Hindu festivals
Dussehra
It is celebrated in most parts of our country. This marks the victory of good over evil. It is also called as Vijay Dasimi. We celebrate Navaratri and the tenth day is Dussehra. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghanath are burnt. This festival is celebrated in memory of the victory of Rama over Ravana. Ramlila, depicting the life of Rama is staged in Delhi. Durga pooja is celebrated in west Bengal. In Gujarat, men and women perform dance with sticks every evening during Navaratri. This dance is of two varieties- Ras and Garbha.
Ganesh Chautrdhi
It is celebrated all over India. It marks the birthday of lord Ganesh, the god who eliminates obstacles. It is celebrated for nine days and the idols lord Ganesh are immersed in rivers and tanks. Delicious food items prepared of rice floured are offered to lord Ganesh.
Diwali
On this day, the ladies put on their costliest clothes and ornaments. The men folk indulge in gambling, real or fake, in order to give auspicious turn to their financial worries.
Diwali is the festival of lights. It is one of the most important festivals. It marks ` the new year’ for business men. They perform Lakshmi pooja in the night and seek the blessings of the goddesses of wealth for their prosperity and wealth.
People whitewash their houses before Diwali. Diwali night is the best night. Earthen lamps are lighted. Crackers are set off. We should stand at a distance from burning crackers.
Oman and pongal
Oman is a festival celebrated in Kerala for four days. There are also boat races. People sing and dance and celebrate it with pomp.
Besides these festivals, people also celebrate harvest festivals like Basanth panchami ad Pongal.
This celebration lasts for three days, but for many days before, everyone has been busy with preparations. Young people coat the walls of village homes with fresh whitewash or fresh red clay to cover the streaks from last season’s rains. They may also paint designs on the walls or draw them on the floors with rice flour. Of course, every one likes to have some new clothes too.
Some collects handfuls of rice from all the family pots in the village to make one big batch of sweets. A sampling of this fresh pongal is offered to the sun god at a temple or shrine, or in front of a household image. A bit of it may also be offered to the elephant headed god known in some parts of India as Ganapati, in others as Ganesh. He gods enjoy the spirit of the sweets. After these ceremonies, the sweets are served to the villages families. The children wait eagerly for this!
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