Presents Compiled and designed by the teachers of New Horizon Public School Festivals are very important. They make us forget our cultural and religious differences. They unite people and they come together for the sole purpose of celebration and happiness. Other than that, festivals also help us embrace our culture and religion. They are very helpful in breaking the monotony of life. FESTIVALS WE CELEBRATE India is a country of colours and festivals. It is said that there are seven days in a week but nine festivals. They mark the grand and happy occasions in the life of Indian People. Great preparations are made well in advance to observe festivals. These are the occasions of family gatherings, exchange of greeting and sweets. Festivals come round the year and add colour , joy, happiness, variety and spice to life. INDIAN FESTIVALS FESTIVALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. THEY MAKE US FORGET OUR CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES. THEY UNITE PEOPLE WHO COME TOGETHER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF CELEBRATION AND HAPPINESS. OTHER THAN THAT, FESTIVALS ALSO HELP US EMBRACE OUR CULTURE AND RELIGION. THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL IN BREAKING THE MONOTONY OF LIFE IN INDIA THERE ARE MORE THAN THOUSANDS OF FESTIVALS CELEBRATED BUT APPROXIMATELY 33 TO 35 FESTIVALS ARE POPULAR IN INDIA. TYPES OF INDIAN FESTIVALS NATIONAL FESTIVALS RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS National Festivals include : • Republic Day • Independence Day Popular Religious festivals in India include Ramadan Onam Krishna Holi Janmashtmi Raksha Diwali Bandhan Christmas Durga Puja Dussehra Easter Ganesh Chatuthi Ram Navami Navratri Mahavir Jayanti Sankranti is celebrated in almost all parts of India with distinct names. Here are some examples. Maghi Sankrant Thai Pongal (Maharashtra and Did you know that (Tamil nadu) Haryana) there is one festival that is celebrated in Uttarayan different states with Magh/Bhogali Bihu different names? (Gujarat) (Assam) Poush sôngkrānti Shishur Saenkraat (Bengal) (Kashmir) Makara Sankranti falls on the same Khichdi Parv Suggi Habba date every year (14th (UP and (Karnataka) JANUARY) and rarely Bihar) does the date shift by a day or so. Lohri Makara Chaula (Punjab) (Odisha) Interesting Facts about Festivals in India Tihar is one of the festivals of India that is dedicated to certain animals and birds which share a close relationship with the people. Snake Boat Races are held in Kerala and several dozens of men race on a boat in Kerala’s waterways and canals. Match the following ‘A’ Column ‘B’ Column Festival of Colours Raksha Bandhan Festival of Lights Navratri Festival of Brother and Sister Makar Sankranti Festival of Kites Diwali Festival of Garba and Dandia Holi Fill in the blanks with given options Dussehra Church Festivals Ganesh Chaturthi 1. ___________ is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. 2. ___________ bring people together. 3. People go to ______________ to pray on Christmas. 4. A statue of 10 headed Ravana is burnt on __________________..