'Halloween Special'
"Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldronbubble," said the three witches in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The day of the dead, better known as Halloween is due on October 31st, is famous for creepy costumes and spooky themes.
Word 'Halloween' finds its roots in Catholicism: Halloween comes from 'Hallowmas' - a three day Catholic holiday when people pray from their recently deceased and the saints are honoured. In the beginning of 11th century, the pope decided to observe Hallowmas between October 31- November 2 and called it All Hallow's Eve, which later on evolved into Hallow's Even and finally Hallowe'een in the 18th century.
Jack-O-Lantern is named after a farmer called Jack, who always played tricks on the devil. Due of this, the devil made him wander purgatory with just a burning lump of coal as his light. Jack put the coal in a turnip and used it as a lamp. Later on, in the areas where turnips were not very popular, people started making Lanterns out of Pumpkins.
Halloween costumes tradition came from the Celtic people. They used to wear masks and scary costumes during Samhain to ward off and confuse evil spirits. Celtic tradition believed that during this time spirits and fairies can enter our world. To keep these spirits happy, Celtic began to offer treats and food to them.
The black and orange color combination is synonymous with Halloween. Wondering why? Well, orange is often associated with fall harvest and black is the color of darkness and death.
The tradition of trick or treat goes back to medieval times when poor adults and children went around the town during Hallowmas dressed in costumes begging for food and money. If you happen to spot a spider on Halloween, don't freak out at the tiny ugly thing. According to legends, spotting a Spider on Halloween means the spirit of a loved one is watching you. Halloween is also the time to be at the spooky places. If you are in India visit these places for the spookiest festival of the year Halloween...
Bhangarh Fort: Situated near a village of the Alwar district in Rajasthan in India. The historical ruins near the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve is also a popular tourist attraction. Bhangarh is classified as the "most haunted place". A signboard has been put up by the Archaeological Survey of India near the gate, prohibiting tourists from entering the fort after sunset and before sunrise. Built in 1613 by Raja Madhu Singh the fort is crowded on weekends and holidays by tourists to experience the eerie aura of the fort.
Dumas Coast in Surat is a cremations ground for the locals and the focal point of several horror stories. People heard all sorts of unknown voices resonating at this spot. Third in the list is the famous Shaniwar Wada of Pune. People who visited the area informed that on the full moon nights many heard voices for help echoing in this area. Story tellers said, a 13-year-old son of the Peshwa dynasty person, was brutally murdered by a relative. The boy kept running across the length of the fort to save his life and kept shouting for help.
Lambi Dehar Mines of Mussoorie are located on the outskirts of the town are still abandoned and believed to be haunted. In early 1990s, several workers lost their lives in a mining accident. Tunnel No. 33 in Shimla is also one of the haunted spot in India. Tunnel no. 33 is said to be the abode of the ghost of British Railway Engineer named Colonel Barog.
Happy Halloween Everyone :) and thanks for reading
Mugdha
Word 'Halloween' finds its roots in Catholicism: Halloween comes from 'Hallowmas' - a three day Catholic holiday when people pray from their recently deceased and the saints are honoured. In the beginning of 11th century, the pope decided to observe Hallowmas between October 31- November 2 and called it All Hallow's Eve, which later on evolved into Hallow's Even and finally Hallowe'een in the 18th century.
Jack-O-Lantern is named after a farmer called Jack, who always played tricks on the devil. Due of this, the devil made him wander purgatory with just a burning lump of coal as his light. Jack put the coal in a turnip and used it as a lamp. Later on, in the areas where turnips were not very popular, people started making Lanterns out of Pumpkins.
Halloween costumes tradition came from the Celtic people. They used to wear masks and scary costumes during Samhain to ward off and confuse evil spirits. Celtic tradition believed that during this time spirits and fairies can enter our world. To keep these spirits happy, Celtic began to offer treats and food to them.
The black and orange color combination is synonymous with Halloween. Wondering why? Well, orange is often associated with fall harvest and black is the color of darkness and death.
The tradition of trick or treat goes back to medieval times when poor adults and children went around the town during Hallowmas dressed in costumes begging for food and money. If you happen to spot a spider on Halloween, don't freak out at the tiny ugly thing. According to legends, spotting a Spider on Halloween means the spirit of a loved one is watching you. Halloween is also the time to be at the spooky places. If you are in India visit these places for the spookiest festival of the year Halloween...
Bhangarh Fort: Situated near a village of the Alwar district in Rajasthan in India. The historical ruins near the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve is also a popular tourist attraction. Bhangarh is classified as the "most haunted place". A signboard has been put up by the Archaeological Survey of India near the gate, prohibiting tourists from entering the fort after sunset and before sunrise. Built in 1613 by Raja Madhu Singh the fort is crowded on weekends and holidays by tourists to experience the eerie aura of the fort.
Dumas Coast in Surat is a cremations ground for the locals and the focal point of several horror stories. People heard all sorts of unknown voices resonating at this spot. Third in the list is the famous Shaniwar Wada of Pune. People who visited the area informed that on the full moon nights many heard voices for help echoing in this area. Story tellers said, a 13-year-old son of the Peshwa dynasty person, was brutally murdered by a relative. The boy kept running across the length of the fort to save his life and kept shouting for help.
Lambi Dehar Mines of Mussoorie are located on the outskirts of the town are still abandoned and believed to be haunted. In early 1990s, several workers lost their lives in a mining accident. Tunnel No. 33 in Shimla is also one of the haunted spot in India. Tunnel no. 33 is said to be the abode of the ghost of British Railway Engineer named Colonel Barog.
Happy Halloween Everyone :) and thanks for reading
Mugdha
nice research...Mugdha
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