1. Source: festivals.igiftstoindia.com
FESTIVALS OF INDIA
- Anil Kumar Cheerla
Source: festivals.igiftstoindia.com

2. India – Heritage & Culture
India - Oldest civilization with rich cultural heritage dating back to 8000 BC
Cultural diversity – a unique assimilation of ethnic groups with different languages, culture, religion, race, dance, music and architecture
A land of festivals and fairs – regions with unique social and cultural identities
Festivals symbolize the spirit of tolerance, harmony and universal peace

3. Festivals of India Festivals pertain to different occasions
welcome the seasons of the year,
the harvest,
the rains, or
the full moon
celebrate religious occasions
birthdays of divine beings and saints or
the advent of the New Year
Festivals - Combinations of religious ceremonies, semi-ritual spectacles, worship, prayer, lustrations, processions, music, dances, magical acts, eating, drinking, love and feeding the poor

5. List of Selected Festivals
Hindu Festivals
Baisakhi
Basant Panchami
Diwali
Durga Puja
Onam
Holi
Janmasthami
Karwa Chauth
Mahashivaratri
Makar Sankranti
Naag Panchmi
Ganesh Puja
Navratri
Pongal
Rakhi
Ramnavami
Christian Festivals
17. Christmas 18. Ester 19. Good Friday
Sikh Festivals
20. Guru Nanak Jayanti 21.Lohri
Muslim Festival
22.Bakra Eid 23. Eid-ul-fitr 24. Muhorram
Buddhist Festival
25. Buddha Purnima
Jain Festival
26. Mahavir Jayanti
National Festivals
27.Independence Day
28.Republic Day
29.Gandhi Jayanti
30.Children’s Day Teacher’s Day

6. Holi A Complete Festival. Its about Color of life Successful Harvest
New Year
Harmony across all barriers
Bonfire at night, throw colored water and feast

7. Ganesh Utsav Festival in honor of Ganesha, elephant
headed deity – remover of obstacles
Celebrated for 10 days
Huge clay idols made, decorated
Prayers offered, idols immersed in a river, lake or the sea

8. Janmashtami Human incarnation of Lord Vishnu as
Krishna – born to kill demon King Kansa
Date: Eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana (July-August)
Fasting, praying, temples and homes are beautifully decorated and lit
Rasalila performances

9. Rakshabandhan Celebrates the love of a brother for his Sister
Celebrated on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Sravana (July/August)
Sisters tie rakhi for protection against evil influences
Prayers for long life and happiness

10. Navratri Celebration of mother goddess – Durga
Symbolizes victory of good over evil
Fasting for nine days
Sing, dance and merriment

11. Deepawali Festival of lights symbolizing the victory of
righteousness and the lifting of spiritual
darkness
Celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika (October/November)
Illuminated Streets lamps, homes decorated with colors and candles
New clothes, firecrackers and sweets
Deepawali

12. Ramanavami Commemorates the birth of Rama, emblem of righteousness
Symbolizes defeat of evil
Celebrated on the on the ninth day after the new moon in Sukul Paksh (April)
Sing devotional bhajans, offer prayers  and distribute prasad

13. Id-ul-Zuha Festival of great rejoice, special prayers and
exchange of greetings and gifts
Commemorates the life of Ismail, son of Ibrahim.
Devotion to Allah and his desires
Tradition of sacrificing a goat
completion of Haj

14. Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru
Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith
Religion - a single God who is the eternal truth
Three-day Akhand Path – reading holy sikh book
Processions, religious hymns & community lunch

15. Christmas Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Midnight mass and merrymaking group dances
Carols, and message of love and brotherhood
decorate homes with trees, exchange greetings and gifts

16. Conclusion
Festivals represent the spirit of Indian culture and society
Represents people from diverse backgrounds, regions, communities and religion
People revel in the feeling of friendship, brotherhood and revelry – brings harmony, peace and universal brotherhood

17. Q & A
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