List of Festivals in India State-Wise

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Celebrating India’s Vibrant Tapestry: Festivals State-wise

India, a land of diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, is also a land of festivals. From the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the peaceful beaches of the south, revelry marks the difference with fervor across each region of India. In this comprehensive guide, take a colorful trip through India’s festivals, taking profiling to a state-wise level to bring out the rich tapestry of this amazing country. Click on the following link for a list of Festivals in India classified by state to feel the richness of cultural diversity and vibrancy in celebrations from every nook and corner of this country.

North India

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, referred to as many “time and again” from the deep heart as the heartland of India, is a land entrenched with history and culture. The festivals here in the state of Uttar Pradesh are very lively and have a very rich heritage to mirror the same.

Holi: It is one of the festivals of colors, celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm in the twin towns of Mathura and Vrindavan, which, incidentally, have been considered the birthplaces of Lord Krishna. The revelry reaches the festive highs at these places, with the local populace and visitors joining in. The streets brim with color, the air reverberates with infectious laughter, and music plays without a break.

Diwali. Referce

Diwali: A grandeur festival where millions of diyas are lit all over the holy city of Ayodhya, the homeland of Lord Rama. This whole city is lit, and the major point of focus is the thousands of lamps lit on the banks of the Sarayu River, which presents a very beautiful view.

Janmashtami: Another big holy city of Uttar Pradesh, Mathura, celebrated this festival with huge pomp and show. The street gets life with the colorful procession and devotees flock at the doors of Lord Krishna.

Punjab

Punjab, the land of most fertile lands and people with warm hearts, showcases a festival that connects deep within the agrarian roots of the state.

Lohri: The bonfire festival of Lohri spreads the cheer of harvesting time in Punjab. People celebrate it with song and dance around the bonfire, while they circulate the traditional sweets of rewari and gajak. The lively and colorful ambiance around the warm bonfire lits up the spirit of the festivity of the flocks.

Baisakhi: One of the major festive celebrations from Punjab, Baisakhi marks the harvest festival amidst a lot of joy and celebration, mostly at Amritsar. Pilgrims partake of langar and seek blessings from gurdwaras, including the world-famous Golden Temple.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir stand out as a beautiful state in India, in the northernmost part of it. It boasts beautiful natural beauty with mixed culture; it celebrates festivals with full enthusiasm.

Eid-ul-Fitr. Referce

Eid-ul-Fitr: The holy festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated with prayers and feasting after a month of fast during Ramadan. The festivity of the festival acquires an extra allure in Srinagar with the picturesque Dal Lake and Himalayas in the backdrop.

Navratri: Navratri is very pompous in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s a festival attached to Goddess Durga and has grand processions, traditional dances, and religious rituals. It is the time when the whole region is brought alive with color and devotion.

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Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh, with its lofty peaks, offers snow-clad landscapes for many festivals that reflect the spiritual life of the people.

Shivratri: Snow-covered hills of Himachal Pradesh come alive with the sound of the chanting of Shivratri by devotees who gather in large numbers to seek blessings from the temples of Mandi and Baijnath.

Dussehra: Kullu Dussehra of Himachal Pradesh is an important festival of a week consisting of many colorful processions. The highlight centers on the Rath Yatra when the deities from various temples are carried in elaborate chariots.

North India Festivals State-Wise - Referce

Rajasthan

Rajasthan, the land of deserts and palaces, celebrates its festivals with grandeur and traditional splendor.

Diwali: The ‘Festival of Lights’ is celebrated with traditional zest in Rajasthan. Jaipur, the Pink City, is at its very best during Diwali when thousands of lamps make its palaces and forts sparkle.

Gangaur: Gangaur is another important local festival wherein women seek blessings for good husbands from Goddess Parvati. Streets and lanes in Rajasthan, too, come alive with processions of gaily dressed women and girls carrying colorful images of Parvati.

West India

Maharashtra

Maharashtra, a state known for its bustling cities and serene hill stations, has a rich tapestry of festivals.

Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrated all over the world with much fanfare, it is celebrated with great pomp and show in Mumbai. The celebration includes bringing home an elaborately crafted idol of Lord Ganesha and having it at home for a certain number of days. An immersion procession, known as Visarjan, is considered one of the most spectacular sights.

Diwali: Laxmi Pujan in the historical temples of Pune is such a wonderful view. Devotees all over come for blessings from Goddess Laxmi to the temples, and the place will be full of spiritual air.

Gujarat

Gujarat, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, is a vibrant state that celebrates its festivals with great fervor.

Navratri: The state dances to the tunes of Garba during the Navaratri. Nine nights devoted to Goddess Durga involve energetic and colorful dances.

Uttarayan (Kite Festival): The state skies come alive with colorful kites during Makar Sankranti, known as Uttarayan in the state. People from every age group take part in flying kites, and the scene of multicolored kites in the sky is a treat to watch.

Goa

Goa, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, also celebrates some unique festivals.

Carnival: One of the legacies the Portuguese left in Goa, the carnival here is very famous for its colorful parades, music, and dance, with people in colorful costumes walking on the streets.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan, with its regal heritage, has some unique festivals that showcase its cultural richness.

Pushkar Fair: It is also known by the name Pushkar Camel Fair and is held annually during the month of November. It is believed to be the meeting venue for religious travel in which devotees take a holy dip in sacred Pushkar Lake. The cattle fair is also supplemented with horse and camel trading, besides the large variety of performing arts.

East India

West Bengal

West Bengal, known for its intellectual and artistic heritage, celebrates some of the grandest festivals in India.

Durga Puja: Grand Celebrations of Kolkata with artistic pandals attract travelers from around the world. There is a lot of extravaganza all around with full grandeur of decorations, cultural shows, and processions.

Kali Puja: Kali Puja is an intense homage to the goddess Kali, especially performed in Kolkata and nearby regions. The lighting of diyas and firecrackers makes the whole night come alive.

Odisha

Odisha has beautiful temples with cultural traditions and celebrates some of the popular festivals.

Ratha Yatra: World-famous chariot festival at Puri, thousands of devotees gathered from all over the world for this part of the festival. This festival of chariots is taken as a procession through the streets of Puri, filled with chanting and festivity.

Durga Puja: One of the exotically celebrated forms of Durga Puja persists in Odisha. The idol of the goddess is arranged in a wooden boat, considering that the goddess is traveling to her maternal home. This festival corresponds to the observance of Kumar Purnima amongst brothers and sisters.

South India Festivals State-Wise - Referce.com

Bihar

Bihar, with its ancient history and rich cultural traditions, celebrates some distinctive festivals.

Chhath Puja: Devotees from Bihar pay obeisance to the sun god during Chhath Puja. The rituals and fast performed at the ghats of the Ganges are truly a mesmerizing sight. Devotees fast and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun.

South India

Kerala

Kerala, often referred to as ‘God’s Own Country,’ is known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Onam: Onam is one of the most celebrated harvest festivals in the state of Kerala, where people come to be a part of the grand ‘Onam Sadhya,’ also known as a sumptuous feast, which is held on banana leaves. The festivity includes boat races, cultural dances like Kathakali, flower decorations, and a lot more over the 10 days.

Thrissur Pooram: Thrissur Pooram could be simply named one of the most famous temple festivals in Kerala, which attracts lots of tourists from all over the world. Centered on this grand festival is the grand procession of elephants, traditional music, and fireworks displays. The air is electric with the drumbeats and the grandiose vision of the caparisoned elephants.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, a state with a deep-rooted cultural heritage, celebrates its festivals with devotion and artistry.

Pongal: Pongal is the celebration festival of harvest. Some of the traditional dishes made during the time include ‘Pongal’ and ‘Sarkari Pongal’. The festival has its rituals associated with it, through which people pay homage to the Sun God, who gives them a good harvest.

Navaratri: The goddess Durga is worshipped in the state during this period. Also, there is a display of ‘Golu’ in the decorated houses in addition to staging performances of traditional music and dances.

Karnataka

Karnataka, with its blend of modernity and tradition, celebrates festivals that showcase its diverse cultural heritage.

Dasara: Mysore Dasara Procession is very grand, in fact, a visual treat with caparisoned elephants, traditional music, and royal regalia. Lights and decorations fill the whole city with a hustle-bustle life.

Ugadi: Ugadi is the Kannada New Year, which is celebrated with all joyousness. Family members join together at home to make some special recipes; rangoli at the doorstep of the house is put.

Central India

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, often called the heart of India, is rich in cultural heritage and full of celebrations for festivals with a lot of fervor and energy.

Khajuraho Dance Festival: A week-long festival of classical dances set against the spectacular backdrop of the Khajuraho temples; it is a major cultural event for dance connoisseurs. During temple festivals, some of the best dancers from around the country come to showcase their talent.

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh, with its tribal traditions and natural beauty, celebrates festivals that are unique to the state.

Bastar Dussehra: Bastar Dussehra, celebrated in Chhattisgarh, involves tribal practices and is highlighted by the grand procession of the deities from all the tribal villages to Jagdalpur, the district headquarters.

Northeast India

Assam

Bihu: Assamese New Year with traditional dances, feasts, and community gatherings. Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu, and Bhogali Bihu stand for the three different times of the agricultural calendar.

Manipur

Kang Chingba: The ‘Rath Yatra of Manipur’ is celebrated with grand processions and rituals.

Kang Chingba: Kang Chingba, meaning ‘Rath Yatra of Manipur,’ has developed as one of the celebrations similar to grand processions and rituals. The nicely decorated deities are placed on the chariots and taken through the streets amidst the songs and dances.

West India Festivals State-Wise - Referce.com

Nagaland

Hornbill Festival: Celebrating the state’s tribal heritage, it’s a cultural extravaganza.

Hornbill Festival: One of the major attractions for native peoples and across the globe. Hornbill Festival is celebrated in the name of the state bird, which marks the tribal heritage of Nagaland. Traditional music, dances, and display of crafts and food by many tribes spice up this colorful annual extravaganza.

Union Territories

Delhi

Delhi, the capital city of India, is a melting pot of cultures and celebrates festivals with great enthusiasm.

Diwali: Diwali in Delhi is a very grand affair, with the whole city lighted by earthen lamps and decorative lights. The markets are full of people buying gifts and sweets, and visiting temples while exchanging Diwali greetings.

Puducherry

Puducherry, with its French colonial heritage, celebrates festivals that reflect its unique cultural blend.

French Heritage Festival: “Puducherry” celebrates the colonial legacy with the French Heritage Festival. Cultural exuberance is on display in the town with lots of cultural events, art exhibitions, and performances that bring alive the French connection of the erstwhile city.

Special Mention

All India Festivals

But there are others, apart from the festivals associated with the states, which are celebrated all over the country and break the compartmentalization of regions.

Eid al-Adha: Among the Indian Muslim community, it is popularly known as Bakra Eid, and it is the most awaited festival. The festival marks the time when Ibrahim (Abraham) was willing to offer his son as a sacrifice at the command of Allah. Families come together in the morning to attend the prayers, after which they carry out their celebrations by sacrificing animals; then, the meat is distributed amongst the family members and the needy.

Eid-ul-Fitr: This is celebrated all over India by Muslims after their one month of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. This festival, too, like Diwali, is celebrated with great joy, having feasts and communal prayers. Special dishes are prepared; families get together to celebrate the festival.

Bhai Dooj: Bhai Dooj, alternatively known as Bhai Phota, again very regional, is the festival of adoration and affection between a brother and a sister. Sisters apply a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads, perform aarti, and exchange gifts as a mark of love with each other. It is a day that consolidates sibling relationships.

Mawlid: Mawlid, the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, is marked by prayer and gatherings. Devotees intonate hymns, read through greetings, and exchange them to honor the teachings and life of the Prophet.

Conclusion

The festivals in India bring out the rich cultural heritage and varied diversity the country boasts. Every state, with its different kinds of traditions and rituals, makes the tapestry of celebrations incredibly beautiful. Be it the royal grandeur of Diwali in Jaipur, the devout nature of Durga Puja in Kolkata, or the tribal traditions of Bastar Dussehra, every festival in this country is more than a celebration of life, strength, unity, and the human spirit. So, the next time you are planning a trip to India, consider timing it around one of these spectacular festivals, and you shall find the country at its vibrant best.

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