Indian Holiday Calendar 2024 August
August is a month filled with festivities in India. The Indian Holiday Calendar for August 2024 is packed with exciting events and festivals. In this article, we will explore the various celebrations that take place during this month and how they are celebrated.
Events and Festivals in Indian Holiday Calendar 2024 August
The month of August is marked by several events and festivals in India. Some of the significant celebrations are:
- Independence Day
- Janmashtami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Onam
Independence Day
Independence Day is celebrated on the 15th of August every year in India. It is a national holiday that marks India’s independence from British rule in 1947. The day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural events across the country.
Janmashtami
Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapada. The festival is celebrated with great fervor in Mathura and Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) by Hindus across India. The festival is marked by installing clay idols of Lord Ganesha in homes and public pandals. The idols are worshipped with great devotion, and on the tenth day, the idols are immersed in water bodies.
Onam
Onam is a ten-day harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, South India. The festival marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. The festival is marked by floral decorations, traditional dance forms like Kathakali, and a grand feast called Onam Sadhya.
Celebration of Events and Festivals in Indian Holiday Calendar 2024 August
The celebrations of the events and festivals in the Indian Holiday Calendar 2024 August are a mix of tradition and modernity. The celebrations vary from region to region, and the customs and rituals followed are unique to each festival.
On Independence Day, the national flag is hoisted in government offices and schools across the country. Patriotic songs and speeches are delivered to commemorate the occasion. People also fly kites in some parts of the country, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
During Janmashtami, devotees fast and chant hymns in praise of Lord Krishna. The day is marked by the enactment of the birth of Lord Krishna in various temples and pandals across the country. Dahi Handi, a game where a pot of curd is broken by a group of young men, is also played in some parts of the country.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great pomp and show in Maharashtra. The pandals are decorated with lights and flowers, and the idols of Lord Ganesha are worshipped with great devotion. The festival culminates with the immersion of the idols in water bodies amidst chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
Onam is a grand festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Kerala. The festival is marked by the preparation of traditional dishes like Avial, Thoran, and Payasam. People also wear traditional attire and participate in various cultural events like Pulikali, a folk art form where people paint themselves like tigers and dance to the beats of traditional drums.
Question and Answer (Q&A) Section
Q: What is the significance of Independence Day in India?
A: Independence Day marks India’s independence from British rule in 1947. The day is celebrated with great fervor across the country with flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural events.
Q: When is Janmashtami celebrated in India?
A: Janmashtami is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapada, which falls in August or September.
Q: What is the significance of Onam?
A: Onam is a ten-day harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, South India. The festival marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. The festival is marked by floral decorations, traditional dance forms like Kathakali, and a grand feast called Onam Sadhya.
FAQs
Q: How is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in Maharashtra?
A: Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great pomp and show in Maharashtra. The pandals are decorated with lights and flowers, and the idols of Lord Ganesha are worshipped with great devotion. The festival culminates with the immersion of the idols in water bodies amidst chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
Q: What is the traditional attire worn during Onam?
A: People wear traditional attire like Mundu and Veshti (dhoti) for men and Kasavu saree for women during Onam.
Q: What is the traditional dish prepared during Janmashtami?
A: Sweet dishes like Kheer, Peda, and Laddu are prepared during Janmashtami, and they are offered to Lord Krishna as prasad.