cultURE uniqueness

What’s a cultural tradition from your country that you love?

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerity you perform—do that as an offering to Me.”— Bhagavad Gita 9.27

One cultural tradition I deeply love is the way Hindu temple festivals bring people together through faith, food, music, stories and art. During a temple festival, the temple becomes more than a place of worship. It becomes a living centre of the community, where everyone is welcome.

One of the most beautiful traditions is prasadam—food offered to God and then distributed freely to devotees. People may come from different backgrounds and social positions, but when they sit together and receive the food, everyone is treated equally. The simple act of sharing food becomes an expression of generosity, gratitude and devotion.

The festival is also a celebration for the senses. The temple may be decorated with flowers, lamps and colourful designs. Devotees hear stories about the gods and goddesses, remembering their courage, wisdom and compassion. Folk music, devotional singing, traditional instruments and classical or folk dances bring those stories to life.

Through art and performance, younger generations can experience stories that have been passed down for centuries.

I also love seeing how this spirit of celebration exists across different cultures. The Chinese Dragon Festival, with its magnificent dragon dances, drums and vibrant colours, represents community energy, tradition and celebration.

In the same way, the traditional dances of Indigenous peoples express their connection to their ancestors, land, nature and community. Each culture has its own language of movement, music, food and storytelling.What makes these traditions beautiful is that they are not simply performances from the past.

They continue to bring people together in the present. Food feeds the body, music lifts the spirit, stories preserve wisdom, and dance keeps cultural memory alive.

Ultimately, a festival reminds us that culture is something we share, not something we merely preserve behind glass. Whether it is prasadam at a Hindu temple, a Chinese dragon moving through the streets, or Indigenous dancers honouring their heritage, each tradition carries a message from one generation to the next.

“He who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, for him I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.”— Bhagavad Gita 6.30