When is Holi Celebrated?

The festival marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. The day after the full moon in March each year. In West Bengal and Odisha, the festival falls on a day before. In some of the northern regions such as Mathura and Vrindavan, the festival is celebrated for a week long.

How is it celebrated?

At most of the places, people spend the day spreading colored powder and colored water on each other’s faces, having parties, having to get together, and dancing under water sprinklers. Many people consume drinks made from Bhang (AKA cannabis). In places, Mathura, Vrindavan, and surrounding areas, people celebrate the festival for over five days, during which along with throwing colors, ladies beat men with a stick. This is the festival full of fun, energy, and enthusiasm.

 Rituals of Holi

There is a story behind Holi. The word “Holi” has come from from “Holika”, the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakaship. Hiranyakaship was virtually immortal. Due to this power, he becomes arrogant and began to consider himself as god and asked everyone to worship him. However, Prahlada – Son of Hiranyakaship disagreed. He was the devotee to Lord Vishnu and continued to worship him only. So, in order to kill Prahlada, Holika – Prahlada’s evil aunt – tricked him into sitting on fire with her. As the fire roared, the cloak worn by Holika flew away from her and encased Prahlada. Eventually, Holika was burned, Prahlada survived. Therefore, the bonfire is the symbolic victory of good over evil. Holi is celebrated by burning of demoness Holika. On the eve of Holi day, a ritual named Holika Dahan, in which bon fire is created to burn away Holika and this process is believed to burn away all the negativity around. Along with this, a special puja is performed, people sing and dance around the fire, and walk around it three times.

In different parts of the country, this beautiful festival of colors is celebrated in different manners, however, the spirit remains the same. Holi is a very light-hearted festival that’s great fun to join. You’ll end up soaked in water, with colour all over your skin and clothes. Now-a-days, people use organic colours to play around during the festival. The whole idea is to have fun and saturate people with colours and love.

It’s a unique festival, which burns away the negativity and brings people closer. During this vibrant festival of colours, people forget about their grudges and pour their love in the form of colours. There is much more to the festival when is experienced.

Come, celebrate this vibrant festival of India. If you want to explore the amazing places where Holi is celebrated in a unique manner Destino’s India with being your partner to help you discover the Liveliness of this festival.

This festival is usually celebrated in the months of September or October. The festivity goes on for ten days. At the end of these ten days, the idols of Goddess Durga along with the idols of some other Gods is immersed in water, marking the end of the festival.

Since it’s one of the most celebrated festivals, we present you with a list where you could find the most enthusiastic Durga Puja celebrations in our country.

 1. Kolkata

This city celebrates Durga Puja like no other city in India or in fact, the world. It is not only a mere religious celebration but also a fanfare which includes each household. It is the artistically decorated pandals, vast idols of Maa Durga, mouth-watering street food, and mesmerizing illuminations, all this adds up and turns Kolkata into a cheerful fantasy for those five days. One of the other traditional practices which happen in Kolkata is that of Bonedi Bari Puja at least one of the locations.

 2.Mumbai

If you’re feeling homesick and are missing out on the grand festivities of Bengal, you don’t worry. Mumbai dazzles during the five days of Durga Puja. The celebrations are not only for Bengalis who are missing out but also for Mumbaikars who love to see the Goddess in all her splendor. Thus, making Durga Puja extremely special in the city.

The decorated pandals in Mumbai will leave you astonished with their majesty and illuminations.

You’ll almost feel at home. 

 3. Delhi

The enchanting decorations, enthusiastic crowds, and hypnotizing music wait for a long time for MaaDurga at various pandals across Delhi. To experience the age-old Durga Puja rituals, you should go to Kashmere Gate Durga Puja Pandal or Timarpur and Civil Lines Pandal. And, make sure to carry your cameras around because you definitely don’t want to miss these spellbinding moments.

 4. Guwahati

People at Guwahati welcome MaaDurga with much enthusiasm and exhilaration. Once you’re at Guwahati during this time of the year, you will witness alluring pandals adorn the city, and the aroma of authentic Bengali delicacies fill the air. If not Bengal, then Guwahati is one of the best places to spend your night at pandal hopping during Durga Puja.

 5. Varanasi

Banaras or Varanasi, the holy city on the banks of Ganga, is another place which will leave you mesmerized during this time of the year. Since Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India, it welcomes Maa Durga with an unmatched fervor. The organizers of the pandals ensure that they have a surprise theme to please the Goddess as well as her devotees.

So if you’re unable to be with your family on this auspicious festival, make a note to visit one of these places and enjoy these festivals with your friends.

Wherever you go, give your festival an emotional end by bidding goodbye to the Goddess and wait for her to come back the next year!

Onam: Welcoming The Mighty Mahabali

Onam is one of the important festivals of India. The day is celebrated in the end of August or 1^st week of September and continues for 10 days, to welcome the legendary king Mahabali. During this festival people wear traditional wear, decorate houses with Pookalam (floral designs), and prepare Onasadya (ostentatious meal of about 13 dishes). There are certain events are scheduled such as Vallamkali (snake boat race), Kaikottikali (clap dance), Kathakali dance, and Pulikali procession (artists dressed and painted like tigers and hunters) to celebrate the festival.

Key attractions: The spectacular Snake Boat Race, the enigmatic Kaikottikali dance, and the Elephant procession.

Where: this festival is celebrated in south of India, primarily Kerala.

Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganpati Bappa Mourya! Eleven Days Of Pampering Lord Ganesha!

A 10 day affair, Ganesh Chaturthi is another Hindu religious festivals of India. Lots of people place huge handcrafted Ganesh idols in their homes or in public pandals. For all 10 days, puja is performed in the morning and the evening. The day marks the Birthday of Lord Ganesha. On the 10^th dayVisarjan (immersion of an idol in a water body) is done with great enthusiasm. Lots of cultural activities such as singing, dancing, and theatre, and free medical and blood donation camps are held.

When is it celebrated? The 4th day of the first fortnight (Shukla Chaturthi) in the month of Bhadrapada of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to August or September of the Gregorian calendar.

Where: Earlier the festival was celebrated mostly in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, but in the recent years it is celebrated all across the country.

Navratri: The Nine Days Of Fasting, Faith, & Devotion

Navratri is celebrated by all people all over India in different ways. In Gujarat, it is a nine-day celebration of renewingGarba nights and highly energetic DandiyaRaas dances. People are dressed in beautiful, colourful traditional clothes and participate in Garba and Dandiya nights. In other states of India, people pray to Goddess Amba in in nine different forms, fast and at the end of 9^th day, they feed and pray to girls andgreet them with lovely gifts.

Where – all across the country

Durga Puja: Celebrating the Vicrory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Durga Puja is celebrated with magnificence by Bengalis, throughout the country. The 4 days of fast, feast, and worship of Goddess Durgafollowed by the grand immersion of Durga idols on 5^th day, are accompanied by cultural songs, dances, and dramas. Huge and beautiful Durga idols are made and placed in specially made artistic Pandals(canopies). People dress in traditional wear and go around the pandal – hopping, praying, and feasting.

When: 10th day of Ashwina Shukla paksha according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to September or October of the Gregorian calendar

Where: mostly in Kolkata and the metros cities in India.

Dussehra: Witness The Triumph Of Good Over Evil

Dussehra (AKA Vijayadashami) is the celebration of victory of good over evil. On this auspicious day Lord Ram killed demon king Ravana. This is also one amongst the most famous festivals of India. It is celebrated in different forms of countrywide. At lots of places, Ramlila (enactment of scenes from Ramayana) is held for 10 days, which isconcluded with “RavanDahan” – the burning of huge figurines of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran which is a real sight to see.

When: On 10th day of the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to September or October of the Gregorian calendar. In general, it is celebrated on the day next to the finishing of Navratra

Diwali: The Grand Festival Of Lights

Diwali is one of the most prominent festivals of India. During this festival of lights, houses are decorated with clay lamps, candles, and Ashok leaves. People wear new clothes, participate in family puja, burst crackers, and share sweets with friends, families, and neighbours. The day is marks the return of Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, after a long exile of 14 years.

When: The darkest new moon night of Kartik month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to October-November

Gurupurab: Religious Processions & Peaceful Hymns

The day is celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru and Sindhi Community in Guru Guru Nanak. This is one of the most holy festivals in Sikhism and Sindhis. Special assemblies on the lives and teachings of the gurus, and langars (community meals) are organized in the Gurudwaras. Karah Prasad is distributed among all, and hymn chanting processions are held in the city. People light up their homes with lamps and candles and burst crackers to celebrate Gurupurab.

When: The full moon day in the month of Kartik of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to November of the Gregorian calendar

Where: Celebrated by the Sikh community all over the world, especially in Punjab

Christmas: Celebrating The Birth Of Jesus Christ

One of the most awaited festival in the world. Everyone regardless of their religion enjoy this day equally; especially children. Theydesperately wait for the surprise gifts from Santa. All the churches are lit up and decorated to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus. The best places to enjoy the celebration of Christmas are Goa, Pondicherry, and Kerala.

Where: The festival is celebrated across India.

This list of Most Celebrated Festivals of India comes to an end but the celebration continues. The cycle of celebration begins again with the commemoration of New Year. Discover the India and its various facets during these festivals, you are sure to feel enchanted with the vibrancy of these festivals.

Baisakhi:

Celebrated on 14^th of April, Baisakhi is primarily celebrated by the Sikh community in Punjab and those around the world. Baisakhi indicates the beginning of the harvest season for the Rabi crops. Local folk dances such as Giddha and Bhangra are the expressions of happiness of this prosperous and auspicious day. This festival is of great religious significance in India as it also marks the day when the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, laid the foundation stone for the Panth Khalsa-the Order in the year 1699.

Key attractions: Folk dances, Punjabi feasts and decorations

When: 14th April

Where: all across the country mainly by Sikhs

Bihu: Dance, Music, And Laughter (celebrated in second week of April)

Bihu is one of the most popular among the festivals of India celebrated in the North East, Bihu is the harvest festival of Assam. Mostly the festival falls in second week of April. During this week-long celebrations, people wear their traditional clothes and perform the Bihu dance in the village fields and courtyards. It is also celebrated as New year in Assam.

Key attractions: The Bihu dance, ocal cuisine – coconut ladoo, tilpitha, ghilapitha, and fish pitika

When: 2^nd week of April

Where: Mainly in North East India

Eid-Ul-Fitr: (June)

Eid-Ul-Fitr (aka EID) is one of the major festivals celebrated by the Muslim community. People dress up in nice traditional attires, attend a special community prayer in the morning, visit friends, and relatives and exchange sweets. Children are given Edi (in the form of Gifts or money) by elders. The day is celebratedat the conclusion of the holy month of fasting called Ramadan.

Key attractions: Morning Eid namaz at the mosques, and the sweet dishes specially “siwainya”- (Sweet noodles cooked in Milk).

When: On the 1st day of the month of Shawwal of the lunar Hijri calendar, (usually falls in June or beginning of July)

Where: All over the country

RakshaBandhan: Strengthening The Bond Of siblings (Brothers and sisters) – (August)

Rakhsha Bandan (aka Rakhi) is celebrated almost all across the country. The festival signifies the bond between brother and sister.The sister performs Aarti (prayer), applies tilak, and ties rakhi (a sacred thread) on the brother’s wrist wishing his well-being. In return, brother promises her to protect the sister throughout her life. Brothers also please their sisters by giving them nice gifts

Key attractions: Markets showcasing a colorful variety of rakhis and sweets

When: The full moon day of Shravana month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar,

Where: All over India, Particularly in North, Central and West India

Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna)

Also popular as Gokulashtami or Sreekrishna  Jayanthi, Janmashtami is another vibrant festival widely celebrated all over India.  ​According to the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravana or Bhadra (in the Hindu calendar).

In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Sri Krishna Jayanti. Although the festival is celebrated all around India, but to enjoy the real celebration – Mathura and Vrindavan are the best places. These are the places where Lord Krishna was Born (Mathura) and bought up (Vrindavan).

Across India there are lots of ceremonies and prayers at temples dedicated to Krishna. Many people consider fasting, a day before and prayer up to midnight, the time at which it was said that Krishna was born.

Key attractions: Lord Krishna’s birthday celebrations in Temples, schools and public places where Kids are dressed up as Krishna and Radha

When: The full moon day of Shravana month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar,

Where: All over India, Particularly in North, Central and West India

Stay tuned for more fun and celebration in India, during rest of the year.