India, known as the “Land of Festivals,” is a lively mix of different cultures, traditions, and religions. This variety shines through in the many festivals celebrated nationwide, each adding a special touch to Indian life. One of the importance of festivals in India is bringing people from all backgrounds to celebrate the nation’s heritage and values.
Think of Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. These days are not just holidays; they are filled with deep cultural, historical, and patriotic meanings. They remind us of India’s journey, challenges, and victories to build a sense of unity and pride among its people.
The country celebrates 45 national festivals yearly, but here, we will focus on the most famous festivals in India and include their highlights, purposes, and unique characteristics.
National festivals in India are essential because they celebrate key events in the nation’s history and are enjoyed by everyone, regardless of religion. They promote unity and patriotism, bringing all Indians together. These festivals feature nationwide celebrations, including parades, ceremonies, and speeches by leaders. As public holidays, they ensure everyone can join in the festivities.
Diwali
Date: November 1
Diwali, also known as Divali, is the biggest festival in India and is celebrated by over a billion people worldwide, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
For Hindus, Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. In southern India, it celebrates Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura. For Jains, it signifies Lord Mahavira’s attainment of nirvana, while Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, marking Guru Hargobind’s release from imprisonment.
The highlights of Diwali include lighting diyas (oil lamps), candles, and electric lights, creating beautiful displays everywhere. Fireworks are a big part of the celebrations, symbolizing the driving away of evil spirits. Families clean and decorate their homes, prepare and share festive meals, exchange gifts, and perform religious rituals. People also create rangoli, intricate patterns made on the floor with colored powders, rice, or flower petals, which are believed to bring good luck.
Holi
Date: March 14
Holi, often called the Festival of Colors, is a national festival of India celebrated in Nepal and many other parts of the world.
Holi celebrates spring’s arrival, winter’s end, and love’s blossoming. It’s a time for people to unite, forget past disputes, and renew relationships. The festival also asks for a prosperous spring harvest and embraces the season’s vibrant colors. The religious significance of Holi is highlighted by the Holika Dahan ritual, where bonfires are lit on the eve of Holi as a symbol of the burning away of evil spirits and the victory of good.
The next day, known as Rangwali Holi, is filled with colorful celebrations. People throw colored powders (gulal) and water at each other, dance, sing, and enjoy festive foods like gujiya, a sweet pastry. The streets, homes, and community gatherings are full of laughter, music, and a sense of togetherness as everyone, regardless of age or background, joins in the fun.
Navratri
Date: October 3 to 12
Navratri is a special Indian festival celebrated in honor of the goddess Durga, represents strength and protection. The name “Navratri” comes from the Sanskrit words “nava,” meaning nine, and “ratri,” meaning nights, reflecting the festival’s nine nights and ten days.
The main purpose of Navratri is to celebrate the divine feminine and the different forms of the goddess Durga. Each festival day is dedicated to a different incarnation of Durga, such as Shailputri and Brahmacharini. During Navratri, devotees fast, meditate, and pray to seek inner strength and spiritual renewal. They also avoid certain foods and practices to honor the goddess and ask for her blessings.
Highlights of Navratri include vibrant cultural activities. In Gujarat, people enjoy Garba and Dandiya-Raas dances with decorated sticks and clad in traditional clothes. In eastern India, Durga Puja involves worshipping elaborate idols of Durga, which are later immersed in water. In northern India, the festival features Ramlila performances, retelling stories from the epic Ramayana. It ends with burning effigies of the demon king Ravana.
Dussehra
Date: October 12
Dussehra is one of the important festivals of India that marks the end of the nine-day Navratri festival and is observed on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashvin, usually in September or October. Dussehra commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana, as told in the epic Ramayana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
The festival celebrates the victory of righteousness (dharma) over immorality (adharma). It reminds people of truth, justice, and moral values. The festival encourages reflection on personal actions and the effort to overcome inner vices like anger, greed, and ego. Many people start new ventures or make significant life changes on this auspicious day, believing that good will ultimately triumph.
Dussehra is celebrated with various cultural and religious activities. In northern India, dramatic reenactments of the Ramayana, called Ramlila, are performed. In West Bengal, Dussehra coincides with the grand Durga Puja festival, where elaborate idols of Durga are worshipped and then immersed in water. In Karnataka, the festival features a grand procession with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari carried on a decorated elephant.
Janmashtami
Date: August 26
Janmashtami is a big Indian national festival observed on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in Bhadrapada. The festival is significant in Mathura and Vrindavan, where Krishna is believed to have been born and spent his childhood. People all over India and the world celebrate by fasting, singing devotional songs, and performing dances that tell stories from Krishna’s life.
The festival honors Krishna’s birth, which is seen as a divine intervention to restore righteousness and defeat the evil king Kansa, Krishna’s uncle. The festival reminds devotees of Krishna’s love, duty, and devotion teachings.
Highlights of Janmashtami include the midnight celebration of Krishna’s birth, known as Nishita Puja, where people gather in temples to perform rituals and sing hymns. One popular event is the Dahi Handi, celebrated in Maharashtra, where teams of young men form human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd, symbolizing Krishna’s childhood mischief of stealing butter. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the festival features elaborate decorations, Raslila performances that reenact Krishna’s youthful adventures, and the offering of 56 food items known as Chappan Bhog.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Date: September 7
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day national festival in India celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of wisdom, prosperity, and removing obstacles. People celebrate by placing Ganesha idols in their homes and public places, where they worship him with great devotion.
The main purpose of Ganesh Chaturthi is to honor Lord Ganesha and seek his blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. Devotees believe that worshipping Ganesha before starting any new project ensures success. The festival is also a time for spiritual reflection and community bonding. People offer sweets, especially modaks, Ganesha’s favorite, and chant hymns and prayers to show their devotion.
Ganesh Chaturthi festival features elaborate decorations, cultural performances, and community activities. One of the most famous parts is Ganesh Visarjan, the immersion of Ganesha idols in water, symbolizing his return to his celestial home. This event includes grand processions with music, dancing, and chanting “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya,” meaning “O Lord Ganesha, come again next year.”
Eid-ul-Fitr
Date: March 30
Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is one of the important festivals of India celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
The main purpose of Eid-ul-Fitr is to celebrate the end of Ramadan and thank Allah for giving strength and patience during the month of fasting. It’s a time for spiritual renewal, seeking forgiveness, and building stronger bonds within the community. Muslims give to charity, ask for forgiveness from one another, and offer special prayers to thank Allah and seek blessings for the year ahead.
In India, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations start with the morning prayers, known as Eid ki Namaz. After the prayers, people greet others with “Eid Mubarak” and share warm embraces. Families and friends gather for big feasts and exchange gifts, especially with children who often receive Eidi (cash gifts). Homes are decorated with lights and beautiful designs, and everyone wears new clothes to mark the festive occasion.
Maha Shivratri
Date: February 26
Maha Shivratri is a national Indian festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the main gods in Hinduism. The festival’s main goal is to show devotion to Lord Shiva and ask for his blessings for spiritual growth, inner peace, and freedom from the cycle of birth and death. People believe that by observing Maha Shivratri with dedication, they can overcome ignorance, cleanse their minds, and achieve spiritual enlightenment. Fasting and staying awake all night symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
During Maha Shivratri, people visit Shiva temples to perform special rituals, like the Abhishekam, where they bathe the Shiva Lingam with holy water, milk, and honey. They also chant Shiva mantras, sing devotional songs, and recite hymns. Many places have fairs, processions, and cultural performances like dance and music dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Rakshabandhan
Date: August 19
Raksha Bandhan, or Rakhi, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. During the festival, sisters tie a rakhi, a sacred thread, around their brothers’ wrists. This act symbolizes their love and prayers for their brothers’ well-being. In return, brothers give gifts and promise to protect their sisters. The festival has roots in Hindu mythology, with stories from ancient texts like the Mahabharata highlighting the importance of the sibling bond.
The festival also highlights the importance of family values and responsibilities. Beyond just family, Raksha Bandhan promotes social harmony and unity, as the tradition of tying rakhis can extend to cousins, friends, and even neighbors, symbolizing a broader sense of community and mutual protection. This inclusiveness reflects the Indian cultural belief of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “the world is one family.”
In some regions, the festival includes unique local customs, like kite flying in North India or offering coconuts to the sea in Maharashtra.
Onam
Date: September 5 to 14
Onam is a harvest festival that lasts ten days and celebrates the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali, whose rule is remembered as a time of prosperity and happiness.
The main reason for Onam is to honor t King Mahabali’s annual visit to his kingdom. According to legend, Mahabali was a kind and fair ruler who brought great prosperity to Kerala. However, the gods became envious of his popularity and power. They asked Lord Vishnu for help, and in his Vamana avatar, Vishnu tricked Mahabali into giving up his kingdom and sent him to the netherworld. As a reward for his goodness, Mahabali was allowed to visit his people once a year. Onam celebrates this visit, symbolizing a return to a time of plenty and joy.
Onam’s highlights include traditional and cultural activities showcasing Kerala’s rich heritage. One of the most iconic is the Pookalam, which are intricate floral arrangements made in front of homes to welcome King Mahabali. The festival also features the grand Onam Sadya, a multi-course vegetarian feast served on banana leaves, with various traditional dishes. Other notable events include Vallam Kali (snake boat races), Pulikali (tiger dance), and classical dance performances like Kathakali and Thiruvathira.
Baisakhi
Date: April 14
Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a lively spring festival celebrated mainly in Punjab, India, and by Sikh communities worldwide. Originally, Baisakhi was a harvest festival celebrating the ripening of the Rabi crops and the start of the new harvest season. Over time, it has also become an important religious festival for Sikhs, commemorating the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
The highlights of Baisakhi include a range of cultural and religious activities. The day begins with Sikhs visiting Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) to offer prayers and participate in special services, including hymn singing and readings from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism.
One of the most notable events is the Nagar Kirtan, a religious procession where the Guru Granth Sahib is carried through the streets, accompanied by singing, dancing, and martial arts displays. Traditional Punjabi dances like Bhangra and Gidda are performed. The celebrations also feature communal meals known as Langar, where food is served to everyone.
Gurpurab
Date: November 15
Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti, is a special Indian national festival celebrated by Sikhs to remember Guru Nanak’s teachings, which focused on believing in one God, living truthfully, and helping others selflessly.
During Gurpurab, Sikhs engage in various religious and cultural activities. They start the celebrations with early morning processions called Prabhat Pheris, where they sing hymns while walking through their neighborhoods. A significant ritual is the Akhand Path, a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, lasting 48 hours. Before Gurpurab, a grand procession called Nagar Kirtan takes place, featuring the Panj Pyare leading the way, carrying the Sikh flag and the Guru Granth Sahib.
On the day of Gurpurab, the celebrations begin early with the singing of morning hymns, followed by explanations of the scriptures and more hymn singing. One of the highlights is Langar, a community meal served to everyone.
Makar Sankranti
Date: January 14
Makar Sankranti is a vibrant Indian national festival celebrated to welcome longer, warmer days. It’s a joyful time deeply rooted in agricultural traditions and the worship of the sun god, Surya.
The festival is known by different names in different regions, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, and Uttarayan in Gujarat.
Makar Sankranti honors Surya, the sun god, and expresses gratitude for a successful harvest. It’s also a time for spiritual reflection and renewal, with many believing bathing in holy rivers during this period can cleanse the soul and bring good fortune for the year ahead.
The festival is marked by various activities and traditions. In Gujarat, people fly colorful kites during the International Kite Festival, symbolizing freedom and happiness. In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is celebrated with a special dish from newly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery.
Takeaway
Indian national festivals are cultural, religious, and social celebrations that reflect the country’s diverse heritage. Each festival has unique customs and traditions, showing how Indians celebrate life, honor their deities, and commemorate historical events. Whether it’s the colorful kite-flying of Makar Sankranti, the devotional fervor of Gurpurab, or the communal feasts of Eid-ul-Fitr, Indian festivals showcase the country’s enduring spirit and cultural richness.
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