Holidays in Rajasthan

Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Magha Bihu (14 January) :
Makar Sankranti is a major festival of India which is celebrated on 14th January. This festival is celebrated in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by the name of Pongal and Magh Bihu. Bull fights and bullock races are important features of the celebrations. This festival is also celebrated in the northern region where millions of pilgrims take a holy dip in the Ganges and on this day the people also fly kites.

Republic Day (26 January) :
Republic Day is the national festival of India and is observed throughout the country on 26th January. This day is celebrated to mark the inauguration of the Republic of India on 26th January, 1950. In Delhi, the celebration include a magnificent parade of the armed forces and folk dances from all over India.

Id-Ul-Zuha :
Id-Ul-Zuha is celebrated by the Muslim community. On this day the people fast and rejoice whole day. The date of this festival is not fixed. It is on the appearance of the holy moon.

Maha Shivaratri :
Maha Shivaratri is also celebrated all over India. It is one of the main festival of Hindus. On this day the Hindus worship Lord Shiva and do fasting the whole day.

Moharram :
This festival is celebrated by the Muslim community. The date of this festival is not fixed. It is on the appearance of the holy moon.

Holi/Dhulandi :
The festival of Holi is one of the major festivals of India. This festival is celebrated all over India by the people of all religions. On this day men, women and children throw coloured water and powder on each other. They also exchange greetings and sweets among each other.

Rama Navami :
Rama Navami is celebrated on the occasion of birth of Lord Rama, the hero of epic Ramayana. This festival is also celebrated all over India. On this day the epic Ramayana is recited in temples and homes.

Mavavir Jayanti :
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the main festivals of Jains. This festival is celebrated by Jains to mark the birth of Lord Mahavira.

Baisakhi :
Baisakhi is a very popular festival of Punjab. It is celebrated to mark the harvesting season. To rejoice on this occasion, Bhangra and Giddha dances are performed all over Punjab.

Independence Day (15 August) :
Independence Day is the national festival of India and is observed throughout the country on 15th August. This day is celebrated as on 15th August, 1947 India got independence.

Raksha Bandhan :
Raksha Bandhan is also a major festival celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs particularly in northern India. The sisters tie holy thread or Rakhi on the wrists of their brothers wishing for their long life. The brothers take oath to protect the honour and help them in adversaries.

Janmashtami :
Janmashtami is celebrated on the occasion of the birth of Lord Krishna. This festival is celebrated all over India by Hindus. This festival is celebrated with with great enthusiasm especially in Mathura and Vrindavan, which are closely associated with the childhood of Lord Krishna. On this day the people fast whole day.

Ganesh Chaturthi :
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated due to birth of Lord Ganesha. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India, especially in Maharashtra. On this day the Hindu devotees worship Lord Ganesha.

Gandhi Jayanti (2 October) :
Gandhi Jayanti is the national festival of India and is celebrated on 2nd October. This festival is celebrated due to the birth of Mahatma Gandhi - the father of the nation.

Dushehra :
Dushehra festival signifying the triumph of good over evil is celebrated all over North India. In North India, the Ramlila based on the story of epic Ramayana is staged for ten days to commemorate the heroism of Lord Rama. On the last day the Dussehra is celebrated. This festival is celebrated with great joy especially in Bengal and Gujarat. In Bengal, it is observed as Durga Puja and Bengali people worship goddess Durga for 5 days. On the last day the images of the goddess Durga are immersed in lakes and rivers.

Deepawali :
Deepawali is the major festival of Hindus celebrated all over India. This festival is also known as festival of lights. On this day every city, town and villages are turned into a fairyland with millions of electric light, candles and oil lamps illuminating homes and public buildings. On this day the goddess Laxmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped.

Id-Ul-Fitra :
This festival is celebrated by the Muslim community. It is an occasion for fasting and rejoicing. The date of this festival is not fixed. It is on the appearance of the holy moon.

Guru Nanak Jayanti :
Guru Nanak Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. This festival is celebrated with great devotion by Sikhs all over India.

Christmas Day (25 December) :
Christmas Day is celebrated due to the birth of Jesus Christ on 25th December. This festival is celebrated by Christians all over India. On this day the people exchange greetings and gifts and offer prayers in Church.