Top 5 Most Dangerous Festivals in the World
Top 5 most dangerous festivals in the world in which the death of people is celebrated with pomp. Human beings have a very deep and complicated relationship with death. Everyone knows that one day we all have to leave the world, yet we celebrate the sadness of someone’s departure for our whole life.
In Indian culture, mourning is celebrated when someone dies. But there are many such places around the world, where death is not mourned but celebrated. Your mind must have wandered after hearing this, but it is true that the festival of those who die is celebrated with great pomp all over the world.
It is just like any big ceremony. Those who celebrate the festival of the dead do not necessarily face death. In fact, they honor the dead who have passed away. So let’s know about the festivals that celebrate death around the world.
The Hungry Ghost Festival
The Hungry Ghost Festival is organized by Buddhist and Taoist people. People celebrate it in China, Malaysia, and Singapore on the 15th day of the month of July or August to honor their ancestors.
Different rituals are conducted in this festival like propitiating the deceased. People ritualistically keep cut-outs of cars, TVs, clocks, houses, etc., along with fake currency notes.
Joss paper is traditionally used to make these things, which are then burnt to satisfy the needs of the spirits. Interestingly, during family meals, some seats are kept empty for the ghosts.
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Samhain
Samhain is an ancient Gaelic and Celtic festival celebrated on 31 October and 1 November in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The line between the worlds of the living and the dead is said to be the thinnest during this time. Followers of Samhain leave food and drink outside their homes to appease the spirits who come to this world. Here people light bonfires, wear scary clothes, and even offer animal sacrifices in the early days. This festival is still celebrated in the region. Especially in the Irish town of Hill of Ward. Here people celebrate the festival of ghosts with full enthusiasm with bonfire.
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Pchum Ben
Pchum Ben is a Cambodian festival that lasts for 15 days. There are public holidays in the country for this. It is believed that the gates of hell open between September and October.
So the living helps the souls of their ancestors in their atonement. So that they can get salvation. The ghosts here are believed to be hungry. Some people prefer to feed food with full rituals in cemeteries, temples, or fields. It is said that if a person fails to feed the hungry spirits, he has to face the wrath of the spirit.
However, those who manage to feed them are blessed with good karma and prosperity. On the last day of the festival, small boats made of banana leaves are loaded with fruits, sweets, money, incense sticks, etc., and the souls are sent to the other side.
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Gai Jatra
Gai Jatra is the festival of cows celebrated by the Newars of Nepal. Children dressed as cows take to the streets in processions to honor loved ones who have passed away in the previous year. Souls are believed to need the tail of a cow to reach heaven. In the Kirtipur area, people dress up as gods and goddesses and pray for the souls of their relatives. It is believed that the gates of heaven open on this day. A big procession of chariots takes place in Bhaktapur. Which is known as Taha-Macha. This chariot made of bamboo carries the photos and belongings of the dead relatives. A folk dance known as Ghintang Ghisi is also performed.
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Chuseok
Chuseok is also known as Hangawi. Songpyeon is a sweet Korean dish made during the Chuseok Festival. This Korean festival is a day of gratitude that occurs in September or October. During this festival, Koreans travel to their ancestral hometowns and perform rituals to thank their deceased ancestors for a good harvest. That’s why it is also called ‘Korean Thanksgiving. Food is an important part of this festival. The dishes are prepared in a specific way to honor the spirits. Songpyeon, a type of rice cake, is traditionally made during this festival.
