India is widely known for its love for festivities. The Indian people do not shy away from displaying their rich culture, despite their religious differences. Here is a list of the top Indian festivals to look out for this year.
Holi
Popularly referred to as the colors festivities, Holi is celebrated annually in March. This year, the festival will be celebrated on March the 2nd. During this time, shouts of joy fill the air as people smear colored powder on one another, light bonfires, and get soaked in water.
The meaning of this festival varies between the North and the South as people from the south attribute it to the fate of Kamadeva (the God of love and lust), while those from the north attribute it to devotion and purity over wickedness and ego.
Diwali
Diwali is one the most recognized festivals in the whole of India and the world at large. Also known as the light festival, Diwali is celebrated yearly in the months of October or November. This year, it will take place on November the 7th.
During this time, the Hindu community takes time off work to go into a five-day celebration of the victory of evil over good. Whereas the North of India celebrates this day to commemorate Lord Rama’s triumphant return to Ayodhya after triumphing over Ravana, the Southern part commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the notorious demon Narakasura. The celebration differs depending on the location, so you can always book Delhi to Goa flights at low cost for a change of pace.
Dussehra
Also referred to as Vijayadashami, Dussehra is a Hindu festivity that is celebrated annually in either September or October to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. This year, the festival is expected to take place on the 19th of October. The Hindu community celebrates this 10-day festival by decorating their markets, indulging in Ram-leela acts, burning effigies of Ravana, and much more.
Krishna Janmashtami
This festival is most loved and celebrated by the Hindu community as the birth of Lord Krishna. Celebrated yearly on the 8th day of the lunar fortnight, Krishna Janmashtami involves a lot of fasting and feasting to break the day. This year, the celebrations will take place on September the 3rd and it is more popular in Mathura and Vrindavan than any other places.
Durga Puja
Also referred to as Navratri, the festival lasts a total of nine nights and is one of the most religiously oriented of the Indian festivals. The festivities are marked with lots of fasting, feasting, and dancing. It is set to begin on the 9th of October with an incredible display of plush pandals, ten outstanding armed Durga idols, the puja, etc. It is a beautiful ceremony and cultural display as women dance and rejoice in worship.
Conclusion
Would you like to partake in some of these Indian festivities? If yes, then make plans to attend at least a couple of these festivals this year – trust us, you won’t regret your experience.
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