# Celebrating Festivals

## Overview

In this chapter, students explore how different parts of India celebrate the season of spring through various festivals. Through a story narrated by a boy named Rishi, students learn about natural beauty, family bonding, traditional food, cultural practices, and seasonal flowers across regions like Jammu, Kerala, and Jharkhand. The chapter also integrates lessons on travel, road safety, and nature appreciation.

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## Key Topics Covered

### 1. A Journey to the Himalayas

- Rishi travels with his parents to a Himalayan village to visit his Mama, Mami, and cousins Chiya and Nonikaa.
- The bus journey is scenic, with winding roads and views of colourful flowers and tall trees.
- Rishi observes the beauty of nature and the local lifestyle.

### 2. Beauty of Spring and Flowers

- At Mama’s house, Rishi sees vibrant flowers like roses, marigolds, hibiscus, and tulips.
- He learns about the famous **Kashmir Tulip Festival**.
- Rishi shares how people in his home place celebrate spring by placing **mustard** and **buransh (rhododendron)** flowers at doorsteps.

### 3. Spring Celebrations Across India

- **Chiya** tells about her friend Unni from Kerala who celebrates **Vishu**, involving **amaltas flowers** and **Vishu Kani** (a display of fruits, vegetables, and flowers).
- Mami explains that spring is a season of renewal, with blooming flowers and green landscapes.
- The importance of feeling happy in nature is highlighted.

### 4. Sarhul – A Festival from Jharkhand

- Celebrated during spring in Jharkhand.
- People dress in traditional clothes, carry **sakhua flowers** and germinated grains.
- Offerings are made to the Earth and Sun.
- Celebrations involve dance and music using local instruments like **dhol** and **nagada**.

### 5. Road Signs and Safety

- Students match road signs to their meanings (e.g., No Parking, Speed Breaker).
- Asked to draw and label additional signs like “School Ahead” or “Men at Work”.
- Importance of **road safety** during travel, walking, or cycling is emphasized.

### 6. Foods and Festivals

- Special dishes linked to festivals are introduced:
- **Gujiya** – Holi
- **Sadya** – Onam
- **Holige** – Ugadi
- **Plum Cake** – Christmas
- **Seviyan** – Eid-ul-Fitr
- **Thekua** – Chhath Puja
- **Pitha** – Bihu

### 7. Clothes and Family Bonding

- Festivals bring opportunities to wear **special dresses** and enjoy time with family.
- The chapter encourages students to talk to elders about festivals in different seasons and the foods associated with them.

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## New Words and Their Meanings

| Word | Meaning |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Tulip | A colourful spring flower |
| Buransh | A red flower also known as rhododendron |
| Vishu Kani | A display of auspicious items seen on the Malayali New Year |
| Amaltas | A tree with bright yellow flowers |
| Sarhul | A spring festival of Jharkhand |
| Sakhua | A sacred tree used in Sarhul celebrations |
| Dhol | A traditional Indian drum |
| Nagada | A large drum used in folk music |
| Festival | A celebration with rituals, food, and fun |
| Safety | Being protected from danger or harm |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)

1. **Where did Rishi go with his parents?**
_To a village in the Himalayas to visit his Mama and Mami._

2. **Name one flower Rishi saw in the garden.**
_Rose or Marigold or Hibiscus or Tulip._

3. **Which dish did Rishi eat for lunch at his Mama’s house?**
_Haakh with hot rice._

### Medium (2)

4. **What is Vishu Kani and where is it celebrated?**
_Vishu Kani is a display of auspicious items like amaltas flowers, fruits, and vegetables seen at sunrise. It is celebrated in Kerala on the Malayali New Year._

5. **What does the Sarhul festival represent and how is it celebrated?**
_Sarhul is a spring festival in Jharkhand. People wear traditional clothes, offer sakhua flowers and grains to the Earth and Sun, and celebrate with dance and music._

### Difficult (3)

6. **How did the road change as Rishi got closer to his Mama’s house?**
_It changed from a broad concrete road to a narrow mud road._

7. **Why does Mami say spring is a celebration of nature?**
_Because after cold winters, the sun shines, flowers bloom, grass grows, and trees have new leaves._

8. **What similarities are there between the festivals celebrated by Rishi, Nonikaa, and Unni?**
_All of them celebrate the beauty of spring with flowers, traditional rituals, and spending time with family._

### Very Difficult (2)

9. **How do festivals connect people across different states in India despite different names and customs?**
_Festivals across India celebrate similar natural events like spring, with regional variations. They involve flowers, special food, and family bonding, showing cultural diversity and unity._

10. **Describe how this chapter teaches both cultural values and practical skills.**
_The chapter introduces children to regional festivals and teaches values like gratitude and joy. It also teaches practical skills like road safety, travel awareness, and nature observation._

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