Festivals In India: Symbols Of Secularism And Unity

By Author: Ackley Cooper Shaw
Total Articles: 211
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Indian festivals are famous for the sheer fervor, grandeur and flamboyance with which they are celebrated. A large number of tourists from all the over visit the country to catch a glimpse of these festivities. Here is a list of some of the important festivals celebrated in India:

Diwali: Diwali is celebrated across the nation with great splendor and excitement. It is regarded as the ‘festival of light’, and people decorate their homes with colorful lamps and candles. The festival transcends the boundary of age, with people from all age-groups enthusiastically playing with crackers. Indeed, colorful, vibrant fireworks have grown to become an important part of this festival. Diwali, being one of the most important Hindu festivals, marks the day when people worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. In West Bengal, people worship Goddess Kali on this day (or the preceding day).

Holi: Holi is another important Indian festival celebrated with great zeal. People enjoy this festival by smearing and spraying colored water and paints on each other. Dancing and drinking ‘bhang’ form part of the festivities ...
... on the day of Holi. People participate in joyous processions with friends and close relatives.

Dussehra: Navratri, (also known as the ’The festival of Nine Nights’), is a well-known festival, which is celebrated all across India. The tenth day is celebrated as Dusshera. In West Bengal, Durga Puja is celebrated during this time, with Dussehra being popularly known as Dashami in the state. Fun and enjoyment form a major part of this nation-wide festival.

Rakhi: Rakhi, also known as ‘Raksha Bandhan’, is a popular festival among Hindus, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. On this auspicious day, sisters tie a silken thread (‘rakhi’) on their brothers’ wrists. The thread symbolizes love and affection among siblings. Brothers also hand out attractive gifts in return.

Pongal: Pongal is a harvesting festival celebrated in South India. This festival is generally held during January and February in Tamil Nadu. During the Pongal season, people eat sugar cane juice and typically decorate their houses with Kolam. This festival enjoys enormous popularity among farmers.

Onam: It is celebrated with great fervor and gaiety. Onam is a harvest festival and carries a distinct, secular flavor, with people from diverse religious backgrounds taking part in the festivities. During Onam, people traditionally decorate their homes with pookalam (fresh flower mats) to welcome the King Mahabali. Thiruvonam is the most important day during the carnival of Onam. Many sporting activities, cultural events and other special activities are hosted on this day.

Eid: Eid-ul-fitr (‘Eid’ in short) is one of the most important Muslim festivals. The celebration is held over three days, and marks the end of Ramdan, the holy month of fasting. Eid is celebrated in other countries as well and serves to showcase the unity among Muslims all over the world. Barah Wafat and Id-ul-zuha are two other noteworthy Muslim festivals that are celebrated in India.

Christmas : Christmas is celebrated all over the world on the 25th of December, to commemorate the day on which Jesus Christ was born. Although it is a primarily Christian festival, Christmas Week is celebrated with equal zest by people of all religions. People set up decorated Christmas trees in their homes on this day. Decorative lightings are also used, and cakes and greeting cards are exchanged among friends and family members. Christmas in India is celebrated in India with as much fervor and gaiety as in any other part of the world.