Born Fire

 

Hello friends,

We live in society. We are doing something to pass our lives. Myth and ritual can satisfy individual needs in everyday life. Whether we are conscious of it or not, you have certain personal myths and shared myths concerning your own identity and you perform certain rituals to enhance these myths. Daily living is filled with mini ceremonies (ritualistic acts), that bring us out of the ordinary and connect us to ourselves and the world. By expressing these otherwise unexceptional actions with purposefulness awareness and affection, our life gains meaning.

Life brings changes. In this universe, past and present, cultures or societies have rituals or say ceremonies signifying an event in a person’s life indicative of a transition from one stage or level to another. Examples of rites of passage include graduation ceremonies, weddings, retirement parties and funerals. Such events lose their real meaning and impact when we just go through the motions and do not appreciate the significance of the transition. Incomplete rituals and therefore incomplete transitions do not facilitate the acceptance of the change.

Looking further,

Rituals are often dismissed as primitive, unnecessary or religious. However, since myth and ritual can be valuable instruments to enrich our own life and give us a sense of belonging to community, before we dismiss or discard a ritual, we should stop to consider the meaning and effect of the ritual. Disowning rituals operates to disassociate us from ourselves and from other people.

Here are some of the glimpses of Indian rituals. As Siddharth Katragadda, a famous writer of the Indian origin puts it “The Greatness of a Culture can be found in its Festivals”, so, the greatness of a country like India can be examined by sparing a glance at the vivid and vivacious list of festivals in India. Such diverse cultures, culminating such varied festivals and that too under the name of a single country; such is the greatness of Indian culture.

Indian Ceremonies

Of course, you might be thinking that in which kind of diversity blogger is talking here. But this is what necessary for making the ground clear. So, now as you are well aware of rituals and ceremonies, I would like you to dig deeper in one of the most mythical, also known as spiritual 'Born Fire' in India. Before we discuss about 'Born Fire' in detail, let's introduce 'Born Fire' briefly.

What is Born Fire?

Born Fire

According to Merriam Webster dictionary,

'Born fire is a large fire built in the open air'.

Indian mythology and Holika Dahan

As all Indian know there is an interesting story behind 'A story of Holika and Prahalad.' Holika Dahan is an essential story in Indian Mythology, and it marks an important festival in Indian tradition. There are various versions of the story of Holika Dahan that involves king Hiranyakashayp, Prahalad and Holika. However, in all the versions, the final message states that the good always triumphs over the evil.

However, amidst the dance and music along with the bonfire, it is also important to remember the story of Prahalad and Holika. Prahalad’s faith in Lord Vishnu saved him from the evil acts of his father. Also, it is something commendable that the little boy Prahalad did not fear his father and refused to worship him instead of Lord Vishnu. Hence, this story has a lot of things that we can learn from in our daily lives. Faith and fearlessness are one of the most important virtues that we must live with on a daily basis.

(Click here to know more about the story of Holi ka and Prahalad)

Now, question is that Is India one country who celebrates this born fire or this is just Indian's of say Indian religious disbelief or false pride in considering this as ritualistic as well as scientific. So, let's see how many countries celebrate born fire and which kinds of rituals are related to it. I am sure friends, this will certainly be unique and interesting journey to scroll this information.

Spirituality in Indian Born Fire

Spiritual Science behind Holika Dahan In times of yore, when Holika Dahan was celebrated, all nutritious things such as peanuts, sesame seeds, dry coconut, wheat and grams, sugar, etc., were placed into the fire with cow dung cake. It would clear the atmospheric vibrations of negative energies. Click here to reach the cite to know further about Holika Dahan and Spirituality.

(1)How many countries celebrate 'Born Fire'?

I would like to end this informative yet fruitful blog with quote is,

'We are never far from where we were.'

1) How many countries celebrate Bonfire? Why? (If you can find reasons . . . are there common reasons?)

2) What are the rituals around such celebrations?

3) Is there any story or myth around those celebrations? Write about various myths around bonfire. watch the video linked here under to know about the myths believed in by Vaishnavites and Shaivites in India. In which myth do you believe more than the other one.

   

There is comfort in rituals, and rituals provides framework for stability when you are trying to find answers. 

Deborah Norville

Fire is our most important tool. It's essential for cooking, for lighting our way, for protecting us from whatever might lurk in the shadows beyond this little clearing where we make our temporary home. It's a call to gather and share in community. We burn fuel in order to build connections.

References:

“Bonfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonfire. Accessed 19 Apr. 2021.