Festivals of India
India has many diverse festivals in different parts of the country. Festivals in India are commemorated with great passion, seemingly as a celebration of life itself. Rich in its cultural inheritance, festivals are an intrinsic part of the Indian ethos. The important festivals of India include Holi - Festival of Colour. The colorful festival of Holi, literally 'burning', is celebrated on the full moon day in the spring season. A spring harvesting festival, Holi is celebrated with gaiety and wild abandon. Diwali – also known as the Festival of Lights which means an Array of Lamps. This is one of the major festivals in the Hindu calendar. Sankranti or Pongal - this marks the commencement of the Sun's northern course in the Heavens. Celebrated in January. Bakri-Id – also known as the festival of sacrifice is an important celebration, which falls on the last month of the Islamic Calendar. The significance of the festival is the commemoration of the ordeals of Prophet Ibrahim. This is celebrated in February. Maha Shivaratri - Literally 'the great night of Shiva', celebrated on the moonless night of the month of March. This festival is dedicated to the god Shiva, the destroyer. Eid - Eid means recurring happiness or festivity. Coming with the new moon, the festival marks the end of 'Ramadan' - a month when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat only at night Prayers, feasts and family get- together are the major highlights of the celebrations. Mahavir Jayanti – this is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism on March 26. Buddha Jayanti – celebrated as the birthday of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism on April 26. Raksha Bandhan – celebrated in August when the women folk tie ‘rakhi’ or bracelets mainly to their brothers as a sign that they would be protected. Dussera or Vijayadashami also known as Durga Puja is celebrated in October as the day when Lord Rama defeated the king of Lanka or Durga’s triumph over demon. In addition to these, the Christian festivals like Christmas, Good Fridays are also celebrated.