| Fairs
and Festivals of india |
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 Indian
Festivals, celebrated
by varied cultures
and through their
special rituals, add
to the colours of
the Indian Heritage.
Some festivals welcome
the seasons of the
year, the harvest,
the rains, or the
full moon. Others
celebrate religious
occasions, the birthdays
of divine beings,
saints, and gurus
(revered teachers),
or the advent of the
New Year. A number
of these festivals
are common to most
parts of India. However,
they may be called
by different names
in various parts of
the country or may
be celebrated in a
different fashion.
Many festivals celebrate
the various harvests;
commemorate great
historical figures
and events, while
many express devotion
to the deities of
different religions.
Every celebration
is centered around
the rituals of prayer,
seeking blessings,
exchanging goodwill,
decorating houses,
wearing new clothes,
music, dance and feasting.
In India every region
and every religion
has something to celebrate.
The festivals reflect
the vigour and life-style
of its people. Vibrant
colours, music and
festivity make the
country come alive
throughout the year.
 The
emphasis laid on the
different festivals
differs in different
parts of the country.
For instance, Navaratri
is celebrated with
maximum fervour in
West Bengal as compared
to that in other parts
of the country. Holi
is celebrated with
gusto in the north,
and although it is
also observed in the
western and eastern
parts of India, in
the south it is almost
unknown. There are
also a few regional
festivals like Pongal
in Tamil Nadu; Onam
in Kerala and the
various other temple
festivals devoted
to the specific patron
Gods and Goddesses
of the temples, which
are celebrated exclusively
in those areas, which
may be limited to
one or a few villages.
This galaxy of festivals
that exist do contribute
in inter-spicing Indian
life with gaiety and
colour as also in
giving the country
the distinction of
having the maximum
number of holidays.
Colorful and lively,
the fairs and festivals
of India are major
attractions of the
country. Reflecting
the vibrant culture
of the country, these
events occupy a prime
place in the Indian
tourism industry,
as many people visit
the country in order
to participate in
them.
The culture of India
is aptly reflected
through its numerous
festivals and fairs.
Bringing out the true
spirit of the Indian
people and their society,
the Indian festivals
find their roots in
the traditions, religious
beliefs, myths and
the seasons of the
country.
 The
fairs and festivals
either celebrate the
change of seasons
or are of a religious
nature. For instance,
Mewar Festival and
Holi are celebrated
to mark the coming
of the spring season.
Teej of Rajasthan
marks the onset of
the monsoon. On the
other hand, Onam in
Kerala and Bihu in
Assam are celebrated
to mark the harvesting
season. Other festivals,
like the konark Dance
Festival, promote
the culture of India.
Religious festivals
are innumerable over
here. Durga Puja,
Ganesh Chaturthi,
Janmastami, Christmas,
Eid-ul-Fitr, Rath
Yatra, Vasant Panchami,
Ram Nabami and others
are some of the popular
religious festivals
of India. Apart from
these, the other festivals
that are celebrated
include Desert Festival,
Elephant Festival,
Raksha Bandhan, Nouroz,
Diwali and Dusssehra
amongst others.
A large number of
fairs are also held
in India from time
to time. People from
far and wide come
to take part in these
fairs. In fact, many
tourists plan their
vacations according
to the time of occurrence
of these fairs. Pushkar
Fair, Urs Ajmer Fair
and Surajkund Crafts
Fair are some of the
famous fairs of India.
The Kumbh Mela and
the colorful and grand
Goa Carnival are extremely
popular among the
locals as well as
the tourists.
The fairs and festivals
of India are held
according to the lunar
calendar. During these
colorful events people
of all sects, castes
and religions come
together and join
in the revelry. Processions
are held, prayers
are offered, gifts
are exchanged and
people dance and sing
during these multicolored
events. Bringing out
the true colors of
the rich Indian culture,
the fairs and festivals
of India play an important
role in attracting
tourists to the country.
These festivals are
an integral part of
the life of the people
of the country.
 India
is the land of festivities!
A large number of
fairs and festivals
in the country are
celebrated throughout
the year, with much
enthusiasm and gusto.
Infact, these fairs
and festivals add
color to the mundane
everyday life of the
people. Some of the
fairs and festivals,
like Deepawali, have
been celebrated in
the country since
ages and find their
origin in the mythological
texts and scriptures.
Some others have been
based on interesting
legends, while several
of them signify the
win of good over evil.
Even the nature of
fairs and festivals
celebrated in India
differs to quite an
extent. A number of
festivities have a
religious significance
attached to them.
Then, there are those
that are related to
the changing seasons,
basically to the onset
of the harvesting
season. Many fairs
and festivals of India
are celebrated to
promote tourism or
to promote the regional
arts and crafts, music,
dances, etc. Some
of them are organized
on a yearly basis
to showcase the rich
Indian culture and
heritage.
Amongst the most important
festivals of India
are Diwali, Dussehra,
Raksha Bandhan, Bhaiya
Dooj, Lohri, Baisakhi,
Makar Sakranti, Shivratri,
Janamashtmi, Pongal,
Vishu, Onam, etc.
Amongst the major
fairs of the country
are Kumbh Mela, Ardh-Kumbh
Fair, Pushkar Fair,
Nagaur Fair, Goa Carnival,
Kutchh Mahotsav, Taj
Mahotsav, Surajkund
Crafts Mela, etc.
These fairs and festivals
generate enthusiasm
amongst people and
give them a reason
to celebrate. If you
want to be a part
of these festivities,
visit India during
the months of October
to March, when most
of these fairs and
festivals are celebrated. |
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