The Sappora Snow Festival in Japan is something which can drive anyone crazy . Sappora in Japan is thronged by innumerable tourists especially during the month of February to participate in this snow festival. Snow artists from all round the world conglomerate in Sappora during this mega fest.
India is known as a land of festivals, where celebrations are all year round and are never-ending, thus traveling in the months of festivals gives altogether different experiences. It is when you can indulge in the local festivities and learn about the local culture more closely. There are myriad of famous festivals in India and each one of them has its own significance and story behind it and knowing about these festivals gives us a great insight of the different community, languages, food habits and celebrations exist in India. Thus when planning to visit the diverse and culturally rich India, then without being a part of festivals of India will not be a worth visit. So here let’s look closely into the most famous festivals of India and how these festivals have connected people with tradition and culture from ages.
January
January the beginning of the New year comes with many festivals of new beginnings and welcoming the new season in a different way in each part of India. Here we have the famous festivals, which comes in the month of January.
1. Pongal
Pongal is a four-day-long harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu, which falls in the month of January-February. When crops like rice, sugarcane, turmeric, etc. are harvested.
The term 'Pongal' in Tamil means "to boil", and this festival is celebrated as a thanksgiving ceremony for the year's harvest.
When: 15th Jan -18th Jan 2020
Where to go: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Why: The festival is celebrated to thank the Sun God and Lord Indra for helping farmers in getting better-yielding crops.
2. Basant Panchami
The onset of the spring season marks the time to celebrate the festival of Basant Panchami, which is believed to be as the most auspicious time to buy new things or to start any new venture. Predominantly, celebrated in eastern parts of India as Saraswati Puja, particularly in West Bengal and Bihar.
When: 29th January 2020
Where to go: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi
Why: The festival is considered of great importance in Hindu culture, people perform pujas, and wear yellow clothes. Also, on this day people offer delicacies and food to god and pray for their goodwill.
3. Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated across the world, majorly it is the festival of farmers when harvesting is complete they celebrate it. The playful nature of the festival allows everyone to fly kites and people perform pujas at home.
When: 14th Jan 2020
Where to go: Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam
Why: The festival is celebrated to mark the new season of harvest and welcome in the full swing.
4. Maha Shivratri
February
Every year Maha Shivratri is celebrated with full fervor, which literally translates to a great night of Shiva. The festival is celebrated on the new moon day in the month of Maagha according to the Hindu calendar. The day is celebrated to venerate Lord Shiva, an important deity in Hindu culture.
When: 21st February 2020
Where to go: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
Why: The 14th day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon is known as Shivratri. Among all the 12 Shivratris that occur in a calendar year, Mahashivratri, the one that occurs in February-March is of great spiritual significance.
5. Holi
March
One of the most famous and colourful festival Holi is celebrated with great fervour. The festival of colours, Celebrated by Hindus every year, on the day of Purnima the full moon, in the month of Falgun over two consecutive days the first day of Holi is known as Choti Holi or Holika Dahan and the second as Rangwali Holi, Dhuleti or Dhulandi.
The most famous festivals of India Holi, attracts tourist from around the world, to experience the fun and folic comes with it. The festival of colour brings everyone close and lets them celebrate in a community.
When: 20th March- 21st March 2020
Where to go: Banaras, Delhi, Agra, Pushkar, Mumbai North India mainly
Why: Holi marks the arrival of spring after winter and it signifies the victory of good over evil, which is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness and love by spreading colours all around.
6. Ganesh Chathurthi
Ganesh Chaturthi also is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the important Hindu festivals celebrated throughout India with great devotion. It is celebrated on Shukla Chaturthi of the Hindu month of Bhadra. The festival has its own charm and devotion, where you will see devotees bring the idol of Lord Ganesha to their homes, set up giant pandals and walk through processions. This day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and its considered Lord Ganesha is the symbol of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.
When: 22nd August 2020
Where to go: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Why: As per Hindu mythology Lord Ganesh is considered as "Vigna Harta" one who removes obstacles and "Buddhi Pradaayaka" one who grants intelligence.
7. Navratri
The greatest festival of the Bengali community, Durga Puja is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is widely celebrated in West Bengal and other parts of eastern India. It is a 4-day festival and is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Immense fanfare and celebrations take place during the puja. People of all age groups wear new clothes and go for pandal hopping, The pandals are designed and decorated according to various themes and cultures. Durga Puja is a fine example of the rich culture and heritage of the state.
When: 22nd October to 26th October 2020
Where to go: Bengal, Assam, Guwahati, Patna, Jamshedpur
Why: Durga puja is celebrated to mark the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahisasura. It is symbolic of the victory of good over evil.
8. Diwali
Diwali is one of the most famous festivals in India, celebrated with full fervor. Also known as the festival of lights, the festival gets its name from the row avali of clay lamps deepa that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. Diwali is celebrated for five days from cleaning homes to decorating and giving gifts to family and friends takes place.
It is that time of the year when there are celebrations all around and the best time to explore the culture and the way they celebrations takes place in the cities.
When: 14th November 2020
Where to go: North India
Why: To celebrate and welcome back Lord Rama, as It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana.
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