Festivals Class 1 Notes EVS

What is a Festival?

A festival is a special time when people celebrate with lots of joy and fun! It’s a day to do exciting things like wear new clothes, decorate homes, and eat yummy food with family and friends.

Festivals in India 

India is a country full of colorful festivals celebrated all year round! These festivals bring people together and help us learn about Indian culture. We have two kinds of festivals in India: National festivals and Religious festivals.

National Festivals

These festivals are celebrated all over India and are important to every Indian.

1. Independence Day

• It is celebrated on August 15th. 
• On this day, we remember and honor the brave freedom fighters who fought for India's independence. 
• We also sing the national anthem and raise the Indian flag.

Flag raised on Independence Day

2. Republic Day

• It is celebrated on January 26th. 
• It's the day when India became a republic. 
• A republic is a country where the people have the power to choose their leaders. 
• We celebrate with parades and cultural events.

Parade on Republic Day

3. Gandhi Jayanti

• Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869.  
• This day is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti he was a great freedom fighter because of him India became free from British rule. So we call him father of nation.

Gandhi Jayanti

Religious Festivals

India is a land of many religions, and each religion has its own festivals.

1. Diwali

• Diwali which is celebrated by Hindus, and Sikhs. 
• It is also known as the "Festival of Lights." 
• We light candles and lamps to celebrate the victory of good over evil. 
• We also decorate our homes with colourful lights and rangolis.

Diwali

2. Holi

• Holi is also known as the "Festival of Colors." 
• It is celebrated by people of all religions. 
• We throw colored powder and water at each other and have a lot of fun. 
• We also eat delicious sweets and dance to music.

Holi

3. Gurupurav

• It is a special day when Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of the Sikh religion. 
• It's a happy day filled with music, prayers, and delicious food.
• The most important thing about Gurupurav is to remember the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, which are about being kind, truthful, and helpful to others.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

4. Christmas

• It is a Christian festival celebrated on 25th December to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. 
• People decorate their homes with Christmas trees and lights. 
• They exchange gifts, sing Christmas songs, and go to churches.

Christmas Celebrations

5. Eid

• Eid is an important religious festival celebrated by Muslims. 
• On this day, Muslims break their month-long fast. 
• The Eid moon is very beautiful. 
• People go to the mosque to pray. 

Eid Celebrations

6. Dussehra

• Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami, is a Hindu festival celebrated in the month of October. 
• It marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. 
• People burn statue of Ravana, perform puja, and participate in cultural events.
  Statue of Kumbhkaran, Ravana, Meghnath

Conclusion

India has a rich and mixed culture with many exciting festivals to celebrate throughout the year. These festivals not only bring joy and happiness but also teach us about our history and values.