Indian tradition has always remained with us for so many decades that even after all these years of progress we still find new and fresh combinations and variations in its practices and rituals. The unity of the people of India is reflected in its very customs and traditions which are as old as civilization itself. Keeping this in view, it is not wrong to say that our popular traditions in India are more powerful, more deep-seated and more vivid than those of any other country. The unity of India is reflected in its most popular customs and traditions like the Onam and the festival of Diwali. These two popular customs form the core of the ancient Hindu tradition which is still prevalent and evokes great enthusiasm in the hearts of millions of Hindus throughout the world.
There are several other interesting Indian traditions. The Ugadi a festival of the beginning of the new year is one of the most famous and most anticipated festivals of the year. Another is celebrated on the full moon of Shravan, which is on the Indian spring. The party is held in honour of Lord Bhuddha, who is the founder of Buddhism, and it is celebrated in honour of God Buddhal who is the divine consort of Lord Buddha. In addition to being a popular festival, the party is also an opportunity for people to mingle with their close friends and family members and take part in various activities that are organised around the theme of his visit.
The festivities during Diwali are also one of the most popular traditions in India. They begin with the lighting of lamps and then proceed with various colorful processions which involve every member of the family and every member of the community. Thousands of people throng the place of worship, burn candles, burn crackers and buy colorful gifts for each other. Many women also participate in the processions. A major highlight of the festival is the sending of sweets by children and relatives to their parents and brothers and sisters.
Lakshmi is one of the significant religious celebrations of the Hindu religion. The day is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in all the regions of India. Vishes are erected on the occasion of Lakshmi, and special prayers are offered to the goddesses, who are believed to be the holy spirits associated with different aspects of Hinduism.
Diwali is widely observed as a religious festival throughout the country on the full moon of the Hindu month of Karthika. On this day, many stories about the early days of the existence of the human race are told and retold by the local people. Many narrations emphasize how the deities or the demi-gods helped the people in their earlier days. Some of these stories depict the role of the demi-gods or their successors in helping the people out in the hard times.
Dussehra, on the other hand, is the main event of the Hindu month of Ashayuja (October). The entire region and the state of Orissa Bengal and South India are involved in celebrating this festival. The women decorate their houses, cars and themselves in attractive and colorful sari as a mark of respect and tribute to Dussehra. There is a great importance of sweets in this celebration and the whole town and the state become heavy with the consumption of sweets around this time of the year. In fact, the entire India is one prime location in the world where one gets to enjoy some of the best Dussehra sweets in the world.
Some of the other Hindu traditions that are celebrated with great enthusiasm and keenness in Tamil Nadu Orissa are Pongal, Laxmi Puja and Geetika. Pongal is considered to be the biggest festival of South India Orissa and many tourists from far off places come here just to participate in the celebrations. Tourists from near and dear destinations make preparations for this grand festival of joy, however, there are many who fail to make preparations as they don’t know what is the importance of the festival and why is it celebrated so fiercely. Most of the western tourists are turned away by this event because they do not know the significance and the spiritual significance and ultimate life message lying in these festivals. The Geetika is considered to be equally important as Pongal and is celebrated in almost the same way.
One of the other popular Indian festivals that are celebrated with such vigor and enthusiasm in Orissa are the Diwali festivals. These are basically renowned for their brilliance and color. There are many hotels in Orissa which opt for offering Diwali Sweets in their premises and many people even make this a part of their holiday package to Orissa.