Festivals of India
India is a land of festivals, and no month passes by without a festival being celebrated. There is a lot of pomp, splendour and gaiety associated with each festival. Sharing of gifts, gift articles and tokens of money are a part of such celebrations. Some of the major festivals are mentioned below with a description of each festival mentioned underneath.
Navratri / Dussehra - 16th September - 24th October 2012
Navratri, meaning nine nights, is the worship of nine forms of Shakti, or divine energy of the Goddess Durga. This festival lasts nine nights and is celebrated during the commencement of Sharad Ritu - i.e the winter months of September and October. People purchase new clothes like chaniya cholis, jewellery, and other finery to participate in the Navratri celebrations.
Boss's Day - 16th October 2012
Boss's day is celebrated to thank bosses for their motivation and encouragement to their staff and employees. People celebrate this day by giving cards and gifts to their bosses.
Durga Puja - 24th October 2012
Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and splendour all over India especially in West Bengal in worship of Goddess Durga. People purchase new clothes, jewellery, and other finery to participate in the Durga Puja celebrations.
Dhanteras - 12th November 2012
Dhanteras is an auspicious day is celebrated on the 13th day of the dark fortnight (shukla paksh) of the month of Kartik. It is celebrated either in worship of Goddess Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth or in the honour of Dhanavantari - the physician of the Gods.
Diwali - 13th November 2012
Diwali is the Indian festival of lights. It is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Ram and His wife Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. On this day, people light lamps and burst crackers. It is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. People also send gifts like sweets, dry fruits, gift hampers, diwali decor, diwali puja thali and such to each other.
Bhai Dooj - 14th November 2012
Also called Bhaiya Dooj, this festival is celebrated two days after Diwali in the Hindu month of Kartik. Sisters apply auspicious 'tikka' on their brother's foreheads and brothers promise to protect them and keep them away from harm. Towards the end of this custom, they exchange gifts and sweets for each other.
Children's Day - 14th November 2012
Children's day in India is celebrated on 14th November - the birthday of India's first Prime Minister - Jawahar Lal Nehru. Celebrating this day means giving children the right to enjoy their childhood and grow to become healthy and educated children of the country.
Thanksgiving Gifts - 22nd November 2012
Thanksgiving Day is a traditional North American Holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. It is celebration as a way of thanks for whatever one has at the end of the harvest season.
Christmas - 25th December 2012
Christmas is traditionally celebrated on 25th December of every year with aplomb and much gaiety as the birth of Jesus Christ. Although a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday the world over. On this day, Jesus was born in a manger. He has millions of followers all across the world.
New Year - 1st January, 2012
New Year day celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of another year. New Year is celebrated by many cultures and countries around the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and India.
Lohri - 13th January, 2012
Lohri is an annual thanksgiving Indian festival at the end of the harvest season that is celebrated with much joy and gaiety especially in Northern India.
Makar Sakranti / Uttarayan - 14th January, 2012
Makar Sankranti celebrates the transition journey of the sun from the Saggitarius to Capricon (Makar Rashi). This festival is celebrated in various ways in many states across India. In Gujarat, people celebrate this occasion by flying kites. In other states, people exchange sweets made from jaggery, sesame seeds, and puffed rice.
Pongal - 14th January, 2012
Pongal is the annual harvest festival in southern India, especially in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu. It marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayan - the transition of the sun towards the northern hemisphere. This festival lasts four days