INDIA AND ITS FESTIVALS - Client work

India - a land of happiness, a land of faith. India is known for its rich culture and heritage. The country with the highest number of festivals and traditions. From new year to birth events, from harvesting to welcoming of seasons, every day is honored as a festival here. Many festivals are common in all parts of India in some way or other, as they are known by different names. We present you the rich festivals of different religions of India with their history and significance -

HINDUISM -

Holi, also known as “the festival of colors”, has become India’s most lively and joyful celebration. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil by burning and demolishing the demoness named Holika. People pray for Lord Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation, and play with traditional colors. The festival is celebrated all over India, from the Brij regions of Uttar Pradesh to Mathura and Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna is believed to have grown up. Dusshera is another very important festival of Hinduism, which is followed by Diwali. Dusshera, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and the demolishment of Lanka. Whereas Diwali is the festival of lights that signifies the achievement of respectability. Streets and houses are brightened with candles and clay lamps that are decorated magnificently. 

A major festival of Bengalis - Durga Puja, particularly popular in states like Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and Bengal. The depiction of cultural integrity- Durga puja is celebrated in huge mandaps, where people worship the ten-armed goddess Durga and her children. Other major festivals of Hinduism include - Janmashtami (birth of Lord Krishna), Ganesh Chaturthi (birth of Lord Ganesh), Mahashivratri (night devoted to Lord shiva), Rakshabhandan, Chhath Puja, and Navratri. Hindu-festivals are vast and are all celebrated with peace and devotion.

BUDDHISM -

Buddha Purnima marks the birth of Lord Buddha and is a major festival of Buddhism. On this day, Lord Buddha attained Nirvana (enlightenment) and became Buddha. Monasteries and temples are decorated with flowers all over India. The Buddhism heritage is celebrated during the three days long festival, known as the Lumbini festival. The Lumbini Festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and is named after the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Another very major festival of Buddhism is - The Ullambana Festival. This unique tradition is also known as the Ghost Festival, as Lord Buddha saved the life of his disciple’s mother from a ghost. 

Besides this, People celebrate this festival to save themselves from the evil and cruel powers. The Magha puja day takes place in the month of March. On this day, people worship Lord Buddha and admire their community. They practice meditation by lighting lamps and visiting temples. The major intent of the festival is to provide tranquility by reciting mantras.

JAINISM -

Mahavir Jayanti, a substantial festival of Jainism, is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the 24th Tirthankara Mahavir. He played a vital role in preaching Jainism. The day is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira was the founder of Jainism. On this day, Jains visit temples and organize mass prayers and meditate. They celebrate the festival by doing charity and performing fasts and eat only Satvik food. Performed once in twelve years, Mahamasthakabhisheka is another very prominent festival of Jains. On this day, Jains worship the statue of Lord Bahubali, and sacred water is sprinkled on the devotees. 

According to Jains, this festival is very rewarding for the upliftment of their spirits, and the Statue is worshipped by thousands of disciples. Another major festival of Jainism is the Paryushan Parva celebrated annually. It is believed that the festival demolishes the karma of previous years and provides wisdom and deep self-control. Jains perform their formal rituals and chant in temples.

SIKHISM -

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurupurap, is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. He was the founder of the Sikh faith. The festival includes a three-day Akhand Path, where the holy book of Sikhs (Guru Granth Sahib) is read without a pause. The divine book is draped with flowers and is carried on a waft around the city or village. Traditional melodies are sung during the procession. Baisakhi is performed as a spring harvest festival by Sikhs. Also known as the Sikh’s new year day, the festival marks the evolution of the Khalsa Panth of warriors. 

On this day, Nagar kirtan processions are carried out along with Langar Seva and food charity in Gurudwaras. Baisakhi is also celebrated in Assam, Bengal, and Bihar in its own aroma. Lohri is another very major festival of Sikhism. On this day, people sing and dance around enormous bonfires to celebrate the passing of winter and harvest new crops for the next period.