Festival Celebration on Train with Rajbhog Khana

Advantages of Celebrating Festivals

Festivals help us practise our traditions at regular intervals while learning to cherish humanity all around. They relax us from our routine and boredom, give us time to reunite with friends and family, and offer a chance for reflection, gratitude and spiritual growth.

List of top Festivals Celebrated in India

• January Festivals:-
  • a.) Makar Sankranti / Pongal – Celebrated as the first festival of the year and marks the end of winter. Known by different names across the country like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, with cattle races, kite flying and delicious feasts.
  • b.) Lohri – One of the main festivals of Punjab, celebrated to mark the end of winter and the start of the harvest season, with traditional music and Bhangra around a bonfire.
• February Festivals:-
  • a.) Vasant Panchami – Celebrated to welcome spring, with prayers to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music and art.
  • b.) Maha Shivaratri – Dedicated to Lord Shiva, celebrated with all-night prayers as devotees offer bael leaves, fruits and milk to the Shiva Lingam.
• March Festivals:-
  • a.) Holi – The festival of colours, marking the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. People play with colours and enjoy gujiyas and other dishes.
  • b.) Ram Navami – Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama with bhajans, prayers and chanting of mantras at Ram temples.
• April Festivals:-
  • a.) Baisakhi – The harvest festival celebrated mainly in Punjab, marking the Punjabi New Year and the formation of the Khalsa in Sikhism.
  • b.) Mahavir Jayanti – The birthday of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara in Jainism, honouring his teachings of non-violence, truth and compassion.
• May Festivals:-
  • a.) Eid al-Fitr – Marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. People of the Muslim community offer Namaz at the mosque and exchange festival greetings.
• August Festivals:-
  • a.) Raksha Bandhan – Marks the bond between brother and sister — a protective thread tied by the sister on her brother's wrist, and a promise of protection in return.
  • b.) Janmashtami – Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, with temple visits, bhajans, mantras and events like Dahi-Handi.
  • c.) Independence Day – Commemorates freedom from British rule, with flag hoisting, parades and cultural programmes.
• September Festivals:-
  • a.) Ganesh Chaturthi – Honours the birth of Lord Ganesha. Idols are kept at homes and pandals for five or nine days, with a bhog of laddoo or modak.
  • b.) Onam – The prime festival of Kerala, marking the return of King Mahabali, celebrated with boat races, Pookalam rangoli and the grand Onam Sadhya feast.
• October Festivals:-
  • a.) Navaratri – A nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, with fasting and Garba / Dandiya dances. Known as Durga Puja in West Bengal.
  • b.) Dussehra – Marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, symbolised by effigy burning, processions and cultural performances.
  • c.) Karva Chauth – Married women keep a day-long fast without water for their husbands' well-being, broken after sighting the moon.
• November Festivals:-
  • a.) Diwali – One of the most prominent festivals in India, celebrating the return of Lord Rama from exile, with lights, firecrackers, gifts and sweets.
  • b.) Guru Nanak Jayanti – Marks the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, with special Langar, hymns and prayers.
• December Festivals:-
  • a.) Christmas – Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, with decorated Christmas trees, church prayers and the exchange of gifts.
  • b.) Lohri – Celebrated to mark the end of winter and the start of the harvest season, with traditional music and Bhangra around a bonfire.