Festivals of India 2025

In India, festivals are a way for people to show their beliefs, culture, and traditions. Each festival has its own unique character. Throughout the country, there are festivals based on seasons and states. The main aim of these events is to spread happiness and bring friends and family closer. Some local festivals vary in dates each year. In India, festivals can be held to honor a god at a special temple, celebrate the farming cycle, or remember a religious story or event. This article gives detailed insights into why festivals are important in India.

Indian festivals span the entire year, mirroring the diversity of the country's landscapes and the vibrancy of its people. Festivals and fairs play a crucial role in Indian culture, serving as a means to express our beliefs and emotions. While each community has its own set of festivals and sacred days, the inclusive nature of India as a secular country allows members of different religious groups to actively partake in these celebrations. Holidays are officially declared for a variety of festivals associated with various faiths and communities, emphasizing the unity in diversity that defines India.

Historical Background of Indian Festivals

The tradition of celebrating festivals in India has deep roots in the Aryan Vedic tradition, dating back to the Vedic era. The Vedic scriptures and literature provide valuable insights into the early celebrations that honored gods, plants, rivers, and mountains.

India's festivals encompass a rich tapestry of practices, including prayers, fasting, and carrying significant social and cultural meanings. Beyond rituals, festivals in India showcase vibrant expressions through music, dance, and theatrical performances, along with physically demanding activities such as wrestling and races involving wild bulls, elephants, horses, and rhinos.

During the Vijayanagar empire, Mahanavami emerged as a significant celebration, lasting five days and commemorating Goddess Durga's triumph over the demons Bhandasura, Chanda, and Munda. The event featured the king's court proceedings in front of the public.

Muslims in India also celebrate various festivals, with a focus on the Shia faith. Notable celebrations include the observances related to Imam Husain's martyrdom and the Prophet's birthday, reflecting the diverse and inclusive cultural landscape of the country.

An Overview of Indian Festivals

Festivals play a crucial role in grasping the essence of Indian culture, and even visitors from other countries incorporate them into their trips to India. These festivals are broadly categorized into two types: religious festivals and secular festivals.

Religious Festivals:

• Hindu Festivals:
• 1. Diwali (Festival of Lights): Celebrated by Hindus worldwide, it occurs on the new moon day in the Karthik month, usually in October or November.
• 2. Sharad Purnima: Marks the harvest season, celebrated 15 days before Diwali on the full moon night.
• 3. Holi (Festival of Colors): Celebrated with enthusiasm across the country, symbolizing Indian culture and observed by people of various religions.
• 4. Makar Sankranti: Honors the Sun God and marks the Sun's entry into the northern hemisphere, tied to the agricultural cycle.
• 5. Janmashthami: Commemorates Lord Krishna's birth during the month of Shravan (July/August).
• 6. Dussehra: Also known as Vijayadashami, it commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, with a preceding nine-day fast known as Navratri.
• 7. Ram Navami: Celebrates Lord Rama's birth in March/April, particularly observed in Ayodhya and Puducherry.
• 8. Durga Puja: Similar to Dussehra, celebrated by Bengali, Assamese, and other communities, honoring Goddess Durga's victory.
• 9. Ganesh Chaturthi: Marks Lord Ganesha's birth on the fourth day of the Bhadra month (August/September).
• 10. Mahashivratri: Celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva on the fourteenth day of the Magha month (February/March).
• Muslim Festivals:
• 1. Eid-ul-Fitr: Celebrated globally, marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic calendar's ninth month.
• 2. Milad-Un-Nabi: Commemorates Prophet Muhammad's birth on the twelfth day of Rabi-al-Awwal.
• 3. Muharram: A somber occasion remembering the martyrdom of Hussain, Ali's son, in the Islamic calendar's first month.
• 4. Shab-e-Barat: Also known as the "Night of Emancipation," occurring between the 14th and 15th day of the month of Shaban.
• 5. Shab-e-Miraj: Commemorates the "night of Ascension" in Rajab, two years before Hijra.
• Christian Festivals:
• 1. Christmas: Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th, celebrated globally with Midnight Mass on December 24th.
• 2. Easter & Good Friday: Observes the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing the triumph of life over death.
• Sikh Festivals:
• 1. Gurpurab: Celebrates the birth anniversaries of Sikh gurus, particularly Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.
• 2. Maghi: Marks the seasonal meeting for Sikhs, commemorating Sikh martyrs resisting the Mughals.
• 3. Hola Mohalla: Marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is celebrated in Anandpur Sahib in March.
• 4. Vaisakhi: Commemorates the Sikh new year and the birth of the Khalsa Panth in April.
• Jain Festivals:
• 1. Mahavir Jayanti: Celebrates Lord Mahavira's birth as the 24th Tirthankara on the thirteenth day of Chaitra.
• 2. Paryushana: Annual festival celebrated for eight days by the Svetambara sect and ten days by the Digambara sect.
• 3. Mahamastakabhisheka: Jain festival held once every twelve years in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka.
• Buddhist Festivals:
• 1. Buddha Purnima: Celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha during April and May.
• 2. Songkran: Celebrated in mid-April, resembling spring cleaning and involving water-related activities.
• 3. Ploughing Festival: Commemorates Buddha's first enlightenment at seven years old while watching ploughing.
• 4. Ullambana: Observed from the first to the fifteenth days of the eighth lunar month, involving rituals for the deceased.
• 5. Losar Festival: Celebrates the Tibetan New Year, particularly significant in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Sindhi Festivals:
• 1. Chaliho Sahib: Involves a forty-day fast in July and August, praying to Lord Jhulelal and culminating in Thanksgiving Day.
• 2. Cheti Chand: Sindhi New Year celebrated on the first day of Chaitra, commemorating the birth of Jhulelal.
• Parsi Festivals (Zoroastrian):
• 1. Jamshedi Navroz: Celebrates the Parsi New Year, falling on the first day of the first month (Mah Farvardin).
• 2. Zarthost No Deeso: Commemorates Prophet Zoroaster's death anniversary.
• 3. Pateti: A day of expressing regret for the committed wrongs on the Parsi calendar's last Gatha day.
• Secular Festivals:
• Secular festivals are celebrated nationwide, irrespective of religious affiliation. Each state has its festivals integral to its culture.
• 1. Gangaur Festival: Originated in medieval Rajput times, primarily observed in Rajasthan, honoring Goddess Parvati.
• 2. Khajuraho Dance Festival: Promotes tourism by showcasing the beauty and eroticism of Khajuraho temples through dance.
• 3. Teej: A colorful festival in Northern India, occurring on the third day of the Shravan month.
• 4. Tyagaraja Aradhana: Honors the legendary Tamil saint and composer Tyagaraja annually near Thanjavur.
• 5. Raksha Bandhan: Celebrates the protective bond between brothers and sisters.
• 6. Onam: Kerala's state festival, primarily a harvest celebration commemorating the return of King Mahabali.

Festivals of Indian States for competitive Exam 2025

State	Festivals
Andhra Pradesh	Dasara Festival, Gangamma Jatara, Gowri Habba, Ugadi, Vaikunta Ekadashi
Assam	Ali Ai Ligang, Ambubachi Mela, Baresahariya Bhaona, Bathow puja, Bihu, Bohag Bihu, Bihuwa dance, Brahmaputra Beach Festival, Bwisagu, Dehing Patkai festival, Jonbeel mela, Kaziranga Elephant Festival, Magh Bihu, Porag, Rongker
Arunachal Pradesh	Siang River festival, Ziro, Solung, Nyokum, Lossar, Dree, Boori Boot, Loku, Sanken, Reh, Myoko, Budhha Mahotsava, Choekhor, Tamladu, Mopin
Bihar	Chhath, Jivitputrika, Patliputra natya Mahotsav, Patna Sahib Mahotsav, Rajgir Mahostav, Sama Chakeva
Chhattisgarh	Bastar Dussehra, Bastar Lokotsav, Dadaria, Gaur Maria Dance, Madai, Rajim Kumbh
Goa	Shigmo,Bonderam, San joao, Panjim/Margao
Gujarat	International Kite festival, Modhera, Kutch Mahotsava, Bhavnath Mahadev fair Saptak, Shamlaji, TarnetarVautha, Madhavrai
Haryana	Lohri, Basant Panchami, Gangore, Baisakhi, Teej, Nirjala Akadashi, Guggapir
Himachal Pradesh	Dham, Kullu Dussehra, Mandi Shivaratri , Sati pradha
Jharkhand	Karma, Sohari, Sarhul, Chhath puja, Jityya Bhaiya Dooj
Karnataka	Karaga, Dakkebali, Gowri Habba, Kanakadasa Jayanthi, Madikeri Dasara Mahamastakabhisheka, Mailara Jaatre , Mysore Dasara
Kerala	Onam, Thiruvathira, Vishu
Madhya Pradesh	Chethiyagiri vihara, Madai, Bahgoriya, Nimar utsav, Dhrupad samaroh
Maharashtra	Nant chaturdashi, Bhau, Beej, Gudi Padwa, Pola, Shayani Ekadashi, Vat purnima
Mizoram	Chapchar Kut , Mim Kut , Pawl Kut
Nagaland	Horn Bill, Nazu, Sekrenyi, Tuluni, Yemshe, Sankarni, Rengma Ngadah
Odisha	Chaiti, Dhanu, Kalahandi, Ghantapatua, Jagaddhagtri, Raja praba , Ratha
Punjab	Maghi, Lohri, Basant, Holi, Vaisakhi, Rakhri, Teeyan - yatra(puri), Samba Dashami
Rajasthan	Baneshwar, Gangaur, Pushkar, Teej, Urs
Sikkim	Saga Dawa, Lossong, Losar, Dasain, Tihar, Gutor cham
Tamil Nadu	Brihadeeswara Temple car festival, Jangura Habba Erwadi Santhanakkodu, Mattu pongal, Panguni Uthiram, Thaiusam, Thimithi
Telangana	Bathukamma, Bonalu, Sammakka Saarakka Jaathara, Peerla panduga
Tripura	Ker, Garia Puja, Asokastami Festival, Pilak Festival,Kharchi Festival, Neermahal Festival, Pous Sankranti Fair
Uttarakhand	Phool Dei, Harela and bhitauli, Olgia, Khatarua, Bat savitri, Janopunya, Chippla Jaat, Hilijatra