Festivals of India | Heritage & Culture | Tourist Places

India celebrates different festivals round the year. Some of the festivals are region specific and are celebrated within a special community or among people of a particular religion. From North to South and from East to West a number of festivals are observed. Some of the widely observed festivals in India are discussed here

Diwali

Diwali or the festival of light is popularly known as Deepavali. During the month of October / November (Kartik) this festival is celebrated in India. Diwali is celebrated in almost every states in India with gaiety. The festival refers to the killing of Naraka demon by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama. At many parts of India, Lakshmi Puja is observed on the day of Diwali.

Holi

Holi is a Hindu festival that is observed in early March or Phagun. This festival is celebrated on the day following the full moon of this month. The festival of Holi marks the end of winter and it welcomes spring with all colors and gaiety. On the eve of Holi, a bonfire is lighted to mark the victory of the good over evil spirits. The immortal legend of Krishna and Radha is associated with the festival of Holi.

Holi is celebrated in different parts of India mainly in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, North and South India. In West Bengal Holi is celebrated with vigor and it is known as Dolyatra. In this festival, one smudges each other with colors. Powdered colors known as gulal and colored water are used in Holi.

Dussehra

This festival is also known as Vijayadashami in India. Dussehra is observed in the month of September or October. In West Bengal, Vijayadashami is observed on the last day of Durga Puja. Dussehra is widely celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Processions are taken out on this festival and Ramalila or events from Lord Rama's life are enacted on stage. As a ritual, the effigy of Ravana is burnt on the day of Vijayadashami. Effigies of Meghanatha and Kumbhakarna are also burnt along with Ravana's effigy. According to Hindu epic Mahabharata, the Dussehra marks the end of exile of the Pandavas.

Ganesh Chaturthi

The celebration for the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha is known as Ganesh Chaturthi in India. This occasion is observed on the 4th day of the month of Bhadra which falls in August / September. This festival is mainly celebrated in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other parts of India.

According to myths, Ganesha – the elephant headed Hindu god is considered to be the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. He is worshiped as the god of wisdom by the Hindus. This auspicious festival was initiated by Shivaji in India to spread the feeling of nationalism among the countrymen. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak revived this festival as he wanted to aware the common mass about the struggle for freedom in India. By reviving this festival, he defied the British who prohibited public assemblies.

Maha Shivaratri

On the 14th day of the Magha i.e during January/ February the festival of Maha Shivaratri is observed. It is believed that Lord Shiva performed his Tandava on this auspicious day of Shivaratri. The worshipers of Shiva fast on Shivaratri and they offer homage to the lingam of Shiva. The devotees believe that by worshiping Lord Shiva, they can free themselves from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Muharram

Muharram is observed remembering the tragic incident at Karbala. This is a Muslim festival where the followers mourn for Imam Hussain, the grandson of Muhammad. He died in about 680 A.D which is considered as the 61st year of Hijra. The occasion of Muharram is observed on the 1st month of the Muslim calender. Long processions are taken out on Muharram celebration where the participants carry Taziyas and Alams. The occasion of Muharram is observed by the Shia community.

Baisakhi

Baisakhi festival is celebrated as the New Year's Day in Punjab. Usually, Baisakhi is celebrated on 13 April. This festival marks the harvest of the ripened Rabi. The celebration is associated with performances of Bhangra. The Sikhs assemble at the gurudwaras and read their holy text Guru Granth Sahib. The Golden Temple in Amritsar receives a huge number of visitors on Baisakhi. This festival also has a religious significance attached to it. In 1699 A.D, during the celebrations of Baisakhi, the Khalsa Panth was founded by Sikh Guru Govind.

Eid-Ul-Zuha

This Muslim festival is also known as Bakrid. This occasion is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul-hijja which is the 12th month in the Muslim calender. A legendary story is associated with this occasion. It is believed that Prophet Ibrahim decided to sacrifice his son's life following the will of Allah or god. But miraculously when he cut off his son's head, Ibrahim found his son was alive and in his place he had sacrificed a ram. From then onwards, a ram is sacrificed on Eid-Ul- Zuha and the meat is distributed among relatives, friends and neighbors. During observation of this festival, a number of Muslims undertake their journey to Mecca for Haj or holy pilgrimage.

Onam

This festival is celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala. Dance performances, music, boat races and feasting are part of the celebration of Onam festival. Processions with caparisoned elephants are taken out on Onam. This festival is celebrated during the month of August or September. Onam is observed to mark good harvest and it is a homage towards mother nature. The local people of the state start the celebration 10 days before the Onam. For this occasion, the households are decorated with flowers known as Pookkalam.

Eid-Ul-Fitr

This occasion is associated with festivity and gaiety. Eid-Ul-Fitr is popularly known as Ramadan. After a month long fasting, the followers of Islam take food and water. Eid-Ul-Fitr is observed in the month of Ramadan which is the 9th month of the Muslim calender. The occasion is termed as Eid-Ul-Fitr as according to the custom, one is supposed to give alms or Fitrah. It is also believed that the holy Quran revealed itself on one of the nights of Ramadan. Eid-Ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month, right after the night of new moon.

About Indian Festivals