Festivals in India

Some of the important Hindu festivals celebrated in India are Holi, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Maker Sankranti, Dussehra, Raksha Bandhan, Eid, etc. Certain popular festivals have become an important source of earning money for large number of people. Several artisans, craft men, industries and businesses depend on such festivals. Festivals in India are celebrated with great passion. A public holiday is declared on most of the festivals.

Holi is a religious festival of Hindus. It is a day of victory of good over evil. However, the importance of Holi is related to the story of Prahlad. Once there was an evil spirit King named Hiranyakashipu. Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu was born to him. Many times the King tried to kill him, but failed. Finally, the King ordered him to sit on the laps of Holika in fire. Holika was blessed that stopped her from burning in fire. Prahlada accepted the orders of his father. He prayed to Lord Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, Holika was burnt to death. Prahlada was unharmed. Since then the burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi.

Holi teaches us a great lesson that God helps those who have faith in Him. Nobody can harm such people. However, Holi is a festival of different colours. People throw coloured water and dry colours at each other and have a lot of fun. They embrace each other, creating a feeling of social unity and equality.

Even festivals celebrated by Muslim teach us great lessons. The festival of Eid comes after Ramzan. Ramzan is a month of fast and prayer. The Eid teaches us to lead a pure and sacred life. It also teaches another lesson. There is no Eid in life without Ramzan. This means, there is no joy without pain. Man must suffer first and then feasting comes only after fasting. The festival of Eid is also social in character. Rich as well as poor people meet at the same level. This results in a feeling of equality and brotherhood.

Muharram teaches a different lesson. It is a Day of Sorrow, because it is a day of defeat of truth and justice. It comes every year to teach us a noble lesson. Man should be on the side of truth and justice. He should fight for what is right. If he does not, it will be a day of deep sorrow for him.

Christmas, Buddha Jayanti and Mahavir Jayanti are birth anniversaries of great prophets. Christmas is the birthday ofJesus Christ. Christmas comes to teach us the lesson of love and sacrifice. Jesus Christ lived and died for men and so should we. Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavir, too, were born to preach truth and love. Their birth anniversary comes every year to teach us many noble lessons.