Festival of Chariots: Difference between revisions
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[[:File:///C:/Users/oneil/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge 8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Festival of India 2 (3).docx#%20ftnref2|[2]]] “About.” ISKCON, n.d. <nowiki>http://www.iskcon.org/about/</nowiki>. |
[[:File:///C:/Users/oneil/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge 8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Festival of India 2 (3).docx#%20ftnref2|[2]]] “About.” ISKCON, n.d. <nowiki>http://www.iskcon.org/about/</nowiki>.[https://www.indianfestival.in] |
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[[:File:///C:/Users/oneil/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge 8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Festival of India 2 (3).docx#%20ftnref3|[3]]] Brown, Sara Black. “Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival.” ''Ethnomusicology'' 58, no. 3 (2014): 454–80. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454</nowiki>. |
[[:File:///C:/Users/oneil/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge 8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Festival of India 2 (3).docx#%20ftnref3|[3]]] Brown, Sara Black. “Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival.” ''Ethnomusicology'' 58, no. 3 (2014): 454–80. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454</nowiki>. |
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[[:File:///C:/Users/oneil/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge 8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Festival of India 2 (3).docx#%20msoanchor%203|[EM3]]]Including? |
[[:File:///C:/Users/oneil/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge 8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/Festival of India 2 (3).docx#%20msoanchor%203|[EM3]]]Including? |
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<references /> |
<references />[https://www.indianfestival.in Indian Festival] |
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[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]] |
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]] |
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[[Category:International Society for Krishna Consciousness]] |
[[Category:International Society for Krishna Consciousness]] |
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Revision as of 07:53, 19 April 2019
 | This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: Formatting and arrangement. (November 2018) |
Festival of India refers to the festivals run by the International society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) such as Rath Yatra ‘festival of chariots’, Janmashtami, Diwali and Holi ‘Festival of Colours’.[1] The festivals involve chants, the arts, music, and free vegetarian feasts that can be seen over the world but specifically in the United States (birthplace of ISKCON).[2] ISKCON, commonly referred to as Hare Krishna is a branch of Hindu religiosity. ISKCON have used the practice of Hindu festivals as an important element of Hare Krishna expression, and is a recognisable feature of their appearance in the public realm.[3] Kirtan is an element that is common to all ISKCON festivals. Kirtan is a process of musical worship, that is accessible for group participation and as described by Edwin Bryant as “Krishna in vibratory form”..[3] The practice of kirtan are melodies, mantras, spiritual texts that proclaim God’s name in his many forms. The ‘Festival of India’ is the International society for Krishna consciousness conveying Indian expression in the global sphere.
History
The International society for Krishna Consciousness was founded in New York in 1966 by A.C. Bhakitivendanta Swami Prabhupada. Prabhupada (birth name; Abhay Charan), was born in Calcutta, 1896, and received a European focused education, graduating university with majors in economics, English and philosophy.[4] He committed to a religious journey in 1944 whereby he stated that he has ‘…taken the courage to take up the work.’[5] In 1965 he migrated to the United States and commenced teachings of the Gita. During his life he completed over 70 volumes on Krishna tradition. ISKCON roots are of Hinduism and focuses on the Gita and Purana which feature Krishna. ISKCON emerged due to the myth of Krishna, Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu, the ‘preserver’. Krishna is the protagonist of Hindi texts, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita. He acts as a counsel during civil wars and is a symbol of peace and a guide on how to achieve inner liberation and freedom. Additionally, he is known to of explored the importance of yoga to spiritual well-being. Krishna is a highly recognised God in the western world partly due the Hare Krishna influence in the west.[6] ISKCON follow Vaishnavism meaning the worship of Vishnu and believe Krishna to be the central of all of Vishnu’s avatars. Vaishnavas believe that the ultimate reality is personal and there their souls are eternal beings whom have forgotten their connection to God. Strong emphasis is placed on chanting as it is believed that this can awaken to the soul to the spiritual realm.[1]
Ratha Yatra festival of chariots
The festival of Chariots originated in India in a city called Jagannatha Puri. The festival has been used in Vishnu-related traditions in Hinduism along with other traditions such as Daoism. The festival celebrates Lord Krishna return to Vrindavan. Vrindavan is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India however it is also a symbolic as an eternal spiritual place which encumbers everything and is transcendental. To go to Vrindavan is the act of seeing God himself, as you are enveloped by them. Vrindavan is where Krishna returned, but Vrindavan is also Krishna himself. This tradition of using a chariot in public procession is an ancient tradition, common in many Asian traditions. The pulling of the chariot symbolises the pulling of the lord into one’s heart.[7]
World-wide example
The festival of the chariots is now celebrated world-wide, in nearly every major city. For example, in San Francisco the festival is celebrated annually. The event causes a city-wide interruption as the festival draws in thousands of people to participate. In 2017 procession wooden carts were rolled through the streets accompanied by the ISKCON chant; “Hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna, hare hare…”. Food and music are essential parts of the festival, as in many ISKCON festivals. Vegetarian food is usually supplied during the festival and well as information on how to become part of the community. The festivals display a connectivity of Indian culture and ethically non-Indian population. Vani Devi Das born in Sacramento, US was brought up within the movement and attends the annual festival. Das makes it a family affair bringing her children. She is an example of the festival of Indian functioning in a western sphere.[8]
Janmashtami
The festival in India
The annual Hindu festival Janmashtami is the act of celebrating the birth of Krishna (the eight avatar of Vishnu). It is celebrated in August or September depending on how it aligns with the Gregorian calendar. This festival is a part of Vaishnavism and kirtan culture. During Janmastami there are performances paying homage the Krishna’s life, such as enactments either danced or performed. Chanting is also used throughout the day until midnight- the day Krishna was born. Fasting is used throughout the festival followed by a vegetarian feast, dancing and kirtan. Janmastami is one of the biggest festivals in Hinduism.[7]
World-wide example
Janmashtami is held by ISKCON members worldwide, but specifically in the United States. For example, in Chicago this festival was held in the ‘Chicago Hare Krishna Temple’. As written about in the India times newspaper 2011 the cultural program of Janmashtami is an Indian expression. It notes when and where the session will be held and that it will be celebrating the appearance of Krishna. It states that the highlight of this event will be the kirtan at midnight, a core practice of ISKCON.[9]
Diwali
The festival in India
Diwali ‘the festival of lights’ is a multi-day festival that celebrates a spiritual victory. The celebration uses lights to ‘light up’ the darkest moment of the calendar year. Depending on one’s geographical location the date of this annual festival is different. All structures are lit up during the festival including, homes, temples, shops etc. The festival usually lasts for five days, the third day being the climax of the event, partakers wearing their finest clothes. Revelers also partake in feasts, share lollies, gifts, and display fireworks. The act of the lighting the lamp is aimed to be symbolic as one lets the light of God inside them. Diwali is a significant event in Hindu but also other cultures and religions.[10]
World-wide example
Diwali is celebrated annually across the globe and is one of the most known Vedic festivals. The festival takes places in places such as ISKCON temples, Times Square, the White House and Disney world. In 2016 former US president Barrack Obama made a public address about the festival Diwali. San Antonio, Texas is one of the largest city-sponsored celebrations, with over 15000 participating in the event. The event is only one night but provides food, fireworks, entertainment. This celebration has spectator participation from other cultural and religious groups.[11]
Holi - Festival of Colours
The Holi festival or ‘festival of colours’ originates from India. The festival involves people spraying others with water or dousing each other in colour. All are welcomed to enjoy the festivities. The festivals roots and reasoning’s are contested, but ISKCON believes the festival was created in homage of the God Krishna. Krishna (the eighth avatar of Vishnu) as myth had it, would playfully spray coloured water over his friends and visa-versa. The festival takes place in February or March and acts as a new year’s, each beginning free or past grievances.[7]
World-wide example
Holi is celebrated worldwide, including in the United States. It draws thousands of ISKCON members to celebrate the festival to the streets. This festival is known for drawing members of the community beyond the ISKCON circles. In Utah for instance around 65000 people flock to the celebration, held at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple.[12] As Sara Brown comments on in her analysis of the festivities in Utah ‘Hare Krishna worshippers and those who do not belong to their faith suggests some rich lines of inquiry regarding the potential for participatory music in a celebratory context to mediate across boundaries of social difference that might otherwise be contentious—between religious groups, between those who identify with Eastern or Western cultures, between the familiar and that which seems foreign.’.[3] The festival gathers people from other cultures notably many Mormons are known to take part in the festival participating in the ideology of kirtan. In Utah Holi includes reggae, rock and dubstep combined with traditional Indian music. This mismatch of culture is an example of Hare Krishna festival as it interacts and therefore is shaped by the cultural context it is situated in.[3]
Controversy
Notable points of controversy include:
1. Cultural tension these festivals have caused outside India. In Singapore the state has been historically hostile towards members of ISKCON. The practice of festival, central to their beliefs, have had to been practiced in different ways such as in personal houses, farms or stadiums. ISKCON expression has taken a different mode when interacting with its culturally situated surroundings.[13]
2. Comments on cultural appropriation by spectators. This specifically relates to Holi ‘the festival of colours’. Some believe that the festival has been stripped of its religious value spectators who participate for non-religious recreational purposes.[14]
[2] “About.” ISKCON, n.d. http://www.iskcon.org/about/.[1]
[3] Brown, Sara Black. “Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival.” Ethnomusicology 58, no. 3 (2014): 454–80. https://doi.org/10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454.
[4] Brown, Sara Black. “Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival.” Ethnomusicology 58, no. 3 (2014): 458. https://doi.org/10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454.
[5] Gosvāmī, Satsvarūpa Dāsa. Srīla Prabhupāda-Līlāmrta: A Biography of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Book, Whole. Los Angeles, Calif: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1980. http://usyd.summon.serialssolutions.com/2.0.0/link/0/eLvHCXMwY2AQNtIz0EUrE1BHrrH1C1E2mMNGKAyBXWxDS1NmYLvHAJrrUM7LA1cCboIMLKCNAUIMTKl5wgwcsLW8IgyywUVHVuckKgQUJSZllBYcaUxJ1M0BihxpzAU2bUUZZN1cQ5w9dEHmxUNHS-KToHZaGokxsAB74KkSDAoWlmnAblSiUbJhCqj5kJZkkJSWZmyRZp5kammZkmYqySCG3QwpXBLSDFzA3r4BpC8vw8CaBkxrqbIQr8mB_QkAoydaWg
[6] “About.” ISKCON, n.d. http://www.iskcon.org/mission/.
[7] Nault, Derrick. Asia Journal Of Globa; Studies, Issue 1-2. Universal Publishers, 2012. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=w9EDT1F-ZeUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA92&dq=religious+hindu+festivals+practice+Rath+Yatra+%E2%80%98festival+of+chariots%E2%80%99+&ots=P_djnPdM9M&sig=I1hUeiqUMaFZPLS4J_0Prp1BQSc#v=onepage&q&f=false.
[8] “Mission.” ISKCON, n.d. http://www.iskcon.org/mission/.
[9] Lochtefeld, James. G. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1. Vol. 1. The Rosen Publising Group, 2001. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5kl0DYIjUPgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR6&dq=James+G.+Lochtefeld+(2002).+The+Illustrated+Encyclopedia+of+Hinduism&ots=ZTkN88m98z&sig=K4TwUHQ3HGMxcyYHoUSTOiIfxrA#v=onepage&q=James%20G.%20Lochtefeld%20(2002).%20The%20Illustrated%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Hinduism&f=false.
[10] Duggan, Tara. “Hindus Celebrate with Festival of Chariots in San Francisco,” n.d. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Hindus-celebrate-with-Festival-of-Chariots-in-San-11719166.php.
[11] Lochtefeld, James. G. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1. Vol. 1. The Rosen Publising Group, 2001. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5kl0DYIjUPgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR6&dq=James+G.+Lochtefeld+(2002).+The+Illustrated+Encyclopedia+of+Hinduism&ots=ZTkN88m98z&sig=K4TwUHQ3HGMxcyYHoUSTOiIfxrA#v=onepage&q=James%20G.%20Lochtefeld%20(2002).%20The%20Illustrated%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Hinduism&f=false.
[12] “Chicago Hare Krishna Temple to Host Janmashtami Celebration.” New India Times, September 19, 2011.
[13] Pramodkumar. Meri Khoj Ek Bharat Ki. Lulu.com, n.d. https://books.google.com.au/books?id=6A9EZRQIT9kC&pg=PA109&redir_esc=y&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false.
[14] “Diwali SA.” Anuja SA, n.d. https://www.anujasa.com/our-pillars/diwali-sa/.
[15] Lochtefeld, James. G. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1. Vol. 1. The Rosen Publising Group, 2001. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5kl0DYIjUPgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR6&dq=James+G.+Lochtefeld+(2002).+The+Illustrated+Encyclopedia+of+Hinduism&ots=ZTkN88m98z&sig=K4TwUHQ3HGMxcyYHoUSTOiIfxrA#v=onepage&q=James%20G.%20Lochtefeld%20(2002).%20The%20Illustrated%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Hinduism&f=false.
[16] Brown, Sara Black. “Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival.” Ethnomusicology 58, no. 3 (2014): 454–80. https://doi.org/10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454.
[17] Brown, Sara Black. “Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival.” Ethnomusicology 58, no. 3 (2014): 456. https://doi.org/10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454.
[18] Brown, Sara Black. “Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival.” Ethnomusicology 58, no. 3 (2014): 454–80. https://doi.org/10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454.
[19] SEBASTIAN, Rodney, and Ashvin PARAMESWARAN. “Hare Krishnas in Singapore: Agency, State, and Hinduism.” Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia 23, no. 1 (2008): 63–85. https://doi.org/10.1355/SJ23-1C.
[20] Ertelt, Sarah. “Cultural Appropriation in America Holi Restivals.” The Prindle Post- Ethics in News and Culture, Explained, 2017. https://www.prindlepost.org/2017/04/cultural-appropriation-american-holi-festivals/.
[EM1]Maybe put in a different section?
[EM2]Maybe move this to a different section. Doesn’t really belong in the history part.
[EM3]Including?
- ^ a b "Mission - ISKCON - The Hare Krishna Movement". ISKCON - The Hare Krishna Movement. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "About Us - ISKCON - The Hare Krishna Movement". ISKCON - The Hare Krishna Movement. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Sara Black (2014). "Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival". Ethnomusicology. 58 (3): 454–480. doi:10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454. JSTOR 10.5406/ethnomusicology.58.3.0454.
- ^ Gosvami, Satsvarupa Dasa. Srīla Prabhupāda-līlāmrta : a biography of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda / Satsvarūpa dāsa Goswami. Los Angeles: Los Angeles, Calif. : Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, c1980-c1983.
- ^ "Mission - ISKCON - The Hare Krishna Movement". ISKCON - The Hare Krishna Movement. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ Nault, Derrick M. (2012). Asia Journal of Global Studies. Universal-Publishers. ISBN 9781612330877.
- ^ a b c Ph.D, James G. Lochtefeld (2001-12-15). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Volume 1. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 9780823931798.
- ^ "Hindus celebrate with Festival of Chariots in San Francisco". SFGate. 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "Login to eResources, The University of Sydney Library". web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ Pramodkumar (March 2008). Meri Khoj Ek Bharat Ki. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781435712409.
- ^ "Diwali SA - Anuja SA". Anuja SA. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ Brown, Sara Black (2014). "Krishna, Christians, and Colors: The Socially Binding Influence of Kirtan Singing at a Utah Hare Krishna Festival". Ethnomusicology. 58.
- ^ Sebastian, Rodney (2008). "Hare Krishnas in Singapore: Agency, State, and Hinduism". Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia. 23.
- ^ "Cultural Appropriation in American Holi Festivals - The Prindle Post". The Prindle Post. 2017-04-01. Retrieved 2018-10-29.