Top 30 Most Famous Festivals of India

There are various religions in India. Each of them has its festivals. Being a highly spiritual nation, festivals lies at the heart of the lives of Indian people. The varied and numerous festivals that are celebrated throughout the year, provide a distinctive way of witnessing Indian culture. All the regional festivals are celebrated with great pomp and show. So, don’t miss out on any opportunity to celebrate these popular festivals to get an unforgettable experience.

Here is the list of the Top 30 Popular Festivals in India:

1. Diwali

Diwali is one of the most spectacular festivals in India. It is celebrated by people of varied cultures of the nation with enthusiasm and vigor. Diwali tributes to the triumph of good over evil. On this day, Lord Rama returns to his kingdom Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita post the defeat of Ravan. This festival is recognized as the “Festival of Lights”. It is celebrated in October or November.

People decorate their houses, lit candles, and clay lamps, worship Goddess Laxmi, indulge in fireworks, and exchange gifts. For most Indian families, Diwali is considered the most awaited festival of the whole year. Find more pieces of information for Diwali Festival: Importance, Attraction, Where, How to celebrate it?

Diwali Festival Dates in 2024 and 2025:

• Diwali in 2024: 01st of November
• Diwali in 2025: 20th of October

Suggested Ayodhya Packages:

• Ayodhya 03-Day Tour
• Ayodhya 01 Day Sightseeing Itinerary

2. Holi

Holi is another significant festival in India. It is celebrated in the spring season in March. On this day, merrymakers greet each other by applying a colored powder called ‘Gulal’ on their cheeks of each other.

This is followed by music, dance, and food that form the other highlight of the festival. Click here how is Holi celebrated in India?

Read More: What is Lathmar Holi? Date, Why & How is it celebrated?

Holi Festival Dates in 2024 and 2025:

• Holi in 2024: 25th of March
• Holi in 2025: 14th of March

Suggested Holi Celebrate Package: 2 Days Mathura Vrindavan Holi Festival Tour Itinerary

3. Dussehra

Dussehra festival is celebrated on the last day of the nine days of Navratri. This day signifies the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. People celebrate this festival by burning the symbolic figure of Ravana along with his two brothers Kumbhkaran and Meghnath.

These structures are made and placed at different places and burnt. Check out how to celebrate the Dussehra in India.

Dussehra Festival Dates in  2024 and 2025:

• Dussehra in 2024: 12th of October
• Dussehra in 2025: 02nd of October

Read more: Top Festivals in India to Experience in November

4. Eid–Ul–Fitr

Eid also celebrated as Ramadan is celebrated primarily by the people of the Muslim religion. The entire month of this festival is considered to be the most pious month of the Islamic calendar.

This is the best time considered for prayers, fasts, introspection, spiritual awakening, contemplation, and charity. The last day of the holy Ramadan is celebrated as Eid-Ul-Fitr. It is a 3-day festival, where Muslims discontinue their fasts and gather at one place for celebration and prayers.

Read Also: Top 10 Festivals in September in India

Eid–Ul–Fitr Festival Dates in 2024 and 2025:

• Eid–Ul–Fitr in 2024: 10th of April
• Eid–Ul–Fitr in 2025: 30th of March

5. Christmas

Christians are an important sect of our Indian demography. Christmas is the most important festival for this sect. This festival comes on the 25th of December every year. Christmas is celebrated to honor the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Several cultural and religious celebrations are held on this day. The day is celebrated by wishing Merry Christmas, adorning the beautiful Christmas tree, and exchanging sweets and gifts.

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6. Ganesh Chaturthi

Hindus all over the world celebrate this day with great zeal and enthusiasm. The festival symbolizes the arrival of Lord Ganesh. It is a ten-day-long festival that begins with Ganesh Chaturthi and ends with Anant Chaturdashi. Ganesh Chaturthi is indeed one of the most exciting, devotional, and colorful festivals in India.

Besides temples, many devotees also bring and keep idols of Lord Ganesh at home to bless their house with prosperity and happiness. This festival observes the exchange of pleasantries, prayers, distribution of sweets and finally immersing the idol in water with pomp and show. Here is more information about Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in India.

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Dates in 2024 and 2025:

• Ganesh Chaturthi in 2024: 07th of September
• Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025: 27th of August

7. Durga Puja

This festival is a long festival of five days celebrated in West Bengal with sacred associations. On this day, people worship Goddess Durga. The preparation for this auspicious occasion begins a month in advance.

Setting beautiful pandals and making preparation for several cultural activities form part of this fest. Durga Puja in Kolkata – Why You Should Never Miss.

Durga Puja Festival Dates in 2024 and 2025:

• Durga Puja in 2024: 09th of October to 13th of October
• Durga Puja in 2025: 28th of September to 02nd of October

Suggested West Bengal Packages:

• 3 Nights 4 Days Darjeeling Tour Itinerary
• 7 Days Darjeeling and Gangtok Tour Package
• 3 Days Sundarban Itinerary from Kolkata
• 6 Days Gangtok Kalimpong Darjeeling Itinerary

Read Also: Top 10 Popular Festivals of West Bengal

8. Baisakhi

This day is one of the prime commemorations of the Sikh community. Baisakhi is celebrated throughout the nation on the 13th of April. The festival has great religious significance.

It symbolizes the yield of Rabi crops, and that is the reason it is celebrated heartily among the entire farming community. Baisakhi is celebrated by greeting each other, followed by engaging in regional folk dances.

Find more details: Baisakhi Celebration in Punjab – Festival Guide Dates 2022

9. Easter

This festival is celebrated by Christians as the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter has a great significance among Christians. It is celebrated on the 1^st Sunday that falls after 17th Apr’2022.

Easter revels with incomprehensible enthusiasm. The preparation for this festival begins several weeks earlier than the day of the festival. Easter eggs, baskets, candy, and bunnies form a typical part of the event.

Easter Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Easter in 2023: 07th of April
• Easter in 2024: 31st of March
• Easter in 2025: 20th of April

Read Also: Famous Festivals in August in India

10. Onam

Onam is celebrated as the major festival of Keralites. This is a harvest festival that people of varied communities of Kerala celebrate with enthusiasm. It is considered the commencement of the Malayalam calendar. Onam is celebrated between August and September. The duration of this festival ranges between 4 to 10 days.

The celebration comprises folk songs, feasts, energetic games, elegant dances, boats, flowers, and elephants. All of them form a major attraction of this festival. View more details on Onam Festival Kerala 2022: Date, Traditions, Activities, Story, and How to Celebrate?

Onam Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Onam in 2023: 20th of August to 31st of August
• Onam in 2024: 05th of September to 17th of September
• Onam in 2025: 26th of August to 07th of September

Suggested Kerala Packages:

Also read: 10 Most Popular Festivals and Events of Kerala

11. Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a popular traditional Hindu ritual celebrated all across the nation. This festival relishes the eternal and loving bond between sisters and brothers.

Sisters apply tilak to the forehead of the brother, tie rakhi to his wrist, and perform aarti. She prays for his long life and good health. Brother takes a vow to protect their sisters throughout life.

Read more details: What is Raksha Bandhan Festival? Why and how do we celebrate it?

Raksha Bandhan Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Raksha Bandhan in 2023: 30th of August
• Raksha Bandhan in 2024: 19th of August
• Raksha Bandhan in 2025: 09th of August

12. Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima is the day on which Lord Buddha was born. This day is celebrated as a festival where the followers of Gautam Buddha preach and discuss the teachings and life of Lord Buddha. This auspicious day falls on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakha as per the Hindu Calendar.

People throughout the nation celebrate it by worshipping ornate the idols of Lord Buddha. They spend this day eating simply, chanting, and meditating. Read More: Buddha Purnima Jayanti – How and Where to Celebrate?

Buddha Purnima Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Buddha Purnima in 2023: 05th of May
• Buddha Purnima in 2024: 23rd of May
• Buddha Purnima in 2025: 12th of May

Read Also: The Popular Festival May in India

13. Krishna Janmashtami

This is another very important festival of Hindu tradition. It is the day when Lord Krishna was born. This day is celebrated as his victory over evil.

On this auspicious occasion, devotees gather around temples to offer prayers and prasad to beloved Lord Krishna. This is another important religious festival that is celebrated with ample devotion by the Hindu community.

Krishna Janmashtami Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Krishna Janmashtami in 2023: 06th of September to 07th of August
• Krishna Janmashtami in 2024: 26th of August
• Krishna Janmashtami in 2025: 16th of August

Read Also: 10 Famous Festivals in June in India!

14. Pongal

After Onam, Pongal is another harvest festival that lasts for four days. This festival is celebrated by people in Tamil Nadu to show their gratitude toward nature. Pongal falls on the 14th of January.

Several rituals are performed on this day throughout the state. People rejoice in the preparation and celebrate with enthusiasm and vigor. Find more about Pongal Festival 2022 – Harvest Celebrations in South India.

Pongal Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Pongal in 2023: 15th of January to 18th of January
• Pongal in 2024: 15th of January to 18th of January
• Pongal in 2025: 14th of January to 17th of January

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Also, read:

• Top 10 Most Famous Temples of Tamil Nadu
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15. Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is an auspicious day celebrated by devotees of Lord Shiva. It is celebrated on the 13th night of the Phalguna month.

Devotees observe day and night-long fast along with offering prayers and performing rituals to the conventional Mahashivalingam. Read: Maha Shivratri 2023: Date, Puja, Story, Celebrations & More

Maha Shivratri Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Maha Shivratri in 2023: 18th of February
• Maha Shivratri in 2024: 08th of March
• Maha Shivratri in 2025: 26th of February

16. Bihu

Bihu is a very significant festival in Assam. It is a seven-day long festival that commences on the 14th of April. This festival has various rituals that are different for different days of celebration. One of the popular regional dances that are performed at this festival is the “Bihu dance”.

This dance is seen as the specialty of the festival. People from different parts of the state engage in this celebration and spread joy and happiness.

Bihu Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Bihu in 2023: 14th of April to 20th of April
• Bihu in 2024: 14th of April to 20th of April
• Bihu in 2025: 14th of April to 20th of April

Suggested Assam Package:

• 4 Nights 5 Days Kaziranga Guwahati Trip Package
• 7 Nights 8 Days Assam and Arunachal Package
• 5 Nights 6 Days Assam Kaziranga Guwahati Tour Itinerary

View More: List of Popular Festivals & Events of Assam

17. Chhath Puja

As the name suggests, this festival is celebrated as a puja that is performed in devotion to the Sun. Our ancients believed Sun to be one of the Gods.

So, on this day, they pray to the Sun and thank him for his protection, and grant blessings for happiness and good health. This festival is celebrated majorly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Chhath Puja Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Chhath Puja in 2023: 17th of November to 20th of November
• Chhath Puja in 2024: 07th of November to 10th of November
• Chhath Puja in 2025: 28th of October to 31st of October

Check Uttar Pradesh Tour Package click here…   |    Check Bihar Tour Package click here…

Read Also:

• 20 Best Places to Visit in Uttar Pradesh
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18. Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated nationwide on the 14th of January each year. It is one of the ancient traditions in India. People call this festival by different names throughout different states in the country.

The festival marks the end of an unfavorable time and the beginning of the fortunate month.

19. Hemis

Hemis is a popular and highly significant festival of the people of Leh-Ladakh. On this day the spiritual leader of Ladakh, Padmasambhava, was born. So, this day is celebrated all over the state to honor the contributions of this great leader in the upliftment and progress of Leh-Ladakh.

Hemis is a two-day festival that ends on the 10th day as per the Tibetan lunar month. Traditional Buddhist rituals and masked dance performers are the high points of this festival. You can find more detailed information on Hemis Festival, Ladakh – Date, and Attractions.

Hemis Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Hemis in 2023: 28th of June to 29th of June
• Hemis in 2024: 16th of June to 17th of June
• Hemis in 2025: 22nd of June to 23rd of June

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Read Also: 10 Most Popular Festivals and Events of Ladakh

20. Losar Festival

One of the prime festivals of Arunachal Pradesh is the 3-day long festival that is celebrated with pomp and show. There are well-defined and distinguished rituals on all three days of the festivals. People visit their friends and tie colorful flags on the top of the roof to celebrate this day. This merrymaking continues for fifteen days. More information is available here: Dates, History, Celebrations, and Attractions for Losar Festival India 2022.

Losar Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Losar in 2023: 21st of February to 22nd of February
• Losar in 2024: 10th of February to 11th of February
• Losar in 2025: 28th of February

Suggested North East India Packages:

Also Read: List of Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh

21. Hornbill Festival

Hornbill is one of the cultural and religious festivals of the nation. It is celebrated throughout the state with a lot of enthusiasm for seven to ten days. The celebration starts from the 1st of December to the 10th of December each year. This day witnesses all the key tribes of Nagaland state.

Colorful headgear, exquisite costumes, warrior log drums, and soulful war cries are some of the highlights of the hornbill festival. Give more details on Hornbill Festival Nagaland – Things to Do.

Check the Nagaland Tour Itinerary click here…

22. Lohri

Lohri is a true Punjabi folk festival. It is celebrated mainly by the Hindu and Sikh community of Punjab origin. This festival is majorly a day for farmers to pay their gratitude to the Divine for the favorable yield of the Rabi crop.

The primary celebration of this festival involves igniting a bonfire and also throwing in foods such as Chikki, Gajak, Popcorn, Sugarcane, and Puffed Rice, to pay homage to roots. The festival celebrates on the 13th of January every year.

Suggested Punjab Packages:

• 2 Days Amritsar Golden Temple Tour from Delhi
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Read Also: List of Religious Places and Temples in Punjab

23. Karwa Chauth

This day is celebrated by North Indian women for the long life and safety of their husbands. On this day, women dress up, apply henna (Mehendi) on their hands and keep fast from sunrise to sunset.

Karwa Chauth is a full-day festival with a wide range of colorful rituals.

Karwa Chauth Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Karwa Chauth in 2023: 31st of October
• Karwa Chauth in 2024: 20th of October
• Karwa Chauth in 2025: 09th of October

Read Also: Most Famous Festival in November in India

24. Navratri

Navratri festival is popular as one of the highly sacred and much-awaited times of the year. It is celebrated majorly by the Hindu community throughout the nation.

Navratri is a nine-day-long festival that ends in the month of Ashwin. This festival culminates in another important festival “Dussehra”. Being the start of the festive season, the Sharad Navratri festival is celebrated with widespread grandeur.

Navratri Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Navratri in 2023: 15th of October to 24th of October
• Navratri in 2024: 03rd of October to 12th of October
• Navratri in 2025: 22nd of September to 02nd of October

Read Also: Popular Festivals and Events in December in India

25. Teej

This festival is celebrated countrywide to obtain blessings from Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva for a prosperous and blissful married life. Teej holds a lot of significance for Hindus. This festival is celebrated to honor the day when Lord Shiva acknowledged the love of Goddess Parvati for him.

As a part of the ritual, both unmarried and married women observe fast and offer prayer to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva in hopes of a good life partner and a happy married life. Dressing up women at this festival is one of the most beautiful sights and major attractions of this festival.

Teej Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Teej in 2023: 19th of August
• Teej in 2024: 07th of August
• Teej in 2025: 27th of July

26. Ram Navami

Ram Navami is a festival that is celebrated as the day when Lord Ram was born. This day falls on the 9th day of the lunar year and in March or April month as per the English calendar.

Being the national Indian festival, Ram Navami is celebrated with utmost enthusiasm and devotion by Hindus.

Ram Navami Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Ram Navami in 2023: 30th of March
• Ram Navami in 2024: 17th of April
• Ram Navami in 2025: 06th of April

27. Saga Dawa

Saga Dawa is another important religious festival in Sikkim, India. It is a key festival of Buddhists that is celebrated between May and June month of the English Calendar. This day commemorates the time when Lord Buddha got enlightened.

On this day devotees pray to Lord Buddha by offering water, Bhog, and incense sticks at Buddhist monasteries. Prayer and chanting of mantras from part of the rituals performed in this event.

Saga Dawa Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Saga Dawa in 2023: 05th of May
• Saga Dawa in 2024: 23rd of May
• Saga Dawa in 2025: 11th of June

Suggested Sikkim Packages:

• 6 Days Gangtok Lachung Trip Itinerary
• 3 Nights 4 Days Gangtok Tour Itinerary
• Darjeeling Gangtok Tour Package from Kolkata

Read Also:

• Famous Buddhist Festivals Celebrated in India
• List of Monasteries in Sikkim

28. Dree Festival

This festival takes place on 5th July every year. It is celebrated as a confirmation of the good production of crops. As per tradition, people distribute cucumbers to everyone.

This symbolizes good yield. Other rituals of this celebration are offering prayers to Gods, drinking wine, and delectable local dishes.

Read Also: 10 Most Popular Festivals Must Attend in July in India!

29. Gangaur

Gangaur is a significant Marwari festival that is celebrated every year at the beginning of Chaitra month which comes in March or April. On this day, the heavenly union of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva is celebrated. People perform several rituals on this day to seek blessings from the divine and fill their married life with happiness.

This festival is celebrated by women, who worship idols of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva and immerse them in the water at the end of this festival. Among the popular Indian festival, this auspicious occasion is celebrated with processions, decorations, and great fervor.

Gangaur Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Gangaur in 2023: 08th of March to 24th of March
• Gangaur in 2024: 25th of March to 11th of April
• Gangaur in 2025: 15th of March to 31st of March

Rajasthan Tour Packages:

Madhya Pradesh Travel Itinerary:

30. Mahavir Jayanti

This day is of a lot of significance for devotees of Lord Mahavir. Mahavir Jayanti is the day when Lord Mahavira was born. It is one of the very important festivals of the entire Jain community.

This festival falls in March or April. This day is celebrated with processions, chanting of prayers, fasting, and charity to poor sections of society.

Mahavir Jayanti Festival Dates in 2023, 2024, and 2025:

• Mahavir Jayanti in 2023: 04th of April
• Mahavir Jayanti in 2024: 21st of April
• Mahavir Jayanti in 2025: 10th of April

Read Also: 10 Most Famous Festivals in April 2024 in India

Conclusion

To understand the vast Indian culture, it is essential to witness these amazing festivals. They portray the true depth and essence of the belief systems of the Indian people. The spellbinding impact created by all these Indian festivals is a feeling worth experiencing and sharing.

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