National Festivals: India | General Test Preparation for CUET - CUET Commerce PDF Download

What is a Festival?

A festival is a special occasion or event that is celebrated to mark a particular day or period. 

• During festivals, people come together to enjoy and share happiness, often engaging in various activities, rituals, and celebrations. 
• It's a day filled with joy, happiness, fun activities, and celebrations. During festivals, we also enjoy delicious food. 
• Festivals can be cultural, religious, or seasonal and are usually marked by special events, decorations, and sometimes specific foods. 
• They serve as a time for communities to gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories together. 

 In India, we celebrate three main types of festivals—national festivals, religious festivals, and harvest festivals. 

What Are National Festivals?

National festivals are celebrations observed by an entire country to commemorate important events in its history. 

• These festivals have cultural, historical, or patriotic significance and are celebrated nationwide. 
• These events are marked by various ceremonies, parades, cultural programs, and patriotic activities that bring people together to celebrate their shared identity and history. 
• In India, for example, national festivals include Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. 

1. Independence Day

• On this day, in the year 1947, India became an independent country.
• Our freedom fighters fought against British rule to make our country independent.
• On this day, the national flag is hoisted by our Prime Minister in Red Fort, New Delhi.
• People all over India also celebrate Independence Day by raising the national flag in their homes and communities. 
• Schools, colleges, and universities celebrate this day by hoisting flags, performing plays, and organizing cultural activities.

2. Republic Day of India

• Republic Day is celebrated on 26 January every year.
• On this day in 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, which made India an independent republic.
• The main celebration happens in New Delhi with a big parade showing India's different cultures and military strength. 
• The President of India raises the National Flag, Tiranga and there are colorful displays, dances, and representations of each state. 

3. Gandhi Jayanti

• Gandhiji, born on 2 October 1869, is called ‘The Father of the Nation’.
• He was a freedom fighter who, with his belief in non-violence, fought against the British to make India an independent country.
• On this day, people across the country pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by remembering his values of truth and non-violence.
• The main event takes place at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, where leaders and citizens gather to offer prayers and homage at Gandhi's memorial. 

Did You Know?

• He drafted the constitution of India. He is often called the "Father of the Indian Constitution." 
• Ambedkar fought against discrimination, especially the kind that people from his community, called Dalits or untouchables, had to go through.
• He believed in giving everyone equal rights and worked to make sure the laws in India protected these rights.  

(ii) Every year in India, Dr. Radhakrishnan's birthday on 5 September is celebrated as Teachers’ Day.  He was an influential Indian scholar, philosopher, and statesman. His ideas about education and his efforts to improve it are well-remembered. 

Know about our National Flag

The national flag of India (also known as 'Tiranga') is a tricolor flag with three horizontal stripes of different colors. The top stripe is saffron, the middle one is white, and the bottom stripe is green. In the center of the white stripe, there is a navy blue Ashoka Chakra, which is a 24-spoke wheel. 

1. The tricolor and the Ashoka Chakra together represent the diversity and unity of the country. 
2. The saffron color signifies courage and sacrifice, the white symbolizes truth and peace, and the green represents faith. 
3. The Ashoka Chakra is a symbol of law and dharma (righteousness). The national flag is an important symbol of India's identity and is hoisted on various occasions, including Independence Day and Republic Day.