The best way to sample India's colourful music, dance and culture is one of the country's incredible festivals. Plan your holiday around our pick of the best.

JANUARY

National Day, India
On the 26 January, celebrate National Day across India, marking the date when India was voted a democratic republic in 1950. There will be celebrations across the country, including New Delhi’s huge parades, bands, exhibitions and speeches..

 

FEBRUARY

Goa Carnival, Goa
The Carnival of Goa is the time to indulge in feasting and having fun before the start of Lent. It is one of the eagerly awaited events of the year. There’s a fantastic atmosphere, with parades, music, dancing and street entertainers.

Eastwind Festival, New Delhi
Attend the largest music festival in India. Listen to jazz, rock and worldwide sounds and wander around art exhibitions or watch a theatre performance.
Workshops are available for aspiring musicians.

 

FEBRUARY/MARCH

Holi, India
Holi – the ‘festival of colours’ – is celebrated in India to welcome the season of spring and the end of winter. The event starts with bonfires being lit the evening before. The next day, a rainbow effect fills the streets with people throwing colourful water and ‘gulal’ powder at each other. The happy spirit of this event is topped off with dancing and folk songs.

MARCH

Mewar Festival, Udaipur
This Hindu event welcomes the arrival of spring. You’ll see devotees singing, dancing and Rajasthani women parading through Udaipur in their best clothes, carrying images of the goddess Gauri.

JUNE

Ganga Dussehra, Varanasi
Hindus travel to the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi each year for the Ganga Dussehra, a 10-day religious festival. The holy river is worshipped and used to wash away sins, with devotees visiting bathing ghats lining the river bank..

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

Durga Puja, India
One of India’s most spectacular festivals, Durga Puja is performed by the Bengalese all over India as they worship goddess Durga in a carnival atmosphere. Glittering pandals – temporary structures housing religious idols – pop up, all competing to be the most colourful or elaborate, and are finally cast into the rivers to music and celebration.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

Diwali, India
The Festival of Lights – Diwali – is associated with the worship of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. Earthen lamps or candles are lit all over India and many people decorate the pavements with colourful patterns.

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Article added 13 November 2009