Festivals of India
Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, Saints or the advent of the New Year in different calendars. In most parts of India, these festivals are very common however they may be called by different names in the various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion.
Every festival is celebrated in a unique style. There are many festivals which are celebrated all over India. Some of them are described in this essay. Makar sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor and gaiety.
Thousands of people take a dip in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. In Gujarat, Makar sankranti is celebrated by flying of kites all over the skyline.
Pongal is celebrated in the southern parts of the country. On this day families gather around a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, it signifies prosperity, a shout of “pongal pongal” rents the air. Mattu Pongal is celebrated the next day in a more boisterous fashion.
Vasant Panchami is a festival dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the wife of Brahma. This is a special day of worshipping for Hindu deities. People wear colorful attires as they dance, sing and make merry.
Maha Shivratri is a day of fasting which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Religious people stay awake and chant prayers the whole night. Usually there are fairs near the temples for the entertainment of villagers during the daytime.
Holi marks the beginning of the spring and the end of the frosty winters. On the eve of holi, bonfires are built to symbolize the destruction of the evil demon Holika. It is celebrated by throwing colors and water at each other.
Baisakhi is the harvesting festival of the Punjab and is celebrated with dances and gaiety. It is a religious day for the Sikhs as formation of the Singh took place on this day and the Sikhs were converted onto a martial race.
Diwali is the most beautiful and important of all Hindu festivals. It is dedicated to Lakhsmi, the goddess of prosperity. Every city, town and village is turned into a fairyland with thousands of flickering oil lamps and electric lights.
India is a rich country in terms of cultures and religions. Number of festivals are celebrated in this country which not only makes it special but also gives all of us a reason to enjoy and forget our stress.
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