Popular Winter Festivals in India

India is a country of fairs and festivals. Even during the winters, the country celebrates a number of festivals attracting a good number of visitors from all
festivals in India are as follows :

Lohri
A popular festival of the Punjabis, Lohri is celebrated mainly in the state of Punjab on the 13th day of January. Festivities of Lohri include the very famous Bhangra dance. It marks the beginning of a new financial year for people engaged in agriculture and farming. The Lohri festival of Punjab is celebrated all across the world the Punjabis with great pomp and show.

Pongal
The festival of Pongal is also celebrated around the same time as Lorhi. It is the most popular festival of the Tamil people or Tamilians. Pongal is also a harvest festival and is celebrated on a large scale in Tamil Nadu. The Pongal festival continues for five days.

Makar Sankranthi
Also referred to as Uttarayan Sankranthi, Makar Sankranthi festival is the day when devotees and pilgrims take a holy dip in the divine Ganges and other streams. It is also the day of giving alms to the poor.

Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami or Sri Panchami is considered to be the prince of all seasons. The festival of Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning. It is celebrated on the 5th day of Magh (Jan-Feb) every year.

Maghi Poornima
It is the full moon day of the Hindu month of Magh (Jan-Feb). On this day, people pay homage to their dead ancestors and give alms to the poor. The Magh Mela is organised on the day of Maghi Poornima in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Mahashivratri
The popular Hindu festival falls in the month of Phalgun. It symbolises the mythological marriage of Parvati and Lord Shiva. On this day, the married women pray for the long life and the prosperity of their husbands. Bhajans and devotional songs are a part of this festival.

Diwali
Goddes Lakshmi is worshipped on the day of Diwali, the festival of lights. Houses are cleaned and given a fresh paint of coat. People wear new clothes and send gifts to one another. The young in the family also enjoy bursting crackers.