Festivals of India

Avani Avittam, Narli Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, and Onam

Four festivals from different parts of the country

Occur in the same week

None of these celebrations are ever bleak!

In Avani Avittam post early morning prayers

You change the sacred thread

On Raksha Bandhan, the sister makes the brother

Wear a venerated amulet

Narli Purnima is the festival of the fisherfolk

Praying to the ocean and sea gods

Onam is the welcoming

Amongst pomp and cheer

Of the demon king Mahabali home.

In all of these monsoon festivals

Coconuts are an essential part of the celebration

Also, Vishnu in all his forms

Is the supreme deity for prayers and devotion.

In Onam and Raksha Bandhan

Flowers are used to making geometrical patterns

While for Avani Avittam and Narlipurnima

Flowers are offered to the numen.

Onam is celebrated in Kerala

Raksha Bandhan in Northern India

Narli Purnima on the Western coasts

Avani Avittam even in Odisha resonates.

Even though all these are different jamborees

From the four corners of our land

The differences and similarities

Portray one of our country's qualities

Respect and acceptance of different cultures

And our fundamental value

Of UNITY IN DIVERSITY !!