Discover the World Best Festival In India

Experience a Burst of Colors, Music, and Culture

India is a land of diversity, and nothing epitomizes its rich culture and heritage more than its festivals. From riotous colors to soulful music to mouth-watering delicacies, India’s festivals are a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells. Each festival has its own unique flavor, but some stand out in terms of grandeur, popularity, and cultural significance. In this article, we bring you the world best festival in India that should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

Holi: The Festival of Colors

🎨 Holi is not just a festival, but a celebration of life and love. It is a riot of colors, laughter, and joy that brings people of all ages and communities together. Holi is celebrated in late February or early March, and marks the arrival of spring. People smear each other with colored powder (gulal) and water, dance to the beats of dhol, and relish sweets like gujiya and thandai. Holi is a time to forget grudges, forgive, and start afresh.

FAQ: What is the origin of Holi?

Holi has its roots in Hindu mythology. It is believed to have originated from the story of Holika, a demoness who tried to kill Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu. However, she was burnt to ashes, and Prahlad was saved by Lord Vishnu. Holi is also associated with the love story of Radha and Krishna.

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

💡 Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the most popular festival in India. It is celebrated in late October or early November, and marks the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is a five-day festival, and each day has its own significance. People light diyas (earthen lamps) and candles, decorate their homes with rangolis (colorful patterns), burst firecrackers, and exchange sweets and gifts. Diwali is a time to strengthen relationships, seek blessings from deities, and start new ventures.

FAQ: What is the significance of Diwali?

Diwali has several mythological and historical connotations. It is believed to have originated from the story of Lord Rama, who returned to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana and the people of Ayodhya lit diyas to welcome him. Diwali is also associated with the birth of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. In some parts of India, Diwali is celebrated as the harvest festival.

Durga Puja: The Festival of Goddess Durga

🕉️ Durga Puja is the biggest festival in West Bengal, and celebrates the victory of goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It is held in late September or early October, and lasts for five days. The festival involves elaborate rituals, including the installation of clay idols of goddess Durga and her family, recitation of hymns, and feasting. Durga Puja is a time for family reunions, pandal-hopping (visiting temporary structures that house the idols), and shopping for new clothes and jewelry.

FAQ: Why is Durga Puja important?

Durga Puja is the most important festival in Bengal, and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. It is a time to seek the blessings of goddess Durga, who is believed to protect her devotees from harm and evil. The festival also celebrates the victory of good over evil, and the triumph of feminine power over masculine aggression.

Onam: The Festival of Harvest

🌾 Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, and marks the homecoming of the mythical king Mahabali. It falls in the month of August or September, and lasts for ten days. The festival is marked by the decoration of homes with pookalams (floral carpets), traditional games like vadam vali (tug of war), and feasting on sadhya (a vegetarian meal served on banana leaves). Onam is a time to celebrate the bounties of nature, and to cherish the spirit of unity and harmony.

FAQ: What is the story behind Onam?

Onam is celebrated to honor the memory of King Mahabali, who was a benevolent ruler and loved by his subjects. According to legend, he was banished from Earth by Lord Vishnu, but was allowed to visit his kingdom once a year during Onam. The festival also celebrates the arrival of the mythical Vamana, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, who defeated Mahabali.

Navratri: The Festival of Nine Nights

🎶 Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrated in different parts of India, and honors the divine feminine energy or shakti. It is observed twice a year, in March-April (Chaitra Navratri) and October-November (Sharad Navratri). The festival is marked by fasting, singing devotional songs (bhajans), and performing garba and dandiya (traditional folk dances). Navratri is a time to seek the blessings of goddess Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, and to purify oneself through austerities.

FAQ: What is the significance of Navratri?

Navratri is a time to pay homage to the power and grace of the divine feminine. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, and the importance of inner transformation. The nine nights of Navratri are dedicated to the nine forms of goddess Durga, and each form represents a different aspect of shakti. Navratri is also associated with the harvest season, and represents the bounty and abundance of nature.

Eid al-Fitr: The Festival of Breaking the Fast

🕌 Eid al-Fitr is the biggest festival of Muslims in India, and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It falls in the month of June or July, and lasts for three days. The festival is marked by the offering of prayers in mosques, the exchange of gifts and sweets, and feasting on delicacies like sheer khurma and biryani. Eid al-Fitr is a time to celebrate the spirit of brotherhood, generosity, and forgiveness.

FAQ: What is the significance of Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr is a time to celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, and to thank Allah for his blessings. It is a time to seek forgiveness for one’s sins, and to offer charity to the poor and needy. The festival also symbolizes the unity of the Muslim community, and the importance of social harmony and peace.

Ganesh Chaturthi: The Festival of Lord Ganesha

🐘 Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. It is celebrated in late August or early September, and is most popular in the western state of Maharashtra. The festival involves the installation of clay idols of Lord Ganesha, recitation of hymns and prayers, and immersion of the idols in water bodies. Ganesh Chaturthi is a time to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha, and to celebrate his virtues like wisdom, courage, and compassion.

FAQ: What is the story behind Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the patron of arts and sciences. According to legend, Ganesha was created by goddess Parvati, who wanted a son to guard her while she took a bath. When Lord Shiva, Parvati’s husband, returned home, he saw Ganesha blocking his way and beheaded him. But later, he restored Ganesha’s life by attaching an elephant head to his body.

Guru Nanak Jayanti: The Birthday of Guru Nanak

🙏 Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is the most important festival of Sikhs in India, and celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It falls in the month of November, and is marked by the recitation of hymns, the offering of prayers in gurdwaras (Sikh temples), and the distribution of langar (free food) to all. Guru Nanak Jayanti is a time to honor the teachings of Guru Nanak, which emphasize the oneness of God, the importance of service, and the equality of all human beings.

FAQ: Who was Guru Nanak?

Guru Nanak was a spiritual leader and social reformer who lived in the 15th century. He was born in Punjab, and spent most of his life traveling and spreading his message of peace, love, and compassion. He emphasized the importance of faith, hard work, and moral values, and rejected