Top 20 Festivals Of India

India, a land of rich culture and diversity, celebrates a plethora of festivals throughout the year. These festivals depict the vibrant and colorful lifestyle of India, and each festival has its own significance and charm. From North to South, East to West, India is a country that celebrates every festival with great enthusiasm and zeal. Here are the top 20 festivals of India that you should not miss:

1. Diwali 🪔

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the most popular festival in India. It is celebrated in October or November, and it signifies the victory of good over evil. People decorate their homes with lights, candles, and diyas, and burst firecrackers to celebrate this festival.

2. Holi 🎨

Holi is a spring festival that is celebrated in March. It is known as the Festival of Colors, and people celebrate it by throwing colored powder and water on each other. It signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

3. Navratri 🙏

Navratri is a nine-day festival that is celebrated in September or October. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. People perform Garba and Dandiya, and the festival culminates with Dussehra.

4. Dussehra 🗡️

Dussehra is a festival that is celebrated in October. It signifies the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. People burn effigies of Ravana to celebrate this festival, and it marks the end of Navratri.

5. Ganesh Chaturthi 🐘

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival that is celebrated in August or September. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and prosperity. People install clay idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes and immerse them in water on the last day of the festival.

6. Eid-ul-Fitr 🕌

Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. People offer prayers in mosques and exchange sweets and gifts with each other.

7. Christmas 🎄

Christmas is a festival that is celebrated on 25th December every year. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ, and people decorate their homes with Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments. They exchange gifts and sweets with each other.

8. Raksha Bandhan 🤝

Raksha Bandhan is a festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated in August, and sisters tie a sacred thread called Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists. Brothers, in turn, promise to protect their sisters.

9. Onam 🌺

Onam is a festival that is celebrated in Kerala in September. It signifies the homecoming of King Mahabali and the arrival of the harvest season. People decorate their homes with flowers, prepare traditional dishes, and perform the Onam dance.

10. Janmashtami 🙏

Janmashtami is a festival that is celebrated in August or September. It marks the birth of Lord Krishna, and people perform religious rituals and visit temples. They prepare traditional dishes like laddoos and kheer as an offering to Lord Krishna.

11. Durga Puja 🗡️

Durga Puja is a festival that is celebrated in West Bengal and other parts of India. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. People prepare traditional dishes and visit pandals to see the beautiful idols of Goddess Durga.

12. Lohri 🔥

Lohri is a winter festival that is celebrated in January. It marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. People light bonfires, dance around them, and offer traditional dishes like gur and til to the fire.

13. Eid-ul-Adha 🐏

Eid-ul-Adha is a festival that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It signifies the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim’s son, and people offer prayers and sacrifice animals like goats and cows.

14. Baisakhi 🌾

Baisakhi is a festival that is celebrated in Punjab in April. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and the birth of Khalsa Panth. People perform Bhangra and Gidda, and they visit Gurudwaras to seek blessings.

15. Pongal 🌾

Pongal is a festival that is celebrated in Tamil Nadu in January. It marks the beginning of the harvest season, and people prepare traditional dishes like pongal and vadai. They perform the Pongal dance and decorate their homes with kolams.

16. Ugadi 🌼

Ugadi is a festival that is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in April. It marks the beginning of the New Year, and people prepare traditional dishes like pulihora and bobbatlu. They decorate their homes with mango leaves and perform the Ugadi Pachadi ritual.

17. Mahashivratri 🙏

Mahashivratri is a festival that is celebrated in February or March. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and people perform religious rituals and fast on this day. They offer milk and honey to Lord Shiva and visit Shiva temples.

18. Guru Nanak Jayanti 🙏

Guru Nanak Jayanti is a festival that is celebrated by Sikhs in November. It marks the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. People visit Gurudwaras, offer prayers and perform Langar Seva.

19. Vishu 🌼

Vishu is a festival that is celebrated in Kerala in April. It marks the beginning of the New Year, and people prepare traditional dishes like Vishu kanji and Vishu katta. They also perform the Vishu Kani ritual, which involves seeing auspicious things early in the morning.

20. Eid-e-Milad 🕌

Eid-e-Milad is a festival that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad, and people offer prayers and exchange sweets and gifts with each other.

What are the top 20 festivals of India?

India celebrates a plethora of festivals throughout the year, but the top 20 festivals that you should not miss are Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, Raksha Bandhan, Onam, Janmashtami, Durga Puja, Lohri, Eid-ul-Adha, Baisakhi, Pongal, Ugadi, Mahashivratri, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Vishu, and Eid-e-Milad.

FAQs

1. What is Diwali?

Diwali is the Festival of Lights, and it signifies the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated in October or November, and people decorate their homes with lights, candles, and diyas. They burst firecrackers to celebrate this festival.

2. When is Holi celebrated?

Holi is a spring festival that is celebrated in March. It is known as the Festival of Colors, and people celebrate it by throwing colored powder and water on each other. It signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

3. What is Navratri?

Navratri is a nine-day festival that is celebrated in September or October. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms. People perform Garba and Dandiya, and the festival culminates with Dussehra.

4. What is Dussehra?

Dussehra is a festival that is celebrated in October. It signifies the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. People burn effigies of Ravana to celebrate this festival, and it marks the end of Navratri.

5. What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival that is celebrated in August or September. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and prosperity. People install clay idols of Lord Ganesha in their homes and immerse them in water on the last day of the festival.

6. When is Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated?

Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. People offer prayers in mosques and exchange sweets and gifts with each other.