The festivities and celebrations  are a colourful reflection of the people and their lives. Throughout the  year, festivals are celebrated by different people in different ways, most of them centering around their modes of living and livelihood.

Elephanta Festival (Mumbai,) Celebrated in the month of February 

This festival is held across the Mumbai harbour, on the Elephanta Island , near the world renowned Elephanta Caves (A World Heritage Site). This feast of music and dance, celebrated under the stars, transforms the entire island into a large auditorium.

Ellora Festival ( Aurangabad ) Celebrated in the month of March

The magnificent rock-cut caves at Ellora-34 in number, were excavated between 600 and 1000 AD. They include Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. Every March, a festival  of dance and music is organized here with the caves forming a splendid backdrop.

Nag Panchami Celebrated in the month of August 

This festival, which is usually celebrated in West Bengal, Maharashtra and South India , venerates snakes.

Ganesh Chaturathi Celebrated in the month of September

This day is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha, the elephant- headed god of all good beginnings and success. Held annuall, this festival is a ten day ling event. The images of Lord Ganesha are installed and worshipped and on the last day these are taken in processions to be immersed in flowing water. The sea front at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular singht.

Ganesh is the well – endowed god of prosperity. So it pays to treat him well! Celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh along with a million others as they move towards the sea to immerse his idols. The biggest public culmination of Ganesh Chaturthi happens on Chowpatty Beach , Mumbai, in a large – scale immersion. 

The city comes to a standstill as hundreds of thousands of worshipers crowed the beach. As the king – sized idols are dragged into the sea, the crowed goes wild and chants, “Ganapati Bappa Morya”. Simultaneously, there are processions, music performances on decorated stages (called “pandaals”), cart races, and wrestling matches.

Ganesh Festival (Pune, ) Celebrated in the month of September

Celebrated with a lot of merrymaking and gaiety, the Ganesh Festival is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha-the harbinger of good fortune and success. This cultural feast is held to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi. With classical dance and music performances, a theatre and film festival and folk dances, this is the most popular festival in Pune.

Republic Day-State capitals

Commemorating the day India became a republic (26^th January), the Republic Day is celebrated a splendid parade  a colourful affair with soldiers marching in unison, followed by folk dancers, school children and floats from various states.

Good Friday- Celebrated in the month of March

Good Friday is observed by Christians nationwide with special services in the churches.

Baisakhi -Celebrated in the month of April

The Hindu New Year finds expression in this exuberant festival, celebrated throughout India .

Mahavir Jayanti-Celebrated in the month of April

The birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, is observed by the Jain community. Special prayers are offered at temples and shrines.

Ramnavami-Celebrated in the month of April

The anniversary of Lord Rama’s birth is celebrated as Ramnavami by the Hindus. The epic’ Ramayana’is read for eight days preceding the festival.

Id-ul-Fitr- Celebrated in the month of May

The festival marks the end of ‘Ramzan’- a month when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat only at night. Prayers, family get- to getters and feasts are the major highlights of the celebrations.

Janmashtami-Celebrated in the month of August

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour all over the country. Earthen pots of curd and butter are hung high up over the streets. Young men enacting an episode from Krishna ’s childhood form human pyramids climbing on each other’s shoulders and try to break these pots.

Independence Day -Celebrated in the month of August

Commemorating the day India attained freedom (15^th August), Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonics and cultural programmes in the state capitals. The Prime Minister’s speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.

Dussehra - Celebrated in the month of October

Celebrated to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama, Dussehra symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The Ramlila –an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra. On the tenth day, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother – Meghnath and Kumbhakarna, are set alight.

Muharram-Celebrated in the month of october

Commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet Mhammed’s  grandson – Imam Hussein. Tazias, glittering replicas of the martyr’s tomb, are carried in procession through the streets. The tazias of Lucknow and Hyderabad are noted for their splendour.

Diwali -Celebrated in the month of October

This festival of lights is the prettiest and the most eagerly a waited occasion in India . It celebrates the return of Lord Rama, the hero of  the epic Ramayana, to Ayodhya after a fourteen year exile. The flickering lights of the traditional clay lamps or ‘diyas’ illuminate the houses and fireworks resound through the night. The goddess of wealth and prosperity – Lakshmi, is worshipped on this day. Houses are white washed and elaborate designs drawn at the thresholds to welcome the goddess. The exchanging of gifts and sweets among friends and relatives and playing of games of chance at night, are all an integral part of the celebrations.

Gandhi Jayanti-Celebrated in the month of October

The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi – the ‘Father of the nation’ (2^nd October). The President and Prime Minister, along with other eminent political leaders, pay homage at Raj Ghat – the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.All the offices and schools, throughout the country, remain closed on this day.

Guru Purab -Celebrated in the month of November

The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak – the first guru of the Sikhs, is celebrated with great fervour. The ‘Akhand Path’ – recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, is held in gurdwaras all over the country. Taking the holy book out in procession,is also an integral part of the celebrations.

Christmas -Celebrated in the month of December

Christmas is celebrated in India with great fervour. All the major Indian cities wear a festive look. Shops and bazaars and offer attractive bargains.

Carol singing, get-togethers and the exchanging of gifts enhance the Christmas spirit. Christmas parties launch off celebrations for the New Year, thus retaining the festival mood for at least a week.

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