Festivals in India
The world without Festivals will just become a jungle where we lead a monotonous life. Festivals in India are much larger than almost any occasion. We consider them the best part of the year and wait for them eagerly. People of all ages and economic conditions find their ways to enjoy with their families and worship the gods and goddesses.
Festivals are the oldest rituals and traditions our countrymen follow to pay tribute to the almighty gods and goddesses. In fact, these celebrations are nothing but the symbols of peace and happiness. India is a diverse country with multiple religions and cultures conglomerated in a single form. This is why our Festivals draw a unique picture for the rest of the world to follow as a brilliant example of harmony.
In India, we have three different types of Festivals. The national Festivals are those days when something remarkable happened that changed the course of history for our country. For instance, 26th January is celebrated as Republic Day. October 2 is Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. These Festivals are called gazette holidays declared years back. These days, every public and private office celebrates and declares holidays for the employees.
Independence Day is celebrated on August 15, 1947. On this day, we received independence from the colonial rule of the British Empire. We celebrate and pay tribute to the revolutionaries who led their lives to make us free from the shackles of British tyranny. Republic Day is celebrated gallantly in New Delhi, our capital. Our defence forces join hands to perform tricks and showcase their power to the public. These Festivals are celebrated across the country.
The most prominent religious Festivals that we celebrate are Dussehra, Diwali, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Holi, etc. Dussehra and Diwali are considered to be the prime religious Festivals of India. The states celebrating these Festivals get decorated like a new bride. New colourful dresses and tasty things to eat are the prime attractions for kids. During this time of the year, people of all ages and economic stature unite at a single place to worship the gods and goddesses.
Every Indian religious festival has a story behind it. These stories carry a message for all the common men. Most of the Festivals convey the message of peace and the victory of good over evil. Every family prepares delectable preparations and invites guests, relatives and other family members. Families reunite, people enjoy for a few days and then get back with their monotonous lives. They again wait for another year eagerly for the religious Festivals to arrive with the wish to see their loved ones again.
Seasonal Festivals generally focus on cultivation or other seasonal phenomena. For example, Onam in Kerala, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, etc are the seasonal examples. India is an agricultural country and these Festivals have immense importance in our history. These Festivals generally depict the advent of new harvests. The farmers worship the Gods and Goddesses of agriculture and harvest, wishing good yield for the next year. The amazing fact is that despite the cultural differences, the seasonal Festivals related to harvests are celebrated at the same time of the year.
These Festivals make India a single entity. It is the beauty of diversified unity that no other country can display. The Festivals are the social glues that keep different communities together despite the social differences and make India stronger. This is the legacy of our country that we have been carrying from one generation to the other for ages.
FAQs on Festivals of India Essay: Celebrating Diversity and Culture
1. How many Types of Festivals do we Celebrate in India?
In India, we celebrate three different types of festivals. The national festivals are celebrated commemorating the sacrifices of our revolutionaries and politicians. These festivals are celebrated across the country. Religious festivals are restricted to the respected states but have immense significance across the world. The colourful religious festivals are the best time of the year when people of all religions and ages unite to worship gods and goddesses. The seasonal festivals are organized to earmark harvests and agricultural yields. These festivals have immense importance as India is an agriculture-based economy. These are the types of festivals we celebrate in India.
2. What is the difference between National and Religious Festivals?
National festivals are the national holidays that are celebrated to commemorate the sacrifices made by the nation’s leaders. These festivals also earmark a historic event that has changed the course of India’s history. In these festivals, every office is closed and all the employees are given holidays to spend time with their families. Religious holidays, on the other hand, are celebrated in different forms following the religious rituals of respective communities. These festivals are the most awaited time of the year for all. People wear new dresses, eat sumptuous food, and enjoy with their families, friends and relatives. These festivals are celebrated by specific communities and in particular states.
3. Why do Seasonal Festivals coincide in some cases?
Seasonal festivals are held to celebrate harvests and other natural phenomena. The time is set by checking the solar and lunar positions in the astronomical calendar. In fact, the agricultural yields also match in terms of seasons. This is why the seasonal festivals have different names in different states but are sometimes celebrated in the same month or season of the year.
4. Why do festivals play an important role in our life?
In India, a diversity of festivals are celebrated throughout the year. The festivities bring joy and happiness to everyone’s lives. Family members and loved ones gather to share their happiness. Festivals play a crucial role in our lives. They help in reducing stress caused by the day-to-day hustle and are a way to relax and rejuvenate our minds. Festivals create memorable moments. In addition to the religious festivals, national festivals promote the unity and customs of a nation. Festivals bring people together and are extremely important in everyone’s lives.
5. What are some of the most famous festivals celebrated in India?
India is a diversified country with a vast list of festivals that are celebrated by people of different cultures and religions. These festivals form the rich heritage of the country. The main festivals of India include Diwali, Holi, Rakhi, Navaratri, Guru Purnima, Khubh Mela, Shivratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, and so on. Being a multicultural country, India celebrated all these festivals with great zest and full-blown experiences. Even people from outside come to visit India, especially during the festival seasons. Each festival is uniquely celebrated and has a history and importance of its own.
