India is known as the land of festivals. You will see a bunch of people always gathered or celebrating something almost every month of the year. With being so diverse in its population, India homes to many religions and languages giving some or the other reason to celebrate.
Every season, every victory, every God and Goddess, every historical and mythological event is celebrated with enthusiasm and love by everyone. People come from all over world to witness the love, divinity, joyful energy and love of the Indian festivals.
Not only people and Gods are celebrated but some parts of India rooted to the mother earth; worships and celebrates the nature. Mountains and trees are their idols.
Let us go around this wonderful country and enjoy the most celebrated festivals in India.
Diwali
Diwali is the most known festival of India all over the world. Its called the festival of lights as you will see the whole country lit and bright. Many parts of India have different reasons to celebrate the festival. In the west its significance is to usher the Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Kali is worshipped in the Bengal at this time. The north of India celebrates Diwali for the homecoming of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita from a fourteen year exile and victory over Ravana.
People light earthenware lamps called diyas at the parapets of their houses and temples. Home made sweets and snacks are are exchanged with loved one. Burst firecrackers as a sign of triumph and happiness.
Navratri and Durga Puja
Navratri in literal meaning means nine nights. This festival celebrated for the victory of Mother Durga’s victory over demons who wrecked the peace and joy on earth. People gather together and perform the dance forms Garba and Dandiya Raas as its celebration. Another victory over an Asura Ravana is celebrated on the 10th day of Navratri; known as Dussehra.
Durga Puja is celebrated in Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal. It is a three day festival where people worship Goddess Durga, enjoy dances, sweets and the company of their friends and family.
Holi
The color festival holi is one of the social festivals celebrated throughout India. You will never experience such a vibrant festival anywhere. Everyone gathers to celebrate the victory of good over evil. People play with powdered colors and devour Indian delicacies.
More of an exuberant celebration is seen in New Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat; colors fill the air. You will get to witness a traditional celebration of holi in Varanasi and Mathura.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for the arrival of Lord Ganesha; the God of wisdom It is a ten day festival. People Worship Idols of Lord Ganesh in houses and socially. Modak and Ladoos are his favorite sweets; these are distributed as prasad. He is welcomed with Drums and music and sent back home with equal enthusiasm.
Krishna Janmashthami
Krishna Janmashthami is celebrating the birth of God Krishna. He was born on the eight dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapad. Hence, it is called Janmashthami. It is most celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan where lord Krishna lived in his childhood. Temples and houses are decorated with flowers and leaves. Krishna’s idol is bathed in water, milk, honey and dressed beautiful clothes.
People form human pyramids to break pots filled with curd. This imitates Krishna’s childhood as he loved curd and did the same at their neighbors houses.
Gurupurab
Gurupurab is Sikh tradition to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru- Guru Nanak Dev. The celebrations start two days before the actual day in Gurudwaras. A long 48 hour non-stop recitation of Guru Granth Sahib called Akhand Path starts. A procession called Nagarkirtan is organised a day before Gurupurab. The procession consists of people singing hymns, musical instruments and people performing martial arts. The holy Guru Granth Sahib is been placed in a palaquin for the procession.
A Sikh tradition of feeding people was started by the Holy Guru. The same is done on this day as well, it is called Langar. Hundreds of people are fed free of cost.
Eid-Ul-Fitr
Eid-Ul-Fitr is commemorated on the starting day of Shawwal month. The occasion marks as the end of one month long fasting called Ramadan. It is the Islamic sacred month of fasting. On this day people celebrate it after seeing the crescent moon in the sky. Everyone wear new clothes, exchange the delicacies prepared at home with their loved ones and do charity.
Eid-Ul-Fitr is celebrated for the believing that prophet Mohammad received his first vision of their Holy book Quran during the month of Ramadan and the Eid signifies as the tribute to Allah.
Bhogali Bihu
Bhogali bihu is the most important festival of Assam.
It is a set of three festivals. Rongali is celebrated in April, Kongali in October and Bhogali in January. Rongali bihu is the most important one as it brings the Assamese New year and springs. It remarks the sun’s solstice, causing a transitory phase for cultivation for the Assamese.
Independence Day
It is one of the national festivals of India. 15th August 1947 India got its freedom from British rule. Every year it is marked throughout the country by flag hoisting in schools, colleges, residential buildings, corporate building gatherings everywhere by singing the national anthem.
The prime minister hoists the flag at the red fort, Delhi. Then addresses the nation, recounts the accomplishments of the freedom fighters. A parade of army officials and defence forces takes place.
Republic Day
Republic day is celebrated in India on 26th of January. It remarks the Indian Constitution into effect from this day. The President of India unfurls the flag on Republic day. The prestigious awards Kirti chakra, Ashok Chakra, Paramvir Chakar, Vir Chakra are given out by the President.
A republic day parade marches from Rashtrapati Bhavan along the Rajpath in Delhi. The parade has the specials and remarks of every state and union territory.
Gandhi Jayanthi
Gandhi Jayanthi is celebrated all over India on 2nd October to celebrate the father of the nation- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. A national holiday is observed on this day. Everyone pays tributes to him for his teachings and struggles for the fight against the rulers by prayer services all over India and specially at Raj that, New Delhi where he was cremated.
Conclusion
We surely now know that why India is know as the land of festivals. People from all walks of life celebrate the festivals in their own way but the core reason is same; to celebrate the victory, love and happiness! Through these festivals we come together celebrate the togetherness and spread love and positive energy around.
