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In the past decade, it has been difficult to miss the vibrant Halloween celebrations in India, especially if you live in the urban centers. If you have kids and young adults at home, chances are that you have found yourself planning and organising a theme-based party, arranging costumes, and probably even putting on a painted face or mask
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Does India really lack festivals? How then in a calendar already packed with festive days did we find the time to add another festival that is culturally quite different from ours to the list of celebrations? While it may seem out of place in India’s already existent landscape of vibrant traditional festivals, Halloween has found a niche by offering a unique combination of dressing up, supernatural intrigue, and fun that appeals to younger generations and have transformed Halloween into a cross-cultural experience in modern India.
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Halloween, rooted in the ancient Celtic (the people and the culture of Scotland, Wales, Ireland) originated over 2,000 years ago in Europe. Celebrated on October 31st, it marked the end of harvest and the start of winter, when people believed spirits roamed the earth. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular celebration of costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky décor.
In India, a festival that comes closest to this, in terms of being a spirit-focused tradition, exists in the form of Bhoot Chaturdashi, celebrated particularly in Bengal. Observed a day before Kali Puja, it honours ancestral spirits. Families light fourteen lamps to ward off evil and remember their ancestors, merging cultural spirituality with ghostly lore unique to India. Unlike the Western tradition where kids are out on Halloween following the fun trick-or-treat ritual, on Bhoot Chaturdashi the focus is on protecting children.
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A Marketing BuzzWord
The commercial aspect of Halloween cannot be overlooked. It’s actually one of the most significant reasons behind the festival’s popularity. Retailers have capitalised on Halloween’s growing popularity. Stores now stock costumes, candies, decorations, and accessories aimed at Halloween enthusiasts, with special offers leading up to October 31st.
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Shopping malls and e-commerce sites join the Halloween marketing trend, offering discounts and themed products. This growing retail presence has made Halloween more accessible and appealing, especially in urban areas where shoppers are exposed to the holiday through themed mall decorations and promotions. Additionally, cafes, restaurants, and bars host Halloween parties, adding to the sense of Halloween as an exciting urban celebration.
Influence of Globalisation And Social Media
India’s connection with the rest of the world has grown immensely due to globalisation, and Halloween is one of the many Western customs that has made a place for itself here. The increasing accessibility of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube has brought Halloween into people’s homes in creative, visual ways.
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Through the sharing of images and videos of costumes, themed parties, and decorations, Indian audiences have been drawn to Halloween’s playful and expressive spirit. The social aspect of sharing festive moments online has encouraged more people to embrace Halloween, especially among the youth who are eager to explore global trends. When you see friends posting a photo in costume it often inspires you to try it out as well.
The Costume Party
One of the biggest draws of Halloween is the opportunity to dress up in creative and spooky costumes and party with friends and family, a concept that resonates globally. Halloween gives people a reason to try something out of the ordinary, whether it’s dressing as a ghost, a favourite superhero, or even Bollywood characters. Costume parties are also popular among college students and young professionals, with Halloween-themed gatherings becoming an annual highlight in the social calendar. For those who love art, makeup, and special effects, Halloween is an outlet for creative expression and experimentation, with people trying intricate face paint and costumes inspired by global and local horror themes.
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For Indians, Halloween is more about the fun, creative, and social aspects rather than the deeper religious or spiritual origins. This flexibility has allowed Halloween to adapt easily to Indian contexts, making it a lighthearted occasion for dressing up, indulging in themed snacks, and having a good time with friends and family. As a result, Halloween has been adopted in a way that suits the existing Indian love for celebration without altering traditional beliefs.
The Movie Effect
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Halloween has been popularised in India through movies and television, with Hollywood’s influence being particularly significant. Streaming services have increased access to Halloween-themed content, from horror series to family-friendly Halloween movies. Bollywood, too, has contributed to Halloween’s popularity. Horror-comedy films like Stree and Bhool Bhulaiyaa have tapped into the theme of supernatural suspense and comedy.
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In many ways, Halloween’s success in India is due to its ability to blend seamlessly with the country’s festive culture. While October and November are months packed with Indian celebrations like Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, and Diwali, Indians seem happy to have one additional reason to celebrate.
