India is known for its rich cultural diversity, and there are numerous festivals celebrated across the country. From spiritual festivals to colorful festivals, India has a rich diversity of festivals. Each month of Indian Holiday calendar has a bunch of festivals.
We have covered the list of famous festivals in India below.
Famous Festival In India
List of Famous Festivals in India
Below is the list of famous festivals in India.
| Festival |
Date |
Region/Cultural Significance |
| Diwali |
October/November (Varies) |
Nationwide, Festival of Lights |
| Holi |
March (Varies) |
Nationwide, Festival of Colors |
| Navaratri |
September/October (Varies) |
Nationwide, Worship of Goddess Durga |
| Durga Puja |
September/October (Varies) |
West Bengal, Worship of Goddess Durga |
| Eid al-Fitr |
Varies (Based on Islamic calendar) |
Nationwide, End of Ramadan |
| Eid al-Adha |
Varies (Based on Islamic calendar) |
Nationwide, Festival of Sacrifice |
| Ganesh Chaturthi |
August/September (Varies) |
Maharashtra, Worship of Lord Ganesha |
| Christmas |
December 25 |
Nationwide, Birth of Jesus Christ |
| Raksha Bandhan |
August (Varies) |
Nationwide, Bond between siblings |
| Onam |
August/September (Varies) |
Kerala, Harvest Festival |
| Pongal |
January 14-17 |
Tamil Nadu, Harvest Festival |
| Baisakhi |
April 13-15 |
Punjab, Sikh New Year |
| Janmashtami |
August/September (Varies) |
Nationwide, Birth of Lord Krishna |
| Makar Sankranti |
January 14 |
Nationwide, Harvest Festival |
| Navroz |
March 21st |
Parsi New Year |
| Lohri |
January 13-14 |
Punjab, Winter Solstice Celebration |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti |
November (Varies) |
Nationwide, Birth of Guru Nanak |
| Mahashivratri |
February/March (Varies) |
Nationwide, Worship of Lord Shiva |
| Ram Navami |
March/April (Varies) |
Nationwide, Birth of Lord Rama |
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Famous Festivals In India
Below are the category wise list of famous festivals in India.
- State Specific
- Season Specific
State-Specific Festivals in India
Here is the state specific festival list in India.
|
State
|
Festivals celebrated in that state
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
Dasara, Ugadi, Deccan Festival, Brahmotsavam
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
Reh, Boori Boot, Myoko, Dree, Pongtu, Losar, Murung, Solang, Mopin, Monpa festival
|
|
Assam
|
Ambubachi, Bhogali Bihu, Baishagu, Dehing Patkai
|
|
Bihar
|
Chhath Puja, Bihula
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
Maghi Purnima, Bastar Dussehra
|
|
Goa
|
Sunburn festival, Ladain, Mando
|
|
Gujarat
|
Navratri, Janmashtami, Kutch Utsav, Uttarayana
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
Rakhadumni, Gochi Festival
|
|
Haryana
|
Baisakhi
|
|
Jammu and Kashmir
|
Har Navami, Chhari, Bahu Mela, Dosmoche,
|
|
Jharkhand
|
Karam Utsav, Holi, Rohini, Tusu
|
|
Karnataka
|
Mysore Dasara, Ugadi
|
|
Kerala
|
Onam,Vishu,Thrissur Pooram
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
Lok-rang Utsav, Tejaji, Khujaraho festival
|
|
Meghalaya
|
Nongkrem festival, Khasis festival, Wangla, Sajibu Cheiraoba
|
|
Maharashtra
|
Ganesh Utsav, Gudi Padva
|
|
Manipur
|
Yaoshang, Porag, Chavang Kut
|
|
Mizoram
|
Chapcharkut Festival
|
|
Nagaland
|
Hornbill festival, Moatsu Festival
|
|
Odisha
|
Rath Yatra, Raja Parba, Nukahai
|
|
Punjab
|
Lohri, Baisakhi
|
|
Rajasthan
|
Gangaur, Teej, Bundi
|
|
Sikkim
|
Losar, Saga Dawa
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
Pongal, Thaipusam, Natyanjali Festival
|
|
Telangana
|
Bonalu, Bathukamma
|
|
Tripura
|
Kharchi Puja
|
|
West Bengal
|
Durga Puja
|
|
Uttaranchal
|
Ganga Dussehra
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
Ram Navmi, Ganga Mahotsav, Navaratri, Khichdi
|
Season-Specific Harvest Festivals in India
North India
Following is the list of season wise festivals in North India.
|
Name of the festival
|
Month of celebration
|
|
Makar Sankranti
|
January
|
|
Baisakhi
|
April
|
|
Ladakh harvest festival
|
September
|
|
Lohri
|
January
|
|
Basant Panchami
|
January
|
South India
Below is the list of season wise festivals in South India.
|
Name of the festival
|
Month of celebration
|
|
Onam
|
August
|
|
Pongal
|
January
|
|
Ugadi
|
March
|
|
Vishu
|
April
|
East & West India
Below is the list of season wise festivals in East & West India.
|
Name of the Festival
|
Month of celebration
|
|
Bhogali Bihu
|
January
|
|
Wangala
|
November
|
|
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem
|
November
|
|
Nuakhai
|
August
|
|
Gudi Padwa
|
March
|
|
Nabanna
|
November-December
|
Unique Festivals in India
Hemis Festival
Hemis Celebration is one of the main Buddhist festivals in Ladakh. People at this celebration wear costumes, and sing and dance. The main attraction of the Hemis celebration is the special dance performed by Lamas.
Dahi Handi, Janmashtami
Dahi Handi is a vital part of Janmashtami festivity and it is a handi or earthen pot loaded up with dahi (curd), Makhan (margarine), ghee, desserts, and nuts, which is hung at a height.
Rural Olympics, Kila Raipur
Qila Raipur Sports Celebration, famously known as the Rustic Olympics, is held every year in Qila Raipur in Punjab, India. Games that are played include truck race, athletic occasions and rope pulling.
In February every year, participants come to Qila Raipur to see variety of bullocks, camels, canines, donkeys and different creatures.
Matho Nagrang Festival
The Matho Monastery celebrates a two day celebration where local residents wear their colorful costumes and take part in lively dance performances.This lively festival brings the community together, offering them both joy and happiness at the same time.
Onam
Onam is a harvest festival and a cultural celebration linked to Hinduisim. There are widespread acttivites and the very famous one is the Onam boat race.
Sao Joao
San Juanv or São João is a yearly Catholic celebration celebrated on 24th June in Goa, India. As per custom, people first attend the mass in the church and then youthful Goan Catholic men jump into and swim in nearby wells, streams, and lakes as a recognition for holy person John the Baptist.
National Festivals of India
The following is the list of National Festivals of India:
|
Name
|
Date
|
Importance
|
|
Independence day
|
January 26
|
Commemorates India’s independence from British rule in 1947.
|
|
Republic Day
|
August 15
|
Celebrates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, marking the transition to a republic.
|
|
Mahatma Gandhi
|
October 2
|
Celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s non-violent independence movement.
|
Importance of Festivals
Festivals are important because:
- Cultural Heritage: Indian having rich social legacy and festivals are a method for safeguarding and promote that with different traditions, customs of India.
- Economy Boosting: To promote a feeling of community, festivals are a time for individuals to meet up and celebrate with their families and companions.
- They Promote Religious Harmony: Indian celebrations are celebrated by individuals, everything being equal. They help in promoting religious harmony and understanding.
- They Help the Economy: From the travel industry, that is hospitality perspective these celebrations lift the economy by producing income.
- They Provide Entertainment: Festivals are an incredible method to gather for dance, music and food to relax and have fun.
Details about Famous Indian festivals
The following is the details about famous Indian festivals:
1. Diwali
Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and goes on for five days. The date of the festival changes as it follows the Hindu calender, however Diwali mostly is celebrated in October and November.
It’s known as the Hindu Celebration of Lights as people decorate their homes with lights and ‘diyas’, or oil lights, since diyas symbolize the welcomming of the goddess of wealth.
People draw ‘rangoli’, designs made of hued powders and blossoms.These rangoli designs are made at the entry of the houses as a symbol of greeting. People exchange gifts and blessings on the ocassion.
2. Holi
Holi is one of the most celebrated festivals in the nation and is popular for the bright colored hued powders or called as the holi colors that are tossed through the roads. Red represents love and richness; blue addresses Krishna, a Hindu God; green addresses fresh starts; and yellow addresses turmeric, a powder local to India.
Holi is in some cases known as the Celebration of Adoration or love. Holi is known as the victory of good over evil. It goes on for two days and is flled up with singing, playing with waterbombs, while the festivals start on the evening with a huge fire to consume Holika, a Hindu demoness. The celebration mostly happens in Spring, on the last full moon day of the month of spring.
3. Dussehra
Another Hindu celebration, Dussehra praises the victory of Rama over the evil spirit ruler Ravana, who took away Lord Rama’s wife Sita. Celebrations incorporate huge fires, firecrackers and burning clay or stick models of the evil spirit lord Ravana. This celebration mostly happens in October.
4. Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration
Ganesha is the lord of fresh starts. He’s one of the most notable gods ,and the Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration is held to praise his welcoming to the world. Normally held in August/September, the celebration goes on for 11 days and sees tremendous sculptures constructed.
On the last day, the sculptures are marched through the roads, with great many devotees moving and singing close by, before at last being submerged in the sea.
5. Krishna Janmashtami
This celebration remembers the introduction of Lord Krishna, who is loved for his motivating outlook towards life. The celebration is generally held in late August or early September and the famous feature is the ‘Dahi Handi’.
Earth pots containing cash, margarine and curd are hung from a height and individuals conmpete with one another to arrive at the pots by forming a human pyramid and making their way to the top.
The story behind is also very simple. Lord Krishna used to steal very carefully curd and butter and makhan that used to be storied by his mother and other women of the village. Then he used to relish it with his friends.
6. Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. To observe, Muslims go to mosques, decorate their homes and trade food and gifts with their friends and families. One of the most mind-blowing spots to see the festivals is at Jama Masjid, perhaps of the biggest mosque in India, which was built in the mid-seventeenth 100 years.
7. Gujarat Kite Celebration
Enormous, brilliant and uncommon kites flood the skies of Gujarat every January to recognize the beginning of summer and the start of togethernes. Buy your own kite at Patang Market, a renowned kite market, or simply watch the others dance through the sky.
8. Pushkar Camel Fair
Every year, a massive gathering of camels takes place in Rajasthan’s Pushkar for the annual camel fair. Camels are traded and raced, while nearby fairs display acrobatics and dances, providing enjoyment for the crowds. Amidst the festivities, elegantly dressed men and adorned women steal the opportunity to unwind and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Famous Festivals of India – FAQs
Which is the most famous festival in India?
Diwali is the most famous festival in India.
Which is the most famous festival celebrated in Assam?
Bihu is perhaps of the most well known celebration celebrated in Assam. It is the celebration to praise the collect season.
Which are the famous festivals of South India?
Some famous festivals of India are:
- Onam
- Pongal
- Ugadi
- Dussehra
- Thrissur Pooram
- Vishu
How many national festivals are in India?
There are just three public occasions proclaimed by Administration of India: Republic Day (26 January), Independance Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).
The snake boat race is the highlight of which Indian festival?
The snake boat race is the feature of Onam which is predominantly celebrated in the southern piece of India. Many boat races occur during this celebration season in the backwaters of Kerala.
Which is the national festival of India?
There are 3 national festivals that are celebrated in India. They are Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti.
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