The famous festivals of India are a reflection of the country’s cultural and religious richness. It is impossible to speak of any one Indian culture in India which is the second most populous nation in the world. Being a highly spiritual country, festivals are at the heart of people’s lives in India. India is known for its non-stop festivals.
Following are the most popular festivals in India that you should not miss while visiting this country.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Pushkar’s population goes up to a quarter-million people during the Camel Fair, up all over the fields that surround the small town. You can plan your holiday from Delhi. You will get to Pushkar a day or two before the actual fair as the livestock traders will be there, and the tourists won’t have arrived yet. You will enjoy the food, cultural shows, competitions and market place.
Place to celebrate: The Pushkar Camel Fair is in Pushkar, Rajasthan
Diwali in India
Diwali is largely a family celebration and it’s much like Christmas. Stay with Indian friends or book into a home stay or small family-run guesthouse so you can experience Diwali.
Place to celebrate:
Diwali which is also known as Deepavali is celebrated throughout India, though there are regional differences. Cities like Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Mumbai go all out on Diwali, and the effect is truly stunning.
Holi in India
The festival of Holi is based on the lunar calendar in India. It’s celebrated on the full moon in either February or March, so check the date in advance before you plan you travel. The date is March 23 in 2016. Finding the right group of people is the key to celebrate Holi.
Place to celebrate:
The best place to celebrate Holi is probably Mathura / Vrindavan in North India, the birthplace and childhood home of Krishna. The celebrations here are legendary. There are also many private celebrations such as the Holy Cow festival in Delhi.
Durga Puja in India
Durga Puja is as much a religious celebration as it is an art festival. The city of Kolkata turns into the world’s biggest open-air art gallery. Bengali culture is known for nurturing some of India’s greatest artists and filmmakers, so the creative nature of the Durga Puja festival is no surprise. The best way to celebrate is to go along with the crowds visiting the pandals every evening.
Place to celebrate:
There are other places that celebrate Durga Puja like in South Delhi but nobody does it better than Kolkata. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experiences that should not be missed.
Ganesh Chaturthi in India
Ganesh is the god of luck in Hinduism, for auspicious beginnings and safe travels and the remover of obstacles in life. This festival fills the streets with crowds. During the festival, Ganesh statues are displayed all over the city. The size of the crowds surely makes Ganesh Chaturthi a daunting undertaking.
Place to celebrate:
While Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in about five states, Mumbai is surely the best place to experience it. Thousands of statues are displayed around the city, and devotees gather at Siddhivinayak Temple of Mumbai. The procession to the sea for immersion — called Visarjan — is truly amazing to watch.