Important Festivals Celebrated in India

1. Diwali

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a celebration of light that holds immense significance in Hinduism and other Indian religions. It is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The lunisolar month of Ashvin observes it. Homes and temples adorn themselves with earthenware lamps (diyas) to dispel darkness. Families perform worship (puja), light a sacred fire (havan), and observe fasting (vrat). Diwali emphasizes acts of charity (dāna) and sharing with others. Melas (fairs) spring up, offering entertainment and joy. Colorful fireworks light up the night sky. Families partake in feasts and exchange gifts.

Religious Events and Legends Associated

Diwali celebrated the day when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya with his wife & brother Lakshmana after defeating the demon king Ravana. Diwali closely associates Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. People seek her blessings during this time. Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, also receives reverence during Diwali.

It is a national holiday in several countries, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Fiji. Important festivals celebrated in India showcase the rich cultural diversity and heritage of the country, drawing millions of participants and spectators each year.

2. Holi

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is a vibrant and significant Hindu celebration. It celebrates the eternal love of the deities Radha and Krishna. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, Vishnu’s victory as Narasimha over Hiranyakashipu.

Religious Events and Legends Associated :

The festival is initiated with a ritual called Holika Dahan, where people light bonfires to symbolize burning evil spirits and negative energies. People gather around the bonfire, sing and dance, and perform prayers. Holi lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna. “Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Purnima, Dhuleti, or simply Ukuli are the names for the main day of celebration.” People prepare and share special Holi delicacies like gujiya (sweet dumplings), thandai (a flavored milk drink), and various savory dishes among loved ones.

Fun and Unity: Holi is a sacred tradition that brings Hindus and non-Hindus together, allowing everyone to engage in playful banter by throwing colored water and powder at each other. Festivals celebrated in India offer a vibrant tapestry of cultural celebrations, uniting people from diverse backgrounds in joyous observance of tradition and heritage.

4.Christmas

Christmas stands as one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas, which means “The Mass of Christ,” is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is the Son of God. It holds both religious and cultural significance. Christmas celebrations occur on December 25th every year to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Many countries worldwide recognize it as a public holiday. Early Christians initially distinguished between the identification of Jesus’ birth date and the liturgical celebration of that event. During the first two centuries of Christianity, there was opposition to recognizing birthdays, including Jesus’.

Traditions and Customs

Festive decorations adorn homes and streets, including wreaths, garlands, lights, and nativity scenes. The secular celebration often includes an elaborate exchange of gifts and features the mythical figure of Santa Claus.

The Indian state of Kerala celebrates Onam, a significant holiday that commemorates the legendary King Mahabali’s yearly return. The Malayali community worldwide eagerly anticipates one of Kerala’s most important cultural celebrations. Malayalis worldwide highly anticipate this festival, which holds great significance in their community and culture. It is also a harvest festival, marking the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season.

Traditions and Customs

The 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the month of Chingam is the date of Onam according to the Malayalam calendar. The Onam celebration spans over ten days, featuring various rituals, cultural performances, and festivities. Key observances during Onam include the Onam Sadya (a grand feast), Thiruvathira Kali, Puli Kali, Pookalam, and Vallamkali (boat race). It symbolizes unity, prosperity, and the spirit of sharing.

Onam is not only a religious festival but also a celebration of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage.

Eid Ul Fitr, also known as Ramadan Eid, Muslims worldwide celebrate a significant Islamic festival. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. Falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates the end of fasting during Ramadan and signifies gratitude to Allah for His blessings. On Eid morning, Muslims gather at mosques or open grounds for special prayers called Salat al-Eid. These prayers follow a sermon. Muslims must give Zakat al-Fitr (a form of charity) before the Eid prayers. It ensures that even the less fortunate can partake in the festivities. After a month of fasting, families come together to share delicious meals. Sweet dishes like seviyan (vermicelli pudding) are popular.

 It is customary to wear new clothes on Eid. Many people dress in traditional attire. Families visit each other, exchange greetings, and share festive meals. Children receive gifts and money (known as Eidi) from elders. Homes adorn lights, flowers, and colorful decorations. It nurtures a sense of unity, forgiveness, and compassion among Muslims. Eid al-Fitr is among the important festivals celebrated in India, each bringing communities together in vibrant displays of culture and tradition.

8. Rakshabandhan

The Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is primarily celebrated in India and Nepal. It is a day to celebrate the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. People typically celebrate Raksha Bandhan on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, which usually falls in August. It is a single-day festival. The term “Raksha Bandhan” translates to “the bond of protection.” On this day, sisters tie a sacred thread called a rakhi around their brothers’ wrists as a symbol of their love, respect, and prayers for their well-being. In return, brothers vow to protect and take care of their sisters throughout their lives.

Rituals and Customs

The main ritual of Raksha Bandhan involves sisters tying a rakhi, typically a colorful thread embellished with beads, and sequins, around their brothers’ wrists. After the rakhi tying ceremony, brothers give gifts or money to their sisters as a token of their love and appreciation. People of various faiths across India celebrate Raksha Bandhan, a festival deeply rooted in Indian culture and traditions. It transcends religious boundaries and is not limited to biological brothers and sisters it can also be observed between cousins, adopted siblings, or close friends who consider each other as siblings. This celebration promotes values of love, respect, and mutual care within families and communities.” the important festivals celebrated in India serve as a testament to the country’s rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs.

9. Makar Sankranti (Harvest festivals of India)

People celebrate Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayana, annually on January 14th. It marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac sign of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (makara). It is a harvest festival, celebrating the bountiful crops and the hard work of farmers. On this day, people worship Surya, the Hindu solar deity, expressing gratitude for sunlight and prosperity.

Colorful kites fill the sky as families engage in friendly kite battles. people light bonfires to symbolize the end of darkness and the arrival of longer days.” People prepare delicious meals using freshly harvested ingredients. Folk dances, melas (fairs), and cultural events add to the festive spirit.

• In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it’s called Sankranthi or Peddha Panduga.
• Assam celebrates it as Magh Bihu.
• Himachal Pradesh observes Maghi Saaji.
• Kerala calls it Makara Sankranti.
• Punjab celebrates Maghi Sangrand.
• Tamil Nadu has Pongal.
• Jammu refers to it as Uttarain (Uttarayana).

10. Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that pays homage to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. It celebrates the day of the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, who is revered as the god of prosperity and wisdom. The festival spans ten days and begins on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (usually falling in August or September)

Rituals and Observances

• Idol Installation: Devotees install clay idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes and create elaborate pandals for public celebrations.
• Chanting and Prayers: Vedic hymns and Hindu texts are chanted during the festival. Devotees offer prayers and observe vrata (fasting).
• Modak: Sweets, especially modak, are distributed as offerings and prasada from the daily prayers. Modak is believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favorite.
• Immersion: The festival culminates on the tenth day when the Ganesha idol is carried in a public procession with music and chanting. The idol is then immersed in a nearby body of water in a ritual called visarjana.

Historical Context:

• Although the exact origin of Ganesh Chaturthi remains unknown, it gained popularity after a public celebration initiated by the prominent Anti-Colonial Freedom Fighter, Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, in Maharashtra in 1893. It served as a means to form a “Hindu nationalist identity” and rebel against British rule.
• Public venues host activities such as reading of texts, feasting, and athletic and martial arts competitions during the festival.

Geographical Spread:

• Indian Subcontinent: The festival is observed throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Goa, as well as in Nepal.
• Hindu Diaspora: Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated by the Hindu diaspora in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, other parts of the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, the United States, and Europe.The important festivals celebrated in India, each bringing communities together in vibrant displays of culture and tradition.