Nowhere celebrates festivals quite like India. As the world’s most populous and deeply spiritual nation, India’s major celebrations, across Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, and other faiths, take the country’s color and energy to a whole new level.
Many festivals follow the lunar calendars of various religions, so dates can shift each year.
The Islamic calendar, in particular, moves forward by about 11 days annually, and Muslim festivals often depend on moon sightings, so it’s always best to double-check dates before planning your trip. Or, simply reach out to us at Tiwari Travel for the latest info.
In this blog post, we’ll take you on a journey through some of the most incredible festivals in India, ones that promise unforgettable memories, cultural richness, and a deeper connection to this beautiful, diverse land.
10 Incredible Festivals in India
-
Holi
When: February/March
Where: India-wide, particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan
If there’s one Indian festival you absolutely must experience, it’s Holi—the Festival of Colours—celebrated with unmatched joy across the country.
This lively celebration sees people everywhere drenched in vibrant powders and splashes of colored water. Ceremonial bonfires are lit to mark the defeat of the demoness Holika, who was consumed by flames after trying to kill her nephew Prahlada, a devoted follower of Vishnu.
The color frenzy is especially intense in Mathura and Vrindavan, located between Delhi and Agra—where Lord Krishna was born and where, as legend says, he playfully teased the milkmaids. The week-long festivities at Vrindavan’s Banke Bihari Temple are truly unforgettable, while in the nearby villages of Barsana and Nandgaon, women playfully “beat” the men with sticks in a unique Holi tradition.
Other great places to celebrate include Shantiniketan in West Bengal, where Holi aligns with the elegant Basanta Utsav festival started by poet Rabindranath Tagore, and Udaipur in Rajasthan, where a royal bonfire is lit at the grand City Palace.
-
Losar
When: February/March
Where: Tibetan Buddhist areas in the Himalaya
Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in India—known as gompas—host vibrant annual festivals called tsechus, featuring sacred rituals, grand processions, and mesmerizing masked dances known as chaam. Since each monastery celebrates on its own schedule, these festivals can be tricky to plan around.
A more predictable option is Losar, the Tibetan New Year, usually celebrated in February or March by Tibetan Buddhist communities across India.
Some of the best places to witness monks spinning in elaborate masks—representing animals, mythical beings, bodhisattvas (enlightened beings), and fierce protector deities—include Ladakh, Sikkim, parts of West Bengal, the Tawang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, and Buddhist regions of Himachal Pradesh like Spiti and Dharamsala.
-
Maha Shivaratri
When: February/March
Where: India-wide
The arrival of spring brings Maha Shivaratri, a sacred Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva and his divine union with Goddess Parvati—a symbol of feminine strength, love, and harmony.
This celebration reflects the cosmic balance between Shiva, the powerful Destroyer of the Universe in the Hindu Trimurti (alongside Vishnu and Brahma), and Parvati, whose gentle nature perfectly complements his fierce energy.
Some of the best places to witness Maha Shivaratri festivities include Haridwar, where the holy Ganges River flows out of the Himalayas, the temple town of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, and Varanasi, where grand temple ceremonies feature re-enactments of the celestial wedding, complete with devotees dressed in colorful, ceremonial attire.
-
International Yoga Festival
When: March
Where: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
As spring arrives in the foothills of the Himalayas, the city of Rishikesh proudly takes its place as India’s yoga capital with a vibrant celebration along the banks of the Ganges. Hosted by the Parmarth Niketan yoga ashram, the International Yoga Festival attracts yoga lovers from all over the world.
It’s the perfect chance to connect with fellow aspiring yogis and deepen your yoga practice. Just be sure to book your accommodation, transport, and yoga classes well in advance, as this event draws large crowds. While you’re there, don’t miss a visit to nearby Haridwar, where Lord Vishnu is said to have left a sacred footprint at the Har-ki-Pauri ghats.
-
Buddha Purmina (Buddha Jayanti)
When: April/May
Where: Buddhist areas across India
The birthday of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, is a significant celebration for India’s 8.4 million Buddhists. The city of Bodhgaya in Bihar, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, is the heart of these festivities—especially at the Mahabodhi Temple, which marks the very spot where he discovered the Middle Way.
The festival is also joyfully observed at other important sites connected to the Buddha’s life, such as Sarnath near Varanasi, and within Tibetan Buddhist communities, including Dharamsala, the official residence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile.
-
Onam, Kerala
When: August/September
Where: Throughout Kerala
Don’t miss the vibrant festivals of South India. Onam, Kerala’s annual harvest festival, is celebrated by people of all faiths with colorful processions, thrilling dragon boat races, and feasting on Onasadya—a delicious spread of traditional Keralite vegetarian dishes served on banana leaves.
Onam marks the homecoming of Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlada, whose escape from a fiery fate inspired the festival of Holi. The celebrations also include music, dance, and the creation of intricate flower patterns called pookkalam at the entrances of homes and temples.
If you’re in Kerala during this time, don’t miss the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race, where spectacular snake-boat races draw thousands of spectators to the backwaters near Alappuzha (Alleppey) in mid-August.
-
Dussehra
When: September/October
Where: India-wide
As the monsoon winds down, Hindus in the north, center and west of India hold lively celebrations to commemorate Rama’s victory over demonic Ravana, the 10-headed demon king of Lanka, who kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita, leading to an epic rescue by Rama and Hanuman, the loyal monkey god.
The Rajasthani city of Kota holds one of the liveliest celebrations, with huge processions, fireworks, and the public burning of enormous effigies of Ravana and his diabolical brother, Kumbhakaran, and son, Meghnada. Delhi also holds a famously spirited Ravan Dahan ceremony.
During the festivities in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, hundreds of colorful devtas (deities) are carried on palanquins from temples across the region to the city’s Dhalpur ground, where a chariot bearing an idol of Raghunath, a form of Ram, awaits to give his blessings.
In the south and east, Dussehra is celebrated as the culmination of Durga Puja, hailing the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. One of the best spots to celebrate is Mysuru, where an idol of Chamundeshwari is paraded in a golden carriage on the back of a decorated elephant.
-
Durga Puja (Sharada Navratri)
When: September/October
Where: India-wide, particularly in West Bengal and the northeast
The annual celebrations honoring the tiger-riding goddess Durga are truly unforgettable. In West Bengal and the Northeast States, elaborate pandals (decorated tents) are set up, showcasing stunning dioramas with statues of Durga wielding weapons in her many hands, symbolizing her power to defeat evil.
These festivities coincide with the autumn Navratri celebrations and are especially lively in Kolkata. In the Kumartuli district, skilled sculptors work tirelessly to create intricate clay statues of Durga and other deities, which are later displayed with great reverence before being ritually immersed in temple tanks and the Hooghly River.
9. International Film Festival of India
When: November
Where: Panaji, Goa
As the home of the world’s largest film industry, India hosts numerous movie galas and festivals, often attended by Bollywood’s biggest stars. One of the most exciting events for visitors is the International Film Festival of India, held in Panaji, Goa—a celebration of world cinema running since 1952.
The festival features screenings, talks, and various events showcasing films from across the globe, including premieres from new filmmakers and movies that promote social understanding and cultural cooperation.
-
Pushkar Camel Fair
When: October/November
Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan
Before buses and trains transformed travel across India, livestock fairs were key events that brought communities together. Thousands of rural herders gathered to trade camels, goats, buffalo, and cattle, reconnect with friends and family, celebrate religious rituals, and arrange marriages.
This rich tradition continues today at Rajasthan’s famous Pushkar Camel Fair, which blends religious ceremonies at Pushkar’s sacred lake with vibrant markets featuring around 50,000 camels and cows, along with acrobats, musicians, and performers. It’s an incredible sight—though not ideal if you have an allergy to animal hair!
