Festivals Of India

Festivals Of India - Part 4

This is continued from part three of this article series. Please read that before you read this article.
Nag Panchami - Nag Panchami comes on the panchami of Shravan month according to the Hindu calendar or in August. People worship the snake god on this day and offer offerings like milk.

Mahashivaratri - Mahashivaratri is the festival celebrating Lord Shiva. It is celebrated by hindus all over the country. On this day, people do worship Lord Shiva and fast for the day. People go to temples of Shiva for to worship with milk, bilva leaves and flowers in the morning and evening.

Pongal - Pongal is the festival celebrated by Tamils in India. It is the most important festival of South India. Pongal is the harvest festival, related to agriculture. It comes in the month of January.

Gudi Padwa - This festival is celebrated as the new year in the state of Maharashtra. The first day of Chaitra month is celebrated as Gudi Padwa according to the Hindu calendar. It comes between march-April. It is also known as Ugadi. On this day, people clean their homes and decorate it. Everyone wears new clothes.

Ramadan - Ramzan or Ramadan is a festival of the Muslims which comes in the 9th month according to the Islamic calender. Muslims fast (without drinking water and eating food) throughout the day and eat only after sunset and stop eating before sunrise for the whole month. After the last day of fasting, the next day is celebrated as Ramzan Id.

Mahavir Jayanti - Mahavir Jayanti is the festival of Jains in India. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Mahavira. He was the 24th Tirthankar according to the Jain community. On this day, Jain temples are decorated with flowers and flags. In the morning, the Abhishek (ceremonial bath) of the idol of God Mahavira is done. Jains give food and alms to poor people on this day.

Dussehra - Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day of Navratri by hindus. This day is celebrated as the victory of lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. In some parts of country, there is the tradition of burning the statue of Ravana. The life of Rama is shown on stage via the drama called 'Ramlila' in many places.

Baisakhi - Baisakhi is celebrated as the new year in North India - mainly Punjab state. It is the harvest festival which generally comes on 13th April every year. On this day, people wake up early in the morning and take a bath in the river and go to Gurudwara - the temple of Sikhs for worship and take the special prasad called Kada prasad. In many places, Fairs are organised on this day. The day is celebrated with joy and fervor.

These were the major festivals of India. There are still many smaller festivals celebrated in different parts of India. If I were to list them all, I would have to write for at least one day in every week of the year. Hopefully, this article has helped you gain a good insight on the festivals of India.

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