India is the land of color, art and culture. Anyone in the world can know this fact just by looking at the vibrant culture and festivals celebrated by various communities residing in this pious land many centuries ago.
The reason there is such a vibrant culture and festival every time is because this land is home to many different religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism, Judaism, etc. In the article below, let’s take a look at the top 10 festivals observed in India based on the number of people observing them and their reputation among the observers.
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Top 10 Hindu festivals celebrated in India
Diwali:
Considered the festival of lights, Diwali or Deepawali is a Hindu Festival celebrated to mark the return to Ayodhya of Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. Legend has it that Sita was kidnapped by the demon Ravana and Ram saved her by killing Ravana and returning to Ayodhya, his kingdom after 14 years of exile. People lit candles and candles to mark his return, which is followed even now.
Holi:
Holi happens to be another Hindu Festival and this festival is called the Festival of Colors. The legend behind this festival is that the demon king Hiranyakashyap’s son named Prahlad killed his aunt, Holika following the instructions and beliefs of Lord Vishnu so that the world would be free from her terror. To commemorate the demon’s destruction, on the night of the full moon in March, a statue of Holika is symbolically burned and the demon’s death is celebrated the next day with color, laughter, dancing , singing and enjoyment.
Durga Puja
People of West Bengal call it Durgo Pujo, Durga Puja is a 5-day celebration that ends with Dussehra. In Bengal, Durga Puja is celebrated with grandeur and colour. It marks the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. Durga Puja usually takes place in late September or early October. This year it will fall between October 11 and 15.
On the last day of Durga Puja and Navaratri, all the clay statues of Durga are solemnly immersed in water by people dressed in red and white.
Krishna Janmashtmi:
Krishna Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, who killed Kansa, the demon and ruler of Dwaraka. Krishna was born to Devki and Vasudeva but under Kansa’s curse they had to spend more than 8 years in prison. Kansa waited for Devki’s 8 children to be born as it was predicted that her 8th child would be his death. But the last one was saved from him and Vasudev took the baby to Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul, where Krishna grew up to become a king. Janmashtmi is celebrated all over India and people in Vrindavan and Mathura have a special celebration on this day.
Dussehra:
This is a festival in Northern India celebrated with firecrackers and worship of weapons and ammunition. That was the day Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana to save his wife Sita from being captured. People built effigies of Ravana and burned them to mark his death.
Ganesh Chaturthi:
It falls on September 10, 2021. It is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and son of Parvati. He is the elephant-headed god in Hindu religion. Many giant statues of Lord Ganesha are made to mark the 10 days of the colorful festival. It has great significance in Maharashtra where people call Lord Ganesha- Ganpati Bappa and bring his statue to their homes as a guest. The last day of the festival is Visarjan, where the statues are immersed in water.
Onam:
Hindus in South India celebrate Onam as their biggest festival. This is a 4-day harvest festival that takes place in Kerala. People wear traditional clothes, decorate their homes with Pookalam (floral designs) and prepare Onasadya (elaborate meal of about 13 dishes).
People celebrate the homecoming of their legendary king Mahabali.
Vallamkali (snake boat racing), Kaikottikali (hand clapping dance), Kathakali dance and Pulikali procession (artists dressed and painted as tigers and hunters) are events organized to mark this day.
Pongal:
Pongal is celebrated to mark the second harvest season of the people of Tamil Nadu, who are basically Hindus. It also marks the return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere and thus the return of warm weather. People harvest crops and clean their homes as a sign of prosperity and good luck.
Maha Shivaratri:
This festival is celebrated all over India by the followers of Lord Shiva.
It has significance in Hindu mythology and is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun. This festival marks the wedding of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. People fast on this day.
Basant Panchmi:
This festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, Music and Art. It is widely celebrated in the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Punjab and Haryana.
This day marks the beginning of spring in India. People wear yellow clothes and cook yellow dishes like sweet turmeric rice and kadhi. It is observed every year on the fifth day of Magha according to the Hindu Calendar.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn