Most Celebrated Religious & Cultural Festivals And Fairs -TravelIndia with Southwest

 How about doing something unconventional on a vacation in India?. Let’s not just restrict yourself to a mundane itinerary that only includes sightseeing and shopping experience. Rather, explore the real India by being a part of its one or more festivals. Being a diverse country, India is the land of innumerable festivals. And each one of them beautifully portrays the rich culture and tradition of the country. Whether you visit the country in spring, summer, winter, autumn, or monsoon, India never runs out of reasons to celebrate. Hence, just for you, we have compiled a list of some famous religious and cultural festivals of India that you can’t afford to miss. So, let’s get start with TravelIndia with Southwest.

Makar Sankranti

Considered as the New Year of the North Indians, Makar Sankranti is celebrat the day after another Indian festival of Lohri .And marks the end of winter and beginning of the harvest season with TravelIndia. The festival is observ in almost all parts of the country with different names and rituals. Unlike other Hindu festivals, the date of Makar Sankranti is fixed and is set according to the solar cycle. On this auspicious occasion, people can be seen flying kites and making a savoury dish (Bajre ki Khichdi) and sweets (Til ke Ladoo).

When: 14th January

Best Places to Go:

• Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Haridwar, Uttarakhand
• Guwahati, Assam- For Bhogali/Magh Bihu
• Ahmedabad, Gujarat- For Uttarayan Festival
• Bageshwar, Uttarakhand- For Uttarayani Fair

Pongal – TravelIndia With Southwest

Another harvest festival celebrated in the month of January is Pongal. This four-day-long festival displays the rich culture and traditions of the Tamilians. On this pious day, people harvest the crops and worship the gods. The main attraction of this cultural festival in India is Pongal food. Kheer, Chitrana, Medu Vada, Coconut Rice, and Curd Rice are some popular dishes made during this festival.  If you planning to spend the time you should try TravelIndia with Southwest

When: The festival is celebrat in mid-January every year

Where: Pongal is celebrat by Tamilians all over India, primarily in Tamil Nadu

Best Places to Go:

• Madurai- For Jallikattu
• Thanjavur
• Pollachi
• Salem
• Coimbatore

Kumbh Mela – TravelIndia with Southwest

The largest congregation on Earth, Kumbh Mela is of four types – Purna Kumbh (held after every 144 years), Maha Kumbh (celebrate after every 12 years), Ardh Kumbh (held after every 6 years), and Kumbh Mela (observed after every 3 years). As per the astrological calculation, the fair is held when Jupiter is in Aries, which falls between mid-January to February/March. During this religious festival in India, devotees along with Sadhus (Hindu holy men) bathe in the rivers where according to Hindu mythology Amrit (elixir/nectar) fell. Since the fair witnesses lakhs of people, both locals and foreigners.

When: Mid-January to March

Where: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain

Highlight: Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) and Naga Sadhus

Upcoming Mahakumbh Mela 2021: Haridwar

Rann Utsav

A cultural carnival of music and dance of Gujarat- Rann Utsav is one of the most anticipated cultural fests in India. The festival begins every year in the month of November and continues till February. In the backdrop of the white salt desert of Kutch, Rann Utsav showcases the state’s rich culture and heritage with TravelIndia. From folk dances, music, and food stalls to adventure sports, cultural shows, and beautiful handicrafts, the festival hosts various activities. Rann Utsav was first celebrated in the year 2006 with an aim to create a new identity mark on the global map of tourism.

When: November to February

Where: Dhordo Village, The Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is the festival of Lord Shiva and is celebrate on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Phalgun (February – March). As per the beliefs, worshipping Lord Shiva on this day cleanses one from all the sins. Not just this, keeping a fast on the day of Maha Shivaratri believes to bring marital bliss for unmarried and married women.

When: February – March

Where: All Over India, especially in the northern region

Best Places to Go:

• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh- For Shiva Wedding Procession
• Mandi, Himachal Pradesh- For Biggest Mahashivratri Celebration in India
• Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh
• Sibasagar, Assam

Holi

Undoubtedly, one of the top position holders on this list of important festivals in India, Holi is not just a festival but a way to spread love and happiness. So It marks the arrival of the spring season. Also, it signifies the victory of good over evil. The celebration begins on the eve of the festival. As a part of the celebration, huge bonfires are lit and people celebrate it by singing and dancing around it.  If you planning to spend the time you should try TravelIndia with Southwest. But ritual of bonfire signifies the burning of demon – Holika. And the real fun begins on the day of the festival when people throw colours and water on each other.And One of the key highlights of the festivity is the delicious Indian snacks prepare on this day.

When: March

Where: All Over India, especially in the northern region

Best Places to Go:

• Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
• Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh- For Holi Played by Widows with Flowers
• Barsana, Uttar Pradesh- For Holi Played with Sticks and Shield
• Shantiniketan, West Bengal- For Basant Utsav
• Manipur: For Yaoshang Festival

Baisakhi

Celebrate by Sikh community, Baishakhi marks the commencement of the harvest season for the rabi crops. So Baisakhi is both a historical and religious festival in Sikhism and Hinduism TravelIndia. This must-see festival in India commemorates the day when the tenth Sikh Guru – Guru Gobind Singh, formed the Khalsa order back in the year 1699. And People celebrate the festival by decorating their houses and Gurudwaras and performing folk dances like Giddha and Bhangra.

When: April

Where: Punjab

Best Places to Go:

• Amritsar
• Pinjore
• Chandigarh
• Jalandhar

Janmashtami

Commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna, Janmashtami is yet another popular Hindu festival observe in the month of August. So On this day, it is believe that Lord Krishna was born. Varieties of delicacies are offere to the deity in order to please him. But Lord Krishna was born in Mathura and his childhood spent in Vrindavan; hence, both the places hold a special status of being must-visit places to visit to celebrate Janmashtami. As a part of the celebration, people fast throughout the day and break it in the evening (after dusk).So Besides, visiting temples, praying, dancing, and singing bhajans are some other rituals of the festival.Becouse Temples often host narration of the life story of Lord Krishna. If you planning to spend the time you should try TravelIndia with Southwest

When: August

Where: All Over India

Best Places to Go:

• Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
• Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
• Gokul, Uttar Pradesh
• Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Dwarka, Gujarat
• Puri, Odisha
• Udupi, Karnataka
• Guruvayur, Kerala
• Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan- For a unique celebration in Dargah of Narhar

Ganesh Chaturthi

A 10-day-long festival which is celebrated with all the devotion, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the highly revered Hindu festivals observed in India. It marks the birth of Lord Ganesha – the son of Lord Shiva. The festival begins with the installation of idols of the deity in homes and special public pandals. For the next eight days, people worship the idol with all fervour and gaiety.But Various offerings are also offered to Lord Ganesha which includes sweets and fruits. On the last, i.e., the tenth day, the idol of the deity is immersed in the water in order to conclude the festivities. On this day, various processions escorting the deities of Lord Ganesha are carried out to a water body for the immersion of the idol. If you planning to spend the time you should try TravelIndia with Southwest

When: August – September

Where: All Over India, especially in Maharashtra

Best Places to Go:

• Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Pune, Maharashtra
• Hyderabad, Telangana
• Goa

Dussehra

Also known as Vijayadashami, Dussehra is celebrated the day after the conclusion of the Navratri festival. The celebration of the festival goes back to the time of Ramayana. As per Hindu mythology, it is the day when Lord Rama defeated Ravana and hence, the day celebrates the victory of good over evil. The key attraction of this popular religious festival is the enactment of scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana which ends with burning the effigies of Ravana and his son Meghanath and brother Kumbhakarna.so we are celebrete. If you planning to spend the time you should try TravelIndia with Southwest

When: September – October

Where: All Over India

Best Places to Go:

• Mysore, Karnataka
• Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
• Delhi
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Barara, Haryana- For tallest Ravana effigy

Diwali

Well, Diwali needs no introduction. It is undoubtedly the most popular religious festival in India. Often referred to as the festival of lights- Diwali is all about spreading, peace, and happiness. The festival of Diwali marks the arrival of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshman in Ayodhya, a city in Uttar Pradesh, after 14 years of exile. As per the beliefs, in order to welcome Lord Rama, the entire city of Ayodhya was lit up with thousands of earthen lamps People decorate their homes with earthen lamps, candles, and lights. Exchanging gifts with friends and families is one of the key attractions of the festival. For children, this festival is special as they get to burn crackers on this day along with having various types of sweets. Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on Diwali. If you planning to spend the time you should try TravelIndia with Southwest

When: October – November

Where: All Over India

Best Place to Go:

• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh- For Dev Deepawali
• Amritsar, Punjab- For Bandi Chhor Divas
• Kolkata, West Bengal- For Kali Puja
• Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Udaipur, Rajasthan
• Goa- For Narak Chaturdashi Procession

Gurpurab

An important festival for Sikhs, Gurpurab is the celebration of the birth of Guru Nanak- the first Sikh Guru. The celebrations begin at least two days in advance with the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikh community also called Akhand Path for 48-hours. The next day, a grand procession is organized which is known as Nagarkirtan in which several performances like martial art is also made. On this day, people decorate their homes with lamps and candles and the streets are decorated with Sikh flags and flowers.So Gatherings are organized in several Gurdwaras along with that, special langar (community meals) are also arranged. People also burn crackers to celebrate the day. Some even set up free meal stalls on the roadside. If you planning to spend the time you should try TravelIndia with Southwest

When: October – November

Where: The festival is celebrated by Sikh community all over India, particularly in Punjab

Best Places to Go:

• Amritsar, Punjab
• Kartarpur, Punjab
• Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
• Delhi