India is known as the center of festivals. India is the country of festivals. Various communities live here in India, so Indian festivals have so many variations.
More than 80 festivals are celebrated in a year including major and minor festivals. People of different states celebrate these festivals in their own different ways.
In this article, we want to tell you about the 10 most popular and must-visit festivals, these are celebrated by most of the communities in all over India.
Lohri:
Lohri is mainly a Punjabi festival. It is celebrated like the ceremony of the passing January solstice. Lohri is an indication of the end of the winter season. On this day, people flame the bonfire to welcome the upcoming new season of longer days.
Makar Sankranti:
Makar Sankranti or Maghi is celebrated on 14th January. You can see the sky full of colors flying kites on this day. Some religious activities are considered sacred on this day like Mantra chanting, donation, and some other rituals dedicated to the Suryadev (The Sun).
Holi:
Holi or Dhulandi is the festival of colors that everyone knows all over the world. At this national festival, people spread the love with beautiful colors. Holi is a remembrance of the victory of good over evil.
“Holika Dahan” a huge bonfire is made on a night before Holi. Brij Holi or Barsaana Holi is very special, uncommon, and most popular in India.
Onam:
A famous festival in South India “Onam” is celebrated with grandiosity. People of Kerala say that the holy spirit of ancient King Mahabali visits on the day of Onam, so the Onam is celebrated to welcome his spirit and to the remembrance of him. Many people participate in different activities and competitions.
Raksha Bandhan:
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi signifies the pure love of brother and sister, the mutual care between brother and sister. A sister ties a Rakhi or RakshaSutra on her brother’s wrist that means brother is bound with Rakhi and this bond is made to remember him all the time that he is always with her to help and defend in trouble.
Janmashtami:
This is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Krishna. In Indian mythology, this day is considered as the day of the incarnation of Lord Krishna. An event of dance called Krishna Lila or Ras Lila is very popular in some communities.
Ganesha Chathurthi:
It is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Ganesha (Ganpati). Some communities say that on this day, Lord Ganesha came on the earth with her goddess mother Parvati. This festival is celebrated for 14-15 days maximum. The last day of this festival is called “Ganpati Visarjan”.
Navratri:
Navratri or Navratra is made of two Hindi words- Nav (nine) and Ratri (night). So easily we can understand that this festival is celebrated for 9 days. 9 here stand for nine forms of nine avatars of Goddess Durga. Prasad is made for nine little girls called “Kanjaka”. It is called Kanjaka Pooja.
Dussehra:
Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashmi, after Navratri, Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of God Rama over King Ravana. Ramlila is an event drama of God Rama’s life, which ends up with Dussehra.
Diwali:
A national and one of the most popular festival of India, a festival that is a symbol of love, lights, decorations, sweet dishes, and firecrackers. Diwali is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm.
The sequence of these five festive days starts with the first day of Dhanteras, the second day of Roop Chaudas, the third day of Diwali (Deepawali), the fourth day of Govardhan Pooja, and last fifth day of Bhai Dooj, and the lightening looks adorable.