festivals of india

Festivals of India

Presenting an app that provides you all the information about famous Indian festivals.
11. Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesha Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this festival. On this day Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel. The festival is celebrated in a grand way in state of Maharashtra for 10 long days and ends with grand processions carrying Ganesh idols for immersion into water.
12. Lohri
The harvest festival in Punjab is celebrated in form of Lohri and is an auspicious occasion celebrated with great fervour in typical Punjab style. This festival is particularly celebrated by farmer fraternity because of their connection with harvesting. It is assumed to be quite similar to Thanksgiving Day celebrated in USA and Canada. During the festival people offer prayers and thanks to the God. This symbolifies thanking God for being so kind and bringing prosperity for all. Mainly the North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and parts of Himachal Pradesh celebrate this occasion.
13. Independence Day
The Independence Day of India falls on the 15th of August. The country was founded in 1947, and every year Indian citizens celebrate the birth of a huge nation. This was the time when Indians got independence from Britishers, who reigned over them for more than 200 years. Independence Day carries its own charm with it. Though a national holiday, the whole country is decorated with lights, national flags. The markets also sell patriotic badges, posters, stickers and flags weeks before 15th august.
14. Republic day
Indian Republic day is a national festival, celebrated all over India on 26th January. It is celebrated in the remembrance of the promise that was made on the Lahore session of Indian National Congress on the night of December 31st 1920, where the national flag was unfurled for the first time. This promise was to celebrate National Republic Day every year on 26th of January. This in turn proved to motivate everyone to struggle for a sovereign and independent republic of India. The day finally came on 26th January, 1950 when India came up with its first constituent assembly.
15. Eid
Eid-ul-fitr or commonly as Eid, is one of the two most popular religious occasions according to Islamic calendar. Celebrated not just by one community, or country but Muslims all over the world, and this fosters a strong Muslim brotherhood. Eid is a celebration of the month of Ramzan, the most sacred month of the year and Eid-ul-fitr marks the end of Ramzan. It's a way to thank Allah for his blessings, and for giving Muslims the month of Ramzan where they could not only regulate their lifestyles but were also forgiven for their past sins.
16. Christmas
Christmas is one of the oldest and popular festivals across the world. And is way beyond the confinements of cast, creed, religion, ethnicity, race and colour. Celebrated on 25th of December ever year, Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ. The Santa Claus is a symbol showcasing the popularity of Christmas during the month of December. Little children eagerly wait for this festival as it brings lots of festive delights and goodies too. Christmas tree is decorated in every house, cakes are baked and presents are exchanged. Truly, one of the most exciting and celebrated one in all the parts of the world.
17. Rakhi
Rakhi is a festival that is dedicated to the love and affection that exists between a beautiful relationship of a brother and a sister. There are so many festivals in India but Rakhi is one that everyone across the country awaits for. All brothers and sisters across all the religions celebrate this day with great enthusiasm. On this day, sisters tie a 'Rakhi', a decorated thread on to their brothers hand and pray for their long life. Brothers, in turn, give their sisters gifts and vow that they will protect and care for them.
18. Gandhi Jayanti
Gandhi Jayanti refers to the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. It falls on 2nd of October. Gandhiji was a peace loving freedom fighter and is well known for his contribution in the freedom of India. Mahatma Gandhi's strong will power is part of Indian folklores. His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and was fondly known as Bapu. Born on 2nd of October in 1869, in Porbunder, Gujarat, he studied law in U.K and practiced law in South Africa. But he soon renounced every luxury of life as he joined the Indian freedom struggle.
19. Pongal
This festival is celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. The word 'Pongal' in Tamil means ""boiling over or spill over"" which is an act that is considered to denote good wishes for the family. Pongal is like a thanksgiving on which the farmer pay their respect to the nature that is their farm and their cattle for being helpful during the harvest. Pongal is celebrated with huge pomp and show in Tamil Nadu because this day marks the beginning of Tamil New Year. As the rice boils over and bubbles out of the pot, the tradition is to shout of ""Ponggalo Ponggal!"" accompanied by blowing a conch which is a custom practiced since ages for bringing good luck to the land.
20. Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is celebrated in remembrance of Lord Buddha as this day was his birthday. The day falls in the month of April or May (month of Vasakh), on the full moon of the lunar month. This day also talks about some of the important events of Buddhas life including his birth in 623 BC., his search for enlightment and attainment of Nirvana.