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Makar
Sankranti/Pongal/Magha Bihu (14 January) :
Makar Sankranti is a major festival of India which is
celebrated on 14th January. This festival is celebrated in
the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by
the name of Pongal and Magh Bihu. Bull fights and bullock races are important features
of the celebrations. This festival is also celebrated in the
northern region where millions of pilgrims take a holy dip in the
Ganges and on this day the people also fly kites. |
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Republic
Day (26 January) :
Republic Day is the national festival of India and is observed throughout the country
on 26th January. This day is celebrated to mark the inauguration of the Republic of India on 26th
January, 1950. In Delhi, the celebration include a magnificent
parade of the armed forces and folk dances from all over
India. |
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Id-Ul-Zuha :
Id-Ul-Zuha is celebrated by the Muslim community. On this
day the people fast and rejoice whole day. The date of
this festival is not fixed. It is on the appearance of the
holy moon. |
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Maha
Shivaratri :
Maha Shivaratri is also celebrated all over India. It is
one of the main festival of Hindus. On this day the Hindus
worship Lord Shiva and do fasting the whole day. |
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Moharram :
This festival
is celebrated by the Muslim community. The date of this
festival is not fixed. It is on the appearance of the holy
moon. |
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Holi/Dhulandi :
The festival of Holi is one of the major festivals of India. This festival is celebrated all over
India by the people of all religions. On this day men, women and children throw coloured water and
powder on each other. They also exchange greetings and
sweets among each other. |
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Rama
Navami :
Rama Navami is celebrated on the occasion of birth of Lord Rama,
the hero of epic Ramayana. This festival is also celebrated all over India.
On this day the
epic Ramayana is recited in temples and homes. |
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Mavavir
Jayanti :
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the main festivals of Jains.
This festival is celebrated by Jains to mark the birth of Lord
Mahavira. |
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Baisakhi :
Baisakhi is a very popular festival of Punjab. It is celebrated
to mark the harvesting season. To rejoice on this occasion,
Bhangra and Giddha dances are performed all over Punjab. |
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Independence
Day (15 August) :
Independence Day is the national festival of India and is observed throughout the country
on 15th August. This day is celebrated as on 15th August,
1947 India got independence. |
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Raksha
Bandhan :
Raksha Bandhan is also a major festival celebrated by Hindus
and Sikhs particularly in northern
India. The sisters tie holy thread or Rakhi on the wrists of
their brothers wishing for their long life. The brothers take oath
to protect the honour and help them in adversaries. |
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Janmashtami :
Janmashtami is celebrated on the occasion of the birth of Lord
Krishna. This festival is celebrated all over India by
Hindus. This festival is celebrated with with great
enthusiasm especially in Mathura and
Vrindavan, which are closely associated with the childhood
of Lord Krishna.
On this day the people fast whole day. |
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Ganesh
Chaturthi :
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated due to birth of Lord
Ganesha. This festival is celebrated with great
enthusiasm all over India, especially in Maharashtra. On
this day the Hindu devotees worship Lord Ganesha. |
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Gandhi
Jayanti (2 October) :
Gandhi Jayanti is the national festival of India and is
celebrated on 2nd October. This festival is celebrated due
to the birth of Mahatma Gandhi - the father of
the nation. |
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Dushehra :
Dushehra
festival signifying the triumph of good over evil is celebrated
all over North India. In North India, the Ramlila based on
the story of epic Ramayana is staged for ten days to commemorate the heroism of Lord Rama.
On the last day the Dussehra is celebrated. This festival
is celebrated with great joy especially in Bengal and
Gujarat. In Bengal, it is
observed as Durga Puja and Bengali people worship goddess
Durga for 5 days. On the last day the images of the goddess
Durga are immersed in lakes and rivers. |
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Deepawali :
Deepawali is the major festival of Hindus celebrated all
over India. This festival is also known as festival of
lights. On this day every city, town and villages are turned
into a fairyland with millions of electric light,
candles and oil lamps illuminating homes and public buildings.
On this day the goddess Laxmi -
the goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped. |
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Id-Ul-Fitra :
This festival is celebrated by the Muslim community. It is an occasion for
fasting and rejoicing. The date of this
festival is not fixed. It is on the appearance of the holy
moon. |
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Guru
Nanak Jayanti :
Guru Nanak Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of
Sikhism. This festival is celebrated with great devotion
by Sikhs all over India. |
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Christmas Day (25 December)
:
Christmas Day is celebrated due to the birth of Jesus Christ
on 25th December. This festival is celebrated by
Christians all over India. On this day the people exchange
greetings and gifts and offer prayers in Church. |