Festivals in India
1. Republic Day
India became a sovereign democratic republic on 26 January 1950. Every year, 26 January is celebrated as Republic Day. The Indian National Congress first celebrated Purna Swaraj on 26 January 1930 .
2. Independence Day
India became independent from more than two centuries of British rule on August 15, 1947. Every year, that day (August 15) is celebrated as Independence Day.
3. Gandhi Jayanti
October 2, the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), who is known as the Father of the Nation, is celebrated as National Day.
4. Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Vaishakha (April or May). It is a sacred festival that honors the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and passing (Mahaparinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.
5. Diwali
Diwali is a celebration that signifies prosperity and wealth.
6. Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
Dussehra is a festival that commemorates the killing of Ravana by Rama. Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami. Children are taught to write on Vijayadashami.
7. Navratri
Navratri celebrations are held in conjunction with Dussehra. Garba dance is performed in Gujarat in conjunction with Navratri celebrations. Legends say that goddess Durga killed Mahishasura on the day of Dussehra.
8. Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of Ashadha. Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima.
9. Holi
Holi is one of the oldest festivals in India. Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Phalguna (January).
10. Janmashtami
Janmashtami is a celebration marking the birthday of Lord Krishna.
11. Nowruz
Nowruz is the Parsi New Year celebration. An important tradition observed during this time is to gather around the 'table' and eat a special meal with loved ones. The table is decorated with objects that symbolize purity, brightness, livelihood, and wealth.
12. Christmas
Christmas is a holy day according to the Christian calendar. Christmas is celebrated extensively in India, as it is all over the world, on December 25 , the birthday of Jesus Christ .
13. Miladi Sherif
This day, the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, is celebrated across India, regardless of caste or religion.
State-wise festivals in India
1. Tamladu (Arunachal Pradesh)
This is the festival of earth and water.
2. Myoko (Arunachal Pradesh)
Myoko is a celebration of Apatani community. It is a religious festival held in the month of March for the welfare of this community.
3. Reh (Arunachal Pradesh)
This is a festival of the Idu tribals. The festival, which is celebrated for six days and is held to seek the blessings of the 'Nanyi Inyitaya', who is believed to be the divine mother.
4. Boori Boot (Arunachal Pradesh)
It is a harvest festival. It is a festival where everyone, regardless of gender, gathers.
5. Bihu (Assam)
Bihu is celebrated in Assam. It is celebrated on the eve of the new year, which falls on April 13. It is also the time of harvest. The Bihu dance associated with the Bihu celebration is famous.
6. Ugadi (Andhra Pradesh ,
Telangana , Karnataka)
Ugadi is the New Year's festival of the people of the Deccan region of South India. Ugadi is celebrated in the states of Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana and Karnataka. A special sweet called Obbattu is prepared on the day.
7. Phool Dei (Uttarakhand)
The first day of the month of Chaitra is celebrated as Phool Dei. Young women go to every house with rice and jaggery in a tambalam and pray for prosperity.
8. Harela (Uttarakhand)
It is celebrated on the first day of the month of Shravan. Ten days before Harela, five or six seeds are planted in a basket with soil. The day before Harela, the sprouted plants are crowned on top of the idols of Shiva and Parvati.
9. Rath Yatra (Odisha)
The Rath Yatra in Puri is very famous. Rath Yatra is held all over Odisha on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha. Large idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken in chariots from the Puri temple to the Gundicha temple. People tie ropes to pull the chariot. After nine days, the idols are brought back.
10. Rajaparba (Odisha)
This festival is dedicated to Mother Earth. Agricultural work is stopped and Mother Earth is given a rest.
11. Boita Bandana (Odisha)
It is a festival dedicated to the worship of boats. People gather on the banks of rivers or seashores, make small boats and float them on rivers or seas.
12. Dussehra (Karnataka)
Dussehra commemorates the victory of Chamundeshwari over the demon Mahishasura. It is a ten-day festival.
13. Tula Sankramana (Karnataka)
This is a festival celebrated by the people of Kodagu district. It is considered the day when the goddess Kaveri appears.
14. Onam (Kerala)
Onam is the national festival of Keralites. Onam is celebrated on the Thiruvonam day of the malayalam month of Chingam. The Onam celebrations last for ten days starting from Atham.
15. Vishu (Kerala)
Vishu is celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. Vishu is an agricultural festival. Vishu is considered to be an older festival than Onam. The official flower of Kerala, Kanikonna, is also known as Karnikaram. Vishumatam is a trade event held on Vishu day in Cheranellore, Ernakulam district. Vishu is celebrated as the first day of the old agricultural calendar of India. Bihu, Vaisakhi and Ugadi are festivals celebrated along with Vishu in other parts of India.
16. Diwali (Gujarat)
This is a four-day festival in the month of Ashwin. It is the time when the harvest ends. The first day is Lakshmi Puja, the second day is dedicated to warding off evil spirits. On the third day, all the houses are decorated with lamps. Kolam is made in the courtyard. The fourth and last day is the Gujarati New Year.
17. Shigmo (Goa)
Celebrated in the spring. It is a five-day festival. One of the main ceremonies is to honor the warriors who return after chasing away invaders. Since it coincides with Holi, people play by throwing colors at each other.
18. Hareli (Chhattisgarh)
A festival held to ensure a good harvest. Pooja is performed with the use of implements. It takes place in the months of July - August.
19. Spituk Gustor Zanskar (Jammu and Kashmir)
This festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated in the month of January. It is a Buddhist festival.
20. Tulip Festival (Jammu and Kashmir)
The tulip flowers bloom at the end of March. This is the occasion for the Tulip Festival.
21. Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
Pongal is a harvest festival in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
22. Puthandu (Tamil Nadu)
Puthandu is the New Year celebration in Tamil Nadu.
23. Aadi Perukku (Tamil Nadu)
Aadi Perukku is a festival in Tamil Nadu that welcomes the monsoon season.
24. Garia (Tripura)
The tribals celebrate Garia Puja on the 7th of April. This is a harvest festival. People gather in front of the Garia Bhagwan with singing and dancing. They worship him by decorating him with bamboo sticks.
25. Hornbill Dance (Nagaland)
It is celebrated in the month of December. The Hornbill Festival is held in Kisama village, 12 km from Kohima.
26. Moatsu (Nagaland)
It is celebrated every year in the month of May. This celebration takes place after the sowing of the fields. Singing and dancing are the main features. It lasts for three days.
27. Tuluni (Nagaland)
Tuluni is a festival celebrated by various sections of the Sumi tribe. It is celebrated on July 8th to welcome the monsoon season with song and dance. The goddess Litsaba is worshipped to protect agriculture.
28. Aoleang Monyu (Nagaland)
The Konyak tribe of the Mon district celebrates it from April 1st to 6th, welcoming the New Year.
29. Basant (Punjab)
Basant is a springtime Punjabi festival primarily associated with flying kites. According to the Punjabi calendar, it is held on the fifth day of Magh Month.
30. Vaisakhi (Punjab)
Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) is a major harvest festival in Punjab. The Vaisakhi festival also marks the Punjabi New Year.
31. Lohri (Punjab)
Lohri is a festival celebrated in North India at the beginning of the winter season.
32. Nababarsha (West Bengal)
This is the Bengali New Year. It is celebrated on April 14 or 15 each year, marking the first day of the first month (Boishakh) in the Bengali calendar.
33. Chhath Puja (Bihar)
This is a festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya. It is celebrated twice a year. It is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March) and Karthika (November).
34. Gang Ngai Festival (Manipur)
This five-day festival takes place in the months of December and January.
35. Yaoshang Festival (Manipur)
It is celebrated during the Holi season. A village dance called thabal chongba is performed on this occasion. It is the day when the full moon is seen in the month of Phalguna.
36. Cheiraoba (Manipur)
It is a Manipuri New Year festival. Various offerings are made to various gods. Villagers climb the nearby hilltops.
37. Bhagoria Haat Festival (Madhya Pradesh)
It is a festival of love. It is held in the month of March before Holi. Young boys and girls can find their soulmates and elope on that day. If they like each other, they apply red paint on the face of the person they like.
38. Khajuraho Festival (Madhya Pradesh)
This is a dance festival. It is held in Khajuraho in the first week of February. Classical dance forms are performed here.
39. Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra)
Gudi Padwa is the New Year's celebration in Maharashtra.
40. Anthurium Festival (Mizoram)
This is a famous festival in Mizoram. Started to promote tourism, this festival is held during the flowering season of the Anthurium. This festival was started in 2006.
41. Marwar Festival (Rajasthan)
It is a two-day festival celebrated in the month of Ashwin. It is celebrated to pay homage to the heroes of Rajasthan.
42. Losoong (Sikkim)
It is a harvest festival celebrated in the tenth month of the Tibetan year. Dancing and singing are mandatory for a good harvest.
43. Pang Lhabsol (Sikkim)
This is a festival to thank Kanchenjunga. It is celebrated in September. They believe that this mountain is the source of their prosperity.
44. Basant Panchami (Haryana)
Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome spring after the winter season.
45. Lohri (Himachal Pradesh)
A celebration held after the winter harvest. It also marks the arrival of the month of Magha. The main attraction is singing and dancing around a fire pit, dressed in new clothes.
46. Halda (Himachal Pradesh)
This is the New Year celebration. People worship the goddess of wealth, Shiskar Apa. The day of the celebration is decided by the lamas. Each household brings a few branches of the cedar tree. They gather around a fire made from these and sing songs.
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