1. A country of Celebrations
Living In India
A country of Celebrations

2. Many Festivals India has many different communities and religions
Different celebrations for different regions
Environment – harvest, weather, seasons, animals
Gods and goddesses – many linked to established religions
National Festivals 
Children's Day Gandhi Jayanti
Independence Day Republic Day Teacher's Day
General Festivals Father's Day Halloween Mother's Day New Year Thanks Giving Valentine's Day
Festival Rituals
Aartis
Azaan
Festival Calendar
Hindu Fasts
Naamkaran
Click here to see a timeline of Festivals

3. Many Festivals cont…… Hindu Festivals
Baisakhi
Diwali
Durga Puja
Dussehra
Ganesh Chaturthi
Holi
Janmashtami
Karwa Chauth
Mahashivaratri
Makar Sankranti
Naag Panchami
Navratri
Onam
Pongal
Rakhi
Ramnavami
Buddhist Festivals Buddha Purnima Hemis Gompa Losar Ullambana
Christian Festivals
Christmas
Easter
Good Friday
Muslim Festivals
Bakra Eid
Eid-ul-Fitr
Muharram
Sikh Festivals
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Purab
Holla Mohalla
Lohri
Zoroastrian Festivals
Gahambars
Jamshed Navroz
Khordad Sal
Zarthost No Deeso

4. Diwali Festival of Lights Region: Nationwide Religion: Hindu
Celebrated: October/ November at the new moon
Diwali customs:
lamps
rangoli art
New clothes
Religious Activities: Worship of Goddess Lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Mother Kali, worship of Lord Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat.
bright lights
candles
buy gold and silver
new utensils

5. Diwali Days 5 days: Day 1: Dhanteras – buy new utensils, gold, silver
Day 2: bath before sunrise and rub special oil on body
Day 3: new clothes, gifts, sweets, special foods, diyas (lamps), candles
Day 4: Padwa – celebration of love and respect for husband and wife;
Anna- Koot – preparation of 56 or 108 dishes to offer Lord Krishna.
Gods bathed in milk, given new clothes, jewels, precious metals
Day 5: brothers and sisters celebrate their relationship, give gifts to
each other

6. Traditional Indian Dance
Much of this dance is from Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles

7. Traditional Indian Music
The basis for Indian music is "sangeet".  Sangeet is a combination of three artforms: vocal music, instrumental music and dance. 
Sitar
The most famous instruments are the sitar and the tabla
Tabla

8. Comparison with Australia
Some similar celebrations – based in British occupation history and American influences
Many different religions , so many celebrations but with same focus – harvest, weather, gods
Similar traditions of decorating, dance, music, food, just different styles
Some localised celebrations, some national just like Australia
Similar traditions of giving and receiving gifts, just a different style

9. The India Travel guide: Festivals of India
information on festivals of India
The India Travel guide: Map of India
map of India showing regions
I love India
list of festivals in India
Lonely Planet
Map of India showing major cities and towns
I Love India
Information on diwali customs
Information on when diwali is held
image of rangoli art
image of diwali diya
image of diwali candles
Information on dewali day 4
Information on bhai-duj and image of bhai-duj artifacts
Google Images
Images of traditional Indian dance

10. Google Images
Images of traditional Indian dance
Images of traditional Indian musical instruments
Chandra and David’s homesite
Image of tabla
Abydos Enterprises
Image of sitar