Explore India's Popular Festivals in 2024

India is a land of festivals that harmoniously coexist with people from different faiths. The wide variety of festivals held in India represents its rich culture and traditions. The most exciting of which are listed below, are many Indian festivals and celebrations. Although the festivities take place throughout the year, between October and January the time is ripe.

List of Tourism Festivals In India You Must Attend:

To give you a precise idea of all India’s festivals in 2024 and their dates, here is information that is important to you before you start! You will also be told about the significance of India’s popular festivals!

1. Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Rajasthan

The Rajasthan sandy dunes live with the Jaisalmer Desert Festival each year, usually in February. This is a rare display of vibrant folk culture. You will once there be greeted in traditional, colorful, and lively attires, by the folk singers, puppets, acrobats, fire dancers, and many more.

There is a special place for desert vessels, and horses, among all these typical glitters. You will watch the camel polo and the camel decoration beside a camel run. You may also participate in events such as Tug of War or Matka Phod Run. Read Also: 20 Best Places To Visit In Jaisalmer

2. Khajuraho Dance Festival, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho is famous for its elegant temples and erotic sculptures that date from the 10th century A.D. This year’s Spring Festival will take place in A.D. 11th century and hosts a traditional dance festival in Madhya Pradesh. Reputed dance troops and prominent classic dancers from different corners of the world come together here for classical dance performances on the biggest stage. Check more details: Khajuraho Dance Festival Guide: Date, Attractions & Significance Guide.

This comprises Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Mohini Attam, Chhau, Kathak, and Kuchipudi, among others. This is a weekly function and various classical dance programs are arranged every day. Also Read: Top 10 Facts About Khajuraho Temple, Madhya Pradesh

3. Bihu Festival, Assam

Assam, Bihu is a series of three Assamese events that coincide with different phases of agriculture throughout the year. Bohag Bihu, Kongali Bihu, and Magh Bihu are split into the Bihu Festival.

The 7-day Assamese New Year festival is held from the 14th of April and runs to the 16th of April, in Bohag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu. This time of year is when farmers begin to plow. Chat Bihu, Goru Bihu, Manuh Bihu, Kutum Bihu, Senehi Bihu, Mela Bihu, and Chera Bihu are some of the seven days of the Bohag Bihu. Read Also: List of Most Famous Festivals & Events of Assam.

In mid-October, Kongali Bihu is being held. It is typically the time when the paddy fields are rising. The people of Asam pray for the health of the crop and seek safety from plagues and bad weather. Magh Bihu is held at the end of the harvest season during January. The food and leisure season is practically here. Check Out: Best Places to Visit in Assam.

4. Hornbill Festival, Nagaland

The Hornbill Festival will be held annually in the first week of December by the State Government of Nagaland. The week-long festival is an opportunity for the tribes of Naga and voyageurs from around the world. The celebration is structured in vibrant games, folk dance, songs, sports, and ceremonies during the festival. Read in detail: Hornbill Festival Nagaland Guide with Things to Do

To travelers, there are strong recollections of the traditional Nagaland art, with its paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures. If besides being a HARDCORE NON-VEG CONNOISSEUR, you’re a FOOD AFICIONADO, you’re going to love the Hornbill festival every day. Also, read 11 Most Famous Festivals Celebrated in Nagaland

5. Onam, Kerala

The first month of the Malayalam Calendar Onam is celebrated in the early months of Chingam. Onam is, in fact, four days in Kerala. Onam’s second day is the most significant. Festivities begin about 10 days before this day on Atham, and floral arrangements are made in front of the house on the field. Find out More: Onam Festival Kerala 2024: Date, Traditions, Activities, Story, and How to Celebrate?

Puli Kali, which is an uncommon yet colorful form of folk art, dance, music, and drama, is one of the main attractions during the Onam Festival. The Aranmula Snake Boat Race, feasting, electronics, and different styles of classical and southern Indian dance are other activities that draw travelers. Also, read 10 Most Famous Festivals and Events of Kerala.

6. Pongal, Tamil Nadu

The Tamil people celebrate Pongal’s harvest season in Tamil Nadu. The ceremony lasts for 4 days, usually from 15 January until 18 January. The Tamil word Pongal means crop plenty.

The Sun, the primary source of energy for crops to rise, is celebrated primarily as a thank you. A big part of the Pongal festival is the symbolic practice of fresh boiling milk in a new clay pot at sunrise. Also, Read Pongal Festival 2025 – Harvest Celebrations in South India.

7. Durga Puja, West Bengal

The Durga Puja in Kolkata celebrates the Bengalis and is 4-5-day parenthood among citizens of different castes and beliefs. The festival is locally also called “Akal Bodhan”, a special time for adoration. Mythology says that the normal time to adore Durga is April, but Durga Mata was adored by Lord Rama for the sake of killing Ravana in this season.

No matter what the implications are, Bengali people from all over the world meet with family and friends during the Durga Puja festival, in West Bengal. The colorful mood, art, and colors of the Bengalis are seen mainly in traditional clothing and temporary thematic and decorative pandals and idols from Durga. Durga is a goddess. Detail Guide: Durga Puja in Kolkata; Why You Should Never Miss

8. Goa Carnival, Goa

This is rooted in Goa’s Protestant heritage of the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century. It is the local carnival edition that takes place before Mardi Gras worldwide. Saturday before Ash Wednesday the four-day celebration ends.

It is the first day of fasting out of forty days of fasting/meat avoidance before Easter according to Christianity. The Goa Carnival activities blend celebrations of various cultures, religions, and beliefs with many street displays. It concludes with a colorfully decorated parade similar to South America’s holiday parades. Read Also: Sunburn Festival Goa – Dates, Tickets, Attraction Music & Dance.

9. Losar Festival, Ladakh

Losar Festival, Ladakh is the largest festival in Tibet to mark the beginning of the New Year for Tibetans. There are large numbers of local people on the street praying and throwing fire torches, dancing, and singing.

Over the 3 day celebrations, the monasteries, newly-painted buildings, new clothes, and new food fun are decorated. Read Also: 10 Most Popular Festivals and Events of Ladakh

10. Puri Rath Yatra, Odisha

The Chariot Festival in Puri is a meeting of Hindu peregrines and tourists from various parts of the world who are visiting India’s historic diorama, dedicated to Lord Jagannath… the Puri Rath Yatra.

The Puri Rath Yatra is a saintly journey from Jagannath temple to Gundicha Temple, through Mausi Maa Temple, close to Balagandi Chaka in Puri on a richly decorated chariot of Lord Jagannath’s Hindu gods, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra. Read Also: A Detailed Guide to the Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri

Lord Jagannath and the rest of the Hindu deities live for nine days in the Gundicha temple and then return to the temple. This is a festival Bahuda Jatra is the way back to the Puri Rath Yatra. Also Read: 20 Best Places To Visit In Orissa (Odisha)

11. Thaipusam Festival, Tamil Nadu

The Thaipusam Festival is a Hindu festival that commemorates the occasion of Parvati sending Murugan a “Spear” of the Vel so it could overcome the evil demon Soorapadman. It is an uncommon and unusual religious event, but common among southern Indians and travelers who love Indian culture…

Devotees perform several ceremonial acts during this religious event including fasting for 48 days, headache and procession with milk, and the popular Kavadicavadeeattam. Body piercing with lances is the most unique aspect of this religious event.

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12. Pushkar Fair, Rajasthan

Pushkar is an internationally popular location for Pushkar Camel’s annual festival, one of the five holiest sites of Hindu fans. The week-long gala affair spread various tones of Rajasthan’s Royal State. The Pushkar Fair is wonderful eye candy for travelers all over the world with its magnificent art and architecture from the past being big sights.

The primary objective of the Pushkar Fair is to facilitate the trade of livestock such as camels, horses, goats, sheep, etc. The Pushkar fair for visitors is a lifetime experience of camel safari, local music, and cultural activities. Check more: Pushkar Camel Fair – Dates, Celebration, Attraction Know Everything.

13. International Kite Festival, Gujarat

To all kite lovers, the Festival is an international gathering. People from all over the world are coming together to various places in the country such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kutch, Ahmedabad, etc.

Kutch, with his handmade kites, is the leading community of kite lovers. Read Also: List of Historical Places in Gujarat

14. Rann Utsav, Gujarat

A four-year winter festival in the white sandy Deserts of Kutch is the Rann Utsav and the Kutch-Mahotsav. During the Rann Utsav pre-shift camps, the government provides visitors with the chance to explore the local culture, cuisine, and entertainment in the desert.

The region of Kutch is known for its craftsmanship too. Rabari, Ahir, Sindhi, Banni, Mutwa, Ari, and Soof are the most appropriate brother-like products produced by local women and girls. Though Kite flying, camping, and desert safari are other major tourist attractions.