Festival
India is a culturally diverse country where people of different religions and communities celebrate many festivals. Here is information about some major festivals:
Diwali
Diwali is the main festival of Hinduism which is also called the “festival of lights”. It is celebrated for five days and each day has its own special significance. People decorate their houses with lamps, candles and rangoli. Lakshmi Puja, bursting crackers and distributing sweets are the main parts of this festival.
Holi
Holi is called the “festival of colors”. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Phalgun. On this day people put colors and water on each other, drink bhang thandai and perform the tradition of Holika Dahan. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Rakhi (Raksha Bandhan)
Rakhi is a festival symbolizing the love and protection of brother and sister. On this day, sisters tie Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and wish them a long life and happiness. In return, brothers give them gifts and promise to protect them.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. This festival lasts for ten days and at the end of it, the Ganesh idol is immersed. This festival is celebrated with special pomp in Maharashtra.
Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is the festival of the Sun entering Capricorn. This festival is celebrated at the time of harvest and is also called Uttarayan. On this day, sesame and jaggery laddus are made and kite flying is done.
Eid
Eid is the main festival of Muslim religion. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha are the two main Eid festivals. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramzan, while Eid-ul-Azha is known as Bakrid, in which animals are sacrificed.
Christmas
Christmas is the main festival of Christianity which is celebrated on 25 December. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ. People pray in the church, decorate houses and give gifts to each other.
Through these festivals, we get a glimpse of the cultural diversity and social fabric of India.
