Festivals and Holidays for 2008-2009

The festivals and holidays celebrated in Bagar represent the energy and religion of the community. Many are full of color and excitement as well as sweets, dancing, and singing. Enjoyment of life and religious devotion are key to most celebrations in Bagar as well as India. Below you will find descriptions and backgrounds of some of the most popular festivals and holidays celebrated here. For more information about the festivals, click here.

Holi:

Also called the festival of colors, Holi is a popular Hindu spring festival in which people spend the day throwing colored powders and water at each other. It marks the end of the winter and the death of all evil. This playful throwing of powders has a medicinal significance. The spring season is believed to bring about many changes, one of which is the increase of the viral fever and cold. The colors represent the medicinal herbs prescribed by Ayurvedic doctors. Many people also participate in folk dances and other celebrations.

Diwali:

The festival of lights, Diwali, celebrates the day in which Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya. On Diwali, rows of diyas and candles are lit to commemorate when citizens lit the way for Rama to return to Ayodhya with earthen oil lamps. Fireworks are lit to light up the sky and houses are lit up to attract the goddess Lakshmi who is said to bring prosperity to her devotees. Diwali marks the homecoming of good will after an absence. On this day, many people wear new clothes and share sweets and other snacks.

Krishna Janmashtami:

This day celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna the eighth Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami, Srijayanti. On this day, temples and homes are decorated and night long prayers and religious hymns can be heard in temples.

Durga Puja:

Durga Puja is a celebration of life, culture, and tradition. The festival is celebrated all over India and everyone participates in their own form of festivals or celebrations.

Ganesh Chaturthi:

This day marks the birthday of Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular deities in the Hindu religion. Lord Ganesh is considered to be an incarnation of both Shiva and Vishnu. On this day, many idols are constructed and people take part in large feasts, folks dances, and other celebrations.

Bhaiya Dooj:

Bhai Dooj is a celebration of the bond between sisters and brothers. The festivals and customs of this festival reflect the close bond between brothers and sisters.

Hanuman Jayanti:

Hanuman Jayanti is a celebration Shri Hanuman, the god of power, strength, and knowledge. Hanuman Ji is said to be invincible and immortal. He was an incarnation of Lord Shiva, the third god of the Hindu trinity.

Indian National Holidays

Republic Day:

Republic Day is celebrated on January 26^th and it commemorates the day that the Constitution came into force in the year 1950. Every year, it is celebrated with a grand parade in New Delhi and other activities across the country

Ambedkar Jayanti:

The birthday of BR Ambedkar is celebrated on April 14^th. He was born in the year 1891 and later became the architect of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar spent his life fighting against the system of untouchability and the caste system. In 1990, Ambedkar was granted India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna.

Independence Day:

India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15^th to celebrate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign country. It is celebrated across the country through many flag hoisting celebrations, flying kites and distribution of sweets and candies.

Gandhi Jayanti:

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on October 2^nd to remember the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2007 which declared that October 2^nd would be celebrated as the International Day of Nonviolence.