India Information

Festivals

The colorful mosaic of Indian Festivals and fairs-as diverse as the land, is an expression of the spirit of celebration that is an essential part of the country observed with enthusiasm and gaiety; festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Indian culture. They are round-the-year vibrant interludes in the mundane routine of life. Every season brings along new festivals, each a true celebration of the bounties of nature. In addition, that is not all! The birthdays of gods and goddesses, saints and prophets, great historical happening and the advent of the New Year, all find expression in colorful festivities. The same festival, though celebrated differently in the various parts of the country, exhibits an eternal harmony of sprit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to exchange gifts. New attire, dance, music and ritual, all add to their joyful rhythm. It is a time for prayer, for pageantry and processions... a time to rejoice.

Culture:

India is rich in its culture. It has enjoyed an international reputation for the brass and bell metal work. The Indian culture was moulded throughout various eras of history, all the while absorbing customs, traditions and ideas from both invaders and immigrants. There is remarkable cultural and religious diversity in modern India. Different ethnic communities have their own distinct identities and almost every state carved out its own cultural niche. However, in spite of its unique cultural diversity, the whole country has been able to preserve its national identity.
India was the birth place of religious systems such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Such religions have strong influence not only in India but also in the whole world. After the invasion of the Islamic empire and the subsequent foreign domination from the tenth century onwards, the culture of India was heavily influenced by Persian, Arabic and Turkic cultures. India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition, says Mark Twain.