India is a country that takes pride in its diverse cultures, traditions, and religions. Throughout the year, India celebrates a myriad of festivals and events that are not just about merrymaking but also showcase the nation's vibrant heritage and rich history. These festivals and events bring people together, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion, and create a sense of harmony and unity among them. Each festival in India has its unique significance and cultural value. For instance, the colorful festival of Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, whereas the sacred Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil. These festivals are more than just celebrations; they also serve as a platform to learn, share, and experience the country's diverse and colorful culture. With each festival, India's customs, beliefs, and way of life are on display. These cultural festivals and events are a testimony to India's rich cultural heritage and serve as a reminder of the country's rich history and tradition. They showcase India's unique identity and its contribution to the world's cultural diversity.
Diwali is a popular festival in India, celebrated in October or November, also known as the Festival of Lights. It signifies the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated by lighting diyas, decorating homes with rangoli, and bursting firecrackers. On this occasion, families exchange gifts and sweets, and people dress up in new clothes.
Venue - Celebrated throughout India and by Indians worldwide.
Date - Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls in October or November.
Holi is another festival celebrated in March, known as the Festival of Colors. It signifies the arrival of spring and is celebrated by throwing colored powders and water on each other. People also indulge in traditional sweets and delicacies and dance to the beats of dhol and music.
Venue - Celebrated throughout India and by Indians worldwide.
Date - Holi is a Hindu festival that takes place on the full moon day of the month of Phalguna, which often occurs in February or March.
Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrated in September or October to honor Goddess Durga. During this festival, people perform traditional dance forms like Garba and Dandiya, dress up in colorful traditional attire, and indulge in traditional sweets and delicacies.
Venue - Celebrated throughout India, but particularly in the northern and western states.
Date - Navratri is celebrated for nine days during the Hindu month of Ashvin, which usually falls in September or October.
Eid al-Fitr is a festival celebrated by Muslims and marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. On this day, people offer prayers, exchange gifts, and indulge in traditional sweets and delicacies.
Venue - Celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
Date - The Islamic calendar's tenth month, Shawwal, which comes after Ramadan and is the first day of that month, is when Eid al-Fitr is observed.
A ten-day event called Ganesh Chaturthi is held in honour of Lord Ganesha. The festival involves the installation of idols in homes and public places, followed by offering prayers and performing traditional rituals. The festival concludes with the immersion of the idol in water bodies.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.
Date - Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which usually falls in August or September.
Christmas, although not a traditional Indian festival, is celebrated with enthusiasm in many parts of the country. People decorate their homes, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional Christmas delicacies.
Venue & date - Christmas is celebrated on December 25th by Christians worldwide.
Kerala, in southern India, observes the harvest festival known as Onam. It is marked by a traditional feast called Onam Sadhya, which includes a variety of vegetarian dishes served on banana leaves. People also indulge in traditional dance forms and enjoy the festival with their loved ones.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the southern state of Kerala.
Date - Onam is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Chingam, which usually falls in August or September.
Rath Yatra is a festival celebrated in the eastern state of Odisha, where the procession of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra is taken out on chariots. People participate in the procession, which culminates in the immersion of the idols.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the eastern state of Odisha and the city of Puri.
Date - The Hindu festival of Rath Yatra is observed on the second day of the light fortnight of the month of Ashadha, which often occurs in June or July.
Dussehra is celebrated in October and commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. The festival is celebrated by burning effigies of Ravana and his brothers, signifying the victory of good over evil.
Venue - Celebrated throughout India.
Date - Dusshera is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashvin, which usually falls in September or October.
In Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, the harvest festival known as Pongal is observed. People dress up in traditional attire, decorate their homes with kolams, and offer prayers to the Sun God. It is marked by the preparation of a traditional sweet dish called Pongal, made with rice and jaggery.
Venue & date - Pongal is celebrated from January 13 to January 16 by people in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
Janmashtami is celebrated in August or September to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. People fast, offer prayers, and engage in devotional singing and dancing. In some parts of the country, people also enact plays depicting the life of Lord Krishna.
Venue - Celebrated throughout India.
Date - The Hindu holiday of Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada, which often occurs in August or September.
Baisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated in April by the Sikh community, marking the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. People offer prayers, perform traditional dance forms, and indulge in traditional Punjabi delicacies.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the northern state of Punjab.
Date - Baisakhi is celebrated on April 13 or April 14 every year.
Durga Puja is celebrated in September or October to honor Goddess Durga, who is believed to have defeated the demon Mahishasura. People offer prayers, perform traditional dances, and enjoy delicious Bengali sweets like rasgulla and sandesh.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the eastern states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Date - Durga Puja is celebrated for nine days during the Hindu month of Ashwin, which usually falls in September or October.
Lohri is celebrated in January to mark the winter solstice and the onset of longer days. People light bonfires, offer prayers to the Sun God, and enjoy traditional Punjabi delicacies.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the northern state of Punjab and the surrounding regions.
Date - Every year on January 13, Lohri is observed.
The Hindu New Year is inaugurated with the celebration of Ugadi in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As a part of the festivities, people prepare traditional dishes such as tamarind rice (pulihora) and sweet pancakes (bobbatlu), and offer prayers to their deity.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Date - Ugadi is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April.
Bihu is a group of three festivals that take place in Assam to celebrate different stages of the agricultural cycle. During these festivals, people enjoy traditional delicacies like rice cakes (pitha) and sweet meatballs (larus), and participate in the Bihu dance, a traditional dance form.
Venue - Celebrated particularly in the northeastern state of Assam.
Date - There are three Bihu festivals celebrated during the year- Bohag or Rangali Bihu in April, Kongali Bihu in October, and Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January.
The Pushkar Camel Fair is an annual event held in the town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, which is one of the largest camel fairs in the world. Tourists from all over the world come to witness this event, which includes camel trading, cultural performances, and competitions such as camel races and beauty contests.
Venue - Pushkar, Rajasthan
Date - 1st - 8th November 2024
The Hemis Festival is a celebration that takes place in the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, to honor Guru Padmasambhava, who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Tibet. During the festival, masked monks perform traditional dances, reenacting the story of the Guru's life.
Venue - Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
Date - 28th - 29th June 2023
The Hornbill Festival is a 10-day festival celebrated in Nagaland to promote the cultural heritage of the Naga tribes. The festival involves traditional dance performances, music, and sporting events.
Venue - Nagaland
Date - 1st - 10th December 2023
Hindus celebrate Chhath Puja as a time to honour Surya, the sun deity. Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh are the main places where it is witnessed. During the festival, people perform elaborate rituals and offer prayers to the sun, seeking blessings for good health, prosperity, and success. The festival usually takes place in October or November and involves fasting, holy bathing, and offering of prasad (sacred food).
Venue - Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh
Date - 31st October - 3rd November 2023
Kumbh Mela is a religious festival that occurs every 12 years and is held in rotation between four Indian cities: Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. Millions of devotees participate in this event to bathe in holy waters and purify themselves from their sins.
Venue -
Date - Every 12 years (next Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (Prayagraj) will be held in 2025)
The Jaipur Literature Festival is a free event held every year in the pink city of Jaipur, India. This festival brings together authors, poets, and intellectuals from around the world for panel discussions, book readings, and cultural performances.
Venue - Jaipur, Rajasthan
Date - Annually in January/February (dates vary each year)
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is an annual event held in Goa that showcases Indian and international films. It is an excellent platform for filmmakers, critics, and film enthusiasts to celebrate the art of cinema.
Venue - Goa
Date - Annually in November (dates vary each year)
The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is a cultural fair held in Faridabad, Haryana, that displays traditional handicrafts and cuisines from all over India. It provides a platform for artisans and craftsmen to showcase their skills and connect with potential customers.
Venue - Faridabad, Haryana
Date - Annually in February (dates vary each year)
The Goa Carnival is a four-day festival that marks the beginning of Lent in the coastal state of Goa. This festival is a time of revelry, with colorful processions, live music, and dance performances.
Venue - Goa
Date - Annually in February (dates vary each year)
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is an annual boat race held in the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala, that attracts tourists and locals alike. The boats race through the serene waterways amidst cheering crowds.
Venue - Alleppey, Kerala
Date - Annually in August (dates vary each year)
The Sunburn Festival is an electronic dance music festival held in Goa that attracts music lovers from around the world. Renowned DJs and musicians showcase their talent and entertain the audience.
Venue - Vagator, Goa
Date - Annually in December (dates vary each year)
The Chennai Music Season is a popular music festival held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, during December and January. This event celebrates classical Indian music and features performances by renowned artists from across the country.
Venue - Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Date - Annually in December/January (dates vary each year)
Taking place in the Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, the Ziro Music Festival is an outdoor music event. It features performances by independent artists and bands from India and abroad and provides a platform for local artists to showcase their talent.
Venue - Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Date - Annually in September (dates vary each year)
The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is an annual cultural festival held in Mumbai, Maharashtra, that celebrates the arts and culture of India. It features exhibitions, workshops, performances, and installations by artists from all over the country.
Venue - Mumbai, Maharashtra
Date - Annually in February (dates vary each year)
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