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Festivals of India State Wise | Month-wise Popular Indian Festivals and Events

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Festivals of India: India is a culturally rich land and celebrates various festivals in its soil wholeheartedly throughout the year. People from different religions coexist harmoniously. A wide variety of festivals celebrated in the country is a true manifestation of its rich culture and traditions. We tried mentioning some of the Most Exciting Indian Festivals that we celebrate in different states.

Look at the festivals we celebrate nationwide and also the festivals that are ethnic to state or religion. To give you a brief idea of the Popular Indian Festivals, you may find this piece of information quite useful. Be sure to experience the prominent festivals not just on your calendar but in your lives too.  Let’s explore the diverse culture of India and talk about the national festivals of India(State Wise).

Festivals of India State Wise | List of Popular Indian Festivals and Events

Essay on Festivals, Functions, and Celebrations

Andhra Pradesh – Brahmotsavam

Thousands of people travel from all parts of the country to Tirupathi in Andhra Prades for the Brahmotsavam festival. “Brahma’s Utsavam”  is a 9-day festival that takes place in October Every Year. It is based on the Legend Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu to protect mankind. Rituals held as a part of the celebrations are to thank the Lord and Pray for the Prosperity, fertility, and abundance.

Arunachal Pradesh – Dree Festival

Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh celebrates the Dree Festival. People celebrate this harvest festival on the 5th of July every year. As a part of the festival, people pray to five deities namely Tamu, Metii, Medvr, Mepi, Danyi to ward off epidemics, pests that could damage the agriculture and pray for healthy crops. Tribals perform a traditional dance and feast on millet bear and tangy rice.

Assam – Bohag Bihu

Bohag Bihu is a 7-day festival that usually marks in April. It is associated with Agriculture Harvest and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. This festival is also called Rangoli Bihu. People worship deities, organize feasts, perform dances, decorate cattle during the week-day celebrations.

Bihar – Chhath Puja

People worship the Sun God and his Consort Usha the source of all powers during Chhath Puja. They offer prayers for Prosperity and Wellbeing. This Pooja usually takes place in October- November. Devotees fast during this pooja and stand in water or sunlight for hours.

Chattisgarh – Bastar Dussehra

It is a unique festival in Chhattisgarh celebrated for about 75 days. It starts on the no moon day of the Indian Month Shravan and ends on full moon day of Ashwin. Bastar Dussehra is a 500-year old festival that celebrates tribal gods and goddesses.

Goa – Carnival

Indian Version of “Mardi Gras” is celebrated in Goa every February in the name of Rio Carnival. It is originally a catholic festival and thousands of people turn around the world to witness the festival. The best part about the carnival is Parade that has elaborate floats, horse-drawn carriages, dancing troupes, bullock carts,  and more.

Gujarat – Janmashtami

Janmashtami is a festival that celebrates the Birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated all over India but has got special significance in Dwaraka in Gujarat. Dwaraka is believed as Lord Krishna’s Kingdom. As a part of the festival, people visit temples, perform folk dances, share sweets among friends and family, Sing bhajans, etc.

Himachal Pradesh – Mandi Shivaratri

People begin Mandi Shivaratri Fair on the day of Shivaratri in Himachal Pradesh. Mahashivaratri is a holy festival for Saivites all over the country. Around 200 gods and goddesses across the Himachal Pradesh are brought to the Mandi, which is known as Varanasi of Hills. Usually, this festival comes in February/ March.

Jharkhand – Hal Punhya

It is one of the tribal festivals celebrated in Jharkhand. Hal Punhya occurs in the month of January- February and marks the beginning of harvest season. This Agricultural festival signifies the ploughing to sow seeds.

Karnataka – Ugadi

Ugadi is a festival that marks the beginning of the New Year. People of various states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana celebrate this and it falls in the months of March/ April. The specialty about the festival is a dish made of jaggery and neem buds. It tells us that life is a blend of both sweetness and bitterness and we need to accept the ups and downs in life.

Kerala – Onam

Onam is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala. Malayalis all over the world celebrate this 10 day long festivals irrespective of the faith they follow. As a part of the festival, people create huge rangolis with flowers made. Boat races, music and dance performances, martial art performances, tug of war, and other events are held in more than 30 locations in different parts of the state.

An important part of the celebrations is Onam Sadhya(feast) a 9 – course meal prepared using local and seasonal vegetables.

Ladakh – Hemis

Hemis is a Tibetan Buddhism festival celebrating the birth of Guru Rimpoche. The festival happens in Hemis Monastery, Ladakh in the month of July. During this festival, dancers wearing masks dance to the music of trumpets, cymbals, and drums.

Maharashtra – Diwali

Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated all over the country. Each state has its own customs and traditions for the festival. It is a 5-day festival that begins with Dhanteras in Maharashtra. People part to Goddess Lakshmi and God Ganesha for Prosperity and Wellbeing. After finishing the rituals, crackers are burnt and the feast is served.

Manipur – Lui-Ngai-Ni

Lui-Ngai-Ni signifies the beginning of the New year for Naga Tribes in Manipur. People celebrate this seed sowing festival in the month of February. People organize Music, Cultural Performances as a part of the celebrations.

Meghalaya – Nongkrem dance festival

It is a 5-day Thanksgiving Festival of the Kashi Tribe that happens in November. The highlight of the festival is men and women performing folk dances in traditional costumes. Sacrifices and Offerings are given to god and ancestors during the festival.

Nagaland – Hornbill Festival

Hornbill festival held from 1st to 10th of December brings various Various Naga Tribes together in the state. It includes flower shows, performances by the tribes, games, Naga Wrestling, and more. This festival was begun to preserve the ethnicity and culture of Naga Tribes, and also to promote tourism in Nagaland.

Orissa – Raja Parba

Raja Parba also known as Mithuna Sankranthi is a 3-day festival that celebrates menstruation and womanhood. It is believed that Goddess Earth menstruates during these 3 days and falls in June. Sowing or agriculture work is done and women start following the rituals that they do on their first day. They celebrate with feasts and games for the rest of the two days.

Punjab – Baisakhi

It is a Sikh festival celebrated in Punjab and falls between April – May. Baisakhi signifies the harvest festival of the Farming community and day when Guru Gobind Singh created the Panth Khalsa. Festivities include cultural programs and feasts.

Rajasthan – Gangaur

Gangaur is a Rajasthan Festival that celebrates womanhood and marriage. It is an 18-day festival that begins after the festival of colors, Holi. During this festival, married women pray for the wellbeing of their husbands and unmarried women pray for a good marriage. Cultural Programs and Processions are held during the festival.

Sikkim – Saga Dawa

Saga Dawa is a Tibetan festival celebrated during the fourth month of Tibetan Year which is May- June as per English Calendar. In this month, people practice meritorious deeds, avoid killing of animals, spread positive thoughts. The highlight of the festival is people perform Holy Kora around the Kailash Mountain.

Tamilnadu – Pongal

Pongal is a 4-day festival celebrated in the month of January in Tamilnadu. harvest festival begins with Bhogi on which people burn away the agricultural waste and clean their houses for new beginnings. On the second day Pongal, people make a dish called “Pongal” with the newly harvested rice and offer prayers to Sun God.

On the third day “Mattu Pongal” cows and bulls are decorated and bathed. Famous Ritual Jalli Kattu or Bull Fight happens on this day. On the fourth day of the festival, people visit their relatives and share sweets prepared.

Telangana – Bonalu

People worship Goddess Mahakali during this annual festival that falls in July. Women prepare a traditional meal with rice, jaggery, and milk and carry it in earthern pots and offer it to Goddess. Celebrations take place in Golconda Fort during Bonalu.

Tripura – Kharchi Pooja

It is a week-long festival that happens at Old Agartala in the month of July. People worship the 14 Gods of Tripura with animal sacrifices and offerings. During the festival time, cultural programs and fairs are held.

West Bengal – Durga Pooja

Navratri or Durga Pooja is celebrated all over the country but has special significance in West Bengal. Huge Statues of Goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahishasura are created from Clay. People place these statues in Pandal and worship them. On, the last day of celebration, idols are immersed in River Ganges.

Summary

There are countless festivals celebrated in India and here are the prominent festivals of India. Our country’s diversity is reflected in the different days in which we celebrate the festival. If you feel any festival is missing do let us know via comment section and we will add them to the list.