Carnival and Guy Fawkes Day - Festivals Similar to Holi are Found in other Cultures

But such elements in a festival are not specific to India. Festivals displaying features similar to Holi can be found in many modern societies. Carnival and Guy Fawkes Day are two instances. The Guy Fawkes Day which is observed in Britain on the 5th of November commemorates the discovery of Gunpowder and is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires.

The Carnival which is another instance of a similar festival is celebrated in Portugal and Spain. Carnival is an occasion for revelry. Carnival that is celebrated before the beginning of Lent - the beginning of the austerity period that goes up to Good Friday and Easter. The term carnival being close to terms like carnal (meaning sensual or bodily), carnage, carnivore, carnivorous is itself quite suggestive of the origin of carnival in a less civilized environment. Recently in India the Roman Catholic Church of Goa has refused to extend religious sanction to carnival, but this has not succeeded in abating the tide of public enthusiasm. This is one instance of how a popular festival which owes it origin to a lifestyle (existing or extinct) can continue in face of withdrawal of religious sanction.

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