India is a nation that enjoys a vibrant culture of different festivals -

Camel Festival,

January 10-12

Taking place in Pushkar of Rajasthan every year, it is a festival one should witness when looking for some ancient and old traditional-style Indian celebrations. It was originally held to attract local camel and cattle traders to do business during the Kartik Purnima festival.

Kumbh Mela,

January 13-February 26

Kumbh Mela is celebrated once every 12 years approximately on the four banks of rivers - namely Prayag, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. The pilgrims dip in the holy waters to get rid of all their sins. It is called the biggest gathering of humans on earth as millions of devotees come to take part in the celebrations that also include fairs, religious discourses by gurus and saints, mass feedings of the poor.

Lohri,

January 13

It is a harvest festival of the Sikhs with celebrations including offering jaggery, corn, sesame seeds, and peanuts to a bonfire.

Makar Sankranti,

January 14

Makar Sankranti, celebrated in North India, marks the beginning of the new year and a fresh crop cycle. In the state of Gujarat, it is celebrated as Uttarayan.

Pongal,

January 14-17

It is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamils all over. They light bonfires, dance, hold cattle races. The houses boast of Kolam designs (traditional floral designs made with rice, coloured powders, and flower petals).

Basant Panchami,

February 2

It is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, and is an important day for scholars and students. It also marks the beginning of the spring season.

Shivaratri,

February 26

It is one of the most prominent and widely celebrated Hindu festivals dedicated to Shiva the Destroyer. It is believed that whoever worships Lord Shiva on this day attains salvation and redemption from their sins. It is also among the most crucial festivals of India for unmarried and married women to attain marital bliss. Thousands of Shiva devotees visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Somnath Temple in Gujarat, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.

Holi,

March 14

Known as the festival of colours, Holi marks the victory of good over evil. On the eve of Holi, people make huge Holika bonfires and sing and dance around it. On the day of Holi, people gather in open areas and apply dry and wet colours of multiple hues on each other, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons. A popular Holi must-have for many is the Bhaang Thandaai.

Eid-ul-Fitr,

March 30/31

Eid is celebrated by the Muslim community to conclude the month-long fasting of Ramadan. Jama Masjid in Delhi and Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai are the best places to enjoy the festivity.

Mewar Festival,

March 31-April 2

Held in Udaipur of Rajasthan, Mewar marks the arrival of the spring season. It has been celebrated since the time when the Sisodia Dynasty ruled India.

Mahavir Jayanti,

April 10

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is an important day for people from the Jain religion as it marks the birth of Lord Mahavir. The statue of Lord Mahavir is given a Mahabhishek where it is bathed with milk and flowers.

Baisakhi, Bihu, Vishu, Puthandu, Poila Boisakh, Ugadi,

April 14

The spring harvest is celebrated as regional festivals across India marking the beginning of the Hindu New Year as per the Bikram Sambat Hindu

calendar.

Buddha Jayanti,

May 12

It is celebrated as the birthday of Gautama Buddha, who introduced the philosophy of Buddhism to the world.

Dree Festival,

July 5

Held in the picturesque Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, Dree Festival is celebrated to gather people together and pray for a successful harvest. Moreover, people are served with cucumber, symbolising the richness of the harvest.

Hemis,

July 5-6

It is a two-day religious festival of Ladakh that marks the birth anniversary of Padmasambhava, the founder of the Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. The Cham dance is performed by priests to the traditional music of cymbals, drums and trumpets. The dancing priests dress up in elaborate brocade outfits and masks.

Ganesh Chaturthi,

August 26-27

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with fervour in the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Huge handcrafted Ganesh idols are installed in homes or outdoors and pujas are performed. On the last day, the Visarjan or immersion of an idol in a water body - of the idols are carried out.

Onam,

September 5

Onam is a 10-day harvest festival of Kerala that commemorates of the homecoming of the legendary king Mahabali. People adorn their houses with pookalam (floral designs), and prepare Onasadya (elaborate meal of about 13 dishes). Events such as Vallamkali (snake boat race), Kaikottikali (clap dance), Kathakali dance, and Pulikali procession (artistes dressed and painted like tigers and hunters) are the highlights of the festival.

Durga Puja/ Navaratri and Dussehra,

September 28-October 2

People across India celebrate the victory of good the auspicious nine days of Navratri and Dussehra. Ramlila (enactment of scenes from Ramayana) is held for 10 days and culminates with Ravan Dahan or the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran. The festive spirit is best experienced at the Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata, Garba and Dandiya Raas nights in Gujarat and Maharashtra, while the Mysore Palace is lit like a bride and the atmosphere is filed with the music of drums.

Rama's victory over Ravana is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri as Dussehra.

Diwali,

October 18-25

Diwali marks the return of Rama to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years and is considered very auspicious for new beginnings. Houses are decorated with clay lamps, candles, and Ashok leaves.

Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped across the country. In West Bengal and Odisha, Kali Puja is performed at night.

Sikhs celebrate it as Bandi Chor Diwas. The Golden Temple of Amritsar is illuminated using decorative lights and fireworks.

Chhath Puja,

October 28

It is a festival dedicated to the sun god. Many bathe in the holy rivers, while many fast following the legend of the fast of Rama and Sita to honour the sun god.

Guruprab,

November 5

Gurupurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti is the most revered day for Sikhs. Celebrated as 'Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav', this festival marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. A procession is led by Panj Pyare (five Beloveds), prayer sessions in gurudwaras in the morning and night.

Hornbill Festival,

December 1-10

Nagaland's Hornbill Festival is a week-long affair celebrated to show respect for their culture and folklore. Also famed as the 'Festival of Festivals', Hornbill is all about celebrating ancient tribal traditions, lifestyles, and Heritage. Various activities like horse-riding, craft space, painting, flower show, herbal medicine sales, chilli eating challenges, performances are a part of this vibrant festival.

Christmas,

December 25

One can enjoy a traditional Christmas at places like Goa, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kerala, and Pondicherry.