Festivals In India

 Hello guys this is my first blog and I will be explining about the festivals celebrated in India

 LOHRI (13TH JANUARY), MAKAR SANKRANTI (14TH JANUARY) & PONGAL (MID-JANUARY)

Lohri is a major harvest festival of the Sikhs. The celebrations include offering jaggery, corn, sesame seeds, and peanuts to a bonfire. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th January each year in North India. It marks the beginning of the new year and a fresh crop cycle. In the state of Gujarat, it is celebrated as Uttarayan and as Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

MAHA SHIVRATRI (FEBRUARY)

It is one of the most prominent and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in India. Maha Shivaratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer and his devotees offer reverence in the form of sweets, milk, flowers, and fruits. Thousands of Shiva devotees visit The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Somnath Temple in Gujarat, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi on this day.

HOLI (MARCH)

Holi is the most popular Hindu festival celebrated across the country. It is known as the festival of colors and is celebrated with zeal by Indians around the world. It marks the victory of good over evil and promotes feelings of love and forgiveness. People smear their loved ones with Gulal (dry powdered colors) and Abeer (powder used to color water). Children play with water guns (pichkari) and balloons filled with colored water.

BAISAKHI, BIHU, VISHU, PUTHANDU, POILA BOISHAKH, UGADI (APRIL)

The spring harvest is celebrated as regional festivals across India. Marking the starting of the Hindu new year as per the Bikram Sambat Hindu calendar, the farmers from different states rejoice. It is celebrated as Baisakhi in Punjab & Haryana, Bihu in Assam, Vishu in Kerala, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Poila Boishakh in West Bengal, and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.

EID UL FITR (MAY)

Eid is celebrated by the Muslim community to conclude the month-long fasting of Ramadan. Celebrations comprise prayer meetings, charity, blessings, and family visits. Gifts and food are shared with everyone in the community. Jama Masjid in Delhi and Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai are the best places to enjoy the festivity.

 DIWALI (OCTOBER/NOVEMBER)

Diwali is a major Hindu festival celebrated with splendor to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years. The day is considered very auspicious for new beginnings. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped across the country. In West Bengal and Odisha, Kali Puja is performed at night. Sikhs celebrate it as Bandi Chor Diwas. The Golden Temple of Amritsar is illuminated using decorative lights and fireworks.

 CHRISTMAS (25TH DECEMBER)

Christmas is celebrated with much fanfare in many Indian states with a large population of Christians. You can enjoy a traditional Christmas at places like Goa, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kerala, and Pondicherry. Most Indian Christians are Catholics, so the Midnight Mass is an important service for them. They also follow the other popular Christmas traditions of baking goodies, decorating Christmas trees, and singing carols too.