The Great Indian Festivals Essay includes Major festivals celebrated across India & also describes the importance of those particular festivals. Why festivals are important to us and more?
Indian Festivals Essay for Students
Introduction
A festival brings peace and joy for all of us. It brings us together, and it strengthens our brotherhood. They break us from the daily and boring routine. It is worth saying that India is the land of festivals, here in India we celebrate some festivals now and then.
There are numerous festivals in India, they are further categorized into three major types which include National, religious, and seasonal. The national festivals are celebrated across India with great patriotism. The second category is religiously associated with the faith and beliefs of people.
And the third one is according to the change of seasons. People celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm all over India. National festivals such as Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, and more.
The Holi, Lohri, Dussehra, Diwali, Janmashtami, Chhatt, Navratri, Eid, and Christmas come under religious festivals. The seasonal festival includes Baisakhi, Bihu, Onam, Basant Panchami, Pongal, etc.
The festivals sometimes have negative influences on society too, we will talk about this later in this article. We should celebrate it with simplicity; and also keep up the national integrity and communal harmony.
A festival is not just an occasion it is a celebration of life. It brings us not only joy but strengthen our relationship and friendship, and also promotes social interaction and harmony. All nations have their religious and cultural festivals they all celebrate according to their tradition.
However, the Indian festival attracts the whole world because of cultural diversity, colour, and excitement. Being a multi-language, multi-racial country, with and rich cultural heritage, India celebrates festivals throughout the year.
You can find a lot of variation in Indian festivals according to the state, every state has its own rituals and beliefs to celebrate any occasion. They are divided into three major categories national or political, religious, and seasonal.
Most of the Indian festivals are celebrated either in religious myths or popular faiths. Some are celebrated in the memory of a respectable person and events inspire people to follow in their footsteps. And there are festivals connected with the season changes.
National festivals like Independence Day, Republic Day, etc. are celebrated with excitement and great patriotism zeal. They are declared as national holidays and celebrated with great joy in all parts of the country.
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On that day the states showcase they’re available resources, cultures, and achievements.
It is an occasion to display our military strength to the world, which includes a number of arms, fighter aircraft, and ammunition are the few glimpses of the parade.
2nd October, Gandhi Jayanti, leaders from different political parties pay their homage to the Father of the Nation.
On 15th August Indian Independence Day, the Prime Minister hoisted the tricolor flag and addressed the nation from the historic Red forte.
There are many religious festivals in India such as Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Durga Pooja, Janmashtami, Maha Shivratri, Guru Parva, Navratri, Chhatt, Eid-ul-Juha, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, also we celebrate the festivals of Parses and Jews. See the list of Festivals in India.
7 Lines on Importance of Indian Festivals Essay
- Festivals break the daily routine of life.
- Three major types of Indian Festivals are national, religious & seasonal.
- National festivals in India are Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti etc.
- Religious festivals of India include Durga Pooja, Diwali, Dusshera, Navratri, Chhatt, Eid, Christmas, Jews (festivals of Parsees), and many others.
- Indian seasonal festivals such as Baishakhi, Onam, Bihu, Basant Panchami etc.
- Festivals do have negative influences on society, for example, the excessive use of firecrackers on Diwali, the use of permanent color in Holi, gambling create a nuisance in public.
- The main reason behind celebrating festivals is to bring together the people of all communities and forget the narrow differences with each other, we all make this earth a beautiful place to live in.
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Importance of Diwali Festival in India
When we talk about the major Indian festivals, Diwali comes in the first place, it is the most prominent festival of Hindus. We celebrate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after the victory of Rama over Ravan. It also marks the victory of good over evil.
The houses are whitewashed and the surroundings are clean many days in advance. People buy new clothes and exchange gifts and sweets. Diwali has special significance for businessman, as they start their new accounts. People across India lighten up their houses, and children and youth enjoy the firecrackers.
Let us talk a little bit about the other occasions including the religious festival Rama Navmi has celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. Janmashtami is the celebration of Lord Krishna.
Durga Pooja is celebrated all over India with great pomp and shows but is more popular in West Bengal, Assam, and Orissa. Goddess Durga is worshipped for nine, some people are fasting for nine days, and on the tenth day, Vijayadashmi, the goddess idol immersed in water.
In northern India, Dusshera is observed on Vijayadashmi day, to celebrate the victory of Rama over Ravan. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated in Maharastra with great enthusiasm, it is a ten-day occasion.
Holi Festival of Colors
The festival of colour Holi is celebrated at the
In
Chhath Mahaparv
Chhatt has a special significance for the people of Bihar, also celebrated in other parts of the country.
On this occasion, the Sun-god is worshipped at sunset and again in the following sunrise, people offering (Arghya) sweets and fruits.
Eid ul-Fitr – Islamic Observances
The Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramzan. On that day Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed. During the month of Ramzan, Muslims fast for a whole month and break their fast on Id with feasts.
Guru of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Birthday
The Sikh and the other community celebrates the Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday. It is a special significance for Sikhs, on that day religious congregations are attended, and firecrackers are burst. In the remembrance of the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Teg Bahadur.
These days are observed as peace and harmony and big pandal, langer Sewa(providing free food) are organized on a large scale across India. Religious festivals like Buddha Purnima are celebrated by Buddhists and Mahavir Jayanti by Jains.
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Importance of Christmas Celebration
Christmas is the greatest festival for Christian communities, 25th December is the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On that day many special events are organized all over the world, the Christmas tree is beautifully decorated with flowers, artificial lights, toys, etc. Hymns are sung and prayers are offered in churches and cathedrals. People in disguise as Santa Claus distribute gifts and sweets among the children.
Festival of Jews
Jews the festivals celebrated in the same manner as those of Christians. They go to synagogue to pray to the almighty. The Jews belonging to Kerala celebrate Hanukkah, the birthday of the god Zeus with religious fervor.
The Naoroz is celebrated by Parsees during the month of August-September, it is also the beginning of their new year. Many other festivals are celebrated in all parts of the country with great fervor. Few festivals have become an indispensable part of Indian culture. Variation in festivals offers a welcome break from our daily routine.
These occasions have purified our minds and brought free the value of piety. The main motive for celebrating festivals is to bring people of different communities together and strengthen our relationship with each other. We should invite people of different communities with open arms and forget the narrow differences with one another, which will help in strengthening the national integrity.
A quick note on the importance of festivals in life through an infographic, useful for kids and children.
Major Indian Festival & Holiday Calendar 2024
| S.NO | Festival/Holiday | Date | Day | Type |
| 1 | New Year’s Day | 01-Jan | Monday | RH* |
| 2 | Lohri | 13-Jan | Saturday | RH* |
| 3 | Makar Sankranti | 14-Jan | Sunday | RH* |
| 4 | Pongal | 15-Jan | Monday | RH* |
| 5 | Guru Govind Singh Jayanti | 17-Jan | Wednesday | RH* |
| 6 | Hazarat Ali’s Birthday | 25-Jan | Thursday | RH* |
| 7 | Republic Day | 26-Jan | Friday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 8 | Lunar New Year | 10-Feb | Saturday | Observance |
| 9 | Vasant Panchami | 14-Feb | Wednesday | RH* |
| 10 | Valentine’s Day | 14-Feb | Wednesday | Observance |
| 11 | Shivaji Jayanti | 19-Feb | Monday | RH* |
| 12 | Guru Ravidas Jayanti | 24-Feb | Saturday | RH* |
| 13 | Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | 06-Mar | Wednesday | RH* |
| 14 | Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri | 08-Mar | Friday | RH* |
| 15 | Ramadan Start (Tentative Date) | 12-Mar | Tuesday | Observance |
| 16 | March Equinox | 20-Mar | Wednesday | Season |
| 17 | Holika Dahana | 24-Mar | Sunday | RH* |
| 18 | Holi | 25-Mar | Monday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 19 | Dolyatra | 25-Mar | Monday | RH* |
| 20 | Maundy Thursday | 28-Mar | Thursday | Observance, Christian |
| 21 | Good Friday | 29-Mar | Friday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 22 | Easter Day | 31-Mar | Sunday | RH* |
| 23 | Jamat Ul-Vida (Tentative Date) | 05-Apr | Friday | RH* |
| 24 | Chaitra Sukhladi | 09-Apr | Tuesday | RH* |
| 25 | Ugadi | 09-Apr | Tuesday | RH* |
| 26 | Gudi Padwa | 09-Apr | Tuesday | RH* |
| 27 | Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitr (Tentative Date) | 11-Apr | Thursday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 28 | Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar (Tentative Date) | 11-Apr | Thursday | Muslim, Common local holiday |
| 29 | Vaisakhi | 13-Apr | Saturday | RH* |
| 30 | Mesadi / Vaisakhadi | 14-Apr | Sunday | RH* |
| 31 | Ambedkar Jayanti | 14-Apr | Sunday | Observance |
| 32 | Rama Navami | 17-Apr | Wednesday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 33 | Mahavir Jayanti | 21-Apr | Sunday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 34 | First day of Passover | 23-Apr | Tuesday | Observance |
| 35 | International Worker’s Day | 01-May | Wednesday | Observance |
| 36 | Birthday of Rabindranath | 08-May | Wednesday | RH* |
| 37 | Mothers’ Day | 12-May | Sunday | Observance |
| 38 | Buddha Purnima/Vesak | 23-May | Thursday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 39 | Fathers’ Day | 16-Jun | Sunday | Observance |
| 40 | Bakrid/Eid ul-Adha (Tentative Date) | 17-Jun | Monday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 41 | June Solstice | 21-Jun | Friday | Season |
| 42 | Rath Yatra | 07-Jul | Sunday | RH* |
| 43 | Muharram/Ashura (Tentative Date) | 17-Jul | Wednesday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 44 | Guru Purnima | 21-Jul | Sunday | Observance |
| 45 | Friendship Day | 04-Aug | Sunday | Observance |
| 46 | Independence Day | 15-Aug | Thursday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 47 | Parsi New Year | 15-Aug | Thursday | RH* |
| 48 | Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | 19-Aug | Monday | RH* |
| 49 | Janmashtami | 26-Aug | Monday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 50 | Janmashtami (Smarta) | 26-Aug | Monday | Observance |
| 51 | Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaturthi | 07-Sep | Saturday | RH* |
| 52 | Onam | 15-Sep | Sunday | RH* |
| 53 | Milad un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad (Tentative Date) | 16-Sep | Monday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 54 | September Equinox | 22-Sep | Sunday | Season |
| 55 | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti | 02-Oct | Wednesday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 56 | First Day of Sharad Navratri | 03-Oct | Thursday | Observance, Hinduism |
| 57 | First Day of Durga Puja Festivities | 09-Oct | Wednesday | Observance, Hinduism |
| 58 | Maha Saptami | 10-Oct | Thursday | RH* |
| 59 | Maha Navami | 11-Oct | Friday | RH* |
| 60 | Maha Ashtami | 11-Oct | Friday | RH* |
| 61 | Dussehra | 12-Oct | Saturday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 62 | Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti | 17-Oct | Thursday | RH* |
| 63 | Karaka Chaturthi (Karva Chauth) | 20-Oct | Sunday | RH* |
| 64 | Halloween | 31-Oct | Thursday | Observance |
| 65 | Naraka Chaturdasi | 31-Oct | Thursday | RH* |
| 66 | Diwali/Deepavali | 31-Oct | Thursday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 67 | Govardhan Puja | 02-Nov | Saturday | RH* |
| 68 | Bhai Duj | 03-Nov | Sunday | RH* |
| 69 | Chhat Puja (Pratihar Sashthi/Surya Sashthi) | 07-Nov | Thursday | RH* |
| 70 | Guru Nanak Jayanti | 15-Nov | Friday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 71 | Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day | 24-Nov | Sunday | RH* |
| 72 | December Solstice | 21-Dec | Saturday | Season |
| 73 | Christmas Eve | 24-Dec | Tuesday | RH* |
| 74 | Christmas | 25-Dec | Wednesday | Gazetted Holiday |
| 75 | First Day of Hanukkah | 26-Dec | Thursday | Observance |
| 76 | New Year’s Eve | 31-Dec | Tuesday | Observance |
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