Halloween is almost here, bringing with it a lot of cheer! The foundation of this ancient tradition lies in Celtic countries, where it was set aside as a day to honour the dead. More likely, it was to signify the end of autumn, the beginning of winter, and in a symbolic way to show ‘out with the old, in with the new’. Quite possibly a Western version of our own Bhogi and Pongal !
Fighting ghosts
Another idea comes from the thought that on ‘All Hallows Eve’, the souls awaiting judgement rise and walk the Earth, looking for vengeance, one last time. People dress up scarily to confuse the ghosts and escape their wrath.
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Interestingly, Japan has a similar festival — Obon or the Festival of Lanterns, when it is believed that the spirits of the ancestors come to visit their relatives. A lot of delicious food items are prepared, and when the sun sets, each family lights up a colourful paper lantern and sends it across the rivers and out to the sea. The lights are said to guide the spirits back to the realm of the dead, until next year.
Just as it is with many other celebrations, Halloween too has caught on India. Small wonder then that a lot of places in the city are gearing up to hold Halloween parties. For instance, Willows in The Westin promises to let you dress up as your favourite scary character and dance the night away. The costume rental places in the city add to the excitement.
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There are restaurants too offering Halloween-related menus. “We have a Halloween party with costumes, Jack-O-Lanterns and spooky-looking food items. Even the staff dress up and take part in the festivities. We started this tradition last year. It was a huge success, and we have brought it back,” says Nila of Spoonbill restaurant on TTK Road.
Looks like the kids too will join in the fun. Sample this. Hippocampus has two themes for its annual gathering — White Mist (for kids aged five to seven) and Black Moon (aged eight to 13), and the children will be dressed in their scariest and spookiest outfits.
So, get your spook shoes, treat bags and the grim masks out. Halloween is here!