Indian is also called a country of festivals. It is a secular country. People of more than four religions live in India. At least one festival is celebrated each month in India. Every festival is unique. There is a unique story behind every festival. Most of the festivals are deep-rooted into Hinduism. Festivals offer a sense of belonging for religious and geographical groups. People of India love their festivals as India is a secular state. People of different faiths celebrate every festival together. These celebrations tell us about mutual harmony among the people of India. Indians celebrate all festivals with their dear ones. People decorate their houses with lights. They prepare sweets. People belonging to a different area of India have different festivals but most of them are celebrated nationwide. There are many religious festivals celebrated in India. Some of them are described below.
1-Dusshera
This festival is celebrated on the 10th day of Ashvina. This festival is for the celebration of victory of moral over immoral. The significance of this festival is that whenever a bad force pushes you there is always a good force that will win.
History
Dusshera is also known as Vijayadashami. It is a religious festival. It is celebrated for different reasons. It is celebrated in the remembrance of the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. This battle was fought to protect Dharma. In the Northern, central and western states it is celebrated in the win of God Rama over Ravan. It also refers to the occasion when Arjuna defeated all Kuru warriors. Arjuna killed more than 1 lac soldiers. Rama killed Ravana to free Sita. A deadly battle was fought between Rama and Ravana. Rama killed Ravana. Ravana had 10 heads. Arjuna defeated the Kuru army on the same day when Ram killed Ravana. So Dusshera is also known as Arjuna’s day.
Celebration
Dusshera is celebrated by telling Ram Lila stories. It is a public holiday. Special foods are prepared. Hindus believed that it is a lucky day to start a new business. Government offices, post offices, and banks are closed on Dusshera. Celebrations include fireworks. People’s foreheads are painted with tika. As Dusshera is celebrated to remember the end of the Demon King Ravana so most of the children are admitted to the school on this day. The play models of Ram and Lila are made. In different areas of the country, the 10 headed models are burnt. The temples are lightened and major forts are decorated with colorful lights. The worshiping of Durga is mandatory.
2-Bhai Dooj
It is a festival that is celebrated for the eternal love between different siblings. It is celebrated on the 5th day of Diwali. It is the 2nd lunar day of Shukla Paksha. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Kartika. It is also known as Bhai Beej, Bhai Fonta and Bhau Beej. On this day sisters invite their brothers for dinner. Sisters perform aarti for their brothers and place tika on brother’s forehead. This tika tells about the love and prayers of the sisters for their brothers. In return brothers also give cash and gifts to their sister. The women who do not have a brother or their brothers live far away from them worship the Moon God.
History
It is considered that Yamraj visited his sister Yami. His sister served him with different dishes including sweets. Yamraj gave a unique gift to sister to show his love. Yamraj declared that the brother who would receive tilak and aarti by his sister would never be frightened. Another tale tells us that this day is celebrated to remember the day when Krishna returned to his sister Subhadra after killing Narakasur. His sister welcomed him with tilak, sweets, and flowers.
Celebrations
On this day brothers and sisters remember their responsibilities for each other. This celebration is the way to symbolize the love and care of brothers and sisters to each other. Sisters make a seat for their brothers. They worship the hand of the brother and apply rice and Sindoor. At this day sisters pray to God to protect their brothers from all problems and evils. Special dishes include Basundi Poori. In Haryana dry coconut is also offered to brothers at the time of aarti. In return to all done by the sisters, brothers follow their responsibilities of loving and caring their sisters.
3-Diwali
It is the most awaited and important holiday of the year. It is a national festival. This festival lasts for five days. It is celebrated during the Hindu calendar month, Kartika. It is usually celebrated 18 days after Dusshera. Diwali means rows or series of lights. Its first day is called Dhanteras and its second day is called Choti Diwali. It is celebrated on the day of no moon night. Then lamps are lit to brighten up everything around.
History
Some believe that Diwali is the celebration of marriage of Lakshmi with Vishnu. Diwali is also celebrated to remember the return of Rama after killing Ravana. Some say that Diwali is an event for the celebration of the victory of Vishnu over Bali.
Celebration
All the rituals of Diwali have a story behind them. The significance of lights and firecrackers on the sky is an expression of respect to the Heavens. The sound of the firecrackers makes the Gods aware of the joy of the people living on earth. Many people love to gamble on Diwali. They believe that gambling on Diwali night will make them successful in the coming year. This is because Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Shiva. People wear new clothes and distribute sweets among their relatives. It is a public holiday on Diwali. People worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for their welfare. Different multicolor Rangoli make the houses look more beautiful. On Diwali, poor people also light some lamps to celebrate this day because they believe that the light will push back all the evil forces form their houses. Many people clean their houses to vanish evils. They make different meals and invite their relatives.