Halloween celebrations from around the world you probably didn’t know about; Check it out

Have you ever wondered about how Halloween is celebrated all around the world? Most cultures celebrate Halloween or Halloween like festivals which are markedly different from the American one. These celebrations are not about carving out pumpkins or trick-or-treating yet nonetheless continue to be a source of immense fascination. Celebrations are held across the world to honour the dear departed ones. It is a way for the living family to cherish memories, remember their loved ones and be grateful for their health and life. Keep reading to find out about these fascinating festivals!

Dia de Los Muertos

Dia le Los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico and parts of Latin America. This a two day long celebration celebrated every year on November 1 and 2. Also known as the Day of the Dead, it is believed that the Gates of Heaven open up at midnight on October 31 and the souls of children return to mortality to be reunited with their families for a day. Whereas the souls of adults come down from heaven to their families on November 2!

Pitru Paksha

India celebrates Pitru Paksha for a period of sixteen days. It is believed that during Pitru Paksha, the souls of our ancestors are briefly allowed to return to mortality and be with their families. The celebrations include a fire ritual and the families offer the dead food such as kheer, rice and lentils which are cooked in silver or copper pots and served on banana leaves.

Awuru Odu Festival

Awuru Odu festival is celebrated for almost six months in Nigeria. The festival marks the return of departed friends and family members back to the living. The holiday is celebrated with feasts, music and making masks. The most remarkable thing about the festival is that it happens once every two years!

Ognissanti

Ognissanti or All Saints' Day is celebrated in Italy on November 1 every year. In fact, it is a national holiday. The festivities usually begin a couple of days before when people leave fresh flowers on the graves of the dead. Italians also light a red candle at windows as a way of paying tribute to the departed. They also set a place at the table for those spirits hoping they will pay a visit!

Pchum Ben

Celebrated in Cambodia, Pchum Ben is celebrated from the end of September to the middle of October. Buddhist families celebrate the dead but giving foods like sweet sticky rice and beans wrapped in banana leaves. They also visit temples and offer baskets of flowers to their deceased ancestors. The elderly are also celebrated in this festival!