India is a land of festivals. India, being a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, celebrates festivals throughout the year. No matter what month of a year, which season, festivals are always round the corner. Festivals are an expressive way to celebrate glorious heritage, culture and traditions.
India has three national holidays – Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanthi. National holidays which are observed in all states and union territorries.
Some Indian festivals are celebrated on occasion of birthday Divine begins, saints, gurus and national heroes. There are some festivals which are celebrated in different names with different fashion in various parts of India. Certain festivals in India are celebrated by multiple religions. There are festivals are celebarted to welcome rains, the seasons of the year, harvest season or full moon. Most of the festival date varies due to use of solar and lunar calendar.
New Year in India is celebrated with unique style in different parts of the country at different time. They are known by different names – Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, Thapna, cheti Chand, Rongali Bihu, Puthandu, Vishu, Bishuva Sankranti, Poila Boishakh, Navreh and Vaisakhi.
There are festivals which are celebrated by multiple religions. For example, Vaisakhi is celebrated by both Hindus and sikhs in Punjab. Diwali and Holi are also celebrated by other religion with great enthusiasm.
Islam in India is the second largest religion with over 172 million Muslims, according to India’s 2011 census. The Islamic festivals which are observed and are declared public holiday in India are; Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Adha-(Bakri Eid), Milad un Nabi, Muharram and Shab-e-Barat.
It is home to many Christain festivals and it is third largest religion in India. The country celebrates Christmas and Good Friday as public holidays.
Parsi Zoroastrians population in India was 69601 according to India’s 2001 Census report. Nowruz is the most important festival among the Parsi community of India and is declared public holiday.
Besides the religious and seasonal festivals, there are Music and dance festivals which attract the country’s best performers of classical and folk dance, music and theater.