Spend Your Time With 10 Famous Festivals of India

 

Indian Festivals

Every Indian state has its own accent, language, and customs. In India, many different ethnicities and religious groups celebrate a wide range of festivals. While some festivals are observed in accordance with religious beliefs, others are associated with the state and local communities. There are fascinating mythical tales connected to most of India's religious celebrations.

In order for future generations to understand the significance of commemorating these festivals and to continue the practice, these legends are passed down from one generation to the next.

In India, a variety of lights, colors, decorations, dancing, music, and delectable cuisine are used to commemorate each festival. In India, every significant holiday is celebrated with great fanfare. People are dancing, singing, and rejoicing in the streets at some of the festivities.

Let’s introduce to famous Indian festivals which are very enjoyable for you:

1. Navratri Or Durga Pooja

One of India's most important holidays, particularly in the country's north and east, is Durga Pooja. Navratri is the name given to this nine-day celebration in northern India. This event is known as Druga Pooja in the West Bengal state. Vijay Dashmi is observed on the tenth and last day of this nine-day celebration.

Goddess Durga is celebrated for nine days during this festival. It honors Goddess Durga's triumph over the Demon Mahishasura, who sought to instigate a conflict with the Gods. Nine manifestations of Goddess Durga are worshiped throughout the nine-day festival. In India, Navratri, also known as Durga Pooja, is one of the holiest holidays.

During Navratri, people in northern India maintain a seven- or eight-day fast, which ends on the eighth or ninth day. In contrast, West Bengal hosts lavish festivities in pandalas, which are enormous tents, where people congregate every night for nine nights in a row to sing, dance, and eat delectable sweets and savory foods.

Eid al-Fitr

The first of Islam's two official holidays is Eid al-Fitr. Celebrated on the first three days of Shawwāl, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar (although it can happen in any season due to the Muslim usage of a lunar calendar), Eid al-Fitr signifies the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.

It is marked by the performing of community prayer (ṣalāt) at dawn on its first day, just as Eid al-Adha, another important holiday in Islam. During Eid al-Fitr, friends meet one another, exchange gifts, wear new clothing, and visit relatives' graves. It's also a time for formal banquets and intimate visits.

Diwali

Diwali, often called Dipawali, is the biggest and most important holiday in India. The name of the festival comes from the row of clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects against spiritual darkness. For Hindus, this event is just as significant as Christmas is for Christians.

Diwali has grown into a national holiday throughout the ages, and non-Hindu cultures also celebrate it. For example, Diwali commemorates the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was released from jail; in Jainism, it commemorates the nirvana, or spiritual enlightenment, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C. Diwali is also celebrated by Buddhists in India.

Diwali celebrations enjoy day by day:- 

DAY ONE: To assist bring good fortune, people clean their houses and go shopping for kitchenware or gold.

DAY TWO: People use sand or colored powders to make rangoli designs on the floor and clay lamps to adorn their houses. 

DAY THREE: Families get together for Lakshmi puja, a devotion to Goddess Lakshmi, on the festival's major day. This is followed by delectable meals and fireworks. 

DAY FOUR: Friends and family come to visit with presents and seasonal greetings on this first day of the new year. 

DAY FIVE: Brothers pay their married sisters a visit, and they are greeted with a sumptuous supper and affection.

Holi

Nearly every region of India celebrates Holi, which is regarded as one of the most beloved and celebrated holidays in the nation. Because people get together on this day to erase any grudges and negative feelings against one another, it is also frequently referred to as the festival of love.

Beginning on the evening of Purnima, or the Full Moon Day in the month of Falgun, the famous Indian celebration lasts for one day and one night. The first evening of the event is referred to as Holika Dahan or Choti Holi, and the next day is named Holi. It goes by several names in different sections of the nation.

Being the festival of colors, Holi is a day worth celebrating since the vibrant hues bring a lot of optimism into our lives. Every region of India celebrates the well-known Hindu holiday of Holi with great excitement and fervor. One day prior to Holi, the ceremony begins with the lighting of a bonfire, which represents the victory of good over evil.

Hariyali Teej

The lively celebration of Hariyali Teej is rooted in tradition and devotion. In other words to allowing followers to show their respect via fasting, prayers, rituals, and joyful celebrations, it honors the marriage of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. It is a holiday that is eagerly awaited and enthusiastically enjoyed.

The northern states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh are where the event is most commonly observed. Praying for one's husband and keeping a water-free fast for the whole day are customs.

Christmas

Many people all across the world, including those in India, consider Christmas to be their favorite time of year. Even though there are a small number of Christians in the nation, everyone enjoys the festive spirit of Christmas and joins in the joyous celebration of Indian customs. Thousands of Roman Catholics reside in India's main cities, including Delhi, Goa, and the multicultural metropolis of Mumbai, to mention a few. 

Thus, midnight mass is seen as an essential component of India's lavish Christmas celebration. To participate in the liturgy, the entire family gathers and walks. The attendees of the mass then gobble on a massive Christmas feast full with mouthwatering treats. The carefully wrapped presents are exchanged, and the midnight mass ends. Churches are lavishly decked out with Christmas decorations on this day, including shimmering lights, fragrant candles, and poinsettia flowers.

Onam

The largest celebration in Kerala, India, is Onam. The Onam Festival commemorates the return of the fabled King Mahabali and takes place during the Malayali month of Chingam (August to September). The ten-day Onam Carnival highlights the finest aspects of Keralan customs and culture.

Among the most notable aspects of Onam, Kerala's harvest festival, are the exquisitely adorned Pookalam, the ambrosial Onasadya, the magnificent Snake Boat Race, and the unique Kaikottikali dance.

Krishna Janmashtami

On the eighth (ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), Hindus celebrate Janmashtami, the festival commemorating the birth (janma) of the deity Krishna. Because he is the eighth child of his mother, Devaki, the number eight has additional meaning in the Krishna mythology. 

Particularly, Mathura and Vrindavan (Brindaban), the locations of Krishna's early years, commemorate the event. Devotees observe a vigil the day before and fast until midnight, which is considered to be the hour of his birth.

After that, the picture of Krishna is worshiped, clothed in fresh garments, and bathed in milk and water.Sweetmeats are first offered to the deity and then given to every family member as prasada (the god's leftovers, which convey his favor). Temples and domestic shrines are adorned with flowers and leaves.

Mahashivratri

In India's religious calendar, Mahashivratri, also known as "The Great Night of Shiva," is the most important occasion. Shivratri is observed on the fourteenth day of each lunar month or the day preceding the new moon. The February–March Mahashivratri is the most spiritually significant of the twelve Shivaratri that take place over a calendar year. 

Because of the planet's northern hemisphere's alignment on this particular night, people naturally experience an increase in energy. Nature is urging one to reach their spiritual zenith on this particular day. We created a particular event that lasts all night in order to take advantage of this.

Importance: For those on a spiritual path, Mahashivratri holds great significance. It is also highly important for those in family circumstances and for those who aspire to be successful in life. Family-oriented people celebrate Mahashivratri as the anniversary of Shiva's marriage. Those with materialistic aspirations believe that Shiva vanquished all of his adversaries on that day.

Makar Sankranti

One of India's most auspicious holidays is Makar Sankranti. As the winter season comes to a close and a new harvest season begins, this is also considered the start of an auspicious period. One of the few Indian holidays that is observed annually on January 14 or 15 is Makar Sankranti. 

Makar Sankranti is a time to thank the Almighty for providing us with all the resources we need, including rain, to ensure a plentiful harvest. In practically every region of India, Makar Sankranti is observed with a variety of names, customs, and ceremonies. Makar Sankranti is also referred to as "Maghi" in Punjab, "Uttarayan" in Gujarat, "Magh Bihu" in Assam, and "Pongal" in Tamil Nadu.

Conclusion

Indian culture is heavily reliant on festivals, which serve as a platform for expressing our feelings and ideals. Every community celebrates its own holidays and festivals, although other religious communities are invited to take part. India is a secular country where several religious and communal events are marked by holidays.