Probably, everyone knows about the famous festivals of India. As they are so vibrant and popular, but not everyone knows the reasons behind them. Furthermore, these festivals are so significant, that's why everyone waits for them all year.

To count all the festivals celebrated in India will take years. So, there are some famous festivals of India and a little brief about them:

6 Most Popular Festivals of India

Here are the famous festivals of India known worldwide:

Diwali

Diwali is a festival of lights, positivity, festivity, and homecoming. Moreover, it is one of the most significant and famous festivals of India. Millions of years ago, Lord Rama returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya.

After conquering Raavan, Lord Rama came back after 14 years of exile. With his wife Sita and brother Laxman.

Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over unawareness, and good over evil. Despite religion, Diwali is celebrated by all, and the festival lasts five days, between mid-October to mid-November.

Also, families get the chance to be together, exchange gifts, praise the LordLord and eat sweets.

People worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Families worship for wealth, good luck, charm, and to transform their dreams into reality.

Diwali is one festival that everyone looks forward to. Eventually, preparations for it start a month before. It starts by cleaning the house, from cleaning every inch. People buy jewelry, vehicles, utensils, and property as it's an auspicious day.

Moreover, rangolis get drowned, which brings positive energy and refreshing fragrance. Fairy lights and diyas are set outside and inside of homes to stop the darkness. 

After all, the festival of Diwali is the most popular, and Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains eagerly wait for it all year.

Holi

The second most popular festival in India is often referred to as the "Festival of colors" or "festival of love." This Hindu festival is also celebrated in the west and European countries. After getting inspiration from holi, many countries have made their version of holi.

Festival marks the arrival of spring, and the process of harvesting starts. Also, it is a carefree festival, youngsters enjoy this a lot, as you play with water and colors.

Holi marks the never-ending love of Lord Krishna and Radha. It consists of two days; the first one is Holika Dahan, also known as choti holi.

And the next day is always saved for playing with colors and spreading happiness. On the eve of Holika Dahan, people gather and perform religious customs.

Standing next to a bonfire and praying implies that people want their inner ego or evil to burn in fire like demon Holika.

The next day, balloons, water pistols, colors come in hand, and traditional food gets prepared.

Furthermore, a traditional drink called "bhang" is uniquely served with a sweet called Gujiya.

Ganesh festival

Ganesh Chaturthi a Hindu festival praising the arrival of Ganesh (elephant-faced God), the son of Shiva god. Ganesh god arrived with his mother goddess Parvati on planet earth. This sparkling and electrifying festival consists of 10 days.

People bring Ganesh gods in their homes, in the form of clay or made up of soil. Beautifully decorated, and praise him for the next 11 days.

Chanting of Hindu text, soulful music every evening when the family prays together. Also, publicly, sculptures of Ganesha are set all over so that everyone can pray anytime.

After celebrating Ganesha for ten days, the icon parade is vibrantly carried out on the last day. The gap from home to the nearest body of water like; river, lake, or ocean. visarjan Is always carried with music, dance, drums, and chanting.

Since Ganesha brought so much positivity and joy, on the last day, so many people got emotional. They pray to the LordLord; to come back again quickly. After reaching the nearest water body, submerged the sculpture in the water.

Furthermore, to experience the Ganesh Chaturthi to the fullest. One should go to Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Navratri and Durga puja

Festival of Navratri, the nine nights of commemorating feminine goddess Durga in all her incarnations. Goddess Durga is the embodiment of all mothers. At the festival of Navratri, people honour the goddess Durga for nine days. Keep Fasts, and tell stories of goddesses.

Besides that, execute classical dance and devotional songs, particularly at night. Pandals are set up for nights. Where sculpture of goddesses are set, and everyone gets together to honour the goddess.

Durga puja happens at the same time as Navratri, where this festival symbolizes the victory of Durga over the shapeshifting demon mahishasura. Popularly celebrated in the eastern states; considered the biggest festival of Kolkata city.

Temporary stages called pandals, which are stunningly decorated, which lights up the whole street. Massive figures of goddess Durga, placed on the pandals. Procession happens on the tenth day, and devotees immerse the statue in the water.

Dussehra

Vital Hindu festival Dussehra marks the day when Lord Rama defeated Ravana ( 10-faced devil). Dussehra comes after navratri. Dussehra, navratri and durga puja come around the same time.

The countdown for the most famous festival of India, "Diwali," begins after Dussehra. After 20 days of it, Diwali arrives.

The massive statue of Ravana gets built up and filled with crackers in it. And people enact Lord Rama and Lakshman. Arrow directed towards the sculpture of Raavan, and it bursts. It depicts the story of Ramayana, signifying "good over evil."

Eid al Fitr

In Eid al Fitr, Muslims end the month-long fast, which happens after Ramadan. Followers of Islam won't eat or drink, from first sunlight to sunset during Ramadan.

Muslims celebrate eid al fitr by visiting their relatives, friends and pray together. Before first sunlight, the Salat ul-Fajr prayer happens; after that, people bathe. Wear new shiny clothes and have food.

Some special dessert is consumed after prayer. Eid al Fitr is one of the biggest festivals of Muslims.

Categories: Rituals and Science

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