Similarities and differences between Holi and Diwali

Festivals Of IndiaIndia is often described as a land of many religions and languages, but it might as well be described as a land of festivals. Some festivals are observed throughout the country; others have specific regional associations. India celebrates holidays and festivals of almost all the faiths in the world. In one region or the other, festivals happen almost every day, each with a specialty of its own. Each festival in each region has its own particular foods and sweets appropriate to the season and crops, and days are spent in their careful preparation. There are three National holidays: Independence Day: This is celebrated on 15th August as India gained independence from British rule on this day in 1947. Republic Day: This is celebrated on 26th January. On this day India became a republic. Gandhi Jayanti: This is celebrated on 2nd October which is father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. Following are some of the major festivals from India. Diwali:Deepawali literally means an array of lamps is the Festival of Lights. Depawali is the occasion of joy and jubilation for one and all in the entire Hindu world. All the illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, signifies the victory of divine forces over those of wickedness. Deepawali symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. Depawali is a festival that lasts 5 days. In North India, Depawali is associated with the return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya after vanquishing the demon Ravana. The people of Ayodhya, overwhelmed with joy, welcomed Rama through jubilation and illumination of the entire capital. In South India, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. To the Jains, Depawali has an added significance to the great event of Mahavera attaining the Eternal Bliss of Nirvana. Though, Diwali is mainly a 5 day festival but people start preparing for Diwali weeks ahead by cleaning and decorating their households. It is said that Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth roams the earth on this day Holi - the festival of colors - is the most fun-filled Hindu festival. It's an occasion that brings in joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors! Every year it is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March and glorifies good harvest and fertility of the land. It is also time for spring harvest and riotous fun. Holi is also celebrated as 'Vasant Mahotsava' and 'Kama Mahotsava'. During Holi, squirting colored water on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pool amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang and reveling with companions is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, "Don't mind, it's Holi!" (Hindi = Bura na mano, Holi hai.). Draped in white, people throng the streets and smear each other with bright hued powders and squirt coloured water on one another through pichkaris (big syringe-like hand-pumps), irrespective of caste, color, race, sex, or social status. Whatever be the choice of colour, nobody remains in their original state at the end of the play. And everybody takes delight looking at the other. Really, the other name of the festival is FUN. Days before Holi, the markets get flooded with the colours of every hues. This aptly sets the mood of the people till the actual day of Holi. It is such a colourful and joyous sight to watch huge piles of bright red, magenta, pink, green and blue everywhere on the streets. Buying those colours seems as you are bringing joys and color to your home and into your life. And, it is not just children, but the young and the old alike who take delight in this joyous festival of colours. Seniors too, move in their groups. Their enthusiasm is at times greater than that of their children as they forget the bars of age and follow their hearts. To youth, Holi gives a chance to explore the heights of their enthusiasm as they climb the human pyramids to break the pot of buttermilk and to express their love to their beloved by applying colour. For, Holi knows no bars, everybody feels it is their right to enjoy and enjoy they do. Songs, dance, drinks, food everything goes in excess when it is time for Holi. It can be said, "Life turns Colourful" when it is time for Holi.