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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
