Diwali, the pan-Indian celebration known for lighting up our life, is now joyfully celebrated across the world. The holiday, which sends a powerful message of good triumphing over evil, is celebrated throughout the country. People celebrate the festival of lights by starting the day with an auspicious pooja and ending it with new traditional attire, sweets, and bright deeyas. The residences are adorned with electric light garlands and colorful rangolis. Through the Diwali holiday, ignite the light of brotherhood and goodness inside you.

Significance: The festival marks the return of Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, after a long exile of 14 years.

Key attractions: Homes decorated with fancy lights, candles and clay lamps, bustling shops and markets, and fireworks and crackers

When: The darkest new moon night of Kartik month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to mid-October – mid-November as per the Gregorian Calendar

Where: All over the country

Diwali 2022: 24th October (Monday)

Things To Do: Light diyas, decorate your home, share sweets and gifts with family and loved ones

Best Places to Celebrate Diwali: Varanasi, Jaipur, Delhi

The mood at the colorful Holi celebration is characterized by a Pandora's box of healthy fun and good-natured pranks. This festival is also gaining appeal on a worldwide scale. Holi is celebrated by tossing and putting colors on one other in a variety of bright hues of joy. The event is even performed by tossing and spraying water on each other using water cannons and water balloons as friendly weapons. Immerse yourself in the pinks, greens, and reds of Holi and let all your blues fade away for the day.

Significance: It signifies the victory of good (Prince Prahlad) over evil (Holika) and the arrival of spring.

Key attractions: Holika bonfire, playing with colors, and bhang thandai

When: Full moon (Purnima) of the Phalgun month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to the month of March of the Gregorian calendar

Where: Almost all over the country; most vibrant celebrations can be seen in North Indian states

Holi 2022: 18th March (Friday)

Things To Do: Holika bonfires and sing and dance around it, play with colors, eat sweets esp. Gujiya

Best Places to Celebrate Holi: Goa, Delhi, Mathura, Rajasthan

Throughout India, the birth of Jesus Christ is commemorated with enthusiastic mirth and magnificent delight. In every home, the pleasant aroma of walnut cakes may be inhaled. Christmas shows the ubiquity of these caps and reindeer headgear decorating the heads of citizens, as if attracted by a confetti of Santa caps. Many people adorn their Christmas trees with colorful stars and hanging balls. On this auspicious event, people also attend the Church to seek Christ's divine graces.

Significance: Birthday of Lord Jesus
Key attractions: Christmas tree decoration, prayers, birth of Lord Jesus and Santa Claus
When: 25th December
Where: The festival is celebrated across India. The best places to celebrate Christmas in India are Goa, Pondicherry and Kerala.
Christmas 2022: 25th December (Sunday)
Things To Do: Visit church and attend prayers, attend carnivals and celebrations
Best Places to Celebrate Christmas: Shillong, Mumbai, Pondicherry, Goa, Kerala

The culmination of the nine days of Navrati culminates in the tenth day of Dussehra. The main feature of this celebration is the burning of effigies of Ravan and his two brothers, which represents Lord Rama's destruction of Ravan in the epic tale of Ramayana. The effigies are loaded with firecrackers, resulting in a cacophony of loud sounds when the entire edifice, which stands about 100 feet tall, collapses. This is followed by even louder shouts from the audience in celebration of the symbolic achievement. In certain locations, the days leading up to Dussehra are commemorated by street performances called Ramlila that depict the complete Ramayana.

Significance: It celebrates the death of the demon king Ravana at the hands of Lord Rama.
Key attractions: Hustle bustle of the decorated markets, Ram-Leela acts, and the big event of the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran
When: 10th day of the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to September or October of the Gregorian calendar
Where: Pan India
Dussehra 2022: 5th October (Wednesday)
Things To Do: Visit Dussehra celebrations, attend ravan dahan, visit prominent temples to glance celebrations

Durga Puja, a celebration honoring the fierce Goddess Durga, is a prominent holiday for Bengalis in India. The vibrant and high-energy celebration is marked by the decoration of massive pandals in the center of which a lavishly decked statue of Goddess Durga sits. The celebration is distinguished by a great deal of dancing, singing, and good times. Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata are a must-see; it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a festival at its heart.

Significance: It commemorates Lord Rama’s invocation of Goddess Durga before going to war with the demon king Ravana.
Key attractions: Plush pandals, incredibly beautiful ten armed Durga idols, and the puja
When: 10th day of Ashwina Shukla paksha according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to September or October of the Gregorian calendar
Where: Kolkata and the metros are the best places to be in India during Durga Puja celebrations
Durga Puja 2022: 1st October - 5th October
Things To Do: Visit Durga Puja pandals to catch the true vibe of this celebration

The birthday of the beloved Hindu God, Lord Krishna, is widely celebrated as Janmashtmi in North India. The primary celebrations, however, take place in Vrindavan and Mathura, Krishna's birthplace. The temples here are packed with people fasting on this auspicious day and waiting for the temple priest to expose the Krishna statue at the exact hour of his birth. Elsewhere, the holiday is observed with zeal, with activities in the local community dedicated to creative depictions of Krishna's life tales.

When: It is observed on the eighth tithi (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Bhadrapada Masa, according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar. This corresponds to the months of August or September on the Gregorian calendar.
Where: All over the country; especially in Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka
Janmashtmi 2022: 18th August - 19th August

The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, which is prominently observed in the state of Maharashtra, is an example of a culturally heated atmosphere. The event lasts ten days, the last of which is filled with the most debauchery. Huge Lord Ganesha statues are transported to the seashore for the Visarjan procession, which involves immersing the idol in the water. The trek from one's house to the seashore is filled with a plethora of singing and dancing.

Significance: It’s the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God.

Key attractions: The beautifully crafted life size idols of Ganesha, and the immersion ceremony

When: The 4th day of the first fortnight (Shukla Chaturthi) in the month of Bhadrapada of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to August or September of the Gregorian calendar

Where: Celebrated in the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh with fervor and gaiety

Ganesh Chaturthi 2022: 31th August (Wednesday)

Things To Do: Indulge in cultural activities, be a part of visarjan ceremony

Eid-Ul-Fitr is an important Muslim celebration in India. People celebrate the holiday by going to the mosque for an auspicious prayer, wearing new clothing, and making delicacies like as sewainyan to eat. As a present, children are given idi, a little symbol of money, and relatives exchange sweets and gifts. It is a holiday that promotes human fraternity.

Significance: It celebrates the conclusion of the holy month of fasting called Ramadan.
Key attractions: The beautifully decked up markets and mosques, the morning Eid namaz at the mosques, and the sweet dishes.
When: On the 1st day of the month of Shawwal of the lunar Hijri calendar, which corresponds to July of the Gregorian calendar
Where: Celebrated by Muslims all over the country
Eid Ul Fitr 2022: 2nd May - 3rd May
Things To Do: Attend a special community prayer in the morning, visit friends, and relatives and exchange sweets

The celebration of Onam, an important event in Kerala, is a colorful occasion. People celebrate by adorning their homes with beautiful floral arrangements, and women dress in stunning white and gold border sarees. Kathakali dances and theatrical productions performed by artists dressed as tigers and hunters are highlights of the event.

Significance: It celebrates the homecoming of the legendary king Mahabali.
Key attractions: The spectacular Snake Boat Race, the enigmatic Kaikottikali dance, and the Elephant procession
When: In the month of Chingam of the Malayalam calendar, which corresponds to August or September of the Gregorian calendar
Where: Celebrated by people of all communities in the state of Kerala.
Onam 2022: Begins on 30th August - 8th September
Things To Do: Attend boat races, and other ceremonies

Raksha Bandhan is a celebration that commemorates the lifelong link between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie an auspicious thread around their brother's wrist as a symbol of protection that the brother bestows to her at this festival. In exchange, the sister receives a variety of presents and treats from her brother. During this event, people dress up in fancy clothing and consume traditional delicacies.

Significance: It symbolizes the strong bonding of a brother and sister.
Key attractions: The ritual of Rakhi and the brightly decked up markets showcasing a colourful variety of rakhis and sweets
When: The full moon day of Shravana month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which corresponds to August of the Gregorian calendar
Where: Particularly in North, Central and West India
Raksha Bandhan 2022: 11th August (Thursday)
Things To Do: Celebrate the day with your siblings

Pongal, a harvest festival, is a famous celebration in south India. The event is celebrated in traditional clothing, with dances, bonfires, and celebratory music. People also adorn their homes with magnificent rangolis made of colored rice and power blossoms to represent the farmers' nurturing crop.

Significance: It’s a festival of thanksgiving to nature representing the first harvest of the year.
Key attractions: The variety of Kolam designs and cattle races
When: 15th January
Where: Celebrated by Tamils all over India, primarily in Tamil Nadu
Pongal 2022: Begins on 14th January - 17th January
Things To Do: Bonfires, dancing, cattle races, sweets, and savories

Gurupurab, which commemorates the birth anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus, is a significant holiday for the Sikh community. Gurdwaras are ablaze with the light of love and compassion. Kadha prashad, a delicious and sacred food, is served in langars, and many even let off fireworks in the middle of the night to commemorate Gurgupurab.

Significance: It is the celebration of the anniversary of the ten Sikh Gurus
Key attractions: The soulful Bhajan-Kirtan (hymns), Gurbani in the Gurdwaras, the Langar and the Karah Prasad
When: The full moon day in the month of Kartik of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which correspondsto November of the Gregorian calendar
Where: Celebrated by the Sikh community all over the world, especially in Punjab
Gurupurab 2022: 9th January
Things To Do: Visit gurudwara, indulge in sewa and langar, help needy, do charity

Shivratri, which translates to "Shiva's Night," is a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva, the destroyer. During this holiday, people go to Shiva temples to worship and sing auspicious chants. Some others even fast for the full day to express their love for the Almighty. Devotees come to Shiva temples to bask in the brilliant atmosphere of the Lord Shiva during Maha Shivratri.

Significance: Devotion to Lord Shiva
Key attractions: Fasting and worshipping Lord Shiva
When: 11th March (Thursday)
Where: North India and Nepal
Mahashiv Ratri 2022: 1st March
Things To Do: Visit temples and witness celebrations and festivity

It is a significant two-day event amid Ladakh's beautiful terrain. Hemis Festival is distinguished by a profusion of events, including traditional dance in traditional costumes, which draw tourists from all over the world. It commemorates the birth anniversary of the founder of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism.

Significance: It’s the celebration of the birth anniversary of spiritual leader Padmasambhava, founder of Tibet Tantric Buddhism.
Key attractions: The scenic Hemis monastery and the Cham dance
When: 10th day (called Tse-Chu in the local language) of the Tibetan lunar month, which corresponds to June or July of the Gregorian calendar
Where: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Hemis 2022: 04th July - 16th July
Things To Do: Attend the ceremonies and processions by the priests

Baisakhi, one of India's most prominent holidays, is celebrated by the Sikh population of Punjab and people all over the world. It commemorates the beginning of the harvest season for rabi crops. The Sikhs celebrate this occasion with zeal and zeal, performing local folk dances such as Giddha and Bhangra. The event has enormous religious significance in India since it commemorates the day in 1699 when the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, laid the foundation stone for the Panth Khalsa-the Order.

Significance: Welcoming the harvest season

Key attractions: Folk dance like Bhangra and Giddha, Punjabi feasts, decorations in houses and Gurudwaras

When: 14th April (Wednesday)

Where: The festival is celebrated across Sikh communities in India. The best place to celebrate Baisakhi in India is Punjab

Baisakhi 2022: 14th April Thursday

Things To Do: Visit gurudwaras, enjoy scumptious food served at celebrations, be a part of local celebrations