Long Weekends in 2025

Short Description of the Festivals

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2.  Makar Sankranti, Pongal: Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal are harvest festivals celebrated in various regions of India, symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of longer days. These festivals hold significant cultural importance as they pay homage to the sun and express gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Celebrations involve bonfires, traditional dances, and feasts featuring dishes made with sesame seeds and jaggery. 
3. Holi: Holi, the Festival of Colours, is a joyous celebration symbolizing the victory of good over evil. This vibrant festival fosters community bonds and is characterized by colourful powders, water balloons, and festive foods. Holi brings people together to revel in the spirit of unity and shared joy. 

1. Eid al-Fitar: Eid al-Fitar is the first of Islam's two major festivals, marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, so its timing varies each year. Like Eid al-Adha, this festival begins with a communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on the first day. Eid al-Fitar is a time for gatherings and celebrations, with official receptions, visits with friends and family, gift-giving, wearing new clothes, and visits to the graves of loved ones. 

1. Mahavir Jayanti: Mahavir Jayanti is a significant Jain festival celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. In 2025, it will be observed on Thursday, 10 April 2025. Lord Mahavira was born on the 13th day of the waxing moon in Chaitra in Kundalagrama (now Kundalpur) near Patna, Bihar. Śvetāmbara Jains believe he was born in 599 BC, while Digambara Jains place it in 615 BC. Named Vardhaman by his parents, King Siddhartha and Queen Trisala, he renounced his kingdom at 30, seeking spiritual truth. After 12 years as an ascetic, he attained enlightenment and promoted non-violence and compassion for all beings.  

1. Vaisakhi: Vaisakhi is one of the most significant dates in the Sikh calendar, celebrated every year on 13 April or 14 April. Originally a harvest festival in Punjab, it took on a deeper meaning for Sikhs in 1699 when Sikhism was formally established as a collective faith. In that year, Guru Gobind Singh marked Vaisakhi by founding the Khalsa, the community of baptised Sikhs. According to tradition, he emerged from a tent with a sword and called upon any Sikh willing to sacrifice for their faith to step forward, symbolising the creation of the Khalsa. 
2. Good Friday:Good Friday is a solemn Christian observance that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Falling on the Friday before Easter Sunday, it is a day of deep reflection and mourning within the Christian tradition. Believers use this occasion to contemplate the immense sacrifice made by Jesus for the redemption of humanity's sins. Churches often hold special services, marked by prayer, hymns, and readings from the biblical accounts of Jesus's passion and crucifixion. The atmosphere is one of sombre reflection, emphasizing the gravity of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.    

1. Easter: Easter is the principal festival of the Christian liturgical year, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament. This joyous occasion occurs on the Sunday following Good Friday and signifies the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and good over evil. Easter Sunday is marked by joyful church services, where believers gather to celebrate the resurrection with hymns and prayers. The tradition of attending sunrise services is common, symbolizing the dawning of a new era. The festive spirit and expressions of hope embodied in Easter resonate as core tenets of the Christian faith, uniting believers in the celebration of divine grace and the promise of eternal life.  
2. Buddha Purnima: Buddha Purnima marks the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. This significant Buddhist observance emphasizes reflection on Buddha's teachings of compassion, enlightenment, and the path to Nirvana. Celebrations involve prayers, meditation, and acts of kindness to honor the Buddha's profound impact on humanity. 
3. Independence Day: Independence Day in India is a momentous occasion celebrated on the 15th of August each year, marking the country's liberation from British rule in 1947. This day holds immense significance as it symbolizes the triumph of the Indian people's struggle for freedom and the establishment of a sovereign nation. The celebrations are characterized by patriotic fervour, with citizens hoisting the national flag in various places, including government offices, schools, and public spaces. The tricolour flag, with its saffron, white, and green bands, is a powerful symbol of India's unity in diversity. Additionally, the day is marked by cultural events, parades, and ceremonies that showcase the rich diversity of Indian heritage and the collective spirit of the nation. 
   
4. Janmashthami: Janmashthami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, a central figure in Hinduism. The occasion holds spiritual significance and is marked by prayers, fasting, singing, and reenactments of Krishna's childhood stories, highlighting the divine playfulness and love associated with Lord Krishna. 
5. Onam: Onam, a vibrant harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Kerala, holds cultural and religious significance. Typically occurring in August or September, it marks the return of the mythical King Mahabali. The festival is a grand affair, symbolizing prosperity, cultural richness, and the spirit of unity. Floral decorations, elaborate feasts known as Onam Sadya, traditional dance forms like Kathakali, and boat races called Vallam Kali are integral parts of the celebration. Onam reflects the agrarian heritage of Kerala and embodies the values of harmony and gratitude towards nature. 

1. Eid Milad Un Nabi: Eid Milad Un Nabi celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The occasion emphasizes reflection on the Prophet's teachings of kindness, compassion, and humility. Celebrations include prayers, processions, and charitable acts, reflecting the spirit of Islamic values. 

1. Maha Navami: Maha Navami, observed on the ninth day of the Hindu festival of Navratri, is a significant occasion dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Falling in the month of Ashwin (September or October), Maha Navami is a culmination of the Navratri celebrations, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Devotees engage in elaborate rituals, including the worship of Goddess Durga in various forms. Processions, bhajans (devotional songs), and cultural performances are integral parts of the festivities. Maha Navami embodies the spirit of reverence, prayer, and community celebration as Hindus seek the blessings of the divine mother. 
2. Dussehra: Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri. It signifies the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, as narrated in the epic Ramayana. The festival falls in September or October, marking the end of Navratri. One of the key traditions of Dussehra is the burning of the effigies of Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good (represented by Lord Rama) over evil (represented by Ravana). This event is often accompanied by dramatic reenactments of episodes from the Ramayana through plays or processions. Dussehra is also associated with the worship of tools and instruments, highlighting the importance of skills and craftsmanship. The day is a culmination of joyous celebrations, symbolizing the victory of righteousness.  
3. Gandhi Jayanti: Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every year on 2 October, which marks the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely revered as Mahatma Gandhi. Known as the Father of the Nation, Gandhi led India's freedom struggle alongside other prominent leaders, championing a path of non-violence against British rule. His philosophy of non-violence has inspired civil rights movements worldwide. To honour his contributions, 2 October is observed as a national holiday in India and is also recognised globally as the International Day of Non-violence by the United Nations
4. Diwali: Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals. It signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Celebrated over five days, Diwali usually falls in October or November. Homes are illuminated with diyas (oil lamps) and candles, and colourful rangoli designs adorn entrances. Fireworks light up the night sky, symbolizing the victory of light and dispelling darkness. Families exchange sweets and gifts, and prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. Diwali encapsulates the essence of joy, hope, and the renewal of life. 
5. Bhai Dooj: Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhai Phota in Bengal, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It falls on the second day after Diwali, marking the fifth day of the Hindu month of Kartik. On Bhai Dooj, sisters perform rituals and apply tikka (vermilion) on their brothers' foreheads, symbolizing love, protection, and well-wishing. Brothers, in turn, present gifts to their sisters as a token of their affection. The festival reinforces familial bonds and is a time for joyous reunions. Bhai Dooj emphasizes the enduring importance of sibling relationships and contributes to the overall sense of familial unity.
6. Christmas: In India, many Christians celebrate Christmas on 25 December, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed as a public holiday nationwide, it's especially prominent in states with large Christian communities like Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the northeast. Festivities include church services, family gatherings, festive meals, gift exchanges, and home decorations with lamps, banana leaves, and nativity scenes or Christmas trees. Malls and tourist areas may display Christmas decor, with Santa actors and events catering to tourists. Public offices and banks close or reduce hours, while public transport may operate on altered schedules. 

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