Festivals & Celebration

India as a country, with its unified diversity, houses many cultures and religions. This has led to celebration of numerous festivals across the year. Each festival has its own history, legend and significance as thousands join in with passion.

One of the most colourful festivals celebrated in the world, Holi is representative of India’s essence and vibrancy. Celebrated across two days in the month of March; on the first day communities come together to burn a bonfire to commemorate the sacrifice of Holika and the next day people come out to play with colours. Among the famous places to celebrate Holi in India, Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka and Kumaon region of Uttarakhand are the best.

The festival of lights, Diwali is one the Indian festivals which is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm across the country in different ways. The word is derived from Sanskrit word Dipavali, meaning ‘rows of lighted lamps’. According to Hindu beliefs, when Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years after defeating Ravana, the people welcomed them with lighting of lamps. It also celebrated the day MahaDurga destroyed a demon called Mahisha. Therefore this festival also celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is a five day festival which spreads over cleaning of the house, decoration with lights, prayers on the third day and celebrating with friends. The last day is called Bhai Dooj where the brother visits his sisters to renew their bond and celebrate with sweets.