Festivals of India
Most Famous Festivals of India
1. Diwali
Diwali which is celebrated through the varied cultures of the country with vigor and enthusiasm, irrespective of different religions and societies. It is the most spectacular festival of India. Autumn marks the arrival of this festival and the preparation for the same begins much in advance with people decorating their houses and exchanging gifts. Also known as the festival of lights, this festival is celebrated by decorating the houses with lights, clay lamps, and candles.
2. Holi
The arrival of spring in India is marked with the revelers covered in bright colored powder as they celebrate Holi. Usually falling in March, the festival of Holi brings with it the celebrations where the merrymakers wish each other Happy Holi by applying ‘gulal’ or colored powder on each other’s cheeks. Savories, dance, music, and food are the other highlights of this festival.
3. Dussehra
This festival marks the end of the nine-day long festival of Naravratras. The day is commemorated as the day Lord Ram attained victory over Ravana, and therefore, this festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. There are many different ways of celebration of Dussehra in India. As a celebration, the symbolic statues of Ravana and his brothers Meghnath and Kumbhkaran, are build and placed at different avenues to be burnt by an arrow of fire.
4. Ramadan/ Eid –Ul-Fitr
One of the major religious festivals of India, Ramadan is celebrated mainly by the Muslim sect of the Indian demographic. Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar and is used as the period for fasting, prayers, introspection and religious contemplation. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a three day festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr, where Muslims break their fasts by gathering together for prayers and celebration.
5. Christmas
Among the most famous festivals of India, Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December each year. Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, this festival is the time for religious and cultural celebrations for Christians. Usually celebrated by decorating the Christmas tree and exchanging gifts, this festival is known for merrymaking.
6. Ganesh Chaturthi
Celebrated with much fervor and excitement, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi revels the homecoming of Lord Ganesh. One of the most colorful and exciting 10 day-long celebrations of the Ganesh Chaturthi is initiated with installing the idol of Lord Ganesh at home to bless the house, and its members with happiness and prosperity. At the end of the ten days, this idol is taken with much pomp and show to be immersed in water.
7. Durga Pooja
This festival is nothing less than a five-day-long carnival in Bengal with religious associations. Held in the honor of Goddess Durga, this puja is a festival which witnesses exuberant preparations for months in advance. Setting of decorative pandals and preparing for various cultural activities are a part of this festival.
8. Baishakhi
One of the major festivals of the Sikhs, this festival is celebrated on the 13th of April each year. This festival marks the harvest of Rabi crops and therefore, is reveled heartily among the farming community of Punjab. Celebrated by performing traditional folk dances of the state, this festival has a great religious significance too.
9. Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj
Rakhshabandhan
Celebrated to cherish the bond between brothers and sisters, this festival is among the national festivals of India. Celebrated by applying saffron tilak on the brother’s forehead and tying a rakhi on his wrist, this festival holds impeccable importance for Indian brothers and sisters.
10. Budh Poornima
Celebrated by the devotees of Gautam Buddha, this festival commemorates his birthday. The festival falls in the Hindu month of Vaisakhaon on the day of the full moon. People celebrate this festival by preaching and discussing the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. to celebrate the festival, people worship decorated idols of Lord Buddha, eat simple, meditate and chant.
11. Krishan Janamashtmi
Janmashtmi
The legend of Lord Krishna’s birth and his triumph over evil is celebrated on this single day. On this pious occasion, devotees throng temples to offer their prayers and bhog to their beloved deity. Another one of the religious festivals of India, it is celebrated with complete devotion by Hindus.
12. Pongal
Pongal is the four-day-long harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. The festival is celebrated as a thanksgiving to nature. Falling typically on the 14th or the 15th of January, this festival has different rituals for each of the four days. One of the famous festivals of India, it is celebrated with vigor and enthusiasm.
13. Maha Shivratri
This festival is an annual event in honor of the great Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated on the 13th night or 14th day of the lunar month Maagha or Phalguna. The celebration of the festival includes keeping day long and night long fast by devotees, performing rituals and offering prayers to the traditional Mahashivalingam.
14. Chhath Pooja
This festival is celebrated in the devotion of the Sun God.The puja is observed to thank Sun God for his protection and to seek blessings from him for good health and happiness. Celebrated mainly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, this festival is now gaining national recognition too.
15. Makar Sankranti
Celebrated on the 14th of January each year, this festival is one of the oldest traditions in India. This festival is celebrated all over India but with different names in different states. It marks the end of an inauspicious period and the start of the auspicious month.
16. Lohri
A truly Punjabi folk festival, Lohri is celebrated primarily by the Sikhs and Hindus of the Punjab region or origin. Having a trail of legends behind it, this festival is primarily a thanksgiving day for farmers, where the harvest of the Rabi crop is celebrated. The main celebration of the festival involves lighting a bon fire and throwing in foods like gajak, chikki, puffed rice, popcorn and sugarcane in it, to pay homage to roots.
17. Karwachauth
This festival is celebrated by the women of north India for the safety and long life of their husbands. As a celebration of this festival, women dress up, apply henna on their hands and fast from sunrise to moonrise. The festival is a full day event with a plethora of vivid rituals.
18. Navratri
The nine-day long festival culminates in the lunar month of Ashwin. Considered to be one of the most important festivals of Hindus, this festival is celebrated with extensive grandeur. Sharad Navratri marks the start of the festive season in India. Being one of the different festivals of India, this festival stands out.
19. Ram Navami
This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ram and falls on the ninth day of the Hindu lunar year. Ram Navami usually falls in the month of March or April. Among the national festivals of India, this festival is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm by Hindus.
20. Mahavir Jayanti
The festival celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Mahavir, this is one of the main festivals of the Jain community. Reveled with great fervor and devotion, this festival falls during the period of March-April. Processions, joint chanting of prayers and giving alms to the poor are some of the highlights this festival.
