“Greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals”
-Siddharth Katragadda
India is a country where celebrations never seem to end. One festival is followed by another. Hence it is easy to understand why it is called the land of festivals. For example, Navratri celebrations have just come to an end and we are again ready to celebrate Diwali. Here is a list of few celebrations that take place in India:-
Diwali:
Known as the festival of lights, Diwali marks the victory of good over evil. It is believed that on this day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Seeta and younger brother Laxman after fourteen years of exile. The celebrations begin with Dhanteras and end with BhaiDooj. People clean their homes, light them up and buy new stuff. Rangolis are made and sweets are exchanged. This is truly a festival everyone waits for.
Chhath Puja:
Chhath is a four-day festival mostly celebrated in the region of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and also in Nepal, Mauritius, etc. The four days include holy bathing, fasting, abstaining from drinking water to standing in water for long periods of time. It is the only festival where no idol worship is involved.
Pushkar Fair:
It is a five-day festival celebrated in the town of Puskar, Rajasthan. It attracts a huge number of visitors from all over the world. The main attraction of the festival is camels. The festival involves the trade of animals such as camels, horses, donkeys, sheep, etc. Events and competitions include Matka race, kabaddi, musical chairs, bridal competition and musical evenings. One can buy traditional clothes, jewellery, pagadi from the stalls.
Majuli Festival:
Majuli is the biggest island in Asia, now declared as a district. The Majuli festival takes place in the Garamur region. It is a four-day fest. Tourists from various places visit here and experience its rich culture. It is one of the most important festivals of Assam. Various cultural programs are held. Artists attend the festival to display their handmade products. It is going to be held from 21st November 2019 to 24th November 2019.
Christmas:
It is celebrated on 25th December every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. He is believed to be the son of God. People invite each other to their homes. Gifts and sweets are exchanged, Christmas trees and churches are decorated. Many people disguise themselves as Santa Claus and distribute gifts. This day is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.
These are just a few examples of celebrations taking place all over India. They offer a glimpse of the rich cultural and traditional heritage of India. One should try to visit some of these festivals at least once in their lifetime.
“Festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbours into dialogue, they increase creativity, they offer opportunities for civic pride, they improve our general psychological well-being. In short, they make cities better places to live”
-David Binder