It’s important because a bunch of Rosbif munchin’ Limeys did “extensive” study of it?
lol...that’s just part of it! Limey’s aside, it is important for two reasons, first it is so extensive in it’s material coverage and second, it is so ancient, as much as 10,000 years ancient!
Anyways, to end this conversation on a civil tone, one must take a note of how many religions began and flourished in India (Hindustan). More major religions are being practiced in modern India than any other major country. That says something about tolerance. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by a fanatic mainly because he preached tolerance.
I have been out of India for half a century. But I know India, having spent my first 20 years there. Among my best friends there were Sikhs, Muslims & Jains. We never argued about religion. I observed some of the Muslim rituals with wonder but never with disdain. And I observed a lot since my house was surrounded by a bevy of Muslim residents.
The OP talks about religion based national holidays. India celebrates them all! The world’s most populous democracy can probably considered 8th wonder of the world, when you consider how many different cultures, languages, religions exist there, and for 65 years they have had continuous elected government. Then look at Pakistan, they have one religion predominantly, one language, and a host of changes between dictatorships and elections. Pakistan was integral part of Hindustan before Partition in 1947. Goes to show you the difference between predominant Muslim Pakistan and predominant Hindu India.