January

Makar Sankaranti (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh)
It is a celebration of spring on the occasion of the 'ascent' of the sun to the north (Uttarayana). It is a day of goodwill and friendship. People exchange gifts and sweets.

Lohri (Punjab)
In the North Makar Sankaranti is called Lohri. It is the only Hindu festival which falls regularly on 14th of January every year. It is celebrated by making bonfire and performing group dances.

Pongal (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh)
In the South Sankaranti becomes Pongal. It is a celebration of the harvest which is observed for three days in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Thai Pusam (Tamil Nadu)
This festival usually takes place in the temples dedicated to Kartikeya and Mariamman where trenches od burning coal are laid out for dedicated devotees to walk over.

Float Festival (Tamil Nadu)
The magnificent festival is celebrated in Madurai on the full moon. The icons of two deities, the god Sunderesa and Goddess meenakshi, with pearl crowns on their head and riding on a golden bull are taken out in splendid procession.

Kerala Village Fair (Kerala)
Mid-January is the time for cultural events in the lush villages around kovalam. Traditional thatch houses are decorated during this 10 days long festival.

Bikaner Festival (Rajasthan)
The festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels. Camels are beautifully decorated and is a fascination for onlookers.

Pattadakal Dance Festival
It is a festival of dance held at Pattadakal (Karnataka), the ancient capital of the Chalukyan kings.

Id-ul-Fittr (All over India)
Celebrated at the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. The faithful gather at the Mosque to pray. Friends and relatives meet to exchange gifts.

Vasant Panchami (North India and West Bengal)
It is a ceremonial welcome to spring on the fifth day of the waxing moon of Magh, when Saraswati, Shiva-Durga and Vishnu-Lakshmi are worshipped.

February

Mahashivratri (All over India)
On the 14th night of the dark half of magh occurs the festival of Mahashivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees offer dishes made of fruits to lord Shiva.

Desert Festival (Jaisalmer)
The Desert Festival is a three day long extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held at the golden city of Jaisalmer.

Goa Carnival (Goa)
For three days and nights, the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with colour. The week long event is a time of festivity.

Nagaur fair (Nagaur)
Nagaur bustles with life during its annual cattle fair which is one of the largest in the country. Nagaur bulls are renowned for their fleetfotedness and attract buyers.

Elephanta Festival (Elephanta Island)
The festival is held across the Mumbai Harbour near Elephanta Caves. This feast of music and dance is celebrated under stars.

Deccan Festival (Hyderabad)
Every year gracious Hyderabad comes alive during the Deccan Festival. Cultural programmes with ghazal nights, qawalis and mushairas are held.

Taj Mahotsav (Agra)
A ten day event, the Taj Mahotsav at Agra is a culturally vibrant platform that brings together the finest Indian crafts and cultural nuances.

Surajkund Crafts Mela (Surajkund-Haryana)
A delightful handloom and handicraft fair is very famous among tourist.

Chapchar Kut (Mizoram)
A lively festival in mizoram which celebrates the arrival of spring.

Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
In a ten day long festival of dance, drama and music. Exhibitions displaying arts and crafts, flora and fauna and marine life, are part of the even

March

Holi (All over North India)
It is the most boisterous of all Hindu festivals, observed all over the North. It heralds the end of winter and the beginning of Spring. People throw coloured water and powders at each other and make merry. Singing and dancing adds gaiety.

Gangaur (Rajasthan)
Is dedicated to Gauri (Goddess Parvati) and lasts 18 days. The festival is celebrated by girls and married women throughout Rajasthan.

Jamshed-e-Navroz
The Parsis don their new clothes and decorate their homes with rangoli patterns drawn with metal moulds and flowers.

Ramnavami (All over India)
The birthday of Lord Rama is celebrated on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra

.Id-ul-Zuha (All over India)
Muslim celebrated celebrated all over India with prayer offered in Mosques. Family and friends meet and delicacies are served.

Mahavir Jayanti (All over India)
The birth anniversary of the 24th tirthakarna of the Jains, Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, is celebrated by the Jain community.

Khajuraho Dance Festival (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh)
Is a week long festival of classical dances held at the Khajuraho Temples, built by the Chandella Kings.

Elephant Festival (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction. They stride majestically parading their decorated trunks and tusks.

Hoysala Mahotsava (Karnataka)
Is a dance festival held at the Hosyala temples of Belur and Halebid in Karnataka.

Ellora Festival (Ellora caves, Maharashtra)
Is a festival of dance and music organised in the spendid surroundings of the magnificent Ellora Caves.

April-June

April

Good Friday (All over India)
Is observed all over India by the Christians. This is the day when Lord Christ was crucified. The Christians offer special prayers in the Church.

Easter (All over India)
Is a festival of rejuvenation of life and living. On this day, Lord Christ rose again after his death.

Baisakhi (Punjab)
It is celebrated in Punjab with great fervour. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa (Sikh brotherhood)

Gudi Padva or Ugadi (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka)
Marks the beginning of a new year in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Pooram (Trichur, Kerala)
Each temple in Kerala sends procession of decorated elephants to Trichur on the Pooram festival.

Muharram (All over India)
Commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of holy Prophet Mohammed; and is observed by Shi' ite muslims who take out processions of colourful Tazias.

Buddha Purnima (North India)
This festival which falls on the full moon day commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha.

Mewar Festival (Rajasthan)
Is celebrated in Udaipur to welcome spring. The colourful attired women carry images of Goddess Gauri to Lake Pichola.

May
Urs (Ajmer, Rajasthan)
The Urs are held every year at the dargah of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Mohinuddin Chisti. Pilgrims from all over the world gather here to pay their homage. Qawaalis (poems) are sung in the Saint's honour.

June
Ganga Dussehra (Uttar Pradesh)
In this festival ten days are devoted to the worship of River Ganga. Devotees bathe in river and take the river clay home to venerate.

Hemis Festival (Jammu & Kashmir)
Is celebrated at Hemis, the biggest buddhist monastry in Ladakh. Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long hours.

July-September

July
Rathyatra (Orissa)
This spectacular chariot festival is held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri. Images of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in procession in three huge chariots and pulled by millions of devotees.

Guru Purnima (All over India)
A special worship is performed on this day to all teachers and is called Guru Purnima.

August
Janmashtmi (All Over India)
The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna is celebrated as Janmashtmi. It is celebrated with great fervour at Mathura and Brindavan.

Oman (Kerala)
Oman is Kerala's most popular festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is primarily a harvest festival and is celebrated with fireworks,boat races and dances.

Nag Panchami (West bengal, Maharashtra and South India)
Nag Panchami is the festival when snakes, the symbols of energy and prosperity are worshipped.

Rakshabandhan (North India)
This is a Hindu sister's day when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affections. Sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother's wrist. Brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Maharshtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka)
Ganesha Chaturthi is an important festival in India, especially in Maharashtra dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

September
Tarnetar Mela (Saurashtra, Gujarat)
Is an exciting and a unique fair held annually at Tarnetar in Saurashtra. The fair coincides with the festival at the Trineteshwar Temple, celebrating the wedding of the legendary Mahabharat hero, Arjuna with Draupadi.

October- December

October
Navratri (All over India)
Navratri is the longest Hindu festival that continues for nine consecutive nights in praise of Lord Rama.

Durga Puja (Bengal)
Is performed during the nine days of Navratri. Community pujas in Bengal are organised in every locality.

Dussehra (All over India)
Is celebrated to mark the homecoming of the Lord Rama. The Ramlila-an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held nine days before Dussehra.

November
Sharad Purnima (All over India)
Is a harvest festival when Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity, visits all homes to bring fortune and good luck. The newly harvested rice is offered to the gods and lamps are lit before the full moon.

Diwali (All over India)
The festival of lights is one of the most beautiful Indian festivals. It comes 21 days after Dussehra. Worship of Goddess Laxmi is carried out. Fireworks and festivities are essential part of the festival.

Guru Purab (North India)
The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak-the first guru of the sikhs who founded the Sikh faith.

Ka Pomblang Nogrem (Meghalaya)
Is the most important festival of the khasis in Meghalaya. The five day festival, held annually near Shillong, is an occasion for thanks giving for a good harvest.

Pushkar Fair (Pushkar, Rajasthan)
Is held every year at Pushkar, near Ajmer. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the holy water of Pushkar Lake.

December
Christmas (All over India)
Is celebrated by the Christians and non-Christians alike with special enthusiasm. All the major Indian cities wear a festive look.

Konark Dance Festival (Konark, Orissa)
Konark festival in the Sun Temple, Konark, offers an unforgettable experience every December 5th. A host of celebrated dancers from all over the country perform on the temple platform or beach.