These 7 Big Festivals in India are Exciting
Indian festivals are usually loud, intense, colorful, and chaotic all at the same time. You'll certainly have no shortage of photo opportunities or stories to share at home!
Many of the festivals in India are celebrated throughout Southeast Asia and other parts of the world where large Indian communities exist. You'll be able to enjoy many of the same celebrations in places such as Malaysia and Singapore.
Large Indian festivals and national holidays can slow transportation to a crawl as thousands of people take time from work to celebrate and visit family; plan accordingly and book trains well in advance. Although India only observes three official national holidays, there is always something to celebrate throughout the year!
Mahatma Gandhi's birthday is one of India's official national holidays and is observed in every state across the subcontinent.
Peaceful tributes and prayer services are held to honor the 'Father of the Nation' and a large crowd gathers at Raj Ghat, Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi.
See 20 interesting facts about Gandhi.
Not to be confused with India's Independence Day, Republic Day celebrates the adoption of a new constitution on January 26, 1950. Republic Day is celebrated as a national holiday with business closures, parades, military displays, and patriotic activities.
Although no alcohol is sold on Indian Republic Day, plenty of people celebrate the time away from work with small gatherings and fairs.
Another of India's patriotic national holidays, Independence Day celebrates India's hard-won independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.
Parades, pageants, and plenty of flag waving create a sense of pride at cultural events throughout the country.
The Hindu Festival of Colors is a frenetic, messy affair with people dancing in the streets while covering each other with water and colored dye powers. Holi is both colorful and unforgettable, but don't wear anything that you care about!
Holi celebrates the end of winter and drives away bad spirits that could cause ill health before the upcoming spring harvest.
Also spelled as Deepavali or Divali, the Hindu Festival of Lights is spectacular to see. Diwali could be called the Indian version of Chinese New Year; the festival is about family, new beginnings, food, and plenty of lanterns and fireworks.
The Diwali Festival runs for five days and peaks around the third night. Ghee lanterns are burned and colorful lights adorn buildings to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by Tamil communities to honor Lord Murugan, the God of War. While the festival is mainly about giving offerings such as pots of milk, some participants choose to pierce their faces and bodies as tribute. Elaborate, heavy shrines known as kavadis are attached to worshipers with skewers and are carried through the procession.
The Pushkar Camel Fair is an annual event that attracts a multitude of tourists and locals who come to appreciate the more than 50,000 camels! Camel races, a carnival, beauty pageants, and an array of events draw over 200,000 people each year to tiny Pushkar in India's desert state of Rajasthan.
Accommodation in Pushkar becomes very expensive around the time of the fair. Expect major transportation problems throughout Rajasthan.
Many of the festivals in India are celebrated throughout Southeast Asia and other parts of the world where large Indian communities exist. You'll be able to enjoy many of the same celebrations in places such as Malaysia and Singapore.
Large Indian festivals and national holidays can slow transportation to a crawl as thousands of people take time from work to celebrate and visit family; plan accordingly and book trains well in advance. Although India only observes three official national holidays, there is always something to celebrate throughout the year!
- See some India travel essentials before you go.
1. Gandhi's Birthday
Mahatma Gandhi's birthday is one of India's official national holidays and is observed in every state across the subcontinent.
Peaceful tributes and prayer services are held to honor the 'Father of the Nation' and a large crowd gathers at Raj Ghat, Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi.
See 20 interesting facts about Gandhi.
- When: Annually on October 2.
- Where: Throughout India.
2. Republic Day
Not to be confused with India's Independence Day, Republic Day celebrates the adoption of a new constitution on January 26, 1950. Republic Day is celebrated as a national holiday with business closures, parades, military displays, and patriotic activities.
Although no alcohol is sold on Indian Republic Day, plenty of people celebrate the time away from work with small gatherings and fairs.
- When: Annually on January 26.
- Where: Delhi.
3. Independence Day
Another of India's patriotic national holidays, Independence Day celebrates India's hard-won independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.
Parades, pageants, and plenty of flag waving create a sense of pride at cultural events throughout the country.
- When: Annually on August 15.
- Where: Throughout India, however, Delhi is the epicenter.
4. Holi Festival
The Hindu Festival of Colors is a frenetic, messy affair with people dancing in the streets while covering each other with water and colored dye powers. Holi is both colorful and unforgettable, but don't wear anything that you care about!
Holi celebrates the end of winter and drives away bad spirits that could cause ill health before the upcoming spring harvest.
- When: Dates change, but usually in March.
- Where: Any place with a large Hindu population including India, Malaysia, and Singapore. See 6 places to celebrate Holi.
5. Diwali
Also spelled as Deepavali or Divali, the Hindu Festival of Lights is spectacular to see. Diwali could be called the Indian version of Chinese New Year; the festival is about family, new beginnings, food, and plenty of lanterns and fireworks.
The Diwali Festival runs for five days and peaks around the third night. Ghee lanterns are burned and colorful lights adorn buildings to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
- When: Dates change, but usually between October and December.
- Where: Throughout India including Rajasthan, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and any place with a large Indian population.
6. Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by Tamil communities to honor Lord Murugan, the God of War. While the festival is mainly about giving offerings such as pots of milk, some participants choose to pierce their faces and bodies as tribute. Elaborate, heavy shrines known as kavadis are attached to worshipers with skewers and are carried through the procession.
- When: Dates change, but usually in January or February.
- Where: Throughout India, Sri Lanka, and anyplace with a large Tamil community. Over a million worshipers gather at the Batu Caves outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
7. Pushkar Camel Fair
The Pushkar Camel Fair is an annual event that attracts a multitude of tourists and locals who come to appreciate the more than 50,000 camels! Camel races, a carnival, beauty pageants, and an array of events draw over 200,000 people each year to tiny Pushkar in India's desert state of Rajasthan.
Accommodation in Pushkar becomes very expensive around the time of the fair. Expect major transportation problems throughout Rajasthan.
- When: Dates change, usually in November; see Pushkar Camel Fair dates.
- Where: Pushkar in Rajasthan, India.