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India, known as the land of festivals, celebrates its rich cultural and religious diversity through a multitude of vibrant festivals every year. These festivals reflect the country’s heritage, traditions, and regional variations. For UPSC aspirants, understanding India’s festivals is crucial as they form an integral part of topics such as Art and Culture, Indian Society, and current events. This guide provides a detailed state-wise and season-wise list of Indian festivals in 2024, helping aspirants prepare for exams like Prelims, Mains, and interviews.
List of Indian Festivals in 2025
India, often referred to as the “Land of Festivals,” is a country known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. The year 2024 brings with it a vibrant tapestry of celebrations, each state embracing its unique festivals that reflect its history, beliefs, and customs. From the colors of Holi to the lights of Diwali, the beats of Durga Puja to the serenity of Pongal, let’s explore the important Indian festivals state-wise in this colourful journey of unity in diversity.
List of Indian Festivals State-wise
Focusing on state-wise festivals, we find a delightful array of events that highlight the unique cultural heritage of various regions across India. These celebrations are deeply rooted in the history and traditions of specific states, showcasing their distinctive flavors and customs. From the exuberant dance of Bihu in Assam to the awe-inspiring processions of Durga Puja in West Bengal, these state-specific festivals create a vibrant mosaic of India’s cultural landscape. Each state boasts its own treasure trove of festivals that unite communities, express religious devotion, and celebrate the spirit of togetherness. Check the List of Indian Festivals State-wise below in the table:
List of Indian Festivals State-wise |
|
State | Festivals |
Andhra Pradesh | Pitr-Paksha- Mahalaya Amavasya, Noopuraraavam, All India Industrial Exhibition (Numaish), Bhishma Ekadasi, Deccan Festival, Telugu New Year, Ugadi (Gudi Padwa), Sri Rama Navami Festival, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Durga Festival, Nagula Chavithi. |
Assam | Magh or Bhogali Bihu, Dehing Patkai Festival, Elephant Festival, Pragjyothi International Dance Festival, Bohag Bihu, Bihu. |
Andaman and Nicobar | Island Tourism Festival, Swami Vivekananda Jayanti |
Arunachal Pradesh | Boori Boot – Nyishi, Hill Miris Festival, Losar – Monpa Festival, Tamladu – Idu-Mishmi tribe, Oriah – Wancho tribe, Ali-Aye Ligang – Mishing tribe, Nyokum – Nishi Festival, Mopin – Adi Festival, Pongtu – Tutsa tribe, Sanken – Khampti and Singhpo tribe, Moh or Mol – Tangsa tribe, Dree – Apatani Festival, Solung – Adi Festival, Chalo Loku – Nocte tribe. |
Bihar | Chhath Puja, Rajgir Dance Festival, Sonepur Cattle Fair. |
Daman and Diu | National Tribal art & Food Festival, Monsoon Magic Festival, Heritage Festival, Nariyela Poornima. |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Holika Dahan |
Delhi | Delhi Book Fair, Taj Mahotsav, Garden Tourism Festival, Mango Festival. |
Gujarat | Kutch Festival / Kutch Rann Utsav, Paragliding Festival, Saptak Music Festival, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Uttarayan Kite Festival, Modhera Dance Festival(Uttarardh Mahotsav), Vad Fest, Global Bird Watchers Conference, Bhavnath Fair, Great Indian Heritage Fest, Dangs Darbar, Kavant Fair, Chaitra Navratri, Chitra Vichitra Fair, Mango Festival, Monsoon Festival, Tarnetar Fair (Temple of Shiva or Trinetreshwar), Bhadrapada Purnima (Ambaji), Beach Festival, Shamlaji Fair, Vautha Fair. |
Goa | Sunburn Festival, Zatra at Cansaulin, Goa Carnival, Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sao Joao, Feast of Assumption of our Lady, Feast of Three Kings, Gokulashtami, Chovoth, Ladainha or Ladin, Feast of St Francis Xavier, Feast of Immaculate Conception, Goa Liberation Day. |
Haryana | Surajkund Craft Mela, Guru Ravidas’s Birthday, Shaheedi Diwas of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhedev, Baisakhi Festival, Maharana Pratap Jayanthi, Sant Kabir Jayanthi, Haryana Heroes Martyrdom Day, Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti, Haryana Day, Shaheed Udham Singh’s Birthday. |
Himachal Pradesh | Losar, Himachal Day, Rakhadumni – Rakhi. |
Jammu and Kashmir | Leh Sindhu Darshan, Kashmir Lavender Festival, 33rd Kalachakra, Guru Tse-Chu, Vikram Samvat, Wanchuk, Galdan Namchot, Lohri, Spitok Gustor Zanskar, Spituk Gustor, Basant Panchmi, Dosmochey Festival, Yargon Tungshak, Guru Tse-Chu, Stok Guru Tsechu, Matho Nagrang, Nagrang, Shab-e-Miraj, Yuru Kabgyat, Hemis Festival, Shachukul Gustor, Zanskar Karsha Gustor, Phyang Tsedup, Korzok Gustor, Dak-Thok Tse-Chu, Sakti Tse-Chu, Naszal, Ladakh Festival, Navratri, Thiksay Gustor,Chemrey Angchok, Galdan Namchot, Losar (New Year) |
Karnataka | Makar Sankramana, Pattadakal Dance Festival, Gudi Padva or Ugadi, Naga Panchami |
Kerala | Religious Festivals: Arthunkal Perunnal, Sabarimala Makaravilakku, Kanjiramattom Nercha, Thaipooyam, Thaipooya Mahotsavam, Machattu Mamangam, Adoor Gajamela, Kuttikkol Thampuratty Theyyam, Uthralikavu Pooram, Chettikulangara Bharani, Guruvayoor Utsavam, Attukal Pongala, Parippally Gajamela, Thirunakkara Arattu, Attuvela Mahotsavam, Kodungalloor Bharani, Malanada Kettukazhcha, Arattupuzha Pooram, Nenmara Vallangi Vela, Kottiyoor Utsavam, Vallarpadam Thirunal, Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi, Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi, Perumthitta Tharavad Kottamkuzhy, Feast at Manarcad, Feast at Edathua Church, Feast Malayattoor Church, Mannarasala Ayilyam
Cultural and Art Festivals: Swathi Sangeethotsavam, Nishagandhi Festival, Ernakulathappan Utsavam, Pattambi Nercha, Maramon Convention, Pariyanampetta Pooram, Chittur Kongan Pada, Chinakkathoor Pooram, Soorya Music Festival, Soorya Dance Festival, Chembai Sangeetholsavam, Kochi Biennale Traditional Celebrations: Onam, Vishu. Thrissur Pooram. Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Champakulam Boat Race, Aranmula Boat Race, Payippad Boat Race, Neelamperoor Padayani, Thripunithura Athachamayam, Vallarpadam Thirunal, Kalpathi Ratholsavam, Vaikathashtami Festival. Cochin Carnival Special Personal Celebrations: Amrithanandamayi Birthday |
Madhya Pradesh | Khajuraho Dance Festival, Tejaji Fair. |
Maharashtra | Ganesh Chaturthi, Nag Panchami, Kalidas Festival, Chikoo Utsav, Bird fest. |
Meghalaya | Bob Dylan Festival, Ahaia Festival. |
Manipur | Chavang Kut. |
Mizoram | Chapchar Kut. |
Nagaland | Hornbill Festival, Moatsu Festival. |
Odisha | Savitri Amavasya, Mukteswar Dance Festival, Sattila Ekadasi, Rajarani Music Festival, Bhaimi Ekadasi, Magha Purnima, Puri Beach Festival, Kumbha Sankranti, Pankoddhar Ekadasi, Konark Dance Festival, Phagu Dasami, Papanasini Ekadasi, Dola Purnima, Meena Sankranti, Papamochani Ekadasi, Chaitra Amavasya, Rama Navami, Kamada Ekadasi, Pana Sankranti, Baruthini Ekadasi, Chandan Yatra, Akshaya Tritiya, Mohini Ekadasi, Jala Krida Ekadasi, Brusha Sankranti, Sudasha Brata, Raja Sankranti, Rath Yatra, Bada Ekadasi, Bahuda Yatra, Singha Sankranti, Khudurukuni Osha, Gamha Purnima, Bali Trutiya, Kanya Sankranti, Rushi Panchami, Saraswati Puja, Garbhana Sankranti, Mahastami, Kumarotstaba Purnima, Kartik Purnima, Bichha Sankranti, Awala Navami, Konark Festival, International Sand Art Festival, Prathamastami, Manabasa – Gurubar Osha, Dhanu Sankranti |
Punjab | Muktsar Fair, Lohri, Pracheen Kala Kendra Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan, Baisakhi, Guru Parab- Guru Nanak’s Birthday |
Puducherry | International Yoga Festival. |
Rajasthan | Bikaner Camel Festival, Jaipur Literature Festival, Nagaur Fair/Ramdeoji cattle fair, Beneshwar Fair, Desert Festival, Braj Festival, Shekhawati Festival, Jambheshwar Fair, Elephant Festival, Gangaur Festival, Mewar Spring Festival, Rajasthan Day Celebration, Mahaveerji Fair, Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival (JFG), Summer Festival, Urs Fair, Teej Festival, Kajli Teej Festival, Kota Dussehra, Marwar Festival, Galiyakot Urs, Pushkar Camel Fair, Kolayat Fair (Kapil Muni Fair), Chandrabhaga Fair, Matasya Festival, Bundi Utsav, Winter Festival |
Sikkim | Saga Dawa, Drupka Tseshi, Lakshmi Puja, Lhabab Duechen, Kagyat Dance, Losoong Sikkimese, Maghe Sankranti Sanhamole, Losar Tibetan, International Flower Festival, Guru Rimpoche’s Birthday, Pang Lhabsol |
Tamil Nadu | Kambam Festival, Chennai Dance Festival (December Season), Chennai Music Festival (December Season), Arudra Darisanam / Thiruvathirai, Thyagaraja Aradhana, Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Jallikattu Festival, Thiruvalluvar day, India International Leather Fair, Thaipusam, Natyanjali Festival, Tamil New Year, Velankanni Church Festival, Mamallapuram Dance Festival |
Tripura | Rabindra / Nazrul Jayanthi, Kharchi Puja, Ker Puja, Diwali Festival |
Uttaranchal | Magh Mela, Uttarayani Mela, International Yoga Week |
Uttar Pradesh | Ayurveda Jhansi Mahotsav, Kailash Fair, Ayudha Puja, Nag Nathaiya, Deva Mela Ramayan Mela Ayodhya, Kumbh Mela, Magh Mela, Dhrupad Mela, Lathmar Holi, Sheetala Ashtami, Sankat Mochan Music Festival, Ganga Dussehras, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Ram Leela, Matki Leela, Ganga Mahotsav, Dev Deepavali |
West Bengal | Kenduli Mela, Gangasagar Mela, Dover Lane Music Conference, Birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Vasant Panchami, Birthday of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Bengali Nava Barsha, Rabindra Jayanti, Durga Puja, Nandikar National Theatre Festival, Vishnupur (Bishnupur Festival) |
List of Indian Festivals Region-Specific
Here’s the list of Region-specific harvest festivals in India organized by region and month:-
List of Indian Festivals Season-specific |
||
Region | Festival | Month |
North India | Makar Sankranti | January |
Baisakhi | April | |
Ladakh harvest festival | September | |
Lohri | January | |
Basant Panchami | January | |
South India | Onam | August |
Pongal | January | |
Ugadi | March | |
Vishu | April | |
East & West India | Bhogali Bihu | January |
Wangala | November | |
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem | November | |
Nuakhai | August | |
Gudi Padwa | March | |
Nabanna | November-December |
Specifications of Indian Festivals
- Diverse Calendar: India boasts a plethora of festivals, with over 30 major festivals celebrated across various religions and cultures.
- Cultural Mosaic: Festivals offer a glimpse into India’s cultural diversity, showcasing a blend of traditions, rituals, and art forms.
- Religious Harmony: Many festivals, such as Diwali and Eid, are celebrated by people of different faiths, promoting religious harmony and unity.
- Lunar Influence: Several Indian festivals are based on the lunar calendar, resulting in shifting dates each year, adding an element of anticipation.
- Colors and Decorations: Festivals like Holi and Diwali are famous for their vibrant colors, rangolis (decorative patterns), and illuminated homes.
- Culinary Delights: Festivals are synonymous with delicious traditional foods. Sweets like ladoos and jalebis are integral to celebrations.
- Community Bonding: Festivals strengthen social bonds, fostering a sense of community and shared joy among neighbors, friends, and families.
- Inclusive Spirit: India’s festivals often transcend age and social barriers, inviting participation from people of all backgrounds and ages.
- Symbolism and Mythology: Many festivals are rooted in mythology, celebrating significant events from religious texts or historical narratives.
- Music and Dance: Festivals showcase a rich tapestry of music and dance, from classical performances to folk art forms.
- Cultural Extravaganza: Events like Kumbh Mela attract millions, making them some of the largest human gatherings on the planet.
- Economic Impact: Festivals drive economic activities, boosting tourism, local markets, and the handicrafts industry.
- Environmental Concerns: Some festivals, like Diwali, have raised environmental concerns due to excessive fireworks and pollution.
- Charitable Giving: Festivals often involve acts of charity and giving, reinforcing values of compassion and empathy.
- Traditional Attire: Festivals are occasions to adorn traditional clothing like sarees, dhotis, and ethnic garments, fostering a sense of identity.
- Global Influence: Festivals like Holi have gained international recognition, with people around the world participating in the vibrant celebrations.
- Cultural Revival: Festivals contribute to the preservation of indigenous cultures, languages, and rituals.
India’s festivals are a kaleidoscope of emotions, traditions, and shared experiences, making them an integral part of the country’s identity.
Read about: International Youth Day
List of Indian Festivals UPSC
In the vibrant tapestry of India’s festivals, unity in diversity is beautifully showcased. These celebrations, rooted in history and tradition, exemplify the country’s rich cultural heritage. From the dazzling lights of Diwali to the rhythmic beats of Bihu, each state’s unique festivities contribute to a harmonious mosaic of customs and beliefs. India’s festivals not only bind communities together but also transcend boundaries, inviting participation from all walks of life. As they bridge ancient rituals with modern times, these celebrations reflect the nation’s deep-rooted values, making them an integral and cherished part of India’s identity, fostering harmony, and celebrating life’s diverse facets.