Festivals in India are world-famous. India is the only country where different religions co-exist and stay harmoniously. Innumerable festivals are celebrated in India every year that entice travelers from all around the world. You could find that the country keeps celebrating some or the other festival, from January till December that too with great harmony. That’s the reason India is considered as the most diversified nation that stays happy with different religions by being a part of their festivals.
1. Makar Sankranti
It is considered as the New Year across North Indian, which is celebrated after a famous Indian festival Lohri. This marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the harvest season. You will find this festival is celebrated all across the country, but with a different name.
2. Pongal
It is a popular harvest festival celebrated for four days across Tamilians. On this occasion, people harvest crops and praise the almighty. The most beautiful part of Pongal is the food from which kheer, medu vada, coconut rice, and curd rice are famous ones.
3. Rann UtsavThis is a cultural festival celebrated in the States of Gujarat, which are the most anticipated cultural fests in India. The festival begins every year in November and continues until February. In the milieu of the white salt desert of Kutch, Rann Utsav showcases the culture and traditions of the country.
4. Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is a famous Lord Shiva festival that is celebrated on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalgun. As per cultural beliefs, worshipping Lord Shiva on this day cleanses one from all the sins.
5. Baisakhi
The Sikh community celebrates this festival as Baisakhi marks the beginning of the harvest season for the rabi crops. It is the only festival that has a historical and religious background in Sikhism and Hinduism. People celebrate this festival by decorating their houses and Gurudwaras and performing folk dances.
6. Holi
Holi holds the top position on the list of important festivals in India that only spread happiness and love. It marks the arrival of the spring season. More so, it signifies the victory over evil. This festival is celebrated a day before in the evening by lighting bonfire and playing with colors the next day.
7. Janmashtami
This festival is celebrated all over the country as the birth of Lord Krishna. During this occasion, a variety of delicacies are offered to Lord to please him. It is majorly celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan with great excitement and fun because, in Mathura, he was born and grown up in Vrindavan.
8. Onam
Festivals are the best way to explore the Indian culture and traditions. And if you’re on festivals tours India, then you must visit Kerala during the Onam festival. It is the most important festival in the region and is observed to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit his people during this time.
9. Navratri
Navratri is marked as the most popular and religious festival in India. The actual meaning of “nine nights” and hence, the festival is considered as a period of nine days. During this occasion, Goddess Shakti is praised, and people play dandiya and Garba.
10. Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the highly revered Hindu festivals observed in India, primarily celebrated in the States of Maharashtra. It is considered as the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva, by bringing the idols at home and praising it for 11 days.
11. Durga Puja
This festival represents the culture and tradition of the Bengal community, which is the liveliest festival of India. It is celebrated for four days, ending on Dusshera, which is also called as Bijaya Dashmi.
12. Diwali
Diwali is the only festival that doesn’t require any introduction as it is already world-famous. This festival is celebrated because Lord Rama came back to his home in Ayodhya after spending 14 years in a forest with his wife and brother. It is a famous Hindu festival, and people decorate their houses with lights and lamps.
13. Gurupurab
It is the most important festival among the Sikh community as their first Guru; Guru Nanakji was born on this day. This festival begins two days before in advance with the reading of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikh community. The next day a grand procession is organized, which is known as Nagar Kirtan, where you will witness several performances and martial arts.
14. Dussehra
Dussehra is celebrated after the conclusion of the Navratri festival, which is also called as Vijayadashmi. This festival signified victory over evil, moving back to Ramayana time. According to Hindus, this is the day when Lord Rama defeated Ravan that kidnapped his wife, Goddess Sita, from the forest.
15. Eid-ul-Fitr
It is the essential Muslim festival celebrated by Muslims across the country by fasting for a month. This day mark as the end of the month Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Besides offering prayers in mosques and homes, people visit their family and friends on this day and have a feast altogether.