INDIAN FESTIVALS

India is well known all over the world as a country of cultural and traditional festivals as it has many cultures and religions. Festivals and celebrations go hand in hand in India. One can enjoy the festival celebration in India every month. As India is a land of variety of cultures and ethnicity because of celebrating lots of colorful festivals by the people of different religions.  As it is a secular country full of diversity in the religions, languages, cultures and castes, it is always crowded with the people involved in the fairs and festivals celebration. People from each religion have their own cultural and traditional festivals. Some of the festivals are celebrated by the people of all religions in the entire nation. Each and every festival is celebrated uniquely in different ways according to the rituals, beliefs and its significant history behind. Each festival has its own history, legend and significance of celebration. Indian origin people in the abroad also celebrate their cultural festival with the immense passion. India is a country with example of unity in diversity as it contains people of various religions like Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Christian and etc.

NATIONAL FESTIVALS--There are three national festivals in India:

1. Independence Day on 15 August:

Independence Day of India is celebrated throughout India on 15th August every year with great splendor, joy and respect for Mother India. Many Indian cultural programmes are organized on the Independence Day. Everyone in India knows that India got freedom from the 300 years of British Rule at the stroke of midnight as India moved towards August 15, 1947.Indians dedicate this auspicious day to all those brave leaders and fighters who gave freedom to this golden bird on this day.

2.Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on 2 October:

Gandhi Jayanti is a national festival celebrated in India to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation".Gandhi Jayanti is marked by prayer services and tributes all over India, especially at Raj Ghat, Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi where he was cremated. Popular activities include prayer meetings, commemorative ceremonies in different cities by colleges, local government institutions and socio-political institutions.

3.Republic Day on 26 January:

Republic Day honors the date on which the Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into effect on 26 January 1950 with a democratic government system, completing the country's transition towards becoming an independent republic. India celebrates its Republic Day in colourful and exciting ways. To mark Republic Day in a memorable and significant way, every year in New Delhi, capital of India, a grand parade is held that starts from the Raisina Hill in the neighborhood of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhawan and passes along the Rajpath thus ending at India Gate. On Republic Day, martyrs and heroes who showed courage and bravery for country's sake without bothering their own lives is also remembered and conferred prestigious and significant awards including Kirti Chakra and Ashok Chakra are conferred on the event by the President. Since 1950,

States and regions have local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics based on seasons. Not only in New Delhi, but other states also celebrate Republic Day with great enthusiasm and in numerous innovative ways.

Purposes of Festivals

Festivals are generally times for celebration and remembrance.

To create a special atmosphere, diverting the mind from worldly concerns and joyfully focusing on spiritual matters.

To invoke the soul's natural qualities by creating an environment replete with auspiciousness and the abundant gifts of nature.

To give people spiritual impetus and inspiration, which helps them perform their daily duties.

To dovetail the natural tendency for celebration with spiritual goals.

To forge a healthy sense of belonging by peacefully bringing together individuals, families and communities.

HINDU FESTIVALS:  Hinduism is essentially a spoken tradition, and sound is the primary means of spiritual expression-SANATANA DHARMA-it is a WAY of LIFE. Some of the HINDU festivals. decorated with mango leaves, turmeric, tulsi and sandalwood paste.  It must be remembered here that all these rituals are man made. The Sanskrit word Utsava comes from the word "ut" meaning "removal" and "sava" which means "worldly sorrows" or "grief". In the Hindu calendar dates are usually prescribed according to the lunar calendar. In vedic timekeeping, a tithi is a lunar day. The festivals typically celebrate events from Hindu mythology, often coinciding with seasonal changes. A festival may be observed with acts of worship, offerings to deities, fasting, feasting, vigil, rituals, fairs, charity, celebrations, Puja, Homa, aarti etc. In general, Hindu festivals "are intended to purify, avert malicious influences, renew society, bridge over critical moments, and stimulate or resuscitate the vital powers of nature." They include a wide variety of rituals, including worship, prayer, processions, magical acts, music, dancing, lovemaking, eating, drinking, and feeding the poor. . Hinduism is rich in its unique festivals and customs which are being celebrated through centuries. caring for trees.

Hinduism is considered a very personal faith. Although Hindu worship takes on many forms, one of the rarest is actually that of congregational worship. Unlike in the West where people worship in congregation with a priest, pastor or leader at the helm, most Hindu worship takes place in a solitary manner within the home.

Hindu festivals are colorful, fun yet with a deep social and religious significance. 'Utsava' is the Sanskrit word for Hindu festivals, meaning 'to cause to grow Upward'. A festival may be observed with acts of worship, offerings to deities, fasting, feasting, vigil, rituals, fairs, charity, celebrations, Puja, Homa, aarti, etc. They celebrate individual and community life of Hindus without distinction of caste, gender or class.

Cows and Festivals

Although much of the Hindu puja is very personal, Hindus also have celebrations and things that bring them together in worship. For instance, most Hindus will hold to the concept of cow veneration. Although very alien to those of us from the West, Hindus believe cows represent divinity and, therefore, are to be protected and honored. Most scholars link this veneration to the large part cows played in the pastoral economy of ancient India.

Main Practices during Festivals

·         Fasting and feasting

·         Distribution of food (especially prasad)

·         Giving in charity (to temples, saints, the poor, etc)

·         Visiting the temple

·         Visiting relatives

·         Glorification of God (kirtan, bhajan, story recitals, dance, drama)

·         Manufacture and worship of temporary deities

·         Taking temple deities in procession

·         Wearing new clothes

Decorating houses, streets and temples with fruits, flowers, leaves and banana leaves

Ganesh Chaturthi: The festival of Ganesh or Vinayak Chaturthi, the day on which Ganesh was born. It is the most joyous event of the year. Throughout India the festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion. In Andhra Pradesh, like Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated for ten days. It is said that Ganesh was the creation of Goddess Parvati, who breathed life into a doll, which she made out of the dough she was using for her bath.The Public Ganpati festival held at Lalbaug, Mumbai is the most famous Ganpati in Maharashtra and is lovingly called “ LALBAUG CHA RAJA” (King of Lalbaug).

 Vara Maha Lakshmi Vrata-On the day of Varalakshmi vratam, women clean their homes and decorate their front yards with rangolis (colorful designs traced on the floor). Later, they take a bath and deck themselves with beautiful clothes and jewellery. They then begin the process of performing the vrata by first arranging the kalasha or sacred pot. They fill the pot with rice and water which symbolize prosperity and cover it with mango and betel leaves. They then place a coconut smeared with turmeric and vermilion on the kalasha and also decorate the coconut with a new cloth. Some people decorate the kalasha with many kinds of jewels to make it look more beautiful. They place this kalasha on a plate filled with rice.

Deepavali: Deepavali, or Diwali as it is popularly called, is the festival of lights. It symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word Deepavali literally means rows of clay lamps. It is celebrated on the New Moon day of the dark fortnight during October-November. It is also associated with the return to Ayodhya of Lord Rama, His wife Sita and His brother Lakshmana after their fourteen-year sojourn in the forests. The day also marks the coronation of Lord Rama.

Makara Sankranthi(January)-- is a festival that marks the end of winter and the start of the agricultural growing season . It is held on the 14th January (Gregorian Calendar) and is associated with the Sun deity: Pratyaksha-Brahman. The Makar Sankranti is a solar festival and the lunar Hindu calendar doesn't determine its date therefore it is one of the few festivals held on the same day every year. Special prayers and offerings are given the Sun to thank him for the harvest. Makara Sankranti identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness followed by a period of darkness, ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow. The six months of northern movement of the sun is followed by six months of southern movement. Since the festival is celebrated in mid winter, food prepared for this festival is such that it keeps the body warm and gives high energy. The festival is celebrated all over India under many names and with reigonal customs determining the rites. For Hindus that make the pilgrimage to the river Ganges during this festival; it is considered an auspicious act to bathe in the holy river during the festival. In the Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with bonfires and in Gujarat, kite flying has become very popular.

Vasant Panchami: The festival of Vasanta Panchami is celebrated by Hindus in January/February, mainly in honour of Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning, wisdom and fine arts.

Maha Shivaratri(February) ---is the great night of Shiva, followers of Shiva observe religious fasting and the offering of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Shiva. Fasting is good for health and Bilva leaves have medicinal properties.

Holi:-- is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love and for many the start of the new year. .[ victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.

Navaratri - festival of Shakti (in Bengal) or Rama's victory over Ravana (South India) (September-October).This is a nine-day festival celebrated in October. The celebration is held in the honour of the Goddess known as Lakshmi, Durga and Sarasvati. During the nine days the images of these Goddesses are installed in houses.

Rama Navami(April)-- birthday of Lord Rama -Rama Rajya, the reign of Sri Rama is a rare duration of peace and prosperity bestowed by him alone. This festival commemorates the birth of Sri Rama who is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign.

LORD HANUMAN is worshipped all over India—either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman was the Avatara of Lord Siva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. He is also called by the names Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Mahavira, Bajrangabali and Pavankumar. Hanuman possessed devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and intelligence.

Onam: This festival marks the day on which the great devotee of Lord Vishnu Emperor Maha Bali, the grandson of Prahlada (the great devotee of Lord Narasimha), received benediction and liberation with the blessings of the Lord, who had assumed the form of Vamanadeva, the dwarf incarnation. Onam is celebrated in August-September, and especially in Kerala. Onam is a ten-day festival marked by women creating beautiful floral patterns in front of their houses, pujas for Lord Vishnu, feasting and boat races.

NEW YEAR-Ugadi(April)-- According to the traditions and rituals, preparations for the day of Ugadi begins a day or two prior to the actual date with ritualistic washing and cleaning of the houses, every inch and corner. Shopping for decorative items and new clothes to wear on the day is also an important custom that has been followed since one can remember. When the day dawns, ritualistic showers or oil baths are taken by the devotees; followed by prayers and chanting of mantras to facilitate good tidings in the year ahead. It is also believed that any venture that is started on this day ends in a success. After the baths, people start decorating their homes with colorful rangolis or Kolams that are drawn in the front and stringing together mango leaves on the doors and windows. According to an ancient tradition, people flock at the temples to listen to the predictions made by the pundits; this tradition is known as Panchanga Sravanam, which is still very popular as devotees eagerly wait for yearly forecast to be made.

Another inseparable ritual that has been followed for many years or maybe centuries is the preparation of a dish called Ugadi Pachhadi (Telugu). Also known as Bevu Bella in Kannada, the dish is a unique mixture of six different tastes, representing different experiences in life, which every individual should learn to respect and accept and move ahead unrelentingly. It's also the first dish that people have on this day. Made from Neem buds, symbolizing sadness for its bitter taste; Jaggery, symbolizing happiness for sweetness; green chili or pepper, symbolizing anger for its hotness; salt, symbolizing fear for its saltiness; Tamarind juice, symbolizing disgust for its sourness; and unripened mango, symbolizing surprise for its tanginess.

GURU PURNIMA: festival traditionally celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists, marked by ritualistic veneration of the Guru, Guru Puja. The word guru is derived from two words, 'Gu' and 'Ru' . The Sanskrit root "Gu" means darkness or ignorance. "Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Gurus are believed by many to be the most necessary part of lives. On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to their Guru (Spiritual Guide).Students of the Indian classical music, which also follows the Guru shishya parampara, celebrate this festival, around the world.

Rakhsābandhana - renewing bonds between brothers and sisters (July-August) This celebrates the love of a sister for her brother. On this day, sisters tie a rakhi, a colorful bracelet made of silk thread, on the wrist of their brothers to protect them against evil influences. It is celebrated in July-August. Raksha Bandan is celebrated in some parts of India as a festival to honor the sea god Varuna, where coconuts are offered to the sea. Because of its three eyes, the coconut represents the three eyes of Shiva. As a mark of auspiciousness, coconuts are also broken at shrines and temples. This is also the day set apart for Brahmins to change the sacred thread they wear.

Krishna Jayanti - Birthday of Lord Krishna (July-August) Temples and homes are beautifully decorated and lit. Notable are the cribs and other decorations depicting stories of Lord Krishna's childhood. In the evening bhajans (devotional songs) are sung which end at midnight, the auspicious moment when Lord Krishna was born. Krishna Janmastami is a festival that is held in the typical pattern of preparation, purification, realization, and then celebration.

        In this way, after a full day of purification, we realize our own connection with the Lord, who then manifests as the Supreme worshipable object of our purified consciousness. Thus, this climax at night represents our overcoming the darkness of ignorance and reaching the state of purified spiritual knowledge and perception. Therein we overcome the influence of the mind and senses and enter the state of steady awareness wherein there is full spiritual awakening.

Dussehra-Dussehra festival is celebrated on the first day of the “shukla paksha” of the Hindu month of Ashwin.Dussehra Festival marks the victory of good over evil. Rama went to the forest for fourteen years.Lord Rama is an inspirational character. People are so active that they don’t feel tired even after this massive activity. This festival boosts the morale of everyone. It gives us courage to fight for our right, no matter how poor the situation seems to be. There will be the victory of the righteous and virtuous.The devotees of Lord Rama go to temples to chant mantras. Many undertook fasting on this day. Flowers and sweets are offered to the Almighty.In many places, Dussehra Festival is observed for 10 day. The famous play of Ram Leela (also Ram Lila) is performed in cultural ceremonies. The effigy of ten headed Ravana is made and burnt in fire.

Karva Chauth: Karva Chauth is celebrated in October and prayers are offered to the God Shiva and his consort, Parvati. Women fast on this day. At dusk upon sighting the moon, water and flowers are offered to the household deity. On this occasion, mothers bless their married daughters and present them with jewellery, garments and sweets.

KUMBH MELA--- pilgrimage every 12 years to four cities in India (July-August). Hindus at the Kumbh Mela engaged in the Aarti ceremony.Kumbh Mela is a pilgrimage festival. It draws together millions of Hindus to the holy rivers where it is held every twelve years. Hindu holy men from all the different sects attend and some suspend their ascetic practices to be there. For Hindus it is considered auspicious to be blessed by the holy men during this festival. To bathe in the rivers associated with the festival is believed by Hindus to cleanse the soul of past sins. The festival is held when Jupiter and the Sun and Moon are in a particular alignment. The date of its origin is lost in time but it is recorded in Puranic literature therfore making it an ancient ritual. Kumbh is the Sanskrit word for "pot" and Mela means "festival". The reference is in relation to a "pot of nectar" that was the creation of ancient Gods and demons who sought immortality. The nectar was considered so precious and valuable that the Gods hid it in four places. Some of the nectar was spilled at each place therefore consecrating the land and Hindus attend with the belief that the festival locations are sacred and divine.

Muslim Festivals

All the people of Muslim religion enthusiastically celebrate their all the Islamic festivals all over the world. There are many religious festivals which they celebrate with great passion and dedication by following the date of their Islamic calendar. Some of the very important Islam festivals are Ramzan (Ramadan), Id-e-Milad, Muharram, Bakr-Id and etc which they celebrate in special ways by offering prayers in the mosques, feasting, fasting and wishing to each other.

They decorate their homes with colored lights and other things in the evening and celebrate throughout the night by getting together. Some of the Islamic festivals have been declared as the public holiday in the educational institutions, government offices and other working place. Islam was founded by the spiritualist Muhammad around the 7th century which has become the 2nd largest religion worldwide. The Islam has five most significant Pillars such as “Shahadah (Faith), Salah (Prayer), Zakah (Donate), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage)”. Below is the list of all Muslim festivals:

Muslim Festivals

Barawafat          

Milad-Un-Nabi 

Giaravahin Sharif             

Hazarat Ali’s Birthday    

Shab E Miraj      

Shab-e-Barat    

Jamat-Ul-Vida

Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid)-  : Every Muslim celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of the month of Ramadan to mark a successful completion of the period of fasting. This festival is sometimes described as a 'Muslim Christmas'. The early part of the day is spent offering prayers at a Mosque followed by hearty meals at home or with relatives. Children particularly enjoy this Eid and are given presents or money. It is Sunnah (the practice of the Prophets) that everyone should wear new and beautiful clothes and rejoice with other Muslims. To this end it is obliged on each adult Muslim to give alms (Fitrana) to the poor and needy, before the Eid prayers, to enable everyone to enjoy the day.(Zakat)

Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid or Eid Ul-Adha) Eid-ul-Adha: Eid-ul Adha celebrates the saving of the Prophet Ishmael by God when his father Abraham offered him as a sacrifice. It takes place a day after Hajj and marks the completion of the Hajj journey to the plain of Arafat. This Eid is celebrated by special prayers at a Mosque and is followed by the sacrifice of a sheep, lamb or cow to commemorate the Abrahamic sacrifice. Just like Eid-ul-Fitr Muslim families spend a day visiting and entertaining guests. As it is celebrated over 3 days some children may take more than one day off school during this period.   
Hajj: Pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca and Arafat in Saudia Arabia.   

Muharram-(Arabic: محرم) It is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Instead of joyous celebration, Muslims mark the beginning of the New Year by taking up the black attire of sorrow and participate in mourning gatherings in which the sacrifices of Husayn and his companions are commemorated.It is one of the four months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar.

CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS

People of the Christian religion celebrate their festivals like Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and etc with big enthusiasm and fun filled activities. People from other religions also become involve in the Christmas celebrations which proves the unity in diversity of India.

There are various famous places in India where the Christian festivals are celebrated such as Goa as most of the oldest and beautiful churches are there. They do feast, prayers and processions while celebrating their festivals. Below is the list of all Christian festivals:

Christian Festivals 
Christmas-  is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night;in some traditions, Christmastide includes an Octave. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated culturally by a large number of non-Christian people, and is an integral part of the holiday season, while some Christian groups reject the celebration. In several countries, celebrating Christmas Eve on December 24 has the main focus rather than December 25, with gift-giving and sharing a traditional meal with the family.
 
Easter- Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection from the dead of Jesus, three days after he was executed. The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity.Jesus himself was seen that day by Mary and the disciples, and for forty days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Christians call this the Resurrection.The week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week.

        

Good Friday-  Good Friday is a Christian religious holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday, or Easter Friday,though the last term properly refers to the Friday in Easter week.     

Sikh Festivals

As India is considered as the country of numerous religions, cultures and traditions that’s why it is known as having unity in diversity. People of Sikh religion have lots of unique and ritual festivals which they celebrate with full courage and enjoyment. They commemorate the lives of their 10 Sikh gurus including their teachings. Some Hindu festivals are also celebrated by the people of Sikh religion having different reasons of celebration.

All the worship at the festival in Sikhism is directed towards the holy book called “the Guru Granth Sahib” which was first compiled by the Sikh guru, Guru Nanak and later edited by the Sikh Guru, Arjan. The Guru Granth of the Sikh religion has the place of deity among people and taken out on a palanquin in the public processions while celebrating any Sikh festival. They involve lots of music and religious songs, readings from the holy book, holy songs, singing of gurbani while celebrating their festivals in order to attach with God.

Sikh Festivals   

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti          

Lohri- Lohri marks the end of the winter season. Therefore, it is a seasonal festival. It is also considered a harvest festival and it is an important day for the farmers. People have also connected the Lohri festival with the folk legend of Dulla Bhatti. It is believed that Dulla Bhatti was a robber. But, he rescued and saved many girls from slave market.  So, the people sing songs to express their gratitude towards him.Lohri marks the end of winter season. People make every effort to take advantage of the last days of the winter season.It provides an opportunity to interact with friends and families.     

Holla Mohalla    

Sodal mela         

Birthday Guru Ramdassji             

Guru Nanak Jayanti- commemorates the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev the first Sikh guru and the founder of Sikhism. It is the most sacred festivals of the Sikhs community. The festival is celebrated with great religious fervor, dedication and devotion across India, mainly in the states of Punjab, Haryana and abroad. This holy occasion is observed on the full moon day in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar.The Gurudwara hall also conducts the Kirtan-Darbars and Amrit Sanchar ceremonies followed by a special community lunch, or Langar. This lunch is organized by the volunteers at the Gurudwara. The Sikhs consider distributing free sweets and lunch as a part of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).      

Guru Purab        

Installation of Guru Granth Sahibji

Jain Festivals

People from Jain religion have lots of rituals and religious ceremonies to be celebrated as the festival. Their rituals belong to the idol worships in various ways and festivals belong to the life events of Tirthankara which involves the purification of the soul. Their rituals are divided in two parts named Karya and Kriya. According to the Jain Svetambara there are six obligatory duties called Six Avashyakas which are “Chaturvishnati-stava: praising Tirthankaras, Kayotsarga: meditation, Pratikramana: expiation of past sins, Pratyakhyana: renunciation of anything, Samyika: practising serenity and meditation and Vandan: respecting teachers and ascetics”.

According to the Jain Digambara there are six duties which are “Dana: charity, Devapuja: worship of Tirthankaras, Guru-upashti: respecting teachers and ascetics, Sanyam: controlling self by following different rules, Swadhyaya: studying spiritual texts and Tapa: austerities” which has been involved as a fundamental ritual activities of the Jains. 

Jain Festivals       

Deep Diwali       

Mahamastak Abhishek 

Mahavir Jayanti-Mahavir Jayanti is a sacred festival for Jains and followers across the world celebrate it in a grand way by taking out processions that might include chariot, horses, elephants, drummers and chanters. Silent prayers are also offered and his preaching is recapitulated in the form of sermons to the followers on this day. Traditional Mahavir Jayanti recipes are also prepared in order to celebrate the festival.Jains celebrate Mahavir Jayanti in a colourful way by decorating the Jain temples with flags and offering alms to the poor people. Donations are collected to save animals from slaughter. In India, the birth anniversary of Mahavir is more ardently observed in Gujarat and Rajasthan compared to other parts, as a higher number of Jains reside in these states. In the early morning, followers give a ceremonial bath to the statue of Lord Mahavira called ‘abhishek’. The statue is then placed in a beautifully decorated cradle and carried out in a procession.    

Buddhist Festivals

People from Buddhist religion celebrate their festivals well connected to their Lord Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. It is considered that the Buddhist festivals were first started by the lord Buddha and He advised his followers to be in touch with each other to strengthen their bond. Buddhist has their own beliefs and rituals of celebrating historical festivals. The do worship of the historical objects while celebrating their festivals.Their festivals become more religious, spiritual and intellectual which are not restricted to any service of the community.            

Buddha Purnima is a Buddhist festival that marks Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. It falls on the day of the full moon in May and it is a gazetted holiday in India. Many Buddhists pay special attention to Buddha's teachings during Vesak. They may wear white robes and only eat vegetarian food on and around Vesak. Many people also give money, food or goods to organizations that help the poor, the elderly and those who are sick. Caged animals are bought and set free to display care for all living creatures, as preached by Buddha.The dharmacakra or dharma wheel is a symbol often seen during Vesak. It is a wooden wheel with eight spokes. The wheel represents Buddha's teaching on the path to enlightenment. The eight spokes symbolize the noble eightfold path of Buddhism.           

Hemis Gompa  

Ullambana         

Losar  
  
Others
Judaism and Zoroastrianism are also practiced by minority population in the country. According to Judaism, there exists a covenant relationship between God and Jewish people. One of the minority groups in the country, Zoroastrianism considers that humans are the helpers of God. The people who follow Zoroastrianism are known as Parsis and those who follow Judaism are called Jews.

Although, different religions are practiced in India, the secular and sovereign nature of the country remains intact. In fact, all religions collectively play an important role in maintaining the harmony, culture, history and peace in the country.
          

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