The bonfire festival was historically widely observed throughout Scotland, Ireland The Celebrations are held throughout Great Britain in some non-Catholic communities in Northern Ireland and in some other parts of the Commonwealth. In many areasof the UK celebrations also feature funfairs, family entertainment, and special food.
On 5 November, people across the UK celebrate Bonfire Night withfireworks, bonfires, sparklers and toffee apples. The reason we do it is because it's the anniversary of a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Many people enjoy lighting sparklers on Bonfire Night.All around the world some most famous celebrated festivels on borfire are :
1. Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night) - England
2. Daizenji Tamataregu Shrine's "Oniyo" - Fukuoka, Japan
3. Jeongwol Daeboreum Deulbul Festival - Jeju, S. Korea
4.Holka dahan ,India
5. Samhain 2012 - Out of the Darkness - Altoona, Florida, USA
6. Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil) - Guatemala
7. Ottery St Mary - Devon, England
8. Up Helly Aa, Lerwick - Shetland Islands, Scotland
9. Bonfire Night - Newfoundland, Canada
10. Sadeh - Iran
➡What are the rituals around such celebrations?
The ritual bonfire goes back to the very beginnings of our history and even before giant bonfires were constructed and lit to commemorate the ancient festivals just like Holika dahan in India.
For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi celebrates the death of Holika in order to save Prahlad and we see where Holi gets its name. The night before Holi, pyres are burnt in North India in keeping with this tradition. In some parts of India the day is actually called Holika.There are other activities associated with the story of Prahlad, but the burning of Holika is the one that we can most directly associate with Holi. The story as a whole is testament to the power of devotion over the evil represented by King Hiranyakashyapu, as Prahlad never lost his faith.
The burning of Holika is the most common explanation according to Hindu Puranas for the celebration of Holi. In different parts of India .When Holika sat on the pyre, she donned her flame-shielding shawl and sat Prahlad down on her lap. When the fire was lit, Prahlad began praying to Vishnu, who summoned a gust of wind that blew the shawl off Holika and onto Prahlad, saving him and letting her burn to death.
Significance
The legend signifies the victory of good over evil. People burn fires on the occasion of Holika Dahan to eliminate their ego, lust, greed, anger and jealousy.
➡Myths related events in history:
Another myth says that Kansa, uncle of lord Krishna, feared that according to a prophecy, the evil king would be killed by his sister’s son Krishna. In order to protect himself from Krishna, Kansa sent Putna to kill his nephew, who was an infant. The plan was to poison him under the guise of breast-feeding. But what transpired was shocking for Putna. Krishna not only sucked her poisonous milk, but her blood too. Fearing for her life, she ran but burst into flames.
