Indian festivals offer a wide range of peaceful and entertaining events combining joy, culture, and spirituality in different ways, depending on the location.
For example, during Varanasi’s Dev Deepawali, devotees light thousands of diyas on the steps of the Ganges ghats to honour the defeat of demon Tripurasur by Lord Shiva. In the four-day harvest holiday of Pongal, people display their gratitude to the Sun god and Mother Nature by preparing sweets like Sakkarai Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Further to the east, Buddha Purnima is celebrated with prayers and quiet meetings in Bodh Gaya to honour the birth of Buddha.
With warrior dances and tribal music, the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland creates a joyful atmosphere. Kerala’s Onam offers a fun event with boat races called Vallamkali and traditional feasts. Moreover, Ladakh’s Hemis Festival and Gujarat’s Rann Utsav present peace and celebration with traditional shows and celebrations with traditional dance forms and feasts.
So, do include these festivals in your travel plans to truly connect with India’s heritage, festive energy, and the warmth of its people.
- Dev Diwali, Varanasi
One of the most peaceful and lovely celebrations in India is Dev Diwali in Varanasi. It is celebrated on the night of the full moon in Kartika to remember how Lord Shiva defeated the monster Tripurasura. On this day, temples and houses are beautifully illuminated while the ghats of Varanasi glow with thousands of diyas. You can witness colourful rangoli, fireworks, and spectacular processions on the stairs. Plus, you can also enjoy the Dev Diwali Varanasi boat ride, where you can glide down the Ganges and observe the brilliant lamps floating on the water.
- Pongal, Tamil Nadu
Pongal, which is celebrated in the middle of January in Tamil Nadu, is one of the popular South Indian festivals. The goal of this four-day harvest festival is to thank the Sun God, farm animals, and Mother Nature for a good harvest. During this festival, families pray and prepare the Pongal, which is a sweet rice dish. You can see people in traditional attire and their homes decorated with vibrant kolam patterns. Moreover, you can witness several folk performances and bull-taming sports like Jallikattu at this festival.
- Kollam Pooram
In April, the Asramam Sreekrishna Swamy Temple in Kollam hosts Kollam Pooram- one of Kerala’s biggest temple events, which takes place on the last day of the ten-day Vishu Maholsavam. During the celebration, you can see magnificent processions with elephants dressed out in gold and elaborate silks. Witness the famous “Kudamattam” celebration, where people trade colourful umbrellas on top of elephants. You can also enjoy traditional shows, which feature the loud drums of Melam and spectacular fireworks.
- Hemis Festival
One of Ladakh’s most vibrant and spiritual events is the Hemis Festival, which takes place in June or July at the historic Hemis Monastery. This festival honours the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava and lets you reflect upon the Tibetan Buddhist customs. During this event, you can see the captivating Cham dance of monks, where they wear colourful masks and clothes to turn away evil spirits. You can discover vendors offering traditional Ladakhi crafts, taste regional cuisine, and drink the traditional barley wine called Chang.
- Navratri
Navratri is one of the most colourful and lively Hindu holidays in October, which is a celebration of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. For nine nights, towns and cities come to life with the bright lights, lively music, and joyous dance routines. If in Gujarat, you can wear the traditional kediya and chaniya cholis to participate in the lively Garba and Dandiya Raas performances. You can also perform aartis, visit the temples of Goddess Durga, and recite mantras in the evening after having the house decorated with rangoli and torans.
- Mahashivratri
In February or March, Maha Shivratri is celebrated across India as the “Great Night of Shiva,” honouring Lord Shiva with deep devotion and rituals. On this sacred night, devotees visit temples like Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi or Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain to offer prayers and perform Abhishekam by pouring milk and water over the Shiva Lingam. During this time, you can observe fasts, chant “Om Namah Shivaya,” and stay awake all night for Jagran.
- Janmashthami
India celebrates Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, in August or September. On this holy day, believers fast and pray, temples and houses are beautifully decorated, besides devotional music echoes throughout the night. The celebrations are especially big in Mathura and Vrindavan with Rasa Lila performances, temple processions, and midnight rites. You can see the spectacular Dahi Handi celebration in cities like Mumbai and Pune, where teams of devotees make human pyramids to smash pots of curd suspended above. Moreover, you can also participate in soothing bhajans, Abhishekam rituals, and communal feasts, which are held across ISKCON temples.
Conclusion:
Indian festivals offer an interesting mix of devotion, culture, and joyous celebration with the religious ceremonies, bright decorations, and colourful customs. Hence, to fully immerse yourself in the warmth, joy, and culture of India, plan your trip around these celebrations.
