Durga Puja Festival/Holiday OVERVIEW Durga Puja is a yearly Hindu festival, observed from the 6th to the 10th day of the luminous lunar phase of Ashvin(the 7th month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar). Durga Puja celebrates, with veneration, the worship of Durga, the Hindu goddess of power, who is said to have killed a buffalo-like demon called "Mahishasura. On the day of Mahalaya, the worshippers rise early to seek the face of Durga, in prayers. The worshippers are offered flowers and sweets during the festival. The Hindu priest reads from the sacred slokas of “Chandi” and then performs the Puja. KEY FACTS 1. A buffalo oblation or sacrifice in honour of Durga is performed on the Mahaashtami day. 2. Durga Puja is the largest festival/holiday of the year in West Bengal, as well as in Tripura. 3. …show more content…
The primary significance of the Navratri festival is that of truth triumphing over evil. 2. It is a festival of great importance to India and also Nepal. 3. There are five variations of Navratri, celebrated at various times of the year; but the Sharad Navratri happens to be the one of most importance. Raksha Bandhan Festival/Holidays OVERVIEW The Raksha Bandhan Festival is both a religious and secular one. It is a Hindu festival which celebrates brotherly and sisterly love as well as duty towards one another. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated during the Shraavan month(the 5th month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar). During the festival, sisters bind a sacred-thread(rakhi) on their brothers ' wrist. It 's a symbol of the love and prayers of a sister, for her brother 's prosperity. And a brother 's pledge to protect his sister. KEY FACTS 1. The sisters and brothers involved in the rituals of the Raksha Bandhan Festival, are not necessarily blood relations. 2. The secular celebration of this festival is rife in West Bengal and in Punjab. 3. Raksha Bandhan is a time to offer the 'aarti '(camphor soaked lamps) and also pray, before binding the