Delhi Tourism

Celebrations form an integral and immeasurably important fabric of India's culture. The amazing array of fairs and festivals celebrated across the length and breadth of the incredible land of India is simply said to be - spell binding.India’s rich and glorious civilization is mirrored in its innumerable fairs and festivals. They mark the seasons which signal to man the time for work and the time for play and relaxation, the commencement of the agricultural cycle with sowing in spring, and its culmination with the harvesting of the golden grain. And then, of course, we have, in endless variations of legend and myth, the hallowed perceptions that there is an ever-renewed war of light and darkness, of the divine and the demoniac in the unceasing evolution of the world.Be it the festivals of light - Deepawali or the festival of colors - Holi there is gaiety all around. In India festivals and fairs are feasts of sights, smells, sounds and tastes. bazarrs, folk troupes, folk dance and music, people clad in colorful and new attires, merry-go-rounds are some of the common features of the fairs and festivals.In India, during the pre-historic Indus valley civilization (3000BC to 1500BC) people had been celebrating various occasions of joy. This is evident from the archaeological excavations at Mohenjadaro and Harappa. Those practices continued during the Epic and Vedic times (800-300BC). During the Mauryan times functions like birthday, marriages, return from a victory were indeed a grand show of wealth and pomp. Festive assemblies like Utsavs were held by the Kings to entertain people where delicious food and drinks were supplied. Such social festivals continued to be popular during the imperial Gupta age too. Festivals accompanied the worship of Gods and Goddesses.

Ganesh Chaturthi
This day is dedicated to the Lord Ganesh,the elephant-headed god of all good beginnings and success. Held annually, this festival is a ten day long event. The images of Lord Ganesha are installed and worshipped and on the last day these are taken in processions to be immersed in flowing water. The sea front t at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular sight.

Baisakhi
Baisakhi has special significance for two of India's major religious groups. For Hindus, it's the start of the new year, and is celebrated with requisite bathing, partying, and worshipping. It's believed that the goddess Ganga descended to earth thousands of years ago, and in her honor many Hindus gather along the sacred Ganges River for ritual baths. Sikhs assign quite a different meaning to Baisakhi, and if you happen to be in a Punjabi village to catch the men performing the wild bhangra dance, you'll get the picture.Baisakhi also commemorates the day in 1689 when Guru Gobing Singh founded the Khalsa, the fighting Sikh brotherhood that donned the distinctive Sikh outfits. Sikhs visit temples, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where the holy Granth is read, commemorating the day on which the Guru asked five volunteers to offer their lives, then took them one at a time into a tent.

Ramanavami
The nine day celebration during bright fortnight of Chaitra month marks the birth ceremony of Lord Rama. The worship starts with morning ablations, chanting of Vedic mantras dedicated to Vishnu and offering of flowers and fruits to God. Excerpts from Ramacharitamanas extolling the glory of Rama are recited.Ramnavmi brata is considered as one of the five most important Vratas of the ancient time and everybody is obligated to observe the brata as it is the sole means of worldly happiness and salvation.

Hanuman Jayanti
The full moon day of Chaitra is celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti. Hanuman is known for his valour, courage, deep devotion and dedication towards Lord Rama. Images of Hanuman are usually made of red stone, painted with vermilion. Hanuman also symbolises supreme physical strength. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in all the temples of Rama.

Makar Sankranti
A celebration of spring on the occasion of the ‘ascent’ of the Sun to the north. This is the day of Goodwill and friendship.

Lohri (Punjab )
In the North Makar Sankranti is called Lohri. It is the only Hindu festival, which falls regularly on the 13th of January. Lohri is the time after which the biting cold of winter begins to taper off.

Shivarathri
Shivarathri is the day on which Maheswara takes up the Linga form for the benefit of spiritual seekers. What they have to seek from Maheswar is Jnana! ‘Janam Maheswaraardichched’. It is Jnana that makes manifest the divinity latent in man. It is the final achievement of all tapas, all Yajna and Yoga.

Buddha Purnima
The full moon day of April/May is celebrated as the birthday of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. This day holds special importance for the follower of Buddhism, as it is believed that on this day Lord Buddha was born, got enlightenment and also attained nirvana or salvation. The Buddha is regarded as the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Independence Day
Commemorating the day India Attained freedom (15th August), Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes in the sate capitals. The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.

Chhath Puja
A week after Diwali - the festival of lights, comes the festival Chhath. For one night and day, the people of Bihar practically live on the banks of the river Ganga when a ritual offering is made to the Sun God. The word Chhath denotes the number six and thus the name itself serves as a reminder of this auspicious day on the festival almanac. The venue for this unique festival is the riverbank and since the Ganga transverses the countryside of Bihar like a lifeline, it is but appropriate that the banks of this river should be the ideal prayer location. Chhath is considered a means to thank the Sun for bestowing the bounties of life on earth as also for fulfilling particular wishes.

Pushkar Festival
Pushkar, the holy town in Rajasthan is known for it's sacred lake and the only Brahma Temple in the world. Legend has it that this lake was formed where Lord Brahma - the lord of creation - dropped a lotus on the day of the full moon.