Present-day festivities are limited by the modern urban life experiences whereas traditionally, festivals in India took an individual to the community and were varied and numerous in their modes of celebrations spread over a fortnight

These days, due to paucity of time and isolated existences we guiltily console and feed our spirits upon the festival stereotypes instead. As a result of this, Diwali, a festival of light, is left with very little sparkle

Matar Tihar is celebrated two days after Diwali and is mostly observed by the pastoral community in Chhattisgarh. As a mark of respect, the freshly harvested grain is first offered to the cows after which it is used for preparing local cuisines.

While Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, Sohrai Porab celebrates the return of the cattle to their village. Villagers in Jharkhand worship the cows by decorating them, lighting lamps, singing songs and offering pujas.

Celebrated every year in the sacred city of Varanasi, this festival marks Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasur and is celebrated after 15 days of Diwali. It is also known as Tripurotsav and is observed on the day of Kartik Purnima.

Open up your hearts to regional cuisine, use Diwali as an occasion to learn more about traditional recipes and try making few in your kitchens

In the Jangalmahal area of West Bengal, drums, songs and festivities carry on for two weeks as villagers send up prayers of gratitude for a bountiful harvest and the well-being of their cattle.

Nothing takes one back to one’s childhood than a festival. Chhath Puja brings back memories of mothers, grandmothers, aunts and cousins bustling around preparing for the pujas, cooking and spreading joy and that special buzz.

Aalta Patra is offered to the Sun God during Chhath Puja. There are communities in Bihar that have been traditionally making these flat and papad-like offerings.