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Lohri, the harvest festival of Punjab represents the joy, hard work and gratification of the people.and prompts them to be thankful for God's provision and to celebrate his creation. It focuses on the farming and hard work the people had put into it. Celebrated at the end of the winter season, it marks the starting of the harvesting period. In true spirit of the Punjabi culture, men and women perform Bhangra and Giddha, popular Punjabi folk dances, around a bonfire. During the day, children go from door to door singing folk songs in praise of Dulha Bhatti. These children are given sweets and savories, and occasionally, money. Turning them back empty-handed is regarded inauspicious.
Holi, the festival of colors is celebrated at the end of the winter season all round the country with great enthusiasm. The origin of the traditional lighting of Holi is attributed by some to the burning of demonesses like Holika. While the festival's preamble begins on the night of the full moon , the next morning witness the streets filled with people running, shouting, giggling and splashing. Marijuana-based bhang and thandai add to the uninhibited atmosphere. Intoxicating bhang is enjoyed as a tradition on this day which further enhances the spirit of Holi. The evenings the spent in sobriety when people meet friends and relatives and exchange sweets and festive greetings.
Rakhi is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It signifies the warmth shared between the siblings The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents sweets to her brother. The ritual of Rakhi tying has become so important that come what may, brothers and sisters try to visit each other’s place on this particular day.The festival protects the oneness of the relations, binding the family together in an emotional bond of love.
Independence Day marks the birth of a new nation and a new beginning.The main event takes place in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally televised speech .The Prime Minister also pays his tribute to leaders of the freedom struggle. In various private organizations the flag hoisting is carried out by a senior official of that organization. Schools and colleges around the country organize flag hoisting ceremonies and various cultural events within their premises. Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing.As a whole, it can be said that Independence Day is a day much awaited by people in India, every year.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, Dashahara, Navaratri or Durgotsav is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin. This celebration starts from Navratri and ends with the tenth day festival of “Dussehra”. The first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga. The next three days are spent in worshipping goddess Lakshmi and the last three days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.According to Scriptures, by worshipping the 'Shakti' on these nine-days the householders attain the threefold power i.e. physical, mental and spiritual, which helps him to progress in life without any difficulty. The occasion is celebrated with people enjoying sweets .
Diwali is one of the biggest festivals of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days with the third day of Lakshmi-puja being most important one. It is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi and is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of lights'. While Diwali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light".On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth.
Christmas is a holiday held on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. It's a celebration of humanity and mankind. Though Christmas is a primary festival of the Christian calendar but still it has a special significance in everyone's life. It is celebrated as a universal festival through out the nation. Christmas is the most important festival of Indian Christians. Christians in India decorate banana or mango trees instead of traditional pine tree. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers. As a part of their celebration they give Christmas gifts to their family members and token of money to poor people as charity.
New Year is the day that marks the beginning of a new calendar year and is celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the New Year starts. January 1 marks the end of a period of remembrance of a particular passing year. At present, the celebration of the New Year is a major event worldwide. Many large-scale events are held in major cities around the world, with many large fireworks events on New Year's Eve (31 December). It is also customary to make New Year's resolutions, which individuals hope to fulfill in the coming year.One can see vibrant colors and distinctive features of these celebrations symbolizing the joy and novelty among folks.
Makara Sankranthi. This holy day marks the commencement of the Sun's northward journey in the Heavens, known as the Uttaraayana Patha. This turn in the Sun's course takes place at the point of time when it enters the sign of Makara or Capricorn. This festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the country yet the use of til (sesame) is found everywhere.
Ugadi / Gudipadwa The celebration of Ugadi is marked by religious zeal and social merriment. It is believed that the creator of the World, Lord Brahma started creation on this day - Chaitra suddha padhyami or the Ugadi Day. Prayers for health, wealth and prosperity and success in business are part of the festival. Ugadi is considered the most auspicious time to start new ventures.
Navratras / Ram Navami Ram Navami commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on the ninth day of the Hindu month Chaitra -- that is why this day is called Ram Navami. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival known as Vasanta Navratri. Ram Navami is celebrated with religious fervour with people observing fast on all these nine days. Gopal's Navratras Specials: Atta Laddu, Kalakand, Kesar Badam Milk, Angoori Peda, Mava Boondi Roll, Badam Ginni, and Motichur Laddu.
Baisakhi.Baisakhi is a harvesting festival of North India, more prominently in Punjab. The festival always falls on April 14 and marks the beginning of the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated with joyous music and dance.
Haryali Teej Teej (celebrated in July-August) heralds the arrival of the rains as a sign of happiness, prosperity and love. Married women idolise Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva and pray for a happy and long married life. The festivities, revolving around singing and dancing in praise of Parvati, allow the women to pamper and enjoy themselves, to feast, to dress in the best of clothes, finery and jewellery.
Janmashtami Sri Krishna Janmashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna - the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu - who gave the message of the Bhagwat Gita. Janmashtami is celebrated with religious fervour all over the country. Devotees keep daylong fasts, and chanting bhajans offer prayers, flowers, and sweets to Lord Krishna.
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Festival is very popular in our country since it brings people together and binds the nation together. It marks the birth of the most popular god – Lord Ganesh. This festival is celebrated for 10 days from Ganesh Chaturthi – birth date; to Anant Chaturdashi - the final 10th day of his immersion. This Lord Ganesh is very fond of sweets and hence khir, panchamrit, fruits and sweets and specially modaks are placed before him as "Naivedya" or "Bhog". After the ritual worship this "Bhog" is distributed as "Prasad".
Id-ul-Fitr.Id-ul-fitr or Ramzan Id falls on the new moon day marking the end of 'Ramadan' (according to the Muslim calendar). Muslims through out the world and in India observe fast throughout this month and eat and drink only in the night. The festival is a day of joy and thanksgiving and on this day, Muslims give feasts. Even Hindus, join in the celebrations and greet their Muslim friends on Eid and join in the feasts as they are presented with delicious 'Sewaiyan' dishes.
Karva Chauth Karva Chauth is a fast undertaken by married Hindu women who offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, well-being, and longevity of their husbands. Karva Chauth falls about nine days before Diwali on the Kartik Chauth some time in October or November. It is the most important fast observed by the women of India.