India is a land of diversified culture. Each and every state of India represents a different culture and has its own identity. Due to this, the festivals also differ from one state to other states. Thus, every state has its own festival. And the way of celebrating these festivals is also unique. So, it is very difficult to remember each and every festival of the other states.
If you take a glance at all the festivals from all parts of India, you will find that throughout the year, one or the other festival is going on.
In that way, it becomes hard to keep track of all these festivals. But every festival has its own importance to that particular state. Thus, every festival in India is celebrated.
Well, the country boasts of their vibrant tapestry of festivals that one can find with great fervor and diversity. Here are the major Indian festivals.
- Diwali: The Festival of Lights – where Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists all come together to celebrate an overpowering light triumph over darkness, often marked by lighting oil lamps, bursting fireworks, and sharing a lot of sweets.
- Holi: The Festival of Colors, mainly celebrated by Hindus. It is the arrival of spring and people color each other with colored powders, dance, and enjoy festive foods.
- Durga Puja: Majorly done in West Bengal, the festival is to worship goddess Durga. Elaborate idols are available along with rituals and cultural performances.
- Eid al-Fitr: A festival mainly observed by Muslims. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. It includes communal prayers, feasting, and giving to charity.
- Navratri: A nine-night festival, devoted to worship of the goddess Durga, is characterized by fasting, dancing (Garba and Dandiya), and much vibrant cultural activities.
- Pongal: A harvest festival in Tamil Nadu to be offered for the god of sun. It involves cooking mainly Pongal-the special dish and other cultural activities.
- Onam: A harvest festival in Kerala celebrated by the boat race, flower designs (pookalam), and the feast, Onam Sadya.
- Makar Sankranti: The harvest festival that is celebrated all over India. It signifies the sun entering Capricorn. There is kite flying as well as feasting on traditional foods.
- Baisakhi: Harvest festival in Punjab and it also coincides with the Punjabi New Year. Dancing in the form of Bhangra, singing, and rejoicing over the harvest are its main features.
- Gudi Padwa: The Marathi New Year and it involves the hoisting of a Gudi, which is a decorated pole, and festive foods.