Subhas Mitra :
I have no idea how many countries in the world Worship killers and Tormenters of their Forefathers. Nor do I like to know.
But I must make an honest effort to understand what Hindus in India do even after 75 years of post-colonial life.
Even while in Military uniform, I took part in Bonfires on many occasions but never tried to understand them. Now I find Goa Inquisition Hero University (St Xavier in Kolkata, whose colleges are not under any Indian universities but Autonomous) observes “Bonfire” with their primarily Pagan students and sponsorship of Pagan Industrialists.
This institution has given us jewels of India like Laxmi Mittal, CEO of Arcelor- Mittal, Sajib Goenka of RPG -, Ex-VP Hamid Ansari, Huseyn Suhrawardy of Calcutta Killing, Kamal Nath Ex-CM, Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, Bikram Ghosh, Percussionist and many more.
When they observe “Xavotsav “Bonfire Night, it can only be a SECULAR festivity at winter’s end. Perhaps it is linked to the source of the origin of the “Catholic Bonfire” that started with the observance of the execution day of Guy Fawke on January 31, January 31 1606 (details given below) in England.
( He planned to destroy the Protestant kings and kingdoms. Does anyone find any relation with Hai Hussain Hum na Tha? )
It may or may not have anything to do with Makar Sankranti cum pan India Harvesting festival; though India observes Lohri as Bonfire type, it is in the same season (Basant and Fagun).
Arcutis – Mystique: OFFICIAL XAVOTSAV 2023 ANTHEM
Meaning if Arcutis : https://www.nameslook.com/arcutis/
Since it is a fire festival, it is appropriate to start with Fire.
The Fire:
We know Fire destroys by burning things to ash; civilization would have never advanced without Fire. The Fire was worshipped all over the world. People worshipped either out of fear and prayed for protection or to express gratitude and adoration for providing us with its safe utilities for prosperity for posterity.
Anyone can find out how Vedic Rishis treated FIRE, even for liberation and Moksha. Cremation is not compulsory in Hinduism, but it is preferred for the Fire always travels upward, and our spirit, too, wants to go upwards (these are symbolic expressions communists need not read).
Fire in Vedas:
“Agni” is a Deva (god) representing The Sun in symbolically manageable/ imaginable form. Rishis defined Him in many forms and purposes and used as Oblation as well as Sacrifice. Agni is described in the scriptures as ruddy-hued and having two faces—one kind and one malignant. He is also Rudra, the forerunner of Shiva.
Even in cremation and Sacrifice, Hindus find FIRE as Beneficent. Thus lighting a lamp or Lohri & Holika Dahan( burning) is not to be compared with the burning of Gentile, Heathen or Kafir in hell.
How the “fire of hell” became the “fire of festivity” as Bonfire?
BON is “Better Object Notation “in English, well or good in French and “Bereavement Ontario Network “in Canada. Bonfire may stem from the Middle English “bonfire”, literally referring to a fire of bones but not the Japanese BON, the remembrance day of the DEAD.
Pagan Bonfire:
Except for Zoroastrians and Hindus, I presume all fire worshippers are eliminated from the world by believer’s love’ and ‘piece’ of Flat Earth through ‘excessive’ heavenly love and peace.
Originally fires were lit to honour the goddess “Áine” as part of a Celtic celebration. Áine is an Irish goddess of summer, wealth and sovereignty.
The Catholic Church took over the pagan festival and linked it to the birth of St John. In Limerick, “Bonfire Night” is held on May Eve, April 30, on the eve of the Celtic festival of “Bealtaine”.
It has been speculated that the Fire in Bealtaine celebrations symbolizes the return of the Sun after winter” and FIRE, WATER, LIGHT & LUCK by Marion McGarry in RTÉ Brainstorm (https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/0428/1046282-fire-water-light-and-luck-bealtaine-traditions-in-ireland/ )
Summary:
Catholic Bonfire Night originates from the Irish Druid festival BEALTAINE in honour of Goddess AINE (deity of harvesting), held on April 30 (the end of winter when the Sun starts shining after the foggy winter).
Goddess Anie
Catholic, after the decimation of Druids, started celebrating it on May 1.
Communists might have been allotted the Day and the “sickle” from the hand of the FIRST Harvesting Druid Priest. ( see Image)
Druids {‘dra-vid’ द्र-विद from दृष्टा-विद, seer of wisdom} conducted marriages, and the couple went around the holy Fire 7 times clockwise, believed in reincarnation, female trinity, and Karmafal (causes &effects).
St. Patrick did GENOCIDE of pagan druids who had tattoos of Shiva Lingam with snakes on their arms. St Patrick got his orders from Pope Leo 1. https://irishmyths.com/2022/04/11/what-are-druids/ Ref :
Scottish Author Barry Dunford is said to have referred to them as a migrant from ancient India in his book
“The Holy Land of Scotland: Jesus in Scotland and the Gospel of the Grail”.
Catholic Bonfire:
How many Protestants were killed in France?
An estimated 3,000 French Protestants were killed in Paris, and as many as 70,000 in France. The massacre of Saint Bartholomew’s Day marked the resumption of religious civil war in France.
When did Bonfire Night originate?
In Great Britain, Bonfire Night is associated with the tradition of celebrating the failure of Guy Fawkes’ actions on November 5, 1605. Therefore, the British festival is on November 5. November, although some commercially driven events are held at the weekend near the correct date to maximize attendance.
How was Guy Fawkes put to death?
Fawkes and the conspirators, who remained alive, were tried for high treason in Westminster Hall on January 27 January 1606, and all were convicted and sentenced to death. The executions took place on 30 and 31 January (Fawkes was executed on 31) and included hanging, drawing and quartering.
Hindu Festival of Fire:
Holika Dahan (होलिका दाहन):
Holika was the sister of Hinyakashupu, the ancient Ruler whose Capital was at the Present Day Multan of Pakistan. ‘Burning of Holika’, is a Hindu occasion that celebrates the legend of the burning of Holika, an asuri, upon a burning pyre and the salvation of her nephew, Prahlada. (There are TWO main interpretations: 1. Prahlad was a Theist (believer) while his father was an Atheist. 2. His father was an evil ruler, but he was benevolent.
Palace of Hiranyakashipu and place where NARASMHA appeared (under Pakistan Archeological department)
Prahlad’s descendants were Virochana to Mahababli, who ruled from Kamrup to Dakshinarth (Southern tip of Bharat).
Kama Dahanam,:
Kama Dahan Is associated with the legend of Shiva burning Kamadeva with this third eye to ashes. Pantomimes or silent drama with Abhinaya is performed in the South to tell the story of Kamadeva. Kamdeva’s effigy is burnt on occasion.
It is said that spring is the season ( Falguna month) of lovemaking. People get sexually euphoric due to changes in climate and nature as the SOMCHAKRA believe (near Medulla oblongata or ‘God’s Mouth’ in Biblical terms becomes super active. For many animals and birds, it is the mating season also.
Therefore “Kamdeva and the third eye of Shiva” are supposed to be in our consciousness. Those whose consciousness is not wakened get the messages through these Festivals.
Burir Ghor or Chachor Utsav :
In Bengal, the Kama Dahan has resurfaced as DOL YATRA under the Vaisnavism influence of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Chandidas’s effects. British-educated Babus made it BASANTA Utsav.
But traditionally, in Bengal, the husk/crop residue burning too is done as a festival called Burir Ghor (house of the old lady) in Eastern Bengal and Chachor Utsav in the western part.
(These THREE fire festivals are linked to Holy and not Sankranti.)
The Lohri :
Also known as Lohadi or Lal Loi, Lohri falls a day before Makar Sankranti. As per some stories, the word Lohri has come from the term ‘loh ‘, which means a big iron griddle or tava, used for making chapattis for community feasts.
Lohri History
The festival’s origin is ancient, but the current form can be traced back to the tale of Dulla Bhatti, a famous legendary Rajput hero of Punjab, who led a rebellion against Mughal king Akbar and once with Jahangir. Almost every Lohri song has words to express gratitude to him.
This became a Harvest festival all over India with local ritualistic variation and changes in names.
Makar Sankranti and Celtic Bealtaine :
Makar(a) Sankranti ( मकरसङ्क्रान्ति) is also referred to as Uttarayana. This occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara).
We can find a stark similarity with Celtic “Bealtaine” which is also the observance of the end of foggy winter days transiting to clear sunny days of summer.
Our Makar Sankranti is not only Pan India; it was a global festivity. Every place has linked it with the local harvesting period.
Celtic Druids worshipped “Anie”; we worshipped Sun as well as Agni.
Conclusion:
Do you understand what INCUTURATION is? Why did Bengali Babus move Akal Bodhon or Durga Puja to Saradutsav or Durgautsav and now try to adopt Carnival? British introduced English education from here. British castigated Sanskrit from here. British gave the FIRST printed Bengali book, a Bible. फिर भी हमे इन्कुलतुरतीओं समझ नहीं आता. এর চেয়ে সহজ উপায়ে বুঝানোর ক্ষমতা আমার নেই।
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