holidays

Discovering India: 

Discovering India Holidays, Celebrations and Taboos Jennifer Polsky EDU 553 Fall 2007

Holidays: 

Holidays Independence Day August 15 1947 India won back it’s freedom from British rule after 200 years Day commemorates the birth of the world’s biggest democracy Schools and people hoist the national flag Kite-flying has recently been added to the celebration Kites of numerous shapes, colors and sizes are flown to celebrate freedom

Holidays: 

Holidays Republic Day January 26 In 1950 the constitution of India came into force and India became a sovereign state In New Delhi celebrations begin with reminders of the martyrs sacrifices Bravery awards to soldiers and civilians by the President Parade from the Raj Ghat to Vijay Path includes regiments from the Army, Navy and Air Force The most popular of all the nationally holidays in India Displays from all states in the country create unity

Holidays: 

Holidays Christmas Large Christian community in India that has adopted Christian festivals as Indian culture Christmas is biggest celebration of Indian Christians They have modified Christmas to fit the climate by decorating mango or banana trees instead of pine trees Small clay oil-burning lamps called diyas placed on walls Celebration of Jesus' birth in churches and school nativity plays Santa comes and distributes toffee to children

Celebrations: 

Celebrations Diwali or Deepavali Major Hindu festival Five days long in October or November Many legends attached to Diwali; the most popular is the Return of Lord Rama after 14 years in exile Main day of festival is no-moon day on the Hindu calendar People decorate with mango leaves and diyas People exchange gifts and celebrate with fireworks People clean and repaint homes

Festivals: 

Festivals Ganesh Charturhi Hindu Festival Fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September) Celebrated all across India with largest festival in Maharashtra Celebrates the birthday of Ganesh (the God of wisdom and prosperity) Ganesh is the foremost God in the Hindu pantheon

Celebrations: 

Celebrations Eid Ul Fitr Biggest Muslim Festival Celebrated after fasting month of Ramzan (ninth month on Muslim calendar) Believed the Koran was revealed to Mohammed in the month of Ramzan A donation called a fitar must be given away to the poor It consists of 1.75kg of wheat and 3.5kg of barley rice

Celebrations: 

Celebrations Karva Chauth Most famous fasts of married Indian women Hindu religious festival Women apply henna paste on their hands dress in bridal attire and give gifts to in-laws for raising a worthy son Important ritual includes worshipping karvas, spherical clay pots with symbols Later the karvas are exchanged with other married women After the moon rises husbands help break the fast by offering water from their hands Later husbands give gifts to their wives

Taboos: 

Taboos Marrying across religious lines Depictions of Mohammed in art Premarital sex Mental illness All meat for Hindus except for mutton, chicken and fish

Celebrations: 

Celebrations Karvas and Henna on Karva Chauth Diya for Christmas and Diwali

Bibliography: 

Bibliography Grewal Shabnam, (2007). India: Modern love verses old taboo. Retrieved September 30, 2007 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/3732343.stm I Love India. (2007). Retrieved September 29, 2007 from http://www.iloveindia.com/ Indobase. (2007). Retrived September 30, 2007 from http://www.indobase.com/index.html