Biggest Festival Celebrated In India

Discover the Colors and Vibrancy of India’s Most Celebrated Festivals

India is a land of festivals, filled with colors, joy, and grandeur. It is a country that celebrates all kinds of festivals throughout the year, from religious to cultural, national to regional, and more. The festivals in India are a perfect blend of tradition, culture, and spirituality, making them a unique experience for locals and tourists alike. Here, we’ll take you on a journey to discover the biggest and most celebrated festivals in India.

The Holi Festival 🎨

Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is celebrated in the month of March and marks the arrival of spring. The festival is about spreading love and happiness, and people play with colors, water, and flowers. It is a time when people forget their differences and come together to celebrate life.

The Diwali Festival 🪔

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in India. It usually falls in either October or November and is a five-day-long celebration. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and is celebrated by lighting up homes with candles and diyas. People also exchange sweets, gifts, and decorate their houses with beautiful rangolis.

The Durga Puja Festival 🎉

Durga Puja is a famous festival celebrated in West Bengal and other parts of eastern India. It is a ten-day-long festival that usually falls in September or October. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga, and people worship her idols with great devotion. The festival is celebrated with grandeur, and people indulge in traditional food, cultural programs, and pandal hopping.

The Ganesh Chaturthi Festival 🙏

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day-long festival that is celebrated all over India, but it is most popular in Maharashtra. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha and is marked by installing clay idols of the deity in homes and public places. People offer prayers, perform aarti, and indulge in traditional food during the festival.

The Onam Festival 🌺

Onam is a ten-day-long harvest festival celebrated in the southern state of Kerala. The festival usually falls in August or September and is celebrated to honor King Mahabali, who is believed to visit his people during Onam. The festival is marked by traditional dances, flower arrangements, and a grand feast known as Onam Sadhya.

The Janmashtami Festival 🕉️

Janmashtami is a popular Hindu festival celebrated all over India to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. It usually falls in August or September and is marked by offering prayers, fasting, and singing devotional songs. People also break the Dahi Handi, which is a pot filled with curd and hung at a height, as part of the celebrations.

The Rath Yatra Festival 🛕

The Rath Yatra is a grand chariot festival that takes place in the state of Odisha. It is a nine-day-long festival that usually falls in June or July. The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, and people pull the chariot along the streets while singing bhajans and devotional songs. The Rath Yatra is known for its grandeur and attracts tourists from all over the world.

The Navaratri Festival 🎶

Navaratri is a popular Hindu festival that marks the victory of good over evil. It is a nine-day-long festival that usually falls in September or October. The festival is celebrated in different ways all over India, but it involves fasting, performing puja, and dancing to traditional folk music. The festival ends with Dussehra, which marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.

The Pongal Festival 🌾

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It usually falls in January and is dedicated to the Sun God. The festival is marked by cooking a sweet dish called Pongal, which is made from rice, milk, and jaggery. People also decorate their houses with rangolis and indulge in traditional games and dances.

The Eid-Ul-Fitr Festival 🌙

Eid-Ul-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is a Muslim festival celebrated all over India. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People wear new clothes, offer prayers, and exchange sweets and gifts with their loved ones.

The Christmas Festival 🎄

Christmas is a popular festival celebrated all over India, especially in the state of Goa and the northeastern states. It is celebrated on the 25th of December and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. People exchange gifts, decorate their houses, and attend midnight mass services to celebrate the occasion.

The Bihu Festival 🎤

Bihu is a popular festival celebrated in the state of Assam. It is a three-day-long festival that usually falls in April. The festival marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated with traditional dances, songs, and cultural programs. People also indulge in traditional Assamese food and exchange gifts with their loved ones.

The Teej Festival 🌧️

Teej is a popular festival celebrated by women in India. It usually falls in August or September and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. Women dress up in traditional attire, fast for their husbands’ long lives, and offer prayers to the deities. The festival is marked by traditional dances, songs, and feasting.

The Lohri Festival 🔥

Lohri is a popular Punjabi festival that marks the winter solstice. It usually falls in January and is celebrated by lighting bonfires, offering prayers, and dancing to traditional music. People also indulge in traditional Punjabi food and exchange sweets and gifts with their loved ones.

The Shivratri Festival 🌕

Shivratri is a popular Hindu festival celebrated all over India to honor Lord Shiva. It usually falls in February or March and is marked by fasting, performing puja, and offering prayers to the deity. The festival is also associated with the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati and is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

FAQs

What is the most famous festival in India?

The most famous festival in India is Diwali, also known as the festival of lights. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India and marks the victory of good over evil.

Why do people celebrate festivals in India?

People celebrate festivals in India to honor their culture, traditions, and beliefs. Festivals also bring people together and are a time for spreading love, joy, and happiness.

What are the traditional dishes served during festivals in India?

Some of the traditional dishes served during festivals in India include sweets, halwa, puri, chhole, biryani, and many more.

What is the significance of Holi festival?

The Holi festival signifies the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. It is a time for people to forget their differences and come together to celebrate life.

What is the significance of Diwali festival?

The Diwali festival signifies the victory of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It is also a time for people to forget their differences and come together to celebrate life.

What is the significance of Durga Puja festival?

The Durga Puja festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and signifies the victory of good over evil. It is a time for people to worship the deity and indulge in traditional food, cultural programs, and pandal hopping.

What is the significance of Onam festival?

The Onam festival is a harvest festival that signifies the arrival of King Mahabali. It is a time for people to indulge in traditional dances, flower arrangements, and a grand feast known as Onam Sadhya.

What is the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi festival?

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is a time for people to install clay idols of the deity in homes and public places, offer prayers, and indulge in traditional food.

What is the significance of Janmashtami festival?

The Janmashtami festival commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. It is a time for people to offer prayers, fast, sing devotional songs, and break the Dahi Handi pot.

What is the significance of Rath Yatra festival?

The Rath Yatra festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath and is marked by pulling the chariot along the streets while singing bhajans and devotional songs. It is a time for people to indulge in grandeur and attract tourists from all over the world.