India is a land of festivals. People of different communities belonging to different religions live here. As a result, some kind of festival or the other is seen being celebrated with joy and fun on almost all days of the year. These festivals make our life colorful and charming as they take us away from the dull routine of life. Since they infuse our life with fun and frolics, they celebrated with great zeal and jubilance. The festivals commemorated in India are of various kinds. Some festivals are religious, some are based on seasons and others are of national importance.
The prominent religious festivals of India are the Diwali, the Dussehra, Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul Zuha, X-mas Day and the New Year’s Day, Mahavir Jayanti and Buddha Jayanti, Guru Nanak’s Birthday etc. The Diwali and the Dussehra are the festivals of the Hindus; the Ids are of the Muslims; X-mas Day and the New Year’s Day are of the Christians; Mahavir Jayanti is the festival of Jains; Buddha Jayanti is of Buddhists and Guru Nanak’s Birthday is of the Sikhs. Though these festivals are marked by the communities they represent yet they are celebrated by all alike without any communal hatred or ill—will. They, on the whole, mark the communal harmony strengthening the feeling of oneness as Indians.
The important seasonal festivals are the Holi, the Baisakhi and the Besant. Holi the festival of colours marks the end of the winter season. The Baisakhi which is the seasonal festival of the Punjab declares the end of the harvesting season. The Besant which heralds the arrival of the spring – the season of flowers and plants, vigor and vitality.
There are national festivals which are celebrated with great joy by the people of all communities throughout the country. They are the Independence Day; we got freedom on this day. Republic Day-we got our constitution on this day. Gandhi Jayanti-the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi-the father of our nation.
In this way, we find that festivals bring a current of joy in our lives. They all teach us the noble ideas of life.
Vocabulary
Frolics—happiness
Harmony—unity
