Festival Tours
India is known for its ‘unity in diversity', the element as there is probably no other country that has festivals so distinct and varied as India has. Apart from Eid and Christmas which are celebrated in India too, there are a few other festivals that are solely dedicated to Indians and are celebrated in much pomp and splendour in different parts of the country.
Most of these festivals are celebrated around seasonal changes like the advent of the harvest season and so on. The country is so diverse in topography and climate that makes each festival a different experience set in a different background and the many unique beliefs and rituals make it a fulfilling experience for any traveller.
Discover India's most vibrant festivals with us! From the religious to the cultural, these celebrations are sure to fill you with delight.
Holi
The festival of color – celebrated in the month of March, Holi marks the arrival of spring.
Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire, and pray that their internal evil be destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi where people smear and drench each other with colors. Water guns and water-filled balloons are often used to play. Groups often carry drums and other musical instruments going from place-to-place singing and dancing
Diwali
Diwali or Deepavali is a Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year around the month of October. One of the most popular festivals in India, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. People observe Diwali by lighting small oil lamps known as ‘diyas’ in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune.
Ganesh Chathurthi
Also known as Vinayaka Chathurthi, this festival commemorates the birth of the elephant headed God in Hindu mythology. It is a 10 day celebration which is marked by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public places in elaborate pandals. The festival comes to an end on the 10th day with the visarjan or immersion of the idol in a water body. The significance of Ganeshotsav or the Ganesha festival is typically to celebrate new beginnings as Ganesha is considered the remover of obstacles. The festival falls between the end of August & early September.
Navaratri or Durga Pooja
Celebrated in the honor of Goddess Durga this 9-night festival falls in the month of October. The tenth day, called Dussehra, celebrates the defeat of the demon king Ravan by Lord Ram and the monkey god Hanuman. Typically symbolizing the victory of good over evil, this festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In Kerala the celebration is mainly dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswathi or the Goddess of wisdom & knowledge. Vijaya Dashami as it is known in Kerala, the 10th day after Navratri is observed as Vidyarambham, the auspicious day when young children between the ages 2 & 5 are introduced to the world of learning – letters, music, dance etc.
Onam
This harvest festival that falls between August and September depending upon the Malayalam calendar, marks the homecoming of the righteous mythical King, Mahabali, under whose rule it is believed the land had no evil and everyone was happy. People decorate their courtyards with flower carpets to ‘welcome’ Mahabali as the belief is that he visits the land during this time. The festival is also celebrated with the preparation of ‘sadyas’ or grand feasts served on banana leaves, folk dance, games, and snake boat races. The official festival of the state, Onam is celebrated with a spectrum of cultural events beginning with the ‘athachamayam’, the grand parade that features decorated elephants marching down the streets in the accompaniment of drumbeats and other music, floats and different folk-art forms.
Hornbill Festival
The Nagaland State Tourism and Arts & Culture Department's, Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof. Celebrated in the first week of December in Kohima, the festival receives a high attendance from the Naga tribe and is celebrated at a large scale to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza for the outside world to see. A must visit on your itinerary if you would like to know more about Naga food, culture, music & traditions.
Goan Carnival
The famous Carnival in Goa is inspired from the Rio Carnival and is conducted in a grand way in the Indian state of Goa. It attracts people from all over the country and many foreigners too. The roots of the Carnival date back to the introduction of Roman Catholic traditions during the Portuguese conquest of Goa. Today, the parade includes floats from local villages, commercial entities, and cultural groups. It is still organized in a very traditional manner, by staging streetside local plays - the parade usually begins on Fat Saturday evening with a procession headed by a ‘King Momo’. Balloons, horse-drawn carriages, decorated bullock carts and elaborate floats are the highlights of the parade. The Carnival happens somewhere during months of February & March. If you happen to love crowds and large gatherings, this is the place to be!
