Festival Celebration on Train with Rajbhog Khana

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, in Hinduism, 10-day festival marking the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom. It begins on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar.

At the start of the festival, idols of Ganesha are placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents. The worship begins with the pranapratishtha, a ritual to invoke life in the idols, followed by shhodashopachara, or the 16 ways of paying tribute. Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns from religious texts like the Ganesh Upanishad, the idols are anointed with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers. Ganesha is also offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings), considered to be Ganesha’s favourite food.

At the conclusion of the festival, the idols are carried to local rivers in huge processions accompanied by drumbeats, devotional singing, and dancing. There they are immersed, a ritual symbolizing Ganesha’s homeward journey to Mount Kailas—the abode of his parents, Shiva and Parvati.

Ganesh Chaturthi assumed the nature of a gala public celebration when the Maratha ruler Shivaji (c. 1630–80) used it to encourage nationalist sentiment among his subjects, who were fighting the Mughals. In 1893, when the British banned political assemblies, the festival was revived by the Indian nationalist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Today the festival is celebrated in Hindu communities worldwide and is particularly popular in Maharashtra and parts of western India.

Purpose of Celebrating Festivals

India is home to various festive occasions that come according to their seasons and at regular intervals of time. These festivals help mankind to thank god, honor our customs rituals and traditions, respect values, feel the greatness of god and nature, spread peace and humanity, express gratitude while sharing joy and reinforce social bonds. We are blessed with a rich culture adhere with a logical approach that makes the festival more attractive. The festivals help us to understand the logic that why they are celebrated at a particular time and in a specific manner.

Advantages of Celebrating Festivals

There are several reasons that support the above heading. It includes festivals that benefit us to practice our traditions at regular intervals of time while learning to cherish humanity all around. It helps us to get relaxed from our regular and boredom life schedule. We get time to reunite with our friends and family and get a chance for reflection, gratitude and spiritual growth in deed.

List of top Festivals Celebrated in India

• January Festivals:-
  • a.) Makar Sankranti / Pongal – It is celebrated as the first festival of the year and marks the end of winter. In different part of the country it is celebrated with different names like Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Cattle races, kite fly with delicious feasts and other traditional activities it is delightfully celebrated.
  • b.) Lohri – Lohri is one of the main festivals of Punjab, celebrated to mark the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a vibrant celebration filled with traditional music and Bhangra dance, all enjoyed around a bonfire.
• February Festivals:-
  • a.) Vasant Panchmi – It is celebrated to welcome spring and includes offering prayers to Goddesses Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music and art.
  • b.) Maha Shivaratri - This festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated with long night prayers, during which devotees offer bael leaves, fruits, and milk to the Shiva Lingam.
• March Festivals:-
  • a.) Holi - The month of March is well known for Holi festival of colors. It marks of arrival of spring and win over good against evil. People dance, put colors on each other and taste the mouth-watering Gujiyas and other tasty dishes.
  • b.) Ram Navami – It is celebrated the birth of Lord Rama and involves doing bhajans, prayer and enchanting mantas and offering prayers in the Ram temples.
• April Festivals:-
  • a.) Baisakhi - It is the harvest festival celebrated mainly in Punjab as it marks Punjabi New year. It is also associated with the formation of KHALSA in Sikhism
  • b.) Mahavir Jayanti –Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara in Jainism. This day is observed with great reverence by the Jain community, as it honors the teachings and life of Lord Mahavir, who advocated for non-violence, truth, and compassion. The day serves as a reminder of the values of humility, simplicity, and spiritual discipline that Lord Mahavir embodied.
• May Festivals:-
  • a.) Eid- al-Fitr – The festival is associated with the fragrance of savayain as it is made on the occasion of the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. People of the Muslim community offer their Namaz in the Mosque and hug each other to wish the festival wishes.
• August Festivals:-
  • a.) Raksha Bandhan – It marks the bond between the brother and sister. There is protective thread knotted by the sister on the wrist of her brother and the brother gives a promise to protect her. Also, he gives gifts or amounts as a token of love.
  • b.) Janmashtami - The festival is associated with the celebration of the birth of lord Krishna. Devotes visits to the temple, enchant mantras, sing bhajans and events like Dahi-Handi are done.
  • c.) Independence Day – It commemorates the freedom of the country from British rule. Various events like Flag Hosting, parades and other cultural programs are hosted.
• September Festivals:-
  • a.) Ganesh Chaturthi - The festival is celebrated in honor of the birth of Ganesha and his visit to Earth. Devotes keep idols of the lord at their homes and also in big Pandals for five or nine days and worship him. They offer prayer both in the morning and night with the Bhog of Ladoo or Modak.
  • b.) Onam – It is the religious and prime festival of Kerala and marks the return of King Mahabali. It is celebrated by famous boat race, floral rangoli called as Pookalam and grand feasts Onam Sandhya.
• October Festivals:-
  • a.) Navaratri – It is nine day festival dedicated to goddess Durga and her incarnation. It is celebrated by fasting for nine days, and dancing events like Garba and Dandiya. It is also known as Durga Puja in West Bengal is the chief festival of the state.
  • b.) Dussehra - This festival marks the victory of lord Rama over evil demon king Ravana. To symbolize the win of good over evil, people celebrate the festival by effigy burning, processions and cultural performances.
  • c.) Karva Chauth - It is ritual festival where married women keep fast without taking water whole day. This fasting is done for husbands for their well being, long life. The fast is broken after they witness the moon and other rituals.
• November Festivals:-
  • a.) Diwali - It is one the most prominent festival in India where lights are the center of attraction. This festival rejoices in the comeback of lord Rama from his 14 years of exile in the forest. People bust firecrackers and exchange gifts while enjoying different types of sweets.
  • b.) Guru Nanak Jayanti – It marks the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. On this day special Langar is organized while singing hymns and offering prayers.
• December Festivals:-
  • a.) Christmas – On this day Jesus Christ was born thus to celebrate this eve people decorate Christmas trees, visit churches for prayers, and exchange gifts.
  • b.) Lohri – Lohri is one of the main festivals of Punjab, celebrated to mark the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a vibrant celebration filled with traditional music and Bhangra dance, all enjoyed around a bonfire.