Festivals 2023
A Festival is occasion to Celebrate. Festivals are usually events with historical , religious , national or cultural significance. Seasonal festivals are determined by the solar and lunar calendars and by the cycle of seasons.
National Festivals Of India
Independence Day India
India gained independence from the British Raj on August 15th, 1947, and this day is celebrated every year with parades, speeches, and other events. Independence Day is a national holiday in India, and people from all across the country come together to celebrate. In the capital of Delhi, the main event is a large parade that starts at the Red Fort and makes its way through the city. The parade features floats and marching bands from all over India, and it is a chance for people to show their pride in their country.
Republic Day India
India Republic Day is celebrated on January 26th each year. It is a national holiday in India, commemorating the day when the Constitution of India came into effect. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on January 26, 1950, and came into effect on January 26, 1950 and India became a republic on that day.
The main Republic Day celebration is held in the National capital, New Delhi, at the Rajpath before the President of India. On this day, a grand parade is held which is attended by the President, Prime Minister, Vice President, Governors and Chief Ministers of all states and union territories of India. The parade starts from the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House), Raisina Hill and follows a route past India Gate and the War Memorial, concluding at the Red Fort.
Gandhi Jayanti
Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India that commemorates the birthday of Mohandas Gandhi, who is also known as the "Father of the Nation". Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. He was assassinated on 30 January , 1948, in New Delhi, India.
Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader of India who fought for India's independence from British rule. After years of peaceful protests and civil disobedience, Mahatma Gandhi helped lead India to independence in year 1947. Mahatma Gandhi is also celebrated for his philosophy of non-violance.
Gandhi Jayanti is a time to reflect on Gandhi's life and his legacy. It is also a time to celebrate India's cultural diversity and to promote unity and peace.
Religious Festivals Of India
Every religion has some important events that the devotees celebrate. Let us look at some of the important religious festivals celebrated in India.
Diwali
Diwali is a five-day Hindu festival that starts on Dhanteras, the first day of the lunar month of Kartika. Diwali festival is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.
The Diwali festival spiritually indicates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The Diwali preparations and rituals typically extend over a period of five days. The main day of Diwali, also known as Lakshmi Puja, is celebrated by Hindus in India and Nepal.
Diwali is a festival of lights, and Hindus celebrate it by lighting lamps and candles all around their homes. On the main day of the festival, they dress.
Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the 8th avatar of Vishnu. It is observed according to Hindu luni-solar calendar, on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shraavana, which overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian calendar.
The festival is widely observed in Nepal and India, and by Hindu communities around the world. Janmashtami is a major festival particularly in the Vaishnavism traditions of India. Regionally, it is also known by various names, including Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti or sometimes simply as Janmashtami.
Holi Festival
Holi is a spring festival also known as the colors festival or the festival of love celebrated in India and Nepal . The Holi festival indicates the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day(Poornima) of the lunar month Phalguna. This usually falls in the Gregorian months of February or March. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning Holika asuri) or Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Phagwah.
Buddha Purnima
Buddha Pournima commemorates the birth, enlightenment (the final stage reached in Buddhist and Hindu religions when you are at peace with the universe and no longer feel desire) and death of Gautama Buddha. It falls on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakha and is also known as Vesak. It is a public holiday in many countries including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Thailand.
Buddha Pournima celebrations begin with a special puja or worship ceremony. Devotees offer flowers, incense and candles to a statue or image of the Buddha. They may also recite prayers and make offerings of food.
After the puja, people often take part in a procession carrying Buddha images through the streets. In some places, a special meal is shared on this day. The day is also a time for reflection and meditation on the Buddha’s teachings.
Pongal
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu state of India. It is one of the most important festivals in the Tamil calendar and is celebrated from January 14 to January 17. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and marks the beginning of the harvest season. Pongal is also a thanksgiving festival, where people thank the Sun God for a good harvest.
Pongal is celebrated with great fanfare in Tamil Nadu. On the first day of the festival, people make sweetened rice and milk as an offering to the Sun God. This is followed by a puja, or prayer ceremony. The second day is dedicated to cattle, which are decorated and given a special puja. Cattle play an important role in the agricultural economy of Tamil Nadu, so this day is a way of honoring them.
Lohri
Lohri is a popular North Indian festival that is celebrated on the 13th of January every year. It is a joyous occasion that sees people coming together to enjoy bonfires, dance and feast on traditional food. Lohri is also a time to exchange gifts and express gratitude towards those who have been good to us throughout the year.
This festival has a long and rich history, dating back to the time of the ancient Vedic civilization. According to legend, Lohri is the day when the sun starts its journey towards the north ( Uttarayana), marking the end of the cold, dark winter months. This makes it a perfect time to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for all the blessings of the year gone by.
Bihu
Bihu is a set of three harvest festivals in Assam, Northeast India. They are observed in the middle of April by the Assamese people. The festivals – Bohag Bihu, Magh Bihu and Kati Bihu – mark the beginning of the Assamese New Year.
Bohag Bihu, also called Rongali Bihu, is the most important of the three and is celebrated in April to mark the Assamese New Year and the start of the agricultural season. It is also known as the spring festival as it heralds the coming of spring. Bohag Bihu is celebrated for seven days and is marked by feasting, singing and dancing. The highlight of the festival is the Bihu dance, which is performed by young men and women.
Chhath Puja
Chhatt puja is a popular Hindu festival celebrated in the state of Bihar, India. It is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (March–April). On this day, people worship the Sun god which is also know as Surya. The word ‘Chhatt’ means ‘six’, and refers to the six days of the week on which the festival is celebrated.
The festival is also known as Surya Shashthi, and is observed to propitiate the Sun god for a good harvest. On this day, people take a dip in holy rivers, offer prayers and flowers to the Sun god, and sing devotional songs. They also prepare special dishes and offer them to the deity.
Eid-Ul-Fitr
Eid-Ul-Fitr is one of the very important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and is celebrated with feasting, family gatherings and special prayers.
For Muslims, Eid-Ul-Fitr is a time of joy and celebration. It is a time to give thanks to Allah for His blessings and to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. It is also a time to spend with family and friends, and to exchange gifts.
Eid-Ul-Fitr is considered as a special occasion for Muslims all over the world. It is a time of happiness, prayer and thanksgiving.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja festival is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is also a time to give thanks to the goddess Durga for her protection and blessings. The festival typically lasts for five days and is observed during the month of October.
Durga Puja is a very special time for Hindus all over the world. It is a time to come together and celebrate the victory of good over evil. The festival also celebrates the blessings of the goddess Durga. Hindus believe that Durga is the protector of the world and her blessings are essential for a happy and prosperous life.
During the festival, Hindus offer prayers and sacrifices to Durga. They also decorate their homes and temples with images of the goddess.
RakshaBandhan Festival
Raksha Bandhan is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. The festival is also known as Rakhi Purnima and is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan (August).
On day of RaskshaBandhan , sisters tie a sacred thread, called a Rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's wellbeing, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect his sister.
Raksha Bandhan is a joyous occasion that is celebrated with much fanfare in India. Families get together to feast on special sweets and foods, and exchange gifts. It's a day to cherish the special bonds between brothers and sisters, and to celebrate the love and affection that they share.
Easter Day
Easter is a religious festival that celebrates the resurrection (return to life) of Jesus Christ. It is also known as Pascha or Resurrection (return to life) Sunday. It is the most important festival in the Christian calendar and is observed by Christians all over the world.
The festival is observed on the first Sunday after the full moon (Poornima) following the vernal equinox. This means that Easter can fall anywhere between 22 March and 25 April . In 2021, Easter will be celebrated on 4th April . The week leading up to Easter is known as Holy Week and it includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
On Easter Sunday, Christians attend church services and celebrate Easter with family and friends. The day is also marked with special meals, Easter eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies.