Overview
Diwali, Holi, Onam, Pongal, Durga Puja, and Christmas are highlighted as part of a calendar of celebrations across India’s religions and regions.
Festival dates vary by observance and year. Confirm dates with the original guides before planning travel.
Festival stories from across India
Diwali India's Festival of Light, Family, Faith and New Beginnings
Holi India's Festival of Colors, Spring and Joyful Renewal
Onam Kerala's Harvest Festival of King Mahabali, Flowers and Feasting
Durga Puja Bengal's Grand Festival of the Goddess, Art and Community
Ganesh Chaturthi India's Grand Welcome to the Elephant-Headed God of Beginnings
Festivals of India A Year of Faith, Harvest, Family and Celebration
Pongal Tamil Nadu Gives Thanks for the Harvest
Makar Sankranti Following the Sun — India's Great Winter Solstice Festival
Lohri A Punjabi Winter Celebration by the Bonfire
Baisakhi Harvest, Punjab and the Founding of the Khalsa
Vishu Kerala's New Beginning and the Auspicious
Ugadi The New Year of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Gudi Padwa Maharashtra's Colorful New Year
Maha Shivratri The Great Night of Shiva
Ram Navami Celebrating the Birth of Lord
Janmashtami Celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna
Rath Yatra Jagannath Comes Into the Streets of Puri
Navratri Nine Nights of the Divine Feminine
Dussehra The Victory of Good Over Evil
Kali Puja Bengal's Night of the Goddess
Dev Deepawali Varanasi's Ghats Become a River of Light
Chhath Puja Worshipping the Sun Beside Sacred Waters
Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr A Month of Fasting, a Day of Celebration
Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) Faith, Sacrifice and Sharing
Muharram Remembrance Rather Than Celebration
Guru Nanak Gurpurab Celebrating the Birth of the Founder of Sikhism
Bandi Chhor Divas Sikh Observance of Freedom and Justice
Mahavir Jayanti Celebrating the Birth of
Buddha Purnima Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and the Path of the
Christmas in India From Kerala and Goa to Mumbai and the Northeast
Easter India's Christian Communities Celebrate the Resurrection
Raksha Bandhan The Bond Between Sisters and Brothers
Thrissur Pooram Kerala's Most Spectacular Temple Festival
Bihu Assam Celebrates the Rhythms of the Year
Hornbill Festival Nagaland's Showcase of Naga Cultures
Pushkar Fair Pilgrimage, Camels, Culture and the Rajasthan Desert
Kumbh Mela Pilgrimage on an Extraordinary Scale
Attukal Pongala The World's Largest All-Women Religious Gathering