Festivals are one of the universal customs celebrated around the world. The concept of Festivals & Religion in India is very rich and varied. The festivals celebrated around the globe vary by country, but we all are bound to observe certain festivals and customs in our respective countries. All these customs or festivals are rooted from the rich traditions and rich cultures of India. A Festival in India is always a feast of fun, enjoyment and merriment which is celebrated with great pomp and show.
India is one of the diverse countries in the world with so many festivals & religious events that can be enjoyed with full fun and merriment. It is a country of colors and rituals with festivals and religious ceremonies varying from state to state. But what is common to most of the festivals & religious events of India a top culture and traditions?
It is the Festivals & religious events like Diwali, Holi, Baisakhi, Navratri, Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Onam, Eid etc. which are all part of the India’s rich culture and tradition. Holi and Diwali are immensely popular among the Indian masses, while the festivals of India s main spiritual festivals are celebrated with the same enthusiasm all over the country. That is why all the Hindu family structure always have some sort of festival at the time of family get together.
A festival is always incomplete without the celebration of some divine or heavenly activity or figure. There is no event in the life of a Hindu, that is not celebrated with great pomp and show. Every Hindu marriage has a ceremony associated with it and every day is marked with the presence of one or more gods or goddesses. This is why the Hindu festivals & religious events are always symbolized with the stories of Indra.
When we talk about Music Festivals & religion, the subject is so large that it would consume another article itself to mention all the significant festivals that are celebrated with music in India. However, one point that needs to be understood here is the complete connection between Music, dance, drama and religion. Music has always been an integral part of any religious experience for thousands of years now. It is because of this dynamic link between music and religion that many people in India consider themselves to be “bound” by the practice of music festivals. So, let us just have a brief insight into the history of music festivals.
In the early age of Islam, when there was no Islam, all the region of the Indian subcontinent was populated by different ethnic groups. Each group had its own traditions and customs but similar. However, as time passed by, these diverse religions managed to intermingle and create a strong cultural identity for themselves. In fact, they managed to integrate all their practices and beliefs in their festivals and rituals. As a result, even today, there are several festivals and celebrations in India, which are primarily focused on celebrating different ethnicities, sects, castes and religions recognised and celebrated by every one
Even though the ancient traditions have gradually disappeared in the past few decades, the contemporary Indian culture and tradition lives on with slight modifications with the ancient one. As a result, many festivals like Ganesh Chathurti (Durga Puja), Diwali, Ugadi (observes the Hindu lunar cycle), Navaratra (the golden period of travel and tourism) and Guru Nanak Jayanti are celebrated with much fanfare. No matter if the festival is religious or not, it is always celebrated with great enthusiasm, eagerness and happiness. A well planned and executed festival will surely make the visitors come closer to the locals, tourists and the people of the region.
So, next time you plan for an India tour, do not forget to include a visit to the diverse religions and festivals of India. The people of India have been celebrating festivals and events from their very long history. If you want to see the true essence of diversity in India, it would be best to spend the holidays in the subcontinent. You can enjoy and explore the rich cultural heritage of the land. You will get a glimpse of the rich colourful history, culture and tradition of the country. Therefore, always plan your India tour in advance so that you can make the most out of the abundant tourism opportunities in the country.