Indian
Holidays and Festivals iSLCollective.com
Learning Objective
• To make children aware about some
of the festivals and holidays in India
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Happy new year
(1st January) (Community- All India)
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Republic day
(26th January) (Community- All India)
• Marks the anniversary of the
adoption of India's Constitution
(Laws and Order) on January 26,
1950
• Spectacular celebrations are
held in New Delhi, with
magnificent parade of the
Armed Forces and civilians.
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Holi
(February-March) (Community- Hindus)
• Bonfires are lit on the eve of the festival, also known as Holika
Dahan, in memory of Holika who was burnt*
• Rangapanchami the second day marks the end of festivities
involving colours and commomerates Lord Krishna
* The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt
but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. iSLCollective.com
Easter
(March or April) (Community- Christians)
• Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ was crucified.
• Jesus rose from the death on the third day after his crucifixion
(Sunday) and ascended into heaven. His resurrection is celebrated
on Easter Day or Easter Sunday
• Easter eggs and Easter bunnies are a major attraction during
Easter
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Independence day
(15th August) (Community- All India)
• The anniversary of the attainment of India's Independence
(August 15, 1947) from the British rule
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Ramzan Eid
(August – September) (Community- Muslim)
• Celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan -
the Muslim month
• It is believed to be an auspicious month
since the first verses of the Quran
(Holy bible) were revealed to the Islamic
prophet, Muhammad during Ramazan
• The faithful gather in the mosques to
say prayers. Friends and relatives meet
to exchange greetings.
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Ganesh Chaturthi
(August - September) (Community- Hindu)
• This festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesh.
• People buy clay idols of Lord Ganesha and install them in
their houses and worship the idol for one to ten days, after
which the idols are taken out ceremoniously, through the
streets of the town and immersed in water.
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Gandhi Jayanti
(2nd October) (Community- All India)
• Marks the occasion of the
birthday of Mohandas Gandhi,
the “Father of the Nation."
• He was born on October 2,
1869.
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Navarati
(September-October) (Community- Hindus)
• The word Navaratri literally means nine nights
• During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of
Shakti/Devi are worshiped.
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Dusshera
(September -October) (Community- Hindus)
• The 10th day is Navaratri is commonly referred to as
Vijayadashmi or Dussehra
• Effigy of Ravana is burnt at many places to
commemorates the killing of the evil ravana by Lord
Rama
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Diwali
(October- November) (Community- Hindus)
• The return of Rama after 14 years of Vanavas
(banishment).
• To welcome his return, diyas (ghee lamps) were lit in
rows of 20 and hence it is popularly known as the
"festival of lights
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Children's day
(14th November) (Community- All India)
• The birthday of India’s first
Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru.
• Nehru was fondly called
Chacha Nehru (Uncle Nehru)
by the kids
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Bakri Eid
(November) (Community- Muslim)
• Commemorate the sacrifice of
Prophet Ibrahim, who willingly
agreed to kill his son at the behest
of God.
• This festival coincides with the
Haj pilgrimage in Mecca.
• Prayers are offered in mosques
and the sacrificial meat is then
distributed after the Id prayers
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Guru Nanak Jayanti
(November) (Community-Sikhs)
• Guru Nank Jayanti marks the birthday of the founder of the Sikh
religion - Guru Nanak Dev
• Guru Nanak was born in 1469, in the village of Rāi Bhōi dī Talwandī,
now called Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan.
• Today, his birthplace is marked by Gurdwara Janam Asthan.
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Moharram
(December) (Community- Muslim)
• Honor the sacrifice of prophet Mohammed's grandson-
Hazrat Imam Hussein.
• The glittering replicas of his tomb (Tazia), are carried in
procession through the streets
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Christmas
(25th December) (Community- Christians)
• Christmas marks the birth
of Jesus Christ
• Santa Claus, gifts, cakes,
cookies, and the
beautifully decorated
Christmas tree with a
midnight mass depicts he
beginning of Christmas.
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Activity
• Pick a calendar with holidays and ask your
child to identify the holidays in the
calendar
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