Diwali – Festival of lights
It is the most important festival of Hindus. It is also known as Deepawali. It is celebrated by lighting a row of cluster of lights and by bursting crackers. There are many versions of the origin of this festival, the most popular is of Lord Rama’s return coronation to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. Houses are cleaned and illuminated on this day. Sweets and gifts are exchanged between families and friends. Business community marks it as a New Year involving worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity

Holi – Festival of Colours
It is festival of colours, normally celebrated for two days in Northern India. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalguna (Lunar Calender).It is a spring festival. On the first day evening, bon-fires are lit to symbolize the victory of good over evil. On the second day people throw colour water on each others, even on strangers. They distribute sweets and hug each other.

Ganesh Chaturthi
This is celebrated in Maharashtra with most pomp and show. Lord Ganesha’s birthday is celebrated on this day. He is worshipped on this day to remove obstacles and seek progress in all ventures. In Mumbai large and small idols are worshipped and then taken into large procession to the waterfront for immersions. Each locality has competition with other for display of idols. Now-a-days this is celebrated all over India.

Pongal
Pongal is a harvest festival, which is celebrated mainly in Tamilnadu. It is a three-day festival. On the first day it is confined to domestic place only, known as ‘Bhogi Pongal’. Second day known as ‘Surya Pongal’, when cooked rice is offered to the Sun. Third day is known as ‘Mattu Pongal’. On this day Cattle are given bath and their horns are painted with colours and then decorated.

Onam
This is a unique festival of celebrated in honour of a demon – Mahabali who was allowed to visit the land once a year on the day of Onam, its celebrated only in Kerala. The folklore of Kerala consider the reign of Mahabali as Kerala’s golden age. This festival marks the end of monsoon and beginning of harvest season. People wear beautiful clothes and decorate their houses. This occasion is famous for snake-boat races held in Kerala.