Most Popular Festivals in India 2023 Updated List
by Subhashree M
Updated Apr 03, 2023
Most Popular Festivals in India 2023
India is home to a diverse range of festivals, each with its unique customs and traditions. While these festivals are celebrated across the country, the way they are observed and the stories behind them may vary. Here is a glimpse into some of the most popular national festivals."Most Popular Festivals in India" highlights the diverse and vibrant festival culture of India. Some of the most popular festivals include Diwali, the festival of lights; Holi, the festival of colors; and Dussehra, a ten-day celebration. The festivals are marked by unique traditions, decorations, and food, and are celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across the country.
Top 10 Festivals in India
S.No
Festivals in India
1
Diwali
2
Holi
3
Navratri
4
Durga Puja
5
Dussehra
6
Janmashtami
7
Ganesh Chaturthi
8
Eid-ul-Fitr
9
Christmas
10
Maha Shivratri
1. Diwali
Diwali is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India. It is also known as the "Festival of Lights" and is celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm and joy. The festival is typically observed for five days, with the main day being celebrated on the third day. The festival falls in either October or November, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.Diwali has a religious significance for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, and the celebration varies slightly depending on the region and the community. For Hindus, it is believed that Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana to their kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. To celebrate their return, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the entire kingdom with diyas (oil lamps), giving birth to the tradition of lighting lamps during Diwali.During the festival, people decorate their homes with rangolis (intricate designs made with colored powders), flowers, and lights. They wear new clothes, exchange gifts, and prepare special festive meals. Fireworks are also a big part of the celebration, with people lighting them up to create a colorful display in the sky. Diwali is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time for families and friends to come together, to spread happiness and positivity, and to share in the joy of the festival.
2. Holi
Holi is one of the major festivals of India and is often referred to as the "festival of colors" or the "festival of love". It is celebrated to mark the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. The celebrations typically begin on the night before Holi with the lighting of bonfires to symbolize the burning of the demoness Holika. On the day of the festival, people smear each other with colored powder and water, sing and dance to music, and indulge in traditional sweets and drinks like thandai. Holi is celebrated all over India but is more prominent in the northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana. The festival is usually celebrated in February or March, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.
3. Navratri
The festival of Navratri is one of the major Hindu festivals and is celebrated for several days. The term Navratri means "nine nights" in Sanskrit, and the festival spans across nine days and nights. During this festival, the worship of Goddess Shakti takes place in various forms. In North India, people celebrate Navratri by performing the vibrant Dandiya Raas and Garba dances. Men, women, and children dress up in colorful traditional attire to participate in these dances. The festival is celebrated all over India, but it is more lively in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Navratri, which is the national festival of India, is celebrated in the months of October and November.
4. Durga Puja
Durga Puja is a four-day festival celebrated with much enthusiasm and gaiety, and is considered a symbol of cultural identity for Bengalis. It is one of the major festivals of India and is particularly popular in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Bihar. During the festival, people worship huge clay idols of the ten-armed Goddess Durga and her four children in specially made mandaps. They 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. Durga Puja is celebrated all over India, but it is more vibrant in West Bengal, Delhi, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Bihar.
5. Dussehra
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is an important festival in India that marks the end of Navratri and Durga Puja. Celebrated in different ways across the country, it signifies the victory of good over evil. In some states, it commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, while in others it marks the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. One of the main attractions of Dussehra is the enactment of Ramlila and the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnad. Mysore in Karnataka is one of the best places to experience the festival, with its illuminated palace and grand procession of decorated elephants. While Dussehra is celebrated all over India, the celebrations in Mysore, Kullu, and Delhi are particularly noteworthy. The festival is typically observed in the month of October or November.
6. Janmashtami
Lord Krishna's birth anniversary is celebrated as Janmashtami, one of the most significant Hindu festivals. Devotees across the country worship Lord Krishna on this day and offer various delicacies to please the deity. Mathura and Vrindavan, two historically significant places related to Krishna's birth and childhood, witness grand celebrations marked with hymns and dances. Children dress up as Lord Krishna, and dioramas narrating the story of the night of the virgin birth are created with miniature mountains, a river signifying the Yamuna, and the prison of Kansa where Devki was imprisoned. In Mumbai, a popular event known as Dahi Handi involves forming gigantic human pyramids several storeys high to break an earthen pot filled with yogurt hanging above. Janmashtami is celebrated in August or September and is a national festival of India.
7. Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is a significant Hindu festival celebrated throughout India. The festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, and is celebrated with much enthusiasm and color for ten days. It begins with the installation of beautifully crafted idols of Ganesha in homes and public places. Devotees worship the deity with great fervor and joy. On the tenth day, the idol is immersed in water, symbolizing the end of the festivities. Although the festival is celebrated all over India, it is most popular in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, and Chhattisgarh. Ganesh Chaturthi is considered as a national festival of India, and is celebrated in the month of August or September.
8. Eid-ul-Fitr
The Muslim community celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr, which is one of their major religious festivals. This festival marks the end of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting, similar to the Christian Lent. The celebration takes place on the day after the sighting of the crescent moon at night. During Eid, devotees visit mosques, spend time with friends and family, and indulge in feasting. Sweet seviyan is a famous Eid delicacy. Markets and mosques across the country are beautifully decorated for the occasion. Several iconic markets in India offer special delicacies during this festival. Eid-ul-Fitr is a national festival in India, celebrated in the months of June and July. If you want to experience the best of this festival, visit Old Delhi, Lucknow, Srinagar, and Hyderabad.
9. Christmas
As one of the most popular festivals in the world, Christmas needs no introduction. For Christians, this festival holds special significance as it marks the birth of Jesus Christ. However, people of all religions also find it appealing, just like many other festivals in India. With the New Year following closely after Christmas, there is a festive spirit in the air. Churches are beautifully illuminated and decorated, and Christmas trees can be seen everywhere, from people's homes to the largest malls in India. On this day, people attend prayer mass at churches, exchange gifts, and enjoy feasting with their loved ones. In India, Christmas is celebrated as a national festival on December 25th.
10. Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is a festival that is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity. The festival signifies the triumph of light and knowledge over ignorance and darkness in life. Celebrated throughout the country, Maha Shivratri, which means the Great Night of Shiva, is unique among Hindu festivals as it does not involve cultural revelry. Instead, it involves fasting, meditating, chanting prayers, and worshipping the Shiva Linga. Devotees stay up all night and perform pujas as per tradition. Although there are no cultural celebrations, you can witness festivities and ceremonies in Shiva temples across the country. Among them, the celebrations at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain are particularly noteworthy. Maha Shivratri is celebrated as a national festival in India in the months of February and March.
Which is the World no 1 Festival of India?
Diwali also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India.Diwali is the most dazzling festival celebrated in the Indian subcontinent during autumn. People across the country celebrate this Hindu festival of lights by decorating their homes with candles, earthen lamps, and lights, exchanging gifts and sweets, and bursting crackers. Celebrated on a new moon night, the sparkling lamps and lights add a magical feel to the festivities. Diwali commemorates Lord Rama's return with his wife after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana.This five-day Hindu festival usually takes place in October or November and marks the triumph of good over evil.
Conclusion
India's festivals are a vibrant and diverse reflection of its rich cultural heritage. From the grand celebrations of Diwali to the colorful revelries of Holi, these festivals showcase the country's unity in diversity. These festivals not only bring people together but also provide a glimpse into India's traditional practices and customs. The joy and enthusiasm associated with these festivals are infectious and leave an indelible impression on anyone who experiences them.
Most Popular Festivals in India 2023 - FAQs
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the most popular festival in India. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs all over the country and marks the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali usually falls between mid-October and mid-November.
Eid is a Muslim festival celebrated twice a year in India. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and is celebrated in the month of June or July. Eid-ul-Adha, or Bakrid, is celebrated in the month of August or September and commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
Christmas is celebrated in India as the birth of Jesus Christ, and it holds special significance for the Christian community. It is also a festive season celebrated by people of other religions, and it marks the end of the year with a spirit of joy and giving.
Navratri is a nine-day-long Hindu festival that is celebrated twice a year in India. It marks the victory of good over evil and celebrates the divine feminine power. People fast, perform puja, and participate in dandiya and garba dances during the festival.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion all over India, and people participate in processions, burn effigies of Ravana, and exchange sweets and gifts.