An introduction to India’s greatest festivals

Festivals are a part of daily life in India, which is perhaps inevitable given the thousands of deities, saints, prophets and gurus who must be worshipped, propitiated and remembered. A large number of these festivals stem from Hinduism. Myriad practices and an enormous body of legend and history bring an extensive range of significance and association to most Hindu religious occasions. There are numerous local and regional festivals but the most important are celebrated nationwide. If you're looking to witness these festivities for yourself, talk to one of Insight Guides' local experts today: they can help you plan your trip for the right time of year and ensure your itinerary includes the festival's highlights and unique activities. Submit a trip request online or browse our ready-made India itineraries here. 

The first of the significant pan-Hindu festivals to occur after the monsoon is Navaratri, or ‘nine nights’ (September to October). This is a major celebration of the goddess Devi or Shakti in her more fearsome aspects. At the end of Navaratri comes the day of Dussehra, the celebration of Durga’s victory over Mahisasura, the buffalo-demon. Festivities often include fasting, and then the burning or submerging in water of effigies of the various Gods involved on Dussehra.

Divali, also known as ‘festival of light’ (usually October to November), is both a celebration of Rama’s return from exile and of the goddess Lakshmi. It symbolises the power of light over darkness and good over evil. Lamps and candles are lit throughout houses, while outside grand firework displays light up the sky, alongside floating lanterns. 

Following the spring festival of Vasant (when the goddess Sarasvati is worshipped in January to February) the next major celebration, aside from Pongal (the southern harvest festival also known as Sankranti), is Sivaratri, the Shiva festival in February or March. This is followed in North India by Holi, the springtime harvest festival. Brightly coloured powders can be found for sale during this time of year. The throwing of these powders symbolises the festival as a game that breaks down social conventions. Be warned, bystanders are not excluded! The festival year comes full circle with Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna, and Ganesh Chaturthi in August/September.

Non-Hindu festivals

Islamic festivals occur throughout the year and range from major events to localised urs (the anniversary of a saint’s death) held in dargahs (tombs) across the country. The most important of the pan-Islamic festivals are ‘Eid-al-Fitr and ‘Eid al-Adha, both dependent on the lunar calendar and so are moveable. The first celebrates the end of the fast of Ramadan and the second the end of the period of the Haj, or pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). The most important festival of Shia Muslims is Muharram, which mourns the matrydom of Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet. 

The major festival of the Buddhist year is Buddha Jayanti, which takes place in April to May. It celebrates the birth of the Buddha and also his reaching of enlightenment. Jains commemorate a similar event at Dip Divali. This occurs 10 days after the Hindu festival of Divali and celebrates the liberation of the tirthankara Mahavira from the wheel of life.

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