Most Famous Festivals Of India You Must Experience
Indian Festivals
Here is a list of religious and national festivals of India that is celebrated in the country with much gusto and fervor. Plan your holidays around these festivals if you wish to explore the vibrant culture of India.
| Month | Festival | Date (2022) | Day |
| January | Makar Sakranti | 14th January | Thursday |
| January | Pongal | Begins on 17th January | Sunday |
| January | Basant Panchami | 16th February | Tuesday |
| February | Maha Shivratri | 11th March | Thursday |
| March | Holi | 29th March | Monday |
| March | Mewar | Begins from 27th March | Friday |
| April | Baisakhi | 14th April | Wednesday |
| April | Bihu | Begins on 13th April | Tuesday |
| May | Thrissur Pooram | 3rd May | Sunday |
| May | Buddha Jayanti | 7th May | Thursday |
| May | Eid Ul Fitr | 13th May | Thursday |
| June | Ratha Yatra | 23rd June | Tuesday |
| June | Hemis | 30th June | Wednesday |
| August | Rakshabandhan | 22nd August | Sunday |
| August | Janmashtmi | 12th August | Wednesday |
| August | Independence Day | 15th August | Monday |
| August | Onam | Begins on 23rd August | Monday |
| August | Ganesh Chaturthi | 10th September | Friday |
| October | Navratri | From 7th to 14th October | Thursday |
| October | Durga Puja | 15th October | Friday |
| October | Dussehra | 30th October | Friday |
| November | Diwali | 4th November | Thursday |
| November | Gurupurab | 19th November | Friday |
| December | Christmas | 25th December | Saturday |
36 Popular Festivals Of India in 2022
The greatness of India’s culture can be found in its festivals. The vivid and vivacious festivals of India depict the greatness of our Indian culture. Indians celebrate festivals with sheer enthusiasm and devotion. India is a country that is appreciated and comprehended as a plethora of festivals are celebrated here.
Here is a quick list of the most famous festivals of India state wise. The regional festivals of India too are celebrated with much pomp and show. Check out this list of religious festivals of India before you visit the best places of Indian cultural heritage to attend the grand celebrations of these festivals.
1. Diwali: The Grand Festival Of Lights (4 November, Thursday)
Diwali, one of the most prominent Hindu festivals of India, is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show. During this festival of lights, houses are decorated with clay lamps, candles, and Ashok leaves. People wear new clothes, participate in family puja, burst crackers, and share sweets with friends, families, and neighbours. It is the most popular festival in India.
Significance: The festival marks the return of Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, after a long exile of 14 years.
Key attractions: Homes decorated with fancy lights, candles and clay lamps, bustling shops and markets, and fireworks and crackers
When: The darkest new moon night of Kartik month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to mid-October – mid-November as per the Gregorian Calendar
Where: All over the country
Diwali 2022: 24th October (Monday)
Things To Do: Light diyas, decorate your home, share sweets and gifts with family and loved ones
2. Holi: The Vibrant Festival Of Colours (29th March, Monday)
Also known as the festival of colours, Holi is one of the famous festivals of India, celebrated with a lot of fervour across the country. On the eve of Holi, people make huge Holika bonfires and sing and dance around it. On the day of Holi, the famous festival of Indian states, people gather in open areas and apply dry and wet colors of multiple hues to each other, with some carrying water guns and colored water-filled balloons. It tops the charts of 10 famous festivals in India as it is celebrated all across the world with happiness.
3. Navratri: The Nine Days Of Fasting, Faith, & Devotion (7th Oct to 14th Oct)
Navratri is one of the most important festivals of India. This festival is celebrated by all people throughout India in different ways. In Gujarat, it is a nine-day celebration of rejuvenating Garba nights and highly energetic Dandiya Raas dances. People are dressed in beautiful, colorful traditional clothes and the environment is very youthful and invigorating. Fasting is a famous tradition of Hindu religion and is associated with a scientific fact. Whenever there is a change in season, one should fast to give rest to their digestive system and boost their immunity for the next season.