From Ganesh Chaturthi to Eid ul Adha, September 2016 is filled with auspicious days and festivities. No matter what kind of festivity you love, there something for everyone this month, including tradition, religion and whole lot of drinking. Here is a list of the all the ways in which you can celebrate September 2016:
Sept. 5: Ganesh Chaturthi
The Hindu festival celebrated in honour of Ganesha involves installing clay idols of the elephant-headed god in public pandals and worshipping in groups. This festival is celebrated all over India, but with most fervour in the states of Maharashtra and Telangana.
Sept. 5: Teachers' Day
The special day, on which we thank our teachers, is celebrated annually on the birth anniversary of India's second President, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was also an academic and philosopher. Although this is not a public holiday, students take this day to express their appreciation for their teachers. Senior students even take the responsibility of imparting knowledge to their juniors.
Sept. 8: International Literacy Day
2016 will mark the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day, and this year's theme is "Reading the Past, Writing the Future." This day celebrates and honours the efforts and progress made to increase literacy rates around the world, while also addressing the various challenges that the vision of 100 percent literacy faces.
Sept. 12: Eid Al Adha / Bakr-Id
This Islamic festival celebrates the anniversary of Ibrahim's sacrifice to Allah. Muslims believe that Alla had commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael, but just before he made the sacrifice, Ishmael turned into a sheep. Followers commemorate this event by sacrificing a goat on the festival and having a communal meal. They also celebrate the festival by buying new clothes and attending sermon at the mosque.
Sept. 14: Onam
One of the biggest festivals of Kerala, Onam is a 10-day festival, which culminates with Thiruvonam, which falls on Sept. 14. This rice harvest festival is traditionally celebrated with Vallam kali (boat race), Pookkalam (drawing floral carpets), Pulikkali (tiger dance), and so on.
Sept. 17: Oktoberfest
Held annually in Bravaria, Germany, this 16-day folk festival is a celebration of beer drinking. Many thousands of litres of beer is served every year during the festival, along with traditional food like Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick) and Würstl (sausages).The festival also features amusement rides, side-stalls and games.
