As you know, India is known for its culture, traditions and festivals. Even though the year is ending soon, the new year awaits with a wide range of graceful festivals. These festivals might have different aspects of spiritual observances and celebrations. Every festival has various significances related to distinct gods and goddesses. You might be aware of well-known festivals celebrated in most parts of India.
But do you know the five upcoming festivals? If not, you are on the right page. This blog will help you to learn about the five upcoming festivals.
Top 5 Upcoming Festivals of India
Gita Jayanti
Even though it’s not well-known, when compared to other festivals, Gita Jayanti marks a crucial event from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. This day is considered the beginning of the Hindu epic book Bhagavad Gita.
It is said to be the day when lord Krishna delivered wisdom or Gita Gyan to Arjuna during the battle of Kurukshetra. This day is mostly celebrated by the devotees of lord Krishna. With great enthusiasm, people recite the Bhagavad Gita, which has 700 verses delivering wisdom of life to humans. People organize pujas and bhajans not only in temples but also in their houses in front of the lord Krishna statues and prepare sweets to distribute them. In some places, they conduct street plays of Mahabharata and games that can spread the stories of lord Krishna to the world.
Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman is one of the strong deities who has played a crucial role in the epic Ramayana. He is a monkey-faced god who was the beloved devotee of lord Ram. He is known for his love, compassion and strength. He is praised for his incredible power and physical strength through which he helps lord Ram to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. Honouring his actions and stories, people like to place his idols in their home.Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to memorialize the birth of Hanuman. The festival signifies his unwavering devotion, selflessness and strong virtues.
Due to his actions and stories, a large community of devotees are praising him in India. People celebrate this auspicious day by visiting the Hanuman temple, carrying out fasting, and participating in the prayers. They also spend time reading and reciting hymns of Hanuman, called Hanuman Chalisa.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a festival that is relatable to lord Vishnu. It is celebrated to honour and praise lord Vishnu. It falls in December or January when people dedicate their prayers to lord Vishnu. The word ‘Vaikuntha’ means the abode of lord Vishnu. Do you know the significance of this festival? People believe that on this auspicious day, the gates of Vaikuntha were opened. It means on that day, the doors of Vaikuntha were open for devotees to attain salvation.
Devotees of lord Vishnu visit temples, undergo a long day fasting, participate in bhajans and prayers. People also clean and decorate their houses and conduct prayers in front of the idols of lord Vishnu.
Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a noted festival celebrated across India. It is a festival celebrated to share gratitude for the bountiful harvest and ask for blessings for prosperity. This festival is to commemorate the Hindu deity god Surya. From the past ages to the present day, flying kites has been a common practice during Makar Sankranti.
People celebrate Makar Sankranti by gathering on the rooftops with their families and flying the kite with enthusiasm. The sweets and dishes prepared during the festivals may vary according to the region. Most people prepare dishes with sesame seeds, jaggery, and sugarcane. In some parts of India, lighting the bonfires is a part of a ritual and tradition. This festival has different names in different parts of India such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, etc.
Pongal
Pongal is similar to Makar Sankranti, celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is an interesting upcoming festival in India. Pongal is a harvest festival, conducted to commemorate the yield of winter crops. Resonating the overwhelming joy, the word 'Pongal' is adapted from ‘Pongu’, which means overflow. People chose this auspicious day to share their gratitude to the sun god. The sun deity resonates power and sustenance.
Pongal is an occasion of four days, including Bhogi Pongal, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kannum Pongal. This festival signifies embracing the positivity and diminishing the negativity.
Read more: Why do We Celebrate the Pongal Festival?- Importance in 2023
Holi
This festival falls in March, which is said to be the festival of colors. Holi is celebrated with a welcoming spring. Even though the festival symbolizes many stories, a famous one everyone believes is of Holika and Prahlada. The story is about Prahlada, a dedicated devotee of lord Vishnu was rescued from the fire, set by his aunt Holika through a divine force. This story signifies the win of good over evil.
The primary god that is honored in Holi is lord Krishna. Devotees connect the festival with the vibrant, cheerful and playful life of lord Krishna. However, in some regions like West Bengal, people honor and worship the goddess Kali. The deities worshipped might change across India. Despite rituals, Holi is a festival of togetherness and joy where people apply colors of joy to each other and distribute sweets. The festival resonates with unity, compassion, forgiveness and love.
Read more: Story of Goddess Kali- A Transcendent Deity
Let's Wait and Cherish this Vibrant Festival
Festivals are always an occasion of joy and positivity. Even though every festival has a different importance, their goal is to embrace togetherness and end the negativity. It does not matter what festival it is, people always put effort into making it more vibrant and impressive by doing activities from cleaning the houses and their puja rooms, visiting temples, decorating the respective idols, conducting the rituals and more.
People believe these acts can enhance the positivity and hope within us and our surroundings. So, let's make every festival memorable by knowing its importance and taking part in the activities.
