The festival calendar in India is a bit complex. Witnessing the country’s festive cheer is analogous to enjoying life, with a plethora of colours, music, dance, folk songs, fruit, and friends wrapped into one joyful bundle that provides complete satisfaction. Every festival in India has its own unique essence and taste that you must experience personally. Here is the list of some regional festival celebrated in different parts of India.
1. Hemis
Hemis is a two-day holy festival held in honour of Lord Padmasambhava, a spiritual leader and father of Tibet Tantric Buddhism, at Hemis Monastery in Ladakh. The Cham dance is done by the monastery’s monks to the accompaniment of typical cymbals, miniature trumpets, and big pan-drums. For the shows, the performing monks don extravagant costumes and masks. It is celebrated in the month of June and July.
2. Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a four-day ritual that honors the Sun God and his wife and asks for their blessings on peace and wellbeing. Fasting, abstention from drinking water, swimming in ponds, and giving sunrise and sunset offerings to the sun are all part of the ritual. Families continue to celebrate the festival without fail, successive generations. It is celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand in the month of November.
3.Hornbill Festival
Hornbill Festival, also known as the “Festival of Festivals,” is a wonderful celebration of Nagaland’s culture and customs. The Naga Heritage Village, about 11 kms from Kohima’s capital city, hosts the whole week festival. The event includes vibrant performances by the attendees, cultural food fairs, local art and crafts, tournaments, parades, and religious rituals that showcase Nagaland’s beauty in a unique way. These festivities include all of the state’s tribes, rendering it a real booze fueled.
4. Ugadi
The term Ugadi is made up of two words: ‘Yuga,’ which means ‘era,’ and ‘Adi,’ which means ‘beginning.’ Karnataka marks the New Year with this festival. During the months leading up to Chaitra, it is tradition for people to shop a lot. This day is known as the symbol of the harvesting season and is honored with zeal. On this day, Lord Brahma is said to have begun the creation of the earth. It comes in the months of March and April.
5. Gangaur
Gangaur is a festival dedicated to the goddess Gauri and the celebration of love and marriage. Gauri, a representation of Parvati, stands for innocence and austerity. Married women pray to Gauri for their husbands’ protection and survival. Unmarried women worship her in the hopes of finding a suitable partner. Rajasthan hosts Gangaur festivities all over the state.