Our country is a melting pot of different traditions, with its people hailing from varied cultural and religious backgrounds. This concoction of cultures means the following of several customs and celebration of many festivals. Among the countless festivals observed, below is our pick of the 9 festivals you can celebrate impressively in your apartment complex. And with CommonFloor Groups planning such an event has become easier than ever before.

1. Ganesh Chaturthi (August-Septermber) - The birthday of the elephant-headed son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesh, is celebrated for a stretch of 11 days. It would certainly be apt to distribute Modak, believed to be Ganesha’s favourite sweet, among your neighbours on this occasion.

 2. Onam (August-September) – It is believed that the mythical King Mahabali visits his kingdom during these 10 days of the Kerala harvest festival. This is celebrated with traditional clothes, an array of traditional dishes, feasts served on banana leaves, sports, snake-boat races, dance performances and the customary Pookalam rangoli. Organize the special Onam feast, Onasadya, and plan out some fun games for your neighbours to participate.

3. Dussehra/ Navratri/Durga Puja (September-October) – This splendid celebration is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. People take part in the auspicious carnival and exchange gifts and sweets. This festival calls for the ceremonial worship of the nine avatars of Goddess Durga in your apartment complex and, of course, the fun-filled Dandiya Nights (when the energetic and fast-paced Garba dance is performed) in the community hall.

4. Diwali (October-November) – This five day ‘Festival of Lights’ marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and the return of Rama, his wife Sita and his brother, Lakshmana to Ayodhya after a 14 year exile. Deck up the entire community area with lit ‘diyas’, symbolic of the triumph of light over darkness. Planning a fancy Diwali party and bursting fire-crackers with your neighbours and distributing assorted sweets among them are all must-dos on this occasion.

5. Christmas (25^th December) – In India, Christians and people from other communities celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on 25^th December every year. Christmas carols, exchange of gifts and family reunions are common on Christmas Day. Light up your residential community with bright lights, do up the community hall with decorated Christmas trees and probably follow all this with a lavish Xmas party with your neighbours.

6. Thai Pongal (14th-17th January) – This continues for four days of the ‘Thai’ month and marks the harvest season for Tamil Nadu. Make sure to decorate your community areas with colourful rangolis made of flour and adorn every entrance with mango leaf festoons. Distribute the special sweet dish prepared on the occasion, also called ‘pongal’, among all your neighbours.

7. Holi (February-March) - This ‘festival of colours’ honours the survival of Bhakt Prahlad, and the burning of the demoness, Holika and is celebrated with colours, water and a variety of sweets. This spring festival is incomplete without the consumption of bhang (a beverage prepared from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant). Take this opportunity to splash coloured-water at your neighbours and share some joyous, colourful moments with them.

8. Baisakhi or Vaisakhi (14^th or 15^th April) – This is one big day for Sikhs across the country, with the same day marking three major occasions; the harvest festival, the Sikh New Year and the birth of Khalsa. Conduct a Baisakhi Fair in your community and organize a special bhangra or gidda performance to celebrate the festival.

9. Ramadan/ Eid-ul-Fitr – The auspicious Islamic fasting month of Ramadan is the time of festivity for Indian Muslims. This is when Muslims are reminded of the importance of the virtues of patience, humility and empathy. Make Ramadan a community affair by arranging a sumptuous Iftar buffet feast with traditional Ramadan dishes such as Mezzeh and Ouzi on the menu.

Tell us which Indian festival is your favourite and why in the comment box below.

Now no more would you need to think twice before celebrating an event inside your complex! We offer you the perfect help with ‘How CommonFloor Groups Helps You Plan an Event’. Please send us your queries at support@commonfloor.com, should you have any.