{"id":106964,"date":"2023-10-27T09:59:29","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T04:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.akbartravels.com\/?p=106964"},"modified":"2025-05-19T12:33:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T12:33:39","slug":"halloween-indian-festivals-honouring-the-dead-like-halloween","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.akbartravels.com\/in\/blogs\/halloween-indian-festivals-honouring-the-dead-like-halloween\/","title":{"rendered":"Halloween 2023: 5 Indian Festivals Honouring The Dead Like Halloween<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2018Culture Transcends Borders\u2019- these words stand true for many things including festivals. Western festivals like New Year\u2019s, Valentine\u2019s Day, etc are now well celebrated by people in all parts of India. Though Halloween is not yet widely celebrated in India, it is slowly gaining momentum. Movies and pop culture have been the biggest reasons for the wide acceptance of Western cultures and festivals in India.  Up till Halloween 2023 the popularity of this festival has been constantly growing. There are several reasons why this spooky festival is celebrated worldwide<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halloween 2023 Date:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just like every year, Halloween 2023 will be celebrated on 31st October 2023, i.e. Tuesday.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Halloween<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Halloween<\/a>
Halloween celebrations
Image Credit: Evgeny Atamanenko<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Halloween celebrations date back to almost 2,000 years in the past. Halloween celebrations were significant to honour the dead ancestors. The reasons for Halloween celebrations include the fact a gateway is believed to exist between the \u2018dead and the living world\u2019 for the day. Many believe that departed souls and ancestors come back to the living world. To honour the same people dress up in Halloween costumes, go trick-or-treating, pull pranks on one another and carve jack-o\u2019-lanterns and light bonfires to ward off the evil spirits. However, with time the festival has become more about distributing candies, dressing up and hosting horror-themes parties. As of Halloween 2023, these practices have even spread in India, especially in urban areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Indians might not be fully convinced with the celebration of \u2018Halloween\u2019 in particular,  they definitely are hooked on the idea of festivals that honour the dead. Surprisingly, there are a bunch of Indian festivals similar to Halloween. Even though the idea or reason behind the festivals might be the same, these Indian festivals do not follow Halloween like traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: <\/strong>6 Theme Parks For The Horror Fanatic In You<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Halloween 2023, learn about 5 Indian festivals similar to Halloween or \u2018Desi Halloween festivals\u2019. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1. Bhoot Chaturdashi\/ Narak Chaturdashi<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Bhoot<\/a>
14 Diyas for the 14 Forefathers
Image Credit: AajTak Bangla<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

North India celebrated Narak Chaturdashi on the 14th Day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. The day is celebrated by observing a fast and doing pujas. <\/em>It is believed that it includes Halloween like celebrations by calling 14 forefathers with rituals and prayers and then they are warded off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same day is observed as Bhoot Chaturdashi in West Bengal. The reason behind this festival is Bengal\u2019s legacy of \u2018tantriks\u2019 and \u2018black magic\u2019. On this day, people honour Devi Maa with prayers and aartis<\/em>. Ceremonies are also held to ask ancestors to descend on earth from the netherworld. 14 diyas are lit up all over the house so that these 14 ancestors don\u2019t lose their way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days fall right around the Diwali season in India. This means you get to experience the real festive essence of India with our India Tour Packages<\/a>. Book cheap flight tickets<\/a> online in advance and experience the diverse festive spirit from one Indian state to another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Pitru Paksha<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Desi<\/a>
Desi Halloween festival of Pitru Paksha
Image Credit: Gaurav Diwan<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another one of the Desi Halloween festivals, \u2018Pitru Paksha\u2019 is a 16-day festive period during, which Hindus remember their dead ancestors. The period generally falls between September and October. It has rituals revolving around appeasing the appetites of the forefathers by providing them with food and water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason behind celebrations of Pitru Paksha is that three generations of dead ancestors are believed to be residing in Pitru Loka, a realm between Earth and Heaven. According to mythology, the departed soul takes about 11 months to reach Yamaraj\u2019s court and throughout the journey, it is deprived of food and water. With Pitru Paksha celebrations families make sure that their ancestors are taken care of by offering prayer services, meals, and daan <\/em>to the less fortunate and temple priests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Shab-e-Baraat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Halloween<\/a>
Lighting Candles on Shab-e-Barat
Image Credit: India Today\/ Instaphotostory<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For Muslims, the 14th and 15th of Sha\u2019aban, the 8th month of the Islamic calendar, sees Shab-e-Baraat celebrations. On this day, followers of Islam pray to Allah and seek pardon for the offences and sins of the departed souls. Rituals include offering prayers at the graves of their relatives, making dishes like Halwa, Zarda, etc. and sharing them with friends, families and the less fortunate ones. It is also said that Allah writes the fates of everyone for the upcoming year based on their actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only Indian Muslims but Muslims all over the world, especially in South Asia and Central Asia celebrate this day with a lot of pomp and grandiosity. It is said that there is so much positivity in the air as people exchange \u2018Shab-e-Baraat\u2019 greetings and genuine forgiveness is answered by god.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like these desi Halloween festivals, many other countries celebrate festivals similar to Halloween. How about enjoying the festivities in a foreign country next time with our affordable International Tour Packages?<\/a> Book your flights and affordable accommodation online<\/a> in advance to avoid the festive rush. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Bada Badua Daka, Odisha (Badabadiya Daka)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Bada<\/a>
Bada Badua Daka celebrations at Jagannath temple
Image Credit: Bhubaneshwar Buzz<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For the people of Odisha, Diwali celebrations include more than just lights. Odias observe the \u2018Bada Badua Daka\u2019 ritual. This is a special way for them to honour their ancestors and invite them to their homes. Homes are decorated with lights and lamps. A huge rangoli is made outside houses and it is adorned with religiously significant articles. A diya <\/em>is lit in the centre and then people start praying towards the sky with a few jute sticks in their hands. They chant “Bada Badua Ho Andhaare Aasa, Aalua Re Jao”, meaning, “Forefathers, come in the darkness and go back along the lighted path”.This prayer is their way of inviting their ancestors to come down to Earth for the night, protect them and leave in the night light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Gai Jatra<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Halloween<\/a>
Desi Halloween Festival- Gai Jatra
Image Credit: Rojen’s Collection<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nepal shares a lot of cultural aspects with India and one such holiday similar to Halloween is the \u2018Gai Jatra\u2019. This festival is for honouring the deceased relatives and has varied rituals in different parts of Nepal. The festival usually falls between August and September. Variations include people dressing up as cows, chariot processions with photos of the deceased, wearing costumes of gods and goddesses and comfort and safety rituals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time of the year is really pleasant for a trip to Nepal<\/a>. Along with the serene surroundings of Nepal, the eccentric festive vibe and easy travel facilities for Indians make it a top vacation choice from India. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These were the 5 unique Desi Halloween festivals that India has been celebrating over the years. These Indian festivals follow an idea similar to Halloween like celebrations. However, unlike Halloween, these festivals do not centre the idea around ghosts and bad omens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you are well aware of these Desi Halloween festivals, would you consider adapting them more rigorously? Tell us in the comments below how many of these festivals have you and your family celebrated in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Festivities:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n