As they rightly say, festivals in India are one of the ways you celebrate happiness and togetherness with your family. There are numerous festivals in India, and to be honest, there is at least one famous festival every month. But what do so many festivals mean? Having a lot of festivals means we are a secular country, our Indian culture is precious, and diversity is common. The virtue of our nation can be viewed in supporting such diverse cultures and celebrating all those Indian festivals to keep the traditions and culture alive.

Since there is a broad spectrum of religions, customs, traditions, and beliefs in the country, let’s acknowledge some of the festivals. There are a plethora of festivals in India, and to enjoy them, a lifetime would not be enough. Saying that, let’s check out some of the most traditional festivals in India along with their dates in 2020.

Festivals Of India, 2020

The list of festivals will go through the order of month-wise throughout this year, 2020.

1. New Year, 1st January 2020

Indians have their way of ringing in the New Year, but the new and modern India celebrates its Calendar New Year on 1st January, every year, along with the rest of the world.

When: 1st January, every year. Where: Throughout the world. Highlights of the festival: Firecrackers, meeting friends, special dinners, and get together. Best Places to Celebrate: Goa, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore.



2. Lohri – Punjabi Folk Festival / Lala Loi for Sindhi’s.

Lohri is a Punjabi folk festival. The Sikhs and the Hindus of Punjab celebrate this festival grandly. This day is a thanksgiving day for farmers where the Rabi crop harvest is celebrated. India has so many festivals dedicated to nature and agriculture. The children collect wooden sticks. The main celebration is the ritual of lighting the bonfire and then putting chikki, puffed rice, sugarcane, gajak into the fire to pray the roots. A lot of folk songs and dances are a part of the celebration.

Being a Sindhi myself, I have to mention this, that even Sindhi’s observe this day as a festival called Lal Loi, its the Sindhi name for Lohri.

When: 13th January every year Where is the festival celebrated: Punjab, Delhi, Haryana. What are the highlights: Bonfire, Bhangra, and Gidda and songs



3. Makar Sankranti – Hindu’s New Year & Famous Kite Festival.

This festival is celebrated nationwide. Probably this is the only festival in India that is celebrated in all the states under different names. Gujarat celebrates it as Uttarayan. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on the next day of Lohri. This festival is celebrated to mark the start of the auspicious new year and the beginning of the agricultural cycle. Celebrated on 14th January, kite flying is the major highlight of this festival.

When: 14th January every year. (14th January 2020) Where: Everywhere in India but North India more prominently. Main attractions: Kite Flying, Making of delicious savories.



4. Pongal- 4 days of Harvest Festival

Pongal is a South Indian festival that is celebrated on the 14th or 15th of January every year. This is a four-day-long festival which is celebrated towards being grateful to nature. There are numerous rituals at the four-day-long festival.

4 Days of the festival

Day 1- Bhogi.

Day 2- Thai Pongal.

Day 3- Maatu Pongal.

Day 4- Kaanum Pongal.

This is also one of the widely celebrated festivals in the South and is one of the most important festivals of Tamil people. Making and offering of the Pongal dish is an essential and traditional practice of the festival.

When: 14th or 15th every year, depending on the lunar calendar. Where: South Indian states, Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh mostly. Highlights of the festival: Long rituals, Pongal dish.



5. Republic Day – National Festival Of India.

Republic Day is a national holiday as it is the celebration of independent India. The Constitution of India was enforced on 26th January 1950. Also, this festival is celebrated with loads of pride. The celebrations of this day take place at Raj Path with the President of India in attendance. Delegations from all over the world also come to visit this spectacle. The festival depicts the pride and unity of the country.

When: 26th January, every year. Where: Throughout the country Highlights: Hoisting of the Indian Flag, March past, and other special ceremonies.



6. Basant Panchami – Festival of Goddess Saraswati

This is a Hindu festival which is in honor of Goddess Sarasvati- the Goddess of Knowledge. This is a spring festival, but it falls in January- February every year. This is a festival where the Goddess Sarasvati is heavily worshipped, and Sarasvati Pujas also take place. Basant Panchami is an important day for the students who pray to the goddess of knowledge.

People wear yellow clothes and also prepare yellow color sweet dishes. This Indian festival is celebrated in different ways in different regions of the country. Some communities like the Sikhs conduct Langar. Rajasthani’s wear jasmine garlands.

When: January- February, every year. (29th January 2020) Where is the festival celebrated: Entire Country, but more prominent in Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Rajasthan Highlights of the festival: Some people also worship Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi along with Sarasvati Devi on this yellow festival.



7. Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela occurs once in every three years. This is held in places like Allahabad, Varanasi, Haridwar, and Ujjain. This is one of those festivals where the people come from all over the world to take a holy dip in the river. It is said that when you take a holy dip in the water, all your sins will be washed away. In the past years, there have been days where over 30million people have visited Kumbh mela in a day.

This is known as the most enlightening festival in the whole country. There is a massive number of citizens who come to the Kumbh Mela whenever it is happening. Sometimes, the Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years also according to the Vikram Samvat calendar.

When: Once in every 3 years or 12 years. Happens during Jan-March. Where: Places like Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Haridwar. Highlights: Holy Dipping in the river.



8. Losar Festival – Tibetian New Year

A great festival of the Tibetian Buddhists, Losar, is the festival of people of Ladakh as well. This is a 15 days long festival, but the first three days are the essential part of the festival and is celebrated with lots of pomp and gaiety. There are separate rituals that are done each day. People meet their friends and relatives and also tie flags on the roof. This festival can be celebrated up to 15 days.

When: February every year [24th to 26th February 2020] Where: Ladakh Highlights of the festival: The Metho Ceremony is an essential one where they carry torches, and the people go to every street to drive away evil spirits.



9. Lui Ngai Ni, Seed Sowing Festival in Manipur, 15th February.

The festival is celebrated in Manipur by the Naga Tribes, where this festival takes place on 15th February every year. This festival is celebrated by performing traditional dances, performing rituals like the lighting fire to bless the seeds which are sown to grow as crops. The rich cultural heritage of the tribes is shown cased during the festival.

Date: 15th February every year Where: Manipur Highlight: Lui Ngai Ni is the seed sowing festival of India. It is a very enthusiastic festival.



10. Maha Shivratri, Religious Festival in India.

Maha Shivratri is the religious festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. This festival is celebrated on the 14th day of the Phalguna month of Maagha month. On the Day of MahaS Shivratri, the shiva bhaktas go through a day-long fast, which can only be broken after dusk.

Also, this is the festival where all the devotees of Lord Shiva gather in the temples to sing hymns and bhajans to the Shiva lingam. The main temple people visit during Maha Shivratri is the Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is in Ujjain. Also, the Somnath temple in Odisha is also frequently visited.

When: February or March every year. [21st February 2020] Where: Throughout the nation Main highlights of the festival: Kashmiri and the Himalayan region people celebrate it as the anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. A lot of them are awake the whole night and sing the songs of praise. Also, in Mandi Himachal Pradesh, the Mandi Fair is organized.



11. Goa Carnival

The entire Goa is into the festive mood when this carnival starts. Goa Carnival and its celebration are full of colors, food, music, drinks, and dance. This mega carnival is held for 3-5 days, and the celebration is humongous. It takes place in a lot of essential areas like Panjim, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco da Gama, etc.

When: 22nd to 25th February 2020. Where: Goa Highlights of the festival: Costumes, Food, Drinks, and parades!



12. Holi – The Festival of Colors In India.

Holi is the festival of colors. According to a story, Lord Vishnu saves his devotee Prahalada from the evil of Holika. So, a night before the actual festival, Holika Dahan is done where a bonfire is burned. This symbolizes that good always wins over evil.

Holi marks the arrival of spring, and it is celebrated with colors. You wish your loved ones by applying gulal or pink-colored powder on the cheeks. This is one festival which is not only celebrated in India but worldwide. Apart from the color powders, even water guns{pichkaris} and color water-filled balloons are used.

Dance, music, savories, sweets, and food are the main things everyone looks forward to having during this festival. So, in short, Holi is the mark of the start of spring and the end of winter. They believe that spring is full of colors and happiness, which is why they celebrate it with colors.

When: March every year. 9th & 10th, March 2020. Where: Throughout the nation. Special things: Gulal and meeting with friends and family.



13. Navroz – The Parsi/Iranian New Year.

The Parsi’s New Year, people who follow Zoroastrianism in Mumbai celebrate their father’s escape from Persia. The new year is usually celebrated with traditional feasts and visiting their family and friends.

When: 20th March 2020. Where: Mumbai Highlights: This day is also known as Jamsedhi Navroz after the Persian King Jamshed.



14. Gangaur – Traditional Festival in India.

The most important festivals in the state of Rajasthan, Gangaur, falls in the Chaitra month. This is a festival for the married people where the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is celebrated. The women celebrate this festival where they pray the clay idols and then immerse them in the water on the last day of the festival. It is one of the most traditional festivals in India.

Generally, the unmarried women take part in this festival so as to get a good husband. The married women, on the other side, take up the rituals to pray for wealth, health, and love.

When: 10th to 27th March 2020. Where: Rajasthan and Gujarat. The highlight of the day: It is celebrated for Gauri, who is the wife of Lord Shiva.



15. Mahavir Jayanti – Religious Festival for Jainism.

To celebrate the birth of Lord Mahavir, the Jains celebrate Mahavir Jayanti. This festival falls in between the days of March-April. There are significant rituals that are done during the festival by distributing food to the needy being the main one. This is one such kind of celebration of Jains, which is exhibited with lots of faithful devotion. Even the rath Yatra is carried during the festival.

When: 6th April 2020. Where: Entire Country, but more significant in Gujarat. Highlights of the festival: A vast fair is conducted in Gujarat in places like Girnar and Palitana



16. Easter

Easter is the festival of Christians who celebrate the day of Jesus when he rose from the dead. Also, it is one of the most important festivals of Christians. Before the celebration, in the Lent month/season, some Christians fast for 40 days altogether. Some Christians fast on Fridays, or some just stop eating meat prior to Easter.

After that, they observe fasts on Ash Wednesday, Monday, Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The Easter festival is celebrated on the first Sunday, which falls between 22nd March to 25th April every year. Easter eggs, bunnies, and candy are the most favorite part of the festival.

When: April month every year. 12th April 2020. Where: Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh mostly. Highlights of the festival: Easter eggs, carnival in Goa.



17. Ram Navami – The Bird of Lord Ram

Ram Navami is the festival of Lord Ram and is celebrated on the cause of the birth of the Lord. It is on the ninth day of the Hindu Lunar Calendar and is usually in March or April. This is one such festival where all the devotees of Lord Ram get together and celebrate the day with lots of fervor and enthusiasm.

When: 2nd April 2020. The date may vary according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Where: Throughout the country but it is mainly celebrated in states like Bihar, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and many other states. Primarily in Ayodhya in UP and Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. The highlight of the day: It is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra; thus this festival is also named as Chaitra Masa Sukhlapaksha Navami. The devotees clean their house and also keep themselves from eating foods like Onions, Garlic, or any kind of Wheat Products.



18. Ugadi – Telugu New Year.

Ugadi is celebrated by the South Indians of Telugu descent. This is marked as their new year day. It usually falls in April month every year, and on this day, the people celebrate by making a special dish called the Ugadi Pacchidi, which has all the flavors added in it.

When: 25th March 2020. The dates may vary every year. Where: It is the new year for the Telugu and the Kannada people. So, it is celebrated in states like Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. Highlight: New clothes, mouthwatering traditional dishes, the Uganda Pacchidi, Pulihora, Bobbatlu, etc.



19. Bihu – National Festival of Assam.

Bihu is one of the most widely known festivals in Assam. Bihu festival is celebrated for seven days, which begins on 14th April every year. Also, this festival may last only for a week, but its vividly celebrated for one whole month. There are several rituals that are done throughout the month in different regions of the state. This festival’s highlight is Bihu dance is performed on a regular basis.

Date: 14th April 2020-20th April 2020. The dates keep varying every year. Where: This is the national festival of Assam. Also, it is celebrated 3 times a year in Assam. The highlight of the festival: Bihu is basically the celebration of the change of seasons. Also, Bihu clothes, Bihu dance and Bihu sports are the main attractions of this festival.



20. Baisakhi – Harvest Festival of India

This festival is entirely for farmers and celebrated by the farmers. It is one of those festivals of Sikhs, which is celebrated with great pleasure and pomp. Also, this festival is celebrated on 13th April every year. This festival is basically the celebration of the end of Rabi Crops harvest and is therefore heavily observed in the farmer families. They celebrate the festival by making delicious food and dancing in folk numbers. This festival has a great religious significance too.

When: 13th April 2020. Where: Punjab Highlights of the day: It marks the end of Rabi crop and the welcoming of Spring season.



21. Buddha Purnima- Birth of Gautam Buddha

A significant festival for the Buddhists, this is the day when Gautama Buddha was born. Buddha Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day in the Vaisakha on Hindu month. This day is celebrated with people reminiscing his teachings and life preachings. All they do on this day is to pray to Lord Buddha, eat simple and easily digestible food, chant affirmations, and meditate.

When: May every year. 7th May 2020. Where: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Bodh Gaya, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Maharastra Highlights: Caged animals are set free, and the dress code at this festival is white.



22. Moatsu Mong

Moatsu Mong festival is celebrated by the tribe of Nagaland. They celebrate the completion of the sowing season. They do a lot of rituals, and regular works like cultural dances and activities, beer brewing, preparations of local savories are the most favorite things to do.

When: 1st May – 3rd May 2020. Where: Nagaland The highlight of the day: The festival is celebrated by the Ao tribe of the state. It is also a beautiful festival of invoking the blessings of God.



23. Ramadan/Eid-Ul-Fitr

One of the main festivals of the Islamic religion, Eid is celebrated all over India. Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islam calendar, and Muslims observe fast throughout the month. Then during the end of the Ramadan month, there is a three-day festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr where all the Muslims break their fasts and come together to pray to their God (Allah) and celebrate the festival. This festival makes the normal man give up his vices so that he can go closer to Allah. Also, Eid is celebrated throughout the country. Also, it ends with happy feasting and prayers.

When: 23rd April to 23rd May 2020 this year according to the Islamic Calendar Where: Throughout India Highlights: Haleem



24. Saga Dawa

This is another festival of Buddhists which they celebrate after Buddha Purnima. This is majorly celebrated in Sikkim, where they offer water, incense sticks, and dhog at the monasteries. Also, they turn the prayer wheels and complete the other rituals in this event.

When: 5th June 2020 Where: Lhassa, Mt.Kailash, Sikkim, The highlight of the day: The festival basically celebrates all the crucial events in the life of Buddha: birth, nirvana, and death. A large number of pilgrims come and then take a walk. They also do some colorful prayers so that their wishes reach heaven through the wind.



25. Rath Yatra

This Rath Yatra is famously known as the festival of chariots and is celebrated in Puri, Odisha. The Jagannath temple idols Lord Balabadra and Goddess Subhadra are removed and taken on the chariots to the Gundicha temple. Many devotees offer their volunteering in this Yatra. This Yatra is so famous that there is live telecasting of the whole Yatra in national and international channels.

Date: June or July every year. 23rd June 2020 this year. Where: Puri, Orissa Highlights: Yatra from the Jagannath temple to Gundicha temple



26. Dree Festival

Another pleasant festival takes place on 5th July of every year. It is celebrated to honor the agriculture of the Ziro Valley. They celebrate this festival to make sure there is a good harvest. The people there also offer prayers to gods, drink wine, and try out the delicious local dishes.

When: 5th July every year Where: Arunachal Pradesh, the northeastern state of India. The highlight of the day: People basically worship five things in this festival; they are Mama, Metw, Mepin, Medvr, and Danyi. Also, Pri-Dances, Damindas, and other folk cultures are on full display during the Dree ritual.



27. Hemis

This is the festival that the people of Leh-Ladakh celebrate. This day is celebrating to commemorate the birth of Ladakhi leader Padmasambhava. This festival is carried on for two days, and there are dance performances during these days. They also perform some Buddhist rituals during the festival. This is the festival of the northernmost corner of the country and is clearly the festival of colors, worship, and beauty.

When: June or July every year. This year, 30th June to 1st July 2020 Where: Leh- Ladakh, the places where Buddhism is still practiced. The highlight of the festival: The masked dance is performed by the lamas. They wear the dragon mask, and they dress in colorful costumes.



28. Independence Day

One of the major national holidays in the country, Independence Day is celebrated with great pride and honor. On 15th August 1947, India got its independence from British Raj or rule. The schools and all the educational institutions are closed so as to honor our freedom fighters who fought for India. It is celebrated with great gusto and honor.

When: 15th August every year Where: India Highlights: Parade near Wagah Border and the flag hoisting in Delhi.



29. Raksha Bandhan

India is full of surprises and beautiful festivals. Raksha Bandhan is a special festival which is celebrated to cherish and appreciate the blood bond with brothers and sisters. This is done by the sisters tying sacred threads to their brothers, and brothers take a vow to protect their sisters from any kind of harm in their life. Bhai Dhooj also runs on similar lines. This festival is also celebrated by all the religions of India because it is such a sacred festival. This strengthens the love between the two siblings.

When: August, every year. 3rd August 2020. The dates keep varying every year. Where: Throughout the country Highlights: Exchange of promises and gifts by the sisters and brothers.



30. Janmashtami – Birth of Krishna

To celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth and also his mark in the world, Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated. People go to the temples to visit the Lord and also offer their prayers to them. Also, there are other fun games that are played during the Krishna Janmashtami. All the Krishna devotees or bhaktas celebrate this day with great devotion. Also, during this festival, the Rasa Lila, which is the traditional Krishna Drama, is performed in various regions of the country. Also, this festival is very popular in places like Mathura, Manipur, Assam, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. There are traditional dances in Kutch of Gujarat, and people also sing devotional songs to celebrate the day.

When: 11th August 2020 Where: Mathura, Manipur, Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Mumbai, Pune, South India Highlights of the festival: Krishna dramas, Dahi Handi, where human pyramids are formed to hit the pot filled with yogurt/curd. People in Gujarat play games and also decorate the bullock carts.



31. Teej

Teej is a significant festival for Indian women as it was that day when Lord Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati’s love. Thus, all the married and unmarried women pray and worship the idols of the divine couple. Also, couples dress up in a very traditional fashion, which is a highlight in the festival.

When: 6th August 2020 Where: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The highlight of the day: The same festival is also celebrated in Southern states under the name of Gauri Hibba. The Hartalika Teej comes after one month of Ganesh Chaturthi.



32. Vinayaka Chavithi/ Ganesh Chaturthi

Another major Indian festival, this festival is a great festival which is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesh. This is almost a 9-10-day festival where you keep the idol of Lord Ganesh in your house to take his blessings for prosperity. After 10 days, there is generally a grand procession where the idol is immersed in the water. This is also a grand festival in Maharastra, where there are mandaps and pandals set up in every street. Also, there are many cultural programs every night till the immersion of the Ganesha idol.

When: 22nd August 2020. The festival generally comes in August- September time every year. Where: Maharastra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and all the other states. Highlight: Modak is one kind of sweet fish everyone would like to have. In Kerala, when the time comes to immerse the idol, the Ganesha idol is taken from the Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple to Shankumugham Beach, and then the idol is immersed in the sea. Music, traditional dances are all a part of this festival.



33. Muharram

This is the first month of the Islamic Calendar, and the actual dates on the Gregorian calendar keep rotating. This is the time when a particular sect of Muslims, the Shia Muslims celebrate to remember Hussein ibn Ali, who is martyred.

This is basically a mourning month, whereas the other faction of Muslims, the Sunni Muslims observe it more peacefully. The mooring continues to take place for the first day of the month to the next two months and precisely eight days. On the 10th day, the Shia Muslims go on processions taking the banners out on streets. But for the Sunni Muslims, it is up to them if they want to do the fast.

Date: It varies every year Where: Throughout India, where ever there are Muslims. The highlight of the festival: This festival is basically the mourning festival, but a lot of them think it is a peaceful and happy festival.



34. Onam

For all the Kerala origin people, Onam is the grandest festival. This is basically their start of the Malayalam calendar and is celebrated by many people throughout the country. Also, this festival falls in the August-September region.

Onam is also a festival that celebrates the harvest of crops. This is a massive festival in the whole of Kerala and is the celebrated week long. There are folk songs sung, and a lot of songs are danced upon.

There are many other activities which are done, and each and every house is decked up for the festival. There are worldwide famous boat races during Onam, which are very prestigious. Also, the elephants and the traditional dances and flowers are all part of this one big dynamic festival.

When: 22nd August to 2nd September 2020. This festival is generally in the month of Chingam in the Malayalam calendar. Where: Kerala and anywhere where there is a Malayali community. The highlight of the festival: Basically, this festival is the honoring of one of the Vishnu avatars- Vamana and also the coming of the home of the King Mahabali. Also, this is one of the major festivals for Malayalis all around the world.



35. Gandhi Jayanti

To celebrate the birthday of the greatest freedom fighter of India, we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday as Gandhi Jayanti. It is celebrated by remembering all the great sacrifices the father of the nation made for the greater good of the country. Also, every year, it is a national holiday where all the schools and colleges are closed, and prayer meetings are held at every place.

When: 2nd October every year Where: India Highlight: Prayer at his memorial. Dry day throughout India.



36. Durga Puja

One of the most important festivals in a Bengali household is the Durga Puja. This is a significant 5-day carnival in honor of Durga Maata. This is a festival where the preparations start at least 15 days in advance.

There are beautiful pandals set upon every street or area. Traditional dances, evening aartis, Prasad distribution, are sure to happen. Apart from this, there are a lot of other activities which also take place. Overall, it is the only time a Bengali loves indulging in various traditional activities in the year.

Also, this 10-day-long festival is the celebration of good over evil and the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. In other eastern states like West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, they celebrate the triumph of Durga Maa over the buffalo Asura.

When: 22nd to 26th October 2020. This usually occurs in October every year. Where: Eastern Indian states like West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and also Karnataka The highlight of the festival: Pandals are set up, and there are a series of traditional events that take place every night.



37. Navratri

Generally, Sharad Navratri is observed for Goddess Durga. The final day of Navratri (9 days) is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami. The northeastern and eastern states are more similar to Durga Puja. Since the movements of the sun and the moon change, the change in the celebrations of the festival may vary.

When: 17th to 25th October 2020. Where: Throughout India. The highlight of the festival: Ram Lila takes place in North India, the pandals of Durga Maa are set up in the eastern and the northeastern states of the country, the Gujarati’s and the Rajasthan’s have dandiya and Garba nights. Navratri is celebrated with huge pomp and enthusiasm.



38. Dusshera

Dusshera is another main festival of the Hindus, which is celebrated with great pleasure. This festival is celebrated in autumn, and it marks the end of the nine days Navratri festival. This festival again is a celebration of good over evil and also the day Lord Rama gained victory over Ravana. On this day, the statues of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran are burnt by shooting an arrow of fire.

When: 25th October 2020. The dates may vary. Where: Throughout the country, this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Highlights of the day: This festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. In Kulu, Himachal Pradesh, there is a huge fair that is organized. In Eastern and North-Eastern India, the idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in the sea. In Karnataka too, there is a massive parade involving elephants, etc. to witness the grandeur of the festival.



39. Karwachauth

Karwachauth is the festival of Indian Hindu women who pray the God for the long life of their husbands. They celebrate the day by observing a fast from dawn to dusk. In the evening, they dress up impeccably, and the husbands help their wives to break the fast. This is a great ritual, and every woman is very interested in this.

When: 4th November 2020, but the date may vary every year as it is according to the Lunar Calendar of the Hindus. Where: This festival is celebrated in states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh and the other states. The highlight of the day: Married and Unmarried women fast for their own reasons. They only break the fast after seeing the moon.



40. DIWALI – Festival of lights

This festival is known as the festival of lights, and it is known worldwide. This is celebrated in every culture with great enthusiasm and pomp. In India, you can see that every religion celebrates this festival regardless of it being a Hindu festival. Such is its popularity and favoritism. A lot of children like Diwali because they get to exchange sweets, wear new clothes, and fire the firecrackers. Diwali comes in the Autumn period of the year, usually in October-November. During Diwali, everyone lights up their houses with lights, clay lamps(diyas), and candles. This is done in order to invite Lakshmi Devi to their homes (according to Hindus). Also, Diwali is the only festival where everyone renovates and decorates their houses. Diwali is known to symbolize the fact that light prevails over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

When: 14th November 2020 . Diwali always occurs after Dussehra. Where: Throughout the country. The highlight of the day: Firecrackers, Lakshmi Puja in the evening, meeting with close friends and family.



41. Chat Pooja

This festival, which is celebrated by the Sun God devotees, is a day where they thank the Sun God. This Pooja is observed for Sun God to thank him, and seek his protection and blessings for their health and happiness. This festival is widely celebrated by North Indians, mainly in Uttar Pradesh.

When: 20th November 2020. The dates may vary every year Where: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar mainly, north India. Highlight: People fast from food and water, which symbolizes Rama and Sita.



42. Hornbill festival

Another major festival of the tribes of Nagaland, the Hornbill Festival is celebrated from 1st December every year. Traditional costumes, beautiful headgear, war cries, log drums are the most highlighted things in the festival. Also, this is one such festival in the North East Indian, which is celebrated with great pride and enthusiasm. This is basically known as the festival of festivals. This is a unique festival of the folks of Nagaland.

When: Celebrated from 1st December-10th December. Where: Nagaland, one of the northeastern states of India. The highlight of the day: The festival encourages the diversity of the tribes in Nagaland and also to showcase the culture and the ethnicity of the land.



43. Loosong Festival

The festival of people of Sikkim, this festival is celebrated by the Sikkimese in the month of December to celebrate their new year. They also celebrate that year’s harvest and is revealed by the Bhutia tribe. They celebrate their festival with folk dances, archery competitions, drink local wine.

When: 19th December every year Where: Sikkim The highlight of the day: The festival is also known as Sonam Loosing. This is the festival of the Bhutia tribe. This festival is not only celebrated in Sikkim but also in Nepal and Darjeeling. Tradition Chaan dancing is also a part of this extravagant festival.



44. Christmas

Christmas is one of the loveliest festivals in India, which is widely celebrated by everyone. This is one of those festivals which not only Christians celebrate it but also the other religions alike. This festival commemorates the birth of Jesus, which is on 25th December of every year. Christmas is one of those festivals where the Christmas tree is decorated, and gifts are exchanged.

When: 25th December every year. Where: Throughout the world The highlight of the day: Exchange of gifts through Santa Claus. Exchange of happiness.



Thus, these are some of the main festivals that are celebrated in the country. If you notice, almost all the festivals in India are dedicated to nature and life. They help us to go in the right direction. Also, these festivals also teach us to win over bad by doing good. Festivals are the time when you actually come closer to family, and it spreads love and harmony. Celebrating a festival in India is a lifetime experience. Generally, there are a total of 40-50 grand festivals in India. Every month of the year, you have some of the other festivals. This marks the real sense of secularism in India.

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