Top 10 Festivals Celebrated in India – indiansupdate.com
Pongal:
Pongal, a significant Indian festival, pays homage to the sun god, Surya. This four-day harvest celebration marks the sun’s northward journey and typically takes place around January each year. During Pongal, people thank Surya for the plentiful crop and wish for good harvests in the future year.
The first day, called Bhogi Pongal, sees homes adorned with vibrant kolam designs made from rice flour, symbolizing a welcome to prosperity. On the second day, known as Pongai Pongal, lively activities like painting skulls and bulls, drawing games, and various forms of amusement take center stage.
Mattu Pongal honors cows, adorning them with flowers and creative paintings before they graze, symbolizing prosperity. Kanyi Pongal sees women dedicated to female deities prepare special dishes to express gratitude, culminating in joyful family games.
Holi:
Holi, an exuberant and colorful Indian festival, brightens the end of March with two days of revelry. On the first day, bonfires signify the triumph over evil, accompanied by singing, dancing, and laughter. The second day is a spirited affair of smearing colored powders and dousing each other with colored water, fostering unity and love. Holi holds spiritual significance, celebrating love and the triumph over hatred. It serves as a reminder to face life’s challenges with resilience and emerge stronger, embracing joy amid diversity.
Mahashivratri:
Annually observed on the fourteenth night of the Hindu month Phalguna, Mahashivratri commemorates Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees worldwide engage in vigils, prayer gatherings, and religious functions, honoring Lord Shiva’s spiritual significance.
Fasting, chanting, and singing praises to Lord Shiva form central aspects of this observance. Devotees abstain from food and water until sunrise, offering Bael leaves, milk, and honey as symbols of reverence. Mahashivratri invokes divine blessings for health, peace, strength, wisdom, and a blissful life.
Eid-Ul-Fitr:
Eid-Ul-Fitr, a traditional celebration, marks the end of Ramadan’s fasting period, falling on the first day of Shawwal, the twelfth month of the Lunar calendar. Festivities encompass feasts, gift exchanges, visits to relatives, and late-morning mosque prayers. Children receive new clothes and sweets, amplifying the joy of the occasion. Eid-Ul-Fitr embodies renewed faith, unity, and respect, reflecting its deeper significance beyond merriment.
Christmas
Christmas, a global festival celebrated with fervor, has found a special place in India’s diverse cultural tapestry. While predominantly observed by the Christian community, its charm transcends religious boundaries, making it one of the top 10 festivals in the country. In cities like Goa, Mumbai, and Kolkata, streets come alive with dazzling decorations, illuminations, and festive markets. Churches resonate with soul-stirring carols, and families gather for grand feasts featuring traditional treats and delicacies.
The unique Indian touch can be felt in the fusion of Western and local customs, creating a vibrant celebration. Whether it’s the iconic Bandra Fair in Mumbai or the vibrant festivities in Shillong, Christmas in India exudes an aura of joy, unity, and merriment.
Ganesh Chaturthi:
Ganesh Chaturthi, a vibrant Indian festival, honors the birth of Lord Ganesh. Celebrated annually over ten days, it involves special blessings (Pranapratishta) for Ganesh idols. Daily poojas (prayer rituals) and diverse food offerings are made to honor Lord Ganesh, culminating in idol immersions accompanied by flower petals, chants, and music. This festival symbolizes inner growth, overcoming obstacles, and attaining divine wisdom, paralleling Lord Ganesh’s attributes.
Navratri:
The nine-day Navratri festival, usually in September or October, celebrates triumph over evil and features prayers, traditional dances, and feasting. Each day, a different goddess is revered, and participants partake in Garba and Dandiya Raas dances. Fasting during Navratri signifies inner purity. The festival embodies togetherness, celebrating the divine power of womanhood and expressing gratitude for health and prosperity.
Onam:
Onam, a ten-day Kerala festival in August-September, honors King Mahabali with floral designs (pookalam), song, and boat races. Traditional games and shared meals unite families before bidding farewell to King Mahabali. Onam signifies luck and prosperity through pookalams and reinforces unity, spiritual reverence, and cultural appreciation.
Dussehra:
Dussehra, celebrated in September or October, signifies victory of good over evil. People attend temples, share food, enact Ramayana-based plays, and craft effigies of Ravana. Sweets (mithai) add sweetness to the festivities. Dussehra heralds Diwali season and reflects the triumph of goodness.
Diwali:
Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” celebrated in early November, radiates with lights, fireworks, and joy. Homes are adorned with diyas, special prayers are held, and gifts are exchanged among family members. Diwali signifies spiritual victory over darkness and rejoices in life, unity, and prosperity.