How Festivals Are losing Their Essence in the Age of Aesthetics

There was a time when festivals meant early morning chaos at home- the smell of sweets from the kitchen, cousins arguing over decorations, and grandparents narrating the stories behind each ritual. Today festivals still sparkle, but differently. The diya is placed not for prayer but for perfect Instagram shot. The rangoli is designed for symmetry, not for spirituality. Somewhere between filters and hashtags, we’ve traded emotions for aesthetics.

The “Aesthetic” Festival Culture

In the social media era, everything- from clothes to celebration- must be “feed-worthy”. We plan outfits weeks in advance, rehearse poses, and arrange decorations not to experience joy, but to capture it perfectly. The irony? The more perfect the post looks, the more detached we become from the real emotion behind the celebration. Now? Diwali starts with “what’s the themes this year”? - pastel outfits, boho décor, golden fairy lights- and ends with “which picture should I post first?”

I’m not saying I’m any different. I also plan outfit days in advance, save Pinterest ideas for decorations, spend hours editing that one perfect picture or a reel to post it with a crazy caption. But this time, I paused and thought- are we celebrating or performing?

The New “Festival Pressure”

Let’s be honest- social media has turned festivals into mini red carpets. We scroll through stories of people dressed like models, standing next to perfectly arranged diyas, and suddenly, ours doesn’t feel “aesthetic enough”.

Even if we’re genuinely happy, we still post to prove it- not out of insecurity, but maybe for validation. Maybe to remind ourselves we’re part of it, that we’re doing fine, that our celebrations are also worth a few hearts reacts.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good or post pictures- it’s fun! But the pressure to appear festive, even when you don’t feel it, can quietly kill the real joy behind it.

Why We Do It Anyway

Maybe because social media is a part of who we are now. It’s how we share happiness, how we connect. And there’s comfort in that- in posting a picture and having friends’ comment, “You look amazing!” or “Love this look”.

Validations isn’t always vanity- sometimes it’s just a reminder that people see us.

The real problem begins when that validation becomes the only reason we celebrate. When we light diyas only for the camera, not the calm. When we visit family just for pictures, not for presence.

Maybe the goal isn’t to stop posting, but to post after living the moment. To celebrate first, and capture later. Because that’s where the true aesthetic lies- in emotions, not in filters.