India is a land of festivals and festivities.

These festivals are basically meant to express gratitude to the forces of nature that help the human beings to produce wealth of food from tilling the land, to procreate and bring to life best offspring, to harness energy resources from water, air, and sun energy. Thus sun, air, water (rivers, seas, and ocean) trees and forest (that give us wood and herbs and roots as medicines) became objects of worship. Thus festivals became not only the personal, family, and social occasions of fun and merriment, but also prayer and worship of various gods and goddesses. Thus to supplement this spiritual drive, various functions at family and social level are organized that gave variety and entertainment in life. It was not possible for householders to meditate and worship the Self for whole day. Most people were engaged in some or the other activity to earn their bread. These activities till recent times, before the advent of scientific and technological revolution, were restricted and related to agriculture, food processing and cottage industries. Farmers were supported by carpenters, veterinary specialist, and market men dealing with purchase and sell of farm produce. [Still 70% of India lives in villages.] Thus social festivals were organized at the beginning and end of farming activities. At the beginning, unsure of vagaries of nature, it used to be mostly prayers and worship of village and personal deity, austerities and simple life. This was to propitiate gods of rains, weather, etc. and to pray to them to shower their grace in the form of good rain fall and saving their crop from pests and other catastrophes. At the end of harvesting, however, once their prayers were rewarded with bountiful grains, cereals and lentils, maize and oilseeds, their joy knew no bounds. Spontaneously, the young and elderly, men and women, boys and girls, all were jubilant. To express their joy, to express their gratitude to mother earth, to express social solidarity the folks spontaneously organized wonderful festivals at the end of harvesting season. With the sell of produce they had money in their pocket. The profit was enough to send them into rapture of dance and merriment. Drums and trumpets, flutes and sirens filled the air with enthusiasm and gaiety. Feet restless to dance rhythmically to the tune of music. Piety, love, and happiness shone over the faces as contentment and smile.

Baisakhi and Holi in the north-west, Dasera and Diwali in mainland, Pongal and Onam in south, and in north-eastern states of India are common festivals of this kind related with prosperity and fertility.

India, the land of varied cultures and traditions is a land of festivals and fairs. It is a land of festivity - religious as well as folkloristic. Whether you go to the East or the West, North or the South you would be able to enjoy every month a festival or a fair. Be it cultural or religious, it gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy and join the festivity. Festival is the time to rejoice and have fun. Many festivals celebrate the various harvests, commemorate great historical figures and events, while many express devotion to the deities of different religions. Every celebration centres around the rituals of prayer, seeking blessings, exchanging goodwill, decorating houses, wearing new cloths, music, dance and feasting. In India every region and every religion has something to celebrate. The festivals reflect the vigour and life-style of its people. Vibrant colours, music and festivity make the country come alive throughout the year. The emphasis laid on the different festivals differs in different parts of the country. For instance during Navaratri is celebrated with maximum fervour in West Bengal as compared to that in other parts of the country. Holi is celebrated with gusto in the north, and although it is also observed in the western and eastern parts of India, in the south it is almost unknown. There are also a few regional festivals like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Onam in Kerala and the various other temple festivals devoted to the specific patron Gods and Goddesses of the temples, which are celebrated exclusively in those areas which may be limited to one or a few villages. The galaxy of festivals that exist do contribute in inter-spicing Indian life with gaiety and colour as also in giving the country the distinction of having the maximum number of holidays.