Festivals and holidays

Almost everyday there is a festival somewhere in India. Every small village has its own feast day, while some holidays are celebrated everywhere. On all the holidays, families come together to celebrate ancient heroes, modern events and the change of seasons.

India has two national holidays. August 15 is Independence day , in honor of the day in 1947 when India became independent of Britain. Republic Day, on January 26, marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Indian Republic in 1950.

Republic day parades are held all over India. The most impressive one is in the New Delhi. Old India meets new India in the colorful parade, as airplanes soar over the heads of graceful folk dancers and richly decorated elephants and camels.

Any festivals celebrated throughout India are part of the Hindu religion. The holiday of Dusshera, celebrated in the beginning of October, remembers the victory of Rama over the demon Ravana.

Diwali is Hindu New year. This “festival of lights” comes at the end of October or the beginning of November, and lasts for five days. People place lamps called dipas in the windows and on the rooftops. They believe the twinkling light of the dipas will attract Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, into their homes and business for the year. Diwali is a happy holiday season, a time to give and receive presents and to dress in new clothes.

Holi is another Hindu festival. Held in February or March, it celebrates the coming of spring. During this festival people run around in the streets splashing everybody with colored water and powder. These bright colors are thought to scare away evil spirits.