Festivals & Celebrations
Indian people love to celebrate festivals and other special days. There are two main holidays in India to celebrate the country itself. One is Independence Day, on which the Prime Minister makes speeches and raises the Indian flag in a special ceremony. The other is Republic Day, when the government is celebrated with huge parades. Decorated elephants and camels are often walked through the parades.
New Year
The Indian New Year is held for 5 days celebrating the monsoon season ending. Houses are cleaned and then painted with colourful pictures and decorations. All money owed to other people must by paid by the fifth day so that the new year can begin debt free. Pongal
This is an old Hindu festival celebrating the end of winter. It is called Pongal because everyone makes a sweet dessert called pongal, made of rice, milk and brown sugar. During this time people honour their cows for their hard work. The animals are decorated with flowers, painted and also fed pongal. Later in the day, they are walked through a parade. Bullfights are also a part of Pongul. Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr is a Muslim festival which is held at the end of the fast of Ramadan. Yes, this is the same festival the Tunisians celebrate! As you remember, the people don't eat anything all day and then enjoy food and fellowship during the night hours. During Id-ul-Fitr, families go to the mosques to pray and celebrate with feasts and gatherings with friends and family. |
Diwali
During Diwali, people wear new clothes, eat sweets, visit relatives, exchange gifts and make offerings to their gods. The most exciting part of Diwali is the Festival of Lights. Every home lights small, clay lamps called dipas and they twinkle from rooftops and windows like stars while fireworks explode in the night sky above. There are also Sikh (one of the people groups) festivals held in India. They celebrate important events in history with horseback riding, sports competitions, play-acting historical scenes, dancing, singing and feasting. |
Solski, Ruth (2007). Countries Around the Globe Series: All About India People and Places. Niagra Falls, NY: On the Mark Press.