Top Ten Festivals In India

Experience The Best Festivals India Has To Offer

India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions, and its festivals reflect that. From the vibrant colors of Holi to the grandeur of Diwali, India’s festivals are a sight to behold. Here are the top ten festivals in India that you should experience at least once in your lifetime.

1. Diwali 🎉

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in India. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion across the country. The festival marks the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. During Diwali, people decorate their homes with lights, burst crackers, and exchange sweets with their loved ones.

Why is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama from his 14-year-long exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. It is also celebrated as the day when Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is believed to visit homes and bless them with her presence.

2. Holi 🎨

Holi, the Festival of Colors, is another popular festival in India. It is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring and to mark the victory of good over evil. During Holi, people smear each other with colored powder and water and dance to the beat of dholaks and drums. The festival is a symbol of unity and brotherhood.

Why is Holi celebrated?

According to Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the victory of Prahlada over the demon king Hiranyakashipu and the burning of Holika, the demon’s sister, in a pyre. It is also believed to be the day when Lord Krishna, the Hindu god of love, played Holi with his beloved Radha and other gopis.

3. Durga Puja 🙏

Durga Puja is a festival that celebrates the power of Goddess Durga. It is celebrated with great pomp and show in West Bengal, Assam, and other parts of India. During Durga Puja, people worship the goddess and offer her prayers and offerings. The festival is a symbol of feminine power and strength.

Why is Durga Puja celebrated?

Durga Puja is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and her return to her abode in the Himalayas.

4. Ganesh Chaturthi 🐘

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom and prosperity. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra and other parts of India. During the festival, people worship Lord Ganesha and offer him sweets and modaks.

Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is believed to be the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings.

5. Onam 🌴

Onam is a harvest festival that is celebrated in the southern state of Kerala. It is a ten-day-long festival that marks the return of King Mahabali, a mythical king who ruled Kerala in ancient times. During Onam, people decorate their homes with flowers and prepare a special feast known as Onasadya.

Why is Onam celebrated?

Onam is celebrated to commemorate the return of King Mahabali and to celebrate the harvest season. It is believed that on this day, the king visits his people and blesses them with prosperity and happiness.

6. Eid-ul-Fitr 🕌

Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. It is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by Muslims all over India. During Eid, people wear new clothes and offer prayers at the mosque.

Why is Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated?

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast and offer prayers to Allah. It is also a day of forgiveness, generosity, and charity.

7. Christmas 🎄

Although Christmas is a Christian festival, it is celebrated by people of all religions in India. It is a time of joy, happiness, and togetherness. During Christmas, people decorate their homes with lights and Christmas trees and exchange gifts with their loved ones.

Why is Christmas celebrated?

Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God, who is believed to have come to earth to save humanity from sin and suffering.

8. Navratri 🕉️

Navratri is a festival that is celebrated for nine days to honor the divine feminine energy. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Gujarat and other parts of India. During Navratri, people worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga and perform traditional dance forms such as Garba and Dandiya.

Why is Navratri celebrated?

Navratri is celebrated to honor the nine forms of Goddess Durga and to seek her blessings and protection from evil forces.

9. Pongal 🌾

Pongal is a harvest festival that is celebrated in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. It is a four-day-long festival that marks the beginning of the harvesting season. During Pongal, people cook a sweet dish called Pongal and offer it to the Sun God.

Why is Pongal celebrated?

Pongal is celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvesting season and to thank the Sun God for his blessings and abundance.

10. Baisakhi 🌾

Baisakhi is a festival that is celebrated in Punjab and other parts of India. It is a harvest festival that marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year. During Baisakhi, people perform traditional dance forms such as Bhangra and Gidda and offer prayers at the Gurudwara.

Why is Baisakhi celebrated?

Baisakhi is celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvesting season and to commemorate the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh.

Complete Information About Top Ten Festivals In India

India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions, and its festivals reflect that. From the vibrant colors of Holi to the grandeur of Diwali, India’s festivals are a sight to behold. Here are the top ten festivals in India that you should experience at least once in your lifetime:

Festival Name
Date
Significance
Location

Diwali
15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik
Victory of good over evil and light over darkness
Across India

Holi
Full moon day of the Hindu month of Phalguna
Arrival of spring and victory of good over evil
Across India

Durga Puja
Tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashvin
Victory of good over evil and feminine power and strength
West Bengal, Assam, and other parts of India

Ganesh Chaturthi
Fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada
Birth of Lord Ganesha and removal of obstacles
Maharashtra and other parts of India

Onam
First day of the Hindu month of Chingam
Return of King Mahabali and harvest season
Kerala

Eid-ul-Fitr
First day of the Islamic month of Shawwal
End of the holy month of Ramadan and forgiveness and generosity
Across India

Christmas
25th December
Birth of Jesus Christ and joy and togetherness
Across India