India is considered to be a spiritual and holy land where several religions are followed and many deities are worshipped. In India, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism are the main religions which are rigorously practiced and followed. The other native Indian religions include Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Parsism.
But in modern era, Hinduism is mainly practiced and obeyed. The other natively Indian religions include Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. More than nine-tenths of Indian state holds priority where religion plays very important role.
Moreover, Hinduism is considered to be the largest religion in India. Then comes Islam, which is a monotheistic religion centered around the belief in one God and following the example of Muhammad, then falls Christianity, which is centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Then comes, Buddhism which is a , nontheistic religion and philosophy. Buddhists form majority populations in the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Then comes Jainism, which revolves as a nontheistic dharmic religion and philosophical system originating in Iron Age India. Sikhism which commenced in early 16th century in North India acquiring all the teachings of Nanak. Then finally comes Parsis religion which is quite popular.
But in modern era, Hinduism is mainly practiced and obeyed. The other natively Indian religions include Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. More than nine-tenths of Indian state holds priority where religion plays very important role.
Moreover, Hinduism is considered to be the largest religion in India. Then comes Islam, which is a monotheistic religion centered around the belief in one God and following the example of Muhammad, then falls Christianity, which is centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Then comes, Buddhism which is a , nontheistic religion and philosophy. Buddhists form majority populations in the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Then comes Jainism, which revolves as a nontheistic dharmic religion and philosophical system originating in Iron Age India. Sikhism which commenced in early 16th century in North India acquiring all the teachings of Nanak. Then finally comes Parsis religion which is quite popular.
Hindu's Festivals: Hindus celebrate a number of festivals which include birth of gods, marriage of the gods, victory of the gods, death of asuras, harvests, the new-year, full moons, new moons, birthdays, initiations, marriages, deaths, anniversaries and the list goes on. Apart from festivals like Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Dusshera, Durga Puja, Navratri, there are festivals which are celebrated by specific tribes and communities in individual states as well. So almost every month, one festival or the other is being celebrated somewhere in India by the Hindus.
- Holi
- Makar Sankranti
- Lohri
- Pongal
- Maha Shivratri
- Vasant Panchami
- Ram Navami
- Guru Purnima
- Rath Yatra
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Onam
- Janmashtami
- Raksha Bandhan
- Navratra
- Dusshera
- Karva Chauth
- Diwali
- Bhai Dooj
- Govardhan Puja
- Brahmotsavam
- Karni Mata Mela
- Pitr Paksh
- Ramlila
- Sitabari fair
- Aanvla Navami
- Dev Uthani Ekadashi
- Dhanteras
- Maharishi Valmiki jayanti
- Rambarat
- Beneshwar Fair (Dungarpur, Rajasthan)
- Kumbh Mela (Haridwar)
- Makara Sankranti / Uttarayan
- Thai poosam
- Chaitra_Navratri
- Gangaur Festival
- Hanuman Jayanti
- Mewar Festival
- RamNavmi
- Ugadi
- Mahavir Jayanti
- Holla Mohalla
Muslim Festivals
Muslims celebrate a number of festivals all round the year. An interesting thing of their festivals is that they are based on Hegira and follow the lunar calendar rather than the Georgian calendar. The festivals of the Muslims do not have months that correspond to the seasons. Muharram is one of their main festivals which fall on the first Muslim month. Other festivals are Bakri-id, Shab-I-Barat, Ramzan Id, and Milad-Ul-Nabi.
Festivals:
Festivals:
- Muharram
- Id-ul-Zuha (Bakri-id)
- Shab-I-Barat
- Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Id)
- Milad-Un-Nabi
- Barawafat
- Giaravahin Sharif
- Hazarat Ali's Birthday
- Shabbe Mirag
- Barabanki Mela
Festivals of the Sikhs
The Sikhs celebrate their festivals in their own individual ways along with some of the major festivals of the Hindus like Holi, Dusshera and Diwali. The festivals unique to the Sikhs have little to do with worship of God. Instead, the events celebrate the achievements in the lives of the 10 Sikh gurus and their teachings who is the most important person in Sikhism. The birthdays of the first and the last gurus, Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, are celebrated with all the pomp of festivals.
Bhakti is central to the religion and therefore most of their festivities are accompanied by lot of music and song. Its festivals are marked by the singing of gurbani or holy songs, and readings from the holy book.
Bhakti is central to the religion and therefore most of their festivities are accompanied by lot of music and song. Its festivals are marked by the singing of gurbani or holy songs, and readings from the holy book.
Festivals:
- Guru Nanak Jayanti
- Guru Purab
- Holla Mohalla
- Lohri
- Birthday Guru Ramdassji
- Installation of Guru Granth Sahibji
- Sodal mela
- Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
Festivals of the Jains
The Jains celebrate several festivals all round the year. The festivals are connected with the births and deaths of the Tirthankaras. The important festivals are Paryushana practiced by the Svetambara sect of the Jains, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated the birth anniversary of Mahavir and Mahamastak Abhishek meaning 'the grand ceremonial head anointing of Bahubali’ celebrated in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka.
Festivals:
The Jains celebrate several festivals all round the year. The festivals are connected with the births and deaths of the Tirthankaras. The important festivals are Paryushana practiced by the Svetambara sect of the Jains, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated the birth anniversary of Mahavir and Mahamastak Abhishek meaning 'the grand ceremonial head anointing of Bahubali’ celebrated in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka.
Festivals:
- Mahavir Jayanti
- Paryushana
- Mahamastak Abhishek
- Deep Diwali
- Paryushan
Christian Festivals
Festivals of Christians are celebrated in as much the way as other festivals. The Christians celebrate festivals like Easter, Christmas and Good Friday. They are colorful and full of religious sentiments. The areas which were under French and Portuguese rule like Goa adds distinct European flavor to the festivals. The churches all over India also hold regular masses and prayers to mark the occasions.
Festivals
Festivals
- Christmas
- Easter
- Good Friday
Festivals of the Buddhists
Buddhists have festivals centered on Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. It is said that most of the festivals were started by Buddha himself. However, in India, one doesn’t see much of the hype centered on these festivals as in other religions. Festivals are more religious and spiritual than social in nature. The festivals are a way of reminding themselves of the righteous path they need to follow.
Festivals
Festivals
- Buddha Purnima
- Hemis Gompa
- Losar
- Ullambana
Festivals of Sindhis
Name of the festival: Chaliho Sahib
Place and community: Chailo or Chailo Sahib is a festival of the Sindhu Community.
Month: Chailo Sahib is a forty day fast observed by the Sindhis in the months of July-August. They pray to Lord Jhulelal for forty days and after the fast is over they celebrate the occasion as Thanks Giving Day with lots of gusto and festivities.
Place and community: Chailo or Chailo Sahib is a festival of the Sindhu Community.
Month: Chailo Sahib is a forty day fast observed by the Sindhis in the months of July-August. They pray to Lord Jhulelal for forty days and after the fast is over they celebrate the occasion as Thanks Giving Day with lots of gusto and festivities.
Name of the Festival: Cheti Chand
Place or Community: Cheti Chand is Sindhi New Year and celebrated by the Sindhis all around the world.
Month: Cheti Chand is observed on the first day of the month of Chaitra. Chaitra is known as Cheti in Sindhi, hence Cheti Chand.
Place or Community: Cheti Chand is Sindhi New Year and celebrated by the Sindhis all around the world.
Month: Cheti Chand is observed on the first day of the month of Chaitra. Chaitra is known as Cheti in Sindhi, hence Cheti Chand.
Parsi Festivals
Parsi community is a relatively small community in India compared to Hindus, Parsis or Christians. They mostly are concentrated in Gujarat and Mumbai. It is precisely because of its small number that Parsi festivals are not visible. The Zoroastrian religion is founded on the three tenets of 'Good thoughts, good words and good deeds.' The Zoroastrians are particular and careful about their religion and their festivals are also structured to reflect the chief aims of Zoroastrianism.
Festivals
Festivals
- Gahambars
- Jamshed Navroz (Parsi New Year)
- Khordad Sal
- Zarthost No Deeso
