Most Famous Indian Festivals

In a country like India, life is filled with festivals and there are more festivals than you can count. India is known for its vibrant culture and diverse traditions and you can see the pure reflection of country’s heritage and customs in their festivals that are celebrated with colors, music, folk dances, foods and family gatherings. It is a saying that if you want to learn and witness about a country’s history and culture then observe their festivals. India is a country with long history spanning over hundreds of years and they celebrate festivals based on seasons and enjoy almost every important occasion of their life such as festivals at the arrival of spring, at the time of harvesting the crops and the birthdays of the famous Hindu Gods. Indian festivals are extremely exciting and joyful and they can simply bring a wave of excitement and happiness. Here are some of the famous Indian festivals that you should attend if you had a chance to go to India.

Diwali

Diwali or Deepavali is a famous festival that is also known as the grand festival of lights. It is one of the most recognized festivals of India. This festival is celebrated on the new moon nights of the autumn season. Diwali symbolizes the ultimate victory of good over evil because this festival commemorates the return of Lord Rama and his wife after fourteen years of exile and his triumph over Ravana. The most exciting part of Diwali is the decorations. People decorate their homes with candles, earthen lamps, and lights and add bursting crackers to bring more life in the festival. Indian people exchange gifts and sweets with friends and family. The whole scenario of lights and happiness make this festival so magical.

Holi

If you want to see some real colorful festival then don’t miss the famous Indian festival of colors known as Holi. People construct massive bonfires that symbolize the burning of the mythical demoness Holika and sing and dance around them with happiness. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the triumph of Prince Prahlad against Holika and also the beginning of spring season. Holi is India’s renowned holiday and people are more likely to gather in the open places for the celebration. They paint each other faces with dry and wet colors and some of them are armed with water cannons of colorful water filled balloons.

Navratri

Navratri is considered as one of the major festival of Hindu religion. In Sanskrit Navratri means nine nights and that’s why the celebrations of this festival continue for nine days and nights. Navratri depicts Goddess Amba or Shakti in nine distinct incarnations and that’s why on Navratri the goddess is worshiped in different forms. People fast during Navratri and it is linked with great scientific significance. Indian believes that when the season changes, fasting can relax their digestive system and make it flexible and strong for the next season. It is celebrated with exciting Garba evening and famous Dandiya dance. People are more likely to dress in vibrant colored tradition Garb. The environment of this festival is so young and energizing.

Dussehra

Dussehra marks the end of Navratri. Dussehra is one of the most celebrated festivals in Hindu religion and it is also known as Vijayadashami. This festival is celebrated to witness the good conquer evil or in specific it commemorates the victory of lord Rama over Ravana. According to some other records of history this festival is celebrated to commemorate Goddess Durga’s trimph over Mahishasura. Dussehra is celebrated in different way in different states of the country. For ten days the enactments of ramlila and burning the mammoth effigies of Ravana along with Kumbhkan and megnard mark the celebration of Dussehra. Mysore palace is the best place to celebrate Dussehra because it is beautifully decorated for this occasion. This festival is worth witnessing so don’t miss it out during your visit to India.

Janmashtami

This festival mark the birth of Lord Krishna who is considered to be the eighth avatar of lord Vishnu. His birthday is celebrated across the country with splendor and excitement. The devotees worship lord Krishna at their homes and in the temples and they offer various delicacies to please the deity. The major historical places that are related to Lord Krishna’s birthday are Virandavan and Mathura. Janmashtami is celebrated in these two places with much more excitement than any other place. Little kids are more likely to dress up as lord Krishna and celebrate this event. The most joyful part of the story is dioramas where the story of lord Krishna’s birth and the challenges faced by him in his life is narrated beautifully. People form gigantic human pyramids and try to break a clay pot filled with yogurt or butter and it is hanging on the top of pyramid. It’s an exciting festival to witness Indian culture and Hindu religion.

Ganiesh Chaturthi

This festival holds a special significance for Hindus out of all festivals in India. This festival commemorated the birth of one of the most beloved gods In Hinduism Ganesh. The colorful festivities spanning over ten days mark the celebrations. The festival starts with the installation of artistically crafted idols of Ganesh in homes and public mandaps. Morning and evening pujas are held and then the last event of the festival arrives that is known as Visarjan. In this step the idol of Ganesh is immerse in the water and it marks the end of this festival. Folk dances, delicious foods and theater are the main highlights of this event.

Eid Ul Fitr

Eid ul Fitr or simply the Eid is among the major religious festivals of the huge Muslim population of India. This festival is celebrated after the holy month of ramadan where Muslim fast for a whole month. Eid is celebrated on the day of the following the sighting of the crescent moon at night. Muslims pray in the mosques and visit their family and friends. It’s a festival to be together in unity and forgiving the past conflicts. The sweet Saviyan (vermicelli) is the main symbol of this Eid. The streets and mosques are beautifully decorated in Muslim areas and people in the busy markets enjoy the delicacies.

Rakhsha bandan

Rakhsha bandha is another famous Indian Hindu festival that is celebrated to enhance the kinship bonds. In this festival the sisters prays in the temple or in home, applies tilak and tie a rakhi (A holy thread) on brother’s wrists and wish them well. In return the brother swears to safe guard the sister and often gift their sisters something on this special day. The festival symbolize the relationship and connection of brother and sister.

Gurpurab

Gurpurab is most famous and most significant festival of Sikh religion in India. This festival lead to the special gatherings on the lives and principles of the gurus are held at the gurudwaras and the community feasts are distributed. The cities hosts hymn chanting processions to commemorate Gurpurab and resident burn lights and candles in their homes. This festival is celebrated through out Sikh nation in India to commemorate the Birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

Durga puja

Durga puja is the recognition symbol for Bengalis. This festival is celebrated with excitement and fanfare for four days. It is more famous in west Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Jharkhand and Bihar. It is celebrated in October or November. During Durga puja the huge clay idols of ten armed goddess Durga and her four children are worshipped in the specially made mandaps (Temples). People enjoy this festival with their family and friends while dressing up in new clothes.