India is a country steeped in culture, tradition, and festivals. With so many regions, languages, and ways of life, India has the most vibrant festivals celebrated throughout the year. Every day, from spiritual holidays to national events, marks an occasion to rejoice for Indians worldwide.
If you’re looking for some fun-filled activities, then these are the top 10 Indian festivals that you must experience! Get ready to hear stories passed down through generations as we unravel exciting facts about these famous festivals.
Diwali
Among the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain populations in India, Diwali is one of the most important religious holidays. According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali is observed in Kartik (October or November). Indians decorate their homes with lights for Diwali, the festival of lights, to welcome Goddess Laxmi (the goddess of wealth). Worshiping Goddess Laxmi is one of the important Diwali customs.
Hindu community members clean, paint, and perform all necessary modifications on their homes the week before Diwali every year. People elegantly decorate their homes with diyas and candles on Diwali day. At the entryway, stunningly brilliant Rangolis welcome the Goddess Laxmi. People exchange gifts with each other and dress in new, elegant attire.
Because Lord Rama returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya on the day of Diwali after spending 14 years in exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, it is a significant celebration in India. After a protracted conflict in which he killed and destroyed the evil king Ravana, Lord Rama went back to his house.
On the day of Diwali, people also enjoy fireworks to celebrate. Some of the finest Indian dishes and sweet dishes are prepared for this festival. People also visit their family and friends to wish them and exchange gifts and sweets.
Navratri and Durga Pooja
Navratri is one of India's grandest and most popular Hindu festivals, celebrated for nine days. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. On this day, people worship Goddess Durga, who is considered the epitome of power and strength. People keep fast on these nine days to show their devotion towards Goddess Durga. During Navratri, people also organize and attend Garba nights, where they perform the traditional dance 'Garba' in the rhythm of dhol to honor the goddess.
The last 3 days of Navratri are known as Durga Pooja and are celebrated enthusiastically across India. People make pandals and temples beautifully decorated with flowers in honor of Goddess Durga. They also perform various rituals, worship her, and offer delicious food to the deity. On the last day of Durga Pooja, they take out a procession with colorful pandals and idols of Goddess Durga on beautifully decorated vehicles where people dance on the street in joy.
Dussehra
Dussehra is one of those festivals celebrated enthusiastically in many parts of India. People believe that Lord Rama fought and defeated the demon king Ravana on this day. The festival marks the homecoming of Lord Rama after defeating Ravana, thus celebrating Dussehra as the victory of good over evil.
On this day, effigies of Ravana are created and set on fire in a large bonfire. People also perform Ramlila, which is an enactment of the entire story from Ramayana. People come dressed up as characters like Rama, Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman to perform this play in front of everyone.
Holi
Holi is also a festival that marks the beginning of the new year in some parts of India. People perform puja and religious rituals to welcome the New Year with good health, success, and prosperity. People also greet each other by exchanging gifts and sweets on this occasion.
Holi is one of those enjoyable festivals for everyone, regardless of age or background. The vibrant colors, fun activities, and delicious food make Holi a delightful festival to celebrate in India.
Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important festivals for India's Muslim community and marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting. Today, people dress in beautiful clothes and decorate their homes with colorful lights. They also visit family and friends to exchange gifts and sweets.
People greet each other with Eid Mubarak, which means "May your Eid be blessed" in Arabic. They also attend the special prayers conducted on this day in the mosques or at home. After a successful fasting month, people enjoy delicious traditional dishes like Haleem and Sheer Khurma with their family and friends.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in India to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, who is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu. Today, people fast for 24 hours and break it only after seeing the first glimpse of the moon in the night sky. Famous temples like Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan are crowded with thousands of devotees who come to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
People also perform various rituals, including cleaning and decorating their temples and singing bhajans (devotional songs). They also offer prayers to Lord Krishna and prepare delicious sweet dishes like peas and labor. Today, people come together in groups to perform 'Krishna Leela' (the play of Lord Krishna). Devotees observe this day with lots of devotion and enthusiasm.
Onam
Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in the south Indian state of Kerala. Onam is associated with the legendary King Mahabali, who is believed to have visited Kerala during this time each year. Today, people dress in traditional attire and prepare colorful floral decorations known as Pookalam at their doors and balconies to welcome King Mahabali. They also make delicious dishes like Payasam, Avial, and Thoran to celebrate Onam.
Apart from this, people also organize boat races and perform the traditional folk dance 'Thiruvathira' in honor of King Mahabali. People gather during the festival to enjoy music, art performances, and other cultural activities. It is a festival that brings joy and happiness among people and is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in India to honor the birth of Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. During this festival, people install huge idols of Lord Ganesh in homes and temples and offer prayers. People also make delicious dishes like Modak and Laddoo as an offering to the deity.
People also organize cultural events to celebrate the festival, like singing devotional songs praising Lord Ganesha. Colorful pandals are made all over the city with beautifully decorated idols of Lord Ganesh, and people come together to dance in joy around these pandals. The celebrations peak on the last day when they immerse the idol in water to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha.
FAQs
Which is the no1 festival in India?
The most popular festival in India is Diwali, the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated with enthusiasm and great joy across India to mark the return of Lord Rama from his 14-year exile. People light up their homes with diyas, exchange sweets, and gifts, burst crackers, and perform special puja to celebrate this festival.
Is it one of the most significant festivals in India?
Yes, Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in India. It has been celebrated for centuries and promotes unity, brotherhood, and faith among people from all walks of life. People come together to celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and joy.
How many main festivals are there in India?
There are various festivals celebrated in India, but some of the most popular ones include Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Durga Puja, and Krishna Janmashtami. Each of these festivals has significance and is celebrated enthusiastically across India.
Conclusion
India is home to a variety of vibrant and joyous festivals. Through these festivals, we can come together, celebrate our traditions, and honor the legacy of our ancestors with pomp and vigor. This article discussed eight long-standing Indian festivals: Diwali, Navratri and Durga Pooja, Dussehra, Holi, Krishna Janmashtami, Onam Ganesh Chaturthi, and Eid-Ul-Fitr.
Each one is distinct from the next in terms of its history, customs, and performances that make it unique. If you have yet to experience any of these celebrations, I recommend checking them out soon! There's no better way to truly appreciate Indian culture than participating in these festive occasions. Most Famous Festivals Of India You Must Experience - take advantage of this.
