India Festivals and Events
2018-2019

India, Asia Festivals and Events for 2018-2019
There are quite simply hundreds of festivals and events that take place throughout the year in India many of which are of a religious nature and steeped with tradition, colour and enjoyed with great enthusiasm. Below are some of the most popular.

January

Chennai Music and Dance Festival
Chennai Music and Dance Festival usually takes place around the middle of the month at several locations throughout Chennai and showcases both established and up and coming artists with several performances on offer throughout the course of the festival... more about the Chennai Music and Dance Festival
Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Jaisalmer Desert Festival takes place towards the end of January in the town of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The festival is an incredibly colourful and fun event where you can enjoy seeing camels wonderfully dressed up, being raced and also paraded. There are music and dance performances, several craft bazaars and the ever popular Turban tying competition... more about the Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Lohri Festival
This popular harvest festival is widely celebrated throughout the north of India especially around its origins in Punjab where traditional Lohri songs and dance are performed around fires providing the community with a wonderful opportunity to get together and celebrate... more about the Lohri Festival
Republic Day
January 26th marks India's independence Day and is widely celebrated throughout India and in particular within New Delhi where there is an impressive parade along Rajpath by the Armed Forces... more about Republic Day

February

Indian Derby Weekend
Indian Derby Weekend is held at the beginning of February at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Race Course. There is a lot going on here besides horse racing with live music and dance also being a popular part of the derby weekend... more about the Indian Derby Weekend

March

Holi
Holi is often celebrated at the end of February or beginning of March and is an intriguing festival that celebrates good triumphing over evil... more about the Holi Festival
The International Yoga Festival
The International Yoga Festival gives you the opportunity to have a spiritual journey where everything you ever needed to know or find out about Yoga takes place, the daily program often includes top class Yoga sessions and discussions by leading teachers... more about the International Yoga Festival

April

Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur Pooram is a Temple Festival that takes place around April and May time in front of the Vadakkumnathan Temple. The event is especially well known for the colorfully decorated Elephants that take part in the festival and for the accompanying and enthusiastic singing, dancing and impressive firework display... more about Thrissur Pooram

May

The Buddha Purnima Celebration
The Buddha Purnima Celebration takes place at many Buddhist sites all over India, in celebration of the Lord Buddha's birthday. Celebrations will vary from place to place but usually include religious worship and recitation of Buddhist scriptures and meditation... more about Buddha Purnima

June

The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race
The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race takes place towards the end of June at the Pampa River at Champakulam, in the state of Kerala. Snake Boats which carry around 100 people and are about 120 feet in length are expertly race against each other. The race is preceded by a fine display of floats and performers and is a most colorful and entertaining event... more about the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race

July

Rath Yatra Festival
Rath Yatra Festival takes place in Puri within the state of Orissa and is a colourful Hindu festival which sees the Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra travel from the Jagannath Temple to the countryside on elaborately made chariots... more about the Rath Yatra Festival
Mango Festival
This immensely popular event showcases hundreds of varieties of mouth watering mangoes as well as featuring several mango competitions, mango tasting, live music and fascinating demonstrations... more about the Mango Festival

August

Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated during August/ September and honours the birth of Lord Ganesha. Beautifully decorated idols of Lord Ganesha are carried in a procession to water where they are then immersed... more about Ganesh Chaturthi
Krishna Janmashtami Festival
Krishna Janmashtami Festival takes place around August/September time and is a celebration in honour of the birth of Lord Krishna and features religious programs and dancing... more about Krishna Janmashtami
Onam Festival
Onam Festival is celebrated in Kerala during the first month of the Malayalam calendar which is usually around August time and honours the homecoming of King Mahabali and the harvest festival and which features colorful dancing, singing and the entertaining snake boat race... Onam Festival

September

Navrati Festival
Navarati Festival is a nine day festival that is often celebrated in late September/early October and is dedicated to the celebration of the mother goddess Shakti... more about the Navrati Festival

October

The Autumn Festival
Meghalaya's Autumn Festival takes place around October/ November time and is a colourful and vibrant affair which includes a great deal of festivities such as singing, traditional dancing and various competitions... more about the Autumn Festival
Festival Of Flower Sellers
This annual and cultural event is also known as Phool Walon Ki Sair which means festival of flower sellers which attracts large crowds who come to witness the beautiful procession of floral offerings that are taken to the Temple and Shrine located within the Mehrauli area of Delhi as well as enjoying the many other cultural events that accompany this unique festival... more about the Festival Of Flower Sellers

November

Diwali Festival
Diwali Festival is a 5 day festival that begins at the beginning of November and celebrates good triumphing over evil. The festival is observed by Hindu's and features the exchange of gifts, religious prayer and rituals, fireworks and the decorating of the home with many lights and candles... more about the Diwali Festival
The Pushkar Fair
The Pushkar Fair is a five day annual fair that takes place in November in the Indian state of Rajasthan in a town called Pushkar. The fair has lots going on with competitions such as the longest moustache contest, stalls selling handicrafts, clothes and jewelry and the incredibly large cattle and camel fair which sees hundreds of Camels being dressed up, raced and paraded... more about the Pushkar Fair

December

Christmas
Christmas is especially colourful within the Indian state of Goa where many Christians can be found celebrating during this time... more about Christmas in India
Sunburn Festival
The Sunburn Festival takes place towards the end of December at Candolim Beach in Goa and is an incredible vibrant electronic dance music festival that features several kinds of music genres and well known DJ's... more about the Sunburn Festival

India Festivals and Events 2018-2019

India Festivals and Events
2018-2019