5 Festivals In India You Must Experience Once In Lifetime

INDIA IS KNOWN for sensory-busting, rambunctious, non-stop festivals. At any time of the year, all over the country, Indian festivals celebrating religion, the phases of the moon, culture, the seasons, India’s epic stories (the Ramayana and the Mahabharat) pop up with astonishing frequency. The festivals of India are one of the truly great things about India. Here we are highlighting some of the biggest festivals in India.

# Diwali

Diwali is the biggest Indian Festival, a celebration of the triumph of light over dark, good over evil. The word Diwali means “rows of lighted lamps” and it is also called the Festival of Light. People light small diyas (lamps) and fireworks to help guide Lord Rama home from exile.

Diwali is basically the equivalent of Christmas — a big, festive celebration that brings families together and is the highlight of the holiday season. There are five days of festivities, each marked with different pujas (prayers) and rituals.

The five days of Diwali include the festival of Govatsa Dwadashi (on the first day), Dhanteras (on the second day), Diwali (on the third day), Goverdhan Puja (on the fourth day) and Bhaiya Dooj (on the fifth day). There are also many regional variations on these festival.

# Holi

Holi is probably the most well-known and beloved Indian Festivals among foreigners and many want to participate in the festivities which involves throwing coloured powder and water at each other. It’s a celebration of spring and usually takes place in March.

I’ve celebrated Holi successfully three six times in India. I say successfully because nothing untoward happened. Twice I was at a private club in South Delhi, three times I was at an ashram in Rishikesh, and once at a guest house in Delhi. In all cases, the crowd was controlled and I was never in danger of being molested by bhang-drinking male youths, and I had a great time.

# Durga Puja

Durga Puja is truly one of the great festivals of India, and though not as well known as Diwali and Holi, has a lot to offer visitors. Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in West Bengal is THE place to celebrate Durga Puja. The festival honours the goddess Durga, who represents the divine feminine energy, or shakti the force, power and warrior aspect of the divine mother. Taking place over five days, Durga Puja’s date is tied to the phases of the moon.

A year in the planning, Kolkata’s many talented artisans go to great lengths to create pandals — decorated stages that exhibit statues of the goddess Durga. Each night of the festival, crowds of people move from pandal to pandal admiring the art work and enjoying live music. On the last day, the statues are taken by procession for immersion into the Ganga (Ganges) River, known in Kolkata as the Hooghly.

# Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh is the beloved elephant-headed god, a favourite throughout India, and Ganesh Chaturthi is the Indian festival that honours him. It runs for 11 days in late August or September, depending on the cycle of the moon. In 2021, it begins on September 10 and culminates on September 19.

Similar to Durga Puja, images of Ganesh are made throughout the year and displayed during the 10-day festival. On the 11th day, called Ganesha Visarjan or Anant Chaturdasi, the images are paraded through the streets, accompanied by singing and dancing, and finally immersed in the sea.

# Pushkar Camel Fair

Pushkar is a small town in rural Rajasthan famed for the beauty of its lake, the uniqueness of its Brahma Temple (the only one in India) and the chilled-out vibe. Many people come here just to BE … and I am no exception. I have been known to spend days relaxing on rooftops, watching the sunrise on the lakeside ghats, and just being…

The Pushkar Camel Fair takes over the town each autumn, at the time of the Kartik Purnima (full moon festival). This means that a religious festival and livestock fair converge on the small town at the same time and turn it into a giant mela (fair).