The Origin:

Though there are many legends associated with the festival of Diwali, but the most popular is the legend of King Ram. Diwali is the day when Ram returned to Ayodhya following 14 years of exile after defeating the demon king Ravana who abducted Sita, wife of Ram. People of Ayodhya were absolutely ecstatic at the homecoming of Ram and rejoiced by lighting up their houses and distributing sweets to each other, a tradition still followed by all those who celebrate the festival.

Significance:

‘HATTI’ the source of financial freedom is deeply remembered during this festival. It is the time when farmers in India reap their harvest and worship the goddess Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity & wealth) by offering her portions from fresh harvest. Houses and the premises are cleaned, painted and decorated with attractive lightings all over. Sweets and other cuisines are also an integral part of the festival.

Karva chauth

The Origin:

Karva is another word for 'pot' (a small earthen pot of water) and Chauth means 'fourth' in Hindi (a reference to the fact that the festival falls on the fourth day of the dark-fortnight, or krishna paksh, of the month of Kartik).

Significance:

This festival is sacred and carries a huge significance when it comes to respect and sacrifice. Karva Chauth is a one-day festival celebrated by Hindu women in Northern India, in which married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. The day begins with Pujas (worship) being offered and the whole day is maintained with utmost reverence and respect. The relationship between a husband and a wife is strengthened to new heights. The bonding is graced with love for each other and a commitment to be always together in times thick and thin.

Ganpati

The Origin:

Ganesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the Hindu festival that reveres god Ganesha. A ten-day festival, it starts on the fourth day of Hindu luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada, which typically falls in Gregorian months of August or September. The festival is marked with installation of Ganesha clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals.

Significance:

‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ also widely known as ‘Ganpati festival’ is an emotion filled occasion, which is celebrated with joy and devotion across India. The sudden rush of adrenalin flow is witnessed if we happen to indulge in the festival crowd which celebrates the Ganpati festival. Thousands throng along the roads in a jubilant manner celebrating the festive mood the country sinks in.

Navratri

The Origin:

Navaratri is a nine nights (ten days) Hindu festival, celebrated in the autumn every year. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent.Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navratri. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navratri that is the most observed in the honor of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.

Significance:

Celebrations include stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. The nine days are also a major crop season cultural event, such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to these pandals and the public celebration of classical and folk dances of Hindu culture. On the final day, called the Vijayadashami or Dussehra, the statues are either immersed in a water body such as river and ocean, or alternatively the statue symbolizing the evil is burnt with fireworks marking evil's destruction. The festival also starts the preparation for one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays, Diwali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami or Dussehra.