Upcoming Big Festivals in India

India is known for its diverse culture and traditions, and it’s never short of festivals that celebrate the country’s rich heritage. From religious festivals to cultural events, there’s always something happening in India. If you’re planning to visit India soon, there are several upcoming big festivals that you shouldn’t miss. In this article, we’ll be discussing the top festivals in India that you should look out for.

🎉 Diwali – Festival of Lights

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular festivals in India. It’s a five-day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. People light up their houses with diyas (lamps), wear new clothes, and exchange sweets and gifts. The festival usually falls in October or November, and the main day of the festival is celebrated on the darkest night of the Hindu lunar month.

🕉️ Holi – Festival of Colors

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is another popular festival in India. It’s a two-day festival that marks the beginning of spring. People play with colors, dance, and eat sweets and other traditional delicacies. The festival usually falls in March, and it’s celebrated all over the country.

🐘 Elephant Festival in Jaipur

The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is a unique festival that’s celebrated every year during Holi. It’s a procession of beautifully decorated elephants that parade through the streets of Jaipur. The festival is a sight to behold, with elephants adorned with colorful fabrics, jewelry, and paint. The festival also includes competitions like elephant polo and elephant races.

🐪 Pushkar Camel Fair

The Pushkar Camel Fair is a popular festival that’s celebrated in Rajasthan every year. The festival is a colorful display of Rajasthan’s rich culture and heritage. It’s a five-day festival that’s held during the full moon in November. The festival includes camel races, folk music, and dance performances.

🦢 Hemis Festival

The Hemis Festival is a two-day festival that’s celebrated in the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh. The festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The festival includes masked dances, music, and other cultural programs.

🌼 Maha Kumbh Mela

The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It’s a Hindu festival that’s celebrated once every 12 years. The festival is held in four different cities in India, and it’s a time when millions of devotees gather to take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges. The festival is believed to cleanse the soul and wash away sins.

🎭 Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a popular festival that’s celebrated in West Bengal, Odisha, and other parts of India. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It’s a ten-day festival that includes elaborate pandals (temporary structures) that are decorated with lights, flowers, and other decorative items. The festival also includes cultural events, food stalls, and other attractions.

🌺 Onam

Onam is a popular festival that’s celebrated in Kerala. The festival marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, who’s believed to have ruled Kerala in ancient times. The festival is a ten-day celebration that includes traditional dances, boat races, and other cultural events. People wear new clothes, prepare elaborate feasts, and exchange gifts with each other.

🎂 Christmas

Christmas is a popular festival that’s celebrated in India, especially in the state of Goa. The festival is a time of joy and celebration, with people decorating their houses with lights and Christmas trees. Churches hold midnight masses, and people exchange gifts and sweets with each other. The festival is a reflection of India’s rich cultural diversity.

🙏 Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a popular festival that’s celebrated in Maharashtra and other parts of India. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who’s believed to be the remover of obstacles. The festival is a ten-day celebration that includes the installation of idols of Lord Ganesha in homes and temples. People offer prayers, sing and dance, and prepare traditional sweets and delicacies.

🎉 Dussehra

Dussehra is a popular festival that’s celebrated all over India. The festival marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. The festival is a ten-day celebration that includes the installation of idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita in homes and temples. The festival culminates in the burning of effigies of Ravana, signifying the victory of good over evil.

🕌 Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is a popular festival that’s celebrated by Muslims all over India. The festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The festival is a time of joy and celebration, with people visiting each other’s homes, exchanging sweets and other gifts, and wearing new clothes.

🎭 Navratri

Navratri is a popular festival that’s celebrated all over India. The festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The festival is a nine-day celebration that includes the worship of nine different forms of Goddess Durga. People wear traditional clothes, dance, and prepare traditional delicacies during the festival.

🎉 New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration all over the world, and India is no exception. The country celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian calendar with fireworks, parties, and other events. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are known for their spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the top festivals in India?

India is known for its diverse culture and traditions, and it’s never short of festivals that celebrate the country’s rich heritage. Some of the top festivals in India include Diwali, Holi, Pushkar Camel Fair, Hemis Festival, Maha Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, Onam, Christmas, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Eid-ul-Fitr, Navratri, and New Year’s Eve.

When is Diwali celebrated in India?

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is usually celebrated in October or November. The exact date of the festival varies every year, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.

What is the Elephant Festival in Jaipur?

The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is a unique festival that’s celebrated every year during Holi. It’s a procession of beautifully decorated elephants that parade through the streets of Jaipur. The festival also includes competitions like elephant polo and elephant races.

What is the Pushkar Camel Fair?

The Pushkar Camel Fair is a popular festival that’s celebrated in Rajasthan every year. The festival is a colorful display of Rajasthan’s rich culture and heritage. It’s a five-day festival that’s held during the full moon in November. The festival includes camel races, folk music, and dance performances.

What is the Maha Kumbh Mela?

The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. It’s a Hindu festival that’s celebrated once every 12 years. The festival is held in four different cities in India, and it’s a time when millions of devotees gather to take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges. The festival is believed to cleanse the soul and wash away sins.

What is Durga Puja?

Durga Puja is a popular festival that’s celebrated in West Bengal, Odisha, and other parts of India. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. It’s a ten-day festival that includes elaborate pandals (temporary structures) that are decorated with lights, flowers, and other decorative items. The festival also includes cultural events, food stalls, and other attractions.

What is Onam?

Onam is a popular festival that’s celebrated in Kerala. The festival marks the homecoming of King Mahabali, who’s believed to have ruled Kerala in ancient times. The festival is a ten-day celebration that includes traditional dances, boat races, and other cultural events. People wear new clothes, prepare elaborate feasts, and exchange gifts with each other.

What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a popular festival that’s celebrated in Maharashtra and other parts of India. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who’s believed to be the remover of obstacles. The festival is a ten-day celebration that includes the installation of idols of Lord Ganesha in homes and temples. People offer prayers, sing and dance, and prepare traditional