FESTIVALS
OF
INDIA
-
Source: festivals.igiftstoindia.com
Anil Kumar Cheerla
India – Heritage & Culture
• India - Oldest civilization with rich cultural
heritage dating back to 8000 BC
• Cultural diversity – a unique assimilation
of ethnic groups with different languages,
culture, religion, race, dance, music and
architecture
• A land of festivals and fairs – regions with
unique social and cultural identities
• Festivals symbolize the spirit of tolerance,
harmony and universal peace
Festivals of India
• Festivals pertain to different occasions
– welcome the seasons of the year,
– the harvest,
– the rains, or
– the full moon
– celebrate religious occasions
– birthdays of divine beings and saints or
– the advent of the New Year
• Festivals - Combinations of religious
ceremonies, semi-ritual spectacles,
worship, prayer, lustrations, processions,
music, dances, magical acts, eating,
drinking, love and feeding the poor
List of Selected Festivals
Hindu Festivals
Christian Festivals
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17. Christmas 18. Ester 19. Good Friday
Baisakhi
Basant Panchami
Diwali
Durga Puja
Onam
Holi
Janmasthami
Karwa Chauth
Mahashivaratri
Makar Sankranti
Naag Panchmi
Ganesh Puja
Navratri
Pongal
Rakhi
Ramnavami
Sikh Festivals
20. Guru Nanak Jayanti 21.Lohri
Muslim Festival
22.Bakra Eid 23. Eid-ul-fitr 24. Muhorram
Buddhist Festival
25. Buddha Purnima
Jain Festival
26. Mahavir Jayanti
National Festivals
27.Independence Day
28.Republic Day
29.Gandhi Jayanti
30.Children’s Day
31. Teacher’s Day
Holi
A Complete Festival. Its about
– Color of life
– Successful Harvest
– New Year
– Harmony across all barriers
• Bonfire at night, throw colored water and
feast
Ganesh Utsav
Festival in honor of Ganesha, elephant
headed deity – remover of obstacles
– Celebrated for 10 days
– Huge clay idols made, decorated
– Prayers offered, idols immersed in a
river, lake or the sea
Janmashtami
Human incarnation of Lord Vishnu as
Krishna – born to kill demon King Kansa
– Date: Eighth day of the dark fortnight in
the month of Sravana (July-August)
– Fasting, praying, temples and homes
are beautifully decorated and lit
– Rasalila performances
Rakshabandhan
Celebrates the love of a brother for his
Sister
– Celebrated on the full-moon day of the
Hindu month of Sravana (July/August)
– Sisters tie rakhi for protection against
evil influences
– Prayers for long life and happiness
Navratri
Celebration of mother goddess –
Durga
– Symbolizes victory of good over evil
– Fasting for nine days
– Sing, dance and merriment
Deepawali
Festival of lights symbolizing the victory of
righteousness and the lifting of spiritual
darkness
– Celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika
(October/November)
– Illuminated Streets lamps, homes
decorated with colors and candles
– New clothes, firecrackers and sweets
Ramanavami
Commemorates the birth of Rama, emblem
of righteousness
– Symbolizes defeat of evil
– Celebrated on the on the ninth day after the
new moon in Sukul Paksh (April)
– Sing devotional bhajans, offer prayers and
distribute prasad
Id-ul-Zuha
Festival of great rejoice, special prayers and
exchange of greetings and gifts
– Commemorates the life of Ismail, son of
Ibrahim.
– Devotion to Allah and his desires
– Tradition of sacrificing a goat
– completion of Haj
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru
Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith
– Religion - a single God who is the
eternal truth
– Three-day Akhand Path – reading holy
sikh book
– Processions, religious hymns &
community lunch
Christmas
Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
– Midnight mass and merrymaking group
dances
– Carols, and message of love and
brotherhood
– decorate homes with trees, exchange
greetings and gifts
Conclusion
• Festivals represent the spirit of Indian
culture and society
• Represents people from diverse
backgrounds, regions, communities and
religion
• People revel in the feeling of friendship,
brotherhood and revelry – brings
harmony, peace and universal
brotherhood
Q&A
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