India is a heritage and culture-rich country. Traditions and festivals are deeply rooted in our soil, which makes India an extremely vibrant country. Many festivals are celebrated to facilitate the birth of a lord or the victory of good over evil. These festivals make the people of India enthusiastic in their nature. Festivals that celebrate traditional myths, seasonal changes, etc., fill people with positive values, hence inclining Indians to be more ethnic than Western. To give you an example, Raksha Bandhan, a festival that strengthens the bond of brothers and sisters, is around the corner. People have started their preparation already by buying rakhi gifts for their siblings. This is the beauty of our Indian culture that a single festival brings so much enthusiasm to people. The diversity of festivals is vast in the sense that festivals are celebrated irrespective of the caste, religion and creed of the citizens. Here is a list of 6 national festivals of India, and know what is the reason behind celebrating them. Let’s get started!
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Diwali:
Well, it would be very safe to say that Diwali is the most loved festival of India. Be it a Hindu, Muslim or a Christian, people of every religion come together to celebrate this lively and vibrant festival. The reason behind celebrating this festival is that this festival commemorates the victory of Lord Ram by defeating Ravana and returning to Ayodhya with his wife, Sita. The values we get from this festival are that good always overshadows the bad. There is a silver lining in every bad phase, and that is the kindness that prevails, no matter how powerful the evil is. It lights up the entire country and brings people a lot closer. Diwali brings all the elements of ethnic vibes, festivity and positivity in every citizen of India.
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Durga Pooja:
It is a major festival of Kolkata. Celebrated to worship the 9 goddesses of Hinduism. People celebrate this festival with utter seriousness, keeping their diet and other factors in accordance with the festival. Garlic and onions are refrained from being cooked at home, and consumption of alcohol and meat is also avoided. The 9th day is when the festivals end, and people celebrate this day with great pomp and show and enthusiasm. It is said that Durga puja, celebrated in West Bengal, is one heck of a festival that one should definitely attend once a lifetime.
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Raksha Bandhan:
As we know, this festival that celebrates the hate-love relationship shared between brothers and sisters is approaching in a few months. Some of us are looking for gifts for our siblings, while some are planning to send rakhi to their siblings residing in other states or countries. The underlying reason for celebrating this festival is that brothers promise their sisters to always protect them from evil, whereas sisters pray for the long and prosperous life of their brother. The tying of rakhi is then followed by exchanging gifts, which, believe me, is the best part of this festival.
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Christmas:
Honestly, after Diwali, this festival excites me the most. I mean, the festive vibe along with vacations feels like it brings along just the perfect ambience to spend some quality time with your family, friends and loved ones. Am I Right? The festival; so includes a lot of delicious desserts and feasts, which is why many people gain a lot of extra pounds after this festival. This festival is celebrated worldwide on a huge scale to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ. So, this festival is also known to evoke the religious sentiments of many people.
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Eid:
Eid is one of the most important festivals Muslims celebrate to show their thankfulness and devotion to Allah. Eid al-Fitr is a festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan, which is a month when Muslims fast, pray and have self-discipline. Moreover, Eid al-Adha is the occasion that commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son for Allah. In fact, these two occasions serve as reminders of faith, generosity, and compassion. Besides, it is a day when families and communities unite to pray, share meals, and spread happiness.
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Holi:
Another major festival celebrated in India that brings joy and happiness with its arrival. It is a colourful festival, literally. People play Holi with colours and water, followed by enjoying mouth-watering delicacies such as gujiya. The festival is celebrated on this day. Holika herself was burnt to death, whereas Prahlad escaped the incident unhurt.
So, these six major Indian festivals are known to be a major source of happiness among Indians. Also, these festivals not just strengthen the family bonds or kinship but also foster brotherhood among people of different religions. This is the beauty of our Nation, which we are proud to flaunt, right?
