India - Land of Festivals

Among all the countries of the world, India is the one with a large geographical area, supporting people from all communities and religions of the world. We celebrate festivals of each religion with equal eagerness and strength, and this also proves each time how our unity lies in diversity. India's rich heritage has been built over the centuries and this has led to a huge variety in Indian life, soul, and festivals. Each religion follows its calendar for deciding the day on which the festival is to be celebrated. For example, the Hindu festivals are determined by the lunar Hindu calendar. Thus the dates of the Hindu festivals do not match with the solar Georgian calendar.

Since India has a large Hindu population, it is natural that most of its festivals are Hindu festivals. Since the Hindus personify nature and human feelings, they have about 3.3 million gods and goddesses, and thus several festivals to worship them. We often see that some festivals are more popular in a particular region.  Chhat, for instance, is a festival chiefly celebrated in Bihar whereas Diwali is celebrated all over India.

The festivals which are celebrated throughout India are called national festivals, and the whole of India comes together to celebrate them. Diwali is the festival of Hindus but you won't find a single Muslim or a Christian child who stays at home when all his friends and neighbors are bursting crackers at the local park! Again do you think that on Christmas Eve, when all the churches and restaurants are dressed up for a long party, the people belonging to the other communities stay back at home and gaze at the festivities going on? No, not at all!  In January, there is the festival of Sankranti or Makar Sankranti which is celebrated as Pongal in South India. 

There may be differences in the rituals that are observed but the essence behind the celebration is the same. A few days after Sankranti, Asia's largest fair, Kumbh Mela, is organized. Thaipuram is also celebrated towards the end of January or the beginning of February in Tamilnadu. In January end another festival, Muharram, is observed throughout India. Basant Panchami is celebrated in the northern regions to celebrate the advent of spring whereas in eastern India this day is celebrated as Saraswati Puja, by offering prayers to the goddess of learning and wisdom. Immediately after Saraswati puja, the Indians celebrate Mahashivratri and Holi, the festival of colors.

April brings with it the occasion of Baisakhi and Ram Navami. It is celebrated with pomp in northern parts to celebrate the new crop season. The fields are lush with ripe crops! Along this time comes Good Friday and Easter. These are national holidays and the whole of India comes together to observe these occasions.  Karwa Chauth is observed when all married women keep a day-long fast to appease the Gods so that they may grant long life to their husbands. Then there is a nationwide celebration of the festival of lights, Diwali, when everyone bursts crackers

Thus, the Indians keep celebrating festivals throughout the year. Each festival has its unique way of celebration and thus adds to the excitement and breaks the drudge of daily life.