INDIAN FESTIVALS

The giddha dance of Punjab, the kaykotti kali during Onam is the diversity of the Indian culture. Usually each tradition, dance or song form is associated with a festival. The typicality of the harvest festival in India like a Vaisakhi in Punjab or a Vishu in Kerala denotes the bounty and blessings received by nature. The Rath yatra, monthly holy days are revered by all Indians. Sweetmeats in India and attire for festivals are customary and there is a rich tradition followed by all Indians in their homes as a part of celebration. 

The giddha dance of Punjab, the kaykotti kali during Onam is the diversity of the Indian culture. Usually each tradition, dance or song form is associated with a festival. The typicality of the harvest festival in India like a Vaisakhi in Punjab or a Vishu in Kerala denotes the bounty and blessings received by nature. The Rath yatra, monthly holy days are revered by all Indians. Sweetmeats in India and attire for festivals are customary and there is a rich tradition followed by all Indians in their homes as a part of celebration. The giddha dance of Punjab, the kaykotti kali during Onam is the diversity of the Indian culture. Usually each tradition, dance or song form is associated with a festival. The typicality of the harvest festival in India like a Vaisakhi in Punjab or a Vishu in Kerala denotes the bounty and blessings received by nature. The Rath yatra, monthly holy days are revered by all Indians. Sweetmeats in India and attire for festivals are customary and there is a rich tradition followed by all Indians in their homes as a part of celebration.

Diwali

Every year, the spectacular and bedazzling festival of Diwali is celebrated by Indians all over the world at the end of Ashwin month (between September and October) with its festivities continuing till the beginning of Kartika month (between October and November) based on the auspicious Hindu calendar. Unlike most Indian festivals, the vivacious festival of Diwali is not just a one-day fiesta, but its revelry continues for five days. The festival of lights, as it is lovingly known, inspires people to believe in the power of good and signifies that no matter how dark the night gets, the light of a single lamp can enlighten one’s path. The words of Shakespeare “see yea that light yonder so shines a good deed in a naughty world” rightly summarize the purpose of this festival.

The first day of Diwali festivities is known as Dhanteras, on which most of the business communities in India begin their financial year. This day is considered highly auspicious for buying gold and silver, either in the form of ornaments or coins. Naraka Chaturdasi marks the second day of festivities; it is believed that Lord Krishna slayed a demon named Narakasura on this day. On the third day, Deepavali is celebrated, which involves the worship of Goddess Laksmi and Lord Ganesha. Besides this, houses are illuminated most ostentatiously with diyas, candles and various multicolor designer strings of light bulbs. The night sky comes alive with the glitter of firecrackers. On the fourth day, Govardhan Puja is performed, whereas the final day is known as Bhai Dooj and celebrates the love between a brother and sister.

Holi

Holi word is originated from "Holika" sister of Hiranyakashipu. The festival of Holi is celebrated because of a story in the old Hindu religion. In Vaishnavism, Hiranyakashipu is the great king of demons, and he had been granted a boon by Brahma, which made it almost impossible for him to be killed. The boon was due to his long penance, after which he had demanded that he not be killed "during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra". Consequently, he grew arrogant and attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He demanded that people stop worshipping Gods and start praising respectfully to him.


According to this belief, Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. He was poisoned by Hiranyakashipu, but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlada to sit on a pyre in the lap of Holika, Hiranyakashipu's demoness sister, who also could not die because she had a boon preventing her from being burned by fire. Prahlada readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Lord Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika burnt to death, while Prahlada survived unharmed. The salvation of Prahlada and burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. In Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days (until Rangpanchmi) in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. The festivities officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.