Discover the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture through its festivals. Below is a comprehensive list of important festivals celebrated across different states of India. Special attention has been given to the North-Eastern states, providing a detailed breakdown of their unique festivals, which are particularly relevant for those preparing for exams like ADRE.
Major Festivals of India (State-wise)
🔶 North India
Uttar Pradesh
- Ram Navami
- Ganga Mahotsav
- Lathmar Holi
- Kumbh Mela
- Diwali (Ayodhya Ram Mandir connection)
Punjab
- Lohri
- Baisakhi
- Guru Nanak Jayanti (major Sikh celebration)
Haryana
- Baisakhi
- Lohri
- Teej
Uttarakhand
- Ganga Dussehra
- Kumbh Mela
- Nanda Devi Raj Jat
Rajasthan
- Gangaur
- Teej
- Pushkar Camel Fair
- Bundi Utsav
- Karni Mata Fair (Deshnok – Rat Temple)
Himachal Pradesh
- Gochi Festival
- Rakhadumni
🔶 East India
West Bengal
- Durga Puja
- Poush Mela
- Nabanna
- Saraswati Puja (important in schools and colleges)
Bihar
- Chhath Puja
- Rajgir Dance Festival
Odisha
- Rath Yatra
- Raja Parba
- Nuakhai
- Durga Puja (Cuttack – grand pandals)
Jharkhand
- Karam Utsav
- Rohini
- Tusu Festival (tribal harvest festival)
🔶 West India
Maharashtra
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Gudi Padwa
- Nag Panchami
- Dahi Handi (linked to Janmashtami)
Goa
- Goa Carnival
- Shigmo
Gujarat
- Navratri
- Janmashtami
- Uttarayan (kite festival)
- Kutch Utsav
Chhattisgarh
- Bastar Dussehra (worship of Goddess Danteshwari)
🔶 South India
Tamil Nadu
- Pongal
- Thaipusam
- Natyanjali Festival
- Karthigai Deepam
- Chithirai Festival (Madurai)
Kerala
- Onam
- Vishu
- Thrissur Pooram
Karnataka
- Mysore Dasara
- Ugadi
Andhra Pradesh
- Ugadi
- Brahmotsavam
- Deccan Festival
Telangana
- Bathukamma
- Bonalu
- Sammakka Saralamma Jatara (Asia’s largest tribal festival)
Festivals of the North-East (Comprehensive List)
Arunachal Pradesh
- Losar (Monpa tribe)
- Dree (Apatani tribe)
- Mopin (Galo tribe)
- Boori Boot (Hill Miris)
- Solung (Adi tribe)
- Pangtu (Tutsa tribe)
Assam
- Bihu (three forms):
- Bohag Bihu (Rongali) – New Year, spring
- Kati Bihu (Kongali) – for crops
- Magh Bihu (Bhogali) – harvest
- Ambubachi Mela (Kamakhya Temple)
- Baishagu (Bodo tribe)
- Dehing Patkai Festival (tourism & culture)
- Jonbeel Mela (bartering fair)
- Ali-Aye-Ligang (Mishing tribe)
Manipur
- Yaoshang (like Holi + sports)
- Kut Festival (Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes)
- Lui-Ngai-Ni (Naga seed-sowing)
- Cheiraoba (New Year)
- Heikru Hidongba (traditional boat race)
Meghalaya
- Wangala (Garo tribe)
- Nongkrem Dance Festival (Khasi tribe)
- Shad Suk Mynsiem (Khasi thanksgiving)
- Behdeinkhlam (Pnar tribe)
- Christmas (widely celebrated)
Mizoram
- Chapchar Kut (spring festival)
- Anthurium Festival (tourism promotion)
- Mim Kut (maize harvest)
Nagaland
- Hornbill Festival ("Festival of Festivals")
- Moatsu Mong (Ao tribe)
- Sekrenyi (Angami tribe)
- Tuluni (Sumi tribe)
- Tokhu Emong (Lotha tribe)
Sikkim
- Losoong (Sikkimese New Year)
- Saga Dawa (Buddhist festival)
- Pang Lhabsol (worship of Mt. Khangchendzonga)
- Maghe Sankranti Mela (at Jorethang)
Tripura
- Kharchi Puja (worship of 14 deities)
- Garia Puja (harvest, tribal deity)
- Neermahal Festival (water sports & culture)
- Durga Puja (celebrated widely)
