Festivals of India Class 3 Notes SST

Welcome to the World of Festivals! 

Have you ever seen your family decorating the house with lights? Or enjoyed playing with colors? Have you ever watched a big parade on TV with marching soldiers? All these happy moments are part of different festivals we celebrate in India! 

Our country India is full of festivals because people of many religions live together. Some festivals are celebrated all over the country—these are called National Festivals. Some festivals are special for different religions—these are called Religious Festivals. But the best thing about festivals is that everyone enjoys them together! 

National Festivals - Celebrating Our Country!

National festivals make us feel proud to be Indians! These special days remind us of our history and how we became a strong and free country.

The three main National Festivals are Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti.

Independence Day (15th August)

• On this day, we celebrate our freedom!

• The Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort in Delhi.

• Schools and offices organize flag hoisting and cultural programs.

Republic Day (26th January)

• This is the day when India became a Republic in 1950.

• A grand parade happens in New Delhi, with marching soldiers, colorful tableaus (Jhankis), and folk dancers.

• Brave children are honored for their courage.

Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October)

• This is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who is called the Father of the Nation.

• People remember Bapu’s message of peace and non-violence.

• Schools and offices organize prayers and cultural programs.

Religious Festivals - Celebrating with Joy!

Teej

• Baisakhi is mainly celebrated by women in the northern regions of the country.
• On this day, they wear beautiful and colorful dresses.
• Swings are hung from trees, and groups of women enjoy playing on them.
• Baisakhi is associated with fairs. Both men and women dance happily as it is the time for harvesting crops.
• During Basant (spring), flying kites is a popular activity.
• Women dress in Basanti colors during this festival. This festival signifies the end of winter.
• Farmers worship their ploughs on this day.
• Students honor Saraswati, the Goddess of learning.

Diwali 

• It is the festival of lights. Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth is worshipped on this day. 
• Crackers and sweets mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. 
• The festival is also the time for cleaning and decorating homes.

Holi

• It is the festival of colours. 
• Bonfire and splash of colours mark the festival. Special eatables are prepared on the occasion. 
• Holi symbolises mutual brotherhood.

Dussehra 

• It occurs just before Diwali.
• On this day, Lord Rama defeated the demon Ravana.
• Tall models of Ravana and his brothers, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran, are built and burned.
• Before Dussehra, Ram Lila performances take place across the country.
• Dussehra is celebrated in a special way in Kullu and Mysore.
• This festival represents the victory of truth over evil.

Dussehra - The Victory of Truth over Evil

Eid-ul-Fitr

• Muslims around the world celebrate a special month called Ramzan.
• During this month, Muslims fast during the daytime.
• After completing the fast for either 29 or 30 days, they celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
• On Eid, people come together to pray and greet one another.
• Children wear new clothes and share food with friends and neighbors.
• One of the special dishes made on Eid is sewian.

Christmas

• Christmas is celebrated on 25th December.

• People decorate Christmas trees, exchange gifts, and sing carols.

• Santa Claus brings gifts for children. 

Durga Puja

• In Bengal, people worship beautiful idols of Goddess Durga.

• In Gujarat, people dance Garba and Dandiya.

Durga Puja

Ganesh Chaturthi 

• People bring big Ganesha idols home.

• They sing Ganpati Bappa Morya and celebrate with music and dance.

Things to Remember

• Most of our festivals are related to religious occurances. Some festivals are related to seasons.
• Republic Day (26th January), Independence Day (15th August) and Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October) are our National festivals.
• Festivals provide a change from our daily routine. These are occasions for people of all communities to come together and enjoy.