India is a land of colors, art and culture. Anyone in the world can know this fact just by taking a look at the vibrant culture and festivals celebrated by various communities residing in this pious land since centuries immemorial.
The reason for such vibrant culture and festivals every time is that the earth is home to various religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, etc. In the following article, take a look at the top 10 festivals observed in India based on the population observing them and their fame among observers.
List of holidays in 2023
Top 10 Hindu Festivals Celebrated in India
Diwali:
Termed as the festival of lights, Diwali or Deepawali is the Hindu festival celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. Legend has it that Sita was kidnapped by the demon Ravana and Ram saved her by killing Ravana and returning to Ayodhya, her kingdom after 14 years of exile. People lit diyas and candles to mark his return, something that continues to this day.
Hello:
Holi is another Hindu festival and this one is called Festival of Colors. The legend behind the celebration of this festival is that the son of a demon king, Hiranyakashyap, named Prahlad, killed his own aunt, Holika, following the guidance and belief of Lord Vishnu to free the world from the terror of he. To celebrate the destruction of the demon, on the night of the full moon in March a statue of Holika is symbolically burned and the next day the death of the demon is celebrated with colours, laughter, dancing, singing and fun.
Durga-puja
People of West Bengal call it Durgo Pujo. Durga Puja is a five-day celebration that ends with Dussehra. In Bengal, Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and colours. It marks the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. Durga Puja usually takes place in late September or early October. This year it will fall between October 11 and 15.
On the last day of Durga Puja and Navaratri, people dressed in red and white ceremoniously carry all the clay statues of Durga to a river and immerse them in the water.
Krishna Janmashtmi:
Krishna Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, who killed Kansa, the demon, and was the ruler of Dwaraka. Krishna was born to Devki and Vasudeva, but under the curse of Kansa, they were imprisoned for more than 8 years. Kansa waited for Devki’s 8 children to be born as his 8th child was predicted to be his death. But the latter was saved from him and Vasudev took the baby to Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul, where Krishna grew up and became king. Janmashtmi is celebrated all over India and people of Vrindavan and Mathura have a special organization on this day.
Dussehra:
It is a festival in North India celebrated with firecrackers and worship of weapons and ammunition. It was on that day that Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana to save his wife Sita from her arrest. People build effigies of Ravana and burn them to this day to mark his death.
Ganesh Chaturthi:
It will fall on September 10, 2021. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, who is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He is the elephant-headed god in the Hindu religion. Several huge statues of Lord Ganesha are made to commemorate the 10 days of colorful festivities. It has great significance in Maharashtra where people call Lord Ganesha-Ganpati Bappa and bring the statue of him to their homes as a guest. The last day of the festival is Visarjan, where the statues are immersed in water.
Onam:
Hindus in South India celebrate Onam as their biggest festival. It is a 4-day harvest festival held in Kerala. People wear traditional clothes, decorate their houses with Pookalam (floral designs) and prepare Onasadya (elaborate meals of about 13 courses).
The town celebrates the return home of its legendary king Mahabali.
Vallamkali (snake boat race), Kaikottikali (clapping dance), Kathakali dance and Pulikali procession (artists dressed and painted as tigers and hunters) are the events organized to commemorate this day.
Pongal:
People of Tamil Nadu, basically Hindus, celebrate Pongal to mark the second harvest season. It also marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere and therefore the return of warm weather. People harvest their crops and clean their houses as a sign of prosperity and luck.
Maha Shivratri:
This festival is celebrated throughout India by the followers of Lord Shiva.
It is important in Hindu mythology and is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phalgun. This festival marks the wedding of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. People fast on this day.
Basant Panchmi:
This festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, who is the Goddess of Knowledge, Music and Art. It is widely celebrated in the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Punjab and Haryana.
This day marks the beginning of spring in India. People wear yellow colored clothes and prepare yellow dishes like sweet rice with saffron and kadhi. It is observed every year on the fifth day of Magha according to the Hindu calendar.
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Source: ptivs2.edu.vn