Diverse cultures and varied religions are India’s identity in the world. India is witness to a variety of festivals, with festive spirit deeply imprinted in people’s hearts and souls. Accompanied with special dishes, sweets, and lights, the festivities transcend all limitations and spread cheer among all. Here may be a list of top festivals based on Hindus Puja celebrated across India that you simply can witness while exploring the country.
List of Popular Indian Festivals
Makar Sankranti: It is often the puja of the Sun God. consistent with the Hindu calendar Makar Sankranti marks the top of an inauspicious period which starts from mid-January. It also signifies the end of winter and therefore the start of the new harvest season. In many parts of India, this festival is widely known for flying kites. Unlike most Hindu festivals that are supported by the calendar, this festival follows a calendar. Hence it’s always celebrated on the 14th of January. Due to the earth’s axis, this festival date changes every 80 years.
Vasant Panchami and Saraswati Puja: This festival celebrates the beginning of spring. it’s also each day to honor Goddess Saraswati who is the Hindu goddess of data, wisdom, music, and art. Goddess Saraswati has 4 hands that represent Intellect, Mind, Ego, and application. With two hands she plays the Veena (a sitar-like instrument). In her third hand, she holds a lotus which symbolizes knowledge, and together with her fourth hand, she holds sacred scriptures. Saraswati Puja 2021 was celebrated on 16 February.
Maha Shivaratri: There are many tales about why Maha Shivaratri is widely known. One popular tale is that consistent with legend, Goddess Parvati had asked Lord Shiva which was his favorite ritual, to which Lord Shiva replied that the thirteenth new phase of the moon night within the month of Maagha is his favorite day. Ever since that day is widely known in honor of Lord Shiva. His devotees fast all day and keep an evening-long vigil. The Shiva Linga is washed with milk, honey, water, and bael leaves. This signifies the purification of the soul. This Shiv puja was celebrated this year on 11 March.
Holi: consistent with legend, the demon king Hiranyakashipu had been granted a boon by Brahma that made him invincible. He disallowed the worship of Gods. His son Prahlada continued to worship Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu made many unsuccessful attempts to kill Prahlada. Holika was Prahlada’s demon sister. She too had been granted a boon as per which she couldn’t be destroyed by fire. A wood pyre was created and Holika sat thereon. Prahlada was ordered to take a seat on his sister’s lap. When the pyre was lit, to everyone’s amazement, Prahlada was unscathed, but Holika, who couldn’t be destroyed by fire, ended up as ash. To celebrate this victory of excellence over evil, Holi is widely known.
Holi is the festival of colors and traditionally people put color and water on each other. Bhang (cannabis) is additionally consumed. It was celebrated this year on 29th March.
Ram Navami: This festival is the puja of Lord Ram, who was the 7th incarnation of God Vishnu. Ram Navami celebrates his birthday. It was celebrated this year on 21st April.
Hanuman Jayanti: Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Hanuman, the Monkey God. Hanuman was the son of Vayu the God of wind. Hanuman is understood for his strength and his unflinching devotion to Lord Ram and Sita. It was celebrated this year on 27th April.
Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan reinforces the special relationship between brothers and sisters. On today sisters tie the Rakhi (sacred thread) on their brother's wrist and brothers reaffirm their promise to guard their sisters. It was celebrated this year on 22nd August.
Krishna Janmashtami: This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was born during a jail in the dark and was to be executed the following day by his evil uncle Kansa. Krishna’s father Vasudeva, managed to flee with Krishna and hand him over to his friends Nanda and Yashoda to bring him up. This year it is going to be celebrated on 30th August.
Ganesh Puja: This 10-day festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh who is the God of prosperity, luck, and wisdom. Hindus consider it auspicious to invoke Lord Ganesh’s name before starting any new venture.
On the primary day of Ganesh Chaturthi, idols of Lord Ganesh are brought and placed on an altar. These idols are worshiped then immersed during a water body (sea, lake, river, etc). counting on personal beliefs, the immersion is often done anytime during the ten-day celebration.
Mumbai experiences a number of the foremost colorful and vibrant Ganesh celebrations. Large pandals (tents) are put up where devotees can come and pray. The farewell
immersion into the ocean is completed with music and dance. Ganesh Puja is going to be celebrated on 10th September.
Navratri: In Sanskrit, Navratri means nine nights. The nine sorts of the Goddess Shakti/Devi are worshipped for nine nights and ten days. Navratri is split into three slots of three days. For the first three days, Durga (also referred to as Kali) who is the destroyer of evil is worshipped. During the subsequent three days, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi is worshipped. On the ultimate three days, the goddess of data, wisdom, music, and art, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. within the sequence during which this is often written the nine goddesses are worshipped on the nine nights of Navratri - Maa Shailaputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skanda Mata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagowri, and Maa Siddhidayini.
Navratri may be a joyous occasion to worship, feast, enjoy music, and dance. The Garba folk dance and Dandiya (dance with sticks) are very fashionable in Western India. It is going to be celebrated from 7 to 15th October this year.
Durga Puja - Vijay Dashami: Dussehra is widely known on the day after Navratri. this is often the day when Lord Ram defeated and killed Ravana. It symbolizes the victory of excellent over evil. As a part of the festivities, effigies of Ravana are crammed with fireworks and within the evening these are burnt. Durga puja 2021 is going to be celebrated from 11 to 15th October.
Diwali and Lakshmi Puja: "The festival of lights'' is one among the foremost important festivals of the Hindu calendar. It celebrates the return to Ayodhya of Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman after 14 years in exile. consistent with legend, the citizens of Ayodhya lit earthen oil lamps along the way that Lord Ram took back to Ayodhya.
The five-day festivities begin with Dhanteras during which businessmen start their fiscal year. It's also each day when families buy ornaments.
The second day, "Naraka Chaturdasi", marks the victory of Lord Krishna over Naraka.
On the third day, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to ensure prosperity. This is often the day of Diwali. The fourth day, "Annakuta", also called "Shukla Paksha", marks the day when Lord Krishna started the worship of Govardhan.
On the fifth day, "Bhai Dooj" reinforces the bond between brothers and sisters. On today Lord Yama visited his sister the Yamuna. Traditional lights are lit on all five days of Diwali and expect to listen to the sound of fireside crackers on all five days.
Kali Puja is celebrated to seek the help of the goddess in destroying evil and get her blessings for general happiness, health, wealth, and peace. The date of Kali Puja falls on the same day as Diwali, so while most of India worships the goddess Lakshmi on Diwali; Bengalis, Odias, Assamese, and Maithils worship goddess Kali.
Evidently, your trip to India is often more fulfilling if you'll witness and be a neighbor of those colorful Indian festivals celebrated within the country.
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