Festivals are an important part of India’s identity as a nation. We are a secular country that is home to many religions, cultures, traditions and festivals are a beautiful way to come together and showcase this unity. When it comes to celebrating festivals in India, we leave no stone unturned and go all out. If your next trip to any of these places mentioned coincides with these festivals, make sure you take time out to soak in this one-of-a-kind experience. As we enter the festival season, it only seemed fitting to write an article about some of the most popular festivals celebrated in our country. Keep on reading to find out where you need to be for these festivals.
Ganesh Chaturthi, Maharashtra
Ganesh Chaturthi is among one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India, though you will mostly see grand celebrations in the state of Maharashtra. The festival implies the birth of the elephant-headed God Ganesha, who is the son of Lord Shiva and the Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesha is also renowned to be the God of prosperity, good fortune and wisdom. The festival is celebrated over a period of 10 days, where a clay figure of the Lord Ganesha is set up in people’s homes. On the 11th day, the idol is carried through the streets in a procession and submerged into a water body.
Onam, Kerala
Celebrated in God’s own country, Kerala, Onam is an important harvest festival. The festival includes worshipping Lord Vishnu and King Mahabali and is spread over a course of 10 days. The Onam festivities in Kerala are extremely grand and extravagant, right from the devotion to the food. The festival is celebrated to memorialize the homecoming of the great King Mahabali. Being a part of Onam celebrations in Kerala is an experience of a lifetime. On Onam, every house is decorated with a ‘Pookalam’ which is essentially art made from florals at the entrance of every household. ‘Vallam Kali’ or otherwise known as snake boat race is another popular event that takes place during Onam.
Holi, Uttar Pradesh
Holi is one of the more popular festivals not only in India but all across the globe. This is the festival of colours. In different parts of the country, this festival is known by different names, some of them being Lathmaar Holi, Basant Utsav, Dulandi Holi and Rangpanchami Holi. On the eve of Holi, people burn down a sculpture of the demoness Holika, which is a reminder of how King Prahlad killed Holika and gained victory over evil. People come together and dance to their favourite music while throwing water balloons and applying colour on each other.
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Durga Puja, West Bengal
Durga Puja, although celebrated all over India, is a very popular festival in West Bengal. Some states in India also call this festival Navratri and have a different set of rituals to celebrate the occasion. Durga, the ten-armed Goddess is worshipped during this festival for a period of nine days. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house during the Durga Puja bringing them prosperity and peace. Goddess Durga signifies fertility. Durga Puja rituals include morning chants, decoration of the altar, praying for the health and well being of your loved ones.
Navratri, Gujarat
A festival dedicated to the Goddess Durga; Navratri is celebrated for a duration of nine days. The nine days pay homage to the nine forms that the Goddess took to defeat the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival also witnesses the practice of Kanya Pujan where nine girls are worshipped denoting the nine forms of the Goddess Durga. The state of Gujarat goes all out when it comes to Navratri, with Garba nights and Dandiya Raas.
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Author : Rachel D’souza
