India is the land of fairs and festivals. India is the home to people belonging to various religions and castes. Each of these has its own set of religious festivals. Other festivals which are of national importance are known as National festivals. These festivals are not associated with religion or group. These festivals are celebrated officially by Indian government. Festivals organised by government and participated by general public are termed as National Festivals. The National Festivals celebrated in India are as follows:

• Republic Day - 26 January
• Independence Day - 15 August
• Gandhi Jayanti - 02 October

What separates national festivals from the others is the number of levels they happen at. All the important government offices like Parliament House, President’s House and other important government buildings are decorated. On Republic Day and Independence Day, there are formal events - including a march-past and flag-hoisting - in all the state capitals, district headquarters, corporations and municipalities, panchayats and even in school and colleges.

National festivals are celebrated to commemorate the great leaders and great historic events of national importance. Whenever these festivals come, they create an atmosphere of patriotism in the minds of denizens of India. Indian people are emotionally attached to their country as they call India as their Mother; they call it “Bharat Mata”. These festivals are the time to get together and remember the sacrifices done by those who took part in fight for freedom for India.

Republic Day - 26 January: Republic Day is observed as the national holiday with all the government offices, schools and colleges closed in whole of the nation. It is observed on 26 th January every year. Republic Day is celebrated in the most magnificent way with parade organized in New Delhi where thousands of people gather to see the entertaining cultural tableaux, defense shows and many other events.

Independence Day – 15 August: Independence Day is celebrated on 15 th August to celebrate independence of India. Prime Minister of India addresses the whole nation from Red Fort. Common people celebrate it by flying kites.

Gandhi Jayanti - 02 October: Gandhi Jayanti, is celebrated to mark the occasion of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, also known as “Bapu” or "Father of the Nation". Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on the 2nd of October in 1869. This day is not celebrated as other two.