As October draws to a close, the globe prepares for one of its most whimsical and enigmatic evenings - Halloween. Marked on Friday, October 31, Halloween this year is bound to be a weekend of disguise, sweets and a dash of terror.
Halloween has its roots more than 2,000 years ago in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, which was celebrated in Ireland, the UK and northern France. The Celts felt that the veil between the living and the dead on this evening became thin, and spirits could move about on earth. They used to burn bonfires and dress in costumes to ward off those spirits.
As Christianity expanded in Europe, November 1st came to be celebrated as All Saints' Day, or All Hallows, and the evening before as All Hallows' Eve. Eventually, this developed into Halloween, combining new and old customs.
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How is the day celebrated?
Halloween today is a blend of fun, creativity and community spirit. The homes are decorated with carved pumpkins, cobwebs and glowing lanterns, and children dress up and visit houses for trick-or-treating. Streets in the United States, Canada and Europe are filled with spooky decorations, laughter and excitement of make-believe.
In the recent past, city India has also joined the party. Urban cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru have malls, schools and cafes organizing Halloween nights with music, costume parties and pumpkin decor, lending a twist to the Western festival.
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The spirit behind the scare
Although its origins are based on superstition, Halloween in the modern era is a time for imagination and storytelling. It is embracing another character, laughing and the carefree nature of fear.
With Halloween 2025 looming on the horizon, one thing is always the same that it's the night where creativity and tradition get together, and the world comes out to playfully scare.
