Indian Culture

List of Festivals of India 

• Hinduism
  
  Main article: Hindu festivals
  
  People celebrating Holi.
  People celebrating Holi.
  The largest religious gathering on Earth. Around 70 million Hindus from around the world participated in Kumbh Mela at one of the Hindu Holy city Prayag (India).
  The largest religious gathering on Earth. Around 70 million Hindus from around the world participated in Kumbh Mela at one of the Hindu Holy city Prayag (India).
  
  Hindus celebrate a number of Festivals all through the year. From celebrating the advent of spring to celebrating the win of good over evil, Hindu religion and culture provide its followers endless reasons to celebrate. Given below is the list of just a few of these festivals that are celebrated with great zest and fervour.
  
  * Diwali or Deepawali
  * Ganesh Chaturthi
  * Dussehra or Daserra
  * Ugadi
  * Sankranthi
  * Pongal
  * Holi
  * Raksha Bandhan
  * Krishna Janmastami
  * Gudi Padwa
  * Durga Puja
  * Navratri
  * Maha Shivaratri
  * Basant
  * Bonalu
  * Teej
  * Bhaubeej (Bhai Dooj)
  * Ramanavami
  * Hanuman Jayanti
  * Chhath
  * Guru Purnima
  * Baisakhi
  * Onam
  * Karwa Chauth
  * Thaipusam
  * Ratha Yatra
  * Gita Jayanti
  * Kumbh Mela
  * Thrissur Pooram
  * Laxmi puja
  * Kumar Purnima
  * Saraswati Puja
  * PrathamAstami
  * Vasant Panchami
  * Amavasya
  * Kojagiri Purnima
  * Anant Chaturdashi
  * Ekadashi
  * Nag panchami
  * Sankranthi
  * Vat Pournima
  * Zatra
  
  [edit] Islamic
  
  * Chand Raat
  * Eid-ul-Azha (or Eid-ul-Adha)
  * Eid-ul-Fitr
  * Muharram (day of mourning observed by Shiites only)
  * Milad-un-nabi
  
  [edit] Christian
  
  * Good Friday
  * Easter
  * Christmas
  
  [edit] Sikhism
  
  * Diwali
  * Guru Nanak's Birthday Jayanti
  * Guru Govind Singh's Birthday Jayanti
  * Guru Teg Bahadur's Martyrdom Day
  * Baisakhi
  
  [edit] Zoroastrian
  The Traditional Haft Seen for Navroz
  The Traditional Haft Seen for Navroz
  
  The Parsis account for less than 0.007% of the Indian population, but as Mahatma Gandhi said, they are "in number beneath contempt, but in contribution, beyond compare." The same could be said of their festivals. Unfortunately, like the Parsis themselves, these are private and celebrated primarily within the community. The Parsis use the Shahenshahi ("Imperial") version of the Zoroastrian calendar, which differs significantly from the Qadimi ("Ancient") version that their Iranian co-religionists use. For example, New Year is celebrated in the spring by Iranians but falls in late summer for Parsis. In addition to seasonal festivals, called Gahambars, the most eminent celebratory occasions are listed below.
  
  * Maidyozarem Gahambar - Mid-Spring Festival. Early October.
  * Maidyoshahem Gahambar - Mid-Summer Festival. Early December
  * Paitishahem Gahambar - Festival of bringing in the harvest. Mid February.
  * Ayathrem Gahambar - Festival if bringing home the herds. Mid March.
  * Maidyarem Gahambar - Mid-Winter Festival. Lit. 'Mid-Year'. Early June.
  * Hamaspathmaidyem or Muktad - All Souls Festival. Cf. Día de los Meurtos
  * Pateti - New Year's Day Eve. August-September.
  * Jamshed-e Navroz - New Year's Day, (Norouz). August-September.
  * Jashan-e Sadeh - Festival of Fire. Lit. the 100th day (before Navroz).
  * Jashan-e Mehragan - Festival of Mihr. A day of thanksgiving dedicated to the highest Angel, Mithra (c.f. Metatron).
  * Jashan-e Tirigan - Festival of Tir. A day dedicated to Tishtrya, Angel of the star Sirius and rain.
  * Farvardigan - Festival of the Farohars ('guardian angels').
  * Khordad Sal - Birthday of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
  * Zartosht No-Diso - Anniversary commemorating the death of the Prophet Zarathushtra.
  
  See also: Zoroastrian calendar
  
  [edit] Jain
  
  * Mahavir Jayanti
  * Kshamavaani
  * Mahamastakabhisheka
  * Paryushana
  * Kali Chaudas
  
  [edit] Others
  
  * Buddha Purnima (Buddha Jayanti or Vesak), Buddhist
  * Ayya Vaikunda Avataram
  
  [edit] Unofficial
  
  * New Year's Day
  * Valentine's Day, mostly in urban areas
  * April Fool's Day
  * Children's Day, 14th November
  * Vijay Diwas (Victory Day)
  
  Happy New Years