Famous Indian Festivals   Christmas The celebration of Christmas knows no barriers and travels unto oceans into far off land. This day of 25th Dec commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The day is felt like spring blossoms composing the environment blissful. The worth and charm of this festival is like beaconing light whose energy is transmitted and felt even after. The purpose of the festival is to strengthen the bond of love and care between people. Raksha Bandhan Rakhi or Raksha Bhandan is a festival, celebrated to honor the emotional bond between brother and sister. Sister ties a holy thread around her brother's wrist and takes a commitment from her brother that he will always be there beside her in hour of need. This thread, which vibrates with sisterly love and virtuous sentiments, is rightly called the 'Rakhi'. A "bond of protection". Bhai-Dooj Bhai-Dooj festival symbolizes the brother and sister eternal love for each other. Whereas sister prays for the long and prosper life of her brother by applying tilak on his forehead and in return brother promises to provide a life long protection to her sister. The festival falls on the second day after Diwali and is celebrated all over the country. Dussehra This hugely popular festival falls on the 10th day of the waxing moon during the Hindu month of Ashvin (around September or October). There is a fascinating array of myths and legends associated with Dussehra. On this day, Rama (the god-king and the hero of the great Hindu epicRamayana) vanquished the evil Ravana – the 10-headed demon-king of Lanka who had abducted Rama’s wife Sita. Diwali Deepawali or the Festival of Lights is perhaps the most popular of all Hindu festivals. Religious fervour paralleled with ample fun and merry-making marks the festival. Deepawali is celebrated in most parts of the country with equal enthusiasm and fervour. Like most festivals, Diwali, as it is more popularly known, comes with its own bagful of mythological and historical references. Holi Holi is celebrated at a time of the year when everyone’s had enough of the chilly winter and looks forward to the warmth of the sun. Trees get fresh new leaves that are at their glossiest best, and flowers begin to pop open and claim their share of fun in the sun. Even grandmothers abandon their knitting for the glorious sunny days. They know that it’s time to give in to good cheer, for the harsh Indian summers are just round the corner. Eid-Ul-Fitr Eid Ul Fitar is the biggest Muslim festival. Eid is derived from the Arabic word ‘oud’ or ‘the coming back’ to signify the return of Eid each year. The festival is significant as much for its timing as for its religious implications. It is celebrated after the month of Ramzan (the month of fasting and the ninth month of the Muslim year), on the first day of Shavval – a month in the Hijri year (Muslim year). It is believed that the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the month of Ramzan. Id-Ul-Zuha Also called Bakrid, Id-ul-Zuha, is a festival of great rejoice. Special prayers and exchange of greetings and gifts marked the Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid), the festival of sacrifice, celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in India. Id-ul-Zuha is a reminder of Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice his son for God's sake. It also marks the completion of Haj (pilgrimage to Mecca). On this day, special `Dua' is recited by thousands of muslims for peace and prosperity. Baisakhi The people of Punjab, one of the richest states in India, are in their element during the festival of Baisakhi. Sikhism as a religion originated from this northern state and is home to some of the most sturdy and fun-loving people in this country. Hidden behind the celebration of Baisakhi are the months of hard labour that have gone into the production of the rabi crop, the first harvest of the year. Durgapuja The azure sky with fluffy white clouds and a nip in the air marks the advent of autumn. It is time for Bengal’s most popular festival – Durga Puja or the worship of the Goddess Durga. Actually the festival is celebrated twice a year – once in the month of March or April (Basant), and again in the month of September or October (Ashwin), during the moonlit fortnight. On both occasions, the puja is a nine-day affair with the last day coinciding with Rama Navmi and Dussehra respectively. The Mother Goddess is venerated in one form or the other all over India, though she is most popular among the Bengalis. Buddha Purnima Considered to be the ninth avatar of Vishnu. Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is marked as the most important day, commemorating the three most significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha that occurred on the same day. His birth, enlightenment and death (nirvana), all happened in the month of Vaishak, on a full moon night in April/May. Thus, this makes the day - called Buddha Purnima Festival or Buddha Jayanti Festival- all the more sacred for Buddhists. Mahavir Jayanti Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the anniversary of Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jain religion. Commemorating his birthday on this day, Mahavir was the most revered religious leader in this century and was perceived as a reformer who vehemently opposed the ritualism and false beliefs. The twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara, Mahavir was born in 599 BC and lived for 72 years. He was born of Sidhartha, the Raja of Kundalpura, and Queen Trishala, who was also known by the name Priyakarni.