10 Upcoming Festivals of India in 2024- Mark your Calendar Now!

India is a kaleidoscope of cultural diversity. Fairs and festivals are the building blocks of Indian traditions. Every month, people of India celebrates different festivals, that’s why it is also called as the ‘Land of Fairs and Festivals”. Although there are many celebrations that people over here bask in ever month, we have selected some important ones for you. 

Here we bring you Indian calendar 2024 with upcoming holidays and festivals. Let’s have a look at some upcoming celebrations in 2024.

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi

Date- 14 April 2024
Baisakhi celebration is popular in the North indian state of Punjab. It marks the beginning of new spring year. It also signifies the end of rabi harvesting in India.
People of Punjab rejoice the celebration by wearing new clothes and grooving on Bhangra tunes. They sing “Jatta Aai Baisakhi” that beautifully captures the essence of the celebration.

Don’t be mistaken, that it’s only the festival of Punjab. Different states bask in Baisakhi festival too. However, the name varies. In Assam, it is distinguished as ‘Rongali Bihu’, in Bihar, it is called ‘Vaishakha’, in Bengal, ‘Naba Barsha’, in Kerala, ‘Pooram Vishu’ and in Tamil Nadu, ‘Puthandu’.

In Sikhism, Vaisakhi is commemorated as the foundation of Sikh brotherhood (Khalsa) and the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.
Want to witness the vibrancy of Baisakhi? Rush to Gurudwara and see how people celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm.

Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima is one of the many celebrations in our list of festivals of India. It marks the birthday of Gautama Buddha. The day falls on the full moon night during Vaisakha month (April-May) as per the Hindu calendar. Pilgrims and people all over the world flock to Bodh Gaya for Buddha Purnima celebrations.

Onam

Date- 30th August to 8th September 2024

Onam is mostly celebrated in South Indian state of Kerala. It’s among the most important festivals of India. People wear new clothes, decorate their houses with Rangoli and Pookalam and cook Onasadya- a course of 11-13 dishes. Grand processions and boat race are the major highlights during Onam festival.
Well, Onam commemorates the homecoming of King Mahabali. The celebration takes place in the month of Chingam as per Malayalam calendar (Aug-Sep).

Rakhi, Rakashabandhan

Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is one on the most important festivals of India. It celebrates brotherly-sisterly love.

Rakhi celebration include the tradition of tying a sacred thread onto your brother’s wrist, performing aartis, applying tilak and showering him with gifts. In return, brothers vow to protect their sisters and offer them goodies and gifts.

Key attraction includes rakhi and gifting, all of which can be done using online rakhi gifting services. People of all ages rejoice it with great pomp and show.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami

Date- 7th September 2024

Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated as Janmashtami. Indian people, specially in Hindu community, celebrate it with great fervor. This festival is remarkable for its Dahi Handi competition and colourful procession.

Witnessing the formation of human pyramid is a lifetime experience. Mumbai’s Dahi Handi festival is world-known and falls on the second day of Janmashtami.
During this festival, temples dedicated to Lord Krishna are all decked up.

Devotees visit the temples and do bhajan keerthan. Some shrines also organize Krishna Leela to mark the various phases of Krishna’s life since His birthday.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Date- 20th August 2024

Amid all festivals of India, Ganesh Chaturthi is signified with modak, laddus, grand statues and pandals of Lord Ganesha. The festival eulogizes elephant-headed God, Lord Ganesha. The state of Maharashtra is famous for its grand celebration.

During the celebration, huge and elaborate statues of Lord Ganesha is created. People install huge idols in puja pandals and small idols at home for worshipping.

The celebration marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha. However, for some devotees, it’s the homecoming festival of Ekdanta. On the last day, the idols are submerged in the ocean and river. There is a grand procession held during Ganpati Visarjan.

Visit Mumbai to witness the grandeur of this festival.

Durga Puja, Navratri and Dussehra

Date- 26th September to 5th October 2024
Navratri or Durga Puja is dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is the most important festival in Indian calendar 2023. People worship the Shakti form of Goddess Durga. The tenth day is known as Dussehra. The day is also famous for celebrating the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana too.

People of Eastern India rejoice it as Navratri Puja. Kolkata is famous for its magnificent Durgo Pujo commemoration. Delhi’s Ram Leela is famous all over.

Karwa Chauth

Date- 13th October 2024

Karva Chauth celebrates marital bliss. It’s one of the most colourful celebrations of India. The day falls on Krishna Paksha in Kartik month as per Hindu calendar. It is known for women’s strict observance that lasts from sunrise till moonrise.
Women get ready like a bride and adulate Maa Karva. Once the worshipping is done, they get glimpse of their husband through a sieve in front of the moon. That’s the time, their husbands break their fast by offering them the water and the first morsel of the day.

In North India, people commemorate this festival with great fun and enthusiasm.

Diwali, Deepavali

Date- 17th November 2024

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India. It is the festival of lights that signifies the win of good over evil. Fireworks, Rangoli, rows of earthen diya or lamp and Laxmi Ganesh puja are the sole essence of this festival. It starts on Dhateras and ends on Bhaiya Dooj.

The whole India appears glowing in the flickering light of candles and earthen diyas. It’s also the day on which family members gather and share quality time together.

Chhath Puja

Date- 30th October 2024

Our list of the festival of India concludes with Chhath Puja. It is one of the most celebrated occasions for the people of North India. This puja adulates Sun God and Chhath Mata. The festival is known for its strict two days fast. Devotees observe a strict fast and worship the Sun God.

It is observed for three days. The whole family gathers together to rejoice this auspicious occasion.

Now, get ready for above Hindu festivals for India and mark your calendar.