There is not a single day in the Indian calendar when you may not be able to locate a festival in some part of the country. Fairs & festivals in India are colourful commemorations of religious or historical events or celebrations of the change of seasons. They reflect the vigour and life-style of its people.

Vibrant colours, music and festivities make the country come alive throughout the year. There is celebration for every religious occasion., change of season and for every harvest.

While the dates of the national festivals are known, other festivals follow the lunar calendar and the dates can vary from year to year.

If you plan to include a festival in your itinerary, please check the date with the nearest Government of India Tourist Office. 

The following are some of the important festivals of India. We will describe them in greater detail while dealing with areas where they are celebrated.

India celebrates three national days. The first is 15th of August, the Independence day of India, 2nd October birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, and 26th of January Republic day of India this was the day when India adopted our own constitution.

A harvest festival celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu, it is a three-day festival. The first day, known as BHOGI PONGAL, is confined to domestic festivals. On the second day, SURYA PONGAL cooked rice is offered to the sun. On the third day, MATTU PONGAI, cattle are washed, their horns painted and decorated, and they are fed the rice offered to the sun. 
Festivities involve bull fights and the snatching of money bags tied between the horns of ferocious bulls.

This is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam· Thatched pavilions are put up and feasts held in them at night. In the morning the pavilions are set on fire followed by a lot of feasting, dancing and singing

January 26 is of great historical importance to the country India became a republic on this day in 1950. Republic Day is celebrated all over the country -- traditionally with hoisting of the national flag, a parade of Army and Police and official festivities. The main attraction is at New Delhi where a spectacular parade consisting of the Armed Forces, school children and youth, folk dancers followed by elaborate floats from all the states of India move down from the magnificent RASTHTRAPTI BHAWAN (President's House), past INDIA GATE and on to the historic RED FORT.