Dates :Independence Day is celebrated on the fifteenth August.
Legend : The midnight of August 15, 1947 is memorable for every Indian on earth, as it is the time, when India gained independence from the stranglehold of the mighty British. The otherwise suppressed tri-colored flag of India was given its due respect, when it was hoisted in the midnight on the Independence Day. Since then, the red-letter day is celebrated with pomp and gaiety, across the length and breadth of India. Cultural programs and flag-hoisting ceremonies are the predominant affair of the day, while colorful kites fill the sky in the evening, to symbolize freedom. People indulge themselves in remembering the heroes of the freedom struggle and pay homage to them.
Practice :In all the schools and colleges across India, no academic work is done on Independence Day, but all the students and staff members would be present in their respective educational institutions, to celebrate the day. A sort of social gathering is arranged in the educations institutions, wherein cultural programs are organized. Flag hoisting ceremony takes place within their respective premises. As the flag is hoisted by the head of the institution (mostly the principal), students sing national anthem and pay respect to their flag and to uphold the sovereignty of the country.
Shops across India are strictly directed to keep their shutters down on Independence Day, while you can still spot the groceries and small stores opening up late in the evening. All government offices remain closed on August 15. India Gate is the center of attraction and a nice place to hang out in the evening of Independence Day, as the structure is attractively illuminated. The sky in filled with kites of various shapes and colors. As a whole, it can be said that Independence Day is a holiday much awaited by people in India, every year.
Raksha Bandhan
Dates : Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the fifteenth day of Shravan, in July / August.
Legend : In the days when gods warred with the demons, the consort of Indra (the Puranic King of the Heavens) tied a rakhi (a silken amulet) around his wrist, by virtue of which, it is said, the god won back his celestial abode from his enemies.
Practice : Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in some parts of India as a festival to honour the sea god Varuna, where coconuts are offered to the sea Because of its three eyes, the coconut represents the three eyes of Shiva. As a mark of auspiciousness, coconuts are also broken at shrines and temples.
However, at most places, it celebrates the love of a brother for his sister. On this day, sisters tie rakhi on the wrists of their brothers to protect them against evil influences. In some places, before tying the rakhi, barley saplings are placed on the ears of the brother.
This is also the day set apart for Brahmins to change their sacred thread they wear.
MAKAR SANKRANTI
Dates : 14 January every year.
Practice : Makar Sankranti marks the commencement of the sun's journey to the Northern Hemisphere and is a day of celebration all over the country. Wherever there is a body of water, people take a dip in the waters on this day and worship the sun. Also known as Gangasagar Mela, on this day, people come from all over India for a ceremonial cleansing in the River Hooghly, near Calcutta. In Gujarat, brightly coloured kites dot the skies, in celebration of Makara Sankranti.
DIWALI
Dates : A family festival, it is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November).
Legend/s : Deepawali or Diwali, the most pan-Indian of all Hindu festivals, is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word Deepawali literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps).
This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Another view is that Deepawali is meant to celebrate the destruction of the arrogant tyrant Bali at the hands of Vishnu when the latter appeared in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar.
Practice : Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country. The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day. This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is worshipped in most Hindu homes. Houses across the country are scrubbed till they are spotlessly clean, and whitewashed with fresh white paint. To enhance their new look, they are decorated with bright paper lanterns, diyas and flowers, while the girls of the house embellish the aangan (courtyard) and walls with traditional aesthetic designs and patterns called rangolis. New clothes are bought and the family gathers together to offer prayers, distribute sweets and light up their homes. Crackers and fireworks illuminate the sky and people pray for a prosperous coming year. In West Bengal, the Deepawali festival is celebrated as Kali Pooja and Kali, Shiva's consort is worshipped on this day.
DUSSEHRA
Dates : Dussehra, or Vijay Dashmi, is celebrated in September / October.
Legend/s : This festival commemorate the victory of Lord Rama, virtuous Prince of Ayodhya, over ten-headed Ravana, the evil king of Sri Lanka who abducted Rama's wife, Sita, and was subsequently vanquished in battle. Dussehra thus celebrates the victory of Good over Evil.
The nine days preceding Dussehra are known as Navaratri. During this period, the Mother Goddess (“Devi Ma”) is worshipped in all her forms - as Saraswati (consort of Brahma, the creator, and goddess of knowledge), Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu, the preserver, and granter of wealth), and Parvati (consort of Shiva, the destroyer, and the most powerful and complex of all the goddesses). People also worship the tools of their trade.
Practice :
During the ten days of celebrations, Ramlilas (dance dramas enacting the story of Lord Rama) take place all over North India. On the last (tenth) day, effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkaran, and his son, Meghnath, are packed with firecrackers and burnt at sunset.
In Mysore , Dussehra is a grand occasion. The Mysore palace is illuminated for a month. Caparisoned elephants lead a colourful procession through the streets of the city. A torch light parade and many musical / dance events round off celebrations.
In Gujarat Navaratri is a community affair. Young girls, resplendent in traditional finery, dance away the night doing the traditional Garbha dance or Dandiya Raas .
Ramzan Id
Dates : This is celebrated by Muslims immediately after the holy month of Ramadan, in October-November..
Practice : During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day, not even drinking water. The fast is broken only after sundown. On Id, everyone bathes in the morning, wears new clothes, applies perfume, and eats dates or some other sweet before going to the mosque for Id prayers. Men wear white clothes symbolising purity and austerity. Women prepare sweets like Sevian (vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk) and Shir Khurma (a special dish with milk and dates). Family elders give Idi, presents of money, to youngsters. Everyone is greeted with Id Mubarak (Happy Id). People go for Idmilans (meeting friends and relatives).
