If you ask me about my favourite festival, then I’ll probably say it’s not just one festival, but so many! Hey, this is Barsha, and I hail from India, a diverse land where 24 national festivals are celebrated every year.
Needless to say, it’s extremely difficult to select just one festival – we have 24, come on! If you were in my place, then you would probably be in the same position as I am. Yes, I totally dig Diwali – it’s one of the biggest festivals in India.
But then I am Bengal, the cultural capital of India, and in Bengal, we live, breathe, and enjoy one thing and one thing only – yep, I am talking about the festival of Dusshera, A.K.A, Durga Puja! But those are just two festivals – there are so many more I enjoy celebrating.
Stay tuned to find out more.
Celebrating Joy: Essay On My Favorite Festival In English
As I just mentioned, my favourite festival in Bengali has to be Durga Puja, undoubtedly. Then I have spent so much time in Convent organizations that Christmas is a major holiday for me, and so is Easter.
You know where this is going, right? Welcome to my listicles on all my favorite festivals – sorry, but not sorry, for this one. So, let’s just rip the band-aid off and get down to business – scroll down to read more!
1. Durga Puja (Dusshera):
My favourite festival essay would be incomplete if I didn’t dedicate at least three paragraphs to this major festival that is celebrated for five days every year in my hometown.
Legend says that goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura, the demon king – and this puja celebrates Ma Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. It starts at the very same time as Navratri, another popular Indian festival.
Navratri is a nine-night festival that is celebrated in several western and northern Indian states – the board’s purpose is to celebrate Shakti, the divine feminine.
The first day of Durga Puja is called Mahalaya – this day heralds the appearance of the goddess Durga. But the major celebrations in the capital city of West Bengal, Calcutta, begin on the fifth day (Panchami). The celebrations go on for the last five days when the masses step out to enjoy themselves.
The streets are lined with people waiting in queues at restaurants, pubs, puja pandals (where sculptures of Durga, her kids, her husband, and Mahishasura are kept), and basically everywhere else.
Pandal hopping is perhaps the most common activity – there are competitions conducted to honor the neighborhoods that do the best version of the Puja, with vibrant lights, themes, and colors.
It’s not just the ‘happiness’ in the air that makes Durga Puja my favorite festival – there’s something so beautiful in the city during this time. You can LITERALLY smell it in the air. Plus, it’s also that one time in the year when everyone comes back to their hometown to celebrate this happy time together.
Undoubtedly, no festival can take Durga Puja’s place in my life. It’s about everything that I hold very dear to me – my family, my home, my friends, my city, and I could go on and on about the same.
2. Holi:
Yep, I am a die-hard fan of Durga Puja – but what about my favourite festival Holi? Another one of my favorites has to be Holi.
Holi welcomes the beginning of Spring – the festival of colors celebrates the divine and eternal love of Krishna and Radha. Two godly figures from Hindu mythology. And that’s not all – Holi also celebrates the triumph of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, Narasimha Narayana, A.K.A Lord Vishnu’s avatar, over Hiranyakashipu.
While the religious and ceremonial associations of Holi are fine for explanatory purposes, it’s the playing with colors and unlimited partying that makes Holi so fun!
Every year, people take to the streets and play with colors to celebrate Holi. Traditionally, the younger members of a family touch the feet of the older members with colors, and everyone mostly wears white.
But then again, that’s no reason why it’s one of my favorite festivals of all time. I love Holi because every year, I spend this day with my close ones.
This year, at work, we all played Holi together and celebrated the onset of Spring. And the next day, we again played with friends, family, and of course, the love of my life. Also, the partying associated with Holi (yes, Bhang gets a special mention) definitely makes the occasion one of my favorites.
This is what Wikipedia has to say about Bhang, in case you were wondering,
“Bhang is an edible preparation made from the leaves of the cannabis plant originating from the Indian subcontinent. It has been used in food and drink as early as 1000 BC in ancient India. Bhang is traditionally distributed during the spring festival of Maha Shivaratri and Holi.”
3. Eid al-Fitr:
As I was saying in the very beginning, India is a diverse country, and your religion has nothing to do with the festivals you celebrate. Being a Hindu, celebrating Durga Puja and Holi are normal. But then my favorite festival is also Eid al-Fitr, the major festival celebrated in Islam all over the world.
In this context, Britannica talks at length about the meaning of Eid al-Fitr,
“Eid al-Fitr (Arabic: “Festival of Breaking Fast”), also spelled ʿĪd al-Fiṭr, also called al-ʿĪd al-Ṣaghīr, Turkish Ramazan Bayramı (“Ramadan Festival”), first of two canonical festivals of Islam.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar (though the Muslim use of a lunar calendar means that it may fall in any season of the year).
As in Islam’s other holy festival, Eid al-Adha, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day. ”
Do you know why it happens to be my favorite? It’s the festival of food, and I love all the food I find here during this time – from the most delicious kebabs to the mouthwatering Halim, you can’t have enough.
4. Christmas
Christmas is not just a festival, it is an emotion. It is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. Growing up, Christmas has always been my favorite festival, not just because of the presents or the delicious food, but because of the warm and magical feeling that surrounds this festival. The Christmas season is like no other, it has a certain charm and essence that touches the hearts of people from all walks of life.
One of the main reasons why Christmas holds a special place in my heart is because of the traditions and customs associated with it. Every year, my family and I decorate our house with lights, wreaths, and a Christmas tree. The smell of freshly baked cookies and the sound of Christmas carols fill the air. The excitement and anticipation of the big day can be felt in every corner of the house. It is a tradition that we look forward to and cherish every year.
Another aspect of Christmas that I adore is the spirit of giving and generosity. It is the time of the year when people put aside their differences and come together to spread love and happiness. Additionally, the act of giving gifts to loved ones and those in need is a beautiful gesture that brings joy to both the giver and the receiver. It is a reminder that material possessions are not the only things that matter. But it is the thought and love behind the gifts that make them special.
However, amidst all the festivities and celebrations, the true essence of Christmas lies in its religious significance. As a Christian, the birth of Jesus Christ is the reason behind this festival. It is a time to reflect on the teachings of Jesus and remember the true meaning of love, forgiveness, and compassion. Going to church on Christmas Eve, singing carols, and listening to the story of the birth of Jesus is a tradition that has been passed down in my family for generations.
Moreover, Christmas is a time to reunite with family and friends. It is a time to put aside our busy lives and spend quality time with our loved ones. The holiday season brings people together. No matter how far apart we may be throughout the year, Christmas is the time when we all come together under one roof. The laughter, the conversations, and the shared memories make this festival all the more special.
Lastly, Christmas is incomplete without the delicious food and desserts. From the traditional Christmas turkey to the mouth-watering desserts like Christmas pudding and gingerbread cookies, the festive season is a treat for the taste buds. The aroma of the food, the sound of clinking glasses, and the warmth of the company create an atmosphere of pure bliss.
In conclusion, Christmas is not just a festival, it is a feeling. It is a time of love, happiness, and togetherness. The traditions, the spirit of giving, the religious significance, the reunion with family and friends, and the delicious food, all come together to make this festival my favorite. It is a time when people put aside their differences and come together to spread love and joy. Christmas is a reminder that no matter how tough life may get, there is always hope and happiness around the corner. As the famous quote goes, “Christmas is not a season, but a state of mind.” And for me, that state of mind is what makes Christmas my favorite festival.
And It’s A Wrap!
Please don’t look for ‘my favourite festival paragraph’ on Google – I’ll tell you why! It kind of eliminates the idea of authenticity from your essay. And that is exactly what every essay needs – lots of originality, vibrancy, and color.
So, tell us, what are your thoughts on the festivals we have mentioned above? Which one’s your favorite festival? Feel free to share your thoughts, stories, and experiences in the comments below.
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