14 Most Famous Festivals in India to Include in Your Travel Plans

India is a vast and diverse country and you will find people celebrating all the variety of festivals in every corner of this nation. Here is a detailed list of all the events and festivals you must attend if you are on India tour. Have a look.

Makar Sankranti (International Kite Festival)

Also known as Uttarayan, the festival takes place on January 14 every year. It is celebrated in many parts of India, but mainly in Ahmedabad. The festival marks the beginning of spring and as a part of the celebration, people fly kites, take holy dip in rivers, and prepare traditional sweets. The International Kite Festival has gained popularity over the years and has grabbed people’s attention from across the world. The preparation for this amazing festival starts months before its commencement.

Srinagar’s Tulip Festival

It is a yearly event that is celebrated at the start of spring, highlighting the colorful blooms of tulip flowers. The festival is held at the biggest tulip garden in Asia which is Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. It was formerly known as the Siraj Bagh Tulip Garden situated amidst the foothills of the Zabarwan Range in Srinagar. The festival offers a unique opportunity for nature lovers to embrace the mesmerizing view of the garden. All these things added make it a must-attend event for anyone traveling to Srinagar during this time.

Goa Food and Cultural Festival                                        

It is a 3-day extravaganza annual event held in the lively hub of Panaji, celebrating the delicious culinary heritage. It is the most celebrated in India, bringing together the best of Goan cuisine, music, dance, and art, allowing visitors to witness the state’s cultural richness in one place. Whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, you will get a chance to explore a wide variety of food items here. The standout feature of this festival is the promotion of eco-friendly practices, as each vendor here uses organic ingredients and biodegradable plates and utensils.

Pushkar Camel Fair

Also known as the ‘Pushkar Mela’, this event is the world’s largest camel fair held annually in the town of Pushkar in October or November. With thousands of camels, cattle, and horses, the fair is visited by lakhs of people for around 14 days, providing a high-rated travel experience. The primary purpose of this fair is trade. the festivities include camel races, dance performances, the famous “longest mustache” contest, lively traditional Rajasthani Music, and a lot more. Overall, it is a vibrant celebration of the state’s traditions.

Ziro Music Festival

Ziro festival is a four-day annual event organized at the stunning Ziro Valley in Arunachal Prades ( which is declared a World Heritage Site by the UN) offering an exceptional blend of music, culture, and nature. It is conducted by the native Apatani Tribe, who are respected for their deep connection with nature. The festival has gained remarkable growth in recent years and over 40 independent musicians from across the world come together to perform here. It is an enriching experience for all the music lovers and explorers promising an unforgettable adventure.

Holi

Holi, also sometimes referred to as the “festival of love” is India’s most cherished and enthusiastically celebrated festival. Typically spanning for 2 days, the first day is known as “Holika Dahan” or “Choti Holi”, followed by the day called Holi, where people play with colors with their family and loved ones. It is celebrated in every corner of India, but the celebrations reach their peak in Mathura and Vrindavan. Overall, it is an interesting way to explore Indian culture; it is an occasion full of love, laughter, and fun, celebrating the essence of life and the joy of togetherness. 

Navratri

Navratri, which means “nine nights”, is a vibrant and well-celebrated Hindu festival in India. This auspicious occasion is widely known for pujas, fasting, and for its famous Garba and Dandiya dance form, in which people of all ages participate. The culture of playing Garba is mostly famous in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Almost every locality, society, or club in these locations makes arrangements for the celebration of this festival. People also take classes for garba, months before the occasion. Put together, we have given nine days during Navratri to rejuvenate, rest, and connect, allowing us an opportunity to celebrate life.

Rann Utsav

Also known as the White Desert Festival, this festival is celebrated every year almost for 3 months. The Rann of Kutch (the largest salt marsh in the world) is situated in the heart of the Thar Desert, near the village of Dhordo. During this period, special tents with all the facilities are set up near the village to provide accommodation to tourists. It is a vibrant carnival, offering a diverse range of experiences such as camel rides, ATV rides, craft stalls, and food stalls. Traditional dance forms and musical moments are also a part of the festivities. Overall, it provides a rich opportunity to witness the unique culture of Kutch.

Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest celebrated congregations of pilgrims, during which people attending the festivities bathe or take a dip in sacred rivers. The festival is of great significance for Hindu culture. The event is organized every four years at four main locations which are Haridwar, Nashik, Prayagraj, and Ujjain in rotation. The main purpose of this festive is taking bathe in holy rivers, which are believed to cleanse sins and grant spiritual blessings. It is an exceptional event, showcasing India’s cultural richness and spiritual diversity and attracting people from all spheres of life.

Hampi Festival

Also known as Hampi Utsav, is an extravaganza held once a year in the ancient city of Hampi in Karnataka. The purpose of organizing this beautiful festival is to highlight the culture and historical relevance of Hampi and promote tourism. It features a wide range of programs including various cultural shows (music and dance performances, puppet shows, and street performances), competitions (rock climbing, cycling, photography, rural and water adventure sports), and light and sound shows for that extra fun element. It is a must-visit festival that will surely provide you with a delightful experience. 

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

It is a significant nine-day-long annual fest held in Mumbai. The main aim of the festival is to showcase and celebrate theatre, dance, music, comedy, and diverse world art forms. It is executed in the historic Kala Ghoda Art District and is open to all people and entry is free of charge. The event was started in the year 1999 on a very small scale and now it has blossomed into Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival. It attracts hundreds and thousands of attendees from different parts of India and abroad.

Natyanjali Dance Festival

The Natyanali Dance Festival is a yearly dance festival conducted at Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The festival is organized to celebrate and honor Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. It offers a stage for established as well as emerging Bharathanattiyam dancers to showcase their talent. Additionally, it also features India’s major classical dance forms during this period, including Mohiniattam, Kuchupudi, Odissi, Kathakali, and many more. For all the dancers, performing at this place is a blessing. The performances are presented on the temple premises, fostering a spiritually charged atmosphere.

Republic Day Parade

Republic Day in India is celebrated on 26^th January every year. The day marks the adoption of the Constitution of India and the nation’s transition to a republic in 1950. The Republic Day Parade takes place at Kartavya Path in New Delhi every year. The very first parade was organized in the year 1950, making it the grandest and most noteworthy parade. Starting in the morning, the parade marches from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate. The parade features a chief guest and involves impressive displays of India’s high-tech military equipment, armed forces formations, and cultural diversity using vibrant tableaux.

Khajuraho Dance Festival

This one is a nationally and internationally acclaimed festival with participation from renowned dance artists. It is organized by the Kala Parishad of the Madhya Pradesh government in the town of Khajuraho. The location is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, well-known for its Hindu and Jain temples. The dance gala is an affair of seven days, during which well-celebrated classical dancers perform various dance forms. The major dance forms include Kathakali, Manipuri,  Mohiniyattam, Kathak, and a lot more. Recently, western dance forms are also included in the list of the festivities.  In summary, the occasion is a beautiful mix of dance, music, and culture.