Last Updated on August 16, 2024 by Mrunal & Jiten
Festivals are celebrations of life. India is an ancient, multilingual, multiracial, and multi-religious country. It celebrates numerous festivals for various occasions—big or small—that bring its populace together in peace, harmony, and enjoyment. Some major festivals are:
Festivals in India that you should not miss
Table of Contents
Diwali – Festival of Lights
Without a doubt, Diwali is the most spectacular festival in this country!
Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravana by lighting earthen lamps and candles around their houses, bursting crackers, and sharing a variety of sweets and savories.
This victory of good over evil has been celebrated since ancient times, and the whole country is illuminated with brightness even though it is a no-moon day. Goddess Laxmi is propitiated, wishing wealth and prosperity on this occasion.
- Where: Ram Temple, Ayodhya, and Varanasi near Ganga ghats
- When: October-November
- How: Decorations, bursting crackers, lighting lamps, exchanging gifts
Navratri/Dusshera – Festival of the Devi
Navaratri is a major Indian festival celebrating the nine forms of the Mother Goddess Shakti, who fought and annihilated the evil Mahishasur. It also refers to the nine days that Lord Ram took to kill the demon Ravana.
The festivities involve the gaiety of Dandiya Raas and Garba, where men, women, and children wear traditional attire and dance.
Ram lilas are also performed, concluding with the burning of Ravan’s effigy with a burning arrow.
The Navratri, or nine nights, culminate on Dusshera—the tenth day—when many manufacturing units stop production and perform pooja to their machinery.
- Where: Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata, Mysore Palace
- When: October-November
- How: Visit Puja Pandals in Bengal, dance Garba in Gujarat, see royal celebrations in Mysore Palace on Dusshera
Hornbill Festival – Festival of Nagaland
The Hornbill Festival is a major festival in Northeast India, showcasing the traditions and culture of the state of Nagaland. You can experience traditional performances, food fairs, games, parades, and religious programs highlighting the culture and heritage of the land.
- Where: Nagaland
- When: First week of December
- How: Participate in the fairs, games, and enjoy delicacies
Ganesh Chaturthi – Festival of the Elephant-Headed God
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh, the Elephant God, the remover of obstacles. An important festival for Hindus, the celebrations go on for 10 days.
Artistic figures of Ganesh idols, created using biodegradable materials, are placed in Mandapas on major streets, and grand poojas are conducted. People also perform pooja in their own homes. After 10 days, the idols are immersed in any large water body, signifying his return to his home in the Himalayas.
- Where: Grand celebrations in Maharashtra and Hyderabad, Telangana
- When: August-September
- How: Visit the Mandaps and pray for all your obstacles to be removed.
Lohri/Bihu/Pongal/Makar Sankranti – Festival of Harvest
Harvest festivals are an important part of agricultural India. These festivals fall in mid-January, heralding the end of winter and the reaping of a bountiful harvest.
Assam celebrates Magh Bihu; Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana celebrate Makara Sankranti; and Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal.
In Tamil Nadu, the sun is worshipped by offering a sweet Pongal made with produce from the latest harvest. Everything related to agriculture, even the bulls, is venerated during this day. Bullfighting contests are also held.
In other parts of the country, sweets are prepared, people take a dip in holy rivers, and fly kites.
- Where: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, villages in Andhra Pradesh, and other states of India
- When: Mid-January
- How: Fly kites, enjoy sweets, pray to the sun, and watch bullfighting in Madurai
Janmashtami – Festival of Lord Krishna
Janmashtami is the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. In temples, the lord’s idol is decorated with sandalwood and other holy anointments and offered sweets. The birth story of Krishna is enacted on different stages, with kids dressed up as the Lord, complete with peacock feathers and flutes.
- Where: Vrindavan, Gokul, Dwaraka, Mumbai
- When: August-September
- How: Dress up kids as Krishna/Radha, share sweets
Eid-ul-Fitr – End of Ramadan
A major festival for the Muslim community, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. They make sweet seviyan and visit friends and relatives, wearing new clothes and sharing sweets and gifts.
- Where: Old Delhi, Lucknow, Srinagar, Hyderabad
- When: June-July
- How: Meet and greet all, and share sweets
Raksha Bandhan – Festival of Sibling Bondage
This festival cherishes the brother-sister bond. Sisters tie an amulet or band on their brother’s wrist, who in turn gives them a gift and a promise to protect them against all odds.
- Where: North India
- When: August
- How: Tie rakhis, give gifts and blessings
Independence Day – National Festival
Independence Day is a national festival commemorating freedom from two centuries of British rule. Cultural programs are held in the capital city of India and state capitals, beginning with the national flag hoisting.
- Where: Red Fort, state capitals
- When: August 15
- How: Sing patriotic songs, cherish freedom
Republic Day – National Festival
Republic Day is another major national festival, highlighting that India is ruled by elected leaders through a secret ballot.
On this day, various parades are held on Kartavya Path, beginning from Rashtrapati Bhavan towards India Gate. On display is the country’s military strength and cultural heritage. The flag is hoisted by the Prime Minister at Red Fort.
- Where: Kartavya Path
- When: January 26
- How: Watch the parade, sing patriotic songs, flag hoisting, competitions, revere founding fathers
Leave a Reply