, foods, show of wealth etc. Hardly one ever stops and gives a thought to the real meaning of the festivals. Be it Ganeshotsav, Eid, Diwali, Christmas or whatever. Festivals were supposed to be a time where people could take a breather from their daily routines, indulge in special foods, give what they had to the ones less fortunate etc. But are now reduced to a splurging of wealth and indulging in their own fantasies.

Very true Kalyani, it is more a show than any meaningful celebration where people realise the importance of the occasion. I must add here that most of the Hindu festivals end up messing up the cities unlike the minorities..after Ganesh visarjan all water bodies get polluted and after Diwali the entire city is filled with the debris. Unless people take care and clean up the mess , there is no point blaming the authorities or the govt ..

I fully agree to both of you. In fact , we have awareness and spreading awareness programs against crackers in full swing. I am just back from my shopping. I could still see people spending like mads over crackers. Money can buy crackers and what about the adverse effects on environment. People just ignore it. We do so much of cleaning before the festival and post festival, the city is full of debris and the effect on environment is there for generations to suffer.  I wonder if that is an indication to Goddess Laxmi to leave till next year. 

How can celebration be so stupid and insensitive??? 

Festivals are not responsible for this stupid and insensitive, we people are responsible for it. Bursting crackers is old tradition. But now time is changed our environment can not bear this pollution. Before 50 years we had not vehicles and factories like at present.

Fully agree. Bursting crackers might be an old tradition but the need of hour is to save the environment for us and our next generation. We have changed a lot of our traditions owing to our changing scenario. Lets change a few for good. For our environment and for our next generations future.

anil wrote:

Arunima Singh wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:

Festivals are now less and less connected with religion, giving etc and are now becoming more of events and parties where there is plenty of shopping, foods, show of wealth etc. Hardly one ever stops and gives a thought to the real meaning of the festivals. Be it Ganeshotsav, Eid, Diwali, Christmas or whatever. Festivals were supposed to be a time where people could take a breather from their daily routines, indulge in special foods, give what they had to the ones less fortunate etc. But are now reduced to a splurging of wealth and indulging in their own fantasies.

Very true Kalyani, it is more a show than any meaningful celebration where people realise the importance of the occasion. I must add here that most of the Hindu festivals end up messing up the cities unlike the minorities..after Ganesh visarjan all water bodies get polluted and after Diwali the entire city is filled with the debris. Unless people take care and clean up the mess , there is no point blaming the authorities or the govt ..

I fully agree to both of you. In fact , we have awareness and spreading awareness programs against crackers in full swing. I am just back from my shopping. I could still see people spending like mads over crackers. Money can buy crackers and what about the adverse effects on environment. People just ignore it. We do so much of cleaning before the festival and post festival, the city is full of debris and the effect on environment is there for generations to suffer.  I wonder if that is an indication to Goddess Laxmi to leave till next year. 

How can celebration be so stupid and insensitive??? 

Festivals are not responsible for this stupid and insensitive, we people are responsible for it. Bursting crackers is old tradition. But now time is changed our environment can not bear this pollution. Before 50 years we had not vehicles and factories like at present.

Environment Pollution, Noise Pollution endangers all of us.

rambabu wrote:

anil wrote:

Arunima Singh wrote:

usha manohar wrote:

Kalyani Nandurkar wrote:

Festivals are now less and less connected with religion, giving etc and are now becoming more of events and parties where there is plenty of shopping, foods, show of wealth etc. Hardly one ever stops and gives a thought to the real meaning of the festivals. Be it Ganeshotsav, Eid, Diwali, Christmas or whatever. Festivals were supposed to be a time where people could take a breather from their daily routines, indulge in special foods, give what they had to the ones less fortunate etc. But are now reduced to a splurging of wealth and indulging in their own fantasies.

Very true Kalyani, it is more a show than any meaningful celebration where people realise the importance of the occasion. I must add here that most of the Hindu festivals end up messing up the cities unlike the minorities..after Ganesh visarjan all water bodies get polluted and after Diwali the entire city is filled with the debris. Unless people take care and clean up the mess , there is no point blaming the authorities or the govt ..

I fully agree to both of you. In fact , we have awareness and spreading awareness programs against crackers in full swing. I am just back from my shopping. I could still see people spending like mads over crackers. Money can buy crackers and what about the adverse effects on environment. People just ignore it. We do so much of cleaning before the festival and post festival, the city is full of debris and the effect on environment is there for generations to suffer.  I wonder if that is an indication to Goddess Laxmi to leave till next year. 

How can celebration be so stupid and insensitive??? 

Festivals are not responsible for this stupid and insensitive, we people are responsible for it. Bursting crackers is old tradition. But now time is changed our environment can not bear this pollution. Before 50 years we had not vehicles and factories like at present.

Environment Pollution, Noise Pollution endangers all of us.

Who will control it?