5 Ghost Festivals In India That Resembles Halloween

In India, several festivals are celebrated all over the nation that might surprise you, such as the ghost festivals that closely resemble Halloween. Due to their resemblance, they are also referred to as 'Desi Halloween'.

Halloween, which is a very popular festival in countries like Canada, the UK, and the US, is celebrated to ward off evil spirits while wearing spooky outfits, carving pumpkins, treating others with gifts, and more.

As this festival is gaining popularity around the globe, let's check out various Indian versions of ghost festivals!

Narak Chaturdashi:

This festival includes calling upon your 14 forefathers and then warding them off with rituals and prayers. It’s celebrated by cooking 14 types of leafy veggie dishes and lighting 14 earthen lamps.

Odisha's Bada Badua Daka:

Having its trace found in the Jagannath culture, the festival is celebrated on the day of Diwali and includes lighting sticks and pointing to the sky, seeking the blessings of ancestors.

Mahalaya Amavasya:

Also known as ‘Pitra Paksha’, this festival is celebrated by offering food and water to ancestors with proper rituals and prayer.

Shab-e-Barat:

Also called the Night of Records or the Night of Fortune and Forgiveness, it’s a day to offer prayer to Allah and has a tradition to visit the graves of their departed loved ones and pray for their peace.

Ghinahu Brahm Mela:

Celebrated during the time of Durga Puja in Malajpur, Madhya Pradesh, it’s also known as 'Ghost Fair' which is said to be attained by witch doctors, tantric, and ghosts.

These festivals not only depict the global presence of festivals related to ghosts and spirits, it also showcase the country’s age-old rich culture and tradition.