"It is said that there are over a thousand festivals in India throughout the year."
Holi
Holi is the festival of colors, love and spring. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the eternal love of god Radha and Krishna. It is a day that takes place on the day of the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna where societal rankings are forgotton and everyone is free to be doused in colored water and powders. It is a day where everyone is one and can just focus on celebrating.
The story of Krishna and Radha is that Krishna, a Hindu deity, fell in love with a milkmaid, Radha, but was embarrassed that his skin was dark blue while hers was fair. Thus, he colored her face during a game with her and the other milkmaids. It is believed that this is how the tradition of throwing colored water and powder during Holi came to be. Krishna is also known for his pranks and playful behaviour.
Diwali
Diwali is the festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of “light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.” It takes place between October and November, lasting for five days, marking the start of the Hindu New Year. “Diwali” is derived from the Sanskrit word, “dipavali” which means “row of lights.” Typically, diyas, small lamps filled with oil are lit in rows among the balconies of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams on the night of the new moon. Homes are decorated with the floors being covered with rangoli, consisting of ornate designs with colored rice, sand or flower petals by the entrance in order to welcome the gods and good luck. Doors and windows are left open in hopes of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, visiting to bless the residents with wealth and success.
During Diwali, it is a time of visiting, gift-giving, wearing new clothes, feasting, feeding the poor, and fireworks. Gambling, especially card-game gambling, is also encouraged for good luck in the new year; in honor of Laskshmi, the female player always wins.
Dusshera
Dusshera, also known as Vijayadashami, is the festival celebrating the “victory of good over evil,” the triumph of Rama over the 10-headed demon king, Ravana. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Ashvina (September-October), following the nine-day Navratri festival. In Northern India, there is Ram Lila, a gala play of Rama’s life story. Figures of Ravana, his son, Meghnada and his brother, Kumbhkarana are typical filled with firecrackers and set off at night in open fields.
Navratri
Navratri is the festival celebrating the goddess Durga. Navratri is the Sanskrit word for “nine nights,” therefore, the festival lasts for nine days in the month of Ashvina (September-October), right before the Dusshera festival. The festival is celebrated in many ways from religious reflection and fasting to dancing and feasting.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami is a festival celebrating the birth of god Krishna during the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). Participants keep a vigil and fast until midnight. Then, an image of Krishna is bathed in water and milk, dressed in new clothes and then worshipped. Temples and households are adorned with leaves and flowers. Pots of milk are hung from tall poles where a group of men form a human-pyramid to break the pots; this tradition takes after how Krishna used to play.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival celebrating the arrival of god of prosperity and wisdom, Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. It is during the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). Clay idols of Ganesha are typically placed on raised platforms in homes or in intricately decorated outdoor tents. During the worshipping period, the idols are offered red sandalwood paste, yellow and red flowers, coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings) which are believed to be Ganesha’s favorite food. At the end of the festival, the idols are carried to nearby rivers followed by singing and dancing; then they are submerged into the water, symbolizing Ganesha’s journey home to Mount Kailas.
Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is a festival and popular pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over 12 years. The four rotating pilgrimage places on the four sacred rivers are at Haridwar on the Ganges River, Ujjain on the Shipra, Nashik on the Godavari, Prayag or Prayagraj at the Ganges, the Jamuna, and the Sarasvati. The pilgrims typically wear spiritual colors, such as orange or red. The Kumbh Mela at Prayag attracts millions of people. The Great Kumbh Mela festival takes place every 144 years with 2001 being the most recent. The Kumbh Mela is one of the largest festivals in the world; in 2019, there were over 200 million people. The word, “Kumbh” refers to the elixir of immortality and is also the Hindi saying for the zodiac sign, Aquarius.
Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is Sanskrit for “great night of Shiva.” It is a festival celebrating the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati between February-March. There is a fast, a vigil and a special worship of lingam, a symbol of Shiva. There are also feasts, festival fairs and gift-giving to the guru. The 14th day of the dark half of each lunar month is especially sacred to Shiva.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a festival in August promoting sibling protection. “Raksha Bandhan” translates to “the bond of protection.” Typically, the sister ties a rakhi, bracelet symolizing love and protection, over her brother’s wrist and in return he promises to protect her. However, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated regardless of gender or the exchange of a rakhi; it is a celebration of the sibling bond.
Rama Navami
Rama Navami is a festival celebrating the birth of god Rama between March-April. Temples, houses and shops are illuminated with diyas and candles. There are morning ablutions, chanting of Vedic mantras and flower and fruit offerings to Rama. People also fast during the day until midnight when they can some fruit. Uttar Pradesh (India’s holiest city), Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the main sites of attraction for their elaborate celebrations.
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