Commercialization of Festivals in India

‘FESTIVALS’, what is the first word that comes to one’s mind when one hears this word? For some
it is sweets, for some lights and decorations but for the majority it has become just another chance to
buy new clothes, accessories and other fun stuff. The real significance of these festivals stands
evaporated. Talking about a school going child, he might not know why diwali is celebrated but it is
bound for him to know that people wear new clothes and burst crackers on diwali. The festival
signifying the triumph of good over evil has nowadays given birth to a new social and environmental
evil itself called Pollution.

Festivals are meant to lighten the mood of the people and break the monotonous and
hectic life and provide them with some relaxation. But instead these festivals have started giving
people an added headache worrying about the expenses that happen during these times. While the
festivals should bring the people closer and cause in family get-together it has somehow widened the
gap between people. The love towards each other is quantified in these situations. For instance the
more the gift is expensive the more is the love towards the person. This is a horrifying situation
which has raised questions upon the human emotions and feelings without which we would just be
mere bodies and not humans.

A multi-religious, multilingual and multiracial country like India, where festivals are
celebrated throughout the year and this itself gives a unique identity to the country, it is sad that these
festivals nowadays nowhere form such a integral part in our lives as they did earlier. Most Indian
festivals have their origin either in religion or in the myths and legends of popular faiths. Some are
connected with the memory of some venerable men and events, and are therefore commemorative in
nature. They are intended to keep alive the memory of those days and personalities and inspire
people emulate their examples. But now, the real purpose has been abandoned. In the name of those
men and occasions, celebrating the event has become a fund-raiser, provided in the name of those
functions

According to various studies and reports the online shopping portals like Amazon and
Flipkart earn the maximum profit during these festive seasons by attracting people by the alluring
sales they conduct. The increasing profits each year is a clear example of the increasing levels of
commercialization of festivals.
 Durga Puja in Kolkata is celebrated with utmost level of pomp and show. Crores and
crores of rupees are spent in decorating the extravagant pandals. The entire city lights up in joy. But
this is also the time when faith and religion is commercialized to the utmost level. Things like
flowers, fruits and Chunari offered to Maa Durga are sold in the double the rates as compared to
normal times just in the name of the goddess as the shopkeepers are well acquainted with the fact
that people are bound to buy these things during the Puja. Here the faith and love of t he people
towards Maa Durga is used or it would be better to say misused to gain personal profits.

All the important religious places or monuments in India are the costliest ones. You would
first need to spend Thousands of rupees just to get a glimpse of the gods and the goddesses. The
more you offer to the deity, the more you are dedicated towards your religion. The people not
believing in commercial offerings to the deities are often known Atheist or disrespecters to the
religion. This belief system is seen in all the religions, be it be Hinduism, Islam or Christianity or
any other religion.

While India may be progressing in the economic strata, it is continuously degrading in

cultural values which were its treasure. We are so much indulged in making personal profits and
merry that we have very well forgotten the basic values attached to our festivals and culture. While
the economically strong group of people may celebrate Diwali with the costliest of Chandeliers,
there are still such people who do not have electricity in their houses and cannot even afford lighting
candles. While we may offer large Chunaris and Chadars to Maa Durga and Allah, people are even
void to have one to cover their bodies in the shivering cold. In this cat race for more and more wealth,
somewhere we need to stop and give some thought that……

‘IS THIS ALL REALLY WORTH IT??????’

 Thank You

I hope I did Justice to the Subject…