Halloween 2023: When Did The Spooky Festival Start And What Is Its Significance

Halloween, the spooky festival, is a celebration observed in many western countries and now is actively celebrated in India on 31st October every year, on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year devoted in the memory of the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

One of the theory that holds is that many Halloween customs were powered by Celtic harvest festivals, especially the Gaelic festival Samhain, which are thought to have pagan roots. Some also say that Samhain would have been Christianized as All Hallow's Day, along with its eve, by the early Church. Some academics believe Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, being the vigil of All Hallow's Day.

It was first celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, and then was migrated to North America in the 19th century. The spooky festival was then celebrated in other countries by the late 20th and early 21st century.

Every year Halloween is celebrated on 31st October.

Trick or Treat?

The most common activity, primarily done by children on this day is trick or treat. Most kids dress up like ghosts, vampires, witches or any other dark entity. They then go door to door asking for treat.

History shows on this night the spirits of the dead roamed the earth, both the souls of bygone loved ones and more wicked spirits. Most people were afraid of this. They believed that wearing masks, old clothes, or disguises that made them look like demons would help them blend in.

Poor people including children in the Middle Ages would go door-to-door on the night of October 31st and offer to pray for the souls of loved ones in exchange for money or food. That is the tradition that has been continued but in a developed way.

Halloween Costume Party

While for children there is trick or treat, for adults there is the party. Other than carving pumpkins as ghosts face and decorating the house with supernatural look alike, many people usually attend the halloween party. The dress code for the party is almost always spooky.

Many horror films are also released during this time of the year.

The Indian Halloween

In West Bengal, a day before Kali Puja which is usually celebrated in Amavashya, either on the day of Diwali or one day before, is widely known as 'Bhoot Chaturdashi'. On this day, it is considered that the veil between this world and the other world gets thinner and ancestors descend upon the world to bless their families. To show respect to the fourteen ancestors around the house, 14 diyas or candles are lit around the house so that the forefathers don't get lost.

Another festival is Narak Chaturdashi, which is celebrated on the 14th day of Krishna Paksh of Kartik Month. On this day, fourteen transistors are called and devoured with prayers through rituals.