Festivals Religious Festivals for Class 1 EVS

India is a land of festivals. In this concept, the students will learn about the different religious festivals celebrated in India. It will also help them understand how many religions in India.

After reading the concept, students will be able to:

• Identify the religious festivals of India and know when they are celebrated.
• Know about how people celebrate the festivals in India like Holi, Dussehra, Diwali, Buddha Purnima, etc.
• Remember festival sweets of India and religious places name.

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 Religious Festivals provided in PDF format.

What are religious festivals?

• Religious festivals are celebrated by people following the same religion during a specific time of the year.
• As India is a land of many religions, many religious festivals are celebrated throughout the year with joy and celebrations.

Religious festivals celebrated in India:

1. Diwali:

• • Diwali is the Festival of Lights celebrated by the Hindus.
  • It marks the day Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
  • During Diwali, decorate their houses with lights, burst firecrackers and distribute sweets to near and dear ones.

 

2. Holi Festival:

• • Holi is the festival of colours celebrated by Hindus.
  • During this festival, people play with colours, eat delicious food and greet each other.

3. Dussehra:

• • The Hindus in north India celebrate Dussehra.
  • lt is believed that on this day, Lord Rama killed Ravana.
  • During Dussehra, people go to fairs, and the idol of Ravana is burnt to celebrate the victory of Lord Rama.

 

4. Eid:

• • Eid is celebrated by the Muslims.
  • People wear new clothes and go to the mosque to offer prayers.
  • Food and clothes are distributed among the poor people.

 

5. Christmas:

• • Christians celebrate Christmas on 25 December to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • People go to the church to offer prayers and sing carols.
  • They decorate their houses with lights and Christmas trees.
  • Delicious food like turkey roast, cakes, pies, etc., is prepared.

 

6. Guru Nanak Jayanti:

• • Guru Nanak Jayanti is observed by the Sikhs to mark Guru Nanak’s birthday.
  • People go to Gurudwara to offer prayers.
  • Kadah Prasad and Langar are distributed among everyone.

 

7. Gautam Buddha Purnima:

• • Buddhists celebrate Buddha Purnima to mark the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha.
  • People go to the monasteries, light candles, and pray to Lord Buddha.

 

8. Mahavir Jayanti:

• • The Jains celebrate this festival to mark the birth anniversary of Mahavir.
  • People go to Jain temples to pray, participate in processions, and help the poor.

New Words:

Did You Know?

• The Parsis celebrate Navroz, which is the New Year of the Parsis.
• Different regions celebrate Diwali for various reasons. In West Bengal, people worship the goddess Kali during Diwali. In Nepal, people celebrate Lord Krishna’s victory over the evil king Narakaasura.