Indian Holidays in 2009 - List

www.majorworldfestivals.blogspot.com wishes all the esteemed visitor's a very happy new year 2009 , the following post first for this year contains list of indian festivals for 2009, categorized according to monthly festivals for all the months of 2009. January 2009 festivals, february 2009 festivals, march 2009 festivals, April 2009 festivals, May 2009 festivals, June 2009 festivals, July 2009 festivals, August 2009 festivals, September 2009 festivals, October 2009 festivals, November 2009 festivals, December 2009 festivals so what i have tried is to make the list as comprehensive as possible, however your valuable suggestions for improving the blog are always welcome.

Indian Festivals in January 2009:
01 - Thursday - New Year
05 - Monday - Guru Govind Singh Jayanti
13 - Tuesday - Lohri
14 - Wednesday - Makar Sankranti
15 - Thursday - Pongal
26 - Monday - Republic Day
26 - Monday - Chinese New Year
26 - Monday - Mauni Amavasya
31 - Saturday - Vasant Panchami

Indian Festivals in February 2009 :
14 - Saturday - Valentines Day
23 - Monday - Mahashivratri

Indian Festivals in March 2009:
09 - Monday - Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet)
11 - Wednesday - Holi
11 - Wednesday - Hola Mohalla
14 - Saturday - Milad un Nabi
21 - Saturday - Nau Roz
22 - Sunday - Mothering Sunday (UK)
26 - Thursday - Khordad Sal, Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra

Indian Festivals in April 2009:
03 - Friday - Ram Navmi
05 - Sunday - Palm Sunday
06 - Monday - Bikrami Samvat (Hindu New Year)
07 - Tuesday - Mahavir Jayanti
09 - Thursday - Hanuman Jayanti
10 - Friday - Good Friday
12 - Sunday - Easter
12 Sunday - Palm Sunday
13 - Monday - Baisakhi
19 - Sunday - Easter

Indian Festivals in May 2009 :
09 - Saturday - Buddha Jayanti / Buddha Purnima
10 - Sunday - Mother's Day

Indian Festivals in JUNE 2009:
02 - Tuesday - Ganga Dussehra
16 - Tuesday - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Nanakshahi calendar)
21 - Sunday - Father's Day
24 - Wednesday - Rath Yatra

Indian Festivals in JULY 2009:
07 - Tuesday - Guru Poornima

Indian Festivals in AUGUST 2009:
02 - Sunday - Friendship Day
05 - Wednesday - Rakhi /Raksha Bandhan
14 - Friday - Sri Krishna Janmashtami
15 - Saturday - Independence Day
19 - Wednesday - Jamshedi Noruz (Zoroastrian New Year in Shenshai calendar)
22 - Saturday - Ramadan begins
23 - Sunday - Ganesh Chaturathi

Indian Festivals in SEPTEMBER 2009:
02 - Wednesday - Onam
05 - Saturday - Teachers Day
19 - Saturday - Navaratra begin
21 - Monday - Id-Ul-Fitr, Ramadan Ends
28 - Monday - Dussehra

Indian Festivals in OCTOBER 2009:
02 - Friday - Gandhi Jayanti
08 - Thursday - Karva Chauth
15 - Thursday - Dhan Teras
17 - Saturday - Diwali
18 - Sunday - Govardhan Puja
19 - Monday - Bhai Duj
31 - Saturday - Halloween

Indian Festivals in NOVEMBER 2009:
02 - Monday - Guru Nanak Jayanti
14 - Saturday - Children's Day
26 - Thursday - Thanksgiving Day
28 - Saturday - Eid-Ul-Adha

Indian Festivals in DECEMBER 2009:
12 - Saturday - Hanukkah
18 - Friday - Al-Hijira
25 - Friday - Christmas

posted under - Indian Festivals in 2009, January, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, october, november, December 2009

Christmas Celebrations, Gifts Decoration Ideas

Christmas is one of the biggest celebrations for the people belonging to the Christian faith. But it would be wrong to assume that it is only celebrated among the Christians. With the world becoming a global village, Christmas is now celebrated in many countries around the world. Caroling, feasting, and gift-giving along with the prayers and wishes - Christmas is celebrated with high spirits in various parts of the world. Though the mode of celebration, the dates and the traditions vary, the spirit remains the same everywhere. While most of us celebrate it as a festive season spreading over a week, for some it is a month long festival that starts with the Advent on Sunday next to November 26 and ends on January 6 with the feast of Epiphany. Read on to have a glimpse over the different ways in which it is celebrated in different countries of the world.

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

Many people give gifts to each other on Christmas which consists of Christmas Trees, Christmas chocolates, rum chocolates, stuffed toys, Christmas Gifts Items, Cheese cakes.

Christmas Trees:

You intend to spend ample time and money on Christmas tree ornaments. You would like your tree to be the center of attention among your guests. You have plans to make everyone sit around the tree with a cup of eggnog in hand and sing carols. If you are imagining all this for your holidays this year, then you need a great looking Christmas tree.

For many families, it is an annual tradition to select and buy Christmas trees.

Holidays can become more enjoyable and less messy if you buy a tree after proper selection and consideration. A family affair, selection of a perfect tree involves considering some important points. Go through these small, yet invaluable, tips listed below before investing in a tree:

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

• Find out the species of the Christmas tree you plan to buy. While the retailers will tell you about the species of the trees, it is important that you yourself are aware of the different species and their characteristics. Knowledge about species will help you understand whether the tree is resistant to ignition, if its branches are firm, etc.
• Think where you would like to place your tree before you actually go out and buy it. Trees come in different sizes and are priced accordingly. So it becomes important to first consider the place in the house for the tree and then decide upon its size.
• You don't want your tree to be shedding as soon as you place it in your living room. Look for freshness in the Christmas trees. The tree should be green and its needles should appear fresh and flexible.
• If you are planning to adorn your tree with some heavy ornaments, a fir tree will be ideal for you. A fir tree has sturdy branches perfect for heavy decorations. If you like feather-weight ornaments and subtle lights on your tree, pine tree can work wonders for you.
• Do consider the durability of the tree you intend to purchase. This is important to do in case you are planning to keep you tree up for a longer time.
• Make sure the smell of the tree matches what you have envisioned and what your senses can bear.

Location for Christmas tree is important!

While living rooms are the most popular locations to place Christmas trees, people with different types of homes and different kind of gatherings might choose some other area to position their trees.

Look around your room to analyze your furniture arrangements, and then choose a place where your tree will catch everyone's attention. Make sure you are not placing your tree near a fireplace. Having a tree near a fireplace involves the risk of fire. Do not keep it near a furnace vent as the hot air pumping out of the vent will make your tree dry and you'll end up sweeping needles every day.

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

Imagine your tree against a corner in your living area. Corners can work wonders to your trees. As the

Christmas tree lights should be bright, lustrous

shed against the back walls, it gives a majestic view. So if you have lights to adorn your tree with, make sure you have placed your tree near an electrical outlet.Corners might not be an ideal place for you if you have plans to make your friends and family sit around the tree and sing Christmas carols. In that case, you might want to choose a spacious location in your living area to place gifts under the tree as well as to sit around and sing.

While big houses can afford to have giant trees, tiny homes and apartments should stick to smaller trees according to the space available. Don't go overboard in the spirit of the holidays and invest in a tree you might not be able to use. Table-top trees can be a great option for people living in apartments.

Where to buy a Christmas tree?

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

Although retail outlets are popular places to purchase Christmas trees, cut-your-own farms and mail order are also becoming a famous option with the buyers. The other alternative is to have a living tree. Living trees are becoming increasingly popular with the holiday lovers. These trees can be used for landscape after Christmas; however, they require special attention. So if you are ready to show that extra care, you can invest in a living tree this holiday season.

Many people also like the idea of having a fake Christmas tree. This allows them to stay away from the task of sweeping needles everyday. Fake trees do not require any special attention and are durable in case you plan to reuse them in the next season.

Buying and decorating a tree is a fun-filled experience. Enjoy it to the fullest and show off your creativity to friends and families.

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

Christmas Gifts :

onths before Christmas finally arrives, we all start planning our Christmas shopping and preparing lists. Christmas gifts are among the topmost items in that list. This is the time you have to remember everyone – friends, family members and colleagues and get something for them all. Haven't we all run out of gift ideas at times before Christmas? It can be tough to select gifts for so many people of different ages, sex and tastes. Add to that the bewildering range of gifts available in the market, and of course, the limiting factor – the budget. Let's find out how to go about finding the right stuff for everyone, so that you can look back later and feel happy about the Christmas gifts you bought this year.

Some of the Christmas Gifts can consist of following evergreen items:

Christmas Cards : all time favorites! Nothing is better than a beautiful Christmas card to convey your feeling to your loved ones.

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

Christmas Decorations : they all need it, and they are wonderful gifts. Christmas decoration items would be great for organizing Christmas parties. You would feel great if you visit somebody during Christmas and see your gifts used in their Christmas decorations.

Christmas Toys and Games for your kids : kids make your Christmas, don't they? An entire galaxy of toys and games greet you the moment you step into the world of toys and games. Stuffed toys, electronic toys, puzzles, board games, computer games, video games, dolls, bikes, and sports goods, the choice is wide. Think in terms of age, sex and preferences.

Christmas Art Gift Ideas : artworks can make wonderful Christmas gifts too. They are good for decorating the house during Christmas and also cater to the tastes of the art connoisseurs among your peers. A well chosen painting, sculpture, or other artworks will be cherished by whoever you gift them to.

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

Christmas Flowers and ornamental Plants : colorful flowers and flower baskets can add that extra touch to anybody's Christmas decorations. Flowers and plants do make great Christmas gifts. Plants gifted at Christmas will stay with people and they will remind them of your love and care whenever they watch the flowers blossom.

Christmas special Cakes : cakes, pies, chocolates, candies, desserts, fruits, dry fruits, nuts, and what not! Nothing is more fun than a yummy bite during Christmas. Kids love it, adults adore them, and you would love to receive them too.

Festive Musics and CD's : what's Christmas without music? Music livens up the festive season, and music makes it easy for you to plan gifts. CDs can be gifted to almost everyone you know, including business acquaintances. Children can be given and movies. Even elders would love to get movies they love for Christmas.

Also read :
Story behind Christmas festival
Festivals celebrated all over USA - Comprehensive list
Christmas - World's biggest Festival

Christmas Celebrations 2008 - X Mas

Christmas is a festival celebrated all across the world with immense festive spirit. The ways of celebrating Christmas slightly vary from region to region across whole world ie Christmas celebrations styles, gifts all vary from one country to another. Different places have different styles of celebrating Christmas. No matter the traditions and customs of celebrating Christmas around the world may change but the spirit behind the festivity remains the same. At some places people follow the tradition of posing as Santa Claus and distributing gifts and at some places people exchange gifts year after year on Christmas – Christmas celebrations differ from place to place.

Also read:
History of Christmas
Festivals celebrated in USA - whole list

Christmas is no doubt the largest celebrated festival in whole world and it is celebrated in almost all corners of planet earth, Christmas celebrations start from the starting of month of december and the festive spirit remains everywhere through out december. Christmas around the world is feted with great enthusiasm. People dance to the rhythms of Christmas carols, enjoy in the chilly wintry winds, relish the mouth-watering delicacies, dazzle in the colorful decorations and enthrall after getting some captivating Christmas gifts – all this and much more can be seen in the festival of lights.

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer: Refrain

We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here: Refrain

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas around the world is so enchanting that it brings smiles to the faces of people. Christmas celebrations end along with the new year every year and the whole week from Christmas till new year is off through out the world, All the offices celebrate Christmas by giving gifts to employees. People wait for the whole year for this mesmerizing occasion when they will laugh, sing, dance, enjoy and make merry.

Cultural variations can lead to different customs of celebrating Christmas in different areas. Some people plan a world holiday tour on Christmas and there are lot of other ways in which Christmas is celebrated through out the world, Christmas of Europe and USA is famous through out the world . Christmas holds a significant place for the people of Christian community. No only Christians but people belonging to other communities also celebrate Christmas with great passion. Christmas around the world is really a vital part of people's lives.

Festivals of Kerala

Kerala is the southern most state of India, it shares border with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu(in east) Arabian Sea in west.

Kerala is often called "God's own land" and has number of tourist attractions and backwaters, there are lot of festivals celebrated in kerala. Onam is the biggest and grandest festival of Kerala.
Other festivals of Kerala include :

ONAM :

Onam is the most famous festival of Kerala. All Malayali's irrespective of religion celebrates it. It falls in the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug-Sept). It is the harvest festival of Kerala. Legend states that Onam is celebrated as the home coming of Mahabali, the king who ruled over Kerala in the age of plenty and was pushed down to the infernal regions (Patala) by Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana

Onam is celebrated as a national festival of Kerala. It synchronizes with the tourist week celebration, which starts formally on the day of Atham asterism. The image of Thrikkakara Appan (Vishnu in the form of Vamana) is installed in every Hindu home during the Onam season. Children go around collecting flowers and decorate them in the front portion of the house in various designs and patterns. The most important days of the Onam festival are Uthradom and Thiruvonam days. On the latter, a grand feast is held in every home. Onam also provides an occasion for family get-together among the Keralites. It's a perfect example for the religious harmony of the state.

Snake Boat Race or Vallamkali :

This is a typical keralite festival of boat races. It is held in August in the Punnamada Kayal, which commemorates the visit of former Prime Minister, Late Jawaharlal Nehru to Alleppey. Similar boat races are held also at Aranmual and Champakulam, which has a religious significance. The later commemorates an episode involving the idol of Sri Krishna, which was lifted from Kurichi by the Chempakasseri Raja's men for consecration in the Ambalapuzha. The idol had to rest in the house of a Syrian Christian at Chempakulam. Therefore, even today the flag and coir rope required for the Chempakulam boat race is supplied from the local Kallurkad Church.Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July - Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,- Mannar, Aranmula, Thiruvandoor.

Vishu :

The first month of Malayalam Calendar is Medam (April-May) and the first day of Medam is celebrated as Vishu, the New Year day. Begin an auspicious day; it is a common belief that the fortune of the coming year depends on the first day. So the first day begins with ceremony of Kani Kanal, which literally means first sight. At the dawn, the Malayali's begin the first day of the Year by waking up in front of Kani. The Kani includes gold ornament, white cloth, a measure of rice or paddy, bell metal mirror, flowers of the Konna tree (Cussia fistula), halved jack fruits, halved coconuts, yellow cucumber, and two standing oil lamps emitting sparkling light their eyes. Another interesting features of this day are Kaayi neetal where the elder members in the family gift money to the younger ones.

Mahasivarathri :

Hindus celebrate Mahasivarathri, all over the world in Kumbam (Feb-March). It commemorates the day on which Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison (Kalakuda visham) to save the world from destruction. The offering of special pooja and abhishekhams, and the presentation of cultural programmes in all the Shiva temples celebrate the day. The annual Sivarathri festival held on the banks of River Periyar at Alwaye, is one of the most spectacular local festivals of Kerala, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the state. It has been compared to the Kumbamela at Prayag.

Navarathri :

Literally Navarathri means Nine nights. This festival is celebrated for Navagraha Naayagi (Nine nymphs). It is called by different names in different parts of India. In Karnataka, it is called Dasara, in Bengal - Kali Pooja and in this state it is known as Saraswathy Pooja. Saraswathy is known as goddess of Knowledge. On this day all tools and books are kept for Pooja. Children who are to begin their schooling are made to write the first alphabet in rice with their finger.

Asthami Rohini :

The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great importance on this day. It is held in the month of Chingam (Aug- Sept). Devotees visit the Krishna temples where special Pooja and cultural programmes are held.

Thrikarthiaka :

This festival is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (Nov -Dec). Display of light in the evening is a unique part of the festival.

Thiruvathira :

Thiruvathira falls on the month of Dhanu (December-January) and is a women's festival. It commemorates the death of Kamadeva, the cupid of Hindu mythology. The aim of the celebration is conjugal harmony and happiness. The dance form Thiruvathirkkali is associated with this celebration.

Christmas :

All Christians celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ on 25th Dec. Holy Mass is held in all the churches in the state. Carol singing, setting up of Christmas tree in all churches and homes, exchanges of cards and receiving gifts from Santa Claus are all integral part of the festivities associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. There is a feast in every Christian home with meat as a special item, and the celebrations of Christmas leave good memories in every heart.

Easter :

This is another important festival of Christians, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter usually falls in March-April, after 40 days lent of fast and penance. Christians go for mid-night mass, as a memory of the resurrection of Jesus, 2000 years ago.

Other Christian Festivals :
St.George's Church, Edathwa - 27 April to 7th MaySt.Sebastian's Church, Arathungal - 20th January to 31st JanuarySt George's Church, Aruvithura - 22nd to 24th AprilSt Thomas Shrine, Malayattur - Last week of March or first week of AprilSt Mary's Orthodox Church, Manarcad - Sepember 1st to 9thParumala, MannarMaramon Convention

Bakrid :

The Bakrid commemorates Ibrahim's (Abhraham) offering of his only son as a sacrifice in obedience to God's command. The Muslims enjoy hearty feasts on Bakrid day. The rich may sacrifice a he goat or a bullock and distribute it among Frieds, relatives and the poor. The famous Haj is performed after the celebration of Idul Azha.

Idul Fitr :

Idul Fitr is celebrated after the conclusion of the Ramzan fast when Muslims give up all kind of food and drink during the day and spend the major part of the night prayer.

Miladi Sharif :

Miladi Sharif, celebrated on a large scale in April, Commemorates the birth of the prophet. This celebration has acquired its present dimensions only in recent times. Previously the day was observed by the Muslims by reading what is commonly known as Maulud which is a short treatise in Arabic celebrating the birth, life, work and sayings of the prophet or some saint.

Muharram :

Muharram is another festival celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of Muharram the forbidden month, which marks the beginning of the Hijra year.

Chandankudam at Beemapally :

The Chandankudam at Beemapally near Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most colourful of Muslim festival in Kerala. It is said to be the death anniversary of Beema Beeevi, a devout pilgrim lady who came to Kerala from Mecca. The festival begins on the 1st of Jamadul Akhar of the Hijira Era (October) and lasts ten days. Carrying earthen posts smeared with sandal wood paste and the mouth of the pot tightly closed with a Jasmine garland around the edges, thousands of pilgrims go around the mosque and the hallowed tomb of the devout lady in procession. Then the earthen port with money is placed at the tomb as an offering.

Jarram Nercha - Thervath Mosque,
Pallanchathanur Nercha Festival - Ottapalam MosqueJarram Nercha - Theruvath MosqueMalappuram Nercha - Malappuram Mosque
Kodikuthu Festival - Kanjiramattom Mosque
Chandanakkudam Festival- Beemapalli, Thiruvananthapuram

Alleppey (Allaphuzha) - Boat races

- Boat races and processions at Ambalapuzha,in July
- Nehru Trophy boat race in the month of August
- Boat races at Thalavady in Alappuzha, Kumarakom,
- Mannar, Aranmula, and Thiruvandoor
- Chengannur during Onam festival in Septmeber
- Sivagiri Festival at Varkala ,in the month of Decemeber
- St.George's Church festival in Edathwa from 27 April to 7th May
- St.Sebastian's Churchin, Arathungal from 20th January to 31st JanuaryErnakulam (Cochin)
- Utram festival at Tripunithura in the month of February
- Sivarathri Festival at Aluva Manappuram in the month of February
- Sankaracharaya Jayanthy in the month of May at Kalady
- St. George Ferona Church Festival at Edappally, in the month of May
- Ashtami at Vaikom in November
- St Thomas Shrine festival at Malayattur in March / April
- Kodikuthu Festival at Kanjiramattom Mosque 25 km from Kochi

Kottayam

- St George's Church festival in Aruvithura in the month of April
- St Mary's Orthodox Church at Manarcad in the month of September

Malappuram
- Malappuram Nercha in Malappuram Mosque

Palakkad (Palghat)

- Nercha Festival in Ottapalam Mosque

Pathanamthitta

- Makara Vilakku Festival at Sabarimala Temple in January
- Pathishtadinam.at Sabarimala in the month of June
- Ochirakali
- A festival of martial Arts at Ochira in June
- Madalam Festival at Sabarimala Temple in November
- Madala Pooja at Sabarimala Temple in December
- Annual Parumala Perunnal at Parumala Church, 11 km from Thiruvalla
- Maramon Convention in Maramon
- Asia's largest Christian gathering, in the month of February.

Thrissur (Trichur)

- The Elephant march in the month of January
- Kodiyettu at Guruvayoor in March
- Ashtami Festival & Elephant races at Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor in March
- Thrissur Pooram at Trissur in April
- Arattupuzha Pooram at Arattupuzha Temple in the month of April
- Krishna Jayanthi at Guruvayoor in October
- Ekadasi festival at Guruvayoor in December

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

- The Elephant march in the month of January
- Onam Tourism week in the month of August
-Septembert- Mahanavami
- Dance & Music Festival in the month of October
- Chandanakkudam Festival in Beemapalli

State wise Indian festivals list

India is land of diversity consisting of 28 diverse states which are unique in their own way. follow the link to see all the festivals celebrated in indian states. click on the name and get details about your favourite festival.

• Festivals of Punjab


• Festivals of Maharashtra


• Festivals of Kerala


• Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir
• Festivals of Haryana
• Festivals of Uttar Pradesh
• Festivals of Bihar
• Festivals of Jharkhand
• Festivals of Assam
• Festivals of Andhra Pradesh
• Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
• Festivals of Chattisgarh
• Festivals of Goa
• Festivals of Gujarat
• Festivals of Himachal Pradesh
• Festivals of Karnataka
• Festivals of Madhya Pradesh
• Festivals of Manipur
• Festivals of Mizoram
• Festivals of Meghalaya
• Festivals of Nagaland
• Festivals of Orissa
• Festivals of rajasthan
• Festivals of Sikkim
• Festivals of Tamil Nadu
• Festivals of Tripura
• Festivals of Uttrakhand
• Festivals of West Bengal

Punjabi Festivals | Festivals celebrated in Punjab

Punjab is one of the 28 states of Indian subcontinent which shares border with Pakistan in west, rajasthan in south, haryana in east, jammu and kashmir and himachal in north. "Punjab" means land of five rivers (punj -aab).
earlier haryana and himachal pradesh were also part of punjab and were together called as punjab, but in 1966 it was divided since then punjab has much small land area, however it has the highest per capita income in whole india.
Punjab is land of festivals and mela's some of them are as follows :

Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev :

Guru Nanak Dev (the First Nanak, the founder of Sikhism) was born on 20th October, 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present distrect of Shekhupura (Pakistan), now Nanakana Sahib. The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib falls on Kartik Puranmashi i.e. full moon day of the month Kartik. On this day the Birthday is celebrated every year. The Shrine (Gurdwara) repsesenting the home of Baba Kalu (Father) and Mata Tripta (Mother) is called Gurdwara Janam Asthan, situated at Rai-Bhoi-di-Talwandi in the present district of Shekhupura (now Nanakana Sahib in Pakistan). The Sikhs from all over the world gather here and celebrate the Gurupurab every year with great devotion and enthusiasm.

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh :

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Nanak was born at Patna Sahib on 22nd December 1666, (Poh Sudi Saptmi). His birthday generally falls in December or January or sometimes twice within a year as it is calculated according to Hindu Bikrami Calendar based on moon-year.

Guru Arjan's martyrdom day :

Guru Arjan's martyrdom day falls towards the close of May or beginning of June. Nowadays this day is celebrated everywhere in gurdwaras and by leading processions and serving chabeels.

Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day :

Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day falls in November-December. The day is celebrated by organising processions, singing hymns in gurdwaras, and by organising lectures, sermons, kirtans, etc.

Lohri :

Lohri, which comes on the last day of Poh (December-January), is another extremely popular festival. A huge bonfire is made in every house and the fire god is worshipped. This is a special day for making offerings to fire. When fire is lit up in the evening, all the members of family go round it, pour offerings into it, and bow before it in reverence. The first Lohri for a new bride, or a new-born babe, is enthusiastically celebrated, and sweets are distributed. Children visit homes in the neighbourhood and sing songs. Lohri marks the end of the winter season.

Maghi :

Next day after Lohri comes Maghi, also called Makar Sakranti (entry of the sun in the sign or Capricorn). It is very popular with the punjabis. The people go out for a holy dip and give away a lot of charity. The special dish of the day is kheer cooked in sugarcane juice. On this day fairs are held at many places. For Sikhs, Maghi means primarily the festival at Muktsar, a district town of the Punjab, in commemoration of the heroic fight of the Chali Mukte, literally, the Forty Liberated Ones, who laid down their lives warding off an attack by an imperial army marching in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh.The action took place near a pool of water, Khidrane di Dhab, on 29 December 1705. The bodies were cremated the following day, the first of Magh (hence the name of the festival), which now falls usually on the 13th of January. Largest assembly takes place at Muktsar in the form of a big fair during which pilgrims take a dip in the sacred sarovar and visit several shrines connected with the historic battle. A mahala or big march of pilgrims from the main shrine to gurdwara Tibbi Sahib, sacred to Guru Gobind Singh, marks the conclusion of the three-day celebration. Maghi is also celebrated in the Gurudwaras.

Holi :

The most colorful and hilarious of all the festivals, which are celebrated in, Punjab is Holi, celebrated on the full moon day of Phagun. Holi is a festival of colors. It is spring time in India, flowers and fields are in bloom and the country goes wild with people running on the streets and smearing each other with gulal and coloured water.Originally a festival to celebrate good harvests and fertility of the land, Holi is now a symbolic commemoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology. The story centres around an arrogant king who resents his son worshipping Lord Vishnu. He attempts to kill his son but fails each time. Finally, the king's sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning, sits with the boy in a huge fire. However, the prince Prahlad emerges unscathed, while his aunt burns to death. Holi commemorates this event from mythology, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as its symbolic representation.This exuberant festival is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over 16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura - the two cities with which Lord Krishna shared a deep affiliation. Apart from the usual fun with coloured powder and water, Holi is marked by vibrant processions which are accompanied by folk songs, dances and a general sense of abandoned vitality.

Holla Mohalla :

Holla Mohalla is a Sikh festival celebrated in the month of Phalguna , a day after Holi. An annual festival held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Hola Mohalla was started by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles on the day following the festival of Holi. It reminds the people of valour and defence preparedness, concepts dear to the Tenth Guru who was at that time battling the Mughal empire. On this three-day festival mock battles are held followed by music and poetry competitions. The Nihang Singhs (members of the Sikh army that was founded by Guru Govind Singh) carry on the martial tradition with mock battles and displays of swordsmanship and horse riding. They perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing erect on two speeding horses.There are also a number of durbars where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan and religious lectures take place. Sporting shining swords, long spears, conical turbans, the Nihangs present a fierce picture as they gallop past on horseback spraying colors on people.On the last day a long procession, led by Panj Pyaras, starts from Takth Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats, and passes through various important gurdwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jitoji and terminates at the Takth.For people visiting Anandpur Sahib, langars (voluntary community kitchens) are organized by the local people as a part of sewa (community service). Raw materials like wheat flour, rice, vegetables, milk and sugar is provided by the villagers living nearby. Women volunteer to cook and others take part in cleaning the utensils. Traditional cuisine is served to the pilgrim who eat while sitting in rows on the ground.Like all other festiva, this festival is also celerated at all the Gurudwaras with same enthusiasm. Holla Mohalla is an occasion for the Sikhs to reaffirm their commitment to the Khalsa Pantha.

Basant Panchami :

Being the famous seasonal fair heralds the advent of spring. Yellow mustard flowers all around create an aura of romantic vive infecting the spirit of the Punjabis. Deeply merged in heart and soul with the Nature, every Punjabi expresses his gratitude with dance and songs. Basant is celebrated towards the close of winter in the month of January-February. The weather circle seems to be changing otherwise Basant used to bring a message of softness in the weather in place of the hard cold season. Basant is the time when mustard fields are yellow with it the spring is ushered in. Punjabis welcome the change and celebrate the day by wearing yellow clothes, holding feasts and by organising kite flying.

Baisakhi :

Punjab being a predominantly agricultural state that prides itself on its food grain production, it is little wonder that its most significant festival is Baisakhi, which marks the arrival of the harvesting season. For the Sikhs, Baisakhi has a special significance because on this day in 1699, their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh organized the Order of the Khalsa. Baisakhi is New Year's Day in Punjab. It falls on the month of Vaisakh.The tenth guru Guru Govind Singh selected the auspicious day of Baisakhi to form the order of the Khalsa. On the13th of April in 1699, at a meeting in Anandpur in Punjab, the guru called upon his people to come forward to sacrifice themselves for the good of the clan. Initially there were no response from the audience. However, after several calls from the guru five persons- Daya Ram Khatri, Dharm Das, Mokhan Chand, Sahib Chand and Himmat Rai -were ready to offer themselves. Guru took each of them to the tent nearby and every time he returned alone with his bloodied sword. Then the guru went to the tent yet again, this time for a long time. He reappeared followed by the five men, clad in saffron-colored garments.They sat on the dais while the guru prepared water to bless them. In an iron vessel, he stirred the batasha that his wife, Mata Jitoji had put into water, with a sword called Khanda Sahib.The water was now considered the sacred nectar of immortality called amrita. It was first given to the five volunteers, then drunk by the guru and later distributed to the crowd. All present, irrespective of caste or creed, became members of the Khalsa Pantha. Those five men were christened the Panch Pyare. He discontinued the tradition of gurus and asked all Sikhs to accept the Grantha Sahib as their eternal guide. The suffix Singh derived from the Sanskrit word singha meaning 'lion', was added to the name of all male Sikhs, while the women were to call themselves Kaur, assistants to the Singh.The celebrations of Baisakhi are similar to the three-day schedule of the celebrations of other Gurpurabs. It is generally celebrated on 13th April every year.Teej heralds the onset of Sawan (monsoon), which is essential for the agricultural prosperity of the state. Dressed in all their finery, with menndi on their hands, the womenfolk converge to welcome the rains and pray for the long life of their husbands. 'Teej' or Teeans, which is celebrated in the month of Sawan (July), is also a source of entertainment for girls. Teej festival starts on the third day of Sawan and continues for about thirteen days. This is a period when rainy season is at its best, having said good bye to the scorching heat, people are out to enjoy the rains. It is also the time for sowing. The whole atmosphere is relaxed and people have a sigh of relief. The girls celebrate it by having swings. One sees girls, even today, on the swings all over the villages during the rainy season. They have new clothes, special dishes to eat and special songs for the occasion. This festival has also made inroads into the urban society.

Dussehra :

Dussehra (tenth day) is one of the significant Hindu festivals, celebrated in the entire country. The occasion marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana, the victory of good over evil. Brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions depicting various facets of Rama's life are taken out. On the tenth day, the Vijayadasmi day, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are placed in vast open spaces. Rama, accompanied by his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana, arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with explosive material. The result is a deafening blast, enhanced by the shouts of merriment and triumph from the spectators. In Punjab, the festival wears the colourful garb of Ramlila wherein various incidents from Rama's life are enacted, as is the destruction of Ravana and Bharat Milap, that is the reunion of Ram and his estranged brother Bharat, on the former's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

Bandi - Chhorh Divas (Diwali) :

The Sikh celebration of the return of the sixth Guru Hargobindji from detention in the Gwalior Fort coincides with Hindu festival of Diwali. This coincidence has resulted in similarity of celebration amongst Sikhs and Hindus. The Sixth Guru Hargobind, was freed from imprisonment in the famous fort of Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir in October, 1619 because he was afraid of the Guru's growing following and power. The Guru's father, Guru Arjan, had been martyred for the same reason. According to Sikh tradition, the Guru agreed to be freed only if the other Indian chiefs (rajahs) imprisoned with him were freed. Jahangir was under pressure from moderate but influential Muslim religious leaders like Hajrat Mian Mir, a friend of the Guru. So he relented grudgingly and ordained, "Let those rajahs be freed who can hold on to the Guru's coat tails and walk out of prison". He had in mind no more than four or five being freed with the Guru.However, the Guru was not to be outmanoeuvred in this way. He asked for a special coat to be made with 52 coat tails - same number as the rajahs in prison with him! And so the rajahs were freed and the Guru became known popularly as the "Bandi Chhor" (Deliverer from prison). The Sikhs celebrate this day as Bandi Chhorh Divas i.e., "the day of release of detainees", He arrived at Amritsar on the Divali day and the Har Mandar (now known as the "Golden Temple") was lit with hundreds of lamps i.e. he was received in the same way as the Lord Rama and the day came to be known as the "Bandi Chhor Divas" (the day of freedom). The Sikhs on this day, which generally falls in october-November, hold a one-day celebrations in the Gurdwaras. So in the evening, illuminations are done with Deewé (earthen oil lamps) or candles and fireworks. The celebrations are held both in the Gurdwaras and in homes.Another important Sikh event associated with Divali is the martyrdom in 1734 of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist Bhai Mani Singh, the Granthi (priest) of Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple).

DiwaliDeepawali or Diwali is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word `Deepawali' literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps). A family festival, it is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Asvin (October-November).Continuing the story of Rama, this festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country. The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day.This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the Hindu new year and Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day.Another view is that Deepawali is meant to celebrate the destruction of the arrogant tyrant Bali at the hands of Vishnu when the latter appeared in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar.The occasion of Deepawali sees the spring-cleaning and white-washing of houses; decorative designs or rangolis are painted on floors and walls. New clothes are bought and family members and relatives gather together to offer prayers, distribute sweets and to light up their homes.In West Bengal, the Deepawali festival is celebrated as Kali Puja and Kali, Siva's consort, is worshipped on this day.

Tika :

Tika is celebrated in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov.) one day after Diwali. Women put a tika of saffron and rice grains on the foreheads of their brothers, to protect them from evil.

Chhapar Fair :

The fair is celebrated near the shrine 'Gugge di Marhi' of Gugga Pir on Anand Chaudus, the 14th day of bright half of the month of Bhadon. Gugga Pir was a Chauhan Rajput who believed to have come down to earth directly with his steed and never returned. The Pir possessed special power over all kinds of Snakes. On his day of the fair, the villagers scoop the earth seven times by invoking Gugga Pir to protect them against Snakes. The fair lasts for three days with fun, music and dance.

Jarag Fair :

The Jarag fair of village Pail in the month of chet (March-April) is celebrated in the honour of Goddess Seetla. The fair is otherwise known as Baheria fair. In the Puja sweet gurgulas i.e. jaggery cakes are offered to the goddess and thereafter to the donkey who is her favourite. All the devotees of Seetla gather near the pond and scoop the earth and raise a small hillock, which is treated as the shrine of the Goddess, and offer Puja. The attraction of the fair is the colourfully dressed donkeys of the plotters.

Roshni Fair :

The Roshni fair held in Jagranvan from 14th to 16th day of Phagun honours Abdul Kader Jalani the Muslim Pir. Celebrated by both Hindus and Muslims, lighted earthen lamps are offered near the tomb of the Pir making the light visible from long distances. The fair gets its colour with the Bolian and dances of the village's to the tune of the flute and Toomba.

Maharashtra Festivals List | Festivals of Maharashtra

This post consists brief detail about festivals celebrated in maharashtra. including famous ganesh chaturthi, pola, Makar Sankranti, Diwali, Narali Pournima, Gokul Ashtami, Holi/Vasant Panchami, The Ellora Festival, The Elephant Festival, The Banganga Festival and many more scroll down to find your favourite festival of maharashtra, also get details about festivals celebrated in other indian states on http://www.majorworldfestivals.blogspot.com .

Diwali :
Diwali or Deepawali means a row of lights. The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Diwali is a celebration of lights. Streets are illuminated with rows of clay lamps and homes are decorated with rangoli (coloured powder designs) and aakash kandils (decorative lanterns of different shapes and sizes). People rise at dawn, massage their bodies and hair with scented oil and aromatic powders-uttana and take a holy bath. Diwali is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends.

Makar Sankrant :
Sankrant means the passing of the sun from one Zodiac sign (i.e. Dhanu)to the other(i.e.Makar). -People exchange greeting and good wishes on this day. Sweet and crunchy ladoos made of sesame and jaggery called “TilGul”are the favourite sweets.

Nag Panchami :
It is a festival in the honour of the Snake God Shesha Nag . Snake worship is an important ritual of the Maharashtrians, and on the festival of Nag Panchami, clay icons of cobras are venerated in homes. People offer sweets and milk to the snake deity . Snake charmers carry cobras in baskets and collect offerings from the public in the streets. Women apply mehendi on their hands and the day is celebrated with dances and songs.

Gudhi PadwaGudhi :
is a victory symbol-characterized by a bamboo stick with a coloured silk cloth and garlanded with flowers and sweets atop .Maharashtrians erect gudhis on Padwa, the first day of the Hindu new year. People welcome the new year by worshipping the gudhi and distribute prasad comprising tender neem leaves, gram-pulse and jaggery. Gudhi Padwa signifies the beginning of a prosperous new year and is considered as a shubh muhurat - one of the most auspicious days - by Hindus.

Pola :
The harvest festival is celebrated by farmers all over Maharashtra. It is an important festival of rural Maharashtra. On this day bullocks, which are an integral part of the agricultural operations are worshipped. They are bathed, colourfully decorated and taken out in processions across the village, accompanied by the music of drumbeats and lezhim (a musical instrument made of a wooden rod and an iron chain full of metallic pieces).

Narali Pournima :
The full moon day of the month of Shravan is celebrated in different parts of Maharashtra and is known variously as Narali Pournima, Shravani Pournima, Rakhi Pournima or Raksha Bandhan. 'Naral' means 'coconut', and Narali Pournmia is thus called because offerings of coconuts are made by people to the sea-god on this day. Narali Pournima also marks the advent of the new fishing season and fishermen appease the sea-god before sailing out in their gaily-decorated boats. The festival is a day of singing and dancing. Raksha Bandhan is also observed on this day. Sisters tie 'rakhis' or beautifully decorated threads on their brothers' wrists. The ritual renews the bond of affection between siblings and signifies the brother's responsibility of protecting his sister all her life.

Gokul Ashtami :
The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated on Gokul Ashtami or Janmashtami. Most devotees fast till midnight till the birth of Lord Krishna is announced. Gopal Kala-a preparation made of flattened rice and curds is prepared on this day. Another fun-filled ritual performed on this day is dahi-handi - clay pots filled with curd, puffed rice and milk are strung high up above the streets and groups of enthusiastic young men (and even women) form human pyramids to reach these and break them open, the way Lord Krishna and his friends would, after sneaking into the houses of gopis (milkmaids) to steal and eat butter.

Ganesh Chaturthi :
Lord Ganesh, the patron deity of Maharashtra, is the God of wisdom. In August, preparations to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi - the auspicious day when Lord Ganesh was born - begin with great enthusiasm all over the state. The 11-day festival begins with the installation of beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols in homes and mandaps (large tents), colourfully decorated, depicting religious themes or current events. The Ganesh idols are worshipped with families and friends. Many cultural events are organised and people participate in them with keen interest. After ten exciting days comes the time to bid farewell to the beloved God. People take Ganesh idols in procession to the accompaniment of music and dance for immersion in the sea or nearby river or lake.

Dussehra :
According to the great Hindu epic Ramayan, Dussehra is the day on which Lord Ram killed Ravan, the evil king of Lanka. It is considered as a shubh-muharat - a very auspicious day - to start a new venture. It is a symbol of the victory of good over evil. People decorate the entrances of their homes with torans, marigold flower studded strings, and worship the tools of trade, vehicles, machinery, weapons and books. As the evening falls, the villagers cross the border, a ritual known as Simollanghan, and worship the Shami tree. The leaves of the Apta tree are collected and exchanged among friends and relatives as gold.

Holi/Vasant Panchami :
Holi/Vasant Panchami each year, after a successful winter harvest, people get ready to welcome the spring with Holi - the festival of colours. Holi or bonfires are lit in the night and to worship the fire-god, who is believed to drive away all evil. On the next day, people of all ages come outside and play with each other with coloured water. Brightly coloured powders are applied on faces, and there is plenty of music, dance and sweets to fill the rest of the day.
Modern Festivals of Maharashtra

The Banganga Festival :
Every year, in January, a cultural extravaganza is organised at Banganga, where top artistes from around the country perform live classical music concerts. Cultural enthusiasts attend the festival and feast the soul as well as the mind as the sun sets

The Elephant Festival :
In February Elephanta, a small island near Mumbai, is a favoured destination for culture lovers. It is the site of the Elephanta Festival, the tranquil abode of Lord Shiva, just one-and-a-half-hour's journey by motor launch from Mumbai. Every year, renowned dancers and musicians perform outside the caves, beneath a star-studded sky, to a select and appreciative audience. Special launch services and catering arrangements are provided for visitors.

The Ellora Festival :
MTDC organises the Ellora Festival here in December, inviting in renowned artistes who display their virtuosity in music and dance. Surrounded by 1,400-year old caves and rock carvings, artists perform in this magnificent ambience to enchant the gods, goddesses and human lovers of art. The Kailash temple, sculptured out of one huge rock, is one of the most beautiful backdrops for an event such as this.

Chinese Festivals List

There are numerous festivals and events celebrated all through out china every year.

Following are some of important festivals celebrated in People Republic of China(PRC)
(Click on the festival name to see corresponding Information)

• Dalian Int’l Fashion Festival
• Zhangjiajie Int’l Forest Festival
• Qufu Int’l Confucian Festival
• Mid-Autumn Festival
• Mt Huangshan Festival
• Chang’an Calligraphic Conference
• Jingdezhen Int’l Ceramics Festival
• Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
• The Corban Festival
• Guizhou Azalea Festival
• Qinghai Folk Song Festival
• Wutai Mountain Tourist Month
• Nadam Tourist Festival
• Yunnan Yi Torch Festival
• Qingdao Int’l Beer Festival
• Shoton Festival in Tibet
• Xinjiang Grape Festival
• Shaolin Int’l Martial Arts Festival
• Water Splashing Festival
• Hainan Int’l Coconut Festival
• Luoyang Peony Festival
• Goddess Mazu Festival
• Weifang Int’l Kite Festival
• Dragon Boat Festival
• Zigong Lantern Show
• Qintong Boat Festival in Yangzhou
• Spring Flower Fair
• Chinese Lantern Festival
• Major Chinese Festivals | Events - Spring Festival

Chinese Festivals list | People Republic of China

Dalian Int’l Fashion Festival

Time: Early September every year

Venue: Dalian, Liaoning Province

Origin: The first Dalian Fashion Show was held in 1988. Renamed Dalian International Fashion Festival in 1991, it is a showcase of the latest developments in world fashion, presented by companies from various countries and regions. The general tendency for east and west to mingle offers a new impetus for the prosperity of fashion designs and the garment-making industry, and provides an entirely new aesthetic experience for mankind.

What’s On: Large-scale variety shows in the open, an international garment exhibition, negotiations on the export of Chinese garments, a grand competition of up-and-coming Chinese fashion designers, and parades and performances of models.

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Zhangjiajie Int’l Forest Festival

Time: Two or three days beginning from September 18 each year.

Venue: Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province.

Origin: Zhangjiajie with its unmatched natural beauty is China’s first state forest reserve. The Wulingyuan district in the reserve is of superb scientific and aesthetic value, where there are bounteous scenic spots, the ecology is well protected, and the forms of 3,103 quartzite pillars shimmering in an ocean of shifting mists. With a 97 percent forest cover, Zhangjiajie is home to a good variety of rare and precious animals.

What’s On: Tour of forests, geological study tour, rafting the Maoyan River, international mountaineering invitational tournament, cliff mounting competitions, as well as art performances, qigong shows and cliff climbing stunts by local Tujia villagers.

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Qufu Int’l Confucian Festival

Time: September 26-October 10 every year.

Venue: Qufu, Shangdong Province.

Origin: Confucius, a celebrated thinker and educator, was born on the 27th day of the 8th lunar month (towards the end of September in 551 BC in Qufu. Since ancient times, the anniversary of his birth has been marked in Qufu in the pomp and pageantry of sacrificial rituals. Since 1984 the local tourist authorities have launched a tour of the native place of Confucius on his birthday, to the delight of travelers from at home and abroad. In 1989, the program was renamed International Confucian Festival.

What’s On: A grand ceremony to offer libation and sacrifices to Confucius, performances of music and dance in tribute to Confucius, exhibition on the life and accomplishments of Confucius, calligraphic show, the Confucian mansion, temple and forest (graveyard), Nishan (where the sage was born), and thematic tours designed to acquaint visitors with Confucius’ academic activities, the wedding customs in his hometown and the cuisine of his family kitchen.

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Mid-Autumn Festival

Time: 15th day of the 8th lunar month

Venue: All over China

Origin: During the Zhou Dynasty (16th-11th centuries BC), the night of the full moon was an occasion for the Chinese to hold rituals to greet the cool weather and sacrifice to the Goddess of the Moon. By the Tang Dynasty (618-907) moon-watching and merry-making had become part of the ritual. During the Northern Song (960-1127), the 15th day of the 8th lunar month was designated as Mid-Autumn Festival. When night falls, the orb of the moon hangs full in the firmament, shedding a flood of silvery light over the land, while family members in China gather for the happiness of reunion, munching moon cakes and marveling at the chastened glory of the Goddess of the Moon. By Chinese custom the 15th day of the 8th lunar month is a day for family reunion as symbolized by the full moon and the moon cake.

What’s On: Ceremonies to make libation and sacrifices to the moon, and watching the moon while enjoying moon cakes. There is always something dream-like and romantic about Mid-Autumn Festival, on account of its close association with such Chinese fables as Chang’e fleeing to the moon, the man Wu Gang performing the unending servitude to cutting an osmanthus tree, and the Jade Rabbit pounding medicinal herbs with a pestle. For men of letters the festival is an occasion to get together, improvise poems over a cup of wine and recite them to each other.

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Mt. Huangshan Festival

Time: October every year.

Venue: Huangshan, Anhui Province.

Origin: The first Huangshan International Tourist Festival took place on October 25-30, 1991, and was attended by 103 tour operators and representative of travel services of the United States, Japan, Thailand, France, Germany, Singapore and other countries. A total of 500,000 people took part in the activities organized during the festival. The success of the festival not only won the heart of travelers from at home and abroad, but also expanded the worldwide reputation of Mount Huangshan and promoted local tourism. The local authorities, therefore, have designated it as an annual event. What’s On: Traditional lantern shows, folklore performances, tour of Mount Huangshan and ancient structures in Huizhou, tourist business talks, negotiations on attracting foreign investment, and commodity fairs.

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Chang’an Calligraphic Conference

Time: November every year.

Venue: Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.

Origin: The annual Chang’an International Calligraphic Conference is an important national tourist program. For Shaanxi Province, it is also a large-scale activity involving foreign visitors. Since its inception, the conference has attracted calligraphers, calligraphic fans and tourists from all over the world. The conference is designed to publicize the image of Shaanxi Province and promote local tourism.

What’s On: The grand opening ceremony, inscribing a 100-meter-long scroll, meetings of famous calligraphers from China and the rest of the world, calligraphy exhibition, auctions of works of calligraphy and paintings by famous Chinese artists. Each conference attracts nearly 1,000 calligraphers and tourists.

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Jingdezhen Int’l Ceramics Festival

Time: October 11-14 every year.

Venue: Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province.

Origin: A millennium in the making of porcelain ware has earned Jingdezhen the name “Capital of Porcelain.” Elegant ornamentation, jade-like textures, and translucent walls – these are reasons behind the superlative quality of porcelain products that bear the name Jingdezhen. The Jingdezhen International Ceramics Festival is organized to disseminate the Chinese ceramics technology and promote international exchange in ceramics.

What’s On: A grand international ceramics show, an exhibition of Jingdezhen porcelain products from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, an exhibition of ceramic works by famous contemporary artists, porcelain making demonstrations, tea ceremonies, international ceramics symposium, business activities, etc. There are also tours of the city’s ceramics industry, including porcelain-making technology of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and ruins of ancient kilns, and ceramics study tours.

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Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Time: January 5-February 5 every year.

Venue: Harbin, Heilongjiang Province.

Origin: With 190-day freezing season, the northeastern city of Harbin is known as a “City of Ice” and a cradle of the ice-and-snow culture in the world. The long and frigid winter, and the high plasticity and hardness of ice blocks quarried from the Songhua River, furnish favorable conditions for ice and snow sculpture. On January 5, 1985, the first Harbin Ice and Snow Festival was unveiled. Since then it has become an annual event, which is highly acclaimed around the world. Harbin was also the venue of the Third Asian Winter Sports Tournament.

What’s On: Ice lantern show, snow sculpture display, and international ice and snow sculpture competitions; winter swimming, ice hockey, speed-skating, alpine skiing, and cross-country skiing competitions; and ice and snow film festival exhibitions of paintings, calligraphy and photograph, folklore shows, ethnic song and dance parties, weddings on an ice-covered river. A participation in the ice-snow festival can be compared to a visit to a fairyland of crystal palace.

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The Corban Festival

Time: The 10th day of the month of Dul Hajah (the 12th month on the Islamic Calendar).

Venue: Areas with large Hui, Uygur and Kazakh communities.

Origin: According to Arabic legend, Ibrahim was a pious follower of Allah. Once, in a dream, Ibrahim got Allah’s divine message for him to slaughter his own son as a sacrifice. When he was about to carry out the order, a messenger sent by Allah descended with a goat, and asked Ibrahim to sacrifice the goat instead of his own son. Since then the Muslims have been marking the day by slaughtering goats for the sake of safety. This gradually evolved into the Corban, a festival for slaughter goats.

What’s On: During the festival the Muslims gather in the mosque for prayers and a ceremony to slaughter the animals. Then families begin to celebrate by slaughtering cattle, goats and camels and treating friends with the meat, and the dinner table is enshrouded in a fraternal atmosphere. In Xinjiang, the various ethnic minorities celebrate the Corban by singing and dancing, and taking part in such games as scrambling for a goat, horse racing, and young women chasing after men for love and fun.

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Major Chinese Events of Year | Chinese Festivals

Guizhou Azalea Festival

Time: April 8-25

Venue: Baihuaping in Bijie Prefecture’s Aianxi County

Origin: A vast stretch of azaleas is found where Qianxi and Dafang counties in Guizhou Province’s Bijie Prefecture share the same boundary. The flowers in the Pudi Azalea Zone of Dafang County and the Jinpo Azalea Zone of Qianxi County are the most famous. There the azalea begins to bloom in March, reaches its full glory in April, and continues into May, so that for three months a year, the heavily wooded place is taken over by a riot of color and becomes a veritable natural flower garden rarely seen anywhere in this world. The Azalea Festival, which was first started in 1993, is an annual event in Guizhou.

What’s On: The opening ceremony, folk art performances by the ethnic Yi, Miao and Buyi people, a lantern show in Qianxi County, bell-ringing dances, dances to the accompaniment of reed pipes, and bull and chicken fights. Tourists are welcome to attend carnivals by a bonfire and tempt their palate with local delicacies.

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Qinghai Folk Song Festival

Time: 8th day of the 4th lunar month, 6th day of the 6th lunar month, and 15th of the 7th lunar month.

Venue: Xining, Qinghai

Origin: Hua’er refers to folk songs popular among the ethnic Hui, Dongxiang and Baoan peoples in Qinghai Province. Love is a major theme of such songs, which are characterized by sweet, soul-stirring tunes, rich and varied motifs, and an unmistakable idyllic flavor. After the 5th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar, “hua’er” festivals are held in many places in Qinghai, and local singers take this opportunity to sing their life, labor, love and ideals in a most infatuating way. The folk song festival, which takes place on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month at Lianhuashan, Xining, is so famous that it eventually became an annual weeklong event.

What’s On: During the festival, tens of thousands of Hui, Dongxiang and Baoan folk singers and onlookers gather at Lianhuashan for round after round of singing. Other activities include mountaineering, theatrical performances, trade fairs, and the farewell ceremony.

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Wutai Mountain Tourist Month

Time: July 25-August 25 every year

Venue: Taihuai Town, Wutai County, Shanxi Province

Origin: Since ancient times, the Wutai Mountain has been a site of temple fairs. With the passing of time, these temple fairs have gradually evolved into the Wutai Mountain International Tourist Month, which sets the stage for displaying the Wutai Mountain as one of China’s four major Buddhist mountain sanctuaries and its wealth of ancient sites and cultural artifacts.

What’s On: Large-scale Buddhist ritualistic ceremonies, folk art activities, and a large mule and horse fair. During the month, the entire mountain is enshrouded in the mystery of a religious atmosphere, as monks from all over the country gather at Taihuai Town performing Buddhist rites to save the souls of the dead and chanting Buddhist sutras. The event gives the traveler an excellent opportunity to visit the architecture of the cluster of temples and monasteries on the Wutai Mountain, and learn something about local habits and customs.

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Nadam Tourist Festival

Time: Around July 15 every year

Venue: Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Origin: In Mongolian the word “nadam” means “amusement and entertainment.” The Nadam Festival is a traditional occasion for Mongols to get together for a few days of festivity. In the past, herdsmen in the region gathered in summer to sacrifice to celestial beings and amuse themselves in celebration of a thriving animal husbandry. Later, the Nadam Festival has become a ten-day event at the banner or sumu level during the summer-autumn interregnum. Now the festival has acquired a new name, “Nadam Grassland Tourist Festival”. What’s On: Horse racing, archery, and wrestling; the Mani Festival, Yuan-dynasty imperial banquets, wedding in the ethnic Erdos style, sacrificial rituals at Genghis Khan’s mausoleum, tours of the Hot Spring Forest, Mongolian folklore show; and business activities.

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Yunnan Yi Torch Festival

Time: The 24th –26th days of the 6th lunar month.

Venue: Shucun Town of the Lunan Yi Autonomous County, and the city of Chuxiong in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Origin: According to a legend among the Yi people in Lunan, once upon a time there lived a demon king who terrorized the local people. During an uprising the local people bound torches to the horns and hind legs of a herd of goats and eliminated the demon king by lighting the torches and driving the goats into its lair. On the 24th day of the 6th lunar month the local people lit torches for an entire night’s merry-making in celebration of the victory.

What’s On: Archery, horse racing, bull fights, and wrestling. Torch-holding dances around a bonfire at night.

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Qingdao Int’l Beer Festival

Time: Mid-August every year.

Venue: Qingdao, Shandong Province

Origin: The Qingdao beer is renowned all over the world. The Qingdao International Beer Festival was first held in 1991, and has since become an annual event, which takes place at the Qingdao Tourist Resort.

What’s On: Full-length variety shows, parades of artistic floats, fashion shows, fireworks display at the beach, sports competitions, a symposium on beer-making technology, and business talks.

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Shoton Festival in Tibet

Time: August (From the end of the 6th month to the beginning of the 8th month according to the Tibetan calendar).

Venue: Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region

Origin: In the Tibetan language the word “shoton” means “yogurt banquet.” The Shoton Festival has its beginning prior to the 17th century. By Buddhist discipline, monks are confined in their monasteries for several dozen days until summer is over. The day the “confinement” is over the local people treat the monks to banquets, at which yogurt is served liberally.

What’s On: “Sunning the Buddha” (giant tangkha-portraits of the Buddha are brought out of the monasteries and unfolded in the sun for public display), Tibetan opera performances, and trade fairs.

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Xinjiang Grape Festival

Time: April 20-26 every year

Venue: Turpan, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region

Origin: Grape cultivation in the world-famous city of Turpan dates back to more than 2000 years ago. Of the 100-odd grain strains in Turpan, the seedless white grapes, dubbed “green pearls of China,” are the most precious. The raisin and wine produced in Turpan are known for their lingering good tastes. Most of Turpan’s grapes are grown in the renowned Grape Valley, or “Pearl City in the Desert.” The Xinjiang Grape Festival was first launched in 1990 and has since become an annual event in Turpan.

What’s On: Wedding in the Uygur style, mashlap (lively and humorous folk dance), nazkum (witty art performance), Koco-style songs and dances, Hami-melon competition, trade negotiations, tour of the Street of Grapes and Melons, and camel caravans reminiscent of the Silk Road more than 2,000 years ago.

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Shaolin Int’l Martial Arts Festival

Time: September 10-15 every year

Venue: Zhengzhou, Henan Province

Origin: The worldwide fame of the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple is attributed to its consummate martial arts dating back more than a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty. During the Five Dynasties (907-960 AD), monks in the temple had already devised more than 100 styles of boxing. By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the Shaolin martial arts reached its zenith. The city of Dengfeng, where the temple is situated, has become a center of martial arts. In 1991 the first Zhengzhou International Martial Arts Festival was held to carry forward the heritage of Chinese martial arts and promote local tourist and economic development. The Festival is held once a year.

What’s On: A good variety of Shaolin martial arts performances and contests, and exchanges between martial arts from around the world. A cruise on the Yellow River gives some idea about the landscape and folklore along this mighty river.