The Importance of Clothes, Food, & Festivals in India

Red, gold and yellow are popular festival clothing colors.

India is a colorful culture that celebrates harvest times, religious events and even regions of the country by throwing festivals. Vibrant clothing is worn during festival time, and special food is prepared for each event.

Festivals

India celebrates its cultural heritage, pays respect to Hindu gods and goddesses, and marks the stages of the moon and the fall harvest by throwing days-long festivals. Several of these festivals are countrywide celebrations with days of preparation leading up to a week of dancing and eating.

Festival Food

There are food specialties for each festival. Some of these dishes may only be eaten once a year during festival time. Indian food is known for its curry and spice, but most festival treats center around the cultural love of sweets. Several desserts made with nuts, rice, sugar and saffron become centerpieces at these festivals. Miniature children's toys formed from sugar are also popular.

Clothing

Indian clothes are colorful. The most popular clothing colors include red, gold and yellow. New clothes are a part of most festivals. This is the time when Indian women wear elaborate saris with matching jewelry. The money a husband spends on his wife's clothing for these festivals is indicative of his social class in the country.

References

• India, Reflections on Life, Culture and Religion
• Indiasite: Indian Food
• iloveindia.com: Indian Festivals 2010

Resources

• iloveindia.com: Indian Festival Food