The family in our neighborhood comes from different parts f India. They celebrate many festivals. We celebrate these festivals together.
*Holi festival
Holi is a spring festival. It is celebrated by the Hindus. It is the festival of colors. People in the neighborhood gather round bonfires on everything before Holi. This marks the burning of Holika, the evil.
Next day, the young and the old splash colored water on each other. They also apply Gulal of different colors on each other’s faces.
People embrace and wish each other ``Happy Holi’’. It is a festival of Joy. Gujiya made of Khoya and dry fruits are prepared on Holi.
*Pongal festival
Pongal is the most important festival of Tamil Nadu, south India. It is celebrated for three days in the month of January, when rice is harvested. During Pongal, the people worship rain, sun and cattle. Pongal is also known as the harvest festival.
Festival of the First day
On the first day of the festival, lord Indra-the god of rain- is worshipped. Family feasts are held. This day is known as Bhogi Pongal.
Festival of the second day
On the second day of the festival, the sun-god is worshipped. Rice is cooked with milk and sugar. This is called Pongal and offered to the sun-god. This day knows as Surya Pongal.
Festival of the third day
On the third day of the festival, the cow is worshipped; cows are decorated with garland and fed with Pongal cakes. This day is known as Mattu Pongal. Community feasts are held at night.
*Onam festival
Onam is the most colorful festival of Kerala, south India. Like Pongal, this is also a harvest festival. Onam is celebrated for four days in the month of August or September. Houses are cleaned and decorated. A clay figure s installed in the courtyard. It is decorated with different color flowers. This decoration is called Attappoo.
Boat race competitions
Boat races are the main attraction of this festival. The boats are decorated with flags and silk umbrellas. These boats are called snake-boats.
Elephants group
Decorated elephants are taken out in processions. Gifts exchanged with relatives and friends. Fireworks mark the end of the Onam festival.