2. In India every region and every religion has something to celebrate. The festivals
reflect the vigor and life-style of its people. Vibrant colors, music and festivity make the
country come alive throughout the year.
This galaxy of festivals that exist do contribute in inter-spicing Indian life with gaiety
and color as also in giving the country the distinction of having the maximum number of holidays.
Indian Festivals, celebrated by varied cultures and through their special rituals, add to
the colors of the Indian Heritage. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest,
the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings,
saints, and gurus (revered teachers), or the advent of the New Year. A number of these
festivals are common to most parts of India. However, they may be called by different names in
various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion.
Every celebration is centered around the rituals of prayer, seeking blessings,
exchanging goodwill, decorating houses, wearing new clothes, music, dance and feasting.
3.
4. One of the most celebrated and widely popular festivals in India is Diwali. The actual word has its origin
from the phrase “rows of lights”, for which the term in Sanskrit language is “Deepavali”. This day is considered to
be very auspicious among other Hindu festivals and is a way to appreciate the victory of Lord Rama over
Ravana, which is termed as a defeat of evil by good.
Lord Rama defeated Ravana to get back his wife Sita, who was kidnapped by Ravana. As per India’s
tradition, this festival is also filled with many rituals, customs and celebrations. It’s a five day long process, which
includes Vasu Baras, Dhan Teras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Bali Pratipada and Govardhan Puja. The
popularity of the festival can be estimated by the number of weeks, that people take to prepare ahead of time.
People adorn their houses with lights and lamps from the walls to the doors to the windows, thus presenting a vivid
image at night. The lamps used are the traditional clay lamps, which are oiled and fed with cotton to light them.
The legend says that Goddess Lakshmi descends on earth that day and honours to enter the house of
someone that is the brightest and clean. So people not only clean and illuminate their houses and streets, but also
adorn themselves for the event. Both Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi are celebrated this very day, which ends
with an exchange of sweets, fruits and other corporate gifts. The illumination is not just limited to lamp lights. Small
fireworks are used as children’s favourite pastime. The day ends but the celebration doesn’t. Diwali celebrations
continue for next few days still exploring the festivity of the good’s victory over evil.
5. Gods worshipped during Diwali in India Decorating with Lights
Diwali Crackers Dipavali Celebration
6. Holi is the most widely celebrated event in India. It has become a representation of Indian culture in
all over the world. It celebrates the human habitat in full bloom, i.e. spring season. Nothing could be a better
representative of spring other than beautiful amalgamations of colours. Holi is the name of that amalgamation. It’s
not only a symbol of spring but also acts as an equalizer between different socioeconomic communities. In a
nutshell, Holi eliminates differences, and brings people closer to each other. There have been few gables
attached with the legendry history of Holi.
It’s believed that there used to be an evil ruler called Hirnakashyip. His pride and strength had
overpowered himself so much that he started to believe that he was more powerful and worth worshipping even
more than Lord Vishnu. So he casted a kingdom wide order of punishment of any person who is caught worshipping
Lord Vishnu.
Certainly there are perennial rituals attached to Holi: the first is smearing of coloured powder on
each other, and throwing coloured and scented water at each time. On the first day of this festival, Hindus
participate in a public bonfire. Prior to the event, men prepare for this by collecting extra wood. The fire itself
is lit near midnight, as the moon rises. The main custom of Holi is the use of the colored powders and water on
others. This is why Holi is given the name “Festival of Colors.”
7. Children at the eve of Holi Holi with Dry Scented Powder
Holi celebrations in localities Holi colours selling in the market
8. One of the festivals widely celebrated in India, especially Northern and Eastern parts of
India, is Durga Puja. Its most common in Bengal, Bihar,Tripura, Jharkhand, and Orissa. One of the notable
mentions is Bengal, where the festivities take a huge prominence. Puja reaches its full moon within the last
four days from Maha-Shashti to the day when the idols take a water dip, which is held on the eve of
Dashami.
She arrives on the sixth day (shashthi) and leaves on the tenth day (Dashmi). The whole
festival is ten day long. The preparation of the festivities starts weeks before the actual event where
people clean up their houses and adorn them as a welcome sign. The historic legacy of the Puja points
towards a religious basis, but the turn of time has transformed this festival into something much more than
sacred praying ritual. It’s a social event where people from eastern and northern states of India participate
fully to enjoy the four days of the celebration. The most popular state is Bengal with its city Calcutta
totally renewed into a celebration venue. Like other events, Durga Puja marks its own taste of culture.
The dance, the celebration feast, the melody and music, all signify the importance of the event. On the
social side of the event, the youth competes to bring forth their taste in fashion and style. In a way, the
citizens find a way to give air to their sensibilities through a multidimensional event.
9. Durga Puja in Kolkata
A Brahmin worshipping Goddess
Durga
Vijaya Dashami
10. India’s Independence Day falls on the 15th of August. This country was founded in 1947, and
every year Indian citizens celebrate the birth of a huge nation. This was the time when Indians got
independence from British, who reigned over them for more than 200 years. Independence Day carries its
own charm with it. It’s a national holiday, so all government institutions are closed. The whole country is
decorated with lights, paper flags and big fabric flags. The markets start selling patriotic
badges, posters, stickers and flags weeks before 15th august.
There is a huge excitement component associated to Independence. People gather in the morning in
every city to listen to a Government official’s speech, and sing anthem at the end of the day. Many more sit
in their comfort zones at home, and watch the hoisting of Indian flag by the prime minister at Red Fort in
Delhi on the television. School children sing patriotic songs, and martyrs from the fight for independence are
remembered.
There are several patriotic shows arranged to pay homage to those who struggled for
independence. Politicians and people from religious and academic disciplines come together and make plans on
how to improvise on current Indian economy, defence, education, and so on, and so forth.
11. Independence Day Parade Child in Independence Day
Air Force in Independence day
Flag Hoisting during Independence
12. Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated on the birthday (rebirth) of Lord Ganesha, the son of
Shiva and Parvati.
It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this festival. It is the day Shiva
declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is widely
worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture
or at the start of travel. The festival, also known as Ganeshotsav ("festival of Ganesha") is observed in the Hindu
calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually
falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day
of the waxing moon period).
Two to three months before Ganesh Chaturthi, artistic clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sale by
specially skilled artisans. They are beautifully decorated and depict Lord Ganesh in poses. The size of these statues may
vary from 3/4 of an inch to over 70 feet.
Ganesh Chaturthi starts with the installation of these Ganesh statues in colorfully decorated homes and
specially erected temporary structures mandapas (pandals) in every locality. The pandals are erected by the people or a
specific society or locality or group by collecting monetary contributions. The pandals are decorated specially for the
festival, either by using decorative items like flower garlands, lights, etc. or are theme based decorations, which depict
religious themes or current events.
13. 70 feet Ganesh Idol in Vizag
Anant Chaturdashi
Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai,India
Ganesh Idols being sold
14. Christmas is definitely one of the oldest and popular festivals across the world. It is way beyond the
confinements of cast, creed, religion, ethnicity, race and colour. This festival is truly one of the most exciting
and celebrated one in all the parts of the world. Celebrated on 25th of December, ever year, Christmas is
notable as the birthday of Jesus Christ. There are several customs associated with this festival and each of
them is unique and special in its own way. The most exciting part about Christmas is that it is also celebrated by
other religions. Such is the universal appeal of this occasion. One must have come across several movies, serials
and Santa Claus showcasing the popularity of Christmas during the month of December.
Also known as Xmas or Christmas Day, the festivities last no less than ten days during this period.
The Christmas period also celebrates New Year Day on 1st of January. Festivities are held across the
churches, streets and houses in form of prayers, lighting, exchange of gifts, decorations at home, Christmas
trees, Santa Claus etc. This festival is even more special for kids as they look forward to receiving gifts from
their favourite Santa Claus. For adults and elders, it is a much anticipated reason to socialise and shower well
wishes. There is lot of activities taking place around the world during Christmas. One will come across delicious
cakes, balls, decorated Xmas trees and Santa Claus during this festival. There is lot of socialization that takes
place during this occasion. Masses are held in churches commemorating the occasion.
15. Jesus Christ Decorating Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Santa Clause with Gifts
16. Eid-ul-fitr, most commonly referred to as Eid, is one of the two most popular religious occasions according
to Islamic calendar. It’s celebrated by not just one community, or country but Muslims all over the world, and that’s
one of the key reasons behind a strong Muslim brotherhood. Eid is a celebration. A celebration of the month of
Ramzan. According to Islamic calendar, Ramzan is the most sacred month of the year. Eid-ul-fitr marks the end of
Ramzan. It’s a way to thank God for his blessings, and for giving Muslims the month of Ramzan where they could not
only regulate their lifestyles but were also forgiven for their past sins. It’s a celebration of Muslim devotion.
Eid falls on the first day of the next month, i.e. Shawaal. Muslims start the day by performing the most
famous Eid prayer. It’s done in massive congregations. Muslim men gather in the mosque to establish the Eid prayer
and listen to Eid sermon, and later on hug and wish everyone a joyful eid. These mosque gatherings are a special way
with which God connects His people together on one platform and let them forget all their socioeconomic differences.
Eid is celebrated both in cultural and religious manners. Traditionally a dessert is made for all the guests who will
visit the household to wish Eid.
There is another cultural tradition attached to the event, where elders give money or gifts to children.
This is called “Eidi”. Eid gains even more significance, because in the month of Ramzan, God revealed His message in
the form of Holy book, i,e, Quran to his messenger Prophet Muhammad, and finally he declared that Eid would be
celebrated after the end of every Ramzan to mark the significance of this holy month.
17. Jama Masjid during Eid ul Fitr celebrations Brotherhood
Namaz during the Ramzan Month Muslim boy reading Quran
