Hindu-ween?

Keepin' it fresh, cause devotional service is only as limited as our creativity is. Radha Sakhi sported as Spiderella for Halloween and we trick-or-treated till her bag was half full of clogged artery sticks.

Halloween is alright and all, but I prefer to celebrate El Dia de Los Muertos when surrounded by fellow enthusiasts. This is the traditional festival celebrated in Mexico when everyone builds an altar in their house and offers foodstuffs and other delectables to their ancestors. On November 1st and 2nd, every cemetery and mausoleum is packed to the gills with family and friends, crying, laughing, singing, praying, and dancing. All of the graves are showered with marigolds and call-a-lilies and other offerings. Beautiful sand paintings and millions of candles decorate the cities amongst a stir of calavera imagery and their wild artisans.

I've always loved the concept of an altar. It fascinates me how the altar is utilized in so many different cultures. What rocks about Hinduism is that an altar is honored and decorated everyday. In the Hare Krishna movement, everyday people around the world chant sacred mantras to honor our spiritual ancestors and beg for their blessings so that we may pursue our daily lives with intelligence and ability in order to serve all of humanity in meaningful ways with lasting results. Generally, mantras are more potent when chanted together. So if we want to truly honor our ancestors, why party once a year, when we can party everyday? Like my raver friends in Mexico say, "FULL ON!"