Best Costumes For Functions

Fashion Show and Award Functions 

A student of L.S Raheja School of Fashion and Design in Mumbai, Felix bendish is recognized as a fashion entrepreneur in the world of fashion. The designer is known for creating beautiful clothing and styling for personal clientele, Bollywood movies, Film and Television, Fashion shows & Award functions and believes in doing something out of the box. We get to know him better. What made you take up this profession well it's in my family. My profession in designing goes back to my schooldays. My uncle was designing clothes then- for the epic movie - Mughal-E-Azam so it just had to be in me and I followed in his footsteps. Your design philosophy I do not have a particular person in mind when I design. What inspires me is the inner complexity of a person. The hallmark of my design philosophy lies not being afraid to Experiment. Share something about your label.

Top Ten: Halloween Costumes

With Halloween decorations already going up in public spaces and date functions resuming with their ridiculous themes, it’s time to start thinking about the classless Halloween costumes you’ll be putting together.

10.) Where’s Waldo: Maybe the first guy who dressed up as Waldo thought it was really clever, but now it’s overdone. It’s not unusual to hear those on door shift at frat parties yell, “NO MORE WALDOS.”

9.) Slutty anything: Skanky costumes really only need one good prop to function. Cop? Handcuffs. Doctor? Stethoscope. Once you have the actual prop, you can put on whatever slutty dress you have in a neutral color and call yourself the slutty version of whatever you’re trying to be.

8.) Celebrity look-alike: If you’re a guy and have shoulder-length hair of any hair color, you’ve been told that you “look” like Shaun White. All you have to do is throw on any snowboarding gear of any sort and you’re good to go. Though unoriginal, any drunk chick with beer goggles will think you look more and more like Mr. Right as the night wears on.

7.) Laxtitutes: Dress up just like any other jersey chaser—your favorite UVa jersey with booty shorts underneath, only tote around a champagne flute and one of those long cigarette holders to let the world know you’re the classiest tramp of them all.

6.) ABC outfits: These always make for great pictures at the very beginning of the night, but ultimately lead to embarrassing stories by the end of the night. While highly creative and commendable in terms of the amount of effort that went into creating the art piece, these costumes are a double-edged sword. What if you decide to go back to his place? Don’t be surprised if pictures of your walk of shame are tweeted later.

5.) Superhero: Who doesn’t love seeing a good superhero on Halloween weekend? Any guy that is bold enough to rock the spandex as Spiderman or Superman has our vote.

4.) The guy who was unoriginal and threw on a jersey last second: Not surprisingly, girls get a lot more into Halloween weekend than their male counterparts do. All the time a guy spends fantasizing about what whatever her name is wearing on Halloween weekend totally made him forget that he has to wear something too.

3.) Nicki Minaj/Lady Gaga/Ke$ha: The more obnoxious and ridiculous, the better. Glitter, feathers, and mascara in any combination is a recipe for success when it comes to emulating these freaks. If you make an actual meat dress, bonus points for you.

2.) Any historical/educational figure: Attending UVa means that you’re a nerd in more ways than you’re willing to admit, and Halloween is a time when all the inner nerds display their true colors. Jackie Onasis, Bill Nye, our beloved TJ…all these figures require basic historical knowledge, and you better believe that other nerds at this school will know exactly who you are dressed as.

1.) Cowgirl: Plenty of UVa lasses own the outfit staples of cowboy boots and a comfy flannel. The exceptional ones will have there’s tied at their midriff with cut-off denim booty shorts. While not creative, it is always a well-received costume among the upstanding male students of UVa.

The Brand -Felix Bendish was launched in 2001, has its own In-house design studio in juhu-Mumbai. It dreams of creating beautiful clothing and styling for personal clientele, Bollywood movies, Film and Television, Fashion shows and Award functions. Is fashion trend getting repetitive yes, I do agree that fashion is getting repetitive. Every designer works on inspirations, so we all look back at inspirations from the early 19th century to current 21st century. Once we understand the nature of the product, we then just move in that direction. As an observer, what's your take on the fashion industry today's fashion is very competitive and when I say competition I mean price. We are still trying to get out of the recession! So everybody is price conscious without damaging the quality of the product.

 Everyone wants value for money. Enlist your Bollywood clientele Bollywood stars in list are many because I have been designing movies, stage, award functions since a long time now- right from Helen jito Ashmit Patel and more all these people are my favourites because they put their trust in design in me and that makes me more confident and a better designer. How different it is to design for layman, a magazine and a film. In movies- you have to understand the character of the scene/role played by the artist. One needs to know that the costumes should not overplay the role if possible. In magazines- It's all about selling the product and marketing. The styling of garments or accessories has to look at it best! For real people-It's a combination of design, style, luxury and glamour. 

When a client comes to me, I make sure that he or she looks like a start in his own right. I just enhance their personalities. How important is marketing visual merchandising for sales you cannot sell a fantastic product without marketing it today we have a well read audience who understand quality and lifestyle VM is like a passport to your product. A good packaging always plays an important role. Are we going to see you in any fashion week in future i have been doing my private shows in Mumbai and Goa. Yes, looking forward to fashion weeks in the near future. Designers you admire in India, I like Tarun Tahilliani and Shahab Durazi for their designs and finishing and internationally, I love Alexander McQueen and Thierry Mugleur for their creative avant garde design. What matter to you more-domestic supremacy or international acclaim what matters to me is to be known as a designer who does good work. Rest would fall in its place. Future Plans next in the list is the European Market.

Seeking very best and low-priced deals for Halloween costumes? 

 

Description: Moreover for the Christmas season, Easter Sunday together with Thanksgiving holiday, Halloween is generally probably the most recognized celebrations worldwide. Plenty of people today commonly get ready for this particular celebration thinking of that young kids will execute a number of Halloween occasions even though older men and women celebrate an extremely very good Halloween bash. Do take a look at Chinese wholesale outlets over web and get excellent offers and offers concerning low-cost Halloween costumes and Halloween makeup for children.

Moreover towards the Christmas season, Easter Sunday and also Thanksgiving holiday, Halloween is generally probably the most recognized celebrations worldwide. A great deal of persons generally get prepared for this certain celebration taking into consideration that young children will perform several Halloween events even though older persons celebrate a very good Halloween bash. Sometimes, buying centres are typically undertaking several gimmicks for you to bring in young youngsters the other can be creating Halloween computer software. That is why, serious Halloween supporters plan for functions coupled with Halloween cotumes.

For several, deciding on a very best and mens halloween costumes is surely a vital maybe the total Halloween experience. A great deal of strategy for this specific definitely any great thirty day period ahead of Halloween to stop run obtaining. Receiving prepared initially could make these persons magnificent among several folks. Persons then again are generally happy in carrying out what that they learn accessible in addition to of their storage room. Regardless of the supplements, will probably be the man or lady genuinely donning the appropriate Halloween costumes pertaining for the puppy?

Recommendations throughout deciding on great high quality and low-priced Halloween costumes:

- Ahead of acquiring the clothes, comfort needs to be the quantity one primary concern. Occasionally undertaking your Halloween or probably participating functions, anybody must be at ease along with your Halloween costumes. It is going to additionally go with when employing temperature. Donning an extremely skinny a part of apparel with a frosty night time just isn’t going to bring about anyone to have uneasy, sooner or later receiving sick and tired.

- Your dress-up costume also needs to go with your design in the bash. If your commonplace style may be futuristic and Female Coo encouraged, donning a brand new cowboy dress-up costume won’t likely completely fit into. In case your bash is certainly an most gown-up audience together with in case you are going to come across young young children engaged, donning revealing clothing can be Nintendo wii option. Then again, it can be encouraged to choose a brand new dress-up costume that may takes action as well as can be linked to latest circumstances since it can be a extremely great theme. Your negative aspect on the other hand may be that may a lot of people today may possibly possibly really feel your Halloween costumes is usually improperly organized.

- Protection should be regarded. Wherever feasible your clothing ought not incorporate gear and lighting together with sharpened physical objects provided it could injure plenty of men and women specially your kids plus the person who has on your clothes also. Whilst difficult go equipment are widely-used, your eye-sight mustn’t be disadvantaged given it could possibly cause injuries.

- Its personal hint pertaining to acquiring together with deciding on youngster’s dress-up costume is often that may it is actually important to take into consideration your individual preferences within the little ones. Mothers and fathers ought to not firmly insist precisely what they genuinely want. In fact, it does not take little one which will don your dress-up costume but not your parent or guardian. Consequently if your little a single would like to don Spiderman dress-up costume in addition to would prefer to usually be Dora, allow these persons constantly be.

- In the extended run, finances must be granted awareness although acquiring Outfits. These types of fancy dress costumes might be produced by side in unique when your style and style and style can be one-of-a-kind together with should you obtain the needed time. There are lots of involving fancy dress costumes which happen to be affordable nevertheless the concept appears to be classy and yes it shines together with the audience. Thrift outlets are presented all over the location and additionally they give genuinely affordable goods. Employing prior outfits by means of the storage space could usually be donned as well as introducing a variety of equipment and also adding a new pose in it truly is generally exciting.

In case you’re employed up involving concepts, absolutely nothing is for you to fret. You will obtain mags, net, as well as other marketing clothes which can help everyone attain that spectacular Halloween costumes. Do take a look at Chinese wholesale shops over web and get terrific bargains and delivers relating to cheap Halloween costumes and cheap halloween makeup.

 

Importance of Makeup & Costumes in Theatre

1. Visual Effect

   • Beyond setting and character, costumes and makeup play an important role in visibility and aesthetic. Makeup is necessary for ensuring that the features of an actor's face are easy to see and don't get "washed out" by the bright stage lights. Costumes perform a similar function, since a skilled costume designer will avoid colors and designs that are too pale or intricate to be distinguished by the audience.
     

   Character

   • Good costumes and makeup will give the audience key information about a character at first sight. For example, if a character is in a depressive state, the costuming and makeup may reflect this in the form of unkempt, dirty and wrinkled clothing, a five-o-clock beard shadow, and mussed hair. This enhances the storytelling and realism of the play.
     

   Setting

   • Costumes are a chief indicator of the time and place of a play, whether the actors are wearing Renaissance period garb or styles of the 1960s. Makeup and hairstyles should also be coordinated to match the setting of the play, though some concession is made in makeup styles for the sake of avoiding wash-out.
     

   Style

   • The director and costume designer will often work together in creating a visual aesthetic for a show that goes beyond the practical concerns. For example, if a director wishes to dress up a Victorian era play with some steampunk aesthetic elements, the costumer should work with this aesthetic and add clockwork and metallic ornaments to the actors' garb. This type of planning not only enhances the vision for the drama and storytelling, it helps create a theatrical experience that is richly enjoyable from a visual standpoint as well as a dramatic one.
     

   Actors

   • Costumes and makeup serve an important purpose for actors, too. Though the primary work that actors do in creating their characters is done during the weeks of rehearsal and individual practice leading up to a show, seeing themselves transformed visually into a character is often a powerful source of inspiration.

Living Home Decoration

 ADD LIGHT AND GREAT STYLE WITH CHANDELIERS

A chandelier is defined as “a branched, ceiling-mounted light fixture with two or more arms bearing lights.” During the medieval times, they were made of wooden beams usually shaped as a cross with metal spikes on top to hold candles. It was hoisted towards the ceiling using a rope or chain, and was depended upon as a useful light source. They evolved into more delicate designs involving crystals and stones, and became more apparent in palaces, places of royalty and the wealthy. Today, the chandelier is used in a more decorative way, adding a luxurious presence to the home.

Nonetheless, chandeliers can add wonderful ambience to just about any room. They are designed to float in a room as an element of the design. It can serve as a room’s centerpiece without taking over the entire space. Chandeliers can be a great conversation piece, as well as a part of the home that really makes you feel as though you are living in luxury. They are elegant and unparalleled additions and command attention like no other furnishing.  There are many points to consider when choosing a chandelier. Size, materials and light emission are crucial when determining the perfect chandelier for a room.

 

Vertical and horizontal sizes are important decisions to make when selecting a chandelier. A fixture that is too large may overwhelm the space, however, one too small will appear out of place or insignificant. The design and size of the chandelier will also affect the hanging height. For an elaborate chandelier that

takes up a lot of space, it should be hung a couple of

inches higher than the standard height. Be sure to hold it up before committing to a height to make sure it works. Here are some general size dimension rules that will help when choosing a chandelier:

              - If the room is smaller than 10' by 10', choose a 17" to 20" diameter chandelier.

              - If the room is about 12' x 12', a 24" to 27" chandelier would be an accurate size.

              - If the room is about 14' x 14', try a 24" to 36" diameter chandelier.

Another way to help determine the proper size chandelier for a room is to add the dimensions together. For example, if your room is 12' by 17', add the 12 plus 17 to get 29. Therefore, a proper size chandelier would be around 29" diameter for that room.

The length at which the chandelier should hang depends on the ceiling height of that particular room. The bottom of the fixture should not hang more than 7' from the floor. If windows are present, center the chandelier in the window so it can be seen from the outside.

Since a chandelier will be a focus piece in the room, it is vital to choose materials that will enhance the decor of the area. Lavish and visually dazzling light fittings can create the most beautiful kind of lighting. The combination of crystals and candles conjures up all kinds of nostalgic feelings about chandeliers. Crystal and glass fixtures are very popular and represent a romantic sense of wealth. Chandeliers can also come in different metals such as brass, wrought iron, silver and steel. A wrought iron chandelier produces a magnificent appearance. Stone, beads, shell and capiz chandeliers aren’t quite as fancy, but definitely provide a more edgy or whimsical look. Antler chandeliers from elk or deer embody a rustic style and are perfect for log cabins and rustic lodges. For a room with a traditional style, a fixture with more ornamentation and intricate designs will fit best. Alternatively, a simple chandelier would match a modern style space that is usually less ornamented. A formal and elegant room is best equipped with a very impressive chandelier. A space that features antiqued furniture would be complete with a more detail-enriched chandelier, perhaps with hanging pendants.

Another appropriate method to help choose the materials is to begin with a color or element that is influential in the decoration scheme of the room. You want your chandelier color to compliment your existing finishes. Brushed bronze, black, silver or even gold can be neutral tones that will match most decorating schemes. If you already have a warm, rich, wood and earth-toned theme, a bronze or gold finished chandelier may work best. If the room has cool tones, like blues and whites, a silver one would be appropriate. For that sleek, modern style space with black furniture, a silver or black fixture will complement that polished design.

 

Chandeliers have multiple bulbs and tend to shed a lot of light.  The amount of illumination that you will need can be calculated upon this formula: 

Length x Width x 1.5 = wattage

For example, a room that is 12 x 15 feet will need bulbs that produce a combined total of 270 watts.  A chandelier with 6 bulbs that are 40 watts will most likely provide adequate illumination, especially if complemented by sconces, lamps, or other light fixtures. A more general rule to provide sufficient light with the total wattage of all bulbs is 100 watts to 400 watts. Since chandeliers of recent times are not used as a light source but more as a decorative piece, placing your chandelier on a dimmer is a great option. A dimmer allows adjustment to the light level in order to set the perfect mood.

A very common spot for a chandelier is often found in the dining room. It is important to make sure that the chandelier is low enough to light up the eating area without interfering with the

sight line of the people seated at the table. The general rule is to

measure 30" to 36" from the surface of the table to the bottom of the fixture to insure good illumination. Additionally, it should be about 12" narrower than the width of the table so it will not interfere with people’s heads. Often, the best thing to do is hold the fixture over the table and move it up and down

until it looks right.

The perfect chandelier in the foyer will create a welcoming atmosphere for all who enter the home. It should provide the general light needed to greet guests and assure a safe passage into your home. When determining whether to hang a flush, semi-flush, or multi-tiered chandelier in your foyer, consider the ceiling height of the foyer and remember to keep it around 7 feet above the floor. For two-story foyers with a window above the front door, center the chandelier so it can be seen from outside. If your foyer is extra-large, you may also want to add matching sconces. They should be installed about 5 feet from the floor and around 6' to 8' apart.

A chandelier hanging at the top of a stairway can be a great focus point. Staircases are often overlooked when it comes to home decor, so the simple addition of a chandelier can integrate this space into the rest of your living area.

The kitchen is a unique, but elegant location for a chandelier. Many homeowners will match the dining area chandelier with the lighting used in the kitchen to keep a cohesive look throughout the home.

If you are placing your chandelier in a room with a relatively low ceiling like some bedrooms, consider purchasing a mini chandelier. In recent years, mini chandeliers have been gaining popularity for their ability to fit nicely into small spaces without sacrificing the character that a high-quality chandelier exhibits.

For countless years, chandeliers have long provided a majestic form of lighting that makes the space look grand and stately like no other lighting fixture. It can be a decorative accent or lovely centerpiece to just about any room in the home. Since matching the style of the room is of utmost importance, do not be afraid to experiment with different sizes, tastes and designs of chandeliers to see which one works best for your home.

Opening your doors to family and friends will make your home come alive with spirit. Creating a retreat for your guests will make them feel comfortable, pampered, and most importantly, at home. Spoil your guests with an amazing guest bedroom suite that will make them return for visits time and time again.

There are several tips and tricks to create a magnificent guest bedroom. Follow these ideas and you may never have your house to yourself again.

Choose a theme with a traditional color palette. Soothing tones work best to make your guests feel comfortable. Some throw pillows, a blanket, matching artwork and curtains will help tie the look together.

Use only your best. Resist the urge to use what you don’t want to use in your own bedroom. Your guests deserve the best, including sheets, bedspreads, mattress and pillows. Provide plenty of blankets no matter what the temperature, as well as a fan if the room doesn’t have a ceiling fan. Treat this space as a luxury hotel and your family and friends will be eager to stay awhile.

Make sure the guest bedroom has all the right pieces of furniture. A decorative bed is only the beginning. Flank the bed with nightstands, each one equipped with a reading lamp, so guests who are sharing the bedroom can enjoy the space even if one may be sleeping. Offer an area for clothing storage, either a chest of drawers or a closet with hangers. A cozy seat also warms the space and invites the guests to enjoy the area for rest or reading. And, if you have the space, add a dressing or vanity mirror so your guests are able to freshen up a little before greeting everyone.

Don’t use this space as a storage room. A guest bedroom is just that. In order to make your guests feel welcome, store your overflowing belongings elsewhere, including all your exercise equipment!

Remember the little things. Guests do not want to feel like they are intruding so always be one step ahead of them. Furnish the room with essentials such as a set of towels, a wastebasket, night light, facial tissues, and an alarm clock. Going further, it is nice to provide amenities including fresh flowers, books or magazines, a welcome basket filled with travel items, bottled water and a glass, potpourri, and dish with mints or candy.

One last tip before opening your home to overnight guests: stay a night in the suite you’ve created. Make sure the lighting is appropriate, the furniture is arranged for an easy flow, and the bed is fit for a dream-like sleep. After you make any necessary changes you can sleep easy knowing your guests have nothing but the best.

For example, if you were to look beyond the sequins, a ballerina's intricate tutu is just a plain leotard. Without that secret dash of something extra, the gourmet chef's chicken tastes just like something you whip up for dinner any normal night. The same can be said for your home design – the little details like trim and moulding can make all the difference in the overall look and feel of your personal paradise.

Once upon a time, moulding was an installation nightmare that overwhelmed the most ambitious designers. Materials were heavy, difficult to manage, and still needed to be primed, painted, cut and positioned – certainly not a task for the average homeowner to undertake. Today's materials eliminate some of those challenges, making moulding and trim installation a wonderful do-it-yourself task that is not terribly time consuming. But before busting out the caulk gun and your hammer, there is some preparation.

Moulding and trim is both decorative and functional. Once installed, the details are eye appealing and add significantly to your decor, all while hiding joints from your walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors. Mouldings are available in several materials that vary based on finish and price: Hardwood – meant to be stained or left with a natural finish; expensive

• Pine or Fir – typically paint grade; less expensive
• Polyurethane foam – can be painted or stained to resemble wood; most inexpensive and manageable

Each of these materials comes in a variety of styles. Prefinished options come ready to install without need for painting or staining. There is also minimal touch up necessary when installed correctly. There may be a limited selection at your local hardware vendor, so take your time researching all your options. Contact stores or manufacturers about catalogs with available styles and suggestions based on home design.

After choosing the trim style you like best, it is time to decide where exactly your interior trim will be placed. Though the pieces themselves are often the same style and material, the proper term for a kind of trim is designated by placement:

• Cornice – Also referred to as crown moulding, this trim runs where the walls meet the ceiling. Crown moulding gives a lovely, finished look to any room whether formal or functional.
• Chair rail – Chair rail is typically a wooden moulding that runs the height of a chair back (average 32 inches). It is a beautiful way to protect your walls from scuffs and bumps brought on by furniture, and can also be used as a baseboard or other decorative moulding.
• Wainscoting – Paneling applied to the lower portion of a wall. Running between 36 to 54 inches in height, wainscoting is often topped with a chair rail and is great for adding a decorative element to walls while protecting them from scuffs and furniture bumps. Wainscoting is easy to clean and extremely useful in active homes with pets or children.
• Baseboard – The baseboards of a home run between 3 to 12 inches high where the lowest part of the wall meets the floor, hiding the uneven edges of flooring. Even when wainscoting is not used, the baseboard helps protect the walls from scuffs and bumps. Often simple and practical, baseboard trends are turning toward more elaborate designs encompassing a room's decor.
• Door and Window Casing – The trim around a door or window is known as the casing, with the inside pieces being referred to as the jambs. There are as many options for casings as any other moulding, ensuring a seamless design throughout a room.

Moulding and trim work is not limited to the interior of your house, as finishing touches are needed outside too. Outdoor trims will enhance your home's curb appeal, and with a multitude of options it is easy to find what suits your home and personal style. Such choices may include shutters and window boxes, columns and pilasters, front porch railings and banisters, mailboxes, crown moulding, and doorknockers. Take advantage of these decorative elements to hide transitional seams while adding gracefully to your home's facade.

After considering the trim you like best and it's placement, take a few purchase preparation steps. These will be beneficial whether installing moulding yourself or hiring a professional. First, have a floor plan of each room or area in which you intend to install trim. Measure each wall and record the measurements onto the floor plan. Then measure a second time; this is very important, as cutting the moulding with incorrect measurements will increase your budget and your time commitment. After gathering the total length of the measurements, add an extra 10% to account for any mistakes that may crop up. Even if you are having a professional install your trim, have your own measurements prepared. When looking for contractors, it will be beneficial to give them a precise idea of the job ahead so they are certain to give you an accurate estimate on both time and labor cost. Do not forget to ask for references to certify quality workmanship. With the right style and installation, your dream home will receive an instant upgrade by simply adding the moulding and trim of your choice.

Events and Celebration

A festival is a celebration of life. Festivals bring peace and joy to the masses. They break the monotony of life. Indian festivals are numerous. They are of three types- national, religious and seasonal. The first type of festivals. i.e. national festivals are celebrated with great patriotic favour.

The second type of festivals depict the religious association of the people. Third ones mark the change of season. The people celebrate their faith or seasonal change with gaiety and enthusiasm. The national festivals include Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanit etc. The religious festivals of India include Guru Parav, Holi, Lohir, Buddhapurnima, Mahavir Jayanit, Dussehra, Diwali, Janmastami, Chath, Navaratri, Eid, Christmas, the festivals of the Parsees and Jews etc. The seasonal festivals include Bhi, Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal, Basant Panchanmi etc. Festivals also have a negative influence on the society. Festivals should be celebrated with simplicity. They should be celebrated to promote national integration and communal harmony.

A festival is a celebration of life. It is a celebration, entertainment or series of performances of a certain kind, often held periodically. Festivals break the monotony of life. They bring peace and joy to the masses. All nations have their religious and cultural festivals. Indian festivals are numerous. They are harmonious, rich, varied and colorful.

Indian festivals are varied as the people themselves. They can broadly be divided into three categories - national or political, religious and seasonal. Most Indian festivals have their origin either in religions or in the myths and legends of popular faiths. Some are contend with the memory of venerable men and events and are, therefore, commemorative in nature. They are intended to keep alive the memory of those events and personalities and inspire people to emulate their examples. Then there are festivals which punctuate the seasons of the year.

Diwali

Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival of the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated across the nation with great pomp and excitement. The festival is mainly associated with lights as it is called the festival of light. On the day of the festival diyas (small clay lamps) are lit in everybody's home irrespective of their social status. The name Diwali signifies 'rows of lighted lamps'. Diwali is a five-day festival, beginning on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartika (Ashwin). By the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in October or November. Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu and Gujarati New Year and is celebrated with the lighting of lamps and candles, and lots of fireworks. People decorate their home with beautiful diyas and making rangoli pattern in the courtyard and in front of the gate. They put flowers and mango leaves on their doors and windows. Diyas and candles are placed on rooftops, rooms, and kitchen and even in the bathrooms. On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is time to exchange gifts and sweets with friends, relatives and neighbors.

Due to India's varied cultural diversity there are many manifestations of the Diwali festival. The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship the goddess of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, homes are cleaned and paintings are done. There are various legends associated with the celebration of Diwali. But people mostly associate the celebration with the legend of Lord Ram returning to his kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and defeating Ravana, the demon king. In Bengal, the celebration is marked with the worship of Goddess Kali. People celebrate Kali puja with great fervor and enthusiasm. Joy and festivity reins every corner of the nation during the Diwali season. Diwali festival is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India. The exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks customarily accompany the celebration of the festival. Diwali is an occasion for cheerfulness and togetherness. This is that time of the year when people of all age and all class take part in its celebration.

National festivals, like the Republic Day, the Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanit are celebrated with great patriotic fervor. These days have been declared as national holidays and are celebrated in all parts of the country with a lot of enthusiasm. The capital, New Delhi, is the seat of national celebrations on such occasions. It witnesses one of the most majestic parades on the Republic Day. Apart from the Armed Forces, school children from across the country also participate in this parade. The states exhibit their tableaux depicting the states resources or recent achievements. The parade is also an occasion for the display of India's military strength and a number of arms, ammunitions, tanks and fighter aircrafts, some of them indigenously developed, are paraded. On Gandhi Jayanti, leaders and people from different walks of life pay their homage to the Father of the Nation. On the Independence Day, the Prime Minister unfurls the national flag and addresses the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort.

The religious festivals of India include Dussehra, Diwali, Janmastami, Shivratri, Guru Parva, Ram Navami, Holi, Chath, Navarati, Eid-ul-Zuha, Eid-ul-fitr, Christmas, Buddhja Purnima Mahavir Jayanti and the festivals of the Parsees and the Jews.

Diwali is the most prominent of Hindu festivals. It is the festival of lights. The Hindus celebrate this day to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after the victory over Ravana. it is the victory of good over evil. The houses are cleaned and whitewashed. The people wear new clothes. businessman start their new accounts. Sweets are distributed. On this day, people from all walks of life light up their homes. Crackers are burst and the children as well as the youth enjoy them.

Ram Navami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Rama. Janmastami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. Durga Pooja is celebrated in Bengal, Assam and some others parts of India. Is is celebrated with great pomp and show. Goddess Durga si worshipped for five days. On the fifth day, the statue of the goddess is immersed in water. In Northern India. Dussehra is observed as Vijaya dashimi celebrating victory of good over evil. of Rama over Ravana. In Maharashtra, Lord Ganesh is worshipped with great pomp and show.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season. This festival marks the beginning of spring. 'Raaslila' a cultural dance of Manipur is staged during this festival. The dance is dedicated to Lord Krishna and the gopis. Holi a festival of colors. People throw color on one another. It is celebrated in honor of Prahlad. It celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Chath is celebrated in Bihar and also other parts of India. Sun-god is worshipped early in the morning on this day. sweets and fruits are offered to the Sun-god.

Eid is celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan. It was during the month of Ramzan that Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed. The Muslims fast during the month of Ramzan. At the end of the month. Eid is celebrated with feats.

Guru Nanak Dev's birthday is celebrated by Sikhs and members o other communities. On this occasion religious congregations are attended, lamps are lit and crackers are burst. The days of martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Teg Bahadur are also of special significance to the community. These days are observed as days of peace and harmony and langer sewa (serving of free food) is organized on a very large scale on these days. the Buddhists and the Jains celebrate their religious festivals in the form of Buddha Purnima and Mahavir Jayanti respectively.

Christmas is the most important festivals of the Christians. It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Jesus on 25th December. The Christmas tree is decorated with artificial stars, lights, toys etc. on this day. Cakes and puddings are set ved. Children get dressed in new clothes. Any person disguised as Santa Claus distributes sweets among the children. Prayers are offered in churches.

The Jews celebrate their festivals in a similar fashion as that of the Christians. They go the synagogue to pray the Almighty. The Parsees celebrate Naoroz during August0September each year. It is the beginning of their new year. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated by the Jains. Buddha Purnima is celebrated by the Buddhists.

The seasonal festivals are celebrated in different ways all over the country. Bihu is celebrated with great pomp and show in Assam. Baisakhi is celebrated as a mark of harvesting the wheat crops in Punjab. Onam is celebrated in Kerala as a harvest festival. Pongal is also a similar festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu. Basant Panchami is celebrated throughout North India. It marks the end of the winter season. Seasonal changes mark the new beginnings. Happiness fills the heart of the people during these festivals.

Festivals also have a negative influence on our society. The bursting of crackers during Diwali pollute the atmosphere. Gambling disturbs public life. During Holi, drunkards brawl in the streets. Temples are decorated at the cost of millions of rupees. The money used for such events could be utilized for the economic developed of the country.

Color is an essential part of Holi. But it must not be sprayed on people who do not want to play it. The bursting of crackers should be stopped. Festivals should be celebrated with simplicity. People belonging to other communities should be invited during religious festivals. This will help in promoting national integration and communal harmony.

Diwali

Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival of the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated across the nation with great pomp and excitement. The festival is mainly associated with lights as it is called the festival of light. On the day of the festival diyas (small clay lamps) are lit in everybody's home irrespective of their social status. The name Diwali signifies 'rows of lighted lamps'. Diwali is a five-day festival, beginning on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartika (Ashwin). By the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in October or November. Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu and Gujarati New Year and is celebrated with the lighting of lamps and candles, and lots of fireworks. People decorate their home with beautiful diyas and making rangoli pattern in the courtyard and in front of the gate. They put flowers and mango leaves on their doors and windows. Diyas and candles are placed on rooftops, rooms, and kitchen and even in the bathrooms. On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is time to exchange gifts and sweets with friends, relatives and neighbors.

Due to India's varied cultural diversity there are many manifestations of the Diwali festival. The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship the goddess of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, homes are cleaned and paintings are done. There are various legends associated with the celebration of Diwali. But people mostly associate the celebration with the legend of Lord Ram returning to his kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and defeating Ravana, the demon king. In Bengal, the celebration is marked with the worship of Goddess Kali. People celebrate Kali puja with great fervor and enthusiasm. Joy and festivity reins every corner of the nation during the Diwali season. Diwali festival is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India. The exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks customarily accompany the celebration of the festival. Diwali is an occasion for cheerfulness and togetherness. This is that time of the year when people of all age and all class take part in its celebration.

Pongal

Pongal is regarded as a harvest festival of South India. It is one of the most important and popular Hindu festivals. The four-day long harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, Pongal is all about thanksgiving to nature and takes its name from the Tamil word meaning "to boil" and is held in the month of Thai (January-February) it is celebrated from January 13 to 16 every year. The festival marks a period of plenty, peace and happiness. While each of its days has a special religious significance, most urban people celebrate second day as the main festival. Pongal is the only festival of Hindu that follows a solar calendar. On the first day known as Bhogi, people clean out their homes thoroughly and in the evening, all unwanted goods are lit in a bonfire. The second day is Perum Pongal, the most important. It is also called Surya Pongal because people worship Surya, the Sun God and his consorts, Chaya and Samgnya. Women decorate the central courtyard of their homes with beautiful kolams, done with rice flour and bordered with red clay. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. Jallikattu, a violent taming the bull contest, marks this day. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic. During the Pongal season, people eat sugar canes and decorate the houses with Kolam. 'Ponga' literally means overflowing and is named so because of the tradition of cooking the new rice in pots until they overflow, which is symbolic of abundance and prosperity.

The festival of Pongal is mainly associated with the rural people. People wish each other on this day. Pongal wishes are exchanged between family and friends, and there are celebrations within the family. As one stand on the threshold of the harvest season, everyone exchange Pongal wishes, hoping that it brings the harbinger of good luck, good fortune and good cheer. The festival of Pongal is held dear particularly by the farming community as it marks the end of harvesting season.

Muslim Festivals in India

There are a number of Muslim festivals like Muharram, Bakri Id, Ramzan, Id-I-Milad Shab-I-Barat that are celebrated in India. The Muslim festivals do not correspond to any particular date or month of the Gregorian Calendar as they are based on the Hijra which follows pure lunar reckoning. Let's have a look on different Muslim festivals. celebrated in India.

Bakra Eid
Bakriid or Id-ul-Zuha is one of the most celebrated festivals among Muslims all over the world. It is a day of sacrifice for the Muslims. According to legends. It all started with a dream in which Allah directed the patriarch Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail. It was Ibrahim's faith in Allah and his son's faith in his father that were on test.

Eid-ul-Fitr
Id Ul Fitr is a festival that marks the end of the Ramzan period, and usually falls on a new moon night, in the month of April or May. Ramzan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. According to legend, the Holy Koran was revealed in this month. Ramzan is thus regarded as highly auspicious month and fasting and prayers mark it. Muslims keep a fast every day during Ramzan. The rituals associated with Id and Ramzan have remained unchanged for centuries.

Barah Wafat Celebration
Id-e-Milad is a festival of both rejoicing and mourning. The festival of Id-e-Milad popularly known as Barah Wafat the twelfth day is one of the important festival in the Muslim calendar. The day commemorates the birth and also the death anniversary of Prophet Mohammed. It falls on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Muslim calendar, which is usually in September and October. The word 'barah' signifies the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness.

Muharram
The first Muslim month is Muharram and Muharram is observed on the tenth day of this month. Muharram is a day of mourning as it commemorates the greatest tragedy in the history of Islam-the martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson Hussain. The long processions with their Taziahs which are the gorgeous replicas of the martyr's tomb, the masked dancers and the colorful crowds, give Muharram the appearance of a happy festival but in reality it is an expression of grief and sorrow.

Christian Festivals in India

India is a land of various religions and muliple cultures. Alongwith Hindu, Mulism and Sikh festivals, Christian festivals are also celebrated with deity and devotion in different parts of India. Let's have a look on different Christian festivals in India and their significance.

Christmas
The festival of Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and conveys his message of love, tolerance and brotherhood. It's a celebration of humanity and mankind. Though Christmas is a primary festival of the Christian calendar but still it has a special significance in everyone's life. It is celebrated as a universal festival through out the nation. The first mention of 25th December as the birth date of Jesus occurred in 336 A.D. in an early Roman calendar. That day onwards this date is celebrated as the birth date of Jesus. In India this festival has a special significance since India is known for its unity in diversity worldwide.

Easter
Easter, also known as Pascha , the Feast of the Resurrection, the Sunday of the Resurrection or the Resurrection Day, is the most important religious feast of the Christian Calendar. Easter is observed between late March and late April (early April to early May in East). Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, which occurred after his death by crucifixion. In the Catholic Church, Easter is actually an eight-day feast called the Octave of Easter.

Good Friday
Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance. In the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions, the celebration of the Eucharist is suspended; liturgical service involves veneration of the cross, the Passion narrative from the Gospel of St. John, and communion using bread and wine consecrated the previous day, Maundy Thursday. Other forms of observance include prayer and meditation at the Stations of the Cross, a succession of 14 images, usually on wooden crosses, depicting Christ's crucifixion and the events leading up to it.