A country defined by mixed ethnicities and cultures, India is a colorful land famous for its glittering festivals which add a whimsical charm to its diverse cultural set up. If you wish to grasp the essence of Indian culture, planning your trip around the prominent festivals is the best way to experience the richness of festivities this country has to offer. Indian festival tour packages are a perfect way to immerse you in the vibrant traditions of India. With so many religions and ethnic groups thriving in India, there are infinite numbers of festivals happening all year round, but the most celebrated festivals take place in the month of October and last till the month of March. As we embark on the season of festivities, here is a quick look at the famous Indian festivals celebrated during October- March.
Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a renowned Hindu festival that celebrates the divine female form. The festival holds great significance in Hindu religion as the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura. Durga puja starts on the fifth day of the nine day long Navratri festival with special decorations of the temples and prayers. Of all the important ceremonies conducted during Durga Puja, Sindoor Khela is most joyously celebrated by the women who smear each others foreheads with sindoor, a red coloured powder. Durga puja ends on the tenth day, the day of Vijayadashami with people immersing the idols of goddess Durga in the holy rivers. Kolkata is the best place to see this festival in its full glory.
Dussehra
Dussehra is celebrated all over India in the month of October with great fervour to commemorate killing of Ravana by Lord Rama. Vijayadashami is preceded by a ten day Ram leela, in which scenes from Ramayana are enacted. The festival ends with the burning of effigies of Ravana and his two brothers which attracts many visitors. Processions are carried out during the day. In some parts of India, the day is welcomed by week long fairs in which people participate with great zeal. In India, the most elaborate and grand celebrations of Dussehra take place in Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh which draws millions of tourists every year.
Deepawali
The festival of lights, Deepawali is the most awaited festivals of Hindus. Deepawali is a five day festival that celebrates the return of Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile in the forests. The celebrations begin on Dhanteras, which is celebrated by buying and gifting metal wares to friends and family. The main festival takes place on the third day, the darkest day of the year. Houses are decorated with diyas and rangolis on Diwali. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day is believed to bring prosperity into the house. The evenings are spent exchanging gifts and sweets with relatives and friends. Burning of firecrackers on Diwali night is considered auspicious and fills the atmosphere with pomp and excitement. Traveling to India during the five important days before Diwali is considered the best way to view the grandness of Indian culture.
Rajasthani International Folk Festival
The annual International Folk Festival of Rajasthan held in the month of October is a celebration of folk music and art belonging to different regions in Rajasthan. The five day festival begins on the night of Sharad Poornima which is considered an auspicious time in the lunar calendar. Since, the festival is organized within the premises or Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur, attending the festival also lets you explore the historic monument. This event is organized solely for the purpose of promoting artists and musicians. The festival is a great opportunity for tourists to come close to Rajasthani culture in the way of its folk dances, music and art forms.
Read Also: Things to Do in Sun City Jodhpur – The Gateway of Thar Desert
Gurpurab
The most sacred festival of Sikhs, Gurpurab marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru. A special ceremony called Akhand Path is observed two days before Gurpurab in which the holy scripture of Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is read without break. A large procession is carried out with palanquins holding the scripture, on the morning before Gurpurab. The day starts with recitation of hymns and chants. Readings are done from the scripture in a kirtan after which devotees are served prasad made from wheat flour and ghee. Community lunch is prepared for a large number of people especially the poor irrespective of caste or creed. Gurpurab is also known as Kartik Poornima, according to the lunar calendar which celebrates the victory of Lord Shiva over demon Tripurasura. People of both religions take holy dips in river Ganga on Kartik Poornima.
Pushkar Camel Festival
Pushkar fair in Rajasthan is the most famous festival in Rajasthan that draws millions of tourists from across the globe. The festival is revered as the largest livestock fair in India showcasing camels, horses, elephants and goats. Pushkar fair begins a week before Kartik Poornima in the month of November. Hindu devotees take holy dips in the sacred Pushkar River at sunrise on the morning of Kartik Poornima which is the last day of the fair. The most interesting part of the festival that attracts the visitors are the cultural shows, craft exhibitions and competitions like matka phod race, mustache competition and bridal contests which add a colorful vibe to the festival. Many world renowned photographers come especially to capture the varied hues of Rajasthani culture displayed in Pushkar fair.
Suggested Tour: Pushkar camel fair
Read Also: Explore the Major Attractions of Rajasthan Pushkar Fair Tours
Losar Festival, Ladakh
Losar festival is a cultural treat for those traveling to Ladakh in the month of December. The festival marks the beginning of Tibetan New year and is hailed as the most popular festival of Tibetan Buddhists in Ladakh. The two day festival held in February displays a fine cultural extravaganza in the form of folk music and dance performed by local artists which lends a beguiling appeal to the event. Attending the festival amidst the serenity of mountains with recitation of chants and prayers conducted in the monasteries is an experience of a lifetime.
Read Also: Search Surprises with Cultural Tour of Ladakh
Konark Dance and Music Festival
This five day long dance and music festival organized in the month of February against the backdrop of Konark Sun temple in Odisha is a feast for the lovers of Indian classical dances including kuchipudi, bharatnatyam, Odissi and Kathak. Besides this, Konark Dance and Music festival also lets you explore the crafts and cuisine Odisha in its food and craft fairs which are sure to win the heart of every foodie and art lover. This event also gives you a chance to interact with many famous classical dancers and musicians who come to participate in this festival. To make the best of this event, special Konark Dance festival tour packages are offered by many Indian tour operators to let the tourists enjoy the event without any hassles.
Khajuraho Dance Festival
Khajuraho Dance festival held in the month of February around the famous Khajuraho temples is a celebration of various Indian classical dance forms. The event showcases the rich history of Indian classical dance through stage performances of Kuchipudi, Kathak, Manipuri and Bharatnatyam given by trained dancers on the tunes of tanpura, tabla, flute and mridangam. The festival also pays tribute to the artisans who carved beautiful images of dancers on the walls of Khajuraho temples. The dance festival is one event that will bring out the true charm of Khajuraho temples in your trip to this famous tourist town.
Read Also: Khajuraho Temples – A Catalogue of Desire, Sex & Spirituality
Jaisalmer Desert Festival
For an unspoilt vacation in the sand dunes of Thar Desert, Jaisalmer Desert festival organized in February is an event one cannot afford to miss on your tour to Rajasthan. The deserts of Jaisalmer transform into a vibrant city that emits energy and enthusiasm from every corner during the three day event. Various gymnasts belonging to tribal regions in Rajasthan display their skills in the festival. Fire dance performed by the local dancers is another interesting activity that will keep you entertained and enthralled. The festival is particularly famous for camel polo and other similar competitions which attract a large number of people to witness the event.
Kartik Cultural Festival, Haryana
Kartik Cultural Festival held every year in November in Ballabhgarh in Haryana, is the most fascinating way to spend your time adoring the nearly extinct cultural practices in India. The event starts two days before Kartik Poornima and gives an insight into the ancient performing arts of India which can hardly be seen anywhere else in the country in the current age. The venue of the festival is another reason to enjoy this festival as one gets to witness the spellbinding architecture of Nahar Singh Mahal. The art and craft stalls exhibited in the festival gives a glimpse of many ancient art forms of India.
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland
Nagaland, the richest state in terms of its tribal population, takes pride in its annual Hornbill festival organized on Nagaland’s statehood day in the month of December. Named after a bird Hornbill in Nagaland, the festival brings out the essence of the rich tribal life of the Nagas. The medley of cultural performances accompanied with the tribal food fair is a delightful experience for the travelers. One can also view the preparation of tribal dishes being cooked by the tribesmen in separate huts. Watching the tribal folk perform their daily tasks will be a memory to cherish all your life.
Christmas
The most celebrated occasions in the world, Christmas is celebrated on 25th December in India by the Christian community with great gusto. The day marks the birth of Lord Jesus. Being the only great festival of Christians, preparations begin months before the actual day. Churches are decorated and plays are organized to celebrate the occasion. People decorate their houses with ornate Christmas trees and exchange gifts with their family and friends. Some people dress up like Santa Claus and offer gifts and sweets to children. The eve of Christmas is celebrated by holding candle light service in churches followed by refreshments of coffee and Christmas cake.
Makar Sakranti
Also known as the Kite flying festival, Makar Sakranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in January all over India to mark the entry of Sun in Capricorn. The festival holds different connotations in different places. In the northern part of India, the day is celebrated as Til Sakranti, in which people make and distribute Til laddoos to celebrate the end of winter months. In Punjab, Makar Sakranti is preceded by Lohri festival in which a huge bonfire is lit up to celebrate winter solstice. In some parts, Makar Sakranti is known as khichdi which is celebrated by cooking a special dish made from rice and lentils. Fairs and kite flying events are held during the day which lends a youthful spirit to the festival. The day is celebrated most joyously in Gujarat and Jaipur by organizing International Kite Flying festival which pulls a variety of tourists from all parts of the world.The day is also considered the most auspicious time to take the holy bath in sacred rivers which is believed to rid a person from all the sins committed in past lives.
Bihu Festival
Bihu is a famous festival of Assam, the tea capital of India, which is celebrated in all over the state to seek the blessings of Gods to get a bountiful harvest from the crops. The festival is solemnized in three stages, first in April when the crop seeds are sown, the second in the month of October, when the saplings are transplanted and the last one in the month of January which us the harvesting season of the crops This tri-annual festival is a feast for the travelers amid the lush greenery of Assam. Being the national festival of the state, many competitions like buffalo fights and rooster fights are organized on the occasion. Members of the farmer community dress up in traditional assamese costumes and perform Bihu dance.
Kumbh Festival
The most famous spiritual festival of Hindus, Kumbh Mela is a world renowned event that takes place on the banks of Godavari, Ganga, Shipra and Triveni Sangam once in every twelve years. The festival is regarded as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and is the most peaceful ghuman gatherings in the world. Kumbh Mela is the most awaited religious gatherings of Hindu saints and sages who attend the fair to take holy dips in the sacred rivers which is said to cleanse alo the sins in the past lives. The Maha Kumbh Mela held after every 144 years is hailed as the biggest kumbh festival, but very few people get to witness the Maha kumbh during their lifetime. If you want to attend the Kumbh festival, Ardh Kumbh mela 2019 tour package is the perfect opportunity to witness this grand celebration of Hindu religion.
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Basant Panchami
Basant panchmi is a harvest festival that celebrates the arrival of spring season. The festival is also said to be the celebration of birth of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. Many other folk tales are associated with this festival which is observed in all parts of India in the month of January or February. In Punjab, people wear yellow colored clothes and make a dish of yellow colored rice to celebrate the vibrancy of spring season. Kite flying competitions are observed during the day in many parts of the country. Offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati on this day brings abundance and good fortune in one’s life.
Goa Carnival
Goa hosts the famous Goa carnival in the month of February or March. Being largely dominated by Christian population, the festival is essentially celebrated by the Catholics and begins a few days before the Lent, the fasting period observed by the Christians. The carnival is the most exciting celebration of dance, music and food in which people of all religions and faith take part with the same enthusiasm. The Goa food and cultural festival organized during the carnival is a delight for the foodies. The lively atmosphere this festival brings in Goa attracts hoards of tourists from different regions to the coastal city.
Read Also: Take A Delightful Trip of India During the Goa Carnival
Holi
The most colourful festival of Himdus is Holi festival celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in all parts of India. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil as the day marks the destruction of Holika, who had evil intentions and wanted to kill Prahalad, son of Hirinyakashyap. The day is celebrated by throwing colors on each other which symbolizes the arrival of spring season. The day bears special relevance in strengthening relations, as the day celebrates unity and togetherness forgetting about any personal differences between family members.
Read Also: Holi – Enjoy the Festival of Colors
Easter
Easter is the second most important festival of Christians, after Christmas. The day celebrates resurrection of Lord Jesus a day after his crucifixion. Easter is celebrated throughout India by holding special prayers in churches. Easter trees are placed inside homes and churches. The whole celebration carries a vibe of purity and simplicity, the two elements that embody Christian faith. The members of the Christian community actively participate in decoration of churches. Easter eggs, bunnies and other decorative items add an interesting appeal to the festivities.
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