15 Most popular festivals in India you must visit
India is the nation of culture & festival, where many people of different religions live together. Celebrating these festivals while paying your vacation in India is an amazing chance to explore the real beauty of Indian Culture, Heritage & Festivals.
Here is Top 15 most popular and enjoyable festivals in India-
- Diwali/Deepavali- The Prosperous Festival of Lights
Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hinduism in India, celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartika. Diwali usually lasting 5 days, it is believed that on this day Prabhu Ram-Chandra (The 7th Avatar of God Vishnu), his wife Sita and his brother Laxman returned after 14 years of exile, during which he won the battle with King Ravana.
Key Attraction- Homes are decorated with colorful lights, clay lamps and celebrated by doing worship of Laxmi (The Goddess of Wealth).
Place of Celebration- All over the Country
- Holi- Festival of Colors
Holi is the festival you must add in your Bucket List now. Holi is one of the most popular festivals of World and it is also known as festival of colors. It falls on the last full moon of Falguna (Feb-Mar). Holi signifies the victory of Good over immoral. On the night of holi, bonfires are lit to perform the Holika Dahan.
Key Attraction- On the occasion of Holi, people gather together to play colors & enjoy different cuisines.
Place of Celebration- All over the India, Mainly Northern states of India
- Kumbhmela- The Festival of Devotion & Blessings
Kumbhmela is one of the major pilgrimage festivals in India. It is celebrated in a cycle of 12 years at 4 major river bank sites- Prayagraj, Nashik, Haridwar & Ujjain called Purn-Kumbhmela. It is held at the meeting point of 3 sacred rivers. Ardha-Kumbhmela is also celebrated every 6 years at Allahabad (Recently named Prayagraj by state government). Normal Kumbhmela is is also held every 3 years at Prayagraj & Haridwar.
Key Attraction- Sadhus & Monks come from all over India & the World with their enthusiastic arrival. It is the largest public gathering with collective act of bath.
Place of Celebration- Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Nashik (Maharashtra), Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)
- Ganesh Chaturthi/ Ganesh Utsav/ Ganeshotsav- The Festival of Devotional Celebration
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated throughout the country. Ganesh Chaturthi honors the birth of Lord Ganesha (Elephant Hraded God) from Kailash Parvat. It falls on the 4th day following the arrival of the new moon (Shukla Paksha Chaturthi) in the month of Bhadrapada. It is 10 day festival, marked with installation of clay idol of Lord Ganesha in homes & publicly.
Key Attraction- Ganesh Visrjan (The last day of festival) is the day of celebration
Place of Celebration- Mainly Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
- Rath Yatra/Chariot Festival- The Festival of Faith
Rath Yatra is a Religious Festival of India associated with Lord Jagannath (Aviator of Lord Vishnu). It is held at Jagannath Puri, Odisa every year. On this festival, 3 Deities that is Lord Jagannath, Elder Brother Balbhadra & Sister Subhadra in 3 different chariots are taken to the streets, so that everyone can see them. Every year Chariot constructed in wooden newly.
Key Attraction- Devotees from the World pull the Raths of 3 Deities.
Place of Celebration- Puri, Odisa
- Eid-Ul-Fitr- The Festival of Sweets & Breaking fast
It is one of the most important Muslim Festival celebrated all over the World. The fasting & prayers month of Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr. It is believed that the 1st divulgence of Quran (Holy text of Islam) to Muhammad happened in this month. It is the 1st of Islamic month Shawwal. It is celebrated for 1 to 3 days. People dress up and visit friend & relatives and exchange sweets.
Key Attraction- Morning Eid Namaaz at the mosque & sweet dishes.
Place of Celebration- All over India
- Baisakhi-Festival of Fortunate Culture & Tradition
Baisakhi is one of the most popular festivals of celebrated in North India by Sikh community all over India & the world. Baisakhi is celebrated to welcome the harvest season with lot of enthusiasm by performing folk dances that is Bhangra and Giddha. It marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the formation of “Khalsa Panth” of warriors under Guru Granth Sahiba in 1699.
Key Attraction- Folk Dance, Feasts, Decorated Houses & Gurudwaras
Place of Celebration- Punjab
- Pongal- Harvest Festival
Pongal is one of the cultural festivals of India mainly celebrated in Tamilnadu. Pongal connotes “Boiling Over”/”Overflow” generally refers a common breakfast food. The rice boiled in milk with Jaggery. It falls on the first day of Tamil month Tai.
Key Attraction- Pongal Dish, Decorated Houses and Temples
Place of Celebration- Tamilnadu
- Janmashtmi/Gokulashtmi/Krisha Janmashtmi- The Festival of Fun & Celebration
Janmashtmi is one of the most visited festivals of India. It celebrates the birth of Krishna (The Avatar of God Vishnu). Krishna is also known as the most beloved God by whole world, because of his Krida, Prem & Rajjya. It falls in the month of Sravana according to Hindu lunisolar calendar. On the occasion of Janmashtmi, people keep fast, sing devotional songs for Krishna and keep vigil into the night.
Key Attraction- Dahi Handi that is people gather together & break the hanging Pot filled with Dahi
Place of Celebration- All over India
- Navratri/ Durga Puja/ Dussehra- The Festival of Blessings
Navratri is one of the most enjoyable festivals of India which you must add in your bucket list, celebrated every year over a span of 9 days by worshipping Godess Durga. The last 5 days of Navratri mark another festival of Godess Durga called Durga Puja. It is celebrated in various parts of the country in different ways. People dressed in beautiful, colorful traditional clothes and celebrate 9 days with Garba & Dandiya.
Key Attraction- Garba, Dandiya & Various Cuisines
Place of Celebration- All over India
- Christmas-The Festival of Surprises & Celebration
It is one of the most popular & awaited festival of the world. It falls in the month of December according to Georgian calendar. Santa surprises children as well as all the people by gifting them various gifts. It is the birthday of Lord Jesus. All churches are decorated with lights, Christmas trees etc.
Key Attraction- Christmas tree Decoration, Prayers, Santa Claus
Place of Celebration- Goa, Pondicherry & Kerala
- Onam- Festival of Celebration of Commemoration of Mahabali
Onam is one of the most popular festivals of south India. It’s a major annual event of Malyali people. It is celebrated in Kerala with lot of enthusiasm to welcome The King- Mahabali. It falls in a month of Chingam of Malyalam Calender. People with lot of enthusiasm celebrate Onam by traditional wear, Onasadya, Kathakali, Pulikali, Vallamkalli, Kaikottikali
Key Attraction- Onasadhya (Cuisine), Snake Boat Race (Vallamkalli), Clap Dance (Kaikottikali), Folk Dance (Kathakali), Body Painted Artists like Tigers & Hunters (Pulikali)
Place of Celebration- Kerala
- Hemis- The Festival of Smiles & Colorful Costumes
Hemis is a village in Leh District of Ladakh in India, around 40kms from Leh. It is well known for Hemis Monastery, established by King Senge Nampar Gyalva. It is a 2 day festival. Many locals as well as foreign tourist attract towards Hemis because of Traditional Music, Dance, Outfits & Masks.
Key Attraction- Hemis Monastery, Colorful Outfits, Masks & Dance
Place of Celebration- Leh, Dist-Ladakh
- Camel Festival- The Colorful Festival of The Ship of Dessert
Camel Festival is one of the most colorful festivals of Rajasthan. It is organized be Department of Tourism of Rajsthan to promote Tourism at Bikaner. You can enjoy different colors of Rajasthani Culture & Tradition with delicious cuisines over there. As well as you can enjoy another festival at Pushkar, where cattle trading take place on a large scale.
Key Attraction- Colorful Events of Camel
Place of Celebration- Bikaner, Rajasthan
- Bihu- The Festival of Dance & Fun
Bihu is one of the harvest festivals of India, celebrated mainly in Assam & other North Eastern States of India. There are 3 types of Bihu, falls in 3 different seasons of crops.
- Bohag or Rongali Bihu
- Kati or Kongali Bihu
- Bhongali or Magh Bihu
It is celebrated with delicious dishes, dance, laughter & music. It is one of the most important festivals of Assam.
Key Attraction- Dance, Music & Outfits
Place of Celebration- Assam