Visit of Indian Festivals and Fairs

India is the land of fun and frolic. The Indians celebrate the various fairs and festivals to the extent that there are more number of fairs and festivals in a year than the total number of days. The rites and the rituals followed by the Indians, the enthusiasm and faith that are constant features add to the charm of the fairs and festivals.

Most the Indian festivals are regional, seasonal or religious. The unity of the diverse country like India can be seen at the national festivals of the Republic day (26th January), Independence Day (15th August) and Gandhi Jayanti i.e. the birth anniversary of the father of the nation (2nd October).

There is a big list of the religious festivals that are celebrated in India. In the secular country of India people light up their homes with as many lights on Diwali as on Christmas, the fireworks are as loud as on Onam. The colors of Holi are spread across the castes and creeds.

Hindus commemorate the birth anniversaries of their deities as Ram Navami, Maha Shivratri, Janam Ashtami similarly, the Sikhs remember their gurus on Gurpurab. On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan an unspoken pledge is exchanged between, a brother and sister cementing their fraternal relationship.

Many of the festivals are subject to the lunar calendar. The Islamic festivals are celebrated according to the Muslim or the hijri calendar. The month long fasting is completed with Eid-ul-fitr. The Islamic year commences with Awal Muharram. It is observed with attending religious lectures. The Jews rejoice on their New Year that falls on the 7th of September.

There is another list of seasonal fairs and festivals that are celebrated across India. Teej celebrates the onset monsoon. The Ganguar fair and the festival of Baisakhi are held in the harvest season. Down south the people perform the seasonal ayyappa pooja. The harvest festival of Assam is Rongali Bihu, when unbounded joy and enthusiasm is expressed through intoxicating songs and dances.

The colorful costumes, the captivating customs reveal the cultural heritage of India. Promotion of the Indian culture and heritage takes place at the famous Dance Festival of Konark in Orissa and the Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh. These festivals have the enchanting temples as background. The dancers from various parts of India participate in the festivals and perform the classical dances. These festivals add to the cultural tourism in India.