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Indian
Festivals celebrated by
varied cultures and
through their special
rituals add to the
colours of Indian
Heritage. Some festivals
welcome the seasons of
the year, the harvest,
the rains, or the full
moon. Others celebrate
religious occasions, the
birthdays of divine
beings, saints, and
gurus (revered
teachers), or the advent
of the New Year. A
number of these
festivals are common to
most parts of India.
However, they may be
called by different
names in various parts
of the country or may be
celebrated in a
different fashion.
Many festivals celebrate
the various harvests;
commemorate great
historical figures and
events, while many
express devotion to the
deities of different
religions.
Every celebration
centres around the
rituals of prayer,
seeking blessings,
exchanging goodwill,
decorating houses,
wearing new cloths,
music, dance and
feasting.
In India every region
and every religion has
something to celebrate.
The festivals reflect
the vigour and
life-style of its
people. Vibrant colours,
music and festivity make
the country come alive
throughout the year.
The emphasis laid on the
different festivals
differs in different
parts of the country.
For instance, Navaratri
is celebrated with
maximum fervour in West
Bengal as compared to
that in other parts of
the country. Holi is
celebrated with gusto in
the north, and although
it is also observed in
the western and eastern
parts of India, in the
south it is almost
unknown. There are also
a few regional festivals
like Pongal in Tamil
Nadu; Onam in Kerala and
the various other temple
festivals devoted to the
specific patron Gods and
Goddesses of the
temples, which are
celebrated exclusively
in those areas, which
may be limited to one or
a few villages. This
galaxy of festivals that
exist do contribute in
inter-spicing Indian
life with gaiety and
colour as also in giving
the country the
distinction of having
the maximum number of
holidays.
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