Indian Festivals

Most Famous Festivals of India you must Experience in 2021 :

India being a culturally rich country celebrates various festivals throughout the year reflecting its diversity. Indians celebrate these colorful festivals wholeheartedly in their unique way. Traveling during these festivals is an amazing way to celebrate and explore the opulence of Indian culture and heritage.

Republic Day : 26th January

Best place to witness the celebration: Rajpath, New Delhi

The Indian Constitution was implemented on January 26, 1950, which marked the beginning of India as a republic country. Since then every year every Indian celebrates 26th January as the national festival with pride.

Basant Panchami : 10th Frbruary

Best place to witness the celebration: Punjab and Kolkata

The Hindu spring festival of Basant Panchmi marks the beginning of spring. It is celebrated in the month of January or February dedicated to the Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati. This festival is celebrated in the states of Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam on a grand level, known as Saraswati Puja.

Kumbh Mela : 15 January – 4 March

Best place to witness the celebration: Prayagraj

Kumbh is one of the most euphoric religious festivals in India. It is held at one of the four holy destinations, Haridwar, Nashik, Prayagraj and Ujjain, every 12 years by rotation. It is a setting for Hindu devotees taking a dip in the river to become holy. Visiting Prayagraj on the Kumbh Mela is an experience of a lifetime.

Maha Shivratri : 14th March

Best place to witness the celebration: Varanasi

Maha Shivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva, it has huge relevance in the Hindu Mythology. The festival is celebrated on the occasion of overcoming darkness and ignorance. The festival is celebrated by keeping fast and worshipping Lord Shiva. It is believed that devotees who worship Lord Shiva on this day attain redemption from their sins. It is an important festival for unmarried and married women to attain marital bliss. 

Holi : 21st March

Best place to witness the celebration: Vrindavan and Mathura

Holi, the festival of colors is the friendliest festival in the country. the festival signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. The festival starts a night before the main event with Holika Dahan, where all negatives are burnt in a bonfire. On the day of Holi, people color each other with colors while dancing and enjoying the festival. Special sweets and meals are prepared on a festive day.

Rath Yatra Orissa : 14th July

Best place to witness the celebration: Puri

The Rath Yatra is the grand festival celebrated in Puri in the state of Orissa annually. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Goddess Subhadra and his elder brother Lord Balabhadra. The deities of the main Jagannath temple of Puri, are removed with the celestial wheel and taken to their respective chariots. The chariots are then taken to the grand avenue of the Gundicha Temple. The elaborate chariots are the major attraction for this festival. Devotees take part in this Yatra in large numbers. 

Rakshabandhan: 15th August

Best place to witness the celebration: Rajasthan

 The festival of Rakshabandhan is celebrated to honor the bond between a brother and his sister. Sisters perform arti, applies tilak and tie Rakhi (a sacred thread) on their brothers' wrist to protect them against any evil influences. The brothers in return promise the necessary protection for a lifetime.

Independence Day : 15th August

Best place to witness the celebration: Attari Border, Punjab

Independence Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the independence of India from the British Empire on 15 Aug 1947. It honors the brave hearts who fought for the Independence of the country by sacrificing their lives. Various cultural events along with Flag Hosting ceremonies and parades showcasing Indian struggle for freedom are organized throughout the country. The Prime Minister of India officially hosts flag at the Red Fort followed by the tradition of 21 gunshots.

Janmashtami: 24th August

Best place to witness the celebration: Mathura and Vrindavan

 The festival of Janmashtmi celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Different states celebrate the festival in different ways. The festival celebrations at Mathura and Vrindavan are extremely popular and elaborate as it is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

Ganesh Chaturthi: September 2nd–13th

Best place to witness the celebration: Mumbai

Ganesh Chaturthi is a grand festival celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh. It’s the birth of Lord Ganesha. Several Mandaps and Pandals are set up with elaborate idols of Lord Ganesha. Various activities like singing, dancing, and theatre camps are organized.

Durga Puja : 17th October

Best place to witness the celebration: Kolkata

Durga Puja is celebrated with grandeur by Bengalis throughout the country, especially West Bengal. The festival is a celebration of good over evil as it celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. Huge idols of Goddess Durga are made and placed in decorative pandals. 

Navratri : 29th September- 7th October

Best place to witness the celebration: Kolkata and Ahmedabad

Navratri is observed in honor of Maa Durga. It is a 9-day long festival. In the northern regions of India, the final day of Navratri is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra Garba, the cultural dance is performed in large groups.

Dussehra : 8th October

Best place to witness the celebration: Mysore

 Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashmi, celebrates the victory of Good or Evil in the form of victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Ravana idols being burnt signifying the restoration of faith in good. The colorful markets are decorated, and the big event of the burning of effigies of Ravana.

Diwali : 27th October

Best place to witness the celebration: Ayodhya and Varanasi

The festival of Diwali is celebrated as it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years. This day is celebrated by lighting diyas, drawing rangolis, decorating houses, and burning crackers. The Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are offered prayers.

Indian festivals are popular all across the globe. India is a highly spiritual country and the festivals are the true essence of Indian culture. To experience the culture and traditions the festival holidays are the perfect time to explore and get an insight into the same. PML holidays and it's expert team help you to plan your holiday by being a one-stop-shop for ticketing, hotel booking, and other travel-related requirements. With our list of festivals of 2019, you have varied choices to plan your destination and decide the festival you want to experience.