THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS ON CIVILIZATIONALCULTURE AND SOCIAL COHESION

Abstract

Religious festivals serve as pivotal cultural events
that transcend spiritual dimensions, profoundly shaping
civilizational identities and reinforcing social cohesion across
communities. This paper explores how religious festivities
contribute to the maintenance and evolution of civilizational
cultures, offering frameworks for moral order, shared
memory, and collective expression. Drawing on
interdisciplinary perspectives from anthropology, sociology,
and religious studies, the study examines the integrative role
of festivals like Eid, Diwali, Christmas, and Vesak in various
civilizations. Through historical analysis and ethnographic
evidence, it investigates how religious rituals embedded in
these festivals nurture intergenerational continuity, foster
solidarity, and mediate cultural transitions. The paper
concludes that religious festivals not only reflect but also
actively shape civilizational ethos, thus playing a critical role
in sustaining social harmony and collective identity in an
increasingly globalized world.