Top 10 cultural festivals to experience in India

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India. It is a five-day festival that falls in the Hindu month of Kartik (usually October or November). 

During Diwali, people light diyas (oil lamps) and decorate their homes with colorful lights and rangolis (patterns made with colored powder) to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Families come together to exchange gifts and sweets, and fireworks light up the night sky. It is celebrated all over India. 

If you're looking for the best place to experience Diwali in India, you can't go wrong with Delhi. The capital city of India is a hub of Diwali celebrations, with magnificent firework displays, dazzling light decorations, and delicious food. It is the perfect place to indulge in the Diwali spirit.

 

Another great place to experience Diwali is Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. During Diwali, the entire city is lit up with colorful lights, and the famous Amber Fort is illuminated with thousands of diyas. If you want to experience Diwali in a more traditional and spiritual way, you can visit Varanasi and Ayodhya. This ancient city is considered one of the holiest places in India and is known for its elaborate Diwali celebrations. 

No matter where you go, Diwali is a magical time to be in India. The festival is a celebration of hope, positivity, and togetherness, and the experience is sure to stay with you for a lifetime.

 

Holi is one of the most vibrant and colorful festivals celebrated throughout the India. It is also known as the "festival of colors" and is celebrated on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna (usually in February or March). Holi is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.

During Holi, people gather in the streets and throw colored powders and water at each other, dance to music, and enjoy festive food and drinks. The festival is a time to forget differences and come together in a spirit of joy and friendship.

If you're looking for the best place to experience Holi in India, you should visit Mathura and Vrindavan. These two cities are associated with the birth and childhood of Lord Krishna, who is said to have started the tradition of playing Holi. During Holi, the streets of Mathura and Vrindavan are filled with people, music, and color. The temples are also decorated with flowers and lights, and special Holi rituals are performed.

Another great place to experience Holi is in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The Pink City is known for its colorful celebrations, with locals and tourists alike taking to the streets to celebrate the festival. The city is also known for its delicious traditional food, including sweets and snacks like gujiya and thandai.

If you want to experience Holi in a more traditional and spiritual way, you can visit Barsana and Nandgaon. These two small towns in Uttar Pradesh are known for their unique Holi traditions. 
No matter where you go, Holi is a truly magical time to be in India. The festival is a celebration of life, love, and togetherness, and the experience is sure to stay with you for a lifetime.

 

Baisakhi is a vibrant and joyous festival celebrated mainly in the northern Indian state of Punjab. It marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year and commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa (the Sikh community) by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The festival falls on the 13th or 14th of April every year. 
Every part of India celebrates Baisakhi in their own way; each has their own name. For example in: 'Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha’ in West Bengal, 'Vaishakha' in Bihar, 'Vishu' in Kerala and 'Puthandu' in Tamil Nadu.

 

Baisakhi is a time of great enthusiasm and merriment, with people coming together to celebrate with music, dancing, and delicious food. 

If you're looking for the best place to experience Baisakhi in India, you can't go wrong with Amritsar. This holy city in Punjab is home to the Golden Temple, the most sacred site in Sikhism, and is the epicenter of Baisakhi celebrations. The Golden Temple is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers, and devotees from all over the world come. 

Another place where you can experience cultural festival of India is Bihu in Guwahati, Assam where Bihu is celebrated with great pomp and show. 
No matter where you visit, Baisakhi is a time to celebrate the spirit of unity and togetherness. The festival is a beautiful blend of culture, tradition, and spirituality, and the experience is sure to fill your heart with joy and optimism.

 

Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava and Dussehra are two major Hindu festivals celebrated in India with great enthusiasm and devotion. Both festivals symbolize the victory of good over evil and are celebrated across India, albeit with different customs and traditions.

Durga Puja is primarily celebrated in the eastern states of India, such as West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha. The festival is celebrated over a period of ten days, with the main attraction being the elaborate pandals. The idol of the goddess Durga is worshipped with great reverence and devotion, and the festival is also a time for feasting and socializing with family and friends.

 

On the other hand, Dussehra is celebrated throughout India and marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival is celebrated with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad on the tenth day of the Durgapuja depicting the destruction of evil forces. Delhi is the best place to experience Dussehra in India.
Both Durga Puja and Dussehra are grand celebrations, and experiencing them in India can be a truly memorable experience.

 

However, the best place to experience the grandeur and magnificence of Durga Puja is undoubtedly Kolkata, West Bengal. The city comes alive during the festival, with hundreds of pandals erected across the city, each one more elaborate and beautiful than the other. The entire city is transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere, with people dressed in new clothes, street food vendors selling delicious delicacies, and cultural programs and performances taking place throughout the day and night.

 

Celebrated in the month of : October
 

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival celebrated in India, primarily in the state of Maharashtra. It marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the revered elephant-headed deity who is worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings. 

The festival is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm, with people bringing home clay idols of Lord Ganesha and setting them up in their homes or in public pandals. The idols are decorated with flowers, lights, and ornaments, and people offer prayers and perform rituals to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha.
Mumbai is the best place to experience this cultural festival of India. 

 

The city is known for its grand celebrations, with thousands of pandals set up across the city. Each pandal is unique and intricately designed, with the idols of Lord Ganesha crafted with great skill and artistry.

The streets of Mumbai come alive with music, dance, and processions during Ganesh Chaturthi, with devotees carrying the idols of Lord Ganesha to the sea for immersion on the last day of the festival. The immersion ceremony is a spectacular sight to behold, with thousands of people coming together to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha.

 

Eid al Fitr is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, and is a time to celebrate with family and friends.

 

During Eid al Fitr, Muslims gather for prayer, exchange gifts, and share traditional sweets and delicacies. It is a time of joy, forgiveness, and renewal of faith.
If you're looking for the best place to experience Eid al Fitr in India, the city of Hyderabad in the southern state of Telangana is the place to be. The city has a rich Islamic heritage and is known for its grand celebrations during the festival.

The iconic Charminar, a historic monument and symbol of the city, is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers during Eid al Fitr. The streets of the old city come alive with vibrant bazaars selling traditional clothes, sweets, and other festive items.

The famous Chowmahalla Palace, the former seat of the Nizams of Hyderabad, hosts a grand feast known as the 'Eid ki Dawat,' where thousands of people are served a lavish spread of traditional delicacies. 

Another great place to experience Eid ul Fitr in India is in the city of Lucknow, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is known for its exquisite Awadhi cuisine, and during Eid ul Fitr, visitors can sample traditional dishes like biryani, kebabs, and sheermal (a type of bread).

No matter where you go, Eid ul Fitr is a time to celebrate the blessings of Allah, the power of faith, and the joy of being together with loved ones.
 

Onam or Makar Sankranti are one of the most popular festivals celebrated in India, each with their own unique traditions and customs.
Onam is a ten-day harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is a time to celebrate the bountiful harvest and is marked by feasting, dancing, and traditional games like boat races.
If you're looking for the best place to experience Onam in India, Kerala is the place to be. The state is known for its grand celebrations, with the streets and homes decorated with colourful flowers and rangolis.

Makar Sankranti, on the other hand, is a harvest festival celebrated in many parts of India, particularly in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat and Jharkhand. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, and is a time of new beginnings and prosperity.

If you're looking for the best place to experience Makar Sankranti in India, Uttar Pradesh is the place to be. The state is known for its traditional kite-flying competitions, with people of all ages taking to the rooftops to fly colourful kites and engage in friendly competition.

 

It does not matter what you choose to experience, both Onam and Makar Sankranti are a time to celebrate the bounty of nature, the power of community, and the joy of new beginnings. The festivals offer a unique opportunity to witness the rich cultural diversity of India and leave you feeling confident and inspired.

 

Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most beloved deities in Hindu mythology. It is observed in various parts of India and is marked by devotional singing, fasting, and feasting.

If you're looking for the best place to experience Janmashtami in India, the city of Mathura in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is the place to be. Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and the festival is celebrated here with great enthusiasm and devotion.

Another great place to experience Janmashtami in India is in the city of Mumbai, in the western state of Maharashtra. The city is known for its grand celebrations, with beautifully decorated 'Dahi Handi' competitions held all over the city.
In the Dahi Handi competition, teams of young men form human pyramids to reach a clay pot filled with curd, hung high above the ground. The team that breaks the pot and spills the curd is declared the winner and is rewarded with cash and prizes.

During Janmashtami, visitors to Mumbai can also witness colourful processions and cultural events that showcase the rich heritage and traditions of the city.

Celebrated in the month of : August
 

Jagannath Ratha Yatra is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated annually in the holy city of Puri, located in the state of Odisha. The festival is a celebration of Lord Jagannath's annual journey from his temple to his aunt's temple, accompanied by his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.

The festival is marked by the grand procession of the three deities, who are placed on decorated chariots and pulled through the streets of Puri by devotees. The procession is attended by millions of devotees from all over the world who come to witness the grand spectacle and to offer their prayers to Lord Jagannath.

If you're looking for the best place to experience Jagannath Ratha Yatra in India, Puri is the place to be. The city is known for its grand celebrations, with beautifully decorated chariots, vibrant processions, and devotional singing and dancing that lasts for over a week.

The highlight of the festival is the pulling of the chariots, which is considered to be a great honor and blessing for devotees. The chariots are pulled through the narrow streets of Puri, with devotees jostling to get a chance to touch the ropes and offer their prayers to the deities.

Visitors can also witness traditional dances and cultural performances that showcase the rich heritage and traditions of the state of Odisha. The festival culminates with the 'Bahuda Yatra,' where the deities are taken back to their temple in a grand procession, marking the end of the festival.

Celebrated in the month of : July 
 

Christmas is an annual festival that is celebrated around the world to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. While it is primarily a Christian festival, it is celebrated by people of all faiths in India and is marked by the exchange of gifts, carol singing, and feasting.

If you're looking for the best place to experience Christmas in India, then the city of Goa is the place to be. Goa is a former Portuguese colony and is known for its vibrant Christmas celebrations that blend Indian and European traditions.

The city is decorated with Christmas lights and stars, and visitors can witness traditional carol singing, midnight masses, and vibrant street parties. The highlight of the festival is the grand feast, with traditional dishes such as roast turkey, pork vindaloo, and bebinca, a popular Goan dessert, being served at homes and restaurants all over the city.

Another great place to experience Christmas in India is in the city of Kolkata. The city has a significant Christian population and is known for its grand Christmas processions and traditional midnight masses.

In both Goa and Kolkata, visitors can witness the unique blend of Indian and European traditions that make Christmas in India a truly unique and memorable experience. Whether you're a Christian or not, Christmas in India is a time of joy, hope, and celebration, and offers a wonderful opportunity to witness the rich cultural diversity of the country.

 

Celebrated in the month of : December