Festivals Not To Miss In India

Some people travel to India just for the festivals. And how could they not?

After all, Indian festivals are some of the best events in the world – there is good food, amazing music, and exciting people. What more could you need? We look at some of the best Indian festivals, what they represent, and when they occur. That way, you can schedule your trip around the festivals that catch your eye the most:

Best Indian Festivals

The festivals in India, while fun, have underlying cultural importance. And knowing the basis of each event helps you understand its significance to Indian communities.

1. Diwali: The Festival of Lights

When? November

You have likely witnessed this festival even if you have not been to India. Indians often celebrate this event by decorating their houses with (as you may have guessed) lights. The candles, lamps, and other lighting fixtures in and around their homes light up their environment as they gear up for the return of Lord Rama. You can expect fireworks and crackers too, in addition to the lights. And, of course, like with other festivals, you can expect candy and gifts. Now would be a great time to buy new clothes and learn Indian recipes.

2. Holi: The Festival of Colors

When? March

You have likely seen a picture of a smiling person covered in colors online. And you likely wondered where you could also engage in such an activity. Behold Holi! This festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the start of spring. As such, it attracts a lot of positivity which culminates in dances, songs, and, of course, a lot of color. People fill balloons, cans, water guns, and all sorts of items with colored water and wet each other. By the end of the festival, you will likely be purple, orange, and all sorts of bright hues. And you get to enjoy candy and good food. What more could one want?

3. Dussehra/ Vijayadashami: The Fall of Evil

When? October

Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama. Vijayadashami celebrates the death of King Ravana through Lord Rama and is thus a significant religious event. You would not want to miss it as it features several religious rites. First, believers reenact the scenes of Ramayana for ten days all over the country. They then burn huge effigies or Ravana, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnath. The effigies are so big that it’s impossible to miss them from the crowd. Finally, the procession takes place, culminating in song and dance as people celebrate the fall of the demon king. It is an opportune time to spend in the temples where most celebrations take place. And yes, there is good candy amidst the celebrations!

4. Eid-Ul-Fitr: The End of Ramadan

When? April

The Muslim community in India prepares for Eid-Ul-Fitr by fasting during Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims eat at prescribed times, spending the rest of the hours fasting and doing good for the community. Once Ramadan concludes, they celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr by breaking their fast. They dress up in good clothes, offer food and sweets to each other, spend time with loved ones, and attend a community prayer. Now would be a great time to indulge in the sweets and food readily offered by the faithful as they commemorate this event.

5. Onam: The Coming of Mighty Mahabali

When? August

Most Indian festivals are elaborate, but few come close to this event. It celebrates the return of King Mahabali and features many activities. Many people from across the globe attend this festival to watch the Pulikali procession, where people dress up like tigers and hunters. Besides this, there is a legendary clap dance, a snake boat race, and an elephant procession. Each activity has cultural and religious significance, and each moment draws you closer to the ultimate end. Moreover, the setting is spectacular, with tons of food and floral designs around the houses. The faithful also wear traditional clothes, which add to the beautiful hues of the ceremony.

Other festivals to consider are:

Pongal: This Thanksgiving festival, which takes place in January, features many sweets and good food,
Christmas: Christians in India celebrate this religious event by decorating Christmas trees, praying, gifting each other, and
Easter: This Christian event, which takes place in April, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You can expect street decorations, Easter eggs, and many dances.

Festivals in India are an amazing way to experience Indian culture and traditions. Not only will you have a great deal of fun, but you will have a front-row seat to all the fireworks. Of course, you will need a valid passport to enter India – it should have enough minimum validity and be in good condition. If your passport does not meet these criteria, you can always get a new one in a few days if you use passport agency services.

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