Three National Holidays
Independence Day
It’s celebrated on August 15th to indicate India’s independence from British rule and its beginning as an independent nation in 1947.
Republic Day
Celebrates the day in which the Constitution of India was truly forced as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950.
Gandhi Jayanti
A day to honor Mahatma Gandhi, and is celebrated on his birthday, October 2nd. Popular celebrations include prayer meetings, honorary ceremonies as well as teaching the young on Gandhi and his life.
Popular Holidays
Diwali
Five day festival that indicates the start of the Hindu New Year; known for all the lights and fireworks, during the celebration, which represent good over evil and brightness over darkness.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Eleven day festival that honors the birth of Lord Ganesha (Hindu elephant-headed god); at the end of the festival statues are paraded through the streets and then drowned in the ocean. Holi
Two day festival that also celebrates the victory of good over evil, it is also known as “Festival of Colors.” People throw colored powder and water all over each other and have gatherings. Krishna Janmashtami/Govinda
Celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna; a fun part of this unique festival includes people climbing on each other, forming a human pyramid, to try to reach and break open clay pots filled with curd. Which have been hung up high from buildings. 
OnamTen day festival that indicates the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali; people decorate the ground in front of their houses with flowers in beautiful patterns to welcome the King.
Unique Celebration
Griha Pravesh Ceremony
The first time people enter in a newly built house. An important Hindu ritual in India. It is so important it even has a place in Vaastu Shastra, astrological book of architecture. According to the book, when the house is completed, a moment is chosen on astrological considerations. To begin to live, in the new house is determined by the Graha Pravesh ritual.
Traditions
Fasting
It’s a very important part of India’s culture and tradition. Some religious people like the Jains are known to keep a fast for weeks, though now this type of fasting has been banned in India. They believe that fasting creates a relationship between the body and the soul.
Tilak
As shown in the picture, it's a red, yellow, orange, or black mark (dot) on their forehead; it may also be worn in different parts of the body, on a daily basis, or special occasions. Tilak is very important for the Hindus. Arranged Marriage
Today in India arranged marriage is more flexible. The boy and girl have to agree, they meet each other before getting married and if everything goes right, their engaged. For compatibility, the parents take family backgrounds, horoscopes, caste, wealth, and so on in consideration. In the urban areas arranged marriage is rare, but in rural regions it’s still strong.
Indian Funeral Traditions
When someone passes away in India, it is given a lot of importance. An example can be a Hindu death ceremony called Teravih. From the day of the death to the 13th day after, whether you’re a men, women, or child, you are not supposed to attend religious functions, eat certain foods, wear new clothes, or participate in any cultural activity. The 3rd, 5th, 7th or 9th day after the death are also important, all relatives gather to have a meal of the deceased’s favorite foods. A small portion of food is left before the deceased’s photo and abandoned there, with a lit diya. Also, at the end of the year family of the deceased gather for the Shraad ceremony.
Cultural Norms
1. Shoes are not worn inside, as a sign of respect.
2. Indians eat with their hands so it’s custom to wash your hands before and after you eat.
3. Do not put on revealing clothes (stay conservative)
4. Don’t touch objects with your feet (feet are considered unclean) or point your feet/toes at others (believed to be bad luck)
5. Do not touch food with your left hand (left hand is considered unclean; do not take food with the left hand, do not touch food with the left hand, some do not even give money with their left hand)
6. Do not shake hands with a women
Etiquette
DressingThe majority of Indians are very conservative. Wearing short and revealing clothes, especially women are definitely frowned upon. You can wear: knee length Bermudas, tee shirts, long or quarter length skirts, capris and jeans. However, when you are inside your hotel room or out partying you can relax and not worry much about the dress code.
Shoes
It’s expected for you to take off your shoes before entering a place. In some temples and gurdwaras there are guards that will keep them safe. It will also be expected for you to take off your shoes in a person’s home, that’s why it’s easier to wear flip flops than normal shoes.
Touching
Indian culture and tradition prohibits unnecessary touching, in public, especially between people of the opposite sex. Kissing in public is not advised in here. You can shake hands, but it’s better to just do the traditional Namaste greeting.
Music Instruments
Dholak: popular folk drum of northern India. Barrel shaped with skins on both sides.
Dumroo: maybe the oldest and traditional instrument of percussion; the only remaining form of hour-glass drums seen in ancient Indian statues.
Ghatam: ancient percussion instrument.
Khol: Its high skin is very small with a diameter of about 9-10 cm; this gives it a unique high, piercing sound.Manjeera: a set of small cymbals and is an important part of dance; very old instrument and easy to play.
Mridangam: most classical instruments of South India. Goes together with vocal, instrument and dance.
Pakhawaj: barrel-shaped, two-headed drum.
Tabla: most popular pair of drums in the Indian Sub-continent; pair of drums that consist of a small right hand drum and a larger metal one.
Bansuri: basically a folk instrument.
Shehnai: believed to be introduced in India by the Muslims; predominant double-reed wind instrument.
Sarangi: has a hollow body and made of wood adorned with ivory inlays. Have 40 strings, which 37 are sympathetic.
Tanpura: drone instrument that goes with Dhrupad singings and is of the most important of all instruments of Indian Classical Music.
DanceClassical Dances
1. Bharatanatyam Dance: combines artistic expression with a sense of spirituality
2. Kathak Dance: emphasis the telling of stories
3. Manipuri Dance: among the six classical type of dances
Folk/ Tribal Dances
1. Dandiya Dance: the most popular dance
2. Garba Dance: it’s being performed not only all over India but all over the world
3. Lavani Dance: combination of traditional song and dance
Food
Indian food is incredebly diverse. Even though many Indians are vegetarian, not all are.
Languages and Religion
Both affect politics because they are SO DIVERSED! There are so many languages and not everyone understands each language, so it’s difficult to communicate and understand what’s happening to the government, therefore they can’t really do something to help it.
Art
Major themes of art appear to begin at about 2500 BC. In India, art is influenced by social, politics, and most importantly religion. Figures of Shiva, the god of creation as well as the jakshi, a female earth spirit, are examples of some of the subjects portrayed in Indian art.
BOLLYWOOD!
BOLLYWOOD!
Finally, you can’t talk about Indian culture and tradition without talking about BOLLYWOOD!! It’s not just music, it’s not just a movie, it’s an amazing Indian musical! Bollywood is very well known all over the world and it’s the largest film industry in the world with over a thousand films produced every year.
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