Major festivals in India throughout the a year. Photo: Blogs | PML Holidays
Major festivals in India throughout the year. Photo: Blogs | PML Holidays

Whether it's a Hindu celebration, Islamic holiday, or regional festival, you will find that there is almost always something being celebrated in India.

Indian festivals have always drawn travelers from around the world not only because of their gorgeous colors and boisterous participants but also because they are a great way to have meaningful experiences with the local people and see the country at its most joyful, according to Asia Highlights.

In this article, we will talk about the top festivals in India including Diwali, Holi, the Pushkar Camel Fair, and many more. Stick around till the end to get some tips about experiencing your first Indian festival.

Here is the list of major festivals celebrated in India all year long with dates, cited by Ritiriwaz.

January 2021

New Years Day (नए साल) - Jan 1st, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी व्रत) - Jan 2nd, 2021

Kalashtami (कालाष्टमी) - Jan 6th, 2021

Saphala Ekadashi (सफला एकादशी) - Jan 9th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Jan 11th, 2021

Lohri (लोहड़ी) - Jan 13th, 2021

Paush Amavasya (पौष मास की अमावस्या) - Jan 13th, 2021

Bhogi (भोगी) - Jan 14th, 2021

Pongal (पोंगल) - Jan 14th, 2021

Makar Sakranti (मकर संक्रांति) - Jan 14th, 2021

Makar Sankranti Vrat (मकर संक्रांति व्रत) - Jan 14th, 2021

Thiruvalluvar Day (तिरुवल्लुवर दिवस) - Jan 16th, 2021

Uzhavar Tirunal (उझावर तिरुनल) - Jan 16th, 2021

Budh Ashtami Vrat (बुद्ध अष्टमी) - Jan 20th, 2021

Durga Ashtami Vrat (दुर्गाष्टमी) - Jan 21st, 2021

Putrada Ekadashi (पुत्रदा एकादशी) - Jan 24th, 2021

Kurma Dwadashi Vrat (कूर्म द्वादशी) - Jan 25th, 2021

Republic Day (गणतंत्र दिवस) - Jan 26th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Jan 26th, 2021

Paush Purnima (पौष पूर्णिमा) - Jan 28th, 2021

Me-dam-me-phi (मी डैम मी फी) - Jan 31st, 2021

Sakat Chauth (सकट चौथ) - Jan 31st, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat (संकष्टी चतुर्थी व्रत) - Jan 31st, 2021

February 2021

Kalashtami (कालाष्‍टमी) - Feb 4th, 2021

Shattila Ekadashi (षटतिला एकादशी) - Feb 7th, 2021

Vaishnava Shattila Ekadashi (षटतिला एकादशी) - Feb 8th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Feb 9th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Feb 10th, 2021

Mauni Amavasya (मौनी अमावस्या) - Feb 11th, 2021

Tibetan New Year (तिब्बती नए साल) - Feb 12th, 2021

Kumbha Sankranti (कुम्भ संक्रांति) - Feb 12th, 2021

Chandra Darshan (चंद्र दर्शन) - Feb 13th, 2021

Ganesh Jayanti (गणेश जयंती) - Feb 15th, 2021

Vasant Panchami (वसंत पंचमी) - Feb 16th, 2021

Shasti (शास्ति) - Feb 17th, 2021

Rath Saptami (रथ सप्तमी) - Feb 19th, 2021

Bheshma Ashtami (भीष्म अष्टमी) - Feb 20th, 2021

Rohini Vrat (रोहिणी व्रत) - Feb 21st, 2021

Jaya Ekadashi (जया एकादशी) - Feb 23rd, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Feb 24th, 2021

Hazrat Ali (हज़रत अली) - Feb 25th, 2021

Guru Ravidas (संत रविदास) - Feb 27th, 2021

Magha Purnima (माघ पूर्णिमा व्रत) - Feb 27th, 2021

READ MORE: What is Shivaji Jayanti: Date, Time, History and Celebrations of an optional holiday in India

March 2021

Photo: TripSavvy
Photo: TripSavvy

Angarki Chaturthi (अंगारकी चतुर्थी) - Mar 2nd, 2021

Kalashtami (कालाष्‍टमी) - Mar 5th, 2021

Ramdas Navami (रामदास स्वामी नवमी) - Mar 7th, 2021

Vijaya Ekadashi (विजया एकादशी) - Mar 9th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Mar 10th, 2021

Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि) - Mar 11th, 2021

Mahashivratri, Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Mar 11th, 2021

Amavasya (अमावस्या) - Mar 13th, 2021

Chandra Darshan (चंद्र दर्शन) - Mar 14th, 2021

Phulera Dooj (फूलेरादुज) - Mar 15th, 2021

Chaturthi Vrat (चतुर्थी व्रत) - Mar 17th, 2021

Shasti (शास्ति) - Mar 19th, 2021

Rohini Vrat (रोहिणी व्रत) - Mar 20th, 2021

Durga Ashtami Vrat (दुर्गा अष्टमी व्रत) - Mar 22nd, 2021

Bihar Day (बिहार स्थापना दिवस) - Mar 22nd, 2021

Govinda Dwadashi (गोविन्द द्वादशी) - Mar 25th, 2021

Amalaki Ekadashi (आमलकी एकादशी) - Mar 25th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Mar 26th, 2021

Holika Dahan (होलिका दहन) - Mar 28th, 2021

Holika Dahan, Phalguna Purnima Vrat (फाल्गुन पूर्णिमा व्रत) - Mar 28th, 2021

Holi (होली - रंगों का त्योहार ) - Mar 29th, 2021

Gangaur Vrat Start (गणगौर व्रत पूजन शुरू) - Mar 29th, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) - Mar 31st, 2021

**Read more: Holi Festival in India: Date, Significance, Celebrations, and More!

April 2021

Odisha Day (ओडिशा दिवस) - Apr 1st, 2021

Bank Holiday (बैंक अवकाश) - Apr 1st, 2021

Good Friday (गुड फ्राइडे) - Apr 2nd, 2021

Easter (ईस्टर) - Apr 4th, 2021

Kalashtami (कालाष्टमी) - Apr 4th, 2021

Sheetala Ashtami (शीतला अष्टमी) - Apr 4th, 2021

Papmochani Ekadashi (पापमोचिनी एकादशी) - Apr 7th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Apr 9th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Apr 10th, 2021

Month of Ramadan (रमज़ान का महीना) - Apr 12th, 2021

Chaitra Amavasya (चैत्र अमावस्या) - Apr 12th, 2021

Ugadi (उगादी) - Apr 13th, 2021

Telugu New Year (तेलुगु नया साल) - Apr 13th, 2021

Vaisakhi (बैसाखी ) - Apr 13th, 2021

Bohag Bihu (बोहाग बिहू या भोगली बिहू) - Apr 13th, 2021

Chandra Darshan (चंद्र दर्शन) - Apr 13th, 2021

Ramadan Fasting Starts (रमजान का उपवास) - Apr 13th, 2021

Navratri Day 1 - Goddess Shailputri (मां शैलपुत्री - पहले दिन) - Apr 13th, 2021

Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Ghatasthapana, Gudi Padwa (चैत्र नवरात्रि घट स्थापना) - Apr 13th, 2021

Tamil New Year (तमिल नव वर्ष) - Apr 14th, 2021

Vishu (विषु त्यौहार) - Apr 14th, 2021

Bengali New Year (पोहेला बैशाख ) - Apr 14th, 2021

Navratri Day 2 - Goddess Brahmacharini (मां ब्रह्मचारिणी - दूसरे दिन) - Apr 14th, 2021

Himachal Day (हिमाचल दिवस) - Apr 15th, 2021

Navratri Day 3 - Goddess Chandraghanta (मां चंद्रघंटा - तीसरे दिन) - Apr 15th, 2021

Rohini Vrat (रोहिणी व्रत) - Apr 16th, 2021

Navratri Day 4 - Goddess Kushmanda (मां कूष्माण्डा - चौथे दिन ) - Apr 16th, 2021

Navratri Day 5 - Goddess Skandamata (मां स्‍कंदमाता - पांचवें दिन) - Apr 17th, 2021

Shasti (शास्ति) - Apr 18th, 2021

Navratri Day 6 - Goddess Katyayini (मां कात्यायनी - छठा दिन) - Apr 18th, 2021

Navratri Day 7 - Goddess Kalaratri (कालरात्रि देवी - सातवें दिन) - Apr 19th, 2021

Durga Ashtami Vrat (दुर्गा अष्टमी व्रत) - Apr 20th, 2021

Navratri Day 8 - Mahagauri (महागौरी - आठवें दिन) - Apr 20th, 2021

Ram Navami (राम नवमी तथा राम जन्म) - Apr 21st, 2021

Navratri Day 9 - Goddess Siddhidatri (माँ सिद्धिदात्री - नौवां दिन ) - Apr 21st, 2021

Ram Navami (राम नवमी) - Apr 21st, 2021

Kamada Ekadashi (कामदा एकादशी) - Apr 23rd, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Apr 24th, 2021

Mahavir Jayanti (महावीर जयन्ती) - Apr 25th, 2021

Hanuman Jayanti (हनुमान जयंती) - Apr 27th, 2021

Chaitra Purnima Vrat (चैत्र पूर्णिमा व्रत) - Apr 27th, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) - Apr 30th, 2021

May 2021

Photo: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Photo: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Maharashtra Day (महाराष्ट्र दिवस) - May 1st, 2021

May Day (मई दिवस) - May 1st, 2021

Jumat-ul-Wida (जमात-उल-विदा) - May 7th, 2021

Varuthini Ekadashi (वरूथिनी एकादशी) - May 7th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - May 8th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - May 9th, 2021

Parashurama Jayanti (परशुराम जयंती) - May 14th, 2021

Basava Jayanti (बसव जयंती) - May 14th, 2021

Eid-ul-Fitar (ईद अल फ़ित्र) - May 14th, 2021

Akshaya Tritiya, Vrishabha Sankranti (अक्षय तृतीया व्रत) - May 14th, 2021

Sikkim State Day (सिक्किम दिवस) - May 16th, 2021

Sita Navami (सीता नवमी ) - May 21st, 2021

Mohini Ekadashi (मोहिनी एकादशी) - May 22nd, 2021

Gauna Mohini Ekadashi (मोहिनी एकादशी) - May 23rd, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - May 24th, 2021

Buddha Purnima (बुद्ध पूर्णिमा) - May 26th, 2021

Vaishakha Purnima Vrat (वैशाख पूर्णिमा व्रत) - May 26th, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) - May 29th, 2021

June 2021

Apara Ekadashi (अपरा एकादशी) - Jun 6th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Jun 7th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Jun 8th, 2021

Shani Jayanti (शनि जयंती) - Jun 10th, 2021

Raja Sankranti (मिथुन संक्रांति व रज पर्व महत्त्व) - Jun 15th, 2021

Mithuna Sankranti (मिथुन संक्रांति) - Jun 15th, 2021

Nirjala Ekadashi (निर्जला एकादशी) - Jun 21st, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Jun 22nd, 2021

Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti (भगत कबीर जयंती) - Jun 24th, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) - Jun 27th, 2021

July 2021

Yogini Ekadashi (योगिनी एकादशी) - Jul 5th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Jul 7th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Jul 8th, 2021

Jagannath Ratha Yatra (जगन्नाथ रथयात्रा) - Jul 12th, 2021

Karka Sankranti (कर्क संक्रांति) - Jul 16th, 2021

Bakr Id/Eid ul-Adha (बकर-ईद / ईद-उल-अज़हा) - Jul 20th, 2021

Devshayani Ekadashi (देवशयनी एकादशी) - Jul 20th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Jul 21st, 2021

Ashadha Purnima Vrat (आषाढ़ पूर्णिमा व्रत) - Jul 24th, 2021

Angarki Chaturthi (अंगारकी चतुर्थी) - Jul 27th, 2021

August 2021

Bonalu (बोनालु) - Aug 4th, 2021

Kamika Ekadashi (कामिका एकादशी) - Aug 4th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Aug 5th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Aug 6th, 2021

Muharram (मुहर्रम) - Aug 10th, 2021

Hariyali Teej Vrat (हरतालिका तीज व्रत) - Aug 11th, 2021

Teej (हरतालिका तीज) - Aug 11th, 2021

Onam (ओणम) - Aug 12th, 2021

Thiruvonam (थिरुवोणम) - Aug 12th, 2021

Nag Panchami (नाग पंचमी) - Aug 13th, 2021

Independence Day (स्वतंत्रता दिवस) - Aug 15th, 2021

Simha Sankranti (सिंह संक्रांति) - Aug 17th, 2021

Parsi New Year (पारसी नया साल) - Aug 17th, 2021

Shravana Putrada Ekadashi (पुत्रदा एकादशी) - Aug 18th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Aug 20th, 2021

Shravana Purnima Vrat (श्रावण पूर्णिमा व्रत) - Aug 22nd, 2021

Raksha Bandhan (रक्षाबंधन) - Aug 22nd, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi, Kajari Teej (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) - Aug 25th, 2021

Janmashtami Vrat (जन्माष्टमी व्रत) - Aug 30th, 2021

Janmashtami (श्री कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी) - Aug 30th, 2021

September 2021

Photo: Travel Triangle
Photo: Travel Triangle

Aja Ekadashi (अजा एकादशी) - Sep 3rd, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Sep 4th, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Sep 5th, 2021

Hartalika Teej Vrat (हरतालिका तीज व्रत) - Sep 9th, 2021

Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat (गणेश चतुर्थी व्रत) - Sep 10th, 2021

Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) - Sep 10th, 2021

Nuakhai (नुआखाई) - Sep 11th, 2021

Kanya Sankranti (कन्या संक्रांति) - Sep 17th, 2021

Vishwakarma day (विश्वकर्मा पूजा) - Sep 17th, 2021

Parsva Ekadashi (पार्श्व एकादशी) - Sep 17th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Sep 18th, 2021

Anant Chaturdashi (अनंत चतुर्दशी) - Sep 19th, 2021

Bhadrapada Purnima Vrat (भादप्रद पूर्णिमा व्रत) - Sep 20th, 2021

Haryanas Heroes Martyrdom Day (हरियाणा वीर एवं शहीदी दिवस) - Sep 23rd, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी) - Sep 24th, 2021

October 2021

Indira Ekadashi (इंदिरा एकादशी) - Oct 2nd, 2021

Pradosh Vrat, Masik Shivaratri (प्रदोष व्रत) - Oct 4th, 2021

Feast of St Francis Xavier (संत फ्रांसिस पर्व) - Oct 4th, 2021

Mahalaya (महालया) - Oct 6th, 2021

Sharad Navratri, Ghatasthapana (नवरात्रि घट स्थापना) - Oct 7th, 2021

Bathukamma (बतुकम्मा) - Oct 7th, 2021

Maharaja Agrasen Jayanati (महाराजा अग्रसेन जयंती ) - Oct 7th, 2021

Ramlila (रामलीला) - Oct 7th, 2021

Durga Puja (दुर्गाष्टमी पूजा ) - Oct 11th, 2021

Durga Ashtami Puja (अष्टमी पूजा) - Oct 13th, 2021

Durga Maha Navami Puja (महानवमी पूजा) - Oct 14th, 2021

Ayudha Puja (आयुध पूजा) - Oct 14th, 2021

Mahanavami (महानवमी) - Oct 14th, 2021

Kota Dussehra (कोटा दशहरा) - Oct 14th, 2021

Dussehra (दशहरा) - Oct 15th, 2021

Papankusha Ekadashi (पापांकुशा एकादशी) - Oct 16th, 2021

Kati Bihu (काति बिहू) - Oct 18th, 2021

Milad-un-Nabi / Id-e-Milad (मीलाद उन-नबी / ईद मिलादुन्नबी) - Oct 18th, 2021

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti (महर्षि वाल्मीकि जयंती) - Oct 20th, 2021

Karwa Chauth (करवा चौथ) - Oct 23rd, 2021

Angarki Chaturthi, Karva Chauth (अंगारकी चतुर्थी) - Oct 24th, 2021

Ahoi Ashtami (अहोई अष्टमी) - Oct 28th, 2021

November 2021

Haryana Day (हरियाणा दिवस) - Nov 1st, 2021

Kannada Rajyotsava (कन्नड़ राज्योत्सव) - Nov 1st, 2021

Rama Ekadashi (रमा एकादशी) - Nov 1st, 2021

Dhanteras, Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Nov 2nd, 2021

Dhanteras (धनतेरस) - Nov 2nd, 2021

Masik Shivaratri (मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Nov 3rd, 2021

Narak Chaturdashi (नरक चतुर्दशी ) - Nov 3rd, 2021

Diwali, Kartik Amavasya, Narak Chaturdashi (कार्तिक अमावस्या) - Nov 4th, 2021

Diwali is joyously celebrated globally now. Sending a powerful message of the triumph of good over evil, the festival is celebrated in every nook and corner of the country. People enjoy the festival of lights by beginning the day with an auspicious pooja, followed by welcoming the night with new traditional clothes, sweets and glowing deeyas. The houses are decorated with garlands of electric lights and colorful rangolis. Ignite the light of brotherhood and goodness in you being through the festival of Diwali, said Trans India Travel.

Lakshmi Puja (लक्ष्मी पूजा) - Nov 4th, 2021

Kali Puja (काली पूजा) - Nov 4th, 2021

Diwali (दीपावली) - Nov 4th, 2021

Govardhan Puja Vrat (गोवर्धन पूजा व्रत) - Nov 5th, 2021

Bhai Dooj (भाई दूज) - Nov 6th, 2021

Chhath Puja (छठ पूजा) - Nov 10th, 2021

Devutthana Ekadashi (देवउठनी एकादशी) - Nov 14th, 2021

Vaishnava Devutthana Ekadashi (वैष्णव देवउठनी एकादशी) - Nov 15th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Nov 16th, 2021

Rasa Purnima (रस पूर्णिमा) - Nov 19th, 2021

Kanakadasa Jayanti (संत कनक दास जयंती) - Nov 22nd, 2021

Angarki Chaturthi (अंगारकी चतुर्थी) - Nov 23rd, 2021

Utpanna Ekadashi (उत्पन्ना एकादशी) - Nov 30th, 2021

December 2021

Pradosh Vrat, Masik Shivaratri (प्रदोष व्रत - मासिक शिवरात्रि) - Dec 2nd, 2021

Mokshada Ekadashi (मोक्षदा एकादशी) - Dec 14th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat, Dhanu Sankranti (प्रदोष व्रत) - Dec 16th, 2021

Goa Liberation Day (गोवा मुक्ति दिवस) - Dec 19th, 2021

Sankashti Chaturthi (संकष्टी चतुर्थी व्रत) - Dec 22nd, 2021

Christmas Day (क्रिसमस) - Dec 25th, 2021

Boxing Day ( बॉक्सिंग डे) - Dec 26th, 2021

Saphala Ekadashi (सफला एकादशी) - Dec 30th, 2021

Pradosh Vrat (प्रदोष व्रत) - Dec 31st, 2021

New Year Eve (नए साल की पूर्वसंध्या) - Dec 31st, 2021

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