Festivals over the ages have served as a significant part of Indian culture, letting individuals present values and emotions. Each community has its festivals and holidays, yet plenty of religious groups participate in these celebrations. People in India celebrate festivals all year long. India, as a secular nation, witnesses the celebration of numerous festivals related to different faiths and communities. Visit India and book one of the tours from the best travel agency in India, Titlyy that will let you absorb a very special festive spirit.
Here is a list of the major festivals in India worth celebrating:
- Ganesh Chaturthi:
The spectacular eleven-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrates the birth of the elephant-head god, Lord Ganesha. People celebrate by worshipping Large, elaborately crafted statues of Lord Ganesha. People bring the idols to their homes and install them at local community podiums; these idols are specially constructed and beautifully decorated.
After the completion of the festival, people parade the statues through the streets, accompanied by a great deal of singing and dancing, to submerge in the ocean, marking the return of the Lord to his home. Mumbai offers the opportunity to even tourists to enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
- Navratri:
Navratri, the ‘nine nights’ festival, marks the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine manifestations. Navratri is one of the most auspicious occasions of the Hindu community. People dance in honor of the Mother Goddess. On The tenth day, people celebrate ‘Dussehra’ to celebrate the victory of the revered Goddess Durga over the evil demon Mahishasura, and the celebration coincides with the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama. Navaratri is celebrated with great zeal in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Besides, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab also celebrate the festival, and booking one of the India Escorted Tours will let you enjoy the vibe. The eastern part of India celebrates Navratri as Durga Puja, signifying the homecoming of mother Durga along with her children Ganesh, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Karthikeya. People dress in new clothes and visit various pandal decorations. The festival is a social and theatrical event.
- Onam:
People of Kerala celebrate Onam, a traditional ten-day Hindu harvest festival marking the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. People dress in new clothes and decorate the ground with flowers and seeds to welcome the King. Also, people cook a homemade feast of traditional delicacies served on plantain leaves. Cultural festivities include parades of fireworks, ornately dressed elephants, Kathakali dance performances, and snake boat races.
- Diwali:
Diwali signifies the start of the Hindu New Year. Diwali, the five-day festival, signifies the victory of good over evil. People illuminate their homes with oil lamps celebrating the victory of Lord Rama (signifying good) over the demon Ravana(signifying evil). India’s visually appealing festival, Diwali, creates a general atmosphere of warmth and happiness in the air. Places to visit during Diwali include Varanasi, Jaipur, Delhi, and many more.
- Dussehra in Kullu:
Kullu Dussehra, held in Kullu Valley, marks the triumph of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king Ravana. People create effigies of Ravana and his brothers and then burn them, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, signifying that good actions will always conquer evil ones.
The country’s cultural landscape presents a plethora of festivals carrying unique significance, traditions, and rituals. So book one of the Best Tour Packages India with Titlyy for enjoying the vibrant celebration of festivals.