13 Famous Festivals Of India to experience in 2023 | Culture
India is full of diversity, its in cultural , social, geographical, religion language and festival. India is so big so its have lot of festivals as per religion also.In this article I am telling about 13 famous festival of India.
List of the 13 Most Famous Festivals of India
1-Holi
2-Diwali
3-Dussehra
4-Eid
5-Christmas
6-Ganesh Chaturthi
7-Onam
8-Rakshabandhan
9-navratri
10-janmastami
11-baisakhi
12-pongal
13-Lohri
1-Holi:
Holi is a colorful and joyous festival celebrated primarily in India and Nepal. It is also known as the Festival of Colors and is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. The festival is usually celebrated in the month of March and lasts for two days.
The first day of Holi is known as Holika Dahan, and it involves the burning of a bonfire, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The second day of the festival is called Rangwali Holi, where people celebrate by throwing colored powder and water at each other. People sing and dance to traditional songs, and sweets and delicacies are exchanged.
The origins of Holi can be traced back to Hindu mythology, where it is believed to have started as a celebration of the victory of good over evil. It is also associated with the story of Prahlada and Hiranyakashyap, where Prahlada, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, is protected from his evil father Hiranyakashyap by Lord Vishnu.
Holi is celebrated by people of all ages and backgrounds, and it is a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and enjoy the spirit of togetherness and joy. The festival is also a celebration of the arrival of spring, and the vibrant colors and energy of Holi reflect the vibrancy and joy of the season.
2-Diwali:
Diya (Lamp) lighting during Diwali (image source: Gulrez khan from Pixabay)
Diwali is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India. It is also known as the Festival of Lights, and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. The festival usually falls in October or November, and is celebrated over five days.
The festival is characterized by the lighting of lamps and candles, and the decoration of homes with colorful lights, rangolis, and diyas. People offer prayers to the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and exchange sweets and gifts with family and friends. The festival also includes the bursting of firecrackers and lighting of sparklers, which is a favorite among children.
The origins of Diwali can be traced back to Hindu mythology, where it is believed to have started as a celebration of the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana. It is also associated with the story of Lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura.
Diwali is a time for people to come together, forget their differences, and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. The festival is a celebration of light over darkness, and the hope and positivity that it brings to people's lives
3-Dusshera:
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal. The festival usually falls in the month of October and is celebrated over ten days.
The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. It is also associated with the story of Goddess Durga defeating the demon Mahishasura.
The festival is celebrated with great fervor and includes the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhkaran, which represents the victory of good over evil. People also perform traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, and exchange sweets and gifts with family and friends.
Dussehra is a time for people to come together, celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and renew their faith in the power of goodness and righteousness.
4-Eid -
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is a major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims around the world. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The festival is celebrated with special prayers, feasting, and exchanging of gifts. It is a time for forgiveness, reconciliation, and strengthening family and community ties. Muslims wear their best clothes, decorate their homes, and visit friends and relatives. The festival is an occasion of joy and celebration, and is a time for Muslims to reflect on the spiritual and moral lessons learned during the month of Ramadan
5-Christmas:
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Christmas is an annual festival celebrated on December 25th by Christians around the world. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. The festival is a time for prayer, reflection, and family gatherings. It is also celebrated with gift-giving, feasting, and the decoration of homes and public spaces with lights, ornaments, and Christmas trees.
The celebration of Christmas has evolved over time and includes a variety of traditions, including the singing of carols, attending church services, and the exchange of gifts. Santa Claus, the jolly man in a red suit who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve, is also a beloved part of the Christmas tradition.
Christmas is a time of joy and hope, as it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and his message of peace, love, and compassion. It is a time for people to come together, share in the spirit of generosity, and show kindness to one another, regardless of their faith or background.
6-Ganesh Chaturthi:
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The festival is usually celebrated in August or September and lasts for ten days.
The festival is characterized by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public spaces, accompanied by devotional songs and prayers. People offer sweets and delicacies to the idol, and perform aarti (a Hindu ritual of worship with lamps and incense). The festival also includes processions, cultural programs, and the immersion of the Ganesha idol in a water body.
The origins of Ganesh Chaturthi can be traced back to Hindu mythology, where it is believed to have started as a celebration of the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a time for people to come together, celebrate the spirit of joy and happiness, and seek blessings from Lord Ganesha for wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The festival is also a celebration of the diversity and richness of Indian culture and traditions.
7-Onam:
Onam is a traditional harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is a ten-day festival that usually falls in the month of August or September, and is marked by elaborate feasts, colorful processions, and cultural programs.
The festival celebrates the return of King Mahabali, a mythical king who is believed to have ruled over Kerala in ancient times. The legend says that during his reign, Kerala was a prosperous and harmonious place, and people lived in peace and abundance. Onam is a time for people to remember and celebrate the golden era of King Mahabali's reign, and to express gratitude for the bountiful harvest.
Onam is a time for people to come together, exchange greetings and gifts, and participate in cultural programs like Kathakali, a traditional dance-drama form. It is a celebration of Kerala's rich cultural heritage and the spirit of unity, harmony, and prosperity.
8-Rakshabandhan:
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and Nepal, which is also known as Rakhi. The festival is usually celebrated in August and marks the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters.
During the festival, sisters tie a sacred thread called "Rakhi" on their brother's wrist, as a symbol of their love and affection. The brother, in turn, promises to protect his sister and take care of her. The ritual is accompanied by prayers and the exchange of sweets and gifts.
The festival is not limited to biological siblings and extends to cousins, friends, and other close relationships. It celebrates the spirit of love, trust, and commitment between people, and is a reminder of the importance of family and community ties.
Raksha Bandhan is a joyous occasion for people to come together, celebrate their relationships, and reaffirm their commitment to one another. It is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation, and for strengthening the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters.
9-Navratri:
Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival celebrated in India that worships the nine forms of the goddess Durga. It is celebrated twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
During Navratri, people fast, perform special prayers and rituals, and participate in colorful dances known as Garba and Dandiya Raas. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and celebrates the power and strength of the goddess Durga.
The festival is a time for people to come together, celebrate their culture and traditions, and seek blessings from the goddess. It is a reminder of the importance of spiritual and moral values and encourages people to live a virtuous life. Navratri is a celebration of the richness and diversity of Indian culture and the spirit of unity and harmony that binds people together.
10-Janmastmi:
Image by deepak meena from Pixabay
Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered gods in the Hindu pantheon. It is usually celebrated in August or September, on the eighth day of the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada.
The festival is marked by elaborate prayers, devotional songs, and the decoration of homes and temples with flowers and lights. People fast and perform special rituals, and in some parts of India, a human pyramid is formed to break a pot of curd that symbolizes Lord Krishna's love for butter.
The festival is a time for people to come together, celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, and seek blessings from the god. It is a reminder of the importance of righteousness and the triumph of good over evil. Janmashtami is celebrated across India with great enthusiasm and is a symbol of the country's rich cultural heritage and traditions.
Baisakhi:
Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a festival celebrated mainly by the Sikh community in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually observed on April 13 or 14 every year, marking the beginning of the Sikh New Year and also the harvesting season in the northern parts of India.
The festival holds a great significance in Sikhism as it commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. The Khalsa Panth was formed to protect the people from religious persecution and discrimination, and to uphold the principles of justice, freedom, and equality.
On the day of Baisakhi, Sikhs gather in Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) to offer prayers and participate in the kirtan (religious singing) and katha (religious discourse) programs. The festival also involves the preparation and distribution of a sweet drink known as "Kada Prasad" among the devotees.
Apart from religious ceremonies, Baisakhi is also celebrated as a cultural festival in many parts of India. People dress up in traditional attire, sing and dance to folk music, and indulge in delicious food and sweets. In Punjab, the festival is marked by Bhangra and Giddha dance performances.
Overall, Baisakhi is a joyous festival that celebrates the harvest season and the spirit of community and brotherhood among people.
12-Pongal:
Pongal is a popular harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as well as in other parts of the country such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It usually falls on January 14th or 15th each year and marks the beginning of the harvest season.
The festival is celebrated over four days and is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, for providing energy for agriculture and growth. The first day, called Bhogi, is marked by the burning of old items and the cleaning of houses to symbolize the start of a new cycle. The second day, Pongal, is the main day of the festival when people offer prayers to the Sun God and prepare a traditional sweet rice dish with milk, jaggery, and rice in a clay pot, which is then offered to the gods. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to the cattle, which are considered sacred in Hinduism. Cows and bulls are decorated and worshipped, and bullfighting events are held in some regions. The fourth day, Kaanum Pongal, is a day for family reunions and outings.
During the festival, people decorate their houses with rangoli designs, flower garlands, and colorful decorations. They also dress up in new clothes and participate in various cultural events such as music, dance, and games. Pongal is a time for people to express their gratitude to nature, and to celebrate the hard work of farmers who have toiled throughout the year to produce the harvest.
Overall, Pongal is a joyous and colorful festival that celebrates the bounty of nature and the spirit of unity and togetherness among people.
13-Lohari:
Lohri is a popular winter festival celebrated in the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. It usually falls on January 13th or 14th every year and marks the end of the winter solstice.
The festival is traditionally associated with the harvesting of the rabi crops, particularly sugarcane, and is celebrated with great fervor by the farming communities. People light bonfires, sing and dance around it, and offer prayers to the god of fire, Agni, for a good harvest and prosperity.
One of the highlights of Lohri is the preparation and sharing of traditional sweets such as gajak, rewri, and popcorn. People also exchange gifts and greetings with their friends, family, and neighbors. In some regions, the festival is also associated with the birth of a male child, and new mothers are given special attention and gifts.
Lohri is a festival that brings people together and reinforces the bonds of community and culture. It is a time for people to celebrate their hard work, their connections with nature, and their hope for a better future.
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