Top 16 Celebrated Religious & Cultural Festivals and Fairs in India

Consider attempting something different while on vacation in India. Don't restrict yourself to a standard agenda that consists solely of shopping and sightseeing. Attend one or more of India's festivals to get a true taste of the country. India is a diversified country with several festivals that exquisitely display the rich culture and customs of the nation. In India, celebrations are always in order, whether you visit in the spring, summer, autumn, winter, or monsoon. We've put up a list of 16 well-known religious and cultural festivals that you have to attend in order to make your navigation easier. Now let's get started!

• Makar Sankranti Festival

• Pongal Festival

• Rann Utsav Festival

• Kumbh Mela

• Maha Shivaratri Festival

• Holi Festival

• Baisakhi Festival

• Eid-ul-Fitr Festival

• Shri Krishna Janmashtami

• Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

• Onam Festival

• Dussehra Festival

• Navratri Festival

• Durga Puja Festival

• Diwali Festival

• Gurpurab Festival

Makar Sankranti Festival

Makar Sankranti, which is observed the day following Lohri celebration, is frequently regarded as the North Indian New Year. It signals the conclusion of winter and the start of the harvest season. Every region of the nation observes this event, giving it a distinct name and set of customs. Unlike other Hindu holidays, Makar Sankranti has a fixed date that corresponds with the sun cycle. This auspicious day is celebrated by kite flying, cooking "Bajre ki Khichdi," a savory dish, and creating "Til ke Ladoo," a sweet treat.

When: January

The Best Locations: Rajasthan's Jaipur, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Ahmedabad, Gujarat - For Uttarayan Festival; Guwahati, Assam – For Bhogali/Magh Bihu for the Uttarayani Fair, visit Bageshwar, Uttarakhand.

Pongal Festival

Pongal, a cultural festival celebrated in January, spans four days and serves as a showcase of Tamilian culture and traditions. During this auspicious time, people engage in crop harvesting and offer prayers to the deities. One of the festival's highlights is the delectable Pongal food, featuring dishes like Kheer, Chitrana, Medu Vada, Coconut Rice, and Curd Rice.

Pongal is an integral cultural festival in India, offering a unique experience to all who participate. It is celebrated annually in mid-January, with primary festivities centered in Tamil Nadu, although Tamilians across India also observe the occasion.

Best Places to Experience Pongal Celebrations:

• Madurai – Known for Jallikattu festivities

• Thanjavur

• Pollachi

• Salem

• Coimbatore
  

Rann Utsav Festival

Rann Utsav, one of the most eagerly anticipated cultural festivals in India, is a spectacular celebration of Gujarat's music and dance and a highlight of Gujarat tourism. This festival, which takes place every year in November through February, is set against the spectacular background of Kutch's white salt desert. The festival, which features folk dances, music, food vendors, adventure sports, cultural performances, and exquisite handicrafts, honors Gujarat's rich cultural legacy. The goal of the 2006 celebration of Rann Utsav was to make the area more visible on the world travel map. Make your trip during this Kutch festival if you want to fully immerse yourself in Gujarat's cultural tapestry.

When: From November until February

Where: The Rann of Kutch, Gujarat's Dhordo Village

Kumbh Mela

Maha Shivaratri Festival

Maha Shivaratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalgun (February – March). According to beliefs, worshiping Lord Shiva on this day purges one of all sins. Moreover, observing a fast on Maha Shivaratri is believed to bestow marital bliss upon both unmarried and married women.

When: February – March

Where: Throughout India, with a particular emphasis in the northern region.

Best Places to Go:

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – For the Shiva Wedding Procession Mandi, Himachal Pradesh – Known for the largest Mahashivratri celebration in India.

Holi Festival

Holi, undeniably one of India's most significant festivals, goes beyond mere celebration; it serves as a conduit for spreading love and joy. This vibrant event heralds the arrival of spring and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Festivities commence on the eve with grand bonfires, where people gather to sing and dance, symbolizing the defeat of the demoness Holika. The true spirit of Holi emerges on the festival day, as people joyously splash each other with colors and water. An integral part of the celebration is the array of delicious Indian snacks prepared specially for the occasion.

Holi is typically celebrated in March throughout India, with a particular emphasis on the northern regions.

Best Places to Experience Holi Celebrations:

• Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

• Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh – Holi celebrated by widows using flowers

• Barsana, Uttar Pradesh – Holi festivities featuring sticks and shields

• Shantiniketan, West Bengal – Basant Utsav celebrations

• Manipur – Yaoshang Festival celebrations

Baisakhi Festival

Baisakhi, celebrated by the Sikh community, heralds the start of the rabies harvest season. Baisakhi, a historical and religious festival in both Sikhism and Hinduism, marks the day in 1699 when the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Order. Festivities include decorating houses and Gurudwaras and practicing traditional folk dances like Giddha and Bhangra.

When: April

Where: Punjab

Best places to go:

Amritsar, Pinjore, Chandigarh, Jalandhar.

Eid-ul-Fitr Festival

Every year in May or June, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, a major Islamic holiday. It marks the end of the holy month of fasting, Ramadan. In addition to praying in mosques, the celebration includes feasting with friends and family and talking with them. A customary dessert made especially for this auspicious occasion is called "Sevaiyan." It's interesting to note that the entire month of Ramadan is marked by unique gastronomic experiences, with iftar—the evening meal when fasts are broken—buzzing with mouthwatering delicacies in places like New Delhi, Lucknow, and Hyderabad. The whole Ramadan period is as colorful and joyous as Eid-ul-Fitr since the marketplaces are active during this time and open late into the night.

When: May

Where: All throughout India

Shri Krishna Janmashtami

August's Janmashtami is a holy Hindu holiday commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna. On this day, followers of Lord Krishna believe that the divine presence of God was bestowed upon the universe. A feast is cooked and presented to the god as a sign of respect. Both Lord Krishna's birthplace, Mathura, and his early years' residence, Vrindavan, hold special significance during this festival, making them popular locations for Janmashtami celebrations. Adherents follow a fast, which they break after sunset in the evening. Temple visits, prayers, dances, and the singing of bhajans—devotional songs—are all part of the celebrations. In addition, a great deal of temples host life stories narrated by Lord Krishna.

When: August.

Where: All around India

The best locations are in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand's Vrindavan, Gokul, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Dwarka, Gujarat, Puri in Odisha, Udupi, Karnataka, Guruvayur, Kerala Jhunjhunu.

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Ganesh Chaturthi, a revered Hindu festival in India, lasts for ten days and is celebrated with profound devotion. It commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva. Festivities commence with the installation of Lord Ganesha's idols in homes and elaborately constructed public pandals. Over the following eight days, the idol is worshipped with great fervor and joy, with devotees offering sweets and fruits to the deity. On the concluding tenth day, the idol is ceremoniously immersed in water, signifying the end of the festivities. Various processions accompany the deity to nearby water bodies, where the final immersion ritual takes place.

Ganesh Chaturthi typically falls in August to September and is celebrated across India, with a particular focus in Maharashtra.

Best Places to Experience Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations:

• Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Pune, Maharashtra

• Hyderabad, Telangana

• Goa
  

Onam Festival

Festivals provide a vivid glimpse into the various customs of the states of India. The Onam festival is a perfect opportunity for anybody who is interested in exploring Kerala's diverse cultural heritage. Kerala celebrates Onam, a significant holiday that is marked by the belief that King Mahabali's spirit will return to visit his subjects.

Worship, elaborate floral arrangements, lavish feasts, and traditional dances are all part of the celebrations. The captivating Kathakali dance and the snake boat race on the Aranmula River are two of the main draws of this well-known South Indian celebration. The Pulikali parade, in which artists are dressed and painted to mimic tigers and hunters, is another amazing event.

When: From August till September

Where: Kerala

The Best Locations: Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kochi, Thrissur

Navratri Festival

Navratri is one of the most important religious festivals in India. The name "Navratri" means "nine nights", reflecting the nine-day duration of the festival. During this period, devotees honor Goddess Shakti, an incarnation of Goddess Sati, and often observe fasts to seek her blessings.

According to tradition, all nine days are dedicated to a special avatar of Goddess Shakti. While Navratri is observed across India, Gujarat adds a unique and festive feel to the celebrations. The highlight of Navratri in Gujarat is the lively performance of Garba dance and Dandiya Raas, where participants dress up in traditional costumes, making it both a visual and participatory delight.

When: September-October

Where: India

Best Places to Go: 

Ahmedabad, Gujarat Vadodara, Gujarat, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Delhi.

Dussehra Festival

Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, is celebrated a day after the climax of the Navratri festival. Its origin dates back to the time of Ramayana. According to Hindu mythology, Dussehra marks the day when Lord Rama defeated Ravana. Thus, the festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. This prestigious religious event features a re-enactment of scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana, culminating in the burning of effigies of Ravana, his son Meghanath and his brother Kumbhakarna.

When: September-October

Where: India

Best Places:

Mysore, Karnataka, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Bharara, Haryana - Known for the tallest Ravana image.

Durga Puja Festival

Embodying the rich culture and traditions of the Bengali community, Durga Puja, commonly called "Durga Puja" by Bengalis, is one of the most vibrant festivals in India. Lasting for four days, it culminates with Dussehra, also known as Bijaya Dashmi.The central feature of Durga Puja is elaborately decorated Puja Pandals with idols of Goddess Durga. During Pujo celebrations, people enjoy many culinary delights and as the days progress, the celebrations intensify with dance and music performances in these pandals. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, who symbolizes the power and bravery of Shakti, the universal feminine force. Mirroring the customs of Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja also sees the immersion of the idol of the deity in water.

When: September-October

Where: West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha

Best places to go :

Kolkata, West Bengal, Guwahati, Assam, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Delhi, Patna.

Diwali Festival

Diwali really needs no introduction. It has the honor of being the most famous religious festival in India. Often referred to as the "Festival of Lights", Diwali embodies the spirit of spreading peace and happiness. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya, a city in Uttar Pradesh, after 14 years of exile. Legend has it that to celebrate Lord Rama's return, the people of Ayodhya lit up the entire city with thousands of clay lamps. Today people continue this tradition by decorating their homes with lamps, candles and lights. Exchanging gifts with friends and family continues to be an integral part of the celebration. For children, Diwali is special because they enjoy inventive and varied sweets. Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha are prayed during Diwali.

When: October - November

Where: All over India

Best places to go:

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Dev Deepawali, Amritsar, Punjab - Bandi Chhor Divas, Kolkata, West Bengal - Kali Puja, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Udaipur, Rajasthan, Goa - Narak for Chaturdash procession.

Gurpurab Festival

Gurpurab has enormous significance for the Sikh community as it marks the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. The celebration begins a few days before the continuous 48-hour reading of the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, called Akhandi. Later, there is a grand Nagarkirtan procession where various exhibitions including martial arts are performed. During Gurpurab, homes are lit up with lamps and candles, while the streets are decorated with Sikh flags and flowers. Gurdwaras host many gatherings with special langars (community meals). Fire crosses cheerfully in the sky and some people even set up free food stalls along the roads.

When: October to November

Where: Mainly celebrated by the Sikh community across India, especially in Punjab.

Best places to go: 

Amritsar, Punjab, Kartarpur, Punjab, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi.

Each festival reflects the rich culture and traditions of different regions of India. We hope you have enjoyed this collection of notable religious events in India and are ready to embark on your next journey. If you want more exciting lectures, follow us.