One Indian Nation, many Religions and Color-full celebrations of festivals

Introduction - Festivals of India Indian Festivals, celebrated by varied cultures and through their special rituals, add to the colours of the Indian Heritage. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, saints, and gurus (revered teachers), or the advent of the New Year. A number of these festivals are common to most parts of India, Indian sub-continent, truly speaking in the whole world. However, they may be called by different names in various parts of India or may be celebrated in a different fashions in various places of India. Many festivals celebrate the various harvests; commemorate great historical figures and events, while many express devotion to the deities of different religions. Every celebration is centered around the rituals of prayer, seeking blessings, exchanging goodwill, decorating houses, wearing new clothes, music, dance and feasting. In India every region and every religion has something to celebrate. The festivals reflect the vigour and life-style of its people. Vibrant colours, music and festivity make the country come alive throughout the year. India is a fascinating land of festivals where each festival is marked with a deep philosophical implication and presents an unmatched diction to the splendor of that particular carnival. March begins with advent of spring, refreshing the air with the sweet smell of flowers all around. The festival of colours- Holi [Celebrated on 27/3/2013] will mark its presence in this blooming month of March. Colours of joy will spread across the country followed by many more fairs and festivals. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 will continue to sprawl in the beginning days of March and will come to an end at the auspicious Day of Maha Shivratri , when millions of devotees are expected to take the shahi snan in the sacred river, Ganga. We have many events coming up in March, like, International Womens Day, No Smoking Day, World Book Day, World TB Day, World Forestry Day that are of International relevance. The month also marks the important Christian festival, Good Friday that is celebrated across the western countries with fun and frolic. March begins with the Yoga Week, amidst the serene beauty of Rishikesh mountains. People from far off, come here for the peace and dedicate a week to yoga practices. There are also a few cultural fair and shows coming up this March, like the Elephant festival in Jaipur, where you get to see numerous elephants, all dressed up and painted. Visitors can enjoy a good polo match, elephant parade, tug of war and much more.

The emphasis laid on the different festivals differs in different parts of the country. For instance, Navaratri is celebrated with maximum fervour in West Bengal as compared to that in other parts of the country. Holi is celebrated with gusto in the north, and although it is also observed in the western and eastern parts of India, in the south it is almost unknown. There are also a few regional festivals like Pongal in Tamil Nadu; Onam in Kerala and the various other temple festivals devoted to the specific patron Gods and Goddesses of the temples, which are celebrated exclusively in those areas, which may be limited to one or a few villages. This galaxy of festivals that exist do contribute in interspicing Indian life with gaiety and colour as also in giving the country the distinction of having the maximum number of holidays. India is considered to be a spiritual and holy land where several religions are followed and many deities are worshipped. In India, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism are the main religions which are rigorously practiced and followed. The other native Indian religions include Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Parsism. But in modern era, Hinduism is mainly practiced and obeyed. The other natively Indian religions include Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. More than nine-tenths of Indian state holds priority where religion plays very important role. Moreover, Hinduism is considered to be the largest religion in India. Then comes Islam, which is a monotheistic religion centered around the belief in one God and following the example of Muhammad, then falls Christianity, which is centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Then comes, Buddhism which is a , nontheistic religion and philosophy. Buddhists form majority populations in the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Then comes Jainism, which revolves as a nontheistic dharmic religion and philosophical system originating in Iron Age India. Sikhism which commenced in early 16th century in North India acquiring all the teachings of Guru Nanak Ji. Then finally comes Parsis religion which is quite popular in India and beyond, for nurturing industrious people like Sir Jamshet Ji Tata. National Official Festivals Hindu Festivals Muslim Festivals Sikhs Festivals Jains Festivals Christian Festivals Buddhists Festivals Sindhis Festivals Parsi Festivals National Festivals of India

The multilingual land of India is considered as a land of colorful festivals where the air is filled with the fragrance of joy and celebrations, almost all around the year. The country celebrates various flairs of regional, spiritual, religious and social festivals. Apart from all above, the country also shares the moments of national celebrations, the time when whole nation come together and unanimously celebrate the occasion at the same time and date. Such magical occasions are reckoned as National Festivals. National festivals are celebrated to commemorate the occurrence of great historical events of national importance. Such festivals inculcate a strong feeling of patriotism in the minds of Indians. India celebrates three National Festivals namely: Aug 15 - Independence Day, the red-letter day in the Indian calendar when India achieved freedom from the British rule on this day in the year 1947. Jan 26 - Republic Day, the day when India became a truly sovereign state as the constitution of India came into force on this day in the year 1950. Oct 2 - Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who was born on this day in the year 1869. Hindu Festivals Hindus celebrate a number of festivals which include birth of gods, marriage of the gods, victory of the gods, death of asuras, harvests, the new-year, full moons, new moons, birthdays, initiations, marriages, deaths, anniversaries and the list goes on. Apart from festivals like Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Dusshera, Durga Puja, Navratri, there are festivals which are celebrated by specific tribes and communities in individual states as well. So almost every month, one festival or the other is being celebrated somewhere in India by the Hindus. Hindus celebrate a number of festivals which include birth of gods, marriage of the gods, victory of the gods, death of asuras, harvests, the new-year, full moons, new moons, birthdays, initiations, marriages, deaths, anniversaries and the list goes on. Apart from festivals like Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Dusshera, Durga Puja, Navratri, there are festivals which are celebrated by specific tribes and communities in individual states as well. So almost every month, one festival or the other is being celebrated somewhere in India by the Hindus. Festivals Holi Makar Sankranti Lohri Pongal Maha Shivratri Vasant Panchami Ram Navami Guru Purnima Rath Yatra Ganesh Chaturthi Onam Janmashtami

Raksha Bandhan Navratra Dusshera Karva Chauth Diwali Bhai Dooj Govardhan Puja Brahmotsavam Karni Mata Mela Pitr Paksh Ramlila Sitabari fair Aanvla Navami Dev Uthani Ekadashi Dhanteras Maharishi Valmiki jayanti Rambarat Beneshwar Fair (Dungarpur, Rajasthan) Kumbh Mela Makara Sankranti / Uttarayan Thai poosam Chaitra_Navratri Gangaur Festival Hanuman Jayanti Mewar Festival RamNavmi Ugadi Mahavir Jayanti Holla Mohalla Muslim Festivals Muslims celebrate a number of festivals all round the year. An interesting thing of their festivals is that they are based on Hegira and follow the lunar calendar rather than the Georgian calendar. The festivals of the Muslims do not have months that correspond to the seasons. Muharram is one of their main festivals which fall on the first Muslim month. Other festivals are Bakri-id, Shab-I-Barat, Ramzan Id, and Milad-Ul-Nabi. Festivals: Muharram Id-ul-Zuha (Bakri-id) Shab-I-Barat Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Id) Milad-Un-Nabi Barawafat Giaravahin Sharif Hazarat Ali's Birthday

Shabbe Mirag Barabanki Mela Christian Festivals Festivals of Christians are celebrated in as much the way as other festivals. The Christians celebrate festivals like Easter, Christmas and Good Friday. They are colorful and full of religious sentiments. The areas which were under French and Portuguese rule like Goa adds distinct European flavor to the festivals. The churches all over India also hold regular masses and prayers to mark the occasions. Festivals Christmas Easter Good Friday Festivals of the Jains The Jains celebrate several festivals all round the year. The festivals are connected with the births and deaths of the Tirthankaras. The important festivals are Paryushana practiced by the Svetambara sect of the Jains, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated the birth anniversary of Mahavir and Mahamastak Abhishek meaning 'the grand ceremonial head anointing of Bahubali celebrated in the town of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka. Festivals: Mahavir Jayanti Paryushana Mahamastak Abhishek Deep Diwali Paryushan Festivals of the Buddhists Buddhists have festivals centered on Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. It is said that most of the festivals were started by Buddha himself. However, in India, one doesnt see much of the hype centered on these festivals as in other religions. Festivals are more religious and spiritual than social in nature. The festivals are a way of reminding themselves of the righteous path they need to follow. Festivals Buddha Purnima Hemis Gompa Losar Ullambana Festivals of the Sikhs

The Sikhs celebrate their festivals in their own individual ways along with some of the major festivals of the Hindus like Holi, Dusshera and Diwali. The festivals unique to the Sikhs have little to do with worship of God. Instead, the events celebrate the achievements in the lives of the 10 Sikh gurus and their teachings who is the most important person in Sikhism. The birthdays of the first and the last gurus, Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, are celebrated with all the pomp of festivals. Bhakti is central to the religion and therefore most of their festivities are accompanied by lot of music and song. Its festivals are marked by the singing of gurbani or holy songs, and readings from the holy book. Festivals: Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Purab Holla Mohalla Lohri Birthday Guru Ramdassji Installation of Guru Granth Sahibji Sodal mela Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti Festivals of Sindhis Name of the festival: Chaliho Sahib Place and community: Chailo or Chailo Sahib is a festival of the Sindhu Community. Month: Chailo Sahib is a forty day fast observed by the Sindhis in the months of JulyAugust. They pray to Lord Jhulelal for forty days and after the fast is over they celebrate the occasion as Thanks Giving Day with lots of gusto and festivities. Background: Mirkshah Badshah, a Muslim invader of Sindh was a tyrant and a religious fanatic. He troubled the people of Thatta and wanted them to convert to Islam. The Hindus prayed to Varun Devta or the God of Water by observing penance on the banks of the river for forty days. On the fortieth, Varun Devta heard their prayers and promised them to save them from the tyrant. The answer to the prayers of the Hindus was Jhulelal. Since majority of the population of Thatta was of Sindhi Community, Chailo Sahib became a festival of the Sindhis. Activities: In order to thank God for rescuing them from the hands of the tyrant, the Sindhis observe Chailo Sahib even today with all devotion and faith. During those forty days, the following rules are followed by all Sindhis: No sleeping on bed, but on floor Avoiding consumption of white items like rice, curd or milk No fried eatables No shaving or cutting hair Avoiding non-vegetarian food Wearing simple clothes

 No use of soap or oil No wearing leather belts or shoes The fast begins by tying a sacred thread by the Poojari. People lead a "brahmacharya way of life and every morning Akho ie. rice and sugar are offered during morning prayers. During the evening devotees attend kirtan in the temples. One can keep a fast for the first 10 days, 21 days or 40 days according to ones capacity. After completion of forty days, on the forty-first day BahiranaSahib is worshiped and a procession is taken out. Sindhis always greet each other with "Jhulelal Bera-Hee-Paar" signifying that with the blessings of Lord Jhulelal the boat they will overcome all challenges and hardships. Name of the Festival: Cheti Chand Place or Community: Cheti Chand is Sindhi New Year and celebrated by the Sindhis all around the world. Month: Cheti Chand is observed on the first day of the month of Chaitra. Chaitra is known as Cheti in Sindhi, hence Cheti Chand. Description: Cheti Chand is Sindhi New Year which falls on the same day as that of Gudi Padwa which is the New Year day in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Cheti Chand is celebrated in honor of the birth of Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhis. It is celebrated with pomp and gaiety by the Sindhi Community. Many people take Baharana Sahib consisiting of Jyot, Misiri, Phota, Fal, Akha to the nearby river. An idol of Jhulelal Devta is also carried along. On Sindhi New Year day if you want to wish a Sindhu a Happy New Year, you can say "Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav". In response the other person can wish you "Tohan khe bhi Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav". Parsi Festivals Parsi community is a relatively small community in India compared to Hindus, Parsis or Christians. They mostly are concentrated in Gujarat and Mumbai. It is precisely because of its small number thatParsi festivals are not visible. The Zoroastrian religion is founded on the three tenets of 'Good thoughts, good words and good deeds.' The Zoroastrians are particular and careful about their religion and their festivals are also structured to reflect the chief aims of Zoroastrianism. Festivals Gahambars Jamshed Navroz (Parsi New Year) Khordad Sal Zarthost No Deeso [Jamshed-e-navroz Place and community

Jamshed-e-Navroz is a festival celebrated by Parsis all round the world. Month Jamshed-e-Navroz is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Zoroastrian year. The new year of the Parsis corresponds with vernal equinox or with the advent of spring. The time is decided in Iran which is then passed on to the world of Zoroastrians. Legend Jamshed-e-Navroz is mentioned in the Persian Book of Kings or Shah Nemeh by Firdausi. This festival was first celebrated by King Jamshed after whom the festival is named. It is celebrated to commemorate the ascent of the King on the day of Navroz. Nav means new and roz means day. The day coincided with that of vernal equinox meaning equal day and equal night. The day also marks the transition from winter to summer. Named after King Jamshed, Jamshed-e-Navroz is a pagan pastoral festivalcelebrated by the Parsis with lots of gusto. On this day it is customary for the king to be weighed in gold and silver which is later distributed among the poor. Rituals and Traditions Navroz is celebrated on a grand scale. Although Parsis are westernized, they are quite traditional when it comes in celebrating festivals. Parsis dress in new clothes and wear gold and silver kustis and caps. Jamshed-e-Navroz is a festival symbolizing the spirit of friendship, happiness and harmony. They decorate their houses with auspicious symbols like stars, butterflies, birds and fish. They welcome guests by sprinkling rose water and rice and by applying tilak. Food forms an important part of their festivities. The most traditional drink during this time is falooda prepared from milk and flavored rose water. They also have Ravo for breakfast which is prepared from suji, milk and sugar. People visit Fire Temple or Agiary for a special thanks giving prayer called, 'Jashan'. After the ceremony people greet each other by saying, 'Sal Mubarak'. Lunch is also special for the Parsis which consist of pulao. It is traditional for the people to keep a copy of the Gathas, a lit lamp, a bowl of water containing live fish, an afrigan, a shallow earthenware plate with sprouted wheat or beans for prosperity, a silver coin for wealth, flowers for colour, painted eggs for productivity, and sweets and rosewater in bowls for sweetness and happiness on a table. The spread should also contain seven foods beginning with sh ands symbolizing creation.

People exchange gifts on account of Jamshed-e-Navroz. Parsi festivals bring people from all classes together which is a sign of equality.] January Festivals Name New Year's Day Dr. Sampoornanand Jayanti Rashtriya Balika Diwas Island Tourism Festival Saphala Ekadashi National Youth Day Swami Vivekanad Jayanti Lohri Makara Sankranti / Uttarayan International Kite Festival Ganga Sagar Snan Pongal Mamallapuram Festival Magh Bihu (Assam / Bengal) Army Day Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti Kerala Village Fair Agni Utsav (Orissa) Pausha Putrada Ekadashi Mumbai Kabir Festival Modhera Dance Festival Jaipur Literature Festival Netaji Subhash Chandra Jayanti Desh Prem Diwas Pattadakkal Dance Festival Milad-Un-Nabi / Id-E-Milad Republic Day Thai Poosam Bikaner Camel Festival Kolkata Festival Paush Purnima Maha Kumbh Mela Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti Mahatma Gandhi's Martyrdom Sakat Chauth * In some parts, Makar Sankranti may be celebrated on January 13 Day / Date January 1 January 1 January January 5 - January 15

January 8 January 12 January 12 January 13 January 14* January 14 January 14 January 15 Mid January January 14 - 16 January 15 January 18 Mid January January January 22 January January January 24 - January 28 January 23 January 23 January 25 January 25 January 26 January 27 January 26 - January 27 January January 27 January 27 - February 10 January 28 January 30 January 30

February Festivals Name Surajkund Crafts Mela Khajuraho Dance Festival Brij Festival Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Shattila Ekadashi Goa Carnival Alwar Festival Mauni Amavas Losar Kumbha Sankranti

Valentine's Day Basant Panchami / Saraswati Puja Delhi Garden Festival Ratha Saptami Bhishma Ashtami Shivaji Jayanti Chandigarh Garden Festival Guru Ram Das Jayanti Pariyanampetta Pooram Jaya Ekadashi Taj Mahotsav Konark Dance & Music Festival Baneshwar Fair (Dungarpur, Raj) Jaisalmer Desert Festival Central Excise Day Grape Festival Guru Ravidas Jayanti Magha Purnima Indian Derby Weekend Uthralikavu Pooram National Science Day Day / Date February 1 - February 15 February 1 - February 7 February 2 - February 4 February 2 - February 10 February 6 February 9 - February 12 February 13 - February 15 February 10 February 11 February 12 February 14 February 14 February 15 - February 17 February 17 February 18 February 19 Last Week of February February February 19 February 21 February 18 - February 27 February 19 - February 23 February 21 - February 25 February 23 - February 25

February 24 February February 25 February 25 Last Week of February February 26 February 28 March Festivals Name International Yoga Week Chapchar Kut Paripally Gajamela Karni Mata Fair World Book Day Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Vijaya Ekadashi International Women's Day Mahashivratri Natyanjali Festival Somvati Amavas No Smoking Day Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti Phulera Dooj Meena Sankranti Dadu Dayal Jayanti Khatu Shyamji Festival Thirunakkara Arattu World Forestry Day World Military Day Amalaki Ekadashi World Meteorological Day World TB Day Arattupuzha Pooram Elephant Festival Holika Dahan Holi Holla Mohalla Good Friday Saint Tuka Ram Jayanti Rajasthan Foundation Day Easter Nav Chandi Fair Konkan Turtle Festival Day / Date March 1 - March 7

March 1 March 3 March March 7 March 7 March 8 March 8 March 10 March 10 March 11 March 13 March 13 March 13 March 14 March March March 15 - March 24 March 21 March 21 March 23 March 23 March 24 March 25 March 26 March 26 March 27 March 28 March 29 March 29 March 30 March 31 March March April Festivals Name April Fool Day Sheetla Asthami Sai Baba Pooja Divas Papmochani Ekadashi Kaila Devi Fair Chaitra Navratri Chetti Chand Attuvela Mahotsavam Gudi Padava / Ugadi Jallianwala Bagh Day

Gauri Puja / Gangaur Baisakhi Ambedkar Jayanti Tamil New Year Mewar Festival Vishu Bohag Bihu Railway Week World Haemophilia Day World Heritage Day Guru Teg Bhadur Jayanti Ram Navami Shukrodaya Ekadashi Earth Day Manav Ekta Divas Mahavir Jayanti Vallabh Acharya Jayanti Hanuman Jayanti Tulip Day * In some parts, Chetti Chand may be celebrated on April 11 # In some parts, Ram Navami may be celebrated on April 20 Day / Date April 1 April 3 April April 6 April 7 April 11 April 12* April 11 April 11 April 13 April 13 April 13 April 14 April 14 April 13- April 15 April 13 April 15 April April 17 April 18 April 18 April 19# April 22 April 22

April 24 April 24 April April 25 Annually in April May Festivals Name World Labour Day World Laughter Day Varuthini Ekadashi Moatsu Festival (Nagaland) Ravindra Nath Tagore Jayanti World Red Cross Day Parshuram Jayanti Saint Surdas Jayanti Technology Day Mothers Day International Nurse Day Vrishabha Sankranti International Family Day Ramanuja Acharya Jayanti Guru Amar Das Jayanti World Telecommunication Day Ganga Saptami Sita Navami Akshaya Tritiya Rajiv Gandhi Death Anniversary Anti Terrorism Day Mohini Ekadashi Raja Ram Mohan Roy Jayanti Summer Festival Shri Narsingh Jayanti Hazrat Ali's Birthday Saint Dadu Dayal Punya Tithi Buddha Poornima Narad Jayanti Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Death Anniversary Veer Savarkar Jayanti Ch. Charan Singh Death Anniversary No Tobacco Day Day / Date May 1 May 5 May 5 First Week of May

May 8 May 8 May12 May May 11 May 12 May 12 May 14 May 15 May 16 May May 17 May 17 May 19 May 13 May 21 May 21 May 21 May 22 May 23 - May 25 May 23 May 24 May 25 May 25 May 26 May 27 May 28 May 29 May 31 June Festivals Name Saint Gyaneshwar Jayanti Sindhu Darshan Festival Urs Ajmer Apara Ekadashi World Environment Day Vat Savitri Puja Shani Jayanti Maharana Pratap Jayanti Haldighatti Festival Blood Donation Day Mithuna Sankranti Guru Arjan Devs Punya Tithi Guru Amar Das Jayanti Goa Memorable Day

Maheshwari Jayanti Ganga Dussehra Nirjala Ekadashi Fathers Day Hemis Festival Saint Kabir Jayanti Champakulam Boat Race Sao Joao Feast of St John the Baptist Day / Date June 1 June 1 - June 3 June June 4 June 5 June 8 June 8 June 11 June 11 June 14 June 15 June 16 June June 18 June 18 June 18 June 20 June 16 June 18 - June 19 June 23 June 23 June July Festivals Name Doctors Day Yogini Ekadashi Guru Hargobind Singh Jayanti Sai Teun Ram Jayanti Bhadlya Navami Somvati Amavas Ramzan (Roza) Jagannath Rath Yatra World Population Day Dakshinayana Sankranti Bhadli Navami Devshayani Ekadashi

Guru Purnima Chaturmas Vrat Begins Shab-E-Barat Guru Harkishan Jayanti Parents Day Vrat Somvar Begins Diggi Pad Yatra Van Mahotsava Day (Forest Day) Jwalamukhi Fair Mango Festival Sharif Bhagwati Fair (Kashmir) Day / Date July 1 July 3 July 5 July 14 July July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11 July 16 July 17 July 19 July 22 July19 July July 23 July 28 July 29 July July July July July August Festivals Name Naina Mata Festival (Nainital) Kamika Ekadashi Jamat-Ul-Vida Friendship Day Hairyali Amawasya Id-ul-Fitr Quit India Day

Teej Fair Hariyali Teej Bahula Chauth Nehru Trophy Boat Race Naag Panchami Independence Day Simha Sankranti Shravana Putrada Ekadashi Parsi New Year (Jamshed Roz) Raksha Bandhan Narali Purnima World Youth Day Rajiv Gandhi Birthday Luv-Kush Jayanti Sitabari Fair Kajari Teej Krishna Janamashtami Goga Navami National Sports Day Shyamaharan Jayanti Metemneo Festival Amar Nath Yatra Gogamedi Fair * In some parts, Raksha Bandhan may be celebrated on August 20 Day / Date August August 2 August 2 August 4 August 6 August 8 August 9 August 9 - August 10 August 10 August 24 August 10 August 11 August 15 August 16 August 17 August 18 August 21* August 21 August August 20

August 21 August 22 - August 23 August 23 August 28 August 29 August 29 August August August August - September Annually September Festivals Name Amongmong Festival Aja Ekadashi Teachers Day Sati Puja Hartalika Teej International Literacy Day Ganesh Chaturthi Tarnetar Mela (Gujarat) Gad Ganesh Fair (Jaipur) Baba Ramdev Jayanti Rishi Panchami Radha Asthmi Hindi Divas Tal Navami (Orissa & Bengal) Tejaji Fair Charbhuja Nath Fair (Rajsamand) Engineers Day Onam (Kerala) World Ozone Day Kanya Sankranti Jal Jhulni Ekadashi Annant Chaturdashi BhadraPad Purnima Pitr Paksh Vishwakarma Jayanti Indira Ekadashi Shri Agrasen Jayanti Aranmula Vallamkali Bera Utsav Bhadrapada Ambaji Mela Manarcad Perunnal Mim Kut

Navakhana Novidade Paryushan Payippad Boat Race Phulaich fair Sair Fair Day / Date First Week of September September 1 September 5 September 5 September 8 September 8 September 9 September 8 - September 11 September September 7 September 10 September 13 September 14 September September 14 September15 September 15 September 16 September 16 September 16 September 16 September 18 September 19 September 20 September 17 September 30 September September September September September September September September September September September September

October Festivals Name Mahatama Gandhi Jayanti Lal Bhadur Shashtri Jayanti SarvaPitru Amavasya Nav Ratra Sthapana Air Force Day Jai Prakash Naraian Death Anniversary Munshi Prem Chand Death Anniversary Saraswati Avahan Durga Ashtami Mahanavami Dusshera Dussherra Fair Kota Papankusha Ekadashi Id-Ul-Zuha (Bakr-Id) Tula Sankranti Sharad Poornima Valmiki Jayanti Guru Ram Das Jayanti Kati Bihu Guru Har Rai Punya Divas Karwa Chauth UNO Day Ahoi Ashtami Mahaveer Nirwan Divas Indira Gandhi Death Anniversary Rama Ekadashi Brahmotsavam Rayalaseema Festival Kallaji Fair Manektari Punam Fair Ayudha Mela Tsokum Festival Koratty Muthy Rajgir Dance Festival Autumn Festival Autumn Flower Show Barabanki Mela Cape Festival Pinjore Heritage Festival Pomblang Lewduh Yamdittya Sri Vithappa Fair Thimithi Festival Phool waalo ki Sair

* In some parts, Maha Navami may be celebrated on October 12 # In some parts, Dussehra may be celebrated on October 13 Day / Date October 2 October 2 October 4 October 5 October 8 October 8 October 8 October 10 October 12 October 13* October 14# October 13 October 15 October 16 October 17 October 18 October 18 October Middle of October Every Year October 20 October 22 October 24 October 27 October October 30 October 30 October October October October October October October October October October October October October October October October October

October November Festivals Name Kalidas Jayanti Dhanteras / Dhanvantari Jayanti Deepawali Goverdhan Puja Bhai Dooj Chhath Puja Kansa Vadh Devutthana Ekadashi Childrens Day World Diabetes Day Shri Bala Jayanti Jagaddhatri Puja Muharram Tulsi Vivah Vrischika Sankranti Guru Nanak Jayanti Kartik Purnima Indira Gandhi Jayanti Guru Teg Bahadur Punya Divas Kalabhairav Jayanti Utpanna Ekadashi Jhiri Mela Kalidas Festival Kalpathi Ratholsavam Kolayat Fair Kolhaiya Mela Kundri Mela Kurukshetra Festival Lavi Fair Lucknow Festival Majuli Festival Mati Puja Mondei Festival Ngada Festival Nimar Utsav Ningol Chakouba Nongkrem Dance Festival Parab Tribal Festival Parumala Perunnal Puri Beach Festival Rajyotsava Day

Renuka Fair Seng Kut Snem Shamlaji Fair Sonepur Mela Thalfavang Kut Tokhu Emong Vaikathashtami Festival Vautha Fair Ka Pomblang Nongkrem * In some parts, Tulsi Vivah may be celebrated on November 14 Day / Date November November 1 November 3 November 4 November 5 November 8 November 12 November 13 November 14 November 14 November November November 14 November 13* November 16 November 17 November 17 November 19 November 24 November 25 November 29 November November November November November November November November November November November November November

November November November November November November November November November November November November November November November November December Festivals Name World AIDS Day Hornbill Festival Somvati Amavas Narsi Mehta Jayanti International Disability Day Vivah Panchami Mokshada Ekadashi Geeta Jayanti / Geeta Jayanti Samaroh Bundi Utsav Lokranjan (M.P) Dr. Ram Gopalacharya Jayanti Human Rights Day Rann Utsav Gujarat Dhanu Sankranti Margashirsha Purnima Ch. Charan Singh Jayanti (Kissan Divas) Kalbadevi Yatra Ram Janki Vivah Christmas Day Winter Festival (Mt. Abu) Saphala Ekadashi New Year Eve Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsava (Pune) Karthigai Deepam Lumbini Festival Tansen Samaroh Tarpa Festival

Chrysanthemums Show Chumpha Festival Winter Festival Day / Date December 1 December 1st Week December 2 December 9 December 3 December 7 December 13 December 13 December December December December 10 December Annually December 16 December 17 December 23 December December 7 December 25 December December 29 December 31 Second Weekend of December every year December December December December December December December