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Festivals of India in Pictures

by: Meenakshi

India is a land famous for diverse cultures, cuisine, people and beliefs. The phrase “unity in diversity” best expresses the culture of India. India is a very colorful nation because of its diversities and the celebrations round the celebrations that take place round the year in some or the other part of the country. It is the land of festivities and fairs. Some festivals are celebrated to mark the beginning of a new season, some mark the great events of the historic past, other mark the birthdays of Indian Gods / Goddesses, divine beings, saints, and gurus.

Many of these festivals are common in various parts of the country but are called with different names. However, the celebrations are different. These festivals also express devotion to deities of the regions and religion

Image credit: http://jamaicandawta.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/diwali.jpg

Each festival has its own set of rituals, prayers and significance. For those who do not understand these things, it is simply a fun filled occasion of celebrations for them.

Image credit: http://festivals.iloveindia.com/onam/pics/onam-celebrations.jpg

Each festival is full of fun, decorations, sweets, delicious feasts, wearing new clothes, taking blessings from elders and lots of masti.

Image credit: http://maryt.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/holi_paint2_afp.jpg&usg=AFQjCNH4-N6vzq8YKnXtoxGTz81kZPVHHA

These festivals are the true flavor of Indian culture. These celebrations reflect the vigor and life-style of its people.

Image credit: http://tourism-delhi.info/baisakhi.jpg

Each region has its own special festival and it comes alive with the whole decorations and massive celebrations all around.

Image credit: http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.delhilive.com/system/files/images/eid_celebration.jpg&usg=AFQjCNEiPOA0JpxpEYPudoXeWeYojqm0bA

The main festival celebrated in West Bengal is Navratri and Durga Puja, In Maharashtra its Ganesh Chaturthi, Pongal and Onam in Southern states of India, Holi in North Indian states etc.

Image credit: http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3681/img2404ay1.jpg

Festivals bind the country in one sacred thread of love. The commonness in all the celebration is that it celebrates humanity.

Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Office_Pongal_celebration.jpg

This galaxy of festivals that exist do contribute in inter-spicing Indian life with gaiety and color as also in giving the country the distinction of having the maximum number of holidays.

Image credit: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2862954576_6b491141d0.jpg

Hindu Festivals :
-

Bhai Dooj

Dhanteras

Durga Puja

Dussehra

Ganesh Chaturathi

Hanuman Jayanti

Holi

Karwa Chauth

Diwali

Maha Shivaratri

Navratri

Onam

Raksha Bandhan

Pongal etc.

Image credit: http://www.chillnite.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/holi_credit.jpg

Islam Festivals :

Muharram

Id-ul-Zuha (Bakri-id)

Shab-I-Barat

Ramzan (Ramadan)

Id-e-milad

Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Id)

Milad-Un-Nabi

Barawafat

Giaravahin Sharif

Hazarat Ali's Birthday

Shabbe Mirag

Barabanki Mela

Image credit: http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://alianamirza.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/captcc98943f94044cebb1333c12cbcf3e9cpakistan_eid_al_fitr_lhr106.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGQpNVKFpGZ1tJ1ZIEAn5WW2ETkTA

Jain Festivals :

Mahavir Jayanti

Paryushana

Mahamastak Abhishek

Deep Diwali

Image credit: http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://photos.merinews.com/upload/imageGallery/bigImage/1239132483137.jpg&usg=AFQjCNECEkss-VAgEVCiM02JH9FG5vOYWQ

Sikh Festivals :

Baisakhi

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Purab

Holla Mohalla

Lohri

Birthday Guru Ramdassji

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti

Image credit: http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://z.about.com/d/sikhism/1/0/3/7/-/-/Hola23Salute500x.JPG&usg=AFQjCNGrptg58D09v31dV7rJJhbD5m08IQ

Christian Festivals :

Christmas

Easter

Good Friday

Thanksgiving

Image credit: http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44313000/jpg/_44313999_christmas_shopping416afp.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGVldJwr7jGRGitO47K0dSbEpizrQ

Buddhist Festivals :

Buddha Purnima

Hemis Gompa

Losar

Ullambana

Image credit: http://www.travelindia-guide.com/travel_india_images/festivals/Buddha-Purnima.jpg

Parsi Festivals :

Gahambars

Jamshed Navroz (Parsi New Year)

Khordad Sal

Zarthost No Deeso

Image credit: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/429604725_1a8b9a11e4.jpg

Sindhi Festivals :

Cheti Chand

Chaliho Sahib

Image credit: http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/090824/GAL-09Aug24-2518/media/PHO-09Aug24-175738.jpg&usg=AFQjCNHoAagQ1WHYBysQDkxz0DWTOUVdgw