Indian Festivals Calendar
A Guide to Participating in India’s Vibrant Celebrations
India is known for its vibrant culture and celebrations. Indian festivals are a huge part of it! Magic of these festivals attract millions of international travelers every year! With the rise of social media, Indian festivals have got exposure like never before!
In this article, I will tell you about 18 unique Indian festivals across states that you must witness if you are visiting India.
Let’s dive in!
9 Unforgettable Indian Festivals that You Must Witness!
Table of Contents
Dev Deepavali in Banaras
If you are planning to visit Banaras and wondering the best time to visit, then this is it! The grandeur of Dev Deepavali is insane and a must visit occasion.
Dev Deepavali literally means, “Festival of Lights of Gods!” It is celebrated on the banks of Ganga in Varanasi. It falls on the full moon day of the Kartik month in the Hindu calendar, which is roughly fifteen days after Diwali.
Thousands of diyas (earthen lanterns) are lit on the banks of Ganga. The air is filled with hymns, chants, and fireworks.
The local government organizes cultural events and awards ceremonies, adding to the festive spirit. Many celebrities also attend this grand festival. Thousands of devotees visit Varanasi during this time witnessing the grand celebration.
The weather is just pleasant, aiding the festive mood! A perfect time for you to visit!
Location– Banks of Ganga. Start with Dashashvamedh Ghat
Time– Evening. You can wander around in the early evening to see and be a part of the preparations
What to do– Just being at the ghat and soaking in the vibe is an experience. Hire a boat and take a tour across the ghats to see the mesmerizing and spectacular celebrations.
What to wear: Fully covered clothes, Indian attires if possible for both men and women. Try to maintain the sanctity of the place!
Gudhi Padwa in Girgaon, Mumbai
Gudhi Padwa is also known as Hindu New Year and is celebrated with energy and enthusiasm. If you want to see how Indians welcome their new year, you must visit Girgaon Shobha Yatra in Mumbai. Out of all the celebrations in Maharashtra, this Shobha Yatra is the center of attention of the entire nation.
People dress up in traditional and royal Maharashtrian attires. Latest trends can be seen in the rally.
Children imitating different characters from great Maratha Warriors- Ch. Shivaji Maharaj, Saints, etc, women in Nauvari sarees (a traditional Maharashtrian drape of Indian attire- Saree) and Shrungar (authentic Maharashtrian Ornaments) riding bikes, people wearing vibrant and unique Pheta (Maharashtrian Turban) is a seen you do not want to miss!
Many Dhol Tasha Pathaks (Dhol-Tasha is an instrumental art form and tradition of Maharashtra) perform on the streets with their unique beats that make the entire area dance. It is recently becoming a major attraction for foreign visitors.
Attending this 22 years old Shobhaytra is one of the best things to do in Mumbai!
Location: XR49+3CH, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Rd, Charni Road East, Opera House, Girgaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400004
Time: 8 Am onwards
What to do: Just be there! Watch performances, soak in the vibe! It is all worth it!
What to wear: Try to wear covered clothes if not traditional.
Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune, Mumbai, Konkan
Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, is one of the most important Indian Festivals. Weather you are spiritual or not, attending this festival and witnessing this insane grandeur should be on your bucket list.
This 11 days festival is celebrated with immense joy, devotion, and excitement. If you want to be a part of this festival, you can visit these 3 parts of Maharashtra.
Mumbai-
Even before the festival starts, streets and markets of Mumbai are flooded with decoration items, prayer items, Ganesha Idols, etc.
Mumbai is all about grand pandals, intricate design, decorations, tall Ganesha Idols. The best part about this celebration is how devotees welcome and send off their deity.
The rally on first and the last day of the festival pulls crowds of millions of devotees. People pray together on the streets, dance, greet and soak in devotion.
Famous Pandals– Lalbaugcha raja, tejokay Ganesha, Ganesh Galli, Chinchpokali chintamani, etc.
Pune
Pune has a historical significance for this festival. From its former rulers- Peshvas, Punekars are carrying forward this tradition.
Pandals here show more historic glimpse.
Famous pandals to go for– Kasba Ganpati and Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati, etc.
Konkan
If you want to witness the authentic charm of Ganesh Chaturthi, Konkaan is the place for you. Every household brings Ganesha idol to their houses, worships in a traditional way, and sends to the water bodies in an authentic way. It is a spectacular scene.
To witness konkan celebrations, you might want to find a Konakni friend who can take you to their places for celebrations. Because Konkan celebrations are more intimate and on a community level.
What to do? If you want more intimate experience, head to konkan, if you want a grandeur and you are traveling alone, then head to Mumbai or Pune. For more historic experience, Pune would be the best place to visit.
What to wear: Try to wear covered clothes if not traditional.
Bohang Bihu in Assam
Bohang Bihu is also knows as Rongali Bihu. It is a big harvest festival celebrated in the northeastern state of India- Assam. It is also an Assammese new year and falls on every 14th April of the year.
People wear beautiful traditional clothes, perform their traditional Husori Dance, meet their neighbours and relatives.
It is their way to say thanks to the nature in the Spring Harvesting season.
Bohag Bihu is a joyous celebration of springtime, new beginnings, and thanking nature for its bounty.
Location: Assam
What to do? Visit traditional Assamese prayer houses called Naamghar, where traditional dances are performed in open spaces. In Guwahati (Assam’s capital), you can visit a Bihu fair where you can see dances, buffalo fights, eat traditional assamesse food.
Expect a vegetarian spread with rice, lentils, and an array of sweet dishes like pithas (rice pancakes) and larus (sweet balls). Don’t miss the signature drink called Jolpan, a rich concoction of milk, betel nut, and rice.
If you want to experience authentic charm of Bihu Festival, opt for a homestay. Experience Bihu like a local.
What to Wear? Dress modestly. Cover your knees and shoulders.
Holi in Pushkar, Banaras, Vrindavan
Foregt La Tomatina, experince Holi in India! Holi is one of the most visited Indian Festivals. Entire nation celebrates holi in its unique way, but a month long holi celebration in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Banaras, catches the attetion of travelers.
Holi is celebrated with playful fights of powdered colors and water ballons. Holi celebrates the victory of Good over Evil as per the legend of Pralhad and Holika Dahan.
Once upon a time, a demon king Hiranyakashipu, filled with pride belived himself to be invincible and asked everyone to worship him.
He had a boon that he couldn’t be killed by a human, animal, or god, and not by day or night, neither indoors nor outdoors.
His son Pralhad was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and would not worship anyone other than him.
Infuriated demon king implied many ways to kill Pralhad such as throwing him off the cliff, put him under elephant legs, etc.
However, everytime Prlhad was saved. Hiranyakashipu asked his sister Holika who had a boon to not burn in fire, to kill Pralahd.
Holika sat in a pyre with Pralhad on her lapse to burn him. But to everyone’s suprise, Pralhad was saved from the fire and Holika was burned to death as a consequence of her ill action.
Later, Vishnu was incarnated as Narsimha and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu.
Holi celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan are one of a kind and pulls crowds of thousands of tourists every year. The city of Lord Krishna’s childhood comes to life for these week long festivities.
Phoolwalon ki Holi in Vrindavan:
In the main temple of Vrindavan, pandits shower devotees with flower petals and powder colors. People dance to music, sing, engage in devotion and celebrate.
Lathmar Holi in Barsana
A playful battle where women playfully chase men with sticks, reenacting the legend of Radha playfully hitting Krishna.
Masan ki Holi
The holi city o Banaras, takes a whole new turn on Holi. Instad of colors, people play holi with bhasma (ashes) from the Masan (Creamation groud) on Manikarnika Ghat.
Know that Masan Ki holi is a powerful spiritual experience and is not for everyone. If you are comfortable to witness something divine, do visit Manikarnika ghat on Holi.
As per the legend, when Lord Shiva got married to Mother Parvati, he went t o Mashan to celebrate it with spirits. Hence the tradition. Devotees gather and smear holy ashes on each other.
P.S. In all these three places, devotees offer and consume Bhaang (edible cannabies). There are many licensed shops of bhang sellers in Uttar Pradesh that sell bhang specially on Holi and Mahashivratri. Bhang serves a huge part of Indian culture and is legal in some parts of India.
Pushkar
If you want to engage in Holi party, go to Pushkar. Here you will be able to find dedicated parties specifically organised for international travlers. Expect psychedelic trance, techno music in these parties along with colors and bhang.
P.S. Regardless of the location you choose for the party, know that you are still attending a religious festival. Be respectful towards the customs, traditions and dress modestly. Beware of getting scammed and thieves as these celebrations could get much intimidating and crowded.
Durga Pujo in Kolkata
Durga Puja is undoubtedly one of the ggrandest celebrations of India. There are 4 types of Navratri celebrated in India. However, Durga Puja in Kolkata is celebrated from the sixth to the tenth day of the bright lunar fortnight in the Hindu lunar calendar month of Ashvin. This could be somewhere around september- october.
There is a huge significance of feminine energy in Hindu culture. This 10 days festival is a tribute and worship to the feminine energy.
Kolkata gets energized with the spirit of Durga puja. You can see many pandals- decorated in an innovative way, pulling crowds of thousands.
The idols of Durga, crafted from clay, are breathtaking works of art, with intricate details and vibrant colors and studded with traditional ornaments.
What to do?
Pandal hopping– Hop from pandal to pandal, and I assure you that you will find uniqueness in each one. Explore unique themes and decorations.
If possible, witness Durga Arti in some of the pandals held in the evening. Pandals organize various cultural programs including Traditional Bengali Dance, people wearing traditional clothes, music and shows, etc. This is the perfect way to know Bengali Culture at its finest.
What to wear? Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples or pandals.
Chatth Puja in Bihar
Chatth Puja is a family oriented celebration often catches attention of those who are keen explorers of indian festivals. It is also known as also known as Chhath or Surya Shashthi. This four-day festival is celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal.
Chatth is the biggest festival of Bihar and it’s roots can be found in Ramayana also. People follow strict fasting and rituals to express their gratitude to the Sun God Surya for bestowing life on Earth.
If you want to witness chatth puja, go to rivers like Ganga, Sone, or Kosi. They give a great backdrop to the festival rituals.
People decorate their houses, wear traditional dresses and sing traditional songs.
Dress modestly, especially if visiting areas where puja is being performed.
Chhath Puja falls on the sixth day after Diwali, typically in October or November.
Kutch Festival/ Rann Utsav in Gujrat
Kutch festival of Rann Utsav is one of the most vibrant Indian festivals. If you want to explore Rajasthani and Gujarati culture at its finest, Rann Utsav is for you.
It is held from November to February, pleasant months in Kutch. There are a number of things you could do in terms of adventure, nature and culture.
Highlight of this festival is its white desert which remains dry with white mud and white salt during summer and transforms into islands during monsoon. This never ending white sands till horizon will surely leave you awestruck.
If you want to explore the natural beauty of this region, explore Mandvi Beach, Kadiya Dhro, Dholavira, Kala Dungar, etc. These landscapes are unique in their own way and are perfect to fulfill your nature wanderer.
There are a few villages that are known for their craftsmanship like Bhujodi Village, Gandhi Nu Gaam, Nirona Village, Hodko Village, etc. These villages are artistic, raw and showcase their rich culture.
Special Tent city is set up during this festival. Many activities such as authentic spa and massages, bicycle tours, camel safaris, are offered here. You can opt for packages according to your needs.
Location– Bhuj
When? November through February
What to wear? There are no specific restrictions on clothing for this festival. You would want to carry warmer clothes for the nighttime due to the colder atmosphere. For the daytime, wear something loose and comfortable to beat the heat.
What to do?
You can go for various activities like
- camel safari at sunset,
- folk dances,
- tribal dances in the evening,
- village visits,
- explore crafts and arts,
- explore historic places like palaces and museums.
- savor Kutchi cuisine, with dishes like dhokla (savory lentil cake), thepla (flatbread), and kadhi (yogurt curry).
- visit Rann white dunes on Full Moon Day to witness silvery glow
Uttarayan in Ahmedabad
It is the biggest festival of Ahmedabad. Be ready to witness the sky filled with colorful kites.
People gather on terraces, rooftops or open grounds for kite fighting. You will see innovative and decorative kites of all sizes flying in the sky. People try to cut others’ kites with Manja (a glass-coated kite string) and collect as many as possible and is considered a victory.
If you get a chance to be a part of these friendly fights, then there is nothing like it.
International Kite Festival (IKF): Since 1989, Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival as part of Uttarayan. Witness master kite makers and flyers from across the globe showcase their unique creations and participate in exciting competitions.
Location: Ahmedabad
When? 14th January
What to wear? No specific restrictions, but be mindful of local traditions and cover your knees and shoulders.
What to do?
- You can stay in a guesthouse with a rooftop that offers a great view of kite flying.
- Attend IKF
- Savor Gujarati delicacies like Undhiyu
- If you are playing kite fights for the first time, make sure of the safety. Those kite strings can easily cause injuries if not handled properly
Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Festivals
What are the biggest Indian Festivals?
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is considered one of the biggest Indian festivals.
What are the famous five Indian festivals?
Diwali, Holi, Dussehara (Durga Puja), Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri are the famous Indian festivals.
What are the religious Indian festivals?
Maha Shivratri, Diwali, Navratri, Durga Puja, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi
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