10 MOST CULTURALLY RICH FESTIVALS CELEBRATED IN INDIA

“India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.”

Mark Twain

CHRISTMAS – The season of Hope. It is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. The first known date of Christmas being rejoiced on December 25th was in 336 AD. After some years, Pope Julius I formally announced that the birth of Jesus would rejoiced on the 25th December.

Celebrated on – 25 December, across the globe.

Best Places to celebrate Christmas –

• Mumbai
• Pondicherry
• Goa

DUSSEHRA –The Festival of Victory. The legend goes that Rama, Lakshmana and a troupe of monkeys led by Hanuman fought the army of Ravana, the ruler of Srilanka for ten days and finally became victorious on the tenth day with the killing of Ravana and freed Sita from his clutches. So this festival is regarded as the victory of the good over the evil.

Celebrated on – end of Navaratri every year.

Best Places to celebrate Dusshera – October

• Kullu
• Mysore
• Kolkata
• Varanasi

DURGA PUJA – Worship of Durga. As told by Hindu mythology, the festival commemorates the victory of the goddess over a demon called Mahishasura. The goddess, known to Hindus as the ‘destroyer of evil’, is characterized by her ten arms carrying various lethal weapons, as well as her vehicle – the lion. 

Celebrated on – September/October

Best Places to celebrate Durga Puja –

• Assam
• Bihar
• Kolkata

JANMASHTMI – The Birth of Krishna.  Dahi Handi is an event where the same butter stealing activity of Lord Krishna is narrated. An earthen pot or handi is filled with butter, clarified butter or ghee, dry fruits, and milk is suspended at a considerable height with help of ropes. All the local young guys gather to make a human pyramid and climb on each other to reach the handi and break it. This is an activity that teaches the team work principles.

Celebrated on – August/September

Best Places to celebrate Janmashtmi –

• Mathura
• Vrindavan
• Dwarka

GANESH CHATURTHI – Arrival of Ganesh. It is a ten-day Hindu festival celebrated to honour the elephant-headed God Ganesha’s birthday. He is the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Celebrated on – September

Best Places to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi –

• Mumbai
• Pune
• Hyderabad

EID-UL-FITR – The Feast of Breaking the Fast. Eid Al Fitr was started by Islamic Prophet Muhammad. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad got the first revelation of the Holy Quran during the month of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr then marked the end of fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan and the beginning of the Shawwal month.

Celebrated on – May

Best Places to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr –

• Mumbai
• Hyderabad
• Lucknow
• Mumbai

RAKSHA BANDHAN – The bond of protection. In the epic Mahabharata, Krishna cut his finger while handling sugarcane. Krishna’s wife, Queen Rukmini, sent someone to get bandages. However, Draupadi saw the incident, and she cut off part of her saree and tied it around his finger to stop the bleeding. Krishna then promised to help her/protect her when she needed it.

Celebrated on – July/ August

Best Places to celebrate Raksha Bandhan –

• Uttarakhand
• Orissa
• Maharashtra

MAHASHIVRATRI – the greatest night of Shiva. the darkest night of the year – celebrates the Grace of Shiva, who is considered the Adi Guru/First Guru, from whom the yogic tradition originates. The planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system.

Celebrated on – February/March

Best Places to celebrate Mahashivratri –

• Varanasi
• Coimbatore
• Haridwar & Rishikesh
• Srisilam