Chart 111 - Festivals of Communities

Festivals of Communities Chart

Spectrum Chart - 111 : Festivals of Communities

1. Durga Puja - People worship Devi Durga on this day. Durga Puja is the most popular in West Bengal. An idol of Devi Durga is placed in various pandals. Devi Durga is seen holding weapons in her ten hands to kill Mahisasura (evil demon). The priest worships the idol of Devi Durga and chant traditional mantras.

2. Bhau Beej – Bhau Beej is the ceremony performed by Hindus, generally, on the second day of Diwali. It is celebrated among brothers and sisters and is similar to Raksha Bandhan, except there is no tying of rakhi involved.

3. Independence Day - Independence Day is celebrated all over the country on 15^th August each year. On this day, i.e. 15^th August, 1947, India got its independence from the hands of the British Empire.

4. Shivaji Jayanti - Shivaji Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj the first king of Maratha Empire. It is celebrated with traditional fervour across Maharashtra.

5. Gudhi Padwa - Gudi Padwa is the festival that augments the new year and is usually celebrated on the first day of the Indian month of Chaita according to the lunar calendar.

6. Mahavir Jayanti - The birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira is celebrated by the people belonging to Jain faith. The celebration involves ceremonial bath to Lord Mahavira, processions, and lectures.

7. Sankranti - On the day of Sankranti, people worship the Sun God. This festival is marked with prosperity and abundance. On this day, freshly harvested cereals and foods are cooked.

8. Kite Festival – Kite festival is known as Uttarayan in Gujarat. Gujarati people keenly await this festival to fly kites, called 'patang'. In the major cities of Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Jamnagar the skies appear filled with thousands upon thousands of kites as people enjoy two full days of Uttarayan on their terraces.

9. Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesh, is celebrated in August-September. Ganesh made of unbaked clay are worshipped on this day in every house. A special sweet called Modak is prepared on this occassion. To mark the end of the festivities, the clay idols of Lord Ganesh are immersed in water.

10. Nag Panchami - Nag Panchami is a traditional worship of snakes or serpents observed by Hindus throughout India. The worship is offered on the fifth day of bright half of Lunar month of Shravan, according to the Hindu calendar.

11. Eid - Eid is one of the major festivals of India for the Muslim community. People dress up in fineries, attend a special community prayer in the morning, visit friends, and relatives and exchange sweets. Children are given idi(money or gift) by elders.

12. Muharram - Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar which marks the beginning of the new Islamic year. Muharram is observed by the Muslim community across the world in commemoration of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain along with his family.

13. Rama Navami - Rama Navami is the celebration of the birth of Rama. Rama Navami is the day on which Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, incarnated in human form in the land of Ayodhya.

14. Raksha Bandhan - The beautiful relation of a brother and a sister is celebrated in the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Traditionally, girls tie a string of thread on the wrist of her brother. This thread of love reminds the brother of his responsibility to always take care, support and protect his sister under all circumstances.

15. Diwali - Diwali is also termed as “Festival of Lights”, as on this day every people, especially Hindus, lighten up their houses with lights including candles and diyas. It is celebrated in honour of Lord Rama. He returned to his kingdom, Ayodhya, after spending 14 years in forest.

16. Gokulashtami – Gokulashtami / Janmashtami is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. On this day night long prayers are offered and religious mantras are sung in the temples. In many places, the popular event of “Dahi Handi”,also takes place.

17. Parsi New Year - Parsi people celebrate their new year in August, which is also known as Pateti. On this day the Shahenshahi Zoroastrian community arrived in India while migrating from Persia. This festival is celebrated at the fire temple and the Parsi community strengthens the bond through feasts, where they meet friends and relatives.

18. Fair - "Mela" or "Fair" also popularly refers to shows and exhibitions. It can be theme-based, promoting a particular culture, art or skill. Generally in "melas" people can find eateries, entertainment activities, shops and games. In rural traditions melas or village fairs are of great importance.

19. Maha Shivratri - Maha means “great”, Ratri means “night” and Shiva refers to “Lord Shiva”. The marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place on this day. There is a tradition of offering a holy bath to the “Shiva Lingam”. People celebrate this festival by fasting, offering sweets to god, etc.

20. Buddha Purnima - Buddha Purnima celebrated actually for the eve of birth, enlightenment and passing into nirvana ofGautama Buddha. It is observed every year generally in between the month of April and May.

21. Holi – Holi known as the festival of colors, On the eve of Holi, people make huge Holika bonfires and sing and dance around it. On the day of Holi, people gather in open areas and apply dry and wet colors of multiple hues to each other, with some carrying water guns and colored water filled balloons.

22. Dussehra - People celebrate Dussehra festival to mark the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It signifies the victory of good over the evil. People go to see the famous folk play of Ram Leela. The story of Lord Rama is shown in the play. It is a great time to enjoy and take inspiration from virtuous acts of Rama.

23. Christmas – Christmas is celebrated every year on 25^th December on the eve of birth anniversary of Jesus Christ. This is one of the most sacred festivals for Christians as they believe Jesus Christ to be the son of God. It is believed that on this day a man in red dress named Santa Clause comes to help the needy one and brings gifts for the loved ones.

24. Coconut Day – Coconut Day (nariyal purnima) is the day of fishermen this festival signifies retreating monsoon and the commencement of their fishing activity. Nariyal Poornima is observed on Shravan Purnima, the Full moon day in Sawan month.

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