Top festivals of India

India with its attitude of customary cavalier is a huge example of the high spirited supercilious which sets an example of contemptuous indifference in the world. It is a land of numerous religions plus languages which counts to innumerable; can be a significant description of its culture. Each religion brings many festivals of its own divinity and importance which significantly indicates its content. Each festival is followed up by the religious ceremonies which are of vital importance for its believers. In addition, every religious ceremony is a combination of semi-rituals spectacles as well as lots of lust rations and processes to be followed.

Ceremonies are the way to set something in motion to perform the divinely sacred rituals as well as to spread its religion’s spirituality power throughout any particular festival. The jolly environment of festivals are celebrated by eating, drinking, spreading love all around, helping poor, performing various rituals, dancing and many other activities which justify the nature of the festival and its prosperity. Moreover, festivals in India are the set example of the traditions which are followed up by the Indians since hundred of years with obvious changes that are brought up by the modern time. Every time period just add on something exotic process or modify the old ones in order to continue its existence.

As any old civilization states importance of its festivals to certain time period of the year or religious association, in India also every festival has its unique significance to be celebrated. Like, Holi, Rakhi, Makar Sakranti, Shivratri, Diwali, etc. Each one has its own importance and indifferent reason to be celebrated. For an example, in South India the festival of Pongal-sankranti is tied to the process of harvesting crops. It is sacred festival which is celebrated by the farmers for the good prosperity of their crops and lands. Plus, Karwa Chuth is a day for the married women in Hindu culture on which they keep fast for the longevity of their family and husband’s life. 

As some festival are followed by the small group of religions and there on the other hand some festivals are celebrated all over India without being of any religion. Like, in Kerala there is the famed snake race which shows its region’s culture. Diwali and Holi are almost celebrated by everyone in Indian culture.  Particularly these two festivals show the forging ties between the Indian communities.  In addition, these festivals are not only part of Indian culture but are hugely celebrated in Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad and Guyana too. So, the magnificence parade of the festivals of India is not only displayed in its own country but throughout the world too.

With the 29 states in the country with the 7 Union territories, each of the regions has its own harvest festivals. Every region celebrates its harvesting period with great zeal and enthusiasm. So all the twelve months in the calendar witnesses harvesting festival all over the year throughout the country. Major harvesting festivals are Lohri, Pongal, Parbon, Bhogali Bihu, and etc.

Makara Sankranti in January

Let’s talk about one of the major Harvest festival which is celebrated in the country! The Makra Sakranti is one of the first festivals of harvesting in the calendar of the year. It is an auspicious festival and is of vital significance for the Hindus. During this festival the people take bath in the holy rivers and Kunds. Like Ganga Sagar and Prayag.  There are numerous names of this festival in different region of the country. Like Pongal,Uttarayana,Lohri,Khichdi,Shishur Saenkraat and Maagh Bihu. So name can be different in different locality but the meaning of the festival only display the importance of the harvesting of crops of their own region. In addition, kite festival is also celebrated on this festival which is very popular in the western region of the country.

Holi in February–March

Usually in the month of March, there is a colorful festival that is very famous in India and known as Holi.  It has a great significance which shows the changing of the season and welcomes the spring season.  Being a bid adieu to the season of winter it welcomes the spring with its spiritual rituals of Holika Dahan companying with the Dhulandi the very next day.

This festival is a way of praying to gods for the prosperous harvest for the coming year and peaceful success.  In addition to its religious importance of Holika Dahan, do not forget the colors! On Holi is a tradition to play with colors and make various tasty sweets to welcome the people in their homes. In the Braj region, this festival is famous for the celebration its traditional Lathmar Holi which is an eye catchy thing for the foreigners.  

Baisakhi in April

In the north region of the country, there is an auspicious festival celebrated which is known as Baisakhi. It is celebrated majorly in the state of Punjab.  You can say it is the form of Indian Thanksgiving Day! In the form of the Indian Thanksgiving Day by the farmers of the states in which is it is celebrated, it is a kind of prayer ritual for thanking the gods for the good harvest and praying for the future prosperity. Among the Sikh community this festival has a religious significance. It is significant because it represents the foundation of the Panth khalsa on this auspicious day by Guru Gobind Singh.

Rongali Bihu in April

In the Eastern region of India, mainly in the state of Assam, Bihu is celebrated. It is their national festival which is celebrates for the three times in the year. The festival is celebrated three times in the following months by the names of Maagh in the month of January, then Bohaag in April and in the month of October as Kaati.  

Being the New Year of Assam region, Bihu is celebrated among themselves in the month of April in the spring season.  Following this festival with their traditional folk dances, it is celebrated with joy and feeling of positivity for the seven days.  

Hareli Festival in July-August

In the tribal of Chhattisgarh, the state celebrates their harvest festival during the month of Sawan or Monsoon. During the holy month of Sawan which is of great importance in the Hindu culture, the people of Chhattisgarh worship things related to their cultivation. Like farm equipments, cows and etc. during the Hareli, the tribe people pray for the prosperity and the good crops with the great enthusiasm of cultural events.  

In addition, the Cher Chera is another prosperous Harvest festival of this region. This promising festival is celebrated with the traditional folk songs plus dance forms. Like, Raut, Nacha, Panthi, Gaur, Madiya and Karma.

Rakhi in August–September

The festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is one of the very sweet festivals among the Indian culture. It is famous among the siblings as it is celebrated between them. This auspicious day is celebrated in the month of August-September, on the day of Shravan Purnima. It has a great essence in the Indian festivals and displays the affectionate bond between the brothers and sisters. On this day siblings pray for each other’s wellness and happiness.

As the word Raksha mean protection, this festival displays the bond of protection.  A sweet promise of protecting their sisters from any harm and evil; is made by the brave brothers. In return sisters pray to the god to save their brother from all evil. This festival is celebrated by tying a Rakhi on the wrist of the brothers by their sisters. Plus, brothers also show their affection towards their sisters by giving them a token of love in a form of a gift.  It is not necessary to tie the Rakhi to brothers only; it can be tied to any person or friend in order to signify the peaceful co-existence between them and a divine bond.

Diwali Festival in October-November

As we all know, the festival of lights is a divine festival in India and is called Deepawali.  This light festival actually signifies the light in the life of the people by destroying the darkness among them and in their lives. It is celebrated by welcoming Goddess Laxmi. In order to welcome the goddess, people clean their houses; decorate it with lights, draws rangolis, make sweets and etc. Decorating the houses with diyas and candles creates a magnificent look on the night of Diwali.

Kut Festival in November

In the month of November, the Kuki-chin tribes celebrate the harvest festival known as Kut. It is one of the major festivals of the state of Manipur. As other harvest festivals, it is also welcomed with folk dances, traditional rituals and songs.  Chumpha is the important festival which is celebrated by the tribes of Tanghul Nagas.

Tokhu Emong in November

In the tribe of Loths Nagas, the festival of Tokhu Emong is welcomed with great zeal in the month of November.  It is a significant harvest festival in this tribe which is shown importance by enjoying the tribal folk dances and is celebrated for nine days.