Festivals
9 festivals to explore across India
Results for “Food & Cuisine”
Diwali
India's best-known festival of lights, marked by lamps, sweets, family gatherings, temple visits, markets, fireworks, and regional traditions.
- When
- October/November
- Where
- India-wide
- Days
- 5 days
Durga Puja in Kolkata
Kolkata's UNESCO-listed public festival of goddess Durga, known for pandals, art installations, drumming, food, and city-wide night crowds.
- When
- September/October
- Where
- Kolkata
- Days
- 5 days
Eid-ul-Fitr
The 'Festival of Breaking the Fast,' marking the end of Ramadan with communal prayers, festive meals, and vibrant market life.
- When
- Varies (Lunar calendar)
- Where
- India-wide, especially Old Delhi and Hyderabad
- Days
- 1 day
Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai
Mumbai's most energetic public festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, marked by large clay idols, public pavilions (pandals), and massive immersion processions.
- When
- August/September
- Where
- Mumbai
- Days
- 10 days
Holi
The spring festival of colors, celebrated with colored powder, water, music, sweets, bonfires, and especially famous events in the Braj region.
- When
- February/March
- Where
- India-wide, especially North India and the Braj region
- Days
- 2 days
Kumbh Mela
The enormous river pilgrimage gathering that rotates among Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, centered on ritual bathing dates.
- When
- Varies by cycle
- Where
- Rotating: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik
Lohri
The Punjabi winter harvest festival, celebrated with bonfires, traditional songs, dance, and seasonal sweets.
- When
- January
- Where
- Punjab and North India
- Days
- 1 day
Onam
Kerala's major harvest and cultural festival, marked by pookalam flower designs, sadya feasts, boat races, Pulikali, and family celebrations.
- When
- August/September
- Where
- Kerala
- Days
- 10 days
Ratha Yatra in Puri
Puri's famous chariot festival, when Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are drawn through the city on massive wooden raths.
- When
- June/July
- Where
- Puri
- Days
- 9 days
Plan around festival season
Use the India guides to pair festivals, temple visits, treks, and regional travel timing.
Read guides →Sacred sites and pilgrimage places
Temples, shrines, gurdwaras, and pilgrimage places that frame many of India's festival traditions.
Explore →