Halloween: History and places where celebrate

 Halloween is a holiday. The English Word 'Halloween' comes from "All Hallows' Eve. It's the day before the Foreign Christian Feast of All Hallows' or All Saints' Day on 1st November and All Souls' Day on 2nd November. It started in the ancient Celtic festival known as "Samhain" which means summer's end, end of the harvest season and beginning of dark, cold winter. Celts believed that during this time the boundary between the living and the dead become blurred and the souls of the dead returns to their homes, so people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires to keep off spirit. The night before became All Hallows' eve, which evolved into Halloween. 

            The holiday is mostly popular in the United States, Canada, UK and Ireland. people celebrated this event with carved pumpkins with scary or humorous faces to make this event more spooky. Children and adults dress as ghosts or monsters. They play the "trick or treat" game by visiting the houses. If a "treat"(like candy) is given then the child or the spirit will not do the "trick"(mischief) on the owner's house.

                   Bonfires were part of ancient Samhain rituals to ward off evil spirits. Now-a-days people watch horror films or tell spooky tales. In the modern days homes and public places are decorated with cobwebs, skeletons witches and black cat's idol (as they are the symbols of the Other World) and now the popular treats are candy corn, caramel apples and pumpkin pie or spice lattes.

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                    In India this festival has become popular due to increase the influence of western culture. It has become a festive occasion for people of all ages mixing ancient customs and modern fun with a focus on community activities and entertainments.