january

1.

New Year's Day: New Year's Day is a national holiday celebrated on January 1st, the first day of the New Year,
following both the Gregorian and the Julian calendar. This New Years' holiday is often marked by fireworks,
parades, and reflection upon the last year while looking ahead to the future's possibilities. Many people celebrate
New Year's in the company of loved ones, involving traditions meant to bring luck and success in the upcoming
year. Many Cultures celebrate this happy day in their own unique way. Typically the customs and traditions of
happy New Years involve celebrating with champagne and a variety of different foods. New Years marks a date of
newly found hapiness and a clean slate. For many celebrating New Years, it is their opportunity to learn from the
prior year and make positive changes in their life.

2. Republic Day: 26th January is celebrated as Republic Day all over India every year. It was on this day in 1950 that
our country became a Democratic Republic. India had a Constitution of her own. Republic Day is celebrated at
India Gate in New Delhi. People come from many parts of the country to see the celebrations. The President comes
to India Gate. He takes salute from the soldiers of Army, Navy and Air force. Tanks, guns and many other weapons
of the armed forces are displayed. Tableaus and dancing troupes from different States pass through Raj Path. It is
the most beautiful part of the celebrations. Boys and girls of different schools also take part in the procession. The
parade ends at the Red Fort. In the end, there is a colourful fly past by the aeroplanes of the Indian Air Force. At
night all government buildings are illuminated.

3. march
4. Holi: Many festivals' are celebrated in India. Holi is one of them. Holi is an important festival of the Hindus. It is a festival of colours and fun.
A night before Holi, a big fire is burnt. Holi has a religious background. King Hiranyakashyap tried to burn his son, Prahlad. Prahlad used to
worship Lord Vishnu. The king did not like this. The king's sister Holika had a blessing that she could not be burnt in fire. So the king asked his
sister to burn Prahlad. She sat in the fire with Prahlad. But instead of Prahlad, Holika was burnt. Holi is celebrated with colours. People throw
water and 'Gulal' on one another. Children enjoy this festival most. They dance and sing and play with colours. It is difficult to recognise
children's faces on this day.

5. Rama Navami: This festival falls in the month of Chitra (March-April). On the ninth day, the birthday of Lord Rama
is celebrated by Hindus everywhere. The worshipper listen to a recital of the Ramayana during the eight nights
preceding it. The erudite pandits with indepth knowledge of this great epic are invited to temples where they
entertain the worshippers with tales from the Ramayana. Ram Navami day is kept as a strict fast. The Rama
temples are illuminated and the idol of Lord Rama adorned with ornaments. The Ramayana is read in the temples,
at noon of this day the priest of the temple exhibits a small image of the god and put it into a cradle. The devotees
prostrates itself before it. Acclamations arise all round handfuls of red powder are flung in token of joy and all go
home exulting.Rama is said to have installed in Rameswaram a Sivalingam as expiation of the sin committed in
having slain a large number of demons in Lanka. Endowments to conduct Sri Ramanavami festival are found
recorded in some temples of Tamil Nadu .

6. april
7. Good Friday: It commemorate the passion and death of Jesus on the cross. Christians spent this day as a day of
fasting, reading sermons on the death of Jesus and keeping company with Jesus in his last sufferings. It is called as
good because the happenings of this day are believed to be the source of mans salvation. Motive behind the
observation of Good Friday (March-April) is therefore, to get relief from suffering. Special happening of this sacred
day are the 3 hours devotion for suffering of Jesus (3 days remembrance) for our sins. 3 hours continue prayers
and group level. In some churches, on Good Friday, the devotes wear black clothes, go in a procession with an
image of the dead Jesus and a ceremonial burial takes place. No bells are rung in Christian churches .

8. may
9. Buddha Jayanti: Buddha is the Sanskrit term, from Buddhi, relating to intellect or understanding and hence
relating or belonging to the Buddha or to Buddhism. Buddhism is a school of Indian speculative thought founded
by Siddhartha (6th century B.C.) which developed into a monastic order (Sangha). Siddhartha (also known as
Gotama) was the son of Suddhodana, a member of the Gotama clan and a chieftain of the Sakhya tribe, whose
lands were part of the Gorakhpur district and extended from the lower Nepalese mountains to the river Rapti in
Oudh. Siddhartha was born at Kapilavastu (now Bhuila) a town situated about half way between Basti and
Ajudhya (Ayodhya) in the territory of Kosala (the modern Oudh), about sixty miles from its capital city Sravasti a
(favourite abode of Gotama).Buddhism, while rejecting brahmanic fundamentalism, later formed part of Indian
religious development. Buddha Jayanti or Birthday of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism occurs in the month of
April or May. It is a national holiday in India and is the major Buddhist festival that is known as Baishakha Purnima.
To pay homage to Lord Buddha, several meetings are held and restate his message. A large number of nonbuddhists also participate in this holy occasion.

10. august

11. independence day: On 15th August 1947, India got independence from British rule. Hence the day is called indian
independence day. It is a very important day for our country. It was won by ahimsa under the leadership of
Mahatma Gandhi. This year we celebrate the 58th independence day. The day is celebrated throughout the
country. On this day the prime minister hoists the national flag over the Red Fort in Delhi. He then addresses the
people of India. The national anthem is sung on this occasion. Medals and honours are awarded to selected people.
Buildings are lit with lights. Children dress up like our national leaders and sing patriotic songs. All the schools,
offices and shops are closed on this day. All the people are happy and take part in this national festival.

12. september
13. Janmashtami

Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna.

Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Srikrishna Jayanti, Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami and sometimes simply as
Janmashtami.
Janmashtami is one such festival that is celebrated equally in North and South India. Different parts of the
country celebrate the festival differently.
The idol of Lord Krishna is placed in a decorated mantapa.
Snacks and sweets are specially prepared for the festival, and offered to Lord Krishna. Along with it, fruits that
are his favorites are also offered.
In some parts of Karnataka, chakli, avalakki and bellada panaka are prepared especially for the festival.
In the city of Dwarka in Gujarat and the eastern states of Orissa and West Bengal, people celebrate it with
fasting and doing puja at midnight.
The festival is celebrated in the evening as Lord Krishna was born at midnight. Most people observe a strict fast
on this day and eat only after the midnight puja.
Eatables made of milk and curd are prepared to make offerings to Lord Krishna. Joyful chanting of Lord's name
takes place in temples.
Krishnashtami brings much joy and feeling of unity.

1. october
2. Dussehra:Dussehra is an important festival of the Hindus. It is celebrated before Diwali. Lord Rama killed the

4.

5.

demon king Ravana on this day. Dussehra gives the message that there is always victory of truth over evil.
Lord Rama's life is enacted in public grounds. It is called 'Ram Lila'. Many people go to different parks to see
'Ram Lila'. It continues for ten days. On the tenth day, huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnad
filled with crackers are erected. Then they are put to fire in a big open ground, Many people gather to see
this sight. Children enjoy the fireworks and the fair. We should learn lessons from Lord Rama's life.
3. november
Diwali: Diwali is a festival of lights. It is one of the most loved festivals of the Hindus. It is generally
celebrated in the month of October or November. It is celebrated because it was on this day that Lord Rama
returned to his kingdom after 14 years of exile along with his wife Sita and brother Laxman after killing the
demon, Ravana. About a week before the festival, people start cleaning their house a decorating it with
paper cuttings and lights everybody buys new clothes, exchange sweets and make varieties of sweets on
diwali. In the evening, people light up earthen lamps and candles to illuminate their houses. Lord Ganesha
and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth are worshipped on Diwali. Children light fire crackers and
sparklers in their home. Everyone enjoys this festival very much. It brings joy and happiness to all.
Guru Nanak Jayanti:Guruparab is also known as 'Guru Nanak Jayanti. It is one of the biggest festivals of
Sikhs. The birthday of Guru Nanak Dev is celebrated as Guruparab. He was the founder of the Sikh religion.
On Gurupurab, Sikhs wear new clothes and go to the Gurudwaras. They offer their prayers and pay homage
to the Guru Granth Sahib. On this day, the holy book of Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is continuously read
and recited in the Gurudwaras. Lamps are lit, processions are taken out, free langars (meals) are arranged
and a sweet prasad is distributed all over the country. It is one of the most loved festivals of Sikhs.

6.

december

7. Christmas: Christmas is one of the most important festivals of Christians. It is celebrated ever year on 25th
December. It was on this day that Lord Jesus Christ was born. Christians wear new clothes and attend special
prayers in the church on Christmas. The churches are lit up on the 'Christmas even, an evening before
Christmas. On Christmas, Christians sing carols and pray together in the church. All the family members
decorate Christmas trees with toys, decorative lights, balloons and candles. Children believe that it is Santa
Claus who brings gifts for them. Christmas is a festival of joy and peace.