Festivals in India form a crucial part of the culture that has been carried forward for ages. And while the roots of many festivals lay in religion and tradition, many festivals have emerged as a need to celebrate and appreciate nature. With the raging debate on climate change and the immense need for increased awareness among all, such festivals can also act as a catalyst for people to become more ecologically aware and cautious.
These five Indian festivals emerge out of ecological roots and show how you can celebrate and worship nature.
1. Van Mahotsav — Countrywide
The Van Mahotsav is probably the most renowned ecological festival in India. Since its beginning in 1950, the festival has been an attempt by the Ministry of Agriculture to increase greenery in India. It is celebrated for a week, from July 1 to July 7, and many citizens engage in plantation drives throughout the week. Considering that the best time to plant trees in India is in the rainy season, which generally lasts from June to September, the date for the festival lines up with the season to ensure the healthy growth of the trees.
2. Itu Puja — West Bengal
The Itu Puja involves worshipping the Surya, the sun deity, and is observed throughout the Agrahan month, lasting from mid-December to mid-January. Observed mainly by women, the rituals for the puja take place every Sunday of the Agrahan month. Initially started to pray to the sun deity to preserve winter crop seeds, it requires the women involved to observe a fast and eat only vegetarian food.
3. Kaveri Sankaramana — Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
In the southern parts of India, the Kaveri River plays an important part. Being a major source of water for drinking, agriculture, and electricity, the festival is conducted to celebrate the birth of the bountiful and generous river. Celebrated in the Kodava month of Toleyar (falling in mid-October), the festival is celebrated in temples and agricultural fields. For worshipping Kaveri in spirit, a vegetable is dressed in clothes and jewellery to worship instead.
4. Bird Festival — Uttar Pradesh and Delhi
As much as flora and the natural elements form a part of nature, fauna also does the same. And for this reason, the Bird Festival in Delhi and UP is the ideal festival to celebrate and appreciate the avians around the region. While not much is done to celebrate the birds, the festival provides the perfect opportunity for wildlife photographers, nature and bird enthusiasts and naturalists to be blessed with sightings of stunning birds, both common and rare!
5. Sarhul — Jharkhand
Much like the Van Mahotsav, Sarhul is also a festival dedicated to celebrating trees. Celebrated in Jharkhand, the festival marks the advent of the new year and lasts three days. Like any other jolly festival, it involves eating delicious local treats and drinking exquisite rice beer. Dancing to local songs in a grand procession along the streets marks the highlight of the festival.
These festivals celebrating nature have become a part of the culture and tradition of locals. By upholding such traditions and keeping them alive, many more can indulge in the true joys of celebrating nature and all that it has to offer.
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