10 Most Popular Hindu Festivals of India

Name any season in India, which passes uncelebrated.
Not able to find one….!!
Well, that is the beauty and excitement of this Nation.

India, has no dearth of occasions when it comes to its festivities. There is no count and end to celebrations on this land, where each season brings its own colours and vibrancy. Well, it gives one plenty of opportunities of happiness, ravishment and togetherness.

This land, with multiplicity in traditions, cultures and religion has its root grounded to unity. It finds congeniality and affinity in this diversity only.  And the primary source of this connection and association of the entire Nation remains these festivals only. The festival season, is an open invitation to every religion to participate in each other’s celebration in high spirits and this is where these occasions find their true cause and meaning.

So, let us discuss about some of the most popular Hindu festivals that are celebrated all over the Country:

1. Diwali

Let us begin this string of festivities with the grandest and the most pomp festival of India, Diwali. This festival marks the return of lord Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Till date, this festival is celebrated with the greatest zeal and happiness. The cities are dotted with glistening streets, and flaunted markets. Other things that marks the festival is the exchange of sweets, get togethers, bustling crackers and Laxmi Pooja.

2. Holi

Perhaps, Holi is the most fun and crazy festival of India. Its celebration also begins days before, when children would start throwing water balloons on you. This is how it is supposed to be celebrated.

On Holi’s eve, a Holika (sacred bonfire) is lit and people pray around it. The next day, streets are spotted with hues of people, applying colours on each other and throwing water.

3. Dussehra

Dussehra, yet another festival of triumph of good over evil. The pre-stage of the festival is laid 10 days back when every town in the country would have Ram Leela organized and performed. Actors, of the show beautifully depict Rama’s victory over Ravana and on the last day the effigies of Ravana and his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhkaran would be burnt. These huge effigies are indeed a marvelous sight in themselves and throngs of people gather around to see their devastation.

4. Navratri

Navratri felicitate the strength and power of Indian Goddess, Durga. Different incarnations and forms of Durga are worshipped all through these nine days. But, the unique feature about this festival is that beliefs and celebrations regarding it vary throughout the country, yet, it stands to be the most extended yet joyous felicitation. 

5. Krishna Janmashtmi

This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. All the temples are festooned with beautiful lights and flowers and thronged with huge crowd on this day. The beautiful part about Krishna Janmashtmi festival is children attired as the characters from Krishna’s life. These Jhankis are the enticing feature for people who roam around the cities and gather a lot of attention.

6. Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi festival lasts for a total of eleven days of which all the days are marked with grand celebrations. Idols of lord Ganesha are installed at homes and temples which are worshipped through this period of 10 days and on the eleventh day these idols are taken to be drowned in water bodies. The adieu of Ganesha is believed to carry away all the sufferings and sorrows and hence is felicitated with great thrill and fun.

7. Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela sees maximum number of people assembled together at one place. Yes, this is the greatest human fair in this history of mankind and this sight is so immense that it could be seen from the space also.

Well, this grand congregation pilgrims to The Ganges once every twelve year to take bath in its holy water. It is believed that a dip in the water of Ganga during this time is sure to free you from the chakras of Birth and rebirths. This is why a huge number i.e. around 100 million people reaches the banks of this devout river.

8. Shivratri

Shivratri is, the great night of the Shiva, the night when lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married to each other. People fast during the entire day and break after midnight only. The temples are also decorated beautifully and lakhs of people visit them on this auspicious day. Devotees stand in queues to offer milk and bael to lord shiva.

9. Raksha Bandhan

This adorable festival is more about emotions then grand celebrations. On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a decorative thread on the wrist of their brothers who in turn promise them a lifetime of support and protection.

10. Rama Navmi

The birth of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu is celebrated on this day. Temples are echoed with chanting of Ramayana and carols of Rama. Also, there are people who fast and breaks it in the evening only at the sight of moon.