Fairs and festivals in India

India is wholly known for its rich culture. It is a vibrant land with varied festivals of various religions. India’s diverse cultures can be visible during the festival days; however, Indians spend almost the whole year celebrating different festivals. Festivals in India are celebrated with great joy and spirit, and every festival has a deep meaning hidden inside it. All region of the country follows and celebrates the festival differently, showing cultural diversity with utmost unity. People show utmost dedication towards the rituals, food, fairs, etc. However, each festival and fair offers a tremendous and diversifying artistic environment, creed, history, and legacy of India. 

From all over the country, many tourists visit India to explore the fantastic atmosphere of the country. Every fair and festival is celebrated for a different purpose but eventually leads to pleasure for the people. A large number of locals and tourists visit these fairs and festivals and admire the beauty of India. If you want to know about honest India, whether about its culture, diversity, significance, unity, tradition, food, religion, or anything, fairs, and festivals are the best opportunities to learn about it.  

Top Festivals in India

Details of top festivals in India

India is a widely diverse country with many festivals, and celebrating every festival provides excellent harmony among the people to respect and cooperate with the varied religions of the country. 

• Brahmotsavam

It is a festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh with great joy. It is a festival that defines the pious offering from lord Brahma to lord Vishnu. It is a cleansing ceremony organized in Tirumala in honor of gonorrhea, and one of the largest festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh in October.

• Losar festival

 is the famous festival of Arunachal Pradesh celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar? It is honored during the spring season. It is celebrated annually by people with great joy and love. People perform various activities to bolster their dedication to this festival, such as folk dance, songs, bonfires, etc., celebrated in February.

• Bohag Bihu

 It is one of the prime festivals of Assam, also known as Rongali Bihu, held after the end of the Assamese new year. The festival is celebrated during April on the first day of the Hindu solar calendar. This festival defines the happiness and celebrations of people. 

• Chhath puja

Chhath puja is a widely celebrated occasion all over the country and is considered the major festival of India. It is celebrated for four days for the health and wealth of the family and friends. In remembrance of the sun god, a large number of women fasts for their prosperity. People even visit the river Ganga to gain blessings. It is celebrated in October / November.

• Bastar Dussehra

is 75 days long festival celebrated in Dandakarnya? It starts in august and lasts till October. It is 75 days long festival and is considered the most extended Dussehra celebration in the country. Various communities and tribes celebrate this festival in many different ways. People celebrate it with varied old customs and cultures, and every tribal group plays it another way yearly.

• Carnival

Carnival festival is the most celebrated festival of Goa and has been celebrated since the arrival of the Portuguese in this place. Many locals and visitors gather for the carnival festival as it is considered very famous. People wear unique dresses and costumes with masks, tribal troops, energetic dance, and songs are played to pull out the absolute of people. It is celebrated among all the regions of Goa, such as Panjim, Margao, and Vasco da Gama.

• Janmashtami

It is one of the Hindu community’s most famous and celebrated festivals. It is celebrated in remembrance of lord Krishna on his born day. It is the most liked avatar of Shri Krishna among all, and it is considered very pious that various activities are organized on this day. Mathura is famous for its Janmashtmi celebration, as it is regarded as the house of lord Krishna. This festival is the symbol of the victory of Pandavas against Kauravas.

• Diwali 

It is the most pious and widely celebrated festival in the country. It is the new year of Hindus. It is held over places in recognition of the goddess Laxmi. People decorate their houses with lighting, and dDiyain hopes to light the person’s home and wealth. It usually comes in October or November month. It is the most awaited and enjoyable festival for kids as they can fire crackers with their family and friends.

• Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is an occasion that falls once a year. It is celebrated on the lunar month of the calendar or before the new moon’s arrival. That day is celebrated as Maha Shivratri and in remembrance of lord shiv. People organize yantras all over the country after remembering the dedication of lord shiv. It is also called “The Great Night of Shiva”.

• Gochi festival

Gochi festival is celebrated in Himachal Pradesh and is famous among all. The prime occasion is held for the families who have a boy child in their family. A social group of people gather and visit these houses and have changed as they treat and bless them. It is organized in the Lahaul, Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. It is held in January.

• Eid Ul Fitr

It is the most famous and pious festival in the community. It is held in June. All Muslim families celebrate eid ul Fitr by inviting each other to their homes and making various festivities to express their gratitude. Eid comes after 30 days of tasting trials by the disciple. It falls during the time of Shawwal. People start fasting after the rise of the moon and end simultaneously. 

• Bahu mela

It is the most famous festival of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrated in September / October. On this occasion, all the people gather in the Bahu fort of Jammu and Kashmir. All the people come there to enjoy and explore the culture and traditions of Jammu and Kashmir. People set up various stalls and flaunt their old and unique festivities there. 

• Holi

It is the occasion of colors and brightness to the life of the people. It symbolizes the everlasting and eternal love of lord Krishna and Radha. It falls on the lunar month of the Hindu calendar or in February / march. Holi celebration starts with Holika Dahan, which defines the win of right over wrong, and later, on the following day, everyone can play with colors. Pcolorsisit each other houses and shred each other with colors.

• Ugadi

Ugadi is one of the most famous festivals of Andhra Pradesh. It is the new year celebrated here according to the Hindu Calender. It is celebrated in April. This festival is also known as “Samvatsaradi”, which means ‘beginning of the year. People make beautiful paintings n the floors and decorate them with various colors, colors leaves, called Muggulu. People visit each other’s families and offer gifts and multiple things as a gesture of love.

• Onam

Onam is a famous festival of Southernhern part of India. It is the harvesting festival for the people of Kerala. It is celebrated as the symbol of good governance by Mahabali, who was a Daitya king. It is celebrated in the month of august or September And celebrated with great joy and harmony.

Top fairs in India 

Fairs and festivals are organized all over India, and thousands of people come together to enjoy themselves. Most of the fairs are contained at pilgrimage sites. Here we provide the top 10 fairs hope this will help you.

Details of the top fairs in India

Here we provide some details of the top fairs celebrated in India. We all know that India is a country that celebrates every occasion enthusiastically. India is a land of culture, rituals, diversity, and more, and each community has its fair. These beautiful fairs enhanced the beauty of the country and embraced the identity of Indians.  

• Kumbh mela 

The number is the largest religious gathering in the world. It is celebrated every 12 years on the bank of the river  Ganga at Allahabad in UP. Thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva come together and perform prayers. The older adults believed that in ancient times when there was a war between god and demons, the few drops of Amrit fell into four places in India: Ujjain, Nasik, Haridwar, and Praygaraj (earlier known as Allahabad).

This festival occurs after 12 years when Jupiter enters an Aquarius, an astrological sign, and then this mela takes place. The Kumbh Mela is held at four alternated venues: Haridwar on the bank of river Ganga, Ujjain on the bank of Shipra, Nasik on the Godavari river, Prayag (Allahabad) where Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati join together.

• Ranntsavtsav 

Rann Utsav is a fair of music and dance. It enhances the beauty of white rann. This festival is celebrated in November t the door village, which is infamous for its different culture and tradition. Many traditional shopping activities are organized in Rann Utsav, such as authentic handicrafts, bandini sarees, ornaments, etc. more than 3450 luxury tents were built by the government of Gujarat. Rann Utsav also offers some unique activities like kite flying, special arrangement on republic day, special gala dinner on white rann.  

• Maha Shivratri fair 

This fair is celebrated in Maharashtra and is among the most important for Hindus. It is celebrated on the 12th night of the lunar eclipse in the month of Phalguna. This festival is celebrated in April annually and lasts for three days and nights. Millions of devotees perform a prayer at the temple of lord shiva. At the end of the fair, the people take a bath in the Godavari river the next day, and the aarti ceremony is performed before sunrise. 

• Pushkar fair 

It is the world’s largest camel fair which is organized in Rajasthan. This festival starts according to the Hindu calendar month Kartik and ends on the month of Kartik Poornima. Apart from trading, Pushkar lake is also essential for Hindu devotees. This fair attracts a large number of people men trade their camels, horses, cows, and sheep, and other than this the shops of handicrafts, bracelets, cloths, and textiles are also arranged with music. 

• Sonepur mela 

This festival is organized in Bihar and is one of India’s largest cow fairs. More than 2 million people come together and sell and buy cows, bulls, and calves at that fair. This festival is held in November on the day of Kartik Poornima when the river Ganga and river Gandhi meet. However, this fair is similar to the kshetra fair in which buffaloes, horses, dogs, birds, elephants, camels, cows, etc., are traded for a month.

• Kolya fair

This festival is held every year in December. Many Hindus come together at a temple near Kolayat Rajasthan on the occasion of Gokul Ekadashi. The Hindu devotees believe that their ancestor’s ashes are to be present here. During this period, they performed prayers and offered worship to their ancestors. The Hindus and Muslims also participated in this fair; they visited their shrine.

• Gangasagar mela 

This fair is celebrated every year at Sagar Island in west Bengal. According to the older people, the lord shiva used to take a bath in his confluence every year on the Makar Sankranti. It is believed that the lord shiva would come to his adobe (Uttarakhand) with his wife, ride a hard vahana, and descend on Sagar island. During the Makar Sankranti festival, the devotees of lord shiva take a bath at that point and pray for prosperity.

• Chandrabhaga mela

It is a Hindu pilgrimage fair celebrated in September at Odisha (Bhubaneswar) on the bank of river Chandra Bhaga. Thousands of devotees come together and take a bath in the Chandra Bhaga river, which originates from the chilka lagoon and meets at the bay of Bengal. The older people believed that the gods take a bath here after the victory over demons. 

• Ambubachi fair 

It is the largest carnival in India which is celebrated in October in the kokrajhar town of Assam. This fair was observed during the period of the Britishers and later became a part of Indian culture. This fair honors goddess Samkhya’s annual menstrual cycle, and thousands of devotees come together to celebrate this festival.      

New Year festivals in India 

As we all know, India is a vast and diverse country with a large population. 1st January is considered the new year, but India is a country that contains different religions, customs, and traditions. That’s why every state celebrated its new year in its way. So here we are providing you with a list of new year festivals in India. 

Details of the new year festivals in India 

India contains a variety of people, and they have different cultures and religions. Some people follow the lunar calendar, and some follow the solar calendar. We provide you with a detailed structure of new year festivals in India.

• Pohang Bihu 

It is also called rangoli Bihu, celebrated in April and popularly known as the new year of Assamese. According to the Assamese calendar, Pohang Bihu is celebrated in mid-April. This Assamese festival is related to harvesting Assam’s agriculture-based state and performing Bihu symbolizes joy and happiness. The people distribute sweets and gifts to their family and friends. This festival is celebrated for three days in which different traditional and ritual practices are organized, and the Bihu dance is one of the most popular ways of celebrating Bihu.

• Cheti Chand Sindhi new year 

Cheti Chand is a festival celebrated by the Sindh people of India and Pakistan. However, the date of this festival is decided by the Hindu calendar, which is the second day of Chaitra Shukla paksha. Apart from this, it is also celebrated on the day after Ugadi and Gudi puds. According to the Sindhi people, this festival is celebrated on the birth anniversary of ishtadeva Adeola, who is popularly known as hula, the saint of Sindhis. In this festival, the Sindhi people prayed to the river god to protect them from forced conversion. 

• Gudi padwa Marathi new year 

Gudi padwa is a Marathi new year festival celebrated on the 1st day of the Chaitra month. The pad is a Sanskrit word that means the first day of the lunar fortnight, and the phrase gudi means a flag. Gudi padwa festival is one of the most important festivals of Maharashtra, and the people celebrate with great pomp and enthusiasm. They draw rangoli, a gudi flag with flowers, mango, and neem leaves. People started their day with a holy bath in a river, dressed, went to the temple, and performed prayers. Women wear beautiful nine-yard sarees, and males wear traditional kurta pajamas with a saffron turban.

• Pana Sankranti Odisha new year

Pana Sankranti is also called visual Sankranti and is a new year for the Odisha people. It is celebrated on the 14th or 15th of April every year. The people fill the earthen pot at this festival with a sweet drink called pana. The whole is made on the bottom of the pot, and the sweet waterfall drop by drop represents the beginning of the rainy season. The mixture of horse gram flour, bananas, and curd is offered to the basil plants; after that, family members consume this mixture.    

• Pohela boishakh Bengali  new year 

It is also known as Bengal noboborsha and is celebrated as a new year. This festival is celebrated on the month of 14-15 April every year. However, according to the Hindu calendar, it is the 1st day of Baisakh. During this festival, the Bengali people wear new clothes, make traditional dishes people distribute sweets. The people believed this was a new financial year for the Bengali business community; they bought shops and other things for good fortune. They prayed to lord Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi for their promising future. 

• Ugadi Telugu new year

Ugadi festival is a new year for the teledus of  Andhra Pradesh. Many people started their new businesses, investing and buying new things on this day. Ugadi Telugu new year festival is celebrated on the 1st day of the lunar month Chaitra which is the month of march and April according to the English calendar. On this occasion, the women clean their houses and make rangolis on the floor, and people buy new clothes people start their day by taking sesame messages and bath and, after that having the Ugadi patched. After eating the dish, the family members go to the temple and perform different rituals.   

• Vaisakhi Punjabi new year

Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated on the 1st day of Vaisakhi month, April-may. This festival represents the end of the harvesting season in India. This is a significant festival for Sikhs and exceptionally substantial to Punjab and Haryana because most of the Sikh population is situated there, and they celebrate this festival in a tremendously enthusiastic way. However, the people celebrated this festival by bathing in the holy river water, going to the gurudwaras, and performing prayers.   

• Best varas Gujarati new year

Best varas is a Gujarati new year celebrated after Diwali on 26th October in Kartik month. At these festivals, traders and business people start their startups, and people start their new accounts. The offered prayers to goddess Lakshmi during chopda puja make Gujarati new year special. They wear new clothes, meet, share sweets, and exchange new year wishes. According to the Gujaratis, this day is considered an auspicious day. 

• Hijri Islamic new year

Muharram is considered the Hijri Islamic new year. In most Islamic countries, this day is regarded as a public holiday. Muharram represents the starting point of the Muslim era which means the prophet’s journey from Mecca to Medina on the first Muharram. The Islamic year is also called the Arabic new year, and the Islamic new year is quiet because the Muslims reflect their mortality.

• Losar Ladakh  new year

The Buddhist community in Ladakh celebrates this festival in the Tibetan calendar on the 1st day of 11 months. According to the people, this festival is celebrated because this day is considered the birth anniversary of Je Tsongkhapa. 

Conclusion 

Fair and festival is the reason for celebration and provides an excellent opportunity to have fun with family and friends. We all know India is a vast country with different religions, cultures, and traditions. Apart from this, the people of India believe in togetherness because it is essential for the growth of an individual’s personality. The other fairs and festivals are the reason for brotherhood. The people come together and perform various fairs and festivals, which develop the feeling of brotherhood.

Faqs

1. What is the most significant festival in west Bengal?

Ans: Durga puja is the most significant festival of west Bengal, which is celebrated from September – October.

2. What is the importance of fairs in Indian culture?

Ans: Indian culture is widely known for its festivals and fairs all around the country. It combines the people of different communities and religions as the symbol of unity, which signifies that India is a diverse country and one unit for the whole world.

3. How many festivals are celebrated in India?

Ans: There are around 13 festivals that are celebrated all over the year in the country.

4. What is the purpose of fairs in India?

Ans: The purpose of fairs in India is that helps in providing occupation to the labourless people. It initiates trade and promotes employment all over the country.

5. What is the longest festival in India?

Ans: The longest festival in India is Navratri.

Also Read: Indian States Food, Clothes, Dance and Languages