How to Improve Our Village Life Around Us
Indian festivals are innumerable in number and much varied in the manner of celebrations. Among these, Diwali and Holi perhaps stand as the most Pan- Indian festivals celebrated all over India with great pomp and fanfare. Diwali, known as the festival of light is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, while Holi celebrates the joyful Raasleela (dance) of Lord Krishna and his ‘Gopies’ (friends) at the advent of spring. Dussehra is also a major Hindu festival marking Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, the symbol of evil.
In W. Bengal this festival takes the form of Durga Puja, wherein the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura is celebrated with colour and illuminations. Nava Shivaratri is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva who is said to have married goddess Parvati on this day. Janmashtami festival is associated with Lord Krishna and his birth.
The main Muslim festivals which are celebrated in India are Muharram and Id-ul- Fitr. Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, while Id-ul-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of prayer and fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. The main Christian festivals are Christmas and Easter.
Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Easter commemorates his death and resurrection. Both festivals are characterised by joy, merry-making and community celebrations. The birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, Lord Buddha and Guru Nanak are celebrated as Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha purnima and Guru Nanak Jayanti respectively, in a grand manner with lots of pomp and religious festivities.
Among the regional festivals, Rongaali Bihu of Assam, Ganesh Chathurthi of Maharashtra, Pongal of Tamil Nadu, Onam of Kerala, Durga Puja of “West Bengal and Baisakhi Punjab are the most prominent ones. The major non-religious national festivals are Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti and
In W. Bengal this festival takes the form of Durga Puja, wherein the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura is celebrated with colour and illuminations. Nava Shivaratri is celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva who is said to have married goddess Parvati on this day. Janmashtami festival is associated with Lord Krishna and his birth.
The main Muslim festivals which are celebrated in India are Muharram and Id-ul- Fitr. Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, while Id-ul-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of prayer and fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. The main Christian festivals are Christmas and Easter.
Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Easter commemorates his death and resurrection. Both festivals are characterised by joy, merry-making and community celebrations. The birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, Lord Buddha and Guru Nanak are celebrated as Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha purnima and Guru Nanak Jayanti respectively, in a grand manner with lots of pomp and religious festivities.
Among the regional festivals, Rongaali Bihu of Assam, Ganesh Chathurthi of Maharashtra, Pongal of Tamil Nadu, Onam of Kerala, Durga Puja of “West Bengal and Baisakhi Punjab are the most prominent ones. The major non-religious national festivals are Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti and