Festivals of India
Festivals of India show the country’s rich culture and traditions. India has many festivals. People of different religions, cultures, and regions live together. Each group celebrates its own special festivals. These festivals show India’s culture, traditions, food, music, and colorful life. Some festivals are religious. Some are about nature and farming. Others celebrate the New Year or important events. Festivals happen all year, but India feels most colorful and joyful from October to January.
Below is a simple guide to India’s main festivals according to season.
Festivals of India – Winter Harvest (January & February)
Winter festivals are mostly about farming, harvest, and prayer.
Pongal / Makar Sankranti (January 14)
Pongal is a harvest festival in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. People thank the Sun God for good crops. Families cook a sweet rice dish called pongal and decorate their homes. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in many parts of India. In Gujarat, people fly colorful kites all day.
Magh Bihu (January 15)
Magh Bihu is the New Year festival of Assam. It also marks the end of the harvest season. People light bonfires, eat traditional food, sing songs, and enjoy time with family and friends.
Maha Shivaratri (February)
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival for Lord Shiva. People pray, fast, and visit temples. Many stay awake all night. It is very popular in holy cities like Varanasi.
Festivals of India – Spring & New Year (March & April)
Spring festivals bring color, joy, and new beginnings.
Holi (March)
Holi is called the Festival of Colors. People throw colored powder, dance, sing, and eat sweets. It celebrates love, friendship, and good winning over evil. Holi is very famous in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Eid ul-Fitr (March)
Eid ul-Fitr comes after the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims pray together, wear new clothes, share special food, and give charity. It is a happy festival for families.
Easter (April)
Easter is a Christian festival. It celebrates the return of Jesus Christ to life. People go to church and share meals with family. It is celebrated in places like Goa, Kerala, and Northeast India.
Baisakhi (April 14)
Baisakhi is the Sikh New Year and harvest festival. It is celebrated at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. People sing, dance bhangra, and eat together.
Festivals of India – Summer & Monsoon (June to August)
These festivals show local culture and family bonds.
Hemis Festival (June)
The Hemis Festival is celebrated in Ladakh. It is a Buddhist festival. Monks wear colorful masks and dance in monasteries. It is a special cultural event in the mountains.
Onam (August)
Onam is the biggest festival in Kerala. It celebrates harvest and King Mahabali. People enjoy boat races, flower decorations, dances, and big traditional meals.
Raksha Bandhan (August)
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists. Brothers promise to protect their sisters.
Festivals of India – Gods & Goddesses (September & October)
This season is full of prayer, music, and big celebrations.
Janmashtami (September)
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. People pray, sing songs, and visit temples. In Mumbai, people form human towers to break hanging pots.
Ganesh Chaturthi (September)
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival for Lord Ganesh. It is very popular in Maharashtra. People place idols at home and in public places. At the end, the idols are taken in processions and put into water.
Navratri & Durga Puja (October)
Navratri is celebrated across India. People dance and pray to the Goddess. In Gujarat, people dance Garba and Dandiya. In Kolkata, Durga Puja has large decorations and shows.
Dussehra (October)
Dussehra celebrates good winning over evil. In Mysuru, there are big parades and decorations.
Festivals of India – Lights & Year-End (November & December)
Diwali (November)
Diwali is the biggest festival in India. It is called the Festival of Lights. People decorate homes with lamps and candles. Families share sweets and gifts, and fireworks light the sky.
Christmas (December 25)
Christmas is celebrated all over India. It is especially popular in Goa, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Churches are decorated, and people enjoy music, food, and markets.
Indian festivals are a great way to see the country’s culture, traditions, and warm hospitality in every season.