Diwali (also spelt Diwali in other countries) or Deepavali is an official holiday in India.Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is also an occasion for celebration by Jains and Sikhs.In Hinduism, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating (the demon king) Ravana, the ruler of Lanka in the epic Ramayana. It also celebrates the slaying of the demon king Narakasura by Lord Krishna. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India.

Vijayadashami is also known as Dasara, Dashahara, Navaratri, and Durgotsav and regarded one of the most significant. It is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashvin (usually in September or October) from the Shukla Paksha Pratipada (the next of the New moon day of Bhadrapada) to the Dashami, or the tenth day of Ashwin.Dussehra is celebrated across the nation with much fervor and gaiety. The festival marks the victory of Lord Ram over demon king Ravana, which means the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. Beautifully decorated tableaux and processions depicting various episodes from Ram's life are taken out on the streets.

Holi - the festival of colors is one of the most popular festivals of the country. It is celebrated during the Spring season and embodies all the festivity, liveliness and exuberance of the season. Holi is the festival of young hearts. Spraying colors, dancing on traditional Holi songs, rhythmic drum beats and wild processions are the common scenes that one comes across during this festival. The festival is associated with various legends but the most popular among them is the tale of Hollika.The festival of colors, Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March or April every year.

Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition.People decorate their homes with fresh flower mats known as 'Pookalam' to welcome the King Mahabali. They wear new dresses; visit the temples to offer their prayers to the Gods and performing traditional dances such as Thiruvathirakali and Thumbi Tullal.

Pongal is one of the most popular harvest festival of South India, mainly Tamil Nadu. Pongal falls in the mid-January every year and marks the auspicious beginning of Uttarayana - sun's journey northwards. Pongal festival lasts for four days. Celebrations include drawing of Kolam, swinging & cooking of delicious Pongal.For as long as people have been planting and gathering food, there has been some form of harvest festival. Pongal, one of the most important popular Hindu festivals of the year.

The Rakhi festival or Raksha Bandhan has a special significance in hearts of brothers and sisters. The silken thread of Rakhi symbolizes the love between siblings. The Rakhi Festival symbolizes all aspects of protection of the good from evil forces. Rakhi is meant to sweeten the ties of brother and sister. Rakhi is celebrated with great joy and excitement all around India. Known as Raksha Bandhan in other parts of the country, Rakhi festival showcases the love, affection and feeling of brotherhood.

National festivals are different from the others in that the state has formal celebrations. Popularly, they are treated more as occasions to get together.

India 'celebrates'-Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti as a national festivals. Gandhi Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi popularly known as the Father of the Nation. Born on the 2nd of October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. He is known for his invaluable contribution in India's freedom struggle.

Independence Day 15th August the red-letter day in the Indian calendar is celebrated as the Independence Day of India. The date commemorates the day when India achieved freedom from the British rule in the year 1947. It has been a long journey for India 1947. After more than two hundred years of British rule, India finally won backs its freedom on 15th August, 1947.

Republic Day of India On 26th of January every year India celebrates its Republic Day. It is one of the national holidays of India and regarded as the most important day in the Indian history as it was on this day in 1950 the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state.

There are a number of Muslim festivals like Muharram, Bakri Id, Ramzan, Id-I-Milad Shab-I-Barat that are celebrated in India. The Muslim festivals do not correspond to any particular date or month of the Gregorian Calendar as they are based on the Hijra which follows pure lunar reckoning. Let's have a look on different Muslim festivals. celebrated in India.

Christian festivals are also celebrated with deity and devotion in different parts of India.

Christmas The festival of Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and conveys his message of love, tolerance and brotherhood. It's a celebration of humanity and mankind.

Easter also known as Pascha , the Feast of the Resurrection, the Sunday of the Resurrection or the Resurrection Day, is the most important religious feast of the Christian Calendar.

Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance.