2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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