 India
is the land of the exuberant celebrations. Fair and festivals
you will discover that life is a celebration in India. The country
has its unique festivities interspersed throughout the year,
the Indian calendar is a long precession of festivals The harvest
festivals of the south, the immersion of Ganesh in Bombay, the
car Festival of Puri, snake-boat races in Kerala, Republic Day
in Delhi.. every region, every religion has something to celebrate.
Almost every festival has its own flavor with a meaningful identity
there are animal fairs, religious fairs and mark the changing
seasons. Indian festivals denote color, vivacity, ebullience,
appetizing Time and a variety of prayers and rituals. Of course,
it is splendid opportunity for the visitor to come close vibrant
life of India.
Pongal
 The
zeal and the enthusiasm of the Tamilians come alive during the
four day festival of Pongal which is the harvest festival of
the Tamil Nadu. The Tamilians give it utmost importance. It
is the biggest event of the year in Tamil Nadu. Pongal literally
means "boiling over". The four day festival consists
of Bhogi - Pongal, Surya -Pongal, Mattu -Pongal and Kanyapongal.
The first day is devoted to the Rain God, Indran. The second
day is celebrated in the honor of the Sun God Surya. In several
places of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Jallikatu, a kind of
bull fight is held. The third day is dedicated to honor and
worship the cattle (mattu). On the last day colored balls of
the Pongal are offered to birds. All houses display their collection
of dolls for three days.
Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival. It marks the beginning
of the sun's journey towards northern hemisphere. People take
dip in the rivers and worship the sun .Gangasagar Mela is being
organized near Calcutta where people come from all over India.
In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by the flying of kites.
Tyagaraja Festival
The Tyagaraja festival is celebrated in the memory of Tyagaraja.
Tyagaraja, a South Indian composer and saint was born in 1767.
He has composed a number of Telugu songs in praise of Lord Rama.
Many young poets and musicians are inspired by this man's amazing
work. Every year, South Indian musicians assemble at Thiruvaiyaru-
13 kms from Tanjore, to sing in his praise. People, young and
old, sing in perfect harmony. The melody is such that one cannot
remain untouched by its sheer devotion and divine resonance.
Ganga Sagar Mela
Gangasagar Mela is the largest and the most important fair
celebrated in West Bengal. This fair is held where a nexus is
formed by Ganga and Bay of Bengal. Hence the name Gangasagar
Mela. This festival is a major attraction for millions of pilgrims
from all over India. It is said that a dip in the Ganga purifies
their 'self' and thus 'punya' can be. A special 'puja' is performed
which is offered to the Sun God as a thanksgiving for good harvest.
It is also believed that the girls who take the holy dip get
handsome grooms and the boys get beautiful brides.
Vasanth Panchmi
The ceremonial welcomes spring when people, colorfully attired,
especially in bright shades of yellow, dance, sing and make
merry. In West Bengal, 'Saraswati' - the goddess of learning
is worshipped. The festival is celebrated with great fervor
in the university town of Santiniketan.
Shivaratri
All over the country, Shivratri is observed as the night, when
Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav' - his cosmic dance. Fasts and
prayers mark the day and devotees throng the temples. The major
Shaivite temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh) and
Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu) are noted for their special celebrations.
Holi
Holi is one of the most exuberant Hindu festival that brings
the message of the onset of spring. It is the festival of colors
and is celebrated by throwing colored water and powder on each
other. Huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi as its symbolic
representation. The festival of Holi is being celebrated since
centuries with the same zeal and zest.
Gangaur
 The
most important local festival in Rajasthan, Gangaur celebrations
last for eighteen days. It is dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation
of goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated by girls and
married women throughout Rajasthan. The images of Gauri are
ornamented and offerings are made. This is also an auspicious
day for young people to select their life partners. Colorful
processions with the town band playing, horses and elaborate
palanquins make it a fascinating spectacle.
Teppam
Teepam is widely celebrated every year in Tamil Nadu from mid-January
to mid-February during the full moon month which in Tamil is
known as Thai. Fantastically dressed and bejeweled images of
the goddess Meenakshi and her consort undaresvara are floated
on rafts. All along the shore, the devotees chant hymns as a
bevy of bands beat drums in tempo with their chants.
Desert Festival
The desert festival celebrated in the golden city of Jaisalmer
has an aura of its own. The festival becomes lively with legions
of puppeteers, acrobats, and folk dancers add splashes of color.
Camel races are of great significance and camel polo is a big
attraction. The turban-tying competitions and the best-dressed
Rajput contests add to this three day long festival.
Nagaur Fair
Nagaur bustles with life during its annual cattle fair which
is one of the largest in the country. Exciting games and camel
races are part of the festivities. Owners of cattles from all
over Rajasthan come and camp around the outskirts of Nagaur
while they buy and sell animals. This fair is also famous for
the various sports events that are organized in it, Tug-of-war,
camel races and cockfights. At nightfall, folk music and songs
bring out a magnificent musical touch to the quiet ambience
of the desert.
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahasivratri marks the festival of Mahavira, the founder of
Jainism. It commemorates the birth of Mahavira. It is mainly
celebrated by Jains with great zeal and enthusiasm. They visit
sacred sites and worship Teerthankaras on this day. The festival
is celebrated on a large scale in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Ram Navami
Ramnavmi celebrates the birth of Rama, a human incarnation
of Lord Vishnu. Ayodhya and Pondicherry, the places which are
said to have witnessed the events of Ramayana, are the main
centers for this festival. Temples are decorated and prayers
are offered. Chariot processions of Ram, Seeta and Lakshman
are taken out from the temples with great zest.
Good Friday
This Christian festival marks the memory of the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ. Just as it is celebrated around the world,
Good Friday is observed in India, too, in April every year.
All Christians attend Mass held in the churches on this day.
Following Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, which is also celebrated
with great enthusiasm and joy.
Easter
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It represents
the victory of life over death. Easter is a celebration of Christ's
resurrection from the dead.
Vishu
Vishu is the New Year's Day for the Keralites. The New Year
is supposed to bring better knowledge and understanding between
all humans. The festival is celebrated with much joyous and
happy minds and forgetting all the differences.
Nau Roz
Nau Roz is Kashmir's New Year's Day. On this day, there is
a general festivity and rejoicing throughout the state.
Goru Bihu
The Goru Bihu, the cattle festival is celebrated on the Hindu
New Year's Day that is April or May. On this day, the cattle
are washed and decorated. They are smeared with turmeric and
are treated to Gur (Jaggery) and Brinjals.
Naba Barsha
This festival is the New Year's Day of the Bengalis. It welcomes
the New year with early morning processions, songs and dance.
Beautiful designs called Alpana are made on the floor by the
house-wife.
Gudi Padva
Gudi Padva is widely celebrated in Maharashtra. The day is
very auspicious for the people of Maharashtra. It is generally
believed that any venture started on this day gives nothing
but success.
Ugadi
Ugadi marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar with
a change in the moon's orbit. It is believed that Lord Brahma
started creation on this day. Ugadi is the Telugu New Year's
Day. On this day mantras are chanted and predictions made for
the New Year.
Puthandu
It is celebrated as the Tamil New Year's Day. At Tiruvadamarudur
near Kumbakonam a big car festival is held.
Cheti Chand
This festival reflects the tradition and culture of the Sindhis.
It is celebrated as the birthday of Asht Dev. Hi is believed
to be the community God of the Sindhis. His birthday falls on
the second tithi (occasion) of Chaitra (the first month of the
year according to the Hindu calendar). This day is considered
to be very auspicious and is rejoiced with much pomp and splendor.
Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima, the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, is celebrated
by Buddhists all over India. But it is very popular in Sarnath
and Bodhgaya. The Buddhists offer prayers in their temples on
this day. The Buddha was born on a full moon day in the month
of Vaisakh in 563 B.C. He achieved enlightenment as well as
Nirvana on the same date.
Id-Ul-Fitr
Id-ul-Fitr or Ramzan Id marks the end of Ramzan, the month
during which the Muslims fast everyday. Ramzan means the 'festival
of breaking the fast'. Fitr is derived from the word 'fatar'
meaning 'breaking'. Ramzan Id is celebrated on a day when the
new moon appears. Prayers are offered in mosques and Idgahs
and elaborate festivities are held. The festival is celebrated
by the Muslims with great fanfare.
Baisakhi
Held on first 'Baisakh'- the 13th April - Baisakhi is one of
Himachal's most important festival. Rooted in the rural agrarian
tradition, it bids a final farewell to winter. The Sikhs celebrate
this as a collective birthday, filling the atmosphere with gaiety,
music, dancing and good cheer. This festival is an opportunity
in villages to enjoy with sheer abandon because they know that
a season of hard work follows soon after which is the Time for
harvesting corn and other grains.
Karaga Naba
The dramatic festival of Karaga begins from the Dharmaraja
temple in Bangalore. A devotee is chosen and a Karaga or a clay
pot is placed on his head. The pot represents Shakti, the mother-goddess
of archaic strength. The devotee has to balance the pot as he
has a staff and a sword that occupy his hands.
Meenakshi Lalaynam (Chitra Festival)
This 10 day festival takes place at the Meenakshi Temple in
Madurai, to celebrate the mythical marriage between Siva and
Meenakshi. The Meenakshi temple is one of the most spectacular
excessive displays of architecture on earth. The temple has
nine towering gopurams and thousands of pillars, covered from
top to bottom with some 30 million colorful carvings and gypsum
images of gods, demons and animals.
Dhungri Forest Festival
The Dhungri Forest festival is celebrated at the Hadimba or
Dhungiri temple in Manali. This four story wooden temple is
located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar.
The Goddess is worshipped by the local women, who arrive in
their colorful dresses to perform the ritual dance before her
in order to appease her. Legend states that the king who commissioned
the temple was so highly satisfied with the results that he
cut off the craftsman's right hand to prevent him from duplicating
it elsewhere.
Id-Ul-Azha Or Id-Ul-Zuha (Bakri Id)
Bakrid is celebrated with ritualistic fervor particularly in
Andhara Pradesh. Bakrid is an important festival of Muslims
falling in the last month of Islamic Calendar. The significance
of the festival is the commemoration of the ordeals of Prophet
Ibrahim. On this day prayers are held and goats are sacrificed.
Rath Yatra
This spectacular chariot festival is held at the famous Jagannath
Temple at Puri. Images of Lord Jagannath - the Lord of the Universe,
his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in procession
in three immense chariots. The procession or Rath Yatra draws
huge crowds from all over the country.
Mela Hemis Gompa
A big fair is held at Hemis Gompa about 50 kilometers from
Leh, to celebrate the birthday of Padmasambhava, the founder
of Lamaism. The ritual dances by masked dancers are the main
attraction, as are the main attraction, as are the local handicrafts.
Teej
This Rajasthani festival is celebrated by the women, on the
third day of the moonlit fortnight of Shravan, in memory of
Goddess Parvati’s departure to her husband’s home. Besides Rajasthan
this festival is also celebrated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
In the morning Puja is performed. Later, in the evening Young
ladies and girls dressed up in lehengas and chunaris to perform
dandia dances.
Bonalu
The Bonalu festival is a major welcome for the people of the
Telangana region. This festival is and old tradition and is
celebrated with undiminished ebullience and religious ardency.
This one-month long festival witnesses musical treats and ritualistic
worship. The word "Bonalu" has been derived from "Bhojanalu"
meaning Time, which is offered to the Goddess. The prayers are
offered to the village deities Yellamma, Mahankali, Maisamma,
Pochamma, Gundamma. It is also an annual thanksgiving by the
people to the Goddess for fulfillment of their vows.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bhandan is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month
of Sravana (July-August). The festival of Raksha Bandhan symbolizes
love, affection and the feeling of brotherhood. On this day,
sisters tie an amulet, the Rakhi, around the right wrist of
their brothers praying for their long life and happiness. Raksha
means protection, and in some places in medieval India, where
women felt unsafe, they tied Rakhi round the wrists of men they
could count upon, regarding them as brothers. The tradition
of tying a thread or "rakhi" around the wrist to convey
different feelings has been coming down through the ages since
the Vedic Times.
Naga Panchami
Nag Panchami is observed on the 5th day of the bright half
of Shravan (July-August). On this day nag, cobras and snakes
are worshipped with milk, sweets, flowers, lamps and even sacrifice.
The image of Nag deities made of silver; stone, wood are first
bathed with water and milk, and then worshipped with the reciting
of the mantras.
Jhapan (Manasa) Festival
This festival is dedicated to Goddesses Manasa, the daughter
of Lord Shiva. She is believed to be the divine leader of the
fertility cult of snake worship. More popularly, it is celebrated
as a festival of snakes. The biggest attraction of this festival
is the deadly cobra.
Nanda Devi Raj Jat
The serene mountains of the Chamoli district of Garhwal reverberates
with a flurry of festive activity during the Nanda Devi Raj
Jat Yatra, a royal pilgrimage through the precipitous mountains,
that has been in vogue since Time immemorial. It is an important
religious event mired in deep rooted religious tradition, folklore
and mythology. The Yatra is associated with the legend of Nanda
Devi, a Goddess held in reverence by the local inhabitants of
the region.
Ganesh Chaturthi
This day is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed
god of all good beginnings and success. Held annually, this
festival is a ten day long event. The images of Lord Ganesha
are installed and worshipped and on the last day these are taken
in processions to be immersed in flowing water. The seafront
at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular sight.
Onam
Kerala's most important festival is celebrated in the honor
of the ancient asura king Mahabali. The occasion also heralds
the harvest season. The decorating of houses with carpets of
flowers, a sumptuous lunch and songs in praise of the golden
reign of Mahabali, mark the ten day long festivities. A major
attraction of the Onam celebrations is the famed snake boat
races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Aranmula and Kottayam.
Janmashtami
Janmashtami, the birth of lord Krishna is celebrated with great
devotion and éclat on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th
day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon, in the whole
of north India. Raslila, a tableaux depicting scenes from Krishna's
life especially the love for Radha, is performed. In the evening,
bhajans are sung, which end at midnight, the auspicious moment
when lord Krishna was born. Thereafter, arti is done, prasad
distributed and flowers showered on the idol.
Muharram
Muharram is the opening month of the Hijra year. The 10th day
of this month (May) is honored by the Muslims of Kerala. Muharram
marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed.
Taziyas which are bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's
tomb, adorned with mica are carried throughout the streets of
the city. The tragedy is expressed by mourners by beating their
breasts and grieving over the murder of the Imam accompanied
by drum beats. Fasting is an important ritual of this day.
Batkama
The festival of Batkama in Andhra Pradesh is the most aesthetic
occasion. It is basically, a festival of flowers. Celebrated
for about a month, The festival commences from the Ganesh Chaturthi
and ends on the Dussehra Festival. Flowers are arranged on a
square wooden plank or a square bamboo frame with the size of
frames in a conical shape to form an apex on top. This little
floral mountain represents and is worshipped as Goddess Batkama.
Dussehra
Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi is a very popular Hindu festival,
celebrated with éclat throughout the country. It is observed
on the tenth day of the bright halk of Ashvin (September-October).
It is a ten-day celebration, commemorating the victory of Lord
Rama over the demon king, Ravana. 'Ramlila' which is based on
the epic story of Ramayana, is staged at various places in most
of the cities and towns in northern India. During this performance
the Ramayana is constantly recited accompanied by music. It
presents a fine blending of music, dance, mime, and poetry before
an enthusiastic and religious audience sharing every event of
the story with the actors.
Id-E-Milad (Barah Wafat)
During this festival sermons are delivered in mosques by learned
men, focusing on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet who
was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month
of the Muslim year. The word 'barah' stands for the twelve days
of the Prophet's sickness. In some parts of the country, a ceremony
known as 'sandal' rite is performed over the symbolic footprints
of the Prophet engraved in stone.
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on 'Amavasya', the darkest
night of 'Kartika'. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil
and the lifting of the spiritual darkness that envelops the
soul. The festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom,
Adyodhya after completing his 14 years of exile. The word Deepawali
which means rows of lighted diyas (earthen lamps), brings a
glow to the humblest home or the grandest houses. Sweets and
gifts are exchanged between families and friends amidst the
bursting of crackers. Doors are left open on Diwali for Goddess
Laxmi. The festive occasion also marks the beginning of the
Hindu New Year. Lord Ganesha who is the symbol of auspiciousness
and wisdom worshipped along with Goddess Laxmi on this day.
Gurupurab
Gurupurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti is the birth anniversary of
Guru Nanak who founded the Sikh faith. For two days and nights
preceding the festival the Granth Saheb (Scriptures) is read.
On the day of the festival, the Granth Saheb is taken out in
a grand procession. The celebrations at Amritsar are the most
impressive. Prayer meeting and processions are carried out particularly
in Punjab. Sikh conduct 'langer' {distribution of Time} in the
Guru Dawara November: Govardhan Pooja A Hindu festival dedicated
to the holiest of animals for the Hindus, the cow.
Pushkar Fair
 This
lovely and gigantic fair falls on the last day (Full Moon Day)
of the Hindu month of Kartik (Oct - Nov) near the sacred lake
of Pushkar. This beautiful lake surrounded by bathing ghats,
has its religious significance, rooted in a myth. The fair is
primarily dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator and one of the
holy trinity. The colorfully dressed people enhance the exuberant
mood of the fair. The fair is the biggest camel market. Thousands
of pilgrims gather here, to take a dip in the holy lake. Puppet
shows are the other major crowd - pullers.
Nagula Chatvithi
Nagula Chavithi is celebrated on the fourth day after Deepavali,
which falls on a New Moon day. On this day serpents are worshipped
with great devotion and religious fervor. On this day women
and children observe fast and worship snake god. Dressed in
their festive best, they offer milk at the snake hills. On this
day there is a great demand for snake hills. Some complete the
ritual at home placing a picture or idol of a snake. Nagula
Chavithi is celebrated twice a year during the months of Karthika
and Sravanam. 'Nagula' means of the snakes and 'Chavithi' is
the fourth day after every New Moon or Full Moon day.
Navratri
This celebration in honor of the goddess, the mother of the
world, begins on the first day of Ashvin, and goes on for nine
days. The goddess is the personification of Power, or "Shakti".
She is known by many names: "Kali", "Laxmi", "Sarasvati", "Chandi-ka",
"Durga", "Bhavani", "Ambika", "Ashtabhuja" (eight hands). Her
main task is to punish the wicked. She is engaged in war, and
weapons are in her hands. She sits on a lion. Her weapons are
the "shul" (pike), "chakra" (wheel), "parshu" (axe) and "talvar"
(sword). Kali is known as "Mahisha-surmardini", the slayer of
the demon Mahishasur. The fight against the demon begins on
the first day until he is defeated on the ninth day.
Vaikunth Ekadashi
There are in all 24 Ekadashis observed by Hindus during the
year. Vaikunth Ekadashi is observed in November and is celebrated
in the honor of Goddess Ekadashi. People fast and pray to the
goddess. In Maharashtra, pilgrims march in a procession, singing
bhajans or devotional songs and assemble at the Vithal Temple
in Pandharpur.
Sonepur Livestock Fair
The Sonepur Fair is held on Karthik Purnima (the full moon
day) in the month of November in Sonepur (Bihar), on the banks
of river Ganga. It lasts for a fortnight and the cattle are
decorated for the occasion. It is Asia's largest cattle fair
where anything can be bought right from elephants to camels,
buffaloes, goats and all sorts of four-legged creatures. The
fair becomes a virtual explosion of colors, music, dances, magic
shows, cattle, merchants and handicrafts as people from all
over the world congregate to participate in this huge event.
It has all the fun and hue of a popular fair, which has religious
connotations as well and is enjoyed with a lot of jest and fanfare
by all.
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated in India with great fervor. All the
major Indian cities wear a festive look. Shops and bazaars are
decorated for the occasion and offer attractive bargains. Carol
singing, get-togethers and the exchanging of gifts enhance the
Christmas spirit. Christmas parties launch off celebrations
for the New Year, thus retaining the festive mood for at least
a week.
Kumbh Mela
The Kumbh Mela is considered to be one of the most important
religious events in India. The origin of the festival lie in
the ancient belief in the conflict between the gods and the
demons over the possession of the "Amrit Kumbh", a
pitcher filled with nectar. This fair is celebrated in 4 places
- Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik and Ujjain. People, from all over
the world, come to participate in this momentous event, drawn
by their curiosity about the exotic traditions and the religious
mysticism of India. A large number of sadhus gather on the banks
of the Ganges to take a dip in the holy river and people bath
at the 'Har ke Pauri' Ghat at Haridwar on this auspicious occasion.
The noise baffles all description, the shout and cries of ash-smeared
sadhus come mingled with the neighing of horses, the trumpeting
of elephants, the grunts of camels, the bellowing of bulls,
and as if these are not enough, there are gongs and drums beating,
trumpets blaring, condishells blowing and bells ringing.
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