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Independence Day is the national festival of India and is observed throughout the country on 15th August. On 15th August, 1947 India got independence and later from this day onwards it is celebrated as Independence Day.

Janmashtami is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. This festival is celebrated at midnight in all the temples of Krishna all over the country. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Mathura and Brindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Colorful Raslilas, song and dance dramas depicting the life of Lord Krishna are performed all day and night. On this day the night long prayers are offered, religious hymns are sung in temples and various scenes are enacted from Lord Krishna’s early life. In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd and butter are hung high up over the streets and young men form pyramids and try to break these pots. This is an act in imitation of the Lord who when young, often stole butter and curds kept in earthen pots out of his reach.

Onam is Kerala’s most popular festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Onam celebration commences ten days ahead on Attam and culminates on Thiruvonam. The festival marks the end of monsoon and heralds the harvest season. This is a unique festival is celebrated in honour of an ‘Asura’ or demon. 

It is primarily a harvest festival celebrated to welcome the spirit of the pious King Mahabali from eternal exile and to assure him that his people are happy and wish him well. Mahabali ever fond of his land and subjects was allowed to visit the land once a year on the day of Onam. At Trichur, beautifully decorated elephants take part in a spectacular procession. There is also a magnificent display of fireworks. At Shoranur, appreciative crowds gather on the green where colorfully dressed Kathakali dancers re-enact the well-loved stories of the epic heroes and virtuous women. On the second day of the festival, every home is lit bright and decorated in preparation for the visit of King Mahabali. Greetings are exchanged and lengths of auspicious saffron cloth are presented by friends to one another. People adorn their homes with colourful flower carpets, which increase in size as the festival draws to an end, wear new clothes and prepare a sumptuous lunch for Mahabali. The major attraction of this festival is the Vallam Kali, the snake boat race held on the picturesque backwaters. About a hundred oarsmen row huge and graceful odee(boats). Oars dip and flash to the rhythm of drums and cymbols in each boat. In the evening, girls perform the Kyekottikali (the clapping dance) in the open around the traditional brass lamp.

In the festival of Nag Panchami the snakes, the symbols of energy and prosperity are worshipped. In Maharashtra and West Bengal the snake charmers go from house to house with their cobras closed in the cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing. Women worship these snakes by offering them milk and cooked rice. Some people bring clay snakes to their home and worship them and later immerse them in the sea. In the south India, particularly in Kerala, snake temples are crowded on this day and stone or metal icons of the cosmic serpent Ananta or Shesha are worshipped.

Raksha Bandhan is the famous Hindu festival which is celebrated mainly in north India. This is a festival when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affections. The sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother’s wrist wishing for their long life. The brothers in turn promise to protect the honour and help them in adversaries and also gave them gifts. The sea God Varuna, a Vedic deity, is also worshipped on this day and is as such known as Narial Purnima or ‘Coconut Full Moon’.
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Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated due to the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is one of the most important festivals in India which is celebrated with great fun in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh and in some parts of North India. On this day, the lord Ganesha is worshipped to remove all obstacles and ensure smooth progress in all ventures during the year. In Maharashtra especially in Bombay, small, big and gigantic images of Lord Ganesha are worshipped for ten days at the community or family festivals. On the last day they are taken out in a large procession, amidst the rhythm of bells and drums to the water front and immersed.

Teej is an important festival of Rajasthan that welcomes the advent of the monsoon. The presiding deity of the festival is the goddess Parvati. Idols of the goddess are taken out in colourful processions accompanied by song and dance. Decorated swings are put up all over and women in exotic attires swing on them singing in praise of the goddess.