List of Indian Festivals

1. Baisakhi
2. Diwalii
3. Durga Puja
4. Dussehra
5. Onam
6. Holika dahan
7. Janmashtami
8. Karwa Chauth
9. Mahashivaratri
10. Makar Sankranti
11. Naag Panchami
12. Ganesh Chaturthi
13. Navratri
14. Pongal
15. Rakhi
16. Ram Navami
17. Christmas
18. Easter
19. Good Friday
20. Guru Nanak Jayanti
21. Lohri
22. Bakra Eid
23. Eid ul Fitr
24. Muhorram
25. Thanks Giving
26. Valentine's Day
27. Children's Day
28. Gandhi Jayanti
29. Independence Day
30. Republic Day
31. Teacher's Day

2013 Jan 1 Tuesday New Year 5 Saturday Guru Govind Singh Jayanti 14 Monday Makar Sankranti 14 Monday Pongal 25 Friday Id-E-Milad 26 Saturday Republic Day Feb 15 Friday Vasant Panchmi 19 Tuesday Shivaji Jayanti Mar 10 Sunday Maha Shivratri 26 Tuesday Holi 27 Wednesday Dhuleti 29 Friday Good Friday Apr 11 Thursday Gudi Padwa 11 Thursday Cheti Chand 14 Sunday Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti 20 Saturday Ram Navmi 20 Saturday Swaminarayan Jayanti 23 Tuesday Mahavir Jayanti 25 Thursday Hanuman Jayanti May 12 Sunday Parshuram Jayanti 25 Saturday Buddha Jayanti June 23 Sunday Vata Purnima July 10 Wednesday Rath Yatra 18 Thursday Start of Gauri Vrat 22 Monday Guru Poornima 22 Monday End of Gauri Vrat Aug 6 Tuesday Divaso 9 Friday Ramzan-Id (Id-ul-Fitr) 15 Thursday Independence Day 18 Sunday Pateti (Parsi New Year) 20 Tuesday Raksha Bandhan 28 Wednesday Janmashtami 29 Thursday Nand Mahatosav Sep 9 Monday Ganesh Chaturthi 9 Monday Samvatsari Oct 2 Wednesday Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti 5 Saturday Start of Navratri 13 Sunday Vijaya Dashmi-Dussehra 16 Wednesday Bakri Id 18 Friday Sharad Purnima 31 Thursday Sardar Patel Jayanti 31 Thursday Vagh Baras Nov 1 Friday Dhan Teras 3 Sunday Diwali 4 Monday New Year Day 5 Tuesday Bhai Beej 7 Thursday Labh Pacham 14 Thursday Nehru Jayanti 14 Thursday Moharram 17 Sunday Dev Diwali 17 Sunday Guru Nanak Jayanti Dec 25 Wednesday Christmas Fairs and Festivals Makar Sankranti: Sankrant means the passing of the sun from one Zodiac sign to the other. People exchange greeting and good wishes on this day, which marks the Sun's passage from the Tropic of Dhanu (Sagittarius) to Makar (Capricon). Sweet and crunchy ladoos made of sesame and jaggery are the favourite treats. People enjoy flying different kites in the sky. Pongal: A three-day harvest festival, Pongal is one of the gayest events in South India. In Tamil Nadu, the newly harvested rice is ceremonially cooked. In Mysore, the festival is called Sankranti. In villages and towns, cows and bullocks are gaily painted and decorated and fed on Pongal (a sweet preparation of rice). In the evening, the cattle are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music. In some towns of the South, the festival is climaxed by a kind of bull-fight in which young men try to wrest bundles of currency notes from the horns of a ferocious bull. At Tenali in Andhra Pradesh, there is a thrilling cart-race. Republic Day: Republic Day, which marks the anniversary of the adoption of India's Constitution (January 26, 1950) is an important national occasion. In the state capitals, colourful pageants and parades are held. The most spectacular celebrations are held in New Delhi, where a magnificent parade of the Armed Forces and civilians is accompanied by an impressive cultural pageant. This is followed by a colourful folk dance festival by troupes from different parts of India. Bakri Id: Observed by Muslims to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's offer to sacrifice his son at the bidding of the Lord. Prayers are offered at mosques. Feasting and rejoicing follow. The festival of Bakri Id is also known as Id-ul-Azha. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the Muslim month Zil-Haj. Maha Shivratri: The festival of Shivratri is celebrated by Hindus throughout India in the month of Phalguna (February-March). It is the main festival in honour of Lord Shiva. Moharram: Moharram, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed is observed by Muslims throughout India. Impressive processions of colourfully decorated Tazias, which are paper and bamboo replicas of the Martyr's tomb at Karbala, are taken out. The processions are specially impressive at Lucknow. In many parts of South India, tiger dancers -- men painted over with stripes and wearing tiger masks -- lead the procession. Holi/Dhuleti: Among the most colourful of India's festivals is Holi, observed all over India. It is a festival in which men, women and children revel in throwing coloured powder and squirting coloured water on their friends. Greeting and sweets are exchanged. It is celebrated every year in the month of Phalguna (February-March). Good Friday: Christians observe Good Friday as the day on which Jesus laid down his life for the good of humanity. Services and recitals of religious music are held in the churches. Easter: The Resurrection of Christ is celebrated with fervour by members of the Christian community. The occasion is solemnised in some parts of the country by processions being taken out. Gudi Padwa: 'Gudhi' - the bamboo staff with a coloured silk cloth and a garlanded goblet atop - symbolises victory or achievement. Maharashtrians erect gudhis on Padwa, the first day of the Hindu new year. People welcome the new year with gudhi worship and distribute prasad comprising tender neem leaves, gram-pulse and jaggery. Cheti Chand: The Cheti Chand festival is observed by Sindhis in honour of Shri Amarlal, also known as Uderolal, in the month of Chaitra (March-April). Ram Navmi: The festival of Ramanavami is celebrated throughout India to commemorate the birth of Shri Rama. Mahavir Jayanti: Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth spiritual head (Tirthankara) of Jainism, was born on this day more than 2,500 years ago. For the Jains it is a day dedicated to his memory. The anniversary attracts pilgrims from all parts of the country to the ancient Jain shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat. Jains observe Mahavir Jayanti in the month of Chaitra (March-April). Buddha Jayanti: Celebrated as Buddha Jayanti, the day marks the birth, enlightenment and the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha. Independance Day: This day marks the anniversary of the attainment of India's Independence (August 15, 1947) and it is celebrated with solemnity in all parts of the country. The National Flag is hoisted with due ceremony at special functions. Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan, celebrated in India in the month of Shravana (July-August), is an age old festival which strengthens the bond of love between brother and sister. Janmashtami: The festival of Janmashtami is observed in the month of Bhadra (August-September) in honour of Lord Krishna who was born on this day at Mathura. It is celebrated with eclat at Mathura and Vrindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Night-long prayers are held and religious hymns are sung in temples. Scenes are enacted from Lord Krishna's early life. Ganesha Chaturthi: This festival is celebrated throughout India in the month of Bhadra (August-September) in honour of Lord Ganesha. Gandhi Jayanti: The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, is celebrated with great devotion all over the country. Dussehra and Durga Puja: Dussehra, one of the most popular festivals of India is celebrated all over the country for ten days in the month of Asvina (September-October). The Navaratri festival ends with Dussehra to celebrate Rama's victory over Ravana. Every region celebrates this ten-day festival in a special way. In North India, it is 'RamLila' and consists of plays, recitations and music which recall the heroic and moral deeds of the legendary hero, Rama. In Kulu, against the backdrop of now-covered mountains, villagers dressed in their colourful best assemble to take out a procession of local deities, with pipes and drums in attendance. In Mysore, the festival is celebrated with pomp and pageantry reminiscent of medieval times. In Bengal and other parts of Eastern India, Dussehra is celebrated as Durga Puja. Images of the goddess are worshipped for ten days and on the last day are taken out in procession and immersed in a river or the sea. Karwa Choth: The Karwa Choth festival is observed in all Hindu families exclusively by married woman in the month of Kartika (October-November). Diwali: Diwali, the festival of lights, is observed in honour of goddess Lakshmi in the month of Kartika (October-November). One of the happiest of Indian festivals, Diwali is an occasion of great excitement and rejoicing all over the country. Every city, town and village is turned into a fairyland with thousands of flickering oil lamps and electric lights illuminating homes and public buildings. Children's Day: The birthday of free India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, is celebrated throughout the country as Children's day. Groups of children participate in rallies and cultural programmes. Guru Nanak Jayanti: Also known as Gurupurab, it is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak who founded the Sikh faith. For two days and nights preceding the festival the Granth Saheb (Scriptures) is read. On the day of the festival, the Granth Saheb is taken out in a grand procession. The celebrations at Amritsar are the most impressive. Id-ul-Fitr: Celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan -- the Muslim month of fasting -- it is an occasion for feasting and rejoicing. The faithful gather in the mosques to say prayers. Friends and relatives meet to exchange greetings. Baisakhi: This is Hindu Solar New Year Day observed in many parts of the country. It is a religious festival when people bathe in rivers and go to temples to offer worship. For the Sikh community, Baisakhi is of special significance. On this day in 1699, Guru GobindSingh organised the Sikhs into the 'Khalsa'. In Punjab, farmers start their harvesting operations on this day with great fanfare. Nag Panchmi: The festival of Nag Panchmi is celebrated throughout the country in the month of Shravana (July-August). Khordad Sal: This day is the birth anniversary of Prophet Spitaman Zarathusatra (Zoroaster), who was born at the beginning of the first millennium B.C. This is one of the most important festivals of the Parsi Community. Onam: Kerala's notable festival is Onam, celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is primarily a harvest festival observed not only in every home but also out in the open, against the backdrop of lush green tropical vegetation in which the region abounds. The most exciting part of the festival is the snake-boat race held at several places on palm-fringed lagoons. Christmas: The birth anniversary of Jesus Christ is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike, with special enthusiasm in big cities like Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta, where shops and homes take on a festive air. Families get together around decorated trees and gifts are exchanged. On Christmas Eve, midnight services are held in churches.

The Biggest Festivals of India

Photograph by www.flickr.com user Koshyk

India has many religions and hundreds of customs and festivals. Many of these festivals are shared by communities across the country, albeit with variation on their history, theme and method of celebration. Here are the most famous festivals of India.

Photograph by www.flickr.com user San Sharma

Diwali

Diwali is India's famous Festival of Lights usually celebrated in October or November. It is a five day Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. In North India, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. In South India it is a celebration of the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura.

Hindu households begin preparing for Diwali nearly two weeks in advance. Homes are cleaned thoroughly, oil lamps and electric lights are bought, the prayer room is set up and mithai (indian sweets) and flowers are stocked up. On the actual days of Diwali, India lights up with the collective celebrations of millions of devout homes all over. Lights are kept on the whole night, and doors are kept open for as long as possible to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) who is said to visit people's homes on Diwali, bringing with her prosperity and financial luck for the New Year. Very often, people draw little feet outside their homes, as a way of showing the path to their homes to the Goddess. After prayers, firecrackers ring loudly into the night, lighting up the sky.

Photograph by www.flickr.com user Chris Willis

Holi

Holi is the festival of colours usually celebrated in March. During Holi, people light bonfires, burn effigies of the evil Holika, smear each other with coloured powders and drench each other with water and water balloons!

The mythological origins of this festival, like Diwali, vary from North to South. In the south, this festival is a depiction of the fate of Kama Deva - the God of Love and Lust. It is believed that he had once aimed an arrow at his wife Rati, but missed and ended up hitting Lord Shiva instead. Lord Shiva was enraged, and his third eye opened, burning Kama to ashes on the spot. Rati was grief-stricken, and Lord Shiva, feeling guilty for having widowed her, granted her the ability to see her husband, albeit never again in the flesh.

In the North on the other hand, Holi celebrates the victory of devotion and purity over wickedness and ego. There was believed to be a King who ordered that every man in his land worship him as God. All complied but his son. The king was so incensed that he kept trying to kill his son, but to no avail, as the Lord Vishnu, who the son had accepted as his ultimate master, had granted him protection against his father's evil designs. It is believed that one day, the King's sister Holika, who herself had been granted a boon that made her fire-proof, offered to take the prince onto her lap and set herself ablaze. However when she did that, she burnt to death on the spot and the prince was saved, as her boon only protected her and not her evil designs. And so, on the day before Holi, effigies of Holika are burnt amidst much jeering and celebrations!

Photograph by www.flickr.com user Bhavna Sayana

Maha Shivaratri

There is a legend about a time when the Asuras (demons) and the Gods joined hands to churn out Amrut (the nectar of life) from the depths of the ocean, using a mountain and a snake as a rope. Among the things that came out, was a pot of poison. This poison was so potent that it had the power to destroy the whole universe. When they realized what they had done, all the Gods and Demons ran in different directions to save themselves as none among them had the power to stop the spreading poison. On the request of the Gods, Lord Shiva went to the spot and drank the poison. Shocked, his wife Goddess Parvati tightened a noose over the neck of the Lord and managed to stop the poison from entering his body below the neck. However, the poison was so potent that it changed the colour of his face and neck to blue.

Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva. Devotees flock to shiv temples by the thousands and offer Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva. While some Hindus abstain from food for the whole day, others allow themselves one meal. People cluster around Shiva temples and after bathing, smear their bodies with holy ashes and keep reciting prayers to Lord Shiva. Extensive singing and dancing takes place to enable people to stay awake all night. Bhang (cannabis) is also consumed as part of the celebrations.

Photograph by www.flickr.com user Hamed Saber

Ramadan / Eid-ul-fitr

Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting, during which Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex during daylight hours. Ramadan is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Muslims fast as a tribute to God and offer more prayer than usual. Compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon. Thus, fascinatingly, a person will have fasted every day of the Gregorian calendar year in 34 years' time. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month as it is believed to be the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. During the Ramadan month, the evenings are filled with feasting and festivities. The roads in Muslim localities get lined with vendors of eatables of all kinds and the feasting continues late into the night with entire families coming out to partake in the festivities.

Eid marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. "Eid" means "festivity" while Fitr means "breaking the fast". Eid celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. On Eid, Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak, wear their best clothes and perfumes, eat some sweet food, and then rush off to offer prayers.

Photograph by www.flickr.com user carrotmadman6

RakshaBandhan

Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. The name 'Raksha Bandhan' refers to 'a bond of protection'. On this day, brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from all harm and sisters pray to God to protect their brother from all evil. This one day festival generally falls in the month of August. Sisters do a small puja for their brothers, and tie a colourful and often ornately decorated thread called a Rakhi on their wrist. Brothers on their part must pledge to look after their sisters till their dying breath and sweeten the deal with a gift of some kind!

Photograph by www.flickr.com user Manosjee Mukherjee

Navaratri/Durga Puja

Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of Ma Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Ma Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Ma Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratari, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worhip Goddess Durga Maa. Gujaratis perform their traditional dances 'Garba' & 'Dandiya-Raas' during Navratri. The women-folk dance in a circle, singing 'Garbas' or traditional songs. Young men-women wear colourful traditional dresses and play Garba with great enthusiasm. The mood of Navratri is very colourful & unique.

Photograph by www.flickr.com user Ajay Tallam

Dussehra

Dussehra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It also symbolizes the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus, it is basically a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu autumn lunar month of Ashvin, which falls in September or October of the Western calendar. The first nine days are celebrated as Navratri. The entire ten day period is marked with much fasting, feasting, singing and dancing. Dusshera also marks the unofficial end of the summer season and the onset of the winter season.

Photograph by www.flickr.com user kiran k

Krishna Janmashtami

The birth of Lord Krishna (a re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is celebrated on the eighth day of a lunar fortnight in August-September, hence the name Janmashtami (birth + eighth day). Lord Krishna was said to be a mischievous child who loved milk, butter and ghee, and so women fast and make milk based sweets of all kinds and offer it to the Lord. They also visit temples or set up prayer rooms at home and pray to Lord Krishna.

One custom of Janmashtami is Dahi Handi. This is celebrated with enormous zeal and enthusiasm. A clay pot filled with buttermilk is hung very high above the ground. A human pyramid of men, who have trained for weeks prior to this event, then attempts to reach the height of the pot. The topmost person on the human pyramid attempts to break the handi by hitting it with a blunt object. When that happens, coconut water or buttermilk is spilled over the entire group, symbolizing their achievement through unity. Handis are set up around the city, and groups "Govinda Pathaks", travel around in trucks trying to break as many handis as possible during the day in order to reap the rich rewards that come with successfully breaking the highest handis!

Photograph by www.flickr.com user subhashish saha

Ganesha Chaturthi

Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha or Ganpati is one of the most popular deities in the Hindu religion. He is worshiped by both Shiva worshippers and Vishnu worshippers as he is considered to be an avatar of both Shiva and Vishnu. Even Buddhists and Jains have faith in Ganpati. In the run up to this festival, a large number of idols are made of clay or metal in all possible sizes; sometimes even up to twenty feet in height. People buy these idols of Lord Ganesha and install them in their houses. They then worship the idol for anything up to eleven days, after which the idols are taken out in extravagant ceremonial processions, through the streets of the town/city (mostly in the state of Maharashtra) and immersed into the river, sea or well. In recent years, pandals vie for the title of best pandal, by trying to outdo each other in terms on the size of the idol, the amount of money and jewelry offered to it and the number of devotees they can attract!

Photograph by www.flickr.com user Marco Ghitti

Baisakhi

Baisakhi is an ancient harvest festival celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent, especially in the state of Punjab. It is also celebrated as the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth.

The history of Baisakhi celebrations can be traced back to 1699. Guru Gobind Singh, the then Guru of the Sikhs, called on the historic Baisakhi Day congregation of Sikhs at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur on March 30, 1699. Thousands of people had assembled seeking their Guru's blessings. Guru Gobind Singh came out of the tent carrying an unsheathed sword. After a powerful speech meant to infuse courage among the congregated masses, he said that every great deed was preceded by a great sacrifice and called upon people who were prepared to give their lives. On the Guru's third call, a young man offered himself. The Guru took the man inside his tent and reappeared alone with a bloodied sword. He then asked for another volunteer. This was repeated another four times until a total of five Sikhs had gone into the tent and the Guru had come out without them each time. Everyone present was stunned at the thought that their guru had killed five innocent Sikhs. At this point, the Guru presented all the five men before the people. Every one present was surprised to see all five men alive and wearing turbans and saffron-coloured garments. These five men were called Panj Piara or 'Beloved Five' by the Guru. That day ended on a celebratory note, and the tradition is carried forth to this day.

INDIA LAND OF FESTIVALS AND FAIRS

New Year - All over India Republic Day - All over India Banganga - Maharashtra Bikaner Festival - Rajasthan Brahmaputra Beach Festival - Assam Bushu or Hangsao – Manauba - Assam Dehing -Patkai Festival- Assam Float Festival - Tamil Nadu Idd-ul-Fittr or Idd - All over India International Kite festival - Andhra Pradesh Jonbeel - Assam Kerala Village Fair - Kerala Lohri - Punjab Magh Bihu - Assam Makar Sankranti - Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu National Kite Festival - Gujarat Orchid Festival Pattadakal Dance Festival - Karnataka Pongal - Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnatakaal Thai Pusam - Tamil Nadu Vasant Panchami - All over India Ali Ai Ligang - Assam Island Tourism Festival - Andaman Island Carnival of Goa Desert Festival - Rajasthan Elephant Festival - Assam Elephanta Festival - Maharashtra International Yoga Week - Rishikesh Kutch Mahotsava - Gujarat Mahashivaratri - All over India Nagur Fair - Rajasthan Sekrenyi - Nagaland Surajkund Craft Mela, Delhi Taj Mahotsava - Utter Pradesh Independance Day - 15th August - all over India Ganesh Chaturthi - Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra          Pradesh, Karnataka Janmashtami - All over India Nagapanchami - West Bengal, Maharashtra and South      India Narial Purnima - Maharashtra Onam - Kerala Pune Festival - Maharastra Raksha Bandhan - North India Teej Festival - North India Christmas - All over India Ellora Festival - Maharshtra Konark Dance Festival - Orissa Buddha Mahotsava Chapchar Kut - Mizoram Eid-ul-Azha / Idd-ul-Azha - Celebrated all over India Elephant Festival - Rajasthan Gangaur Festival- Rajasthan Holi - the festival of colours - Celebrated all over India Hoysala Mahotsava - Karnataka Khajuraho Dance Festival - Madhya Pradesh Koya-Kujia Festival - Abhayapuri, Assam Kumbh Mela - Prayag, Hardwar, Nasik, and Ujjain Mahavir Jayanti - All over India Mewar Festival - Rajasthan Muharram / Ashura - All over India Jamshed-I-Navroz - All over India Ramanavami - Celebrated all over India Baisakhi - Punjab Baishagu - Assam Rongali Bihu / Bohag Bihu- Assam Buddha Purnima - Celebrated all over India Easter - Celebrated all over India Good Friday - Celebrated all over India Rongali Ustav - Assam Rongker and Chomangkan - Assam Teej Festival - Rajastan Ugadi - Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Idd-e-Milad, Milad an Nabi - Observed all over India Urs - Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti - Ajmer, Rajasthan Ganga Dussehra - Utter Pradesh Hemis Festival - Jammu & Kashmir Summer festival - Mount Abu, Rajastan Guru Purnima - All over India Rathyatra - Orissa Sindhu Darshan - Ladhak Tarnetar Mela Durga Puja - Eastern India Dusshera - all over India Kati Bihu or Kangali Bihu - Assam Marwar Festival - Jodhpur, Rajasthan Navaratri - all over India Diwali /Deepavali - Celebrated all over India Guru Purab - North India Hampi Festival / Vijaya Utsav - Hampi, Karnataka Ka Pomblang Nongkrem - Meghalaya Majuli Festival - Assam Pushkar Fair - Rajastan Sharad Purnima - All over India Sonepur Fair - Bihar Tea Festival - Assam

• 	INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL Time: January Duration: One Day Location: Ahmedabad Description: This festival is also known as Uttarayan (known as Makar Sakranti in other parts of India). On this day, the sun starts to travel northwards marking the decline of winter. A feeling of anticipation, joy and jubilation grips all who celebrate the occasion of thanksgiving and merry-making. This festival is celebrated on January 14, when the sky change colors like a rainbow in a glittering sun after the rain and bask in the glory of Uttarayan, when the skies of Gujarat give way to colorful kites. In Gujarat, Uttarayan is a holiday when every family can be met outdoors. People of all ages fly kites from dawn to dusk. There are crowded rooftops, fun-loving rivalry to outdo each other in kite flying skills and delicious traditional Gujarati feast throughout the day. The excitement of the festival continues even after dark. There are illuminated box kites, often in a series strung on one line, to be launched into the sky. Known as tukkals, these kites add a touch of splendor to the dark sky. The day is marked with the traditional food/delicacy festival of Gujarat like the undhiyu (a delicacy of vegetables), jalebi (sweets), til ladoo (sweets made of sesame seeds) and chikki for the guests from different parts of world. Every year, people from different countries come together to be a part of the International Kite Festival.
  	NAVRATRI FESTIVAL Time: March, October Duration: Nine Days Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat Description: The Navratri festival is celebrated for nine nights and is observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer in March and again at the onset of winter in october. It begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. Seeds are sown, sprouting is watched- a sign of prosperity and abundance. Most people consider it the best time of the year to undertake or start new ventures. The festival ends on the Dussera day, when artisans worship their instruments, agriculturists their ploughs, warriors their weapons and students their books. This festival is celebrated twice a year because the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. These two junctions have been chosen as the sacred opportunities for the worship of the divine power because of two reasons. (1) We believe that it is the divine power that provides energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing the changes in the outer nature and that this divine power must be thanked for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. (2) Due to the changes in the nature, the bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change, and hence, we worship the divine power to bestow upon all of us enough potent powers to maintain our physical and mental balance. Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. Together, the three goddesses are worshipped as the feminine equivalent of the Hindu Holy Trinity. The highlights of the festival are the extremely colorful dances of Garbha and Dandiya-Rasa during which, both men and women dressed in the traditional attires of dhoti-kurta (traditional Indian attire worn by men folk, comprising a long shirt and a long flowing garment worn over the lower part of the body), and chania-choli (mirror-work skirts and blouses), put up stunning performances to the vibrant rhythm of music. These dances are performed around the traditionally decorated terracotta pot called the garbi that has a small diya (lamp) burning inside signifying knowledge, or light meant to dissipate the ignorance, or darkness, within.
  	TRINETRESHWAER MAHADEV FAIR Time: August-September Duration: Three Days Location: Temple of Shiva, Gujarat Description: The Tarnetar Fair is one of the most important fairs of Gujarat. Various tribes like the Kolis, the Rabaris, the Bharwards, the Khants, the Khanbis, the Charans and the Kathis, get together to celebrate the famous legendary marriage of Draupadi with Arjuna. Arjuna was the third of the five Pandavas of Hastinapur, who got married to Draupadi - the princess of this region, in the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. This fair is held every year on the 4th, 5th and 6th day of the Shukla Paksha, August-September in Tarnetar. Also known as the Trinetreshwer Mahadev Fair, this three-day festival is held at the 14th century Temple of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer), or Trinetreshwer (Three-Eyed God) who is also popularly known as Tarnetar. This fair represents a unique synthesis of folk music, folk art and color. It highlights the true folk nature of the fair with folk dances like the Rasada (a Gujarati folk dance), performed by hundreds of women moving gracefully in a single circle to the accompaniment of four drums and jodja pava (double flutes). People are mesmerized by bhajans and kirtans (devotional songs) to the tune of folk instruments such as khartals, pakhawaj, dhol and tabla (a range of Indian percussion instruments).The fair has a a number of other attractions too like food tables, cattle show, competitive sports and exhibitions of embroidery. The most distinctive feature is the famous Tarnetar Chhatri (umbrella) embroidered by the bachelors to attract the attention of unmarried girls. These are decorated with extensive mirror work, embroidery and delicate lacework. This fair, a major tourist attraction in Gujarat, symbolizes the rich heritage of Saurashtra and draws thousands of visitors from various parts of the country and abroad.

  	DUSSHERA Time: October-November Duration: One Day Description: Dussehra is the most popular festival in India. It is a Hindu festival, which is celebrated all over India to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.The 'Ramlila' - an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra. On the tenth day (Dussehra or Vijay Dasami), actors dressed as Rama shoot flaming arrows at effigies of Ravana, his son and brother -Meghnadh and Kumbhakarna,stuffed with firecrackers. In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of truth and goodness. Dusshera Puja in India varies from place to place. It differs region to region and it is influenced by local myth and religious beliefs.According to the great Hindu scripture, the Ramayana, Lord Rama performed chandi-puja (holy prayer). This was carried out in order to invoke the blessings of Durga Maa for killing Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Sri Lanka who had abducted Sita, wife of Lord Rama. Durga Maa divulged the secret to Rama on how he could slay the great Ravana. Hence upon vanquishing the demon Ravana, Lord Rama with Sita and younger brother Laxmana, returned victorious to his kingdom of Ayodhya on the day which is called 'Diwali'.The war against Ravan lasted for ten days. Dusshera day is considered a most auspicious day. It is a time-honored belief that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful. Hence, all the undertakings be it laying-in of foundation of a new building, opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the world of learning- are started on this day. Also on this day implements of agriculture, manufacturer's machines, the intellectuals pens, the household articles, the children's school books are placed before the idol of Durga and worshiped.
  	DIWALI Time: October-November Duration: Five days Description: Diwali, 'Festival of Lights', is celebrated with great fervor and gaiety. Diwali comes exactly 20 days after Dussehra on Amavas (new moon), during fortnight of kartik, some time in October or November. It is on the Diwali day that Lord Ram, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the Treta Yug, returned to his capital Ayodhya after the exile of fourteen years. To commemorate the return of Ram, Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya, people celebrate Diwali with the bursting of crackers and by lighting up their houses with earthen diyas. During the Festival of Lights, 'deeps', or oil lamps, are burned throughout the day and into the night to ward off darkness and evil. Diwali is incomplete without fireworks. Old and young alike love the splendor and sparkle of fireworks. The country looks resplendent on Diwali as people light up diyas and candles to mark the 'Festival of Lights'. First Day of Diwali: Dhanteras The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind. This day marks the beginning of Deepawali celebrations and comes two days before Diwali. The word "Dhan" means wealth. Yama Raj, the Lord of Death is worshipped for protection from untimely death. On this day, entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights. Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. Second day of Diwali: Choti Diwali The day before Diwali is celebrated as Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi or 'small Diwali'.On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. It is Diwali on a smaller scale, with fewer lights lit and fewer crackers burst. The morning after Choti Diwali, the women of the house make beautiful, colored rangoli in the doorway and courtyard. Tiny footprints made out of rice paste are a special feature of the rangolis made for Diwali. In Hindu homes, Choti Diwali celebrations involve a ritual puja to Lakshmi and also to Rama in the evening. Songs in honor of the god are sung and aarti is performed."Laxmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung. Third Day of Diwali-Lakshmi Puja The third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi-puja and is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious. Fourth Day of Diwali- Padwa & Govardhan Puja Govardhan-Puja is performed in the North on this day. Govardhan is a small hillock and on this day of Diwalu people of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar build cowdung, hillocks, decorate them with flowers and then worship them. This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Krishna. This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning mountain of food. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook fifty-six or 108 different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. After the prayers and traditional worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach the Mountain of Food and take Prasad from it. Fifth Day of Diwali- Bhai Dooj The fifth day of Deepavali or Diwali is celebrated as Bhaiya Dooj, popularly know as Bhai Dooj. It falls on Dooj, the second day after the new moon. Bhai Dooj falls two days after Diwali. This day Yamaraj went to his sister's house who put an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare. Thus, on this day sisters perform puja for their brothers safety and well being. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters as a token of love. Bhai dooj has its own importance in continuing to maintain the love between brothers and sisters for it is the day of food-sharing, gift-giving and reaching out to the inner most depths of the hearts.
  	ID-UL-FITR Time: Ninth month of Ramzan, Islamic Calender Duration: One Day Description: Id-ul-Fitr means"festival of breaking the fast". This festival marks the end of the month of fasting that characterizes the ninth month of Ramzan in the Islamic calendar. During this month it is obligatory for all believers to fast from dawn to dusk, which means they cannot even drink water. Id is celebrated on the first day of the new moon in Shawwal, which is the month following Ramzan. Every man must go to the mosque on Id for a special prayer service or namaz. Women generally offer namaz at home. Childrem gets gifts on occasion known as Idi. New or clean clothes (usually white as it symbolizes purity and simplicity) are worn and everybody greats one another. It is also the time to forget past grievances. Id is celebrated to thank the Almighty for having revealed the Quean in the month of Ramzan for the guidance of mankind. Id is also a time for giving. A special contribution called zakat is made for the less fortunate, whether relatives or other. The zakat is certain percentage of the value of the giver's wealth. Id is celebrated across India and the Islamic world with great enthusiasm. Id cuisine is enjoyed and loved by people of all communities. The kababs,biryani (specially flavored rice cooked with meat),malpuya,seaiyan(vermicelli) are only amongst a few of the delicacies that fill the streets during the entire month of Ramzan and Id. Apart from Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Zuhat, also known as Bakr-Id in India, is widely celebrated. The word 'bakri' means goat and the festival gets its name from ritual sacrifice of the goat. Prayer meetings and Id milans are part of the celebration as well.
  	CHRISTMAS Time: December Duration: One Day Description: Christmas is the biggest and most-hyped festival of Indian Christians. The festivities for Christmas continue for ten days from December 24 th to January 1, the New Year day. Prayers, plays, parties, carols and fun filled get togethers are a part of Christmas festivities. Also, associated with the celebrations are cakes, Christmas trees, gifts and Santa Claus. Christians and even the non-Christian community participate with great enthusiasm in the various festivities associated with it. People decorate their homes with mango or banana trees instead of traditional pine trees at Christmas time. Candles, small oil-burning lamps made of clay known as 'diyas' that are placed on the tops of walls that give an ethereal feel and look quite beautiful. Churches often have an Evening Service on Christmas and are fabulously decorated with poinsettias and candles. X-mas trees can be seen in the urban trees adorned with familiar stars and tinsels, toys and colorful streamers. Nativity plays in schools and churches on Christmas mornings showcase the Jesus's birth and the scenes from Jesus's lives that usually end with singing hymns and carols and the visit of Santa to distribute candies to kids. In the metros, one can see Santa entertaining the children at departmental stores with a familiar plump belly, a big smile and small toys as gifts. Caroling processions on streets and thoroughfares can also be seen during Christmas.
  	JANAMASHTAMI Time: July-August Duration: One Day Description: Janamashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu is celebrated with great fervour all over India especially at Mathura and Brindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Temples and homes are beautifully decorated and lit. Night long prayers are offered and religious hymns are sung in temples. Janmashtami is observed in the month of (July-August). The idol of the infant Krishna is bathed at midnight and is placed in a cradle. Devotional songs and dances mark the celebration of this festive occasion all over Northern India.On this day, in some parts of India, especially Maharashtra, youths celebrate it by breaking clay pots called 'Dahi-Handi', filled with curd and butter suspended high above the ground, young men and children form human pyramid to reach the pot and break it. This custom follows the habit of Lord Krishna who used to steal butter in this manner from villagers along with his friends. On Janamashtmi, devotees keep daylong fasts and keep themselves awake while chanting holy songs, until midnight follows. Midnight is the moment when Lord Krishna was born. The prayer ceremony is a simple affair. The priests chant holy mantras and bathe the idol of Lord Krishna placed on a swing with charanamrit or ganga-jal (water from the holy Ganges River), milk, ghee (clarified butter), oil, and honey from a conch shell. Midnight prayers amidst the sound of hymns and religious songs extol the greatness of Lord Krishna. Devotees break their day-long fast and chant - "Radhe Krishna, Hare Krishna, Radhe Radhe."