India, The Land of Festival

Being a part of the most intelligent species on earth has its share of ups and downs. So is being a citizen of the modern world. As the wise men say, one cannot have a cake and eat it too. So, you cannot enjoy the modern life without experiencing the drawbacks of it. So we already have monotony, stress, boredom to give us company. Now, amidst the rush, the deadlines, the anxiety, we crave for a little room to breathe freely. Festival is that small window that let us charge up our nearly empty battery by filling our heart with happiness and delight.

Here in India, every day happens to be a festival or other. With so many religions and communities peacefully coexisting in a single country, it comes naturally to have the calendar full with festivals. And the best part is that no matter which community’s or region's festival it is, the entire country celebrate it together with same enthusiasm and rejoice. Do you know what are the biggest festivals in India?

Let us give you a brief idea about the top 9 festivals in India, the land of festival.

1. Diwali: Also known as “the festival of lights”, Diwali or Deepavali is the most important and most widely celebrated Indian festival. This five day long festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil by lighting up earthen lamps to eliminate darkness. People from abroad send Diwali gifts to India.
2. Rakhi: Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is the second biggest festival in India. It celebrates the beautiful bond shared between a brother and a sister. These days the modern sisters from abroad even send Rakhi to India to their brothers online.
3. Ugadi: This is the New Year’s day for the South India, specially, for Andhra Pradesh and Telegu. Ugadi is usually observed and celebrated with family gatherings and feasts. Being an auspicious festival, offerings to deities also happen.
4. Pongal: The harvest festival of the Tamil Nadu, Pongal is hugely popular and is celebrated for 4 days. People show their gratitude towards Almighty by arranging special worshipping.
5. Karwa Chauth: Mainly a North Indian festival, Karwa Chauth is observed by married women who fast the entire day for the wellbeing of their husbands. People often send gifts to India to their mothers, wives or daughters on Karwa Chauth.
6. Bhaidooj: This is another festival that celebrates the brother-sister love. Here in Bhai Dooj, a sister keeps a fast and ties a thread around the wrist of her brother(s) praying for his wellness and health. In return, the brother promises to save her from every evil power.
7. Lohri: This is the most important festival in the Punjab region. Lohri is considered to be a celebration of winter solstice. People gather and rejoice around bonfire, have feasts and exchange gifts.
8. Durga puja: Bengali’s greatest festival Durga Puja is a grand carnivalesque celebration of women power. It is the worshipping of Durga, the goddess who fought and killed the demon king Ashura and brought peace back to the heaven.
9. Christmas: As it requires no introduction, Christmas, though being a foreign festival, has become as an integral part of India as Diwali or Durga puja.