India’s spectrum of festivals is diverse. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular national festivals.

1. Diwali

Undoubtedly, Diwali or Deepavali is the most spectacular festival celebrated in the Indian subcontinent. Autumn heralds in this Hindu festival of lights that is celebrated across the length and breadth of the country. The celebrations are marked by people decorating their homes with candles, earthen lamps, and lights, bursting crackers, and exchanging gifts and sweets with friends and family. Since it is celebrated on a new moon night, these sparkling lamps and lights add a magical feel to the whole scenario. A festival that commemorates Lord Rama’s retu with his wife after 14 years of exile and his triumph over Ravana, Diwali symbolizes the ultimate victory of good over evil.

Want to know how this festival of India is celebrated in different parts of India? Read our blog on Diwali Celebrations to know more. You might also want to check out on some of the places to visit during Diwali.

• Where is Diwali (National Festival of India No. 1) celebrated? – All over India
• When is Diwali (National Festival of India No. 1) celebrated? – October – November
• Things to do – Decorations, Exchanging gifts and sweets, Bursting Crackers, Light lamps, Lakshmi Puja

2. Holi

Holi | National Festivals of India

Holi is another noteworthy name in the list of festivals of India. Considered the festival of love and the festival of colors, it signifies the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated all over the country with a lot of enthusiasm and fervor. Typically, the celebrations start on the eve of the festival. Huge bonfires are lit (symbolizing the buing of the mythical demoness Holika), and people sing and dance around this crackling fire. On the day of the Holi festival, they put dry and wet colors of various hues on each other. Playing with water guns and balloons filled with colored water, and drinking bang thandai (a desi cocktail made with Indian spices) are some of the key attractions of Holi.

• Where is Holi (National Festival of India No. 2) celebrated? – All over India, but the festival is more vibrant in the Northe states, especially in Vrindavan and Mathura
• When is Holi (National Festival of India No. 2) celebrated? – February – March
• Things to do – Play with colors, balloons, and water, Exchange sweets, Holika Dehen

3. Navratri

Navratri | National Festivals of India

Navratri counts as one of the major Hindu festivals, and the celebrations continue for days on end. In Sanskrit, the term Navratri means nine nights. True to its name, the festival spans over nine days and nights. During Navratri, Goddess Shakti is worshipped in different forms. In North India, Navratri celebrations involve vibrant Dandiya Raas and Garba dances that are enjoyed by men, women, and children dressed in colorful traditional attire.

• Where is Navratri (National Festival of India No. 3) celebrated? – All over India, but the festival is more vibrant in Maharashtra and Gujarat
• When is Navratri (National Festival of India No. 3) celebrated? – October – November
• Things to do – Offer prayers to the Goddess, Dandiya Nights, Wear traditional attires

Durga Puja | National Festivals of India

A symbol of cultural identity for the Bengalis, Durga Puja is celebrated with much fanfare and gaiety for four days. One of the major festivals of India, it is particularly popular in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Bihar. During Durga Puja, huge clay idols of the ten-armed Goddess Durga and her four children are worshipped in specially made mandaps. People dress up in new clothes and go pandal-hopping with family and friends. The festival culminates with the immersion of the idol of the goddess in water.

• Where is Durga Puja (National Festival of India No. 4) celebrated? – All over India, but the festival is more vibrant in West Bengal, Delhi, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Bihar
• When is Durga Puja (National Festival of India No. 4) celebrated? – October – November
• Things to do –Worship Goddess Durga, Exchange Sweets(Prasaad), Pandal hopping

5. Dussehra

Dussehra | National Festivals of India

Dussehra marks the end of Navratri as well as Durga Puja. A prominent name in the Indian festival calendar, it is also known as Vijayadashami. As is with most festivals, Dussehra is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. While in some states it is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, others consider it Goddess Druga’s triumph over Mahishasura. The celebration of Dussehra is marked with enactments of Ramlila and the buing of mammoth effigies of Ravana along with Kumbhkaran and Meghnad. Mysore in Kaataka is the best place to enjoy Dussehra in India. Dussehra is considered to be in the top 10 festivals in India as it is celebrated by everyone and everywhere in the country. During the festival, Mysore Palace is illuminated with around one lakh bulbs, presenting a breathtaking sight. The huge procession carried out by decorated elephants on this occasion is also a spectacle worth witnessing.

• Where is Dussehra (National Festival of India No. 5) celebrated? – All over India, but the celebrations in Mysore, Kullu and Delhi are worth attending
• When is Dussehra (National Festival of India No. 5) celebrated? – October – November
• Things to do – Watching the effigies of Ravana, Visiting different fairs, Food stalls

6. Janmashtami

Janmashtami | National Festivals of India

Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered to be the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Celebrated across the country with much pomp and splendor, it tops the list of Hindu festivals. On this day, devotees worship Lord Krishna at their homes and in temples and offer a variety of delicacies to please the deity. Mathura and Vrindavan, the two historical places in India related to Krishna’s birth and childhood, witness lavish celebrations marked with hymns and dances. On this occasion, little children often dress up as Lord Krishna. Another important attraction of the festival is the dioramas, narrating the story of the night of the virgin birth, complete with miniature mountains, a river signifying the Yamuna, and the prison of Kansa where Devki was imprisoned. It is a hugely celebrated religious festival in India. In Mumbai, people form gigantic human pyramids, several storeys high, and try to break an earthen pot filled with yogurt hanging above in an event known as Dahi Handi.

• Where is Janmashtami (National Festival of India No. 6) celebrated? – All over India
• When is Janmashtami (National Festival of India No. 6) celebrated? – August – September
• Things to do – Dahi Handi, Preparation of sweets, Dressed up a Krishna, Drawing rangoli

7. Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi | National Festivals of India

Among all festivals of India, Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi holds a special significance for Hindus. The festival commemorates the birth of the much-loved Hindu deity, Lord Ganesha. Colorful festivities spanning over ten days mark the celebrations. It starts with the installation of artistically crafted Ganesha idols in homes and public mandaps. People worship the deity with much fervor and gaiety. On the tenth day, the idol is immersed in water, which marks the end of the festivities. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Kaataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, and Chhattisgarh.        

• Where is Ganesh Chaturthi (National Festival of India No. 7) celebrated? – All over India, but it is best celebrated in Maharashtra
• When is Ganesh Chaturthi (National Festival of India No. 7) celebrated? – August – September
• Things to do – Worshipping Ganesha, Visiting Pandals, Preparation of sweets

8. Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr | National Festivals of India

Eid-ul-Fitr or simply Eid is among the major religious festivals of the Muslim community. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is the sacred month of fasting akin to the Christian Lent. The festival is celebrated on the day following the sighting of the crescent moon at night. Devotees offer prayers at mosques, visit friends and relatives, and feast with their near and dear ones; sweet seviyan is perhaps the most famous symbol of Eid. Mosques and markets across the country are beautifully decorated on this occasion and several iconic markets in India sell special delicacies too.    

• Where is Eid-ul-Fitr (National Festival of India No. 8) celebrated? – All over India, but the festivities in Old Delhi, Lucknow, Srinagar, and Hyderabad are worth attending
• When is Eid-ul-Fitr (National Festival of India No. 8) celebrated? – June – July
• Things to do: Offer prayers at Mosques, Prepare Seviyan, Shop

9. Christmas

Christmas | National Festivals of India

Christmas needs no introduction. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ and so, holds special significance for Christians. But like many other festivals in the country, it also holds appeal for the people of other religions. And since Christmas is followed by the New Year, there is a festive spirit in the air. Churches are lit up and bedecked in an attractive manner. Decorated Christmas trees are a common sight everywhere, from people’s homes to the largest malls in India. The day is celebrated by attending prayer mass at churches, exchanging gifts, and feasting with friends and family.

If you want to witness the best of Christmas celebrations, Goa is where you should be. Read our blog on Christmas Celebrations in Goa to know more.

• Where is Christmas (National Festival of India No. 9) celebrated? – All over India
• When is Christmas (National Festival of India No. 9) celebrated? – 25th December
• Things to do – Prayer mass at Churches, Exchange gifts, and Feasting with friends and family

10. Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri | National Festivals of India

As the festival name indicates, Maha Shivratri is celebrated in honor of the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. This annual event symbolizes the overcoming of ignorance and darkness in life. Maha Shivratri, meaning the Great Night of Shiva, is celebrated across all coers of the country. Unlike most other Hindu festivals, Maha Shivratri does not include cultural revelry. Rather, it involves fasting, meditating, chanting prayers, and worshipping the Shiva Linga. Ardent devotees remain awake all night long and perform pujas as per the traditions. You can witness festivities and ceremonies in the Shiva temples of the country, though.

• Where is Maha Shivratri (National Festival of India No. 10) celebrated? – All over India, but the celebrations at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain are especially noteworthy
• When is Maha Shivratri (National Festival of India No. 10) celebrated? – February – March
• Things to do – Fasting, Meditating, Chanting prayers, and Worshipping the Shiva Linga