Planning your Indian adventure around the country’s most spectacular festivals? You’re in for an extraordinary journey. From the homes of Rajasthan to the bustling streets of Mumbai, India’s festival calendar offers unparalleled opportunities for cultural immersion. Here’s your comprehensive guide to timing your visit for maximum impact.
Hemis Festival (Ladakh)
July 6-7, 2025 & June 26-27, 2026
High in the Himalayas, India’s wealthiest monastery hosts this celebration of Guru Padmasambhava’s birthday at the dramatic Hemis Monastery.
What makes it special: Experience Tibetan Buddhist traditions with masked dances, religious ceremonies, and authentic Ladakhi hospitality. The festival offers insight into Buddhist philosophy while showcasing Ladakh’s unique culture, lifestyle, and cuisine.
Ganesh Chaturthi (Maharashtra)
August 27, 2025 & September 14, 2026
Mumbai transforms during this ten-day celebration honoring Lord Ganesh, the Hindu deity of new beginnings and wisdom. This festival offers one of India’s most authentic community experiences.
What makes it special: Witness elaborate pandals (temporary decorated stages) throughout the city, where communities collectively worship beautiful Ganesh idols. The festival culminates on the tenth day with massive, colorful processions through Mumbai’s streets, ending at the Arabian Sea for the immersion ceremony.
Navratri (Nationwide)
September 22 – October 1, 2025 & October 11 – 20, 2026
India’s most widely celebrated Hindu festival offers a diverse range of experiences across regions, making it an ideal destination for first-time visitors seeking comprehensive cultural exposure.
What makes it special: In Gujarat, streets transform into massive dance arenas where locals perform the traditional Garba dance for nine consecutive nights. This is a community celebration at its finest – everyone is welcome to join. In North India, experience the UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage traditions and performances of Ramlila, where local artists enact episodes from the epic Ramayana in makeshift theaters and temples across villages and cities.
Durga Puja (West Bengal)
September 27 – October 2, 2025 & October 16 – 21, 2026
Kolkata became the cultural capital of India during this Durga Puja, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity-recognized festival that celebrates the Goddess Durga. This is India’s most artistic and socially elaborate festival.
What makes it special: Mahalaya marks the beginning when clay statues come to life through the ritual of painting the goddess’s third eye. The festival concludes with spectacular visarjan (immersion) ceremonies along the Ganges River, featuring married women in traditional white saris performing ritual vermillion ceremonies.
Kullu Dussehra (Himachal Pradesh)
October 2-8, 2025 & October 22-28, 2026
Experience the Himalayas’ most authentic religious celebration, where over 200 local deities leave their village temples to gather in Kullu Valley for this six-day festival.
What makes it special: Watch wooden chariots carrying village gods and goddesses, hand-pulled by devotees from surrounding mountain villages to Dhalpur Maidan. Lord Raghunath Ji, Kullu’s presiding deity, leads this incredible procession from Raja Rupi Palace. Surrounded by the Pir Panjal and Great Himalayan ranges, with locals performing Nati (traditional mountain dance) in authentic regional attire.
Diwali – Festival of Lights (Nationwide)
October 20, 2025 & November 8, 2026
India’s most celebrated festival transforms the entire country into a luminous wonderland as millions of oil lamps, candles, and decorative lights illuminate homes, temples, and public spaces for five consecutive days.
What makes it special: Experience the spectacular rangoli art displays created with colored powders and flower petals at doorsteps across India. Witness elaborate fireworks displays that light up the night sky while families perform Lakshmi puja ceremonies to welcome prosperity and abundance.
Mamallapuram Dance Festival (Tamil Nadu)
December 2025 – January 2026 & December 2026 – January 2027
This 30-day festival showcases India’s classical dance traditions against the backdrop of UNESCO World Heritage Shore Temples in this coastal town near Chennai.
What makes it special: Classical dancers from across India perform on open-air stages set against the backdrop of ancient temple architecture and the soothing ocean breeze, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. This is cultural tourism at its most refined.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale (Kerala)
December 2025 – January 2026
One of Asia’s most significant contemporary art festivals transforms historic Kochi into a massive art installation using galleries, heritage buildings, and public spaces throughout the city.
What makes it special: International and Indian artists showcase work across multiple mediums, including film, installation, painting, sculpture, and performance art. The festival celebrates Kochi’s historic, cosmopolitan legacy and its connection to the ancient port of Muziris.
Mahashivratri (Tamil Nadu – Coimbatore)
February 15, 2026
Experience one of Hinduism’s most profound spiritual celebrations at the renowned Isha Foundation in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This sacred night dedicated to Lord Shiva offers an authentic journey into India’s deepest spiritual traditions.
What makes it special: The celebration begins with elaborate abhishekam (anointing of a deity) ceremonies where the Shiva linga is bathed with milk, honey, water, and sacred offerings while devotees chant powerful mantras. Throughout the night, continuous meditation sessions and spiritual discourses create an atmosphere of deep reverence. Devotees observe fasting and participate in jagaran (all-night vigil), staying awake to honor Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
Holi – Festival of Colors (Nationwide)
March 3, 2026
Join India’s most joyous celebration as the country erupts in a riot of colors, music, and unbridled happiness. This ancient spring festival breaks down social barriers as people of all ages and backgrounds come together to play with vibrant gulal (colored powder) and water.
What makes it special: Experience the traditional Holika Dahan bonfire ceremonies on the evening before the main celebration, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The next day, streets become open playgrounds where strangers become friends through the shared joy of color throwing, accompanied by traditional drums, dancing, and regional delicacies like gujiya and thandai. Participate in community gatherings, enjoy folk music performances, and savor special Holi foods that vary beautifully across India’s diverse culinary landscape.
The Jodhpur Jazz and Heritage Safari (Rajasthan)
March 3 – 4, 2026
Experience Holi like never before with this unique two-day safari through Jodhpur’s iconic blue city to the ancient temple village of Osian. This isn’t your typical color festival – it’s a sophisticated fusion of traditional Holi celebrations with luxury travel experiences.
What makes it special: Learn authentic Holika Dahan traditions from both royal families and local communities. The festival features performances by traditional and contemporary Rajasthani musicians, singers, and dancers against the backdrop of heritage havelis and a fortified desert camp.
Hola Mohalla (Punjab)
March 4-6, 2026
Witness the martial traditions of Nihang Sikhs at Anandpur Sahib in this three-day celebration of brotherhood and warrior skills.
What makes it special: Watch traditional blue-robed Nihang Sikhs demonstrate horsemanship, swordsmanship, and archery skills. Experience the mesmerizing Chakri performances and energetic Dhol drumming that defines Punjabi celebration culture. Community kitchens (langars) throughout the town offer authentic Punjabi hospitality, while Gurdwaras host continuous spiritual ceremonies and community gatherings.
Disclaimer: Festival dates in India may vary from year to year due to the use of lunar and lunisolar calendars, particularly in Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist traditions. Regional interpretations and astronomical calculations can also affect timing. We recommend confirming dates again closer to your travel dates by emailing us at sales@greavesindia.com or calling (800) 318 7801 (Toll-Free in America).
