Our Trips - Festival Tours - Important Indian Festivals

An intrinsic part of Indian celebrations are the many festivals that run through its cultural fabric. Given the size of India, the vast diversity of its people, religious cultures and terrain, it is not surprising that an entire procession of colourful festivals punctuate the year. Religious festival, the feast of saints, prophets, gods and gurus are the most important of Indian celebration, these are joyous affairs, a time for prayers, procession and pageantry and music, occasions for families and communities to get together for special food, elaborate ritual, decorating and springs cleaning the house. There are festivals to mark the coming of seasons and harvest time. New Year is celebrated at different times as various religious communities follow their own traditional calendars.

These are certain festivals which are commonly celebrated in all parts of India, by all communities, irrespective of their religion, their ethnic background, with elaborate rituals that most Indian enjoy and relish.

1 Republic Day 26th January
Concentrated particularly in New Delhi, is celebrated throughout India, with great pomp, parades, floats commemorates the day Indian become the largest Democratic nation in the World. The President of India addresses the entire nation from Raj Path ( near India Gate). The whole of India is illuminated.

2. Holi – March
Is the most boisterous of all festival, heralding the advent of spring, a joyous celebration of rejuvenation of native. People smear coloured powder on friends relatives strangers on the street ( gulal and Kumkum) drench one another with coloured water even street dogs and cows are not spared. Singing, dancing , beating of the dhol ( drum) add to the gaiety of the occasion. The night before the full moon ( choti holi) crowds of people gather together and light huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter ( hola) dance around the bonfire, throwing pop corns in the fire.

Holi has a special significance at Mathura, the birth, the birth place of Lord Krishna ( the God who plays the flute. The Sikh community celebrate a special festival Hola Mohalla at the sacred Gurdwara ( shrine) at Anandpur Sahib ( bordering Punjap at Himachal) It makes a display of ancient martial Art and mock battle.

Holi also celebrate the burning of “Kama” (the Hindu Cupid) with the fire that emanated from Lord Shiva’s third eye.

3. Independence – DAY 15 August
Celebrates India’s attaining freedom from British rule in 1947. Indians take a pride in hoisting the National Tri–Colour flag at public places, residences, commercial establishment. The Prime Minister of India addresses the entire nation from the Ramparts of Red Fort. Public and Government establishments are illuminated.

4. Deepawali ( Diwali) End October / November
The most exuberant in the Indian calendar, Diwali the festival of lights, transforms cities and villages all over the country into magical palaces, with thousand of flickering oil lamp, candles and fairy light bulbs, fireworks and crackers celebrate the victory of good over evil. Homes are decorated with a “ Toran” ( a decorative garland of flowers marigold and mango leaves) . Diwali has a special significance for the Hindu families, when the Goddess of prosperity Lakshmi is worshiped on this auspicious occasion. Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Rama, along with his consort Sita and brother Lakhman, to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after living 14 years in exile.

Since all Indian festivals are observed according to the Solar and Lunar calendar an approximate month is indicated, thus shifting the dates of the festival from year to year.

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