Chapter: 14. Festivals Of India
Workout
A. Name the following.
He takes the salute on Republic Day: The harvest festival of Assam: The snake boat race is organized during this festival: Thirty days of fasting in Muslim calendar: B. Match the columns.
C. Answer the following questions orally.
Name the different types of festivals that we celebrate in India. National festivals, religious festivals, and harvest festivals. Name four harvest festivals celebrated in India. Holi, Onam, Bihu, Pongal. Name the three national festivals of India. Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti. D. Answer the following questions.
How is Republic Day celebrated in India? Republic Day is celebrated on 26 January every year with a colourful parade at Rajpath, New Delhi, where the army, navy, air force, school children, and different states participate. The President of India takes the salute. Why do we celebrate Gandhi Jayanti? We celebrate Gandhi Jayanti every year on 2 October to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who was a great Indian leader and worked very hard for the independence of our country. Describe any two harvest festivals. Holi: This is a festival of colours celebrating the arrival of spring. People sing songs, go around a campfire, and playfully spray coloured water and apply powders on each other. Onam: This is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. People decorate their houses with rangoli, and a special snake boat race is organized. How is Dussehra celebrated? Dussehra is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It comes after nine days of fasting known as Navaratri. On the tenth day, effigies of Ravana are burnt to celebrate the victory of good over evil. In West Bengal, it is celebrated as Durga Puja. Think Box
A. Why should we use natural colours while playing Holi?
We should use natural colours while playing Holi because they are safer for our skin and eyes, are biodegradable, and do not cause harmful pollution to the environment or waterways. B. What do you understand by the term ‘green diwali’?
‘Green Diwali’ refers to celebrating Diwali in an eco-friendly manner by avoiding harmful firecrackers to reduce air and noise pollution, and instead using eco-friendly decorations like diyas and LED lights, and minimizing waste. Picture Study
Name the festival:
The festival shown is the Chinese New Year, characterized by the dragon dance.
When is it celebrated?
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is celebrated at the beginning of the lunar calendar, typically falling between late January and mid-February.
Where is it celebrated?
It is widely celebrated in China and in Chinese communities around the world, including various Chinatowns globally.
What do people do on this day?
During Chinese New Year, people engage in various activities such as dragon and lion dances, family gatherings, feasting, exchanging red envelopes (hongbao) with money, and decorating with festive symbols.
Life Skills and Values
List two safety rules we should follow during festivals.
Always ensure adult supervision, especially when handling fireworks or candles. Be mindful of crowds and traffic to avoid accidents and ensure personal safety. DIY
Name the religious books of these religions.
Vedas (e.g., Rigveda), Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata 
Answers to textbook exercises
