festivals of india
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FESTIVALS OF INDIA. - Anil Kumar Cheerla. Source: festivals.igiftstoindia.com. India – Heritage & Culture. India - Oldest civilization with rich cultural heritage dating back to 8000 BC - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
FESTIVALSFESTIVALS
OFOFINDIAINDIA
- - Anil Kumar CheerlaAnil Kumar Cheerla
Source: festivals.igiftstoindia.com
India – Heritage & CultureIndia – Heritage & Culture
• India - Oldest civilization with rich cultural heritage dating back to 8000 BC
• Cultural diversity – a unique assimilation of ethnic groups with different languages, culture, religion, race, dance, music and architecture
• A land of festivals and fairs – regions with unique social and cultural identities
• Festivals symbolize the spirit of tolerance, harmony and universal peace
Festivals of IndiaFestivals of India• Festivals pertain to different occasions
– welcome the seasons of the year, – the harvest, – the rains, or – the full moon– celebrate religious occasions – birthdays of divine beings and saints or– the advent of the New Year
• Festivals - Combinations of religious ceremonies, semi-ritual spectacles, worship, prayer, lustrations, processions, music, dances, magical acts, eating, drinking, love and feeding the poor
List of Selected FestivalsList of Selected FestivalsHindu Festivals1. Baisakhi2. Basant Panchami3. Diwali4. Durga Puja5. Onam6. Holi7. Janmasthami8. Karwa Chauth9. Mahashivaratri10. Makar Sankranti11. Naag Panchmi12. Ganesh Puja13. Navratri14. Pongal15. Rakhi16. Ramnavami
Christian Festivals 17. Christmas 18. Ester 19. Good Friday
Sikh Festivals20. Guru Nanak Jayanti 21.Lohri
Muslim Festival22.Bakra Eid 23. Eid-ul-fitr 24. Muhorram
Buddhist Festival25. Buddha Purnima
Jain Festival 26. Mahavir Jayanti
National Festivals27.Independence Day 28.Republic Day29.Gandhi Jayanti30.Children’s Day 31. Teacher’s Day
HoliHoli
A Complete Festival. Its about– Color of life – Successful Harvest– New Year– Harmony across all barriers
• Bonfire at night, throw colored water and feast
Ganesh UtsavGanesh Utsav
Festival in honor of Ganesha, elephantheaded deity – remover of obstacles
– Celebrated for 10 days
– Huge clay idols made, decorated
– Prayers offered, idols immersed in a river, lake or the sea
JanmashtamiJanmashtami
Human incarnation of Lord Vishnu asKrishna – born to kill demon King Kansa
– Date: Eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana (July-August)
– Fasting, praying, temples and homes are beautifully decorated and lit
– Rasalila performances
RakshabandhanRakshabandhan
Celebrates the love of a brother for his Sister
– Celebrated on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Sravana (July/August)
– Sisters tie rakhi for protection against evil influences
– Prayers for long life and happiness
NavratriNavratri
Celebration of mother goddess – Durga
– Symbolizes victory of good over evil
– Fasting for nine days
– Sing, dance and merriment
DeepawaliDeepawali
Festival of lights symbolizing the victory ofrighteousness and the lifting of spiritualdarkness
– Celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika (October/November)
– Illuminated Streets lamps, homes decorated
with colors and candles
– New clothes, firecrackers and sweets
RamanavamiRamanavami
Commemorates the birth of Rama, emblemof righteousness
– Symbolizes defeat of evil
– Celebrated on the on the ninth day after the new moon in Sukul Paksh (April)
– Sing devotional bhajans, offer prayers and distribute prasad
Id-ul-ZuhaId-ul-Zuha
Festival of great rejoice, special prayers andexchange of greetings and gifts
– Commemorates the life of Ismail, son of Ibrahim.
– Devotion to Allah and his desires
– Tradition of sacrificing a goat
– completion of Haj
Guru Nanak JayantiGuru Nanak Jayanti
Celebration of the birth anniversary of GuruNanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith
– Religion - a single God who is the eternal truth
– Three-day Akhand Path – reading holy sikh book
– Processions, religious hymns & community lunch
ChristmasChristmas
Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
– Midnight mass and merrymaking group dances
– Carols, and message of love and brotherhood
– decorate homes with trees, exchange greetings and gifts
ConclusionConclusion• Festivals represent the spirit of Indian
culture and society
• Represents people from diverse backgrounds, regions, communities and religion
• People revel in the feeling of friendship, brotherhood and revelry – brings harmony, peace and universal brotherhood