India is a country of diverse cultures and traditions, and festivals play an important role in the lives of people. Celebrations of festivals in India have undergone significant changes over the years due to various factors, such as globalization, modernization, and socio-economic developments.
India is a rich country with different cultures but there is a change in the way we celebrate festivals now. In this essay, we will discuss the ways in which the way of celebrating festivals has changed in India. However, amidst all these changes, festivals continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Indians and are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Commercialisation - One of the significant changes in the way of celebrating festivals is the commercialization of festivals. Festivals in India have become an occasion for businesses to make profits. As a result, many traditional celebrations have been replaced by commercial activities like shopping, discounts, and sales. For instance, during Diwali, the festival of lights, people now buy more electronic gadgets and home appliances than traditional sweets and gifts.
Shift - Another change is the shift from traditional ways of celebrating festivals to modern ones. Earlier, festivals were celebrated in a traditional way with customs and rituals passed down from generation to generation. But with modernization, the way of celebrating festivals has also modernized. People now celebrate festivals by organizing parties, going on trips, and indulging in various activities that are not traditionally associated with the festival. For instance, Holi, the festival of colours, is now celebrated with dance parties and music events.
Technology - Technology has also played a significant role in changing the way of celebrating festivals. With the advent of technology, people can now celebrate festivals virtually, especially during the pandemic when social distancing has become a norm. People can participate in online poojas and virtual celebrations, thus making festivals more accessible and inclusive. This shift towards virtual celebrations has made festivals more technology-driven than ever before.
Influence- The way of celebrating festivals has also changed due to the influence of western culture. People now celebrate festivals like Valentine’s Day and Halloween, which were previously unknown in India. These celebrations have been incorporated into the Indian culture and are celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially among the younger generation. The way of celebrating festivals has also become more environment-friendly in recent years. With the increasing awareness of environmental issues, people are now celebrating festivals in an eco-friendly way. For instance, during Ganesh Chaturthi, people are now using eco-friendly idols made of clay and natural colours instead of plaster of Paris and chemical-based colours.
