Festivals of India
History
Festivals have been celebrated in India long time already and that is why the people are still very traditional with the festivals. For example, the Diwali (Depavali) has been one of the really big festivals of India a long time ago already, and the other name "the Festival of lights" still is followed traditionally, making the whole place awash with light. And Pongal (Although not mentioned in the website) is also one of those festival where it celebrates harvesting. There are thousand of Festivals in India because of its diversity in its beliefs (religion). But then there are still festivals that everyone goes to. One of them is Independence day. This celebrates the independence of India from England.
Main Festivals(holidays) in India
Independence Day
Celebrated on 15th of August, independence day celebrates the indepence during 1947, 15th of August.
Replubic Day
This is the day India became a replubic, and it is celebrated on 26th of January. It is a liitle bit different from the independence day of India
Gandhi Jayanti
This Day is celebrated on 2nd of October to celebrate Mahatma Ganhi's birthday. Ganhi is one the important people in Indian history that made India independent.
Main Festivals
Diwali
Diwali is also known as Depavali, it is also known as the festival of lights. Depavali is supposedf to be happy, and this festival lasts for 5 days.
There are different meanings to people:
Diwali is celebrated for the victory of Lord Krishna deafeating the demon Narakasura.
It also is the celbrating of Rama coming back after 14 years of banishment(Vanvas).
There are different meanings to people:
Diwali is celebrated for the victory of Lord Krishna deafeating the demon Narakasura.
It also is the celbrating of Rama coming back after 14 years of banishment(Vanvas).
Magh Mela
This yearly festival called Prayag in another name is held in Allahabad, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and the Saraswati river meets. It is believed that there are a few drops of immortal nectar onto earth. And so every 12 years, lots of people come to the city of Maha Kumbh Mela, and make the world's largest gathering (religiously) with about 25 million people.
Map where Magh Mela is
See that intersecting place? That's where everyone goes for what the people are doing above
Holi
Holi is celebrated on the 8th of March, and it is celebrated on Full moon day of March. It celebrates a triumph with good over bad. There are a lot of legends with this festival. This includes (The legend of):
- Holika and Prahlad
- Radha and Krishna
- Kaamadeva
- Dhundi
- etc
Raksha bandan
Rakshabandan (Rakhi) is celebrated on 13th May. This celebrates mainly the relations of brothers and sisters. On this festival the people who clebrate make a "Thread of love". This piece of thread is supposed to be "stronger than iron chains". It symbolizes a bond of love and trust. The picture below shows a snake boat, one of the activities done in Raksha Bandan
Birth of Buddha
This festival is celebrated on the 8th day of the 4th month in the lunar calender. This celebrates, basically, the birth of the buddha.
Tourist Description
Tourists should expect everyone to look in any way, like someone else. You should join those people, because I think (because I have never been there) it would be fun. Join the guys who celebrate Diwali (Depavali) and find out the intersting things in this Festival of lights. Follow the people who are celebrating Holi and get covered in colorful powder with a sweeet essence. Have fun.