India is a land full of festivals wherein the celebrations are much larger than life itself. Some are based on the arrival of the new month while some others have a beautiful significance attached to it which helps to break the monotony of life as we celebrate them with great fervour. As there are so many festivals to celebrate across 12 months, every year, each of these have been broadly classified into national, religious and seasonal festivals, as per the kind of significance it holds. Best part of each of these Indian festivals is that it unites people of different caste, creed and gender to bring them together to spread the message of brotherhood. Talking of some of the upcoming festivals, people are looking forward to quite a few. Check the list of upcoming festivals and know how to celebrate each one of them from below.
- Friendship Day (August 2) : Every year, the first sunday of the August month is celebrated as friendship day. People tie friendship bands to their best friends so as to show how grateful they are to find a true friend like theirs. Some friends like to hit their favorite bakery or cafe to have a gala time celebrating this day with their best of friends as they cut a scrumptious friendship day cake to mark this beautiful festival.
- Raksha Bandhan (August 3) : Celebrated in the Shravana month as per Hindu calendar, this festival marks the beautiful brother-sister bond to strengthen the love, which exists between them. On this day, a sister ties a rakhi or protection thread on her brother’s wrist as her brother pledges to protect or safeguard her from every evil or trouble. Although, it comes once a year, but there exists an excitement or eagerness amongst all the sisters to shop for the best piece of peacock, divine or silver rakhi for their brothers. While sisters look forward to shop the best piece of rakhi for their brothers, brothers won’t even leave any stones unturned to shop for some best possible rakhi gifts online or at some offline stores.
- Janmashtami (August 11) : This religious festival is celebrated in the honour of Lord Krishan’s birthday, every year. People fast and recite mantras and sing bhajans in temples all night long. Also at midnight, idols of Lord Baby Krishna are washed with milk, he is then clothed in new pieces of clothing and then placed in a cradle. Post that devotees break their fast by swinging baby krishna in the cradle and distributing sweets.
- Independence Day (August 15) : In the year 1947, India got its independence and this day is celebrated with solemnity as the anniversary of the attainment of freedom. Cultural programmes are being held to revoke the sense of patriotism amongst all, thereby our national flags are hoisted and the national anthem is sung by every Indian in unity with due respect.
- Teej (August 21) : To pray for marital bliss and goodluck, women across Indian states observe a day long fast without even touching a drop of food and water to pray to the Almighty. Once the moon comes up in the evening, the ladies break their fast as they worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day, ladies dress up beautifully in their finest red sarees and pieces of jewellery as they get dolled up from applying henna on their hands and some nominal makeup on their faces.
- Ganesh Chaturthi – A month before people visit the idol vendors to place orders for their Ganesha idols for the Ganpati Sthapana’ at homes and pandals. Followed by marking this festival of 10 days by praying to the destroyer of obstacles (Vighnaharta as Lord Ganesha is called) to lead them to the way of success. People make monetary offerings, along with fruits, durva, modaks and karaji to the Lord.
So, these were some of the upcoming festivals that people in India are looking forward to celebrating.
