India is a land of festivals that bring joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance in resplendent hues. They epitomise the religious, cultural, traditional and social aspirations of her people.
Relationships are the essence of Indian festivals. Every festival is an occasion to bring the family together. Every festival in India is characterised by its unique prayers and food.
India’s festivals reflect the innate desire of man to seek diversion from humdrum activities. They also symbolise the rich social fabric and specific cultural settings of the various parts of the country.
Ratha Yatra, the Festival of Chariots of Lord Jagannatha is celebrated every year at Puri, a temple town in Orissa, on the east coast of India. The presiding deities of the main temple, Sri Mandira, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, with the celestial wheel Sudarsana are taken out from the temple precincts in an elaborate ritual procession in chariots. Jagannath means ‘Lord of the Universe’ and according to a famous Oriya song, the chariot, the wheels, the grand avenue all become one with Lord Jagannatha himself, on this occasion.
Ramzan or Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. During the festival Muslims fast everyday from dawn to dusk. Recent research has it that fasting lowers blood sugar, cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. This festival is truly a harbinger of peace.
Teej - ‘the festival of swings’ is celebrated with fervour in various parts of India and Nepal. The festival commemorates the reunion of Siva and Parvati. Married women and young girls celebrate the festival with earnest devotion. Hanging beautiful swings in gardens and outside homes, people follow the age-old tradition of swinging in the rains and perform traditional dances.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival which celebrates the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. The name means ‘a bond of protection’.
It is a day when siblings pray for each others’ well being and happiness. The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima which comes generally in the month of August. Sisters tie a silk thread called rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and pray for their well being while brothers promise to take care of their sisters.
Onam is a harvest festival celebrated with joy and enthusiasm in Kerala by all communities. Popular legend has it that Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time. The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival. One of the enchanting features of Onam is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race held on the river Pampa – a colourful sight of decorated boats oared by hundreds of boatmen amidst chanting of songs and cheering by spectators.
Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami or Sri Krishna Jayanti, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna on the eighth day (ashtami) during the waning phase of moon in the month of Bhadrapad (mid July –August). In the south, Krishna’s footprints are drawn on the floor with rice flour and special sweets and snacks said to be his favourite are prepared in practically every home. It is an occasion for fun and merriment.
Ganesh Chathurthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesa, whose blessings are invoked at most religious ceremonies. He is the remover of all obstacles and giver of good fortune. Clay figures of the deity (‘murtis’ of the lord) are worshipped for a number of days depending on the family tradition. Thereafter the idols are taken out in colourful and musical processions to be immersed traditionally in the sea, or other waterbodies.
Navaratri, the festival of nine nights, is dedicated to Goddess Durga in her nine forms. Durga, who destroyed the evil force Mahishasura, represents Shakti, the cosmic energy that animates all beings.
Navaratri is celebrated all over India. It coincides with Dussehra or Vijaya Dasami, literally meaning ‘the day of triumph of good over evil’. In north India, Dussehra is associated with the legend of Lord Rama killing demon-king Ravana. In the south, Navaratri is the time to adorn the house with dolls, draw traditional kolams and light lamps for ten days.
Deepavali or Diwali is a festival of lights. The celebration of Deepavali as the “victory of good over evil”, refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance.
The story behind Deepavali and the manner of celebration vary from region to region (festive fireworks, worship, lights, sharing of sweets).
Diwali has a very special significance in Jainism, just as Buddha Purnima, the date of Buddha’s Nirvana, has for Buddhists and Easter for Christians. Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri on Oct. 15, 527 BC.
Guru Parb is celebrated to commemorate Guru Nanak, the founding Guru of Sikhism, on full moon day between October and November. A grand fair and festival are held at the Gurudwara. Guru Nanak was a great reformer, preacher and saint who tried to harmonise Hinduism and Islam. This is the time when the holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib, is taken up for reading.
Hanukkah is celebrated by the Jews living in India. It is an eight day and night festival, beginning on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, in late November –December. In Hebrew, the word ‘hanukkah’ means dedication. This holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 BCE. Some hanukkah traditions include lighting the hanuk kiyah for eight nights, spinning the dreidel, which is a popular hanukkah game, and eating fried foods like latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly filled doughnuts), as hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil.
Christmas is celebrated all over India with great fun and joy. Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, stars, lights, parties, recipes, ornaments, movies, midnight stage shows and carols have all become a part of Christmas celebrations. Not only Christians but Indians of all faiths rejoice in this celebration of the birth of Christ on 25 December.
Holi is a spring festival celebrated by the Hindus. The legend of King Hiranyakashipu is associated
with this festival, signifying the victory of good over evil, of devotion surpassing ambition. A feeling of plenty is in the air when the crops are cut and the farmer enjoying a bountiful of harvest. Holi is a festival of colours, undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festivals, when men and women alike splash colours on one another.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India as a harvest festival under different names. It is a way of giving thanks to the elements of nature that help man. When winter recedes, paving the way for summer, it is the time for farmers to bring home their harvest. In the present period, Makar Sankranti falls on 14th January. In Uttar Pradesh it is called Khichiri, in Tamil Nadu it is Pongal, in Andhra Pradesh it is Pedda Panduga, in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, it is Sankranti, in Punjab it is Lohari and in Assam it is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.
Mahavir Jayanti is the main Jain festival celebrated during the 8 day holy period ‘Paryushan’. Pomp and festivities are not associated with this day. Passages from the life history of Lord Mahavir, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara is read out from Kalpa Sutra – the Holy Scripture. Peaceful processions are organised and Jain temples all over the country are decorated with flags to mark the birthday of Lord Mahavir. This is an auspicious occasion observed with great solemnity. Four kinds of ‘daan’ or charity are recommended for every Jain on this day.
Gudi Padva is the New Year day for Maharashtrians. On this day, gudi – a pole on the top of which an upturned brass or silver pot called kalash is placed, is hung outside the house. The gudi is covered with colourful silk cloth and decorated with marigold flowers, coconuts and mango leaves that symbolise nature’s bounty. Sandalwood paste, turmeric and vermillion is offered to the gudi which is worshipped. Traditionally, bittersweet leaves of the neem tree are eaten on this day. Gudi Padwa is an auspicious day for beginning new ventures, house warming poojas and to buy gold, silver or property.
Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, widely celebrated on a full moon night in Vaisakha which falls in April or May. It is believed that the origin and practice of Buddhism dates back around 543 BC when Lord Buddha, one of the greatest spiritual teachers of mankind, was born.
Different regions of India follow different cultures and so the New Year traditions vary. Baisakhi falls on 13th or 14th April and so does Bihu in Assam, Nabo-Barsho in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Pooram Vishu in Kerala. Whatever is the region or season, renewal of life, revival of good times and regeneration of fresh hope are the crux of New Year celebrated anywhere.