Festivals of India

India celebrates festivals throughout the year. It is said that there are more number of festivals in India, than there are days in a year.These festivals have an enormous impact on our society in the areas of social, economic, cultural and artistic. Many of these festivals are celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. Apart from these, each State has their own regional festivals. No other country in the world celebrates so many number of festivals as does in India.

Only a small percentage of these festivals take place on a particular date. Most of them follow the lunar calendar and hence the exact date of the festivals varies from year to year.

There are religious festivals, cultural festivals, harvest festivals and national festivals like Independence Day among them. Whatever type of festivals, festivals in India are joyous events celebrated with great pomp and show. Most of these festivals are the commemoration of ancient mythological events and the observance of the triumph of good over evil. Some other festivals are the birthday celebration of Gods or Gurus.

Muslim Festivals and Christian Festivals:

India celebrates not only Hindu festivals, Buddha Purnima, Gurunanak Jayanthi, all Muslim festivals and Christian festivals are also celebrated here. One important thing in India is irrespective of the religions, people celebrate many of these festivals together with great enthusiasm.

During the celebration of major festivals, the textile industry enjoys bumper business and the shops put up large discount sales targeting the customers. Men, women and children want to dress up in new attire to celebrate the occasion.

For each major festival, people indulge in  thorough cleaning of their houses and surroundings. In South India, you can see the main entrances of the houses decorated with mango leaves signifying prosperity and are therefore considered to be auspicious.  These are followed by kolams, which are artistically drawn using rice flour or color chalk powder,  in front of the main entrance.

Special Food is an integral part of festivals in India. Inviting relatives and friends during the festivals is common in all parts of India. Elaborate dishes and sweets are made for some festivals and for some other festivals need only simple dishes.

Decorations are another great feature of Indian festivals. Temples are decorated for the religious festivals such as Janmashtami, Ganesha festival etc.

India has special festivals for bonding brothers and sisters together. These are called by different names in different parts of the country, such as Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi in northern part of India, Avani Avittam in the southern part, Narial Purnima in Maharashtra, etc. Brothers get special attention from their sisters on this day, and they tie a rakhi on their brothers wrist and the brother presents gifts to his sisters.

Indians start their early education on an auspicious day, doing Saraswathi Pooja. A child is first introduced ceremoniously to writing. In Kerala, children are initiated and set on the course of schooling and learning on this auspicious day of Vijayadashmi. This ceremony is called Vidhyarambham (beginning of learning). Rice is spread on a tray and seating the new student on the lap of his father, his finger is gently pulled to write on the rice "Hari Shri Ganapathaye namaha".

Apart from the religious deities, Indians worship weapons during Ayudha puja (Dasara festival), snakes (Nagapanchami), birds during Kanya Pongal (last day of Pongal festival), Bulls and Cows (during Mattupongal and Sankranthi). Colorful festival like Holi is also Indian's favorite.