Important festivals of India
Bihu (Assam) It is referred to set of three festivals called Rongali Bihu, Kati Bihu and Bhogali Bihu. Out of above three Rongali Bihu is famous festival which usually held during the month of April.
Brahmotsavam (Andhra Pradesh) It is a nine day annual celebration at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati
Bastar Dussehra (Chhattisgarh) Bastar Dussehra is longest celebrated Dussehra in world which span around 75 days starting from August to October
Baisakhi (Haryana) It is the Harvest festival of Rabi crops in Punjab and Haryana
Chhath Puja (Bihar) Chhath Puja is dedicated to Sun and his wife Usha in order to thank them for bestowing life on the Earth and requesting them to granting certain wishes
Carnival (Goa) The most tourist attractive & three day fun filled festival in Goa
Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra) It is Maratha new year festival
Hornbill (Nagaland) To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of state, Nagaland Govt organizes this festival in the last week of December every year
Kut Festival (Manipur) Kut is a leading festival which does not restrict to any religion, It is celebrated by Kuki-chin tribes of Manipur
Nukahai Festival (Orissa) Nuakahai is also called as Nabanna ,the harvesting festival held in the month of August- September
Makara Sankranthi (Andhra Pradesh) and some parts of South India It marks first day of sun transit to the Makara (Capricorn). Makara Sankranthi is also a harvesting festival in the month of January
Onam (Kerala) Onam is major festival for malayali people which usually fall in the month of September annually. It is also a harvest festival
Pongal (Tamil Nadu) Pongal corresponds the last date of Tamil Calendar
Lohri (Punjab) This festival is celebrated by the Punjabis and Sikhs in the month of January. It is dedicated to God Sun.
Raja Praba (Odisha) A Festival of harvest span over 3 days. First day called Pahili Raja, second day called Raja sankanthi, third day called Basi Raja
Tusu festival (Jharkand) It is a harvest festival which occurs in January
Batukamma (Telangana) Telangana It is a nine day floral festival of Telangana State which usually starts from the first day of Navaratri and continues till the last day Durgasthami
Losar (Arunachal Pradesh) is a major festival in Arunachal Pradesh as it marks the Tibetan New Year. Tribes like Monpa, Sherdukpens, Memba, Khamba and Nah following the Mahayana sect of Buddhism celebrate this festival with all pomp. This three-day festival begins on February 11 each year. On the first day of the festival, the priests make offering to the highest priest called the Dharmapala or Palden Lhamo, whereas the masses visit friends and family and wish them Tashi Delek (best wishes). Also according to the local tradition, sprouted barley seeds and buckets of tsampa (roasted barley flour with butter) and other grains are offered on home altars to ensure a good harvest. On the second day of the festival, which is also called Gyalpo Losar, national leaders and kings are honoured. On the third and final day of the festival known as Choe-Kyong Losar, people make offerings to Dharmapala and tie prayer flags on rooftops and across the locality. Although the spiritual observance ends on the third day, the celebration can extend for 10 to 15 days
Saga Dawa (Sikkim) is one of the major Buddhist festivals in Sikkim and is celebrated in the Tibetan lunar month. The full moon day that falls in the middle of the lunar month is known as Saga Dawa and it is considered as an auspicious day by the Buddhists. Saga Dawa is called the ‘Month of Merits’ and is celebrated between May and June. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightment and death of the Buddha. On the occasion of Saga Dawa in Sikkim, people gather at the monasteries and offer water, incense sticks and dhog. Also, many participate in the circumambulation of the Gompas, where they chant mantras, carry the religious text and turn the prayer wheels.
Although Dree (Arunachal Pradesh) is the festival of the Apatani Tribe, it has gained in popularity amongst other tribes in Arunachal Pradesh as well. The festival takes place on July 5 each year; however celebrations associated with the festival begin from July 4 itself. Dree is the biggest festival of the Ziro Valley and is celebrated to ensure a good harvest. During the festival, people offer prayers to four Gods namely, Tamu, Harniang, Metii, and Danyi. Traditional dance is performed and as a symbol of good harvest cucumber is distributed to all. Women brew wine and people also savour various delicacies and rice/millet beer.
Meatsu mong (Nagaland) This festival of the Ao tribe in Nagaland marks the completion of the sowing season. It is a three-day festival that is celebrated from May 1 to 3 each year. Held in Mokokchung district, Moatsu Mong festival begins with the cleaning of wells and the brewing of beer. During the festival people savour the taste of local delicacies and enjoy cultural programs. Where men perform traditional warrior dance, women sing songs that praise Aovillages. Moatsu Mong is a very colourful festival and is also the symbol of the rich Naga culture Named after a famous flower, Anthurium is a major festival in Mizoram. Anthurium is celebrated with an objective of promoting tourism and it is held in the month of September each year. A small village called Reiek (about 70kms from capital city Aizawl) is the venue for this fest. Folk dance, music and cuisine are the highlight of this festival.
Lui-Ngai-Ni is celebrated by almost all the tribes of the Nagas; thus it is celebrated not only in Nagaland but in Manipur (Naga inhabited areas) as well. The festival takes place on February 15 each year and marks the seedsowing season. Known for strengthening the bond between the Naga tribes, Lui-Ngai-Ni is celebrated with much pomp. During the festival, traditional dances are performed; different delicacies are prepared rituals of lighting fire and blessing the seeds that will be sown are also performed. Lui-Ngai-Ni festival gives out the message of peace and harmony.Named after a bird, Hornbill Festival is a major festival in Nagaland. Like many festivals in the state, Hornbill festival is also related to agriculture. It is a 7 to 10 days festival that begins with immense zeal from December 1 every year. Held in Kisama Heritage Village, this festival is attended by all the major tribes in Nagaland. Hornbill is a good time to witness the cultural vividness; it also gives the opportunity to bond with different communities. The warrior log drums, colorful headgear, and soulful war cry, exquisite costumes are the highlights of the festival. The Kohima Night Bazaar and contests like pork eating and King Chilly add tingly flavour to the festive mood.
Losoong (Sikkim) is the Sikkimese New Year and is celebrated each year in the month of December. It is also that time of the year when the farmers celebrate their harvest. Although Losoong Festival is a traditional celebration of the Bhutia tribe, the Lepchas also celebrate it with equal vigour and zeal. Dances are performed (Cham Dance and Black Hat Dance) at the monasteries and the people drink the locally brewed wine called Chaang. Archery competition is also organized to further enhance the festival spirit.
Kang Chingba is the biggest Hindu festival in Manipur. The Kang Chingba festival is celebrated in the month of July each year and is similar to Puri Rath Yatra. It is an 8-day festival, which celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra. Thousands of devotees throng Imphal during the festival and help pull the massive chariots that carry the deities. Large feasts are organized and people dance all through the night. The Yatra begins from Sri Sri Govindajee Temple in Imphal and the car in which Lord Jagannath is carried is called ‘Kang’.
Wangala is a winter festival in Meghalaya that is mainly celebrated by the Garo tribe. It is held in the second week of November each year in Asanang village near Tura in the Garo Hills and is considered to be a post-harvest celebration. The festival is celebrated in the honor of Misi Saljong, who is considered to be a generous giver. The village chief called Nokma performs rituals a day before the festival begins during which freshly brewed rich beer, cooked rice and vegetables are offered to Misi Saljong. Wangala Festival is also called ‘100 Drum Wangala Festival’; the main attraction of this celebration is the music. Drums, orchestra and flutes offer a wonderful and mesmerizing ambiance that amplifies the festive mood. The feathered head gear is yet another attraction that is worn by everyone celebrating the festival.
Chapar Kut is an agriculture festival in Mizoram. Celebrated in the month of March every year, Chapar Kut marks the time for planting in the state. The highlight of this festival is the bamboo dance called Cheraw. Apart from this special dance, different style of dances (Khuallam, Chheihlam, Chai and Sarlamkai) are also performed during the festival, traditional songs are sung amidst the cymbal clashes, beats of the drums and sound of the gongs. Handicraft, art and flower show along with food festival and music competitions are organized during the festival. Chapchar Kut is celebrated in Mizoram, Lunglei and Saiha.
Kharchi is a popular festival in Tripura. The Puja (worship) was once performed only by the royal households; however with changing times, Kharchi became common to all the houses in Tripura. It is a 10-day long festival that is marked by animal sacrifice and worshipping 14 gods as instructed by Lord Shiva. The festival takes place in the month of July each year in Old Agartala or Puran Haveli, where there is a temple that houses 14 deities. Thousands of people throng Tripura during the festival and enjoy cultural programmes and fairs.
Nongkrem Dance Festival is a way of celebrating the harvest. The festival is celebrated in the month of November each year by the Khasi Tribe, who sacrifices goats as a thanksgiving offering to Goddess Ka Blei Synshar. It is a five day festival in which young men and women dressed in interesting traditional costume perform tribal dance. Nongkrem Dance Festival is held in Smit, which is about 15kms from the famed city of Shillong.
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