Indian Festivals
India is a land of abounding cultures and religions. India
is an admixture of distinct castes, religions,
languages, traditions and
cultures. And with altered cultures and religions, there are distinct festivals
acclaimed in India every year. While some festivals are acclaimed regionally,
others are acclaimed nationally, the accomplished country as one, united and
liberated. Each festival is celebrated with abundant activity and Great Spirit.
India is home to Hindu’s, Muslims, Sikh’s, Christian’s and various other
religions, and each religion has its own festival to celebrate
Some of the Prime Festivals to celebrated in India with
Great Spirit and Enthusiast
Makar Sankranti or Pongal
Makar Sankranti falls on the 14th of January every year
according to the solar calendar as lakhs of people on the auspicious day take
dip in Ganga. This festival is celebrated in almost all part of India in myriad
cultural forms with great devotion fervor and gaiety. This day in the southern
part of India the same day is celebrated with great pomp and prosperity as
Pongal and as Lohri in Punjab.
Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami is fondly called by Saraswati Pooja by
Oriya’s, Bengali’s and Bihari’s. This festival usually highlights the coming of
spring and is usually celebrated in the Magh, which lies between the month of
January and February. As this festival is centered on the Hindu Goddesses
Sarasvati, she is also known as the Goddess of Wisdom.
Thaipusam or Kavadi
Thaipusam comes from an admixture of the words Thai meaning
to the Tamil months of Thai (January / February) and Pusam is the brightest
star during this period. Falling amid 15 January and 15 February every year,
Thaipusam is a festival of Lord Murugan’s achievement over Soorapadman’s
tyranny. It is a Hindu festival especially celebrated by the Tamil community
and this festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a spear
so he could vanquish the devil demon Soorapadman. Kavadi Attam is a dance
performed by the Tamil devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murgan, which
is known as Tamil God of War.
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri, the night of the adoration of Shiva, occurs
on the 14th night of the new moon during the half divided of the month of
Phalguna. It falls on a moonless February night, when Hindus action appropriate
adoration to the Lord of destruction. Shivaratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is
the night if he is said to accept performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of
basic creation, canning and destruction. The festival is empiric for one day
and one night only.
Holi
The colorful anniversary of Holi is acclaimed on Phalgun
Purnima which comes in February end or early March. Holi festival has an
age-old agent and celebrates the celebration of 'good' over 'bad'. The colorful
festival bridges the amusing gap and renews sweet relationships. On this day,
humans hug and ambition each other 'Happy Holi'. This festival begins with
lighting up of bonfire on the Holi eve. Numerous legends and myths associated
with Holi festival makes the festival more animated and vivid. People rub
'gulal' and 'abeer' on each other’s faces and acclamation up saying, "bura
na maano Holi hai".
Vasant Navratri
Chaitra Navratri is one of the most important festivals of
Hindus. Devotee’s worship Maa Shakti Goddess of catholic power during this time
and wish to be bestowed by all-powerful approbation from Goddess. Fasting and
prayings highlights the Navratri celebrations. Goddess Shakti manifests herself
in three altered ambit as Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Durga. Navratri is
divided into sets of three days to admire three altered aspects of the absolute
goddess or goddesses. Chaitra Navratri, as well accepted as Chait Navratras, as
the name indicates is empiric during the Chaitra month (March or April) in an
acceptable Hindu calendar followed in North India.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu anniversary that celebrates
brotherhood and love. It is acclaimed on the full moon in the month of
Shraavana in the lunar calendar. The word Raksha means protection, whilst
Bandhan is the verb to tie. Traditionally, during the festival sisters tie a
rakhi, an armlet fabricated of abstruse red and gold threads, around their
brother’s wrists to bless their relationship. This thread, which pulsates with
sisterly love and inspiring sentiments, is accurately, alleged the ‘Rakhi’.
Onam
Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala.
Onam falls during the Malayali months of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the
accession of allegorical King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and
brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately ornamented
Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, amazing Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali
dance are some of the a lot of arresting appearance of Onam - the autumn
festival in Kerala.
Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami as well accepted as Dashahara, Dussehra,
Dashain (in Nepal), Navratri or Durgotsav is one of the most important Hindu
festivals acclaimed in assorted forms, beyond India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The
name Dussehra is acquired from Sanskrit Dasha-hara actually meaning
recommendation of ten apropos to Lord Rama's achievement over the ten-headed
demon baron Ravana. The day as well marks the achievement of Goddess Durga over
the demons Mahishasur. The name Vijayadashami is as well acquired from the Sanskrit
words "Vijaya-dashmi" actually acceptation the achievement on the
dashmi (Dashmi getting the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).
Deepawali
Deepawali or Diwali is a festival of lights illustrative the
achievement of virtue and the appropriation of airy darkness. The word
Deepawali refers to rows of diyas, or adobe lamps. This is one of the most
accepted festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is acclaimed on the 15th day of
Kartika, according to the Hindu calendar. This anniversary commemorates Lord
Rama's acknowledgment to his commonwealth Ayodhya afterwards commutual his
14-year exile. The belief about Rama and Ravana are told during addition
holiday, accepted as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
Well beside these there are numerous festivals in India such
as Eid, Kumbh Mela, Bhai Dooj, Chaath Pooja and the list goes on. Thus it is
very rightly said that India is a land of never ending and colorful festivals.
