Festivals are a way for Indians to express their beliefs, culture, and tradition. Every festival has its own distinct personality. Seasonal and state-based festivals are observed throughout India.
The primary goal of these events is to promote joy and strengthen bonds between friends and family.
Source: Amar Ujala
Many local festivals take place on different dates each year. Only a few are based on the lunar calendar.In India, festivals are held to honor a god at a specific temple, to commemorate the agricultural cycle, or to commemorate a religious story or event.
This article provides thorough information on all of India's various festivals.
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List of Indian Festivals
The list of the Indian festivals mentioned below are stated in the following order:- State-specific
- Season-specific
State- Specific Festivals of India
The state-specific Indian festivals are listed below:| State | List of Indian Festivals |
| Andhra Pradesh | Dasara, Ugadi, Deccan Festival, Brahmotsavam |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Reh, Boori Boot, Myoko, Dree, Pongtu, Losar, Murung, Solang, Mopin, Monpa festival |
| Assam | Ambubachi, Bhogali Bihu, Baishagu, Dehing Patkai |
| Bihar | Chhath Puja, Bihula |
| Chhattisgarh | Maghi Purnima, Bastar Dussehra |
| Goa | Sunburn festival, Ladain, Mando |
| Gujarat | Navratri, Janmashtami, Kutch Utsav, Uttarayana |
| Himachal Pradesh | Rakhadumni, Gochi Festival |
| Haryana | Baisakhi |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Har Navami, Chhari, Bahu Mela, Dosmoche, |
| Jharkhand | Karam Utsav, Holi, Rohini, Tusu |
| Karnataka | Mysore Dasara, Ugadi |
| Kerala | Onam, Vishu |
| Madhya Pradesh | Lok-rang Utsav, Tejaji, Khujaraho festival |
| Meghalaya | Nongkrem festival, Khasis festival, Wangla, Sajibu Cheiraoba |
| Maharashtra | Ganesh Utsav, Gudi Padva |
| Manipur | Yaoshang, Porag, Chavang Kut |
| Mizoram | Chapcharkut Festival |
| Nagaland | Hornbill festival, Moatsu Festival |
| Odisha | Rath Yatra, Raja Parba, Nukahai |
| Punjab | Lohri, Baisakhi |
| Rajasthan | Gangaur, Teej, Bundi |
| Sikkim | Losar, Saga Dawa |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal, Thaipusam, Natyanjali Festival |
| Telangana | Bonalu, Bathukamma |
| Tripura | Kharchi Puja |
| West Bengal | Durga Puja |
| Uttaranchal | Ganga Dussehra |
| Uttar Pradesh | Ram Navmi, Ganga Mahotsav, Navaratri, Khichdi |
List of (Season-specific) Harvest Festivals in India
North India
| Festival | Month |
| Makar Sankranti | January |
| Baisakhi | April |
| Ladakh harvest festival | September |
| Lohri | January |
| Basant Panchami | January |
South India
| Festival | Month |
| Onam | August |
| Pongal | January |
| Ugadi | March |
| Vishu | April |
East & West India
| Festival | Month |
| Bhogali Bihu | January |
| Wangala | November |
| Ka Pomblang Nongkrem | November |
| Nuakhai | August |
| Gudi Padwa | March |
| Nabanna | November-December |
Interesting Facts about Festivals in India
- Diwali, one of India's most important Hindu festivals, is marked by a lot of pomp and circumstance. Houses are decorated with clay lamps, candles, and Ashok leaves during this festival of lights. People dress up, perform family pujas, shatter crackers, and share sweets with their friends, relatives, and neighbors. It is India's most popular event.
- Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a well-known Indian event that is widely observed across the country. People build massive Holika bonfires and sing and dance around them on the eve of Holi. People congregate in open places on Holi Day, a popular Indian celebration, to apply dry and wet paints of various hues to one another, with some carrying water pistols and colored water-filled balloons. It is at the top of the list of India's ten most famous festivals since it is joyfully observed all over the world.
- One of India's most important festivals is Navratri. This holiday is observed in various ways by people all over India. It is a nine-day festival in Gujarat that includes revitalizing Garba nights and very exciting Dandiya Raas dances. People are dressed in lovely, colorful traditional clothing, and the atmosphere is vibrant and youthful. Fasting is a well-known Hindu religious ritual that is linked to scientific truth. When the seasons change, people should fast to give their digestive systems a break and boost their immunity for the coming season.
- Durga Puja, one of India's most important Hindu holidays, is celebrated with majesty by Bengalis around the country and is listed among the country's most important religious festivals. The Goddess Durga's ten-day fast, feast, and adoration are accompanied by cultural songs, dances, and dramas. Huge and gorgeous Durga idols are carved and set in Pandals designed just for the occasion (canopies). People dress up in traditional garb and visit the pandal, praying and feasting.
- Ganesh Chaturthi, another of India's major Hindu religious festivals, is a ten-day extravaganza of colorful celebrations. Huge handcrafted Ganesh idols are displayed in public pandals and in houses. Pujas are held twice a day, in the morning and evening. The final day is Visarjan, which involves immersing an idol in a body of water. Singing, dancing, and theatre performances are held, as well as free medical and blood donation camps.
- Special assemblies on the lives and teachings of the gurus, as well as langars (community meals), are held in the gurudwaras during one of India's most important Sikh festivals. All are given Karah Prasad, and hymn singing processions are held across the city. To commemorate Gurpurab, people decorate their homes with lamps, candles, and crackers.
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