Festivals National Festivals of India

In this concept, the students will learn about all National Festivals. They will also be introduced to India independence day,1947, and the significance of the national flag.

After reading the concept, students will be able to:

• Know about different national festivals name, dates and how they are celebrated.
• Understand why Gandhi Jayanti is observed and when India became a republic nation.
• Recall the names of the freedom fighters of India.

Each concept is explained to class 1 students using descriptions, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.
Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept National Festivals provided in PDF format.

What is Festival?

• A festival is a special day celebrated yearly with friends, families and close ones.
• These are days of joy, happiness, fun, and celebrations.
• Special programmes and functions are performed to mark these festivals.
• Lots of delicious food are also prepared as a part of these celebrations.
• In India, we celebrate three main types of festivals—national festivals, religious festivals, and harvest festivals.

 

What Are National Festivals?

• National festivals are celebrated everywhere in the country by all people.
• Three national festivals are celebrated in India—Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti.
• These festivals are celebrated at schools, offices, government organisations, and universities.

 

a) Independence Day:

• Independence Day is celebrated on 15 August every year.
• On this day, in the year 1947, India became an independent country.
• Our freedom fighters fought against British rule to make our country independent.
• On this day, the national flag is hoisted by our Prime Minister in Red Fort, New Delhi.
• Schools, colleges and universities celebrate this day by hoisting flags, performing plays and organising cultural activities.

 

b) Republic Day of India:

• Republic Day is celebrated on 26 January every year.
• On this day in 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, which made India an independent republic.
• Republic Day is grandly celebrated in New Delhi with parades and processions.
• Educational institutions also observe this day with cultural programmes.

 

c) Gandhi Jayanti:

• Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on 2 October every year to mark the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
• Gandhiji, born on 2 October 1869, is called ‘The Father of the Nation’.
• He was a freedom fighter who, with his belief in non-violence, fought against the British to make India an independent country.
• On this day, prayer services are organised at Gandhi's memorial, Raj Ghat, in New Delhi, where he was cremated.
• Colleges, universities, and government institutions pay their tributes through prayers and inspirational programmes.

New Words:

Did You Know?

• B.R. Ambedkar drafted the constitution of India.
• Every year in India, Dr. Radhakrishnan's birthday on 5 September is celebrated as Teachers’ Day.
• Know about some famous freedom fighters.
• Know about our national flag—