Festivals of socio-religious nature provide an atmosphere of devotion and enjoyment. Some festivals mark the seasonal changes and some are local in character and are associated with some place, saint or pir. The fairs and festivals attracting large gatherings are taken advantage of by Government, religious and social organisations, and business firms, for doing publicity. Festivals organised by government and participated by general public are termed as National Festivals. The national Festivals celebrated in India are as follows:

Independence Day, 15th August
Independence Day, August 15, commemorates the day in 1947 when India achieved freedom from British rule. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the world`s biggest democracy as a national festival. At the stroke of midnight, as India moved into August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, India`s first Prime Minister, read out the famous speech proclaiming India`s independence. The moment ended the 300 years rule of the British. Independence Day was the only festival that marked the beginning to commemorate the greatest moment in Indian history and now come to signify a feeling of nationalism, solidarity and celebration.

Republic Day (26th January)
Republic Day is India`s great national festival. It is celebrated every year on January 26, in New Delhi with great pomp and pageant and in capitals of the States, as well as at other headquarters and important places with patriotic fervor. Republic Day reminds us of the fulfillment of the pledge that was made on the midnight of Independence as a "tryst with destiny".

Gandhi Jayanti
Gandhi Jayanti, a national festival of India, is celebrated to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation". Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as `Bapu` or `Father of the nation`, was born on the 2nd of October in 1869.