Discover India through her Festivals
Experience Indian festivals with us as we carefully design your tour to make it more interesting where you dive deep in to the India’s cultural richness through her festivals.
India is a place of festivals where people of all faiths live in harmony with one another. India’s vast cultural heritage is reflected in the diversity of its festivals. Numerous Indian festivals and celebrations are among the most thrilling, and they are described below. While the celebrations happen all year round, the best time to attend is between October and March.
Every year, usually in February, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is held in the sandy dunes of Rajasthan. This is a unique example of rich and colourful folk culture. When you arrive, folk singers, puppets, acrobats, fire dancers, and many more performers will greet you in traditional, vibrant, and upbeat costumes.
Among all these common glitters, there’s a specific space for desert vessels and horses. In addition to a camel run, you may witness a camel polo and a camel decoration. You can also take part in competitions like the Matka Phod Run and Tug of War.
- When to Visit - February
- Three-star hotels, Luxury Hotels & Resorts
- When to Visit - February
- Three-star hotels, Luxury Hotels & Resorts
Every year, usually in February, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is held in the sandy dunes of Rajasthan. This is a unique example of rich and colourful folk culture. When you arrive, folk singers, puppets, acrobats, fire dancers, and many more performers will greet you in traditional, vibrant, and upbeat costumes.
Among all these common glitters, there’s a specific space for desert vessels and horses. In addition to a camel run, you may witness a camel polo and a camel decoration. You can also take part in competitions like the Matka Phod Run and Tug of War.
Every year, usually in February, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is held in the sandy dunes of Rajasthan. This is a unique example of rich and colourful folk culture. When you arrive, folk singers, puppets, acrobats, fire dancers, and many more performers will greet you in traditional, vibrant, and upbeat costumes.
Among all these common glitters, there’s a specific space for desert vessels and horses. In addition to a camel run, you may witness a camel polo and a camel decoration. You can also take part in competitions like the Matka Phod Run and Tug of War.
- When to Visit - March
- Three-star hotels, Luxury Hotels & Resorts
- When to Visit - March
- Three-star hotels, Luxury Hotels & Resorts
Every year, usually in February, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is held in the sandy dunes of Rajasthan. This is a unique example of rich and colourful folk culture. When you arrive, folk singers, puppets, acrobats, fire dancers, and many more performers will greet you in traditional, vibrant, and upbeat costumes.
Among all these common glitters, there’s a specific space for desert vessels and horses. In addition to a camel run, you may witness a camel polo and a camel decoration. You can also take part in competitions like the Matka Phod Run and Tug of War.
Assam, Bihu is a set of three Assamese festivals that fall in line with the seasons of the growing season. The Bihu Festival consists of Bohag Bihu, Kongali Bihu, and Magh Bihu.
The seven-day Assamese New Year celebration takes place in Bohag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu starting on April 14 and lasting until April 16. It’s the time of year when farmers start ploughing. Certain Bihus include Chat, Goru, Manuh, Kutum, Senehi, Mela, and Chera, among the seven days of the Bohag Bihu.
Kongali Bihu is being held in mid-October. Usually, the paddy fields are rising at this time. Assamese people pray for the crop’s health as well as protection from weather-related disasters and plagues. In January, at the close of the harvest season, Magh Bihu is celebrated. The season for eating and relaxing is almost upon us.
- When to Visit - April & October
- All hotel types from Budget to Luxury
- When to Visit - April & October
- All hotel types from Budget to Luxury
Assam, Bihu is a set of three Assamese festivals that fall in line with the seasons of the growing season. The Bihu Festival consists of Bohag Bihu, Kongali Bihu, and Magh Bihu.
The seven-day Assamese New Year celebration takes place in Bohag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu starting on April 14 and lasting until April 16. It’s the time of year when farmers start ploughing. Certain Bihus include Chat, Goru, Manuh, Kutum, Senehi, Mela, and Chera, among the seven days of the Bohag Bihu.
Kongali Bihu is being held in mid-October. Usually, the paddy fields are rising at this time. Assamese people pray for the crop’s health as well as protection from weather-related disasters and plagues. In January, at the close of the harvest season, Magh Bihu is celebrated. The season for eating and relaxing is almost upon us.
The State Government of Nagaland will organize the Hornbill Festival every year during the first week of December. The week-long celebration offers the Naga tribes and international voyageurs a chance to interact. Vibrant games, folk dance, singing, sports, and rituals make up the festival’s structure.
Travelers will have vivid memories of the paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures that make up traditional Nagaland art. You will appreciate the Hornbill festival every day if you’re a food enthusiast in addition to being a hard-core non-vegetarian gourmet.
- When to Visit - December
- Budget hotels to four-star
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland
Hornbill Festival, Nagaland
- When to Visit - December
- Budget hotels to four-star
The State Government of Nagaland will organize the Hornbill Festival every year during the first week of December. The week-long celebration offers the Naga tribes and international voyageurs a chance to interact. Vibrant games, folk dance, singing, sports, and rituals make up the festival’s structure.
Travelers will have vivid memories of the paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures that make up traditional Nagaland art. You will appreciate the Hornbill festival every day if you’re a food enthusiast in addition to being a hard-core non-vegetarian gourmet.
Onam, Kerala
- When to Visit - December
- Budget hotels to four-star
Early in the Chingam season, people celebrate Onam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar. In Kerala, Onam lasts for four days. The second day of Onam is the most important. Around ten days before this day, Atham is the scene of festivities, with flower arrangements being prepared in front of the house on the field.
One of the highlights of the Onam Festival is Puli Kali, a rare and vibrant type of folk art, dance, song, and theater. Other attractions for tourists include the Aranmula Snake Boat Race, eating, electronics, and many forms of classical and southern Indian dance.
- When to Visit - January
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts
- When to Visit - January
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts
- When to Visit - January
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts
- When to Visit - January
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts
Kolkata, also known as The City of Joy, is well-known throughout the world for its enthralling festivals, friendly locals, and intriguing cultures. Every year, a large number of visitors from around the globe converge on this welcoming city to take part in the year-round celebration of several festivals. Durga Puja, which is held in the fall, is the main celebration in Kolkata.
During West Bengal’s Durga Puja event, Bengalis from all over the world get together with friends and family, regardless of the consequences. The vibrant spirit, artwork, and hues of Bengalis are primarily observed in their traditional attire, as well as in their movable, ornate pandals and Durga idols.
- When to Visit - October & April
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
- When to Visit - October & April
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
Kolkata, also known as The City of Joy, is well-known throughout the world for its enthralling festivals, friendly locals, and intriguing cultures. Every year, a large number of visitors from around the globe converge on this welcoming city to take part in the year-round celebration of several festivals. Durga Puja, which is held in the fall, is the main celebration in Kolkata.
During West Bengal’s Durga Puja event, Bengalis from all over the world get together with friends and family, regardless of the consequences. The vibrant spirit, artwork, and hues of Bengalis are primarily observed in their traditional attire, as well as in their movable, ornate pandals and Durga idols.
This has its origins in the Portuguese Protestant history of Goa at the start of the 16th century. It is the regional carnival version that occurs before Mardi Gras throughout the world. The four-day festival concludes on Saturday before Ash Wednesday.
It is the first day of the forty-day fasting/meat-free period that Christians observe before Easter. The Goa Carnival events combine several street displays with celebrations of other cultures, faiths, and beliefs. A vibrantly decorated parade akin to the holiday parades in South America culminates the event.
- When to Visit - End week of December
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
- When to Visit - End week of December
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
This has its origins in the Portuguese Protestant history of Goa at the start of the 16th century. It is the regional carnival version that occurs before Mardi Gras throughout the world. The four-day festival concludes on Saturday before Ash Wednesday.
It is the first day of the forty-day fasting/meat-free period that Christians observe before Easter. The Goa Carnival events combine several street displays with celebrations of other cultures, faiths, and beliefs. A vibrantly decorated parade akin to the holiday parades in South America culminates the event.
The Losar Festival in Ladakh is the most prominent event in Tibet to commemorate the beginning of the New Year for the Local Tibet People. Quite commonly many locals can be seen praying, hurling fire torches, dancing, and singing on the streets.
The monasteries can be seen as they are freshly painted buildings, new clothing, moreover, new cuisine are all decked over the three days of festivities.
- When to Visit - February
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
- When to Visit - February
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
The Losar Festival in Ladakh is the most prominent event in Tibet to commemorate the beginning of the New Year for the Local Tibet People. Quite commonly many locals can be seen praying, hurling fire torches, dancing, and singing on the streets.
The monasteries can be seen as they are freshly painted buildings, new clothing, moreover, new cuisine are all decked over the three days of festivities.
During the Puri Rath Yatra, pilgrims from all around the world gather for the Chariot Festival, which honours the Hindu pilgrims.
The Puri Rath Yatra is a holy trip that takes place on a lavishly decked chariot drawn by the Hindu gods of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra, from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple, near Balagandi Chaka in Puri.
In the Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannath and the other Hindu gods reside for nine days before leaving again. The Puri Rath Yatra can be reached via this celebration, Bahuda Jatra.
- When to Visit - July
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
Puri Rath Yatra, Odisha
Puri Rath Yatra, Odisha
- When to Visit - July
- Budget Hotels to Luxury Resorts & Hotels
During the Puri Rath Yatra, pilgrims from all around the world gather for the Chariot Festival, which honours the Hindu pilgrims.
The Puri Rath Yatra is a holy trip that takes place on a lavishly decked chariot drawn by the Hindu gods of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra, from Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Temple via Mausi Maa Temple, near Balagandi Chaka in Puri.
In the Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannath and the other Hindu gods reside for nine days before leaving again. The Puri Rath Yatra can be reached via this celebration, Bahuda Jatra.
- When to Visit - January
- Budget accommodations to four-star Hotels
Hindus celebrate the Thaipusam Festival, which honours the moment when Parvati sent Murugan a “Spear” of the Vel to defeat the evil demon Soorapadman. Although it is a rare and peculiar religious occasion, those who appreciate Indian culture and are from the south of India frequently attend it.
During this holy occasion, devotees carry out several ritualistic practices, such as a 48-day fast, headaches with milk procession, and the well-known Kavadicavadeeattam. The most distinctive feature of this religious ceremony is the lance body piercing.
One of the five holiest places for Hindu devotees, Pushkar is a well-known destination across the globe for the yearly Pushkar Camel festival. The spectacular week-long event showcased several facets of Rajasthan’s Royal State. With its stunning historical architecture and artwork, the Pushkar Fair is a visual feast for tourists from all over the world.
Facilitating the trade of livestock—such as camels, horses, goats, sheep, etc.—is the main goal of the Pushkar Fair. Visitors can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime camel safari, authentic local music, and cultural events at the Pushkar Fair.
- When to Visit - November
- Budget accommodations to five-star Hotels
- When to Visit - November
- Budget accommodations to five-star Hotels
One of the five holiest places for Hindu devotees, Pushkar is a well-known destination across the globe for the yearly Pushkar Camel festival. The spectacular week-long event showcased several facets of Rajasthan’s Royal State. With its stunning historical architecture and artwork, the Pushkar Fair is a visual feast for tourists from all over the world.
Facilitating the trade of livestock—such as camels, horses, goats, sheep, etc.—is the main goal of the Pushkar Fair. Visitors can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime camel safari, authentic local music, and cultural events at the Pushkar Fair.
Kutch’s pristine sand beaches host the Rann Utsav and Kutch-Mahotsav, a four-year winter celebration. The government offers travellers the opportunity to experience the native way of life in the desert, including food, entertainment, and culture, during the pre-shift camps for Rann Utsav.
- When to Visit - November to February
- Budget to five-star Hotels, Camping on the site
- When to Visit - November to February
- Budget to five-star Hotels, Camping on the site
Kutch’s pristine sand beaches host the Rann Utsav and Kutch-Mahotsav, a four-year winter celebration. The government offers travellers the opportunity to experience the native way of life in the desert, including food, entertainment, and culture, during the pre-shift camps for Rann Utsav.
Additionally, the Kutch region is renowned for its handicrafts. The most acceptable products made by local women and girls that resemble brothers include Rabari, Ahir, Sindhi, Banni, Mutwa, Ari, and Soof. Though there are other popular tourist attractions including camping, desert safaris, and kite flying.
- When to Visit - November to February
- Budget to five-star Hotels, Camping on the site
- When to Visit - November to February
- Budget to five-star Hotels, Camping on the site
Additionally, the Kutch region is renowned for its handicrafts. The most acceptable products made by local women and girls that resemble brothers include Rabari, Ahir, Sindhi, Banni, Mutwa, Ari, and Soof. Though there are other popular tourist attractions including camping, desert safaris, and kite flying.
Talk to our travel Experts and add these majestic festivals in to your itinerary which suits your travel dates and experience unique Indian festivals which comes with their own traditional beauty and heritage.