India's festival calendar is a mesmerizing tapestry, woven from ancient traditions, religious fervor, and cultural celebrations. Every region bursts into life, each festival offering a unique spectacle that captivates the senses.
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In January, Pongal and Makar Sankranti welcome the harvest in Tamil Nadu and across the country with flying kites and rich traditions. Come March, the vibrant colors of Holi paint the streets of North India, from Delhi to Varanasi, while April brings the devout to Odisha for the grand Rath Yatra. Diwali in November lights up every corner of the nation, from Jaipur’s palaces to Mumbai’s streets.
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Why visit during these times? The festivals don’t just represent religious or cultural events; they immerse travelers in the heart of India's soul. Be it Durga Puja’s grandeur in Kolkata, Pushkar Camel Fair’s colorful chaos in Rajasthan, or the tranquil Onam boat races in Kerala, these events showcase India’s diversity. For travellers, it’s an opportunity to experience centuries-old traditions firsthand, enjoy local hospitality, and discover the country at its most vibrant.
Whether you're seeking spirituality, adventure, or pure spectacle, India's festivals deliver all this and more.
Festivals by Dates
(January to December 2025)
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January 14-17: Pongal – A joyous Tamil harvest festival celebrated with rice cooking and cultural events. Know more
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​January 14: Makar Sankranti – Known for kite flying, marking the sun’s entry into Capricorn, celebrated across India. Know more
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January 23-24: Vasant Panchami – A festival dedicated to Goddess Sarashwati, marking the start of spring. Know more
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January 26: Republic Day Parade – A grand display of India’s military and cultural heritage in Delhi. Know more
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February 5: Thaipusam – A vibrant Tamil festival where devotees carry 'kavadi' in penance at the Murugan temples Know more
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1 - 4 march: Goa Carnival – A lively street festival with parades, floats, and music in Goa. Know more
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Feb 26: Mahashivratri – A night dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, with fasting and night vigils. Know more
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March 14 : Holi – The festival of colors, celebrated across India by throwing powders and dancing. Know more
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March 18-25: Chapchar Kut – A spring festival in Mizoram with traditional bamboo dances and songs. Know more
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April 13-15: Baisakhi – Punjab’s harvest festival, also marking the Sikh New Year. Know more
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April 14: Puthandu – Tamil New Year, celebrated with rituals and feasting in Tamil Nadu. Know more
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April 5-6: Rama Navami – Celebrating the birth of Lord Rama with rituals and public processions. Know more
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May 14-16: Moatsu Mong – A traditional harvest festival of the Ao tribe in Nagaland with feasts and dances. Know more
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June 27: Rath Yatra – The famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha. Know more
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May 11: Saga Dawa – A Buddhist festival in Sikkim celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Know more
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July 3-10: Dree Festival – A harvest festival of the Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, marked by prayers and feasts. Know more
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July 17-26: Hemis Festival – A spectacular religious celebration in Ladakh’s largest monastery, with masked dances. Know more
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August 19: Nag Panchami – Devotees worship snakes and serpents across India, especially in Maharashtra. Know more
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August 22: Onam – Kerala’s harvest festival, featuring traditional boat races, floral designs, and feasts. Know more
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August 29: Raksha Bandhan – A festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters across India. Know more
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September 2: Teej – Celebrated by women in Rajasthan and parts of North India, marking the arrival of monsoon. Know more
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September 19-28: Navaratri – Nine nights of dance and prayers, especially celebrated with garba and dandiya in Gujarat. Know more
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October 2-11: Durga Puja – A grand celebration in Kolkata and beyond, honoring Goddess Durga with processions and cultural performances.
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October 24: Dussehra – Celebrating Lord Rama's victory over Ravana with effigy burning and fireworks across India. Know more
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November 1-7: Wangala Festival – A harvest festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya, celebrated with drums and dancing. Know more
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November 12: Diwali – The festival of lights, where homes are illuminated with lamps and fireworks fill the sky. Know more
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November 19-25: Pushkar Camel Fair – A unique livestock fair in Rajasthan, filled with camel races and cultural shows. Know more
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December 1: Hornbill Festival – Celebrated in Nagaland, showcasing the state’s rich tribal heritage with dances and crafts. Know more
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December 6-8: Losar Festival – The Tibetan New Year celebrated with fervor in Ladakh and Sikkim. Know more
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December 25: Christmas – Celebrated across India with midnight masses and festive markets, especially in Goa and Kerala. Know more
Festivals by Location
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East India
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Durga Puja (October 2-11) – Kolkata’s grandest festival, dedicated to Goddess Durga with massive pandals and processions. Know more
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Rath Yatra (June 20) – The famous chariot procession of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha. Know more
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Wangala Festival (November 1-7) – Meghalaya’s post-harvest festival celebrated by the Garo tribe with drums and dances. Know more
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Hornbill Festival (December 1) – Nagaland’s most celebrated tribal event, showcasing culture, crafts, and performances. Know more
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Chapchar Kut (March 18-25) – A spring festival celebrated in Mizoram with bamboo dances and folk music. Know more ​
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North India & Himalayas
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Republic Day Parade (January 25-26) – A grand military and cultural showcase in Delhi. Know more
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Hemis Festival (July 17-26) – Ladakh’s largest monastic celebration featuring mask dances and religious rituals.
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Losar Festival (December 6-8) – The Tibetan New Year celebrated in Ladakh and Sikkim with rituals and folk dances.
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Saga Dawa (June 28) – Sikkim’s major Buddhist festival marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
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West India
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Goa Carnival (February 26-March 2) – A four-day extravaganza of floats, parades, and music in Goa. Know more
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Nag Panchami (August 19) – A snake worship festival, widely observed in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Know more
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Raksha Bandhan (August 29) – A festival of sibling bonds, celebrated with rituals and rakhi tying, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Know more
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Pushkar Camel Fair (November 19-25) – Rajasthan’s iconic livestock fair with camel races and cultural performances.
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South India
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Pongal (January 14-17) – Tamil Nadu’s most important harvest festival, celebrated with feasting and rituals. Know more
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Onam (August 22) – Kerala’s harvest festival, known for boat races, floral designs, and grand feasts. Know more
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Thaipusam (February 5) – A Tamil penance festival observed at Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu. Know more
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Puthandu (April 14) – Tamil New Year, celebrated with rituals and feasts across Tamil Nadu. Know more
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Andamans & Sri Lanka
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Christmas (December 25) – Widely celebrated across the Andamans with midnight masses, festive markets, and beach celebrations. Know more
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Vesak (May 23) – Celebrated in Sri Lanka and the Andamans, marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death with lanterns and prayers. Know more
