1.Cricket – Yes!!
This is the biggest festival for the Mumbaikars and all over the
country, especially when there is a match between India and Pakistan. This
becomes like Kargil war for everyone of us. Our Pride and Ego is on stake, and
this boosts the morale of the cricketers on the ground. Loud bursting crackers
are heard when a Pakistan wicket falls or when a six is hit by an Indian
batsman. The moment of the 2nd April 2011 world cup win over Sri
Lanka in the Wankhede stadium is unforgettable. We are the true Blue Bloods!!!
2. Makar Sankranti-
the festival of Kites, is a festival celebrated in Gujarat celebrated on
a large scale, but Mumbai skies are no less of kites flying in the air. It has
become a hobby for some boys to fly kites.
3. Muharram- the first month of Muslim calendar,
the tenth day of this month is celebrated for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain,
which took place in the 420 Hijri (according to Islamic calendar) in
Karbala,Iraq.
4.
4. Eid-ul-zuha – This is the 2nd month
of Muslim calendar, and on the 10th day of this month is celebrated
Bakri Eid. (sacrifice of goat for ALLAH)
5. Holi – it is the festival of colours, where a
night before a fire is light and it is said that all sins are burnt in that
fire and the following day is celebrated as a colourful day, playing with
colours by throwing colour-filled ballons on each other.
6. Gudi Padwa- it is the start of new year for the
Maharashtrians. A gudhi is found sticking out of the house of Maharashtrians,
bright green or yellow coloured cloth with zari decorations is tied to the tip
of the bamboo over which a gaathi (sugar
crystals, neem leaves,a twig of mngo leaves and a garland of red flowers is
tied. A silver or copper pot is kept inverted on it. This is called a Gudhi. It
is hanged on window or terrace, specifically on a higher place so that
everybody can see it.
7. Mahavir Jayanti – It is the birth day of Lord
Mahavir, and has a significant importance for Jains all over India. Jains
engage in charity and visits to temple on this day. An auspicious bath is given
to the statutes of Lord Mahavir in the temples which is known as Abhishek.
8. Nag Panchami- it is celebrated on the fifth day
of the Shravan month of Hindu calendar (July/August). The statutes or photos of
snakes are given a milk bath are served milk. People observe fast on this day
and the Brahmins are served food (it is believed that doing this ritual would
protect them from the fear of snake bites).
9. Parsi New Year- Also called Nawroz or Persian
New Year. Jamshed Nawroz, as called in India, It is celebrated extensively in
Iran (earlier called Persia). It is believed that Parsi community originally
belonged to Persia and had come to Gujarat, because of some issues in Persia. Nowruz
marks the 1st day of Spring and the 1st day of the year
as per Persian Calendar. Delicious
breakfasts are made and fire temples are visited for prayer called ‘Jashan’. ‘Sal Mubarak’ is greeted to
every Parsi, dressed in new dresses and caps. Various Parsi dishes are cooked
and served like Sali Boti, patrani macchi (fish steamed in a leaf) etc.
10. Gokul Ashtami- it is celebrated on the eighth
day of Shravan marking the birth of Lord Krishna. Ras Leela is organized by
various mandalis depicting Lord Krishna’s colourful life, and Dahi Handi
celebrations are held in every hook and corner of the gullies and mohalla’s of
Mumbai. Boys (called Govinda) and girls (called Dasi) alike get together to
form a pyramid, getting on top of each other and try breaking the handi which
is tied on a rope high above hanging in the sky. Many celebrities also take
part in this celebration and the biggest Mandli is prepared in The worli maidan
in south Mumbai.
11. Raksha Bandhan – it is celebrated as a token of
love between brothers and sisters, where the sisters tie a thread on the wrists
of their brothers and the brothers present the sisters with a gift. The
brothers vow to protect, help, love and take care of their sisters throughout
their life.
12. Ramzan Eid – it is celebrated after a month long
fast by the Muslims. It is believed that the reason for keeping fasts is to
purify one’s mind,body and soul, and to make aware people of the sufferings of
the poor when they do not have food to eat. Delicious savouries are cooked each
day for breaking the fast in the evening time.
13.Ganesh Chaturthi – it is shindu festival
celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and
Parvati. The festival stretches for 10 long days and ends on the 10th
day which is known as Anant Chaturdashi. The statues of Ganesha are welcomed in
every Hindu home and then is submerged in waters on the last day. The very well
famous celebrations in Mumbai take place at LalBaug in Parel. It is called
“LalBaug cha Raja” meaning “King of LalBaug”. Thousands of bhakts gather in the
queue standing all day and night to have Darshan (to have a look)of their Lord.
14. Bandra Fair – it is a week long fair held in Bandra
on the following Sunday after the 8th day September to mark the
birth of Virgin Mary. Thousand of people gather at the church for thanksgiving.
Hundreds of stalls of food, candles and wax statues are put up for people. Also
celebrities visit the mass during the fair.
15. Navratri- it is a typical Gujarati festival,
celebrated with dance, garba, dandiya and colourful clothes by all young and
old. it is a Sanskrit word where “nav” means “9” and “ratri” means “night”,
hence the festival is celebrated across 9 days and nights. Everywhere in
Mumbai, especially, suburbs of Mumbai are fun-filled during these days. Not
only Gujaratis but people from all sects of society come together to celebrate
this time.
16. Diwali- it is popularly known as the festival of
lights. Every home is cleaned and decorated with lighted diyas and doors are
decorated with colourful rangolis, and Lakshmi Puja is conducted to welcome
Lakshmi (wealth) into their home. It is the beginning of new year for all the
hindus across the world.
17. Dussehra- this is the festival of “victory of
good over evil”. It is celebrated by prganising Ram Leela everywhere by some
acting groups, which is a play of different chapters of the Ramayana. It is
celebrated as the day when Lord Ram won over Ravan, who had abducted Sita,
Ram’s wife from Lanka (Sri Lanka).
18. Eid-e-Milad – this day is celebrated as the
birthday of Prophet Muhammad and a procession is taken out this day in the
evening by Muslim males to celebrate the same. Every Muslim home is cleaned and
decorated and bright lights are lit everywhere and people hang the Muslim sect
flags over their windows.
19. Lohri- it is a festival celebrated by Punjabis. It
is meant to be celebrated on the shortest day of the year (winter). Bonfire is
lit which is to signify the start of the long days and is celebrated as Makar
Sankranti. Scientifically, the shortest day of the year falls on the 21st
of December and after that the days start to get longer. It is also associated
with the harvest of rabi crops like wheat, gram, pea, mustard, etc. the Punjabi
farmers mark this day as the last day of their financial year. In Punjab, Lohri
is a festival dedicated to the end of the winter festival, whereas Teej is
dedicated to the monsoon season and Basant is dedicated to the spring season.
20.Christmas – it is celebrated on the 25th
of December every year all around the world. In Mumbai, not only Christians,
but everyone from all communities celebrate this day by gifting their loved
ones and especially children, posing as Jingle Bell. Christians celebrate this
day as the birthday of Jesus Christ. They wear new clothes and go to church for
mass and exchange good wishes with everyone.
21. New Year- it is the English New Year celebrated
by every person all over the world. You hear crackers bursting as the clock
strikes 12. Everyone enjoys this night and the following day by making new year
resolutions (no one fulfills it though).
22. Valentine Day – Yup!! Valentine day is
celebrated like a festival in Mumbai, especially by young boys and girls.
Everywhere one gets to see valentine special gifts and greeting cards. Some of
the regional parties do oppose this day, yet teens celebrate with great
enthusiasm.
23.Friendship Day – this is one of the favourites
of everybody. People buy gifts and greeting cards for their friends and also
revive their lost friendship on this day. Even offices celebrate this day.
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