Introduction

As we all know that Indian festivals are full of colors, dance , songs and prayers. You can find many things in one festival. India is a country which full of many different religion that celebrate many festivals. It is the only country where you find almost all the festivals. In India we found many religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity. Some of the festivals celebrated here belongs to a common group of peoples only, but many of the festivals celebrated by almost all religion people. Here are some of the list of the festivals that are celebrated in India on a large scale.

1. Dusshera

Dusshera is commonly known as Durga Puja or Vijay Dashmi. This festival is one of the most important festival of the people of India. This festival is popular among many different countries of India. Many tourists come from other country to see this festival. They try to learn the culture and tradition of this Durga Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated in the Worship of Goddess Durga, Which is also known as the Goddess of Power in Hindu religion. This festival continues for ten days and at last day it ends by killing the Ravana. Due to this reason the last day of this festival is also known as "Vijay Dashmi" or "Dusshera". All the right and programs are done in the last six days. This festival is celebrated mainly in the mid month of September and October. And you are amazed to know that this festival is very important for total Eastern India. Other state like Delhi and Karnataka also celebrated this festival with a bang. If we talk about the whole country, this festival is celebrated with great relish. And this festival brigs peace to all over the country.

2. Id-Ul-Fitr(Ramzan Eid)

This Id -UL-Fitr derived from two words, first is Id which means celebration and Fitr means breaking of your fast. This festival is very important among Muslims. Have you heard about Ramzan, It consist of one month and in that span of time they eat only one time and they end this month by celebrating Id-UL-Fitr. This Id-Ul_fitr takes place when New Moon is seen after the completion of fasting month. On this day Muslims went to Mosques and demand their gifts from their Allah. This festival consists of three days. Some of the devotee goes to Mecca which pilgrimage of Muslims. And this Mecca is also known as the Holy land of Islam. This festival is not only celebrated in India but also in other parts of the world like Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, UK etc. 

3. Diwali

Diwali is commonly known as the "festivals of lights". In Tamil Diwali is called as "Deepavali". This festival has its own importance and it is celebrated throughout the India with great gusto. As you are aware of the fact that India is full of different cultural heritage, Every religion celebrates Diwali in their own way but all have only one motive to bring peace among people. Many visitors visit India to see this famous festival of light. According to Hindu Mythology, Diwali is celebrated when Lord Rama Comes to Ayodhya after making the victory over the monster Ravana. From that very day Diwali is celebrated all over the world. Diwali is celebrated for five days. These five days include Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Badi Diwali or commonly known as "Goddess Lakshmi and God Ganesh Puja" , Govardhan Puja and the last one is Bhaiya Duj. This all day has some mystery in itself. But one thing is sure that all these days are very important and celebrated with happiness and joy. 

4. Janmashtami

This festival is very important Specially for the people of Mathura. Because this festival is celebrated in the sack of the Birth of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is also known as the eighth personification of God Vishnu. The actual date of this festival is not fixed. It totally depends on the Hindu Calendar and the cycle of the Moon. But usually this festival is celebrated in the month of August but sometimes it also celebrates in the month of September. During this festival devotee spent the first day of fasting and oblation prayer till midnight because according to Hindu mythology Lord Krishna was born at that time. This festival is very famous in other parts of the country like Dwarka, Orissa etc.. In these places many tourists visit this place to see this festival. 

5. Holi

Holi is also known as the Festival of colors. If you make a tour in the month of March you easily find this festival in many parts of the world including India. This festival shows the victory of good over immorality. This festival is celebrated with colors. This Holi festival is celebrated on the Full Moon day of the month of March every year. This festival is celebrated all over India. This festival is first played in Mathura at Vrindavan which is also known as the birth place of God Krishna. This festival consists of two days, one is Holika Dahan and second is holy.  In the evening of this day , people used "Gulal" to smearing on the face of other people.

6. Ram Navami

This festival is celebrated after the birth of Lord Rama. This festival is very important in all over India. This festival is mostly celebrated in the month of April but some time according to Hindu calendar it celebrates in the month of March. This festival takes place on the ninth day of Sukla Paksha. This festival begins with the worship of the sun, after that all day devotional songs sung in temples until midday because according to Hindu myth Lord Rama was born at that time. This festival is very popular among the people of Ayodhya, this is the birth place of God Rama. That makes this place more popular among tourists.

7. Ganesh Chaturthi

This festival is celebrated many parts of India with great gusto and joy. As you all know that Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology this festival is celebrated to bring happiness in life again. This festival consists of ten days. This festival is very famous around south Indian states like Maharashtra, Mumbai etc. During this festival people purchase statue of Lord Ganesha and adoration it for the next ten days. But on eleventh day lord Ganesha statue immersed in water. Many feasts and cultural programs are organized during this festival. Many foreigners visit India to watch this festival and the programs related to it.

8. Guru Nanak Jayanti

This festival is very important among Sikh religion. In fact this is the main festival of Sikhs. This festival is celebrated in sake of the birthday of the founder of Sikh religion, Sri Guru Nanak Dev. It is usually celebrated on full moon day of the month of October and November. On this day Sikhs used to visit their temples, Gurudwaras and offer prayers. This day is very important for every Sikh. During this festival Sikhs take procession from their temple to their respective localities by singing their anthems. On this day other activities are also done by Sikhs like distribution of meals organize longer to everyone who come in Gurudwaras. Many tourists visit Gurdwaras on the eve of this festival to learn their culture and tradition.

9. Onam

Onam is the main festival of Kerala. And it is celebrated with very happiness and joy. This festival consists of ten days like Durga Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival also stands for Harvest Season, a Malayalam New Year. Like other festival, people wear new clothes and visit temples and offer prayers and also perform their traditional dance "Kaikottikkali". The main attraction of this festival is competition of boats, in this competition many boat stands in quarrel in huge rows on the beat of the drum. Many visitors visit this place only to see this competition. This festival really provides a Kerala message of peace and happiness.

10. Ooty Summer Festival

This festival is very famous in Ooty and it usually held in the month of May. The interesting thing about this festival is that it is celebrated in botanical Garden of Ooty. As you all know that Ooty is one of the coolest place of India and this place is full of green plants. That makes this festival more attractive and beautiful. During this festival many shows are organized like fruit shows, flower Shows and Boat races. Many traditional and cultural programs are organized during this festival. If you are a fond of sports like trekking, this festival is going to be very important for you. 

Images taken From Wikipedia.