Republic Day is India's great national festival. The celebrations are most colourful in Delhi, the capital.Republic Day Celebrating the anniversary of India's establishment as a Republic 26th January 1950, all the state capitals resound with the beating of drums and parading of the army including the three armed forces, followed by floats and dancers from all parts of the country starting from India Gate and ending at the famous and historical Red Fort.In the evening, there are fire works and lighting at government buildings.

Onam is the national festival of the people of Kerala. It is the festival of flowers, which falls in 'Chingam' or Bhadrapada usually in August or September. It is a harvest festival and goes for 4 colourful days with song and Kathakali dances, feasting and boat races.

There is a legend behind Onam. In ancient times Kerala was ruled by an asura King Mahabali who was very wise and greatly loved by the people. Because of jealousy, the king of gods, Indra, hatched a plot to oust Mahabali. To execute the scheme Vishnu disguised himself as a Brahmin boy, Vamana, and went to the asura King. He asked as much land as he could cover in three steps and King Mahabali agreed to the request. Vamana immediately began to grow as big as the universe and with two steps, he covered the earth, the heavens and the nether world. He looked at Mahabali to place his third step and the King offered his head for Vamana to place his foot. Vamana pushed Mahabali down to the ground and before he disappeared Mahabali asked Vishnu for a boon to come to the earth once a year to see his people and the request was granted.

The celebration of Onam is a tribute to Mahabali's sacrifice. Onam celebrations which last ten days begin with a colourful reception to King Mahabali. Mahabali is supposed to visit his kingdom on the 2nd day, which is the most important day of the festival. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards and beautifully decorated with flowers. The legend is believed to have happened at Trikkakara, a place 10km from Cochin on the Edapally- Pookattupadi road which according to mythology was the legendary capital of King Mahabali. The temple here, is the only temple in Kerala with the deity of 'Trikkakara Appan' or 'Vamanamurthy' who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise.

After traditional prayers and worship the head of the household presents new clothes to the family and friends. There will be variety of entertainments like dances, sports etc.

The festival lasts at least for four days. In many parts it goes beyond that period and occupies 6-8 or even 10 days. It commences practically from the asterism 'Atham' which comes on ten days before the asterism Onam or Thiru Onam. Atham is enjoyed as a holy day. The younger generation keep up the mirth and jollity which sets foot on this day till the end of the festival. The elders join them only on the last four days. The children of the village, assemble early morning and set about collecting flowers to decorate the yards of their houses for the ten days from Atham to Thiruvonam.

The chief decoration, 'onapookalam', consists of a carpet made out of the gathered native blossoms like Thumba (common leucas), Kakka poovu, Thechipoovu, mukkutti (little tree plant), chemparathy (shoe flower), aripoo or Konginipoo (lantana), hanuman kireedom (red pagoda plant), chethi (ixora) etc. The large flowers, and one or two varieties of foliage of differing tints are pinched up into little pieces to serve the decorator's purpose. There were specifications of the type of flowers to be used on each of the ten days from 'Atham' to 'Thiruvonam'. This flower carpet is invariably made in the centre of the clean strip of the yard in front of the house. It is a beautiful work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending. When the carpet is completed, a miniature pandal, hung with little festoons used to be erected over it. Now the traditional 'pookkalams' with flowers collected from the vicinities are becoming a thing of the past and today in the cities several Pookkalam competitions are being floated during Onam.

The important part of the festival opened in some localities on Tiru Onam day and in others on the day previous known as Utradam, 9th day from the Atham day. The houses are well cleaned and made to look nice and spruce and food-stuffs for a sumptuous feast are arranged. Even the poorest of the poor manage to find something for himself to celebrate the national festival in his own humble way.

The Onam celebrations open early in the morning of the Tiru Onam day, at about 4 or 5 a.m. In front of the yard of the house, a portion is cleaned and smeared with cow-dung. After this, Conical figures made of sticky clay painted red are placed there. These images are of various forms. Some represent figures of divinities, others are mere cones. The latter are known as 'Trikkakara Appan'. The tradition is that the festival had its origin at Trikkakara, a place 10km from Cochin which according to mythology was the legendary capital of King Mahabali. The temple there is the only temple in Kerala with the deity of 'Trikkakara Appan' or Vamana murthy who is Lord Vishnu himself in disguise. These images are adorned with lines tastefully drawn along and about with rice flour mixed with water. They are kept only in the front yard, but also in all prominent places commencing from inside the house and ending with the gate way outside. Flowers are strewn all along and Pujas performed to the images every day morning and evening. The first day Puja, is an elaborate one. One of the inmates of the house act the part of a priest. He bathes in the morning before dawn and prepares ata. Ata is a preparation of rice flour and molasses for 'Nivedyam' - offering for the god. Lamps are lit in front of the image and the Pujari proceeds his Puja in the presence of the family assembled in the yards. The Ata is placed in front of the images and he offers it to them. He strews flowers, pours water, shows certain signs with his fingers, puts on a solemn air and closes the ceremony. After the dedication of the images, the male members raise loud rhythmic shouts of joy. This is known as 'Aarppu Vilikkukal'. By this, they proclaim to the outside world that the great national festival of the Malayalis has commenced.

As the day dawns, the inmates of the house, bathe and worship in the village temple. They put on their finest clothes. The most-distinguishing feature of the Onam festival is the distribution of new clothes as presents. The 'Karanavar', the eldest member of the Tarawad gives these presents to the juniors, the servants and the dependants of the family and others. The junior members also sometimes give such presents to their relatives.

After the distribution of presents, then comes the feasting. The most prominent place in the house is selected and all the members of the family sit in row, with the Karanavar in the middle of the line. A bright shining lighted brass lamp is placed in front of the Karanavar at a slight distance. In front of the lamp, towards the west, a small plantain leaf is spread with its point towards the lamp. Food is served in it. This is supposed to be for the God Ganapathy to partake.

The tenants of the family, dependants and hangers-on present themselves before the Karanavar the day previous to Tiru Onam with the fruits of their labour, such as vegetables of divers sorts, coconut oil, plantains, pumpkins, cucumbers, brinjal etc. This is called 'Onakazhcha'. In return for this, the tenants have to be given a sumptuous feast on one of the Onam days before the festival terminates. Every village artisan will present the Karanavar of each Nayar Tarawad, a specimen of his handiwork. These are graciously received and other presents of cloth or rice and curry stuffs are given in return.

Vishu, the equinox, is one of the important festivals of Kerala. It is in the middle of April. According to the Hindu traditional Malayalam calendar, the New Year begins this day. 'Kani Kanal', the auspice first sight at the beginning of the year, is the main ritual. In the wee hours of Vishu day, the lady of the house arrange the Kani. Coconuts, fruits, cereals, a mirror and Konna flower are placed in big Bronze pan before the garlanded icon of Krishna. Oil lamps are lit around the deity. Before dawn the master of the house is ushered to sight of the Kani, the auspice 'once in a year' sight of the Lord, amidst fruits, food and finance looking into the future, followed by the rest of the family and Children who are brought blind folded from their beds to the site of Kani.

The eldest in the family gives silver coins to youngsters and bless them. It is believed that the auspice sight of Kani and receipt of money by dawn, the first thing in the New Year bring happiness and prosperity fo the whole year. In Kerala the Kani of the idols in Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha and Sabarimala temples are considered much more auspicious.

This is the Durga Puja of Bengal, Dussera of Bombay and the Saraswati Puja and the Ayudha Puja of the south. Its entire course runs over 9 days. It is the last three days that are most important. These are known as Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijaya Dasami. On the night of the Durga Ashtami day, there is the ceremony known as 'Puja Vayppu'. It consist in decorating a room splendidly, illuminating it with many lights and arranging on a platform, raised in the middle of the room, the things necessary for doing Puja to Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Books and weapons of various kinds are tastefully arranged and a picture or image of the goddess placed in the centre. The worship then commences with accompaniment of music. This goes on night and day till the morning of the third day, when the 'Puja Eduppu' or breaking up of the Puja takes place. After the performance of special religious service, the arrangements on the platform are formally removed and the Puja broke up. Then follows the 'Vidyarambham' or the beginning of learning. On the last three days of Puja, all sorts of learning are kept in abeyance; no one will read or write or do any handicraft or work with any material. Every sort of business is at a stand still. After the Removal of Puja, work commences. During the Puja Vayppu people generally fast.

In Travancore the Navaratri is a state ceremony celebrated with great magnificence. During the old times in Padmanabhapuram, all gates of the city were beset with soldiers, and no one was allowed to go out or enter. The festival continued for eight days, and when it was over, the king distributed presents to Brahmans. Each received a rupee. The high priest presented to the king a Vastram; which is a piece of silk or cotton stuff, a Viraghen; worth about three scudi and a cow as the support of life because these people lived chiefly on milk and butter. Such a present is called Godanam. It is said that there is no evidence for that the Godanam or gift was made to the king by the high priest. The gift must have been made by the king to the high-priest.

On Vijay Deshami day the Maharaja goes in state accompanied by the state officers and escorted by the military to a place called Pujappura a couple of miles from the fort at Trivandrum and shoots an arrow into consecrated tender coconut placed for the purpose. After this the procession returns and his highness standing in the Verandah of the 'Karivelappura Malika' in front of the Trivandrum temple strews money amongst the crowd collected below.

'Maha Siva Ratri' means the great night of Siva. It is celebrated in the month of March. On this day, people fast. Some abstain from any kind of food, while others content themselves with one meal. Strict vigil is kept in the night. The people cluster round the Siva temple, and after bath they smear their bodies with holy ashes, and keep on reciting prayers to Siva. Enthusiasts, more devout than the rest perform rolling circumambulations round the temple, while the ordinary worshippers go round it on foot a number of times. Puja to the image of Siva is kept up all the night. Early next morning, people bathe once more, worship Siva and return to their ordinary avocations.

The celebration of this festival at Siva temple at Alwaye on the banks of the Periyar river is attended with great éclat. The Lingam of Siva rises out of the sand on the sand at the bank of the river. There is only a temporary shed to serve as a temple, as the whole place will be flooded during the rainy season. All classes, castes and creeds come for this festival. A fair is heed on a very large scale. There are shows, dances, dramas, for the pilgrims, to keep them awake. There are a number of small sheds spread about the sand banks where the devout Siva worshipper sets up his own Siva lingam for worship.

On Sivaratri, all the devotees throng in great numbers to the temples of Siva or Mahadeva. They remain there the whole night, sing all sorts of incident songs in honour of the Lingam. Lingam represents the creative power of luminary.

Thiruvatira is the women's festival of Kerala. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Dhanu. The popular conception of this festival is that it is the commemoration of the death of Kamadevan; the cupid of our national mythology.

Kamadevan was destroyed in the burning fire of the third eye of Lord Siva; one of the chief members of our Divine Trinity. Hence he is now supposed as having only an ideal or spiritual existence. He exerts a powerful influence upon the passions of human nature. In earlier days, the festival used to be celebrated as follows: About a week before the festival practically opens, at about 4 in the morning every young female member of the Nair families, gets out of her bed and takes her bath in the pond. A fairly large number of these young ladies collect themselves in the pond for the purpose. Then they plunge into the water and begin to take part in the singing. One of them then leads off by means of a peculiar rhythmic song chiefly pertaining to cupid. The singing is simultaneously accompanied by a curious sound produced with the hand on the water. The palm of the left hand is closed and kept immediately underneath the surface of the water. Then the palm of the other is forcibly brought in the slanting direction producing a deep loud noise. This process is continuously prolonged together with the singing. One stanza is over, along with the sound and then the leader stops a while, for the others to follow her in her wake. This continues until the conclusion of the song. Then all of them make a long pause and then begin another. The process goes on until the peep of the dawn, when they rub themselves dry and come home to dress themselves in the neatest and grandest possible attire. They darken the fringes of their eyelids with a sticky preparation of soot mixed up with a little oil or ghee and sometimes with a superficial coating of antimony powder. They also wear white, black or red marks, lower down the middle of their foreheads close to the part where the two eyebrows near one another. They chew betel and thus redden their mouth and lips.

Then they proceed to the enjoyment of another prominent item known as Oonjal (swing). A long bamboo piece is taken and cut from the root end of it leaving the other end whole untouched. Then the two holes are bored. One on the cut end of each one of the two parts into which the bamboo is split. A small piece of the same, material about a yard in length is divided along the gain in two equal parts. One of these is taken and its both ends are cut into points which are thrust into the holes of the long bamboo piece. This is securely nailed and strongly attached to the long bamboo. It is then hung by a very tight strong rope to a horizontal branch of the neighbouring tree. Then the player seats herself on the small piece attached between the split positions which are firmly held by her two hands. The whole thing is propelled upwards by someone from behind. The ladies drive immense pleasure from their process of swinging backwards and forwards.

On the festival day, they take a morning bath and in the noon a grand lunch is served. The essential ingredients of it is being ordinary ripe plantain fruits and a delicious preparation of arrow-root powder purified and mixed with jaggery or sugar and also coconut. The women spend the whole night singing and dancing.

Thiruvathirakali also known as Kaikottikkali is a dance in which a group of women dance in a circle around a lighted brass lamp. They are dancing to the rhythms of the songs they sing. They wear the traditional dress, consisting of two pieces, dhoti and an upper garment across the breast and look elegant and sprightly for the game. The leader of the group sings the first line which is repeated by the group to the simple rhythm of clapping hands. There are many songs which are exclusively sung as Tiruvathira songs, popular Kathakali songs are also included. The kinetic phrases are so simple that any new comer easily gets initiated to the game. This dance form had been keeping its basic posture for centuries. The bent of the body, hand movements and dance gestures are common to the region.

'Ettangadi chuduka' is an important ritualistic act of women. On this day, eight different tubers are roasted in the fire. Through this ritual, it is believed that Kamadeva's body represented by the tubers is regained. This delicious preparation known as Thiruvathirappuzhukku, a special dish prepared by these tubers forms the main item for lunch. In some places, women spend the whole day taking no food except this preparation. The night long music and dance is interspersed with a ceremony called Patirappoo choodal. It is a ritualistic wearing of flowers at midnight. An image of Shiva is placed in the centre of the courtyard in front of lighted brass lamp where flowers, plantains, and jaggery are offered to the deity. The women perform the dance around the image and each participant adorns a few flowers from the offering and have the arrowroot preparation of puzhukku and tender coconut milk, which are the items of the food.

The morning bath during the season while the climate is extremely cold make the women's body cool and composed. Apart from the religious significance of the day, the women of Kerala enjoy good exercise and entertainment on this day. After the midnight, ritual of adorning with flowers, the dance and music continue till sunrise. The participants take the morning ablution and with it they conclude the festival.

It is celebrated in honour of Bhagvati. It falls on the day of 3rd lunar asterism. It is the birthday of Bhagvati. The houses are all well lighted and lights are also left burning in the Verandah, front yard and at the gates. There is general illumination through out. Offering are made at the temple of the goddess and women turn out in the evening for worshipping the goddess.

Deepawali or Diwali, the festival of " lights", is the most important of all Hindu festivals. It is celebrated int the month of Kartika according to the hindu calender.It is believed that it was on this day that Rama entered Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.This is perhaps the happiest of Hindu festivals. Diwali is an occasion of great excitement and rejoicing all over the country. Every city, town and village is turned into a fairyland with thousands of flickering oil lamps and electric lights illuminating homes and public buildings. Countless number of lamps are lighted at night, giving the impression that the stars have descended on earth. These lights are symbolic of the spiritual light dispelling evil and the darkness of ignorance. Deepavali is also celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, the day when the demon of darkness and dirt, Narakasura, was destroyed by Krishna. The celebrations commence with a purifying oil bath and the lighting of lamps, symbolic of the spiritual light pervading the earth and the destruction of darkness and ignorance.Laxmi pooja is done.People burst crackers and distribute sweets and greet each other.

History reveals that Christmas, New Year, etc... all originated in Babylon as festivals celebrated by the Heathen in honour of their Pagan Gods, but were given "christian" meaning by the Catholic Church in order to convert the idol worshippers to Constantine's new "Christian" religion. The Catholic Church simply took these seasonal feasts and festivals celebrated by the heathen and transformed them into 'Christian' celebrations or "Christianized" them in order to make Christianity more meaningful to pagan converts.

They came to focus their eyes upon Jesus the infant and Mary His Mother. Many people were coming to the notion that his birthday should be observed. This idea came about as the "Church" began to regard Mary, the mother of Jesus in a new light. She had long been revered along with the saints and Apostles, but only along with them. But in the same fourth century she emerges as the Queen of Heaven. The Christmas story of the Birth of Jesus has marked an era of time, recording ends and beginnings as years glide into centuries, and centuries into millennia.

Coming to the Christmas with reference to The Holy Bible, the basic story occupies hardly a page of the Bible which is divided into two sections the 'OLD' and 'NEW TESTAMENTS'

Mathew 5:17 says "Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true".

The birth of Jesus Christ explained like this. "His Mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so made plans to break the engagement privately. While he was thinking about this, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife, for it is by the Holy spirit that she has conceived. she will have a son, and you will name him JESUS because he will save his people from their sins".

Now all this happened in order to make what the Lord had said through the prophet come true, "a virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel" (which means, "God is with us"). Mathew (1:18:23).

Easter is the oldest Christian festival, as old as Christianity itself. The central tenet of Christianity is not the birth of Jesus, but his resurrection. Easter is derived from this paschal mystery and from the events of Good Friday.

The content of Easter was gradually analysed into historical events and each began to be celebrated on a different day. As a result, Easter grew into a Holy Week and came to have a preparatory season to precede and a festive season to follow. Thus we have four distinct periods in connection with the observance of Easter -Services are held in the afternoon.

In most churches a bitter drink prepared from leaves, vinegar, etc. for everyone to taste after the service, Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and wailing. A total silence reigns in the church from morning to dusk. But by ten at night the church is full, to observe the Easter Vigil. In the gloom, which envelops the church, new fire is struck from flint and blessed. A big candle is then consecrated and from it many candles are lighted indicating the resurrection. Bells peal, music fills the air and light floods the hall. Halleluiah is the joyous word of Easter wish. Easter Sunday is a quiet day and the celebration is rather spiritual and inward rather than social showy. There will be a grand dinner at homes and visits of relatives.

Good Friday is a Christian festival and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India.Christians observe Good Friday as the day on which Jesus laid down his life for the good of humanity. Services and recitals of religious music are held in the churches.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year. Legend says that God conveyed the message of Quran to Hazrat Mohammad through Gabriel in the days of Ramzan. All through the month of Ramzan the devout Muslims strictly indergo fasting. Purification of the body and soul is the main aim of this observance. They take food only before sunrise and after sunset. The morning "Sehri", would generally be cooked in milk, and tea or water. Then the call for prayer is heard from the mosques, and the children and men go to their mosques to offer "Namaz". Women stay at their houses and recite the Koran. But the fasting during the days of Ramzan does not affect the daily routine of the Muslims and they go on with their daily chores.

As the sun sets, the call for the Maghrib prayers are heard from the mosques and the fast is broken. It is called "Iftar". The fast is broken sipping water, a few dates and some fruits. The food eaten as Iftar is called Iftari and special delicacies like fried cornflower, boiled grams and lentils, meat kebabs and sweet meats are taken. Thus the 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramzan pass and the sighting of the new moon brings glad tidings of Eid-ul-fitr and the end of the month of Ramzan.

Eid-ul-fitr means the joy at the end of the days of fasting. This is the day next after the appearance of first crescent. Wrought on happioness, Muslims wear their best attires. The Eid prayers are said between the early morning and the noon prayers. After the prayer, they greet each other saying: Eid Mubarak!. This festival is particularly favorite of children. On this day, parents give special allowance called "Eidee" to their children for buying toys of their choice. Special delicacies are prepared. They include "Seviyan", vermicelli's sweet preparation, "Sheer Korma, and other savoury dishes.

It is one of the grandest festivals of the Muslims and it is also called Bakrid. It falls on the 10th day of the Muslim month of Dul- Hajju. Allah in a dream, demanded Hazrat Ibrahim to sacrifice that which is the dearest to him. So, he decided to offer his son to God. With the permission of his family blindfolded his son and chopped his head with his sword. To his surprise, before the sword could strike, a ram was replaced his son. This is the legend behind the festival. So on this day a ram or a goat or a camel is sacrificed and distributed among the near and dear ones.


This festival is about two months and nine days after Eid-ul-Fitr. On this occasion Muslims who can afford go on a pilgrimage go to Mecca and the trip is called "Hajj". On this day others go to the mosque and offer prayers. Charities are practiced on this day.