The document compares festivals celebrated in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, India. In West Bengal, major festivals discussed include Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Kali Puja, Christmas, and Jamai Shashti. Festivals described for Tamil Nadu include Pongal, Navaratri, Diwali, Karthigai Deepam, and Ganesh Chaturthi. The document provides brief descriptions of each festival, including their religious or cultural significance to the respective regions.

1. ENGLISH PROJECT
Comparison between
WEST BENGAL AND TAMIL NADU
FESTIVALS
BY – Mithra.S
Viii 'E'
8507

2. WEST BENGAL:
DURGA PUJA
Durga
• Durga Puja is one of the biggest and most popular
festivals of South Asia such as India, Bangladesh
and Nepal. It involves the ritual of worship of our
Goddess Durga and the triumph of the Goddess
Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The festival
honours the indomitable female force in the form
of ‘Shakti’. This day gives everyone a reason to
celebrate; it’s an occasion for rejuvenation and
reunion and a celebration of our customary culture
and customs. While most of the people keep fast
for the entire nine to ten days, but the last four
days called Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and
Dashami are celebrated with much jollity and
splendour.

3. TAMIL
NADU:PONGAL
Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil
community. It is a celebration to thank the Sun, Mother
Nature and the various farm animals that help to
contribute to a bountiful harvest. Celebrated over four
days, Pongal also marks the beginning of the Tamil
month called Thai, w hich is considered an auspicious
month. It usually falls on the 14th or 15th of January
each year.
Pongal is also the name of the dish made and eaten
during this festival. It is a mixture of boiled sweet rice.
It is derived from the Tamil w ord pongu, w hich means
“to boil over”.

4. WEST BENGAL:
SARASWATI
PUJA
Saraswati Puja is one of the greatest festivals of
Hindus. It is
Saraswati Puja generally occurs in the month of
Magh every year in schools, colleges, libraries,
clubs and other places. On the day before puja
the image is brought and placed on a platform.
The place of worship is beautifully decorated and
illuminated.
The students offer ‘anjali’ or flower offerings at
the feet of the goddess for her blessing. After
the worship, ‘Prasad’ is served to all.

5. TAMIL NADU : NAVARATRI
FESTIVAL
The festival is celebrated all over the country with joy and
fervour. ‘Nav’ means nine and ‘Ratri’ means night. The
festival is so-called as it encompasses celebrations over a
period of nine nights.The festival is celebrated over a
period of nine nights and 10 days. Navratri festival is
celebrated in the month of October/November. Navratri is
celebrated four times a year in India- Sharada Navratri,
Vasanta Navratri, Magha Navratri and Ashada Navratri.
Sharada Navaratri is most famous across India.
In north-eastern and eastern states, Navratri is referred to
as Durga Puja. As per the holy scriptures, the demon king
Mahishasura ardently worshipped Lord Siva and attained
immense powers.

6. WEST BENGAL:
KALI PUJA
Puja is a festival celebrated in the Indian states of West
Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and Maharashtra. It is also
celebrated in Chittagong, Rangpur and Sylhet division of
Bangladesh. Celebrated on the new moon day in the Hindu
month of Kartik, Kali Puja venerates Goddess Kali. The festival
also coincides with the Lakshmi Puja on the day of Diwali.In
Bengal Kali Puja is celebrated generally a day after Diwali in
Northern India, depending on the tithi. According to
mythology, the festival signifies the spiritual "victory of light
over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over
ignorance."24-Oct-2022

7. TAMIL NADU:
DIWALI
Diwali is often called the 'Festival of Lights', and is
celebrated by lighting lamps, and bursting crackers and
fireworks. It is a festival which commemorates the
victorious return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after saving
his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.
During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate
the interior and exterior of their homes
with saaki (earthen lamp), diyas and rangoli, perform
worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of
prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in
family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared.

8. WEST BENGAL:
CHRISTMAS
Christmas is an annual celebration on December 25, primarily
observed by Christians. It commemorates the birth of Jesus,
who is believed to have been born in a stable and later became
a compassionate shepherd. Christmas reminds us of the
challenges and sacrifices in Jesus’s life. Christmas is the
most important festival among Christians. It is celebrated to
mark the birth of Jesus, who is the supreme lord of the
Christians. It marks the beginning of the days of hope for those
oppressed before the birth of Jesus. Christmas celebrates the
spirit of joy and merry-making.

9. TAMIL NADU:
KARTHIGAI DEEPAM
Karthigai Tamil Nadu, but also in Kerala,
Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Karnataka and Sri Lanka.
Tamil Nadu celebrates Karthigai Deepam as a
traditional festival. This festival is very important for Tamilians
all over the world. called Karthigai Purnima. In Kerala, this
festival is known as Thirukarthikai, celebrated to welcome
Goddess Katyayani
(Chottanikkara Amma) Bhagaaima (full moon of Karthigai
month), oil lamps with 365 wicks prepared at home are lit in
Shiva temples.

10. WEST BENGAL:
JAMAI SHASHTI
Jamai Shashti is a day, devoted to the son-in-law. This festival
is predominantly celebrated in West Bengal. The day is regarded
as auspicious and most of the families organize a party, dedicated
to the son-in-law. A grand feast is also organized to mark the occasion.
The celebration of this festival is an integral part of the rich culture
and tradition of West Bengal.To celebrate the occasion, the in-laws
invite their daughters and son-in-laws. The mother-in-laws perform a
number of rituals throughout the day. Offering puja is also a part of it.
The festival also includes presenting the son-in-law with certain gifts.
The mother-in-law also touches the son-in-law's forehead to bless him
for a long life. Then she ties a thread on the hand of the son-in-law.
After the rituals, the son-in-law is served with delicious food items.
This festival serves the purpose of bringing the son-in-law much closer
to the family. It is a completely family festival which brings together
other family members as well.

11. HI
TAMIL NADU:GANESH
CHATURTHI
Ganesh Chatur thi is one of the most prominent festivals
of India. People of India wait the whole year for this
festival eagerly. Although it is celebrated all over the countr y,
in the state of Maharashtra it is celebrated with the
most enthusiasm.Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival which
holds utmost impor tance in the religion. This festival is
celebrated following the Hindu Mythology which says that
Ganesh Chaturthi is the bir thday of the Lord Ganesha. Hindus
refer to Lord Ganesha as the remover of all obstacles. People
believe that Lord Ganesha comes ever y year with prosperity
and success.
Furthermore, they welcome Lord Ganesha in their homes
with this festival with the belief that he will remove all
their sufferings. Ganesh Chaturthi sparks joy all over the
countr y and unties people with celebrations.

12. THANK YOU