Fashion
A Quick Look at India's Major Festivals
India is a country that is rich in heritage and culture. We celebrate religion like no other country in this world, making the people of India celebrate more than 50 festivals in a single year. While many of them are demographically and geographically celebrated, there are many which are celebrated throughout pan India. If someone has to celebrate all of the Indian festivals, one life would be short. But we have compiled a list of Major Indian Festivals that you should celebrate in your life.
No matter where you live in India and the culture that you follow, these festivals are a treat to the inner soul. They not only give you the insights of our ancient history but also bind us together in peace and harmony. Without further ado, let us browse through these festivals and know a little bit more about them.
Diwali- Festival of Lights
Diwali is undoubtedly the biggest festival of India both in terms of significance and the days it is celebrated for. Diwali is a 5 days festival that is started by Dhanteras and ends with Bhaidooj. The pan-Indian celebration known for lighting up our lives, is today joyfully celebrated globally. The festival, which sends a powerful message of good triumphing over evil, is celebrated throughout the country. Women celebrate the festival of lights by starting the day with an auspicious pooja and ending it with traditional women outfits, sweets, and bright Diyas. The homes are adorned with electric light garlands and colourful rangolis. Through the Diwali holiday, ignite the light of brotherhood and goodness inside you.
Holi- Festival of Colours
The feeling of the colourful Holi celebration is like a Pandora's box of healthy joy and good-natured mischief. This festival is gaining appeal on a global scale where not only people from around the world come to India to celebrate Holi, but also play Holi in their own countries. Holi is celebrated by throwing and applying colours on one another in a variety of jubilant hues. The event is even played by throwing and spraying water on each other using water cannons and water balloons as friendly weapons. Allow yourself to get immersed in the pinks, greens, and reds of Holi and forget about your blues for the day. Holi is the celebration of good over evil and the destruction of demoness Holika. Holika Dahan takes place before the actual celebration of holi. This festival should be on the bucket list of every person around the world. If you are a woman, do allow yourself to buy women dresses and add even more happiness during this festival.
Janmashtmi- Birth of Lord Krishna
The birthday of the beloved Hindu God, Lord Krishna, is widely celebrated as Janmashtmi in North India. The primary celebrations, however, take place in Vrindavan and Mathura, Krishna's birthplace. The temples are packed with people fasting on this auspicious day and waiting for the temple priest to reveal the Krishna idol at the precise time of his birth. Elsewhere, the holiday is observed with zeal, with local community activities related to Krishna's life stories, which are artistically depicted.
Dussehra- Vijaydashmi
The pinnacle of the nine days of Navrati culminates in the tenth day of Dussehra. The main feature of this celebration is the burning of statues of Ravan and his two brothers, representing Lord Rama defeating Ravan in the epic Ramayana. The statues are loaded with firecrackers, resulting in loud sounds and collapsing of statues that stand about 100 feet tall. This is followed by even louder cheers from the audience in celebration of the symbolic feat. In some places, the days leading up to Dussehra are commemorated by street performances called Ramlila that depict the complete Ramayana. The best places to celebrate Dussehra are Kullu, Kolkata, Mysore and Varanasi.
Ganesh Chaturthi-Vinayak Chaturthi
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, which is prominently observed in the state of Maharashtra, is an example of a culturally loaded environment. The event lasts ten days, the last of which is filled with the most celebration. Huge Lord Ganesha idols are transported to the seashore for the Visarjan procession, which involves immersing the idol in the water. The walk from one's house to the seashore is filled with dancing and singing. The best places to be around Ganesh Chaturthi are Pune, Mumbai and Maharashtra.
Gurupurab
Some say that for Sikh Community Gurupurab is like their Diwali. Gurupurab, which commemorates the birth anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus, is a significant holiday for the Sikh community. Gurdwaras are ablaze with the light of love and humanity. Kadha prashad, a delicious and holy meal, is served in langars, and people even light fireworks in the middle of the night to commemorate Gurgupurab.
There you have it, all the major festivals in a single place. Eat, shop and celebrate these festivals because you only live once.
Inexpensive Gift Ideas For Diwali
Another year of festivities is right around the corner but so is the season for gifting. Even though, gifting is not a priority in the traditional ways of celebrating Diwali, it has become an important part of the rituals. It is that one time of the year when you can appreciate your loved ones by giving gifts. We understand how confusing and exhausting selecting gifts can be. Which is why, we have compiled a list of gifts that can be gifted to everyone in your family, regardless of their gender or relationship with you.