Festivals & special days in India carry important messages. The festivals in India are celebrated with immense passion and joy. Even the foreigners who visit India often get overwhelm after observing the real colors and joyous of Indian festivals. In India, numerous festivals are celebrated.

So, three types of festivals are mainly celebrated in India that goes by—

·         National

·         Religious

·         Seasonal

Every festival has its significance and traditions to the people. The explanation goes by—

National Festivals

The national festivals are celebrated with proudness and have super-patriotic dedication. The celebrations are done over Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti that are considered as three leading national festivals of India.

Republic Day

Republic Day is celebrated across India on 26th January each year. On this particular day, India’s Constitution finally came into force.

Independence Day

This day is celebrated all over the country on 15th August each year. On this day, India got independence from the empire of the British people. Also, in other countries, this particular day is termed as “India Day” and every Indian feel proud on this day.

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2nd October every year on the occasion of birth of Mahatma Gandhi who is popularly known to be “Father of the Nation”.

Religious Festivals

The religious festivals hence show the religious association of people with the festival. The major religious festivals are named as Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, Krishna Janamastami, Durga-Puja, Dusshera, Maha Shivaratri, Eid, Christmas, Easter, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, etc. Some important of them are discussed below:

Holi

This is the most colorful festival of the Hindus been celebrated for two days. The ceremony of “Holika Dahan” is mainly observed on the first day and then following up the next day, people play Holi by painting the face and clothes of each other’s. They also play colors with friendly passers-by. This festival is generally celebrated in middle the month of end of February and beginning of March which is also known as Spring Festival.

Raksha Bandhan

This festival signifies the beautiful relation of a brother and a sister which celebrated in the name festival of ‘Raksha Bandhan’. As talking traditional wise, the girls tie a string of thread on the wrist of her brother. This thread of love defines the responsibility of brother to always take care, support and protect the sisters under all circumstances.

Diwali

This festival is celebrated in the middle months of October and December which is also termed as “Festival of Lights”. On this day every people, especially Hindus, tend to lighten up their houses with lights using candles and diyas. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Rama. This festival brings home the deities of Goddess Laxmi (Goddess of wealth) and Lord Ganesha. Prayers are offered by all the family members. This is the New Year for Hindus where gifts and sweets are exchanged with each other.

Durga Puja

In this festival, people worship Devi Durga. Durga Puja is the most popular festival in West Bengal. Idols of Devi Durga are placed in various pandals. The priest worships the idol of Devi Durga and chant traditional mantra. The people also wear new clothes and travels out of their homes to see the beautifully decorated Pandals.

Dusshera

People celebrate Dusshera festival to spot the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It signifies the victory of good over the evil. People usually go to see the famous folk play called as Ram Lila. The story of Lord Rama is shown in the play which is a great time to enjoy and take inspiration from virtuous acts of Rama.

Seasonal and Harvesting Festivals

These festivals are celebrated to mark the harvesting of crops when there is change of seasons. The major seasonal and harvesting festivals celebrated in India includes as Basant Panchami, Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Onam, Baisakhi, Bhogali bihu, and many more.

Lohri

This is celebrated on a day proceeding to Makar Sankranti festival that is on 13th January every year. Lohri Festival is also known as Maghi Festival as it marks the beginning of Magh—the Hindu Month and end of the Paush—another Hindu month.

Baisakhi

This festival is celebrated each year in the month of April. People take bath early in the morning for the Baisakhi festival and enjoy the day with closed ones. This day also coincides with the many other festivals celebrated in the month of April like Makar Sankranti greatly.

The Importance of Festivals

The importance of festivals is different for different people. The Festivals help us to promote national integration and bring peace and harmony within the society. They play a very important role to add structure to the social lives, and connect people with families and backgrounds.