| Different religions in India
have a different set of festivals,
which are significant and pertinent
to them. One of the important
festivals of North India is the Holi.
This is the festival of colours.
Hole is one the festivals of India
that is celebrated with gaiety and
exuberance. Holi marks the end of
winter and greets the advent of
spring. Holi is also considered to
be a day to forgive and forget and
to repair ruptured relationships. It
is largely associated with the
romantic frolicking of the cowherd
God Krishna.
Diwali is definitely one of the
most prominent festivals of India.
In the literal sense, Diwali means a
garland of lamps. It is an apt
description of this festival which
is characterized by lights.
Traditionally diwali is meant to be
signified by the lighting of lamps
in order to keep alive the memory of
Prince Rama's return to Ayodhya
after he had managed to conquer the
tyrant Ravana.
Undoubtedly, one of the favorite
festivals of India is Dussehra. It
is the principle celebration in many
parts of the country. This festival
is celebrated with great fanfare in
Kullu, Varanasi, Mysore. It is
celebrated in a slightly different
manner as Durga puja in West Bengal.
Dussehra marks the climax of nine
day long festivities during the
Navaratri.
Baisakhi marks the first day of
the Hindu new year. This is
primarily a harvest festival of
India. It is celebrated with great
gusto in Punjab. The Bhangara
dancers dance in an energetic and
vigorous manner. Pongal is a
festival during which rice is cooked
as a ritual. It is allowed to boil
over. This symbolizes the ushering
in of plenty. The day after Pongal,
the cattle are bathed, fed and
decorated. They cattle are then
paraded down the village streets.
Onam is one of the most prominent
festivals of India in the southern
part - Kerala. This festival is
linked with the legend of the
mythological king Mahabali. This
festival also marks the time for the
fantastic boat races at Alapuzha.
The most important festival for
Muslims is the Eid. It is celebrated
to commemorate the conclusion of the
whole month of fasting. Eid is
celebrated with a ritual Namaz. This
is a prayer that is offered in a
mosque. Festive eating, exchange of
gifts, and the donning of new
clothes and dabbing of attar - rose
essence, also mark this festival. |
