Festivals and Fairs in India

Festivals and Fairs in India

Festivals and Fairs

• Festivals are an integral part of Indian life. The diversity of Indian society has resulted in a variety of festivals.

• The different religious communities, like Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jain, Buddhist etc. have their own festivals.

• Different regions of India like Kashmir, Punjab, Delhi, U.P., Bihar, Assam, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa etc. have their own festivals.

• Further, some secular festivals of all-India importance have also come into existence which is known as National Festivals.

National Festivals of India

• Republic Day (26 January)

• Independence Day (15 August)

• Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)

Hindu Festivals

Muslim Festivals

• Muharram – In the first month-Moharram ul-Haram of Hijri calendar (Mourning festival celebrated in the memory of the martyrdom of Hazrat Muhammad's daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali's son-Hussain-in Karbla).

• Milad-un-Navi (Milad Sharif) – On the 12 day of third month-Rabi-ul-Awwal-of Hijri calendar (on the occasion of Hazrat Muhammad's birth anniversary).

• Vara-wafat (Vara Barah Le, twelve, wafat death) – On the 12th day of third month-Rabi-ul-Awwal of Hijri calendar (on the occasion of Hazrat Muhammad's death anniversary).

• Shab-4-Barat (Fate writing night) – On the 15th day of eighth month-Shabaan-of Hijri calendar (It is believed that on this night Allah writes the fate of the coming year, prevalent only in Indian Muslims).

• Ramzan (Ramdan) – Month long fasting in the ninth month-Ramzan-ul-Mubarik-of Hijri calendar (Celebrated in memory of Hazrat Muhammad's worship of Allah by staying hungry and thirsty inside a cave in Mecca for a month: In this Roza i.e. day long fast is observed throughout the day by not consuming food or water and the Roza is broken in the evening which is called 'Iftaar'; After fasting for 30 days in the month of Ramzan, Eid is celebrated on the first day of next month Shawwall).

• Eid/Eid-ul-Fitr/On Eid-i-Ramzan – The first day of tenth month-Shawwal-of Hijri calendar (Festival of happiness celebrated to commemorate the revelation of Quran Sharif to Hazrat Muhammad).

• Bakarid/Eid-ul-On Azaha/Eid-1-Qurban – 10th day of 12th month-Jil-Hija-of Hijri calendar (In memory of Hazrat Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his beloved disciple Ismaeel by divine order and his resurrection).

Note: Names of the months of Hijri calendar (Muslim calendar) –

1. Moharram-ul-Haram

2. Safar

3. Rabi-ul-Awwal

4. Rabi-ul-Thani

5. Jumada-ul-Awwal & Junada-ul-Thaniyah

6. Rajab

7. Shabaan

8. Ramzan-ul-Mabatik

9. Shawwal

10. Jikada

11. Jil-Hija

Christian Festivals

Sikh, Jain and Buddhist Festivals

Sikh Festivals

• Guru Parv – In the month of October/November (birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, first Guru of Sikhs).

• Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti – On Saptami of Shukla Paksha of Paush month in the month December/January (birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, tenth & last Guru of Sikhs).

• Lohri – On 13 January/Just 1 day before Makar Sankranti (festival celebrated to bid farewell to cold waves of winter, On this day Lohri (bonfires) made of woods is burnt).

• Vaisakhi – On first date of Vaisakh (celebrated to commemorate Khalsa panth, founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699).

Jain Festivals

• Mahavir Jayanti (Vir Trayodashi) – On trayodashi of Shukla Paksha of Chait month (birth anniversary of Mahavir Swami, 24th & last Teerthankar of Jain).

Buddhist Festivals

• Buddha Purnima – On the Purnima of Baisakh month (In the regard of Mahatma Buddha, It is notable that Mahatma Buddha was born (jaati), enlightened (Sambodhi) & died (Mahaparinirvana) on the same day of Baishakh Purnima).

Regional Festivals and Fairs

Andhra Pradesh

• Ugadi, Tirupati festival

Arunachal Pradesh

• Mopin of the Galos, Solung of the Adis, Losar of the Monpas, Dree of the Apatanis, Si-Donyi of the Tagnis, Nyokum of Nyishis, Reh of the Idu Mishmis

Assam

• Bihu (Rongali Bihu/Bohag Bihu, Bhogali Bihu/Magh Bihu & Kangali Bihu/Kati Bihu), Kherai Puja (puja of Bodos), Bathow (puja of Bodos), Ambubachi fair

Bihar

• Chhath puja, Janaki Navami, Sonepur cattle fair, Sitamarhi cattle fair

Chhattisgarh

• Hareli, Larukaj, Kaksar, Bambleshwari fair, Danteshwari fair

Goa

• Zatra at Cansaulim, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, Carnival

Gujarat

• Carnival, Garba, Ranotsav-Kutchh, Tarnetar fair, Madhavrai fair, Ambaji fair, Janmashtami, Dang Darbar, Shamiaji fair, Bhavnath fair, Chitra-vichitra fair

Haryana

• Geeta Mahotsav, Surajkund craft Mela

Himachal Pradesh

• Minjar Mela, Jwalamukhi fair, Kullu Dushera

Jharkhand

• Karma, Sarhul, Tusu or Makar

Karnataka

• Ugadi, Mahamastakabhisheka (held once every 12 years)

Kerala

• Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Attukal Pongala, Aranmula boat race

Madhya Pradesh

• Teej, Gangaur, Khajuraho dance festival, Malwa festival

Maharashtra

• Ganpati puja, Gudi Padwa, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti

Manipur

• Lai Haaoba, Cheiraoba, Ningol Chak-Kouba, Imoinu Iratpa, Gaan-Ngai, Lui-Ngai, Mera Houchongba

Meghalaya

• Pomblang Nongkrem (Khasis), Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem (Khasis), Beh dienkhlam (Jaintias), Wangala (Garos)

Mizoram

• Chapchar Kut (Kut = festival), Mim Kut, Thalfavang Kut, Anthurium Kut

Nagaland

• Hornbill festival, Sekrenyi, Monyu, Moatsu

Odisha

• Rath Yatra i.e. Car festival (Puri)

Punjab

• Holla Mohalla (Anandpur Sahib), Chappar Mela (Chappar), Baba Sheikh Farid Aagman (Faridkot), Equestrian festival (Jalandhar)

Rajasthan

• Teej, Gangaur, Urs of Ajmer Sharif, Pushkar fair (Ajmer), Camel festival (Bikaner), Khatu Shyamji fair (Sikar), Kailamata fair (Kaila, Jaipur)

Sikkim

• Losar, Losung/Namsung (new year), Saga Dava (Buddha's birth anniversary)

Tamil Nadu

• Pongal, Puthandu, Natyanjali dance festival, Thaipusam, Jallikattu Bull festival

Telangana

• Bonalu, Batu kamma

Tripura

• Karchi Puja, Ker Puja, Tripureshwari Temple festival

Uttarakhand

• Kumbh Mela (Haridwar), Devidhura Mela (Champavat), Purnagiri Mela (Champavat), Nanda Devi Mela (Almora), Gauchar Mela (Chamoli), Uttaraini Mela (Bageshwar)

Uttar Pradesh

• Kumbh Mela (Prayagraj), Cattle fair (Bateswar), Nauchandi Mela (Meerut), Garh Mukteshwar Mela

West Bengal

• Durga Puja, Ganga Sagar Yatra, Ramkrishna Utsav, Dol Purnima

Different Names of New Year

• First January – Christian Calendar

• Prathama Chaitra – Hindu Calendar

• Pahli tareekh Muharram – Muslim Calendar

• Nauroz/Nowruz – Persian/Iranian Calendar

• Gudi Padwa – Maharashtra, Goa (Marathis)

• Vishu/Kollam – Kerala, Tamil Nadu (Malayalis)

• Bohag Bihu – Assam (Assamese)

• Ugadi – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka (Telugu)

• Baisakhi – Punjab (Sikhs)

• Pohela Boishakh/Naba Barsha – Bengal (Bengalis)

• Puthandu – Tamil Nadu (Tamilian)

• Bestu Varas – Gujarat (Gujaratis)

• Pana Sankranti – Odisha (Odiyas)

Final Thoughts

India’s festivals and fairs reflect its rich cultural and religious diversity, celebrated across regions and communities. National festivals like Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti unite the nation. Hindus celebrate Ramnavami, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Krishna Janmashtami, while Muslims observe Ramzan and Eid, and Christians mark Christmas and Easter.

Regional festivals like Onam in Kerala, Bihu in Assam, Ganpati Puja in Maharashtra, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu showcase local traditions. Seasonal fairs like the Kumbh Mela and Pushkar Fair attract visitors nationwide.

Different communities also celebrate New Year uniquely, like Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Pohela Boishakh, highlighting India’s cultural richness.