When it’s ok to be weird

Alka Kashyap

As all the festivities of Diwali recede, there remains a spirit in our hearts that the celebrations in life must continue. And, as if to fill that void of ‘after party’, Halloween   celebration, which falls on October 31, is getting popular in Tricity.

Ireland is the birthplace of this unique and strange festival, where people remember their deceased loved ones in a peculiar way. On this day, the merry-makers dress up as evil spirits by blackening their faces. Then begins the ritual of  Trick or Treat, where people in the Western world  go from house to house ‘souling’ , which means asking for small breads called ‘soul cakes’ in exchange for prayer, song or dance.

Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas. Halloween parade in New York City is the largest in the world. It includes 50,000 participants and draws a crowd of over two million spectators! Black and orange are typically associated with Halloween. Orange is the symbol of strength and endurance. The popular use of pumpkins is very significant. Black is typically a symbol of death and darkness, and acts as a reminder that Halloween marks the boundaries between life and death. 

Hence, dressing up as ghosts and other spooks originated from the ancient Celtic tradition, disguising themselves as demons and spirits. They believed that way they would escape the notice of real spirits wandering in the streets. 

Celebration of Halloween is on the rise in Chandigarh. People here dress up in their costumes and party hard. They are smart enough to skip the mundane part of the occasion, and hence concentrate only on wearing their best of blacks and partying. 

Women take the lead when it comes to theme based parties. But men in Chandigarh are also not far behind when it comes to a wacky party. They too join in the festivities with full gusto!

The bakers in the city leave no stone unturned in dishing out exotic Halloween cakes.

So, the scary masks are out, the cloaks are set and large spooky props of cut- hands and fingers are there for anyone who is interested. The city folks are gearing up for yet another weird and wild do!