India is known as the “Land of Festival”. India is a diverse cultural tapestry. There are many festivals celebrated throughout the year, which reflect the country’s rich tradition and religious heritages linked with the particular region. Each state has its unique festivals that are celebrated with great fervour. From playing with the colours on Holi and decorative lights on Diwali, all are celebrated with enjoyment and happiness. Today, we will talk about the festival of India according to state and season, which is celebrated around India.
Festivals of India State Wise List
State-wise festivals in India highlight the culture and tradition of each region. India is the only country where each state has its festivals and traditions. Bihu, Durga Puja, etc are some State-wise festivals in India. Let’s look at the State-wise festivals in India –
| State | Festivals Celebrated |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Dasara, Ugadi, Deccan Festival, Brahmotsavam |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Reh, Boori Boot, Myoko, Dree, Pongtu, Losar, Murung, Solang, Mopin, Monpa festival |
| Assam | Ambubachi, Bhogali Bihu, Baishagu, Dehing Patkai |
| Bihar | Chhath Puja, Bihula |
| Chhattisgarh | Maghi Purnima, Bastar Dussehra |
| Goa | Sunburn festival, Ladain, Mando |
| Gujarat | Navratri, Janmashtami, Kutch Utsav, Uttarayana |
| Himachal Pradesh | Rakhadumni, Gochi Festival |
| Haryana | Baisakhi |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Har Navami, Chhari, Bahu Mela, Dosmoche |
| Jharkhand | Karam Utsav, Holi, Rohini, Tusu |
| Karnataka | Mysore Dasara, Ugadi |
| Kerala | Onam, Vishu |
| Madhya Pradesh | Lok-rang Utsav, Tejaji, Khujaraho festival |
| Meghalaya | Nongkrem festival, Khasis festival, Wangla, Sajibu Cheiraoba |
| Maharashtra | Ganesh Utsav, Gudi Padva |
| Manipur | Yaoshang, Porag, Chavang Kut |
| Mizoram | Chapcharkut Festival |
| Nagaland | Hornbill festival, Moatsu Festival |
| Odisha | Rath Yatra, Raja Parba, Nukahai |
| Punjab | Lohri, Baisakhi |
| Rajasthan | Gangaur, Teej, Bundi |
| Sikkim | Losar, Saga Dawa |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal, Thaipusam, Natyanjali Festival |
| Telangana | Bonalu, Bathukamma |
| Tripura | Kharchi Puja |
| West Bengal | Durga Puja |
| Uttaranchal | Ganga Dussehra |
| Uttar Pradesh | Ram Navami, Ganga Mahotsav, Navaratri, Khichdi |
Festivals of India Season Wise List
India is also known to celebrate the festival according to the harvest season. So, there are many seasonal festivals which are celebrated around India. Let’s Check out the Season Wise List is as follows:
Spring (March-May)
| Month | Festival | States Celebrated |
|---|---|---|
| March | Holi | Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra |
| March | Ugadi/Gudi Padwa | Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra |
| March | Navroz | Maharashtra, Gujarat |
| March | Maha Shivaratri | All over India, particularly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
March
Holi
- States: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra
- Description: Holi is the festival of colours and marks the arrival of spring which is celebrated with colours, music, and dance.
Ugadi/Gudi Padwa
- States: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra
- Description: This festival marks the New Year for people which they celebrate with traditional foods and rituals.
Navroz
- States: Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Description: This is Parsi New Year, when they pray, feasts, and community gatherings.
Maha Shivaratri
- States: All over India, particularly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
- Description: It is a popular Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. People observed fasting, and prayers on this day.
April
Rama Navami
- States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
- Description: It is a day to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama.
Baisakhi
- States: Punjab, Haryana
- Description: This is the Sikh New Year and the harvest festival, which is celebrated with kirtans, and traditional dances.
Good Friday
- States: Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Northeast India
- Description: This is a Christian festival to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Mahavir Jayanti
- States: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka
- Description: It is a Jain festival celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavir.
May
Eid ul-Fitr
- States: All over India by Muslim Community
- Description: It is a celebration of the end of Ramadan with feasts and communal gatherings.
Buddha Purnima
- States: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh
- Description: It is a day dedicated to the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha.
Summer (June – August)
| Month | Festival | States Celebrated |
|---|---|---|
| June | Rath Yatra | Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat |
| July | Guru Purnima | All over India |
| July | Eid ul-Adha | All over India |
| August | Raksha Bandhan | All over India |
June
Rath Yatra
- States: Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat
- Description: It is a chariot festival which is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. Most famous in Puri.
July
Guru Purnima
- States: All over India
- Description: It is a day dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers. People thanks to their gurus.
Eid ul-Adha
- States: All over India
- Description: It is also known as Bakrid. It is popular in the Muslim community.
August
Raksha Bandhan
- States: All over India
- Description: A day dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie rakhi to their brothers and exchange gifts.
Janmashtami
- States: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan
- Description: It is a festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
Independence Day
- States: All over India
- Description: It is a day to celebrate India’s independence from British rule. On this day, people flag hoisting, parades, and cultural events.
Autumn (September – November)
| Month | Festival | States Celebrated |
|---|---|---|
| September | Ganesh Chaturthi | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| September | Onam | Kerala |
| October | Navratri | Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu |
| October | Dussehra | All over India |
| October | Diwali | All over India |
September
Ganesh Chaturthi
- States: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
- Description: It is a festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha.
Onam
- States: Kerala
- Description: A harvest festival celebrated with traditional dances and boat races in Kerala.
October
Navratri
- States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu
- Description: A nine-day festival which is dedicated to the goddess Durga.
Dussehra
- States: All over India
- Description: It is a day to celebrate the victory of good over evil, celebrated with the burning of effigies of Ravana.
Diwali
- States: All over India
- Description: It is a huge festival in India. It is also known as the festival of lights, celebrating the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.
November
Guru Nanak Jayanti
- States: Punjab, Haryana
- Description: It is a festival to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
Chhath Puja
- States: Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
- Description: This day is dedicated to the Sun God.
Winter (December – February)
| Month | Festival | States Celebrated |
|---|---|---|
| December | Christmas | All over India |
| January | New Year | All over India |
| January | Makar Sankranti | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan |
| January | Pongal | Tamil Nadu |
| January | Republic Day | All over India |
December
Christmas
- States: All over India, particularly in Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Northeast India
- Description: It is a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in church.
January
New Year
- States: All over India
- Description: A new year for all. People celebrate with parties, fireworks, and New Year’s resolutions.
Makar Sankranti
- States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan
- Description: It is a harvest festival celebrated with kite flying and traditional meals.
Pongal
- States: Tamil Nadu
- Description: A major harvest festival marked by cooking the new harvest rice.
Republic Day
- States: All over India
- Description: It is a day to celebrate the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
February
Vasant Panchami
- States: All over India, particularly in West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar
- Description: A day dedicated to the goddess Saraswati. People wear yellow attire on this day.
Maha Shivaratri
- States: All over India, particularly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
- Description: It is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
FAQs about Festivals of India:
- What are the major festivals celebrated in India?
- India celebrates a plethora of festivals including Diwali, Holi, Eid, Navratri, Durga Puja, and Christmas, among others.
- How are festivals categorized in India?
- Festivals in India are categorized by state, reflecting regional diversity, and by season, aligning with agricultural cycles and cultural traditions.
- What are some famous festivals celebrated in South India?
- Famous festivals in South India include Pongal, Onam, Ugadi, Vishu, and Bonalu, each with unique rituals and customs.
- Which states celebrate the most colorful festivals in India?
- Rajasthan and Gujarat are renowned for their vibrant festivals like Navratri, Holi, Diwali, and the Kite Festival.
- What are the key festivals celebrated during the monsoon season in India?
- During the monsoon season, India celebrates Teej, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, and Ganesh Chaturthi with fervor and joy.
- Are there any national festivals celebrated throughout India?
- Yes, India celebrates national festivals like Republic Day on January 26th, Independence Day on August 15th, and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd.
- Which states in India host grand religious processions and fairs during festivals?
- States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Punjab host grand processions and fairs during festivals like Rath Yatra, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Durga Puja.
- What are the cultural significances of Indian festivals?
- Indian festivals signify unity, joy, spirituality, and the richness of cultural heritage, fostering harmony among diverse communities.
- How do people celebrate festivals in India?
- Festivals in India are celebrated with rituals, prayers, feasting, exchanging gifts, wearing traditional attire, and participating in cultural activities.
- Are there any eco-friendly initiatives during festivals in India?
- Yes, many Indian festivals now promote eco-friendly practices like using natural dyes during Holi, clay idols during Ganesh Chaturthi, and reducing waste during Diwali.