Top 10 Major Festivals of India

Holi is one of the most popular occasions that is celebrated almost all across the nation. It is also known as the “Festival of Colors” or “Festival of Love.” The Holi celebration starts the day before, where people follow the Holika Dahan tradition with utter rituals. People gather in front of their houses and pray in front of a bonfire. According to the mythology, this day symbolizes the victory of Lord Vishnu as Narasimha Narayana over Hiranyakashipu. On Holi, people apply dry or wet colors to each other, enjoy good meals and sweets to celebrate this special day.

Rakshabandhan is the day that strengthens the bond between brothers and sisters. The term Raksha means protection, and on this day, sisters tie up Rakhis to their brothers and expect that they will stand with them whenever needed. People celebrate this charming occasion with love and joy. If people stay away in remote locations, they usually send rakhi online and share their love and care towards each other.

Onam is a 10-day harvest festival that people from and outside Kerala celebrates. Especially the Malayali community gathers around the streets with processions expressing their culture and traditions. Onam is a celebration that signifies the homecoming of the legendary King Mahabali. People celebrate it with great zeal and passion while enjoying delicious meals like Pappadam, Mango Curry, Olan, and many more, which they serve on the banana leaves.

Diwali – “The festival of lights” is undoubtedly one of the biggest festivals of India. Diwali signifies the defeat of Narkasur at the hands of Lord Krishna, along with the return of Lord Rama with his wife Sira and brother Lakshman. People celebrate this great victory of good over evil and light over darkness. You will find people decorating their homes with Rangolis, Diya’s, and lightings. Diwali is a 5-day celebration where people visit their dear ones and enjoy Diwali sweets and light firecrackers. People even send Diwali gifts to their dear ones to keep on spreading happiness towards each other.

Eid Ul Fitr is one of the most significant occasions in India, especially for the Muslim community, since it concludes a long fasting duration of Ramadan. Followed by the community prayers and rituals, people visit or invite their loved ones to enjoy a splendid feast together. Eid Ul Fitr signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims take up fasting and proceed with the beginning of Shawwal month according to the Islamic calendar.

The main reason to celebrate Durga Puja is to rejoice in the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura whereas, people celebrate Dussehra to celebrate the winning of Lord Rama over Ravana. From worshiping the idol of Goddess Durga to burning the models of Ravana takes us into a whole new different world. These occasions fall under the most popular festivals that people from all across the country celebrate with diverse rituals and with great joy.

Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as “Vinayaka Chaturthi.” This occasion is one of the most favorite happenings of not only Indians but especially of the people of Maharashtra. It signifies the birth of Lord Ganesha. People bring Ganesh idols at home, and some even raise pandals to place and decorate the Ganpati idols. People celebrate the occasion for around 10-days, after which they submerge the Ganesh idols in Lakes, Rivers, or Sea.

Janmashtami or Gokulashtami signifies the birth of Lord Krishna. People celebrate Janmashtami by visiting Krishna temples, singing prayers and bhajans, and sharing traditional food and sweets. Many places organize an event termed “Dahi Handi.” People hang an earthen pot filled with Dahi (Yogurt) at a comfortable or difficult-to-reach height, where young men and boys try to reach that earthen pot to break it. People celebrate this occasion with great joy and full of enthusiasm.

Navaratri signifies the nine distinct forms of Goddess Amba, and each day defines one of her forms according to the mythologies. This event is also one of the most widely known in India, where people gather together and perform various rituals. People celebrate the 9-days in remembrance and praise of Goddess Amba, who posses new forms to defeat evil.

Christmas is one of the widely celebrated occasions not only across the globe but also in India. Christmas – the day when Lord Jesus was born is an occasion to spend great times with your loved ones. People decorate their homes with lightings, Christmas trees, and Christmas cribs to welcome Lord Jesus. Some of them dress up as Santa to distribute sweets, chocolates, or gifts to spread joy among the children. Many people visit or invite their dear ones for a special meal, cut the Christmas cakes, and share delightful Christmas sweets.