MAKAR SANKRANTI (KITE FESTIVAL) Mid-winter Hindu festival Hindu New Year Celebrated by taking dips in River Ganges Dip is said to purify self Celebrated for 3 days and is more of a cultural festival

REPUBLIC DAY On 26th of January, India became a free and independent republic. To celebrate this, every year a big parade is held in Delhi. This parade starts from Vijay Chowk near Rashtrapati Bhawan. The soldiers of all the three armed forces-Army, Air-force, and Navy march down Rajpath. Our President takes the salute of this parade. The parade ends at Red Fort. Beautiful tableaux from every state also participate in this parade.

HOLI Celebrated on the day after the full moon Festival to celebrate good harvest Spring festival Also called the ‘Festival of Colours’ Day one - bonfire is lit at night Day two - people go around and throw coloured powder and water at each other Ends with a feast in the evening

RAM NAVAMI Ninth day of the Hindu Lunar year Birthday of Rama Starts off with prayer to the Sun Perform Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration) for images of Rama and Sita End of the day the idol of Rama is taken in a procession Hindus fast on this occasion Temples are decorated and chanting of the Ramayana takes place

INDEPENDENCE DAY India celebrates independence day on 15th August. On this day in 1947, our country got its freedom from the British rule. Many people died fighting for the freedom of our country. We remember all those freedom fighters on this day. The Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi and renders a speech to the nation giving the people a special message.

RAKSHA BANDHAN Raksha - protection Bandhan – long-lasting bond Celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters Thread-tying ceremony (rakhi) Sister recognizes the bond between themselves Brother vows to look after her Feed each other sweets

JANMASHTAMI Celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna Celebrated differently in North and South Begins with fasting on the previous day Followed by a night-long celebration commemorating the birth of Krishna At midnight, the idol of infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped Next morning, ladies draw patterns of little children's feet at the entrance of the house with rice-flour paste, walking towards the house symbolizing the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home

GANESHA PUJA Annual festival in honour of Ganesh Celebrated for ten days Day 1 - idol placed on platform and decorated For ten days Ganesh is worshipped Ends when the idol of Ganesh is immersed into the most convenient body of water Most popular in Mumbai (Maharashtra)

NAVRATRI Nine days of dance 10 days - during September-October Honour supreme mother goddess – Durga Symbolizes good over evil Celebrated differently throughout India Usually with songs, dances and merriment

DIWALI Most well known Festival of lights Symbolizes victory over evil Lamps are lit for hope for mankind, new beginning and positive qualities one should have Celebrated for five days in the months of October-November