The festivals of India rebound the culture and mythology of its
great historical past. The country comes to life with its oscillating
colors, music, dace and festivity throughout the year.
Indian fairs and festivals invariably seizure the center of attraction when
it comes to tourism. Often tourists synchronize their jaunt to India with
the popular Indian fairs and festivals. Due to intrinsic heritage and
traditions in the country the festivals have become the spirits of Indian
edification and society India has grand celebrations in its stores for every
religious occasion. The festivals are celebrated for many reasons either for
rejuvenating the legend and the morality tales or welcoming the change of
seasons or for meditating the almighty.
The Vibrant colors of Festival
India is a multifaceted and multi-religious country, the number of
festivals eminent seems vibrating. The festival celebration in India never
ends and it is around the corner in every season. There is an incessant
cavalcade festivity, delight and bonhomie in this land. Being a multi
religious country all the festivals are celebrated with same enthusiasm and
sprit. If there is Diwali for the Hindus then there is Eid for the Muslims
and Christmas for the Christians. Tourists are wonder stuck with the
fragment and sovereignty of Indian festivals.
Other aspect of celebrating festival in the Indian society is to patronize
harmony, with emphasis on communal integrity. Some religious festival
celebrations are related to the changing of the seasons, while some can be
related to cultural events while a few surpass barriers of belief and are
cheerfully celebrated through out the country.
Indian festivals mainly have a religious message. Apart from rituals and
prayers, festivals are convoy with fasts or feasts. In urban areas,
festivals attract large crowds from neighboring areas.
Prestigious Festivals of India
Dusshera
It too owes its roots to the Ramayana. It celebrates Lord Rama's victory
over Ravana and has sermonic essence. Rama's victory is seen as the victory
of good over evil.
Dussehra the 10th day of Durga Puja is one of the most eminent Hindu
festivals, celebrated with much enthusiasm through out the country. The
occasion marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana, the
victory of good over evil. Dazzling ornate processions portraying various
aspect of Rama's life are taken out which are stuffed with explosive
material. The effigies are burned enlightening people to burn the evil
within them, and thus follow the path of integrity and righteousness.
Time of celebration: Sep 25- Oct 25
Ganesh Chaturthi
The bounteous god of wisdom the God Ganesha with an elephant head, son of
Shiva and Parbvati is worship all over the country. Ganesh Chaturthi is
dedicated to Ganesha and is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with much of devotion.
It is celebrated as a mark of Lord Ganesha's birthday on the fourth day
(Chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada month of Hindu calendar.
The festivity end when the idol of Guanaco is submerged in water (visarjan),
with the loud chants of Ganapati Bappa Moraya.
Time of celebration: in the month of September
Eid-ul-Fitr
Its
the most significant festival of Muslims and is celebrated on the day of the
holy month of Ramzan. It is antecede by a month long fasting and expiation.
It's believed that all the prayers offered during this month is replied by
the heavens and all desires are satisfied. The festival is also associated
by the birth of the prophet (Id-e-Milad - Milad-un-Nabi). Eid is celebrated
with a Namaz a holy prayer in a mosque, distributing sweets, gifts and
spraying of attar - rose essence.
Bakra Eid
Bakra Eid is celebrated to eternalize the religious sacrifice therefore on
this day a goat is slaughtered as a offering to Allah. It is also called as
Id-ul-Zuha - Bakr-id another propitious occurrence for those who proclaim
Islam.
Christmas
Christmas is most renowned festival of the Christian community. In India
Christmas celebrations are held with same enthusiasm and fun like any other
Hindu festival. The festival symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ. The
enchanting decoration of Christmas tree, Santa Claus, gifts, sweets, cakes
all depicts the dawning of Christmas. One can see Catholic Goa come to life
during the Christmas Eve and also in Kerela Christmas festival is worth
seeing.
Time of Celebration: 25th December.
Diwali
Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of lights, sweets, crackers is one of the
most significant of all Hindu festivals. He festival symbolizes the victory
of light over darkness, good over evil and is celebrated joyously all over
the country. Diwali Festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is often
related to a festival of wealth and prosperity.
It has its rhizome in the glorious epic of Ramayana. Legends say that Lord
Rama, Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile on this
prestigious day. People embellish their homes with lamps, colors, candles
and small earthen pots. They go to their dear ones house to distribute
sweets and to greet each other. It seems as if whole paradise is lighted up
with kaleidoscopic lights and fireworks.
Time of celebration: Between Oct 15- Nov 15.
Easter
Easter is another prime event for the Christians that is normally
celebrated either in the month of March or April. Good Friday and Easter is
anteceded by a 40 days. Fast, Easter eggs and Easter bunnies are the prime
temptations of this holy event.
Time of Celebration: March-April
Holi
The festival of Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of
March every year. This multihued festival of Holi is celebrated with full
excitement and fun in the northern parts of India. It's a festival of colors
epitomizing unity and harmony among the people. They rub gulaal (the rose
color) on each other, dance and sing on the traditional tunes. On this
auspicious day of the Holi, men, women, children irrespective of caste and
creed socialize and greet each other. The festival is also associated with
the celebration of good harvests and fertility of the land.
Time of celebration: February- March
Raksha Bandhan
Sisters tying rakhis (colorful threads) on their brother's wrist mark this
unique festival. Brothers take an oath for the protection and caring of
their sisters whenever they are in trouble. On this auspicious day the
Brahmin community change the sacred thread they wear.
Onam
Onam, the most prominent festival of Kerala, is celebrated amidst the lush
green flora. This scenic harvest festival is celebrated over the period of
10 days embellished with the colors, feasting, boat races and the enchanting
folk song and dances to the state.
Onam festival is associated with the myth of the mythological king
Mahabali. On this auspicious day the houses are cleaned, arrayed lights to
welcome the honorable ruler of by gone era. During this time the
prestigious, the bizarre boat races at Alapuzha is a major attraction among
the tourist.
Besides these, there are other festivals like Bhaiya Dooj, Pongal,
Baisakhi, Krishna Janmastami, Buddha Jayanti, Kumbh Mela, and many more
which are celebrated with affectation and splendor.
