Indian festivals speak of India's rich cultural and traditional background. The colorful festivals are an integral part of every Indians. The festivals play an important part in promoting the traditional handicrafts and tourism of India. 

Diwali

The festival of Diwali reminds us of the festive season of joy, splendor, enthusiasm and happiness. It is the festival of lights and is celebrated with great excitement by all Indians all over the world. The uniqueness of the festival is that it is celebrated for five days and each of the days has a special significance and importance. Each of the five days is based of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal. The first day of Diwali is called the Dhanteras, Dhanwantari Triodasi or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurveda for mankind. This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset offerings are made of sweets during worship time to Lord Yama (the Lord of Death) for the protection from untimely death. It is mainly done near a Tulsi tree (basil tree) or any other sacred tree.

Holi

Also known as the Festival of Colours, Holi is one of the sprightliest festivals in India and is celebrated with great fanfare and fervor. This is the one occasion that brings out the enthusiasm and unadulterated mirth of people. Holi falls on a full moon day, in the month of ‘Phalgun’, which falls in the month of March, as per the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated with great zeal in all the states of India and what makes this festival so unique, is that the spirit of this festival is united in the country and even across the globe. The entire country celebrates the festival by playing music, getting intoxicated on the popular beverage ‘bhaang’, dunking friends, eating, dancing to foot-tapping beats and of course, smearing each other’s faces with loud, bright colors or squirting colored water on passers-by.

Eid Ul Fitr

This sacred Muslim festival marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and also to the month long fasting. Thus, Eid ul-Fitr is also known as the Feast of Breaking the Fast and the Lesser Eid. As per the Hijiri calendar Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the month known as Shawwal, it is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. This day signifies Muslim brotherhood and their devotion towards almighty that helps them attain self-control. As per the traditional Muslim belief system, the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in the last ten days of Ramadan and thus, Eid ul-Fitr also commemorates this momentous occasion.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated with great revelry by not just Indian Muslims but by the followers of Islam across the globe. In India Eid ul-Fitr is also known as “Choti Eid’’ or “Ramadan Id” as it is celebrated at end of the month long fasting during Ramadan. The date of Eid ul-Fitr is decided, based on the sighting of the new crescent moon, during the night of the last day of the scared month of Ramadan.

Christmas

Every year, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ. This auspicious occasion is a prime festival of Christian community and hence, is celebrated zestfully around the world. Christmas conveys his message of love, tolerance and brotherhood. Though, it is a religious festival of Christians, it has a special significance in everyone’s life. In India, Christmas is widely celebrated by the people of all religions and communities. December 25 or Christmas Day is a public Holiday in India. 

On the occasion of Christmas, people in India decorate banana or mango tress instead of traditional pine tree and also light up their homes through small clay lamps or candles, just as Hindus do during the celebration of Diwali. Churches across India are decorated with poinsettia flowers for the midnight mass. As a part of celebration, people exchange gifts on this auspicious day and donate of money to poor people so as to bring happiness in their lives. South India has large population of Christians and hence, it witnesses wide celebration of Christmas.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab

Celebrated, in the month of November, this day as the name suggests marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. The revelries of this day usually last for around three days. As per tradition, Akhand Path which involves, forty-eight-hour reading of Guru Granth Sahib, without any break is organized at various Gurdwaras, two days before his birthday. A day before the occasion, a huge procession is taken across various towns by Sikhs, these are led by the Panj Pyares and accompanied by the Guru Granth Sahib, kept on a beautiful Palanquin. Large groups of Ragis provide religious fervor to the proceedings by singing various devotional hyms and are joined in chorus by devotees. On the d day, to honor the memory of the Guru, diyas, candles and fireworks are lit at Gurudwaras. 

Besides the abovementioned major Sikh festivals, there are various other occasions celebrated by the community, which include birth anniversaries (Parkash Utsavs) of other eight Sikh Gurus, Gurgadi Divas (passing of guruship), death anniversaries of other Sikh Gurus.

NATIONAL FESTIVAL

Independence day

On 15 August 1947, India attained freedom from the British Rule. Every year, August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day in India. Independence day is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.

Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled India.
At the stroke of midnight of the August 15, 1947, India shook off the shackles of British Rule and became free. It was a night of celebration all over the country.

Commemorating the day India attained freedom (15th August); Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes all over the country. The main program is held at the Red Fort where the Prime Minster unfurls the National Flag and it is saluted by Guns.

The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is a major highlight. Patriotic presentations by school children add colors to the celebrations.

Delhi’s skyline gets dotted with thousands of kites taking to the sky this day. Similar programmes are held at all the State capitals also.

The preparations begin a month in advance. Roads are decorated with flags and buntings. Buildings of national importance are illuminated.

Republic Day

Republic Day, celebrated on January 26th every year, is one of India’s most important national events. It was on January 26th, 1950 that the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state.

On this day India finally enjoyed the freedom of spirit, rule of law and fundamental principle of governance. The patriotic fervor of the Indian people on this day brings the whole country together even in her embedded diversity.
Republic Day is celebrated most majestically in the capital, New Delhi, where symbols of the great nation's military might and cultural wealth are displayed in what is the world's most impressive parade. All Government buildings are illuminated lending the city the atmosphere of a fairyland. This day is celebrated with much zeal and pride all across the nation.

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on the very day every year as the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of India.
Our third important National Festival is the Gandhi Jayanti. It is celebrated on 2nd October every year. Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation was born on 2nd October 1869. His birth day is celebrated as National Festival all over the country. He led our nation in our fight for the freedom. Truth and Non-violence were his only tools in this fight against the British. His way of fighting was Satyagraha. He taught us to be honest and truthful.

At national level Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2nd October every year at Raj Ghat or Gandhiji's Samadhi at New Delhi. Many people and our great leaders including the Rashtrapati and the Prime Minister pay homage to this great leader of the Nation. They place wreaths at the Samadhi and offerings of flowers. All religions prayer is held at the Samadhi in the morning. Charkha competition is held and Ram Dhun is sung.

Lohri
Huge bonfires are lit and people throw sweets,sugarcane and rice into it.
Villagers dance and sing traditional folk songs.
People remember the sacrifice of the Chali Mukte who died defending Guru Gobind Singh from the Mughals.

Pongal in Tamil Nadu
It is celebrated over three days.
Bhogi,the first day,sees people discarding old stuff.
Pongal,the second day,is let a pot of milk and rice boil in the hope that prosperity will overflow in a similar manner.
Mattu Pongal,Third Day,the last day is reserved for cattle,which are decorated and worshipped in a day of well-deserved rest.

Sankranthi

Harvest festival Sankranthi is all about celebrating rice in our part of world. Particularly in South India, rice plays an important role as the main cultivated grain and as nourishing food that people subsist on every day of their life. It’s no wonder that there is a festival dedicated to the almighty rice. Equally worshipped are the man’s best partner, the kind-hearted cow, and the elements - sun, earth and water. They make rice cultivation a success, and also add a magic touch to the rice, turning it into a cherished food.