29 Amazing States, 29 Iconic Festivals!

Sohit Miglani Events and Festivals November 28, 2014 0 Comments

India, land of harmony, of peace, of joy, of sentiments and of great
fun is always up and about to gear up for a festival one day or the
other. The creation that beholds the Indian states is this never
ending festival saga. It has acted as a binder to each state and
every culture. The unity and integrity within the nation is somewhat
highly influenced by the presence of such festivals. Were not even
over with one of them and other slips out in front of us. But in
between that, there are many which hold special bonds to a
particular state. Lets peek into those which carry forward a
sentimental bond to those associated with the particular culture.

Andhra Pradesh

Ugadi is the most exclusive festival known to this state. Being the
harbinger of a new year, people harmonize Panchanga recitals
which is known by the process of Panchanga Shravanam. The
festival imbibes a special vibe of unity for all the residents of the
state.

Arunachal Pradesh

Losar Festival is one of the most exquisite festivals celebrated

in this hearty state. Celebrated annually, the festival brings a perfect
fusion of dance, music, serenity and celebrations.

Assam

Bihu, also a dance form is a festival that is most common in the

midst of this out modern state. The festival involves dance, music
and mind boggling scenarios. It brings about the dawn of a new and
exciting year.

Bihar

Chhath, most commonly celebrated across the Northern India is a

big celebration which is brought about twice a year wherein it is
celebrated as an arduous observance requiring the worshippers to
fast without water for more than 24 hours.

Chattisgarh

Photo by Manwar Hossain

Maghi Purnima is the flagship festival of this state which
encompasses the birth anniversary of Guru Ghasidas. The dancers
dance around a jaitkhamb set up for the occasion, with songs
eulogizing their spiritual head.

Goa

Photo by Anish Khandeparkar

Shigmo Mel, a counterpart of the festival of colours Holi, is a
celebration that incorporates spring celebrations bringing about
unity in diversity within this small and extra modern state.
Do check out these exciting things to do in Goa

Gujarat

The state is known to

most magnificent ones
exasperatingdandiya
which the festival of

have a heart full of festivals but on of the

is Navaratra which involves nine days of
dance all throughout the night following
Dusshera comes into the calendar.

Haryana
This state has a very unique festival by the name of Gugga
Naumiwhich is a religious festival, in connection with snakeworship. It is observed in the months of August-September.

Himachal Pradesh
Its one of a kind festival is the Gochi Festival which originated
from the Bhaga Valley. In this festival the villagers celebrate the
birth of male children. Token marriages of children below the age of
six are also performed. Some children also throw snow balls at
each other.

Jammu and Kashmir

One of the most authentic biannual festivals of Jammu and Kashmir
is theBahu Mela which is a major festival, held at the Kali
Temple in Bahu Fort, twice a year in the month of March-April
and September-October.

Jharkhand
The most exciting festival in this state is the Karam
Festival which holds a very important place in peoples social and
religious lives. It is usually celebrated 15 days after the KunwaarShukl-Paksh. People buy new clothes, lighten up their homes and
prepare exclusive dishes for one another.

Karnataka

The marked festival of this state is the Mysore Dasara which

attracts people from all around the state to the temples of Mysore. It
involves a heart full of activities ranging from dance, music and
serene architecture on display.

Kerala

Photo by Joseph TI
The iconic festival of Onam is the flagship festival of
Kerala. It is the harvest festival in the south and marks the
homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who Malayalees
consider as their King. It is one of the festivals celebrated with most
number of cultural elements. Some of them are Vallam Kali,
Pulikkali, Pookkalam, Onatthappan, Thumbi Thullal, Onavillu,
Kazhchakkula, Onapottan, Atthachamayam etc.
Looking for amazing local experiences in Kerala?
Check them out here.

Madhya Pradesh
Lokrang festival is one of the most iconic dance festivals of MP
which signifies the existing legacy of its dance. It is a cultural
exposition organised by Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Lok Kala
Academy and encompasses many dance celebrations.

Maharashtra

Well, its known to all. Ganesh Chaturthi, the most marvellous

festival ever seen is this one wherein people bring in idols of Lord
Ganesha to their homes and they are kept for 7 days as a symbolic
harbinger of peace, success and harmony.
Street food, Dharavi and Dhobi Ghat, Local Markets!
Is that what you want to explore in Mumbai?

Manipur
Yaoshang, one of the most exclusive festivals of this hearty state
comes to live in November wherein people celebrate a saga of
activities for 5 days encompassing money collection, girls going to
their relatives house to cook and finally ending the festival with
splashes of colour and water.

Meghalaya
The flagship festival of this state is a dance festival called
Khasis. Dances are magnificently presented in the village
of Shnong, aRaid (group of villages), and a Hima (conglomeration
of Raids).

Mizoram

This state goes about many mind boggling festivals in one go but
one of the most serene ones is Chapchar Kut which is
particularly a heritage celebration festival. People prepare many
exotic dishes and consequently take part in a community dance to
celebrate their rich culture.

Nagaland

The whopping number of tribes in this area have many different

individual
festivals
but
the
most
famous
one
is Sekrenyi celebrated by the Angami Tribe. It is also associated
with celebrating the rich culture of the tribes that has lasted for
many a moon.

Odisha
Dola Yatra is the notable festival of this state which triggers the
construction of the oriya calendar and its consequent presentation
to their deity Jagannath who also carries another name of
DolaGovinda.

Punjab

The most commonly known festival of this state is the Bandi

Chhor Divaswhich is a sikh festival and celebrates the release of
Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Guru from a prison along with 52 other
princes.
Are you visiting Amritsar? Hang out with a local
Punjabi there.

Rajasthan

Photo by Jai Gakhreja

The heartiest flagship festival of this state is Gangaur which is
very beautifully celebrated across the state with utmost joy and a
heart full of magnificence. The festival encompasses worship of
Goddess Gauri and consequent celebrations of the harvest.
Looking for local Rajasthani experiences?

Sikkim
Losar, the most serene and harmonious festival of Tibetans is
celebrated across the native lands of Sikkim on the dawn of the
new Tibetan year. The festival brings about a great deal of cuisines,
dance and music which exhibits the rich culture of this area.

Tamil Nadu

Pongal, or the local Makar Sakranti of this state is a really

exquisite festival wherein people burn up their old belongings, give
offerings to cattle and consequently celebrate the dusk of the
harvest season.

Telangana

Although it has recently stood up to its feet, Telangana has also

bifurcated some special festivals for it. Bathukamma is one of
the most special festivals of Telangana which involves worship of
goddess Gauri and consequent celebrations.

Tripura
Kharchi Puja is the festival which is the pride of the residents of
Tripura. The festival involves a unique theme of worshiping the
earth for providing its extraordinary qualities. It ends up with
sacrifices of cattle to the Earth God.

Uttar Pradesh

Ram Navmi is the festival which originally evolved from the state
of UP. The festival marks the birth anniversary of God Rama and is
celebrated with worship of girls and other females of the society.

Visiting Taj Mahal? There is much more to do in

Agra.

Uttarakhand

Photo by Marji Lang

Before the coming of the most exotic Kumbh Mela, Uttarakhand
organises the Purna Kumbh Mela at the holy city of Haridwar.
Purna Kumbh Mela is a celebration saga and involves a bunch of
musical and dance affairs.

West Bengal

Known to all, Durga Puja is the most serene festival of this state
which runs parallel to the 9 days of Navratra. Goddess Durga is
praised with great soul and zeal all around the state and
consequent dance/music celebrations make their way.