New Delhi: Halloween is here. Celebrated every year on October 31, this festival holds a lot of importance in cultures across the world. From children visiting neighbourhood houses for trick or treats to pumpkins carved into jack-o-lanterns, the pop culture references and festivities across the world are grand and unique in their own way. Before we dive into the Halloween 2022 celebrations, let us take a moment to reflect the history behind the spookiest festival of the year.


What is Halloween?


Halloween or Hallowe'en is a contract term for 'All Hallows' even''evening also known as Allhalloween. All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve is the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. The day begins on October 31 every year with the observance of Allhallowtide, the time dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs and all the departed.


This unique festival also holds pagan roots. It is said that the Halloween traditions across many parts of the world have been influenced by the Celtic harvest festivals, particularly Gaelic festival Samhain. While the pagan history is referenced to having an influence on the festival, many believe that Halloween is a solely Christian holiday, being the vigil of All Hallow's Day.


What do the festivities on Halloween include?


Popular culture such as books, art, films have redefined and altered the traditional way of celebrating the festival. Popular activities include trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, apple bobbing, playing pranks, divination games, visiting haunted places, telling scary tales, watching horror or Halloweeen-themed films etc. 


Some people who follow the festival religiously believe in attending church services, lighting candles on the graves of the dead, abstaining from meat on All Hallows' Eve, etc.


Despite varying demographics, Halloween is celebrated across the globe. Traditions in Scotland and Ireland, from where it is said the festival originated, are quite different from the commercial elements observed in North America.