✓ Mopin- Adi Festival

Mopin is another popular festival of the Adis, mainly of the Gallong

community of the Arunachal Pradesh. This is normally celebrated in order
to get rid of natural calamities diseases, effects of evil spirits and for good
harvest, health, wealth and prosperity. In this festival Mopin, the Goddess
of welfare, peace, wealth, prosperity and wisdom is propitiated in grand
celebration. The festival lasts for five days from the eighth of April before,
sowing of paddy. The popir dance is the most popular dance during the
festival.

✓ Myokoh -Apatani Festival

It is the most highly solemnized community festival of the Apatani society.
It is purely a religious ceremony which is observed for the general well
being of the whole Apatani society and is participated by each and every
Apatani with great enthusiasm, devotion and respect. It is celebrated
every year during the month of March and lasts for the whole month. For
full participation, the whole Apatani villages of the plateau have been
divided into three major groups-the first group consist of villages like Hija
Duta, Mudangtage, Bamin and Michi. The second group consist of Hong
village alone and the third group consists of Hari, Kalong , Tajang and
Regu. The actual solemnization ceremony is conducted alternatively
among the three major groups and then the other groups take full
participation with the villages who actually perform the ceremonies.

✓ Dree- Apatani Festival

The Apatanis observe a series of agriculture rites and festival by sacrificing
domestic fowls, animals and eggs in different times, starting from the
sowing to the harvesting periods for ensuring of bumper yield of crops in
the year such as Dree, Tamu, Metri, Chandii and Yahung etc.
Chandii Tamu rite is performed during the sowing period, Dree during
every growing periods of crops and Yahung just before the harvest. The
literary meaning of ‘Dree’ is one who borrows or purchases food grains
from others in order to meet out the shortage by addition to one’s old and
new stock of food grains.
During Dree festival, a few rites are performed to worship and appease
Gods and Goddesses, who protect the crops, and ensure well-being of
man. These divinities include Tamu God, Metii God, Sky God and Danyi
Pilo (sun and moon). They are worshipped by offering sacrifices of fowls,
dogs, pigs, chickens, eggs, mithuns and cows. The divinities associated
with Dree are collectively knows as ‘Dree or Dri Wuhi’ (Gods).

✓ Spituk Gustor is the first festival celebrated in Ladakh after Losar

(the New Year). People brave the chilly weather and attend this
 festival. The main highlight of the festival is the large thangka of Je
Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect, which is put on display
for the public.
✓ Sarhul is usually held in spring each year on the fortnight of the
month of chaitra, coinciding with the beginning of the new year in
these regions. It is usually a three-day event; however, some groups
worship it for a month-long period till the time jyeshtha (or jeth)
arrives. Legend has it that villagers in these areas from a long time
ago prayed to their gods and protectors during this time of the year.
The sal tree is the most important source of timber in Jharkhand
and its leaves are used to make bowls in which offerings are made to
deities during festivals.
✓ Chhath Puja is the famous and main festival of Bihar. Bihar is an
ancient land having deep roots in religion. Folks in Bihar, being
spiritually inclined, celebrate many festivals to worship God. Chhath
Puja is the only Vedic festival that is dedicated to the Sun God.
✓ Sonpur Cattle Fair is Asia’s largest cattle fair that is celebrated in
Sonepur and has its roots in ancient mythology and folklore. It is
believed that Chandragupta Maurya used to buy elephants and
horses across the river Ganges and since then the fair is being held
once a year in November. Except for being famous for the trade of
domestic cattle, this festival is also famous for taking a holy dip in
the river and offering prayer at Hariharnath Temple.

✓ Celebrated in November, the ten-day festival Sama-Chakeva has

a special significance in Mithila. It marks the bond between brothers
and sisters and it begins soon after the arrival of colorful migratory
birds that are regionally named Sama And Chakeva. It tells the story
of Sama who is believed to be the daughter of Lord Krishna. She was
falsely accused to which her father got furious, eventually punishing
her by turning her into a bird. It is believed that the love and
sacrifice of her brother Chakeva helped her to get back to her human
form. The festival is celebrated in a unique style by representing the
local art form of making idols. The hand-made clay idols of these
brother-sister birds are then immersed in the river by the girls
following certain rituals and traditions.

✓ Bishari Puja, Bihula is an extrusive festival that is celebrated in

the Bhagalpur district and the eastern part of Bihar. Falling on the
fifth day of Shravan Maas (August), Bihula is a festival that
proclaims the regional Manjusha Art. There is also an intriguing
 fable attached to the celebration of Bihula and why Goddess Mansa
is worshipped on this auspicious day.

✓ Madhushravani is celebrated all over Mithilanchal in August

(Sawan) by worshipping the Snake God Vishahara and the family
Goddess Gosaun. Kheer and traditional Ghorjaur along with fried
vegetables, mangoes, and jackfruit are offered as prasad. During the
festival, married women in the Mithila region fast for the long life of
their husbands, mango groves, and courtyards in Mithila are filled
with beautiful brides in Bihar.

✓ Galdan Namchot is a festival most often celebrated in Tibet and

Ladakh. It commemorates the birth & parinirvana (death) of Je
Tsongkhapa, a renowned scholar of Tibetan Buddhism who played
an important role in the formation of the Gelug school of Tibetan
Buddhism.

✓ Vaikathashtami festival is celebrated on the day of Krishna

Ashtami. The legend behind this festival is that years ago a saint
man named Vyaghrapada prayed to God siva for years after many
years God siva and his wife Parvathy Devi appeared in front of him.
It is believed that god Siva appeared in front of him in the day of
Krishna Ashtami. So as a memory of this Vaikathashtami is
celebrated. in kerala.

✓ Ugadi is a Hindu festival celebrated on the first day of the of the

lunar month of Chaitra. It is dedicated to Lord Brahma for creating
the universe. A lot more deities are worshipped on this day, as we
offer our prayers to Lord Ganesha, Mata Parvati, Lord Vishnu, Lord
Ram, and Goddess Lakshmi to get blessings for the year in Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka.

✓ Pongal in Tamil Nadu is dedicated to the sun god, Surya, and

corresponds to Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival under many
regional names celebrated throughout India. The three days of the
Pongal festival are called Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, and Mattu
Pongal.

✓ The term “Gangaur” is comprised of “Gan” and “Gaur” where the

prior refers to Shiva and the latter to Gauri. The Gangaur festival
marks the worship and propitiation of Gauri, by the womenfolk, in
various parts of Central and Western India, majorly Rajasthan.
✓ Gangaur is one of the most popular forms of Gauri Puja that is
celebrated mainly in Rajasthan and some parts of North India. It
falls on the third day of Chaitra month (March-April) after Holi.
Gangaur means "the one who is as bright as the sun (gaan) and
moon (gaur)". It symbolizes the union of Shiva and Parvati. Women
worship Gauri for their husband's long life and happiness. They also
pray for marital bliss and fertility.

✓ Mangala Gauri is another form of Gauri Puja that is celebrated

mainly in Maharashtra and some parts of South India. It falls on
every Tuesday of Shravana month (July-August). Mangala means
"auspicious" and Gauri means "fair". It signifies the beauty and
grace of Parvati. Women worship Gauri for their husband's welfare
and prosperity. They also seek her blessings for a happy married life.

✓ As per Hindu mythology, Haryali Teej is also the day when Lord
Shiva accepted Goddess Parvati as his wife. Every year to celebrate
the union of Shiva and Parvati, this day is commemorated by
devotees in Rajasthan.

✓ Bonalu is a Hindu Festival where Goddess Mahakali is

worshiped. It is an annual festival celebrated in Kamareddy District
and twin Cities Hyderabad/ Secunderabad and other parts of
Telangana state, India. Bonalu is celebrated usually during Ashada
Masam that falls in July/August.

✓ Bathukamma is a flower-festival celebrated by the women of

Telangana. Every year this festival is celebrated as per the
Sathavahana calendar for nine days starting on Pitru Amavasya,
which usually coincides with the months September–October.
Historically, Bathukamma meant "the festival of life". Bathukamma
means ‘come back to life mother’ and it is an asking for Goddess Sati
to return. Legend has it that Sati returned as Goddess Parvati and
therefore the festival is also dedicated to Goddess Parvati.

✓ The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram. It is celebrated during

March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum
operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning).
It is a spring festival celebrated with great favour and gaiety.

✓ The festival of Lohri of Punjab is marked by the worship of Agni

– the God of Fire along with the worship of Surya – the Sun God.
✓ The word 'Kharchi' comes from 'Khya' which means 'Earth'. This
Puja is done to worship the earth. The rituals are of tribal origin,
which includes worshipping the fourteen gods and Mother Earth.
The 14 gods are Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Vani or Saraswati,
Kumar or Kartikeya, Ganapa or Ganesha, Brahma, Prithivi, Abdhi
or Samudra, Ganga, Sikhi or Agni, Kamadeva and Himadri.

✓ Brahmotsavam means a festival to commemorate an offering by

Lord Bramha to Lord Vishnu in Andhra Pradesh. According to a
legend, Lord Bramha performed a Brahmotsavam prayer for Lord
Vishnu. And that's why you will find Shiva, Bramha, and Vishnu at
the Suchidram Sthaumalaya Temple, where offerings are given
daily.

✓ Pushkar fair in Rajasthan is held in the honour of god Brahma. A

ritual bath on Kartik Poornima in the Pushkar Lake is considered to
lead one to salvation. It is believed circling the three Pushkars on
Kartik Poornima is highly meritorious.

✓ The Vishu marks the first day of the astronomical year and hence
Lord Vishnu and his incarnation Lord Krishna are worshipped on
the day of Vishu, as Lord Vishnu is considered as the God of Time
observed in Kerala.

✓ Hindu devotees pray to Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord

Murugan throughout the year, asking for help in various aspects of
their lives and vow to fulfill a pilgrimage during Thaipusam in Tamil
Nadu.

✓ Gudhi Padwa signifies the arrival of spring and to the reaping of

Rabi crops and also the new year festival of Maharashtra. The
festival is linked to the mythical day on which Hindu god Brahma
created time and universe.

✓ Karam is a harvest festival celebrated in Indian states of

Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh. It is dedicated to the worship of
Karam-Devta (Karam-Lord/God), the god of power, youth and
youthfulness.

✓ Gotsi or Gochi, is one of the prominent festivals in Lahaul Spiti

region of Himachal Pradesh. It is celebrated by the members of
those houses, who have been blessed with a baby boy in the past
 year. The people gather in these houses, and drink a sort of wine
named chhang. Gochi. Gochi festival.

Kumar Purnima, one of the most important festivals of Odisha

is celebrated every year on the full moon day of Ashwin month. The
day is celebrated as per the long-followed tradition of young
women performing religious rites seeking ideal life partners and a
bright future.The festival is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, son of
Lord Shiva, considered as the most attractive among the Devas.
Young girls on this day worship to the almighty praying to get life
partner like Lord Kartikeya. Newly brides also offer their obeisance
to the God praying for the well-being of their families and good
future. The day also coincides with the Gajalaxmi Puja, the day to
adulate the Goddess of wealth.

✓ Minjar Mela is celebrated in the Chamba valley of Himachal

Pradesh, as a commemoration of the victory of the Raja of Chamba
over the ruler of Trigarta (now known as Kangra). This mela is held
on the second Sunday of the Shravana month. The fair is announced
by distribution of Minjar which is a silk tassel worn on some parts
of the dress by men and women alike. This tassel symbolises the
shoots of paddy and maize which make their appearance around this
time of the year. Lord Raghubir with a 100 other deities of Chamba
are taken in a chariot which leads the procession.
✓ Lokrang is a cultural festival in which all the dancers put their best
foot forwards and matches their steps with the folk music. During
the festival, the stage displays the various forms of folk dances,
music, and ethnic dances. Also, one can see the beautiful collections
of fans and handicrafts made by the tribal community of Madhya
Pradesh.
✓ In the month of Shravan, the full moon day is celebrated in
different parts of Maharashtra and is known as Narali
Pournima. During the monsoon the sea is unsafe for fishing,
and hence fishermen do not venture into the sea. Narali Pournima
marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the new
fishing season and fishermen appease the sea-god before sailing
out in their beautifully decorated boats. ‘Naral’ means ‘coconut’,
and ‘Pournmia’ is the full-moon day when offerings of coconuts
are made to the sea-god on this day.
✓ Lath Maar Holi is only celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and
specifically in the village of Barsana, located in the outskirts of the
 Mathura city. This event takes place some days before the actual
Holi. Lath Maar Holi is celebrated as a remembrance of the event
that took place in the mythological stories of Lord Krishna during
his adulthood.
✓ Ambubachi Mela is the most important festival of Kamakhya
temple of Guwahati in Assam and is held every year during
monsoon (mid June). It is a ritual of austerities celebrated with
'Tantric rites'.During Ambubashi the doors of the temple remain
closed for three days. It is believed that the earth becomes impure
for three days. During this time no farming work is undertaken.
✓ Chhath is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival historically native to
the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, the Indian
states of Bihar and Jharkhand. The Chhath Puja is dedicated to
the Solar deity (Surya) in order to thank him for bestowing the
bounties of life on earth and to request the granting of certain
wishes.
✓ Shigmo, or Shishirotsava is a spring festival celebrated in the
Indian state of Goa, where it is one of the major festivals of
the Hindu community. It is also celebrated by Konkani
diaspora and Indian festival of Holi is part of it.
✓ The Mopin Festival is an agricultural festival celebrated by the
Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh
✓ Surajkund Mela is a unique international craft festival for all the
artist to showcase their culture and talent from across the globe.
Every year this festival is hosted by Haryana Tourism Department.
✓ The Hornbill Festival. Borrowing its name from the State Bird of
Nagaland, that is the Hornbill, this festival is meant to celebrate the
spirit and the cultural diverseness of the state. The Hornbill Festival
is also called the 'festival of festivals', because of its grandness and
festive charm
✓ Ker puja is a festival held in Tripura,The puja is held for the
benefits of the people and the state The celebration occurs two
weeks after the Kharchi Puja to honor Ker, the guardian deity of
Vastu Devata. It includes offerings, sacrifices, and a prescribed
boundary which both safeguards people from calamities and saves
them from external aggression.
✓ Nongkrem dance festival is an annual festival of the Khasi tribe
of Meghalaya. The festival lasts for five days and is generally
celebrated in the month of November.
✓ Losoong is the Sikkimese New Year, of the Bhutia tribe, celebrated
every year in the month of December in Sikkim.
✓ JALLIKATTU FESTIVAL: An essential part of the Pongal
festival which is celebrated on Mattu Pongal day (the third day of
pongal), this popular festival works around the idea of mastering a
bull and is celebrated widely in Tamilnadu.
✓ Chithirai Festival also known as Chithirai Thiruvizha, Meenakshi
Kalyanam or Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, is an annual Tamil Hindu
celebration in the city of Madurai IN Tamil Nadu during the month
of April. It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Chithirai. It lasts
for one month, of which the first 15 days mark the celebrations of
the coronation of Lady Meenakshi and her marriage to Lord
Sundarishvara (Shiva), and the next 15 days mark the celebrations
of the Journey of Lord Alagar (Vishnu) from Kallazhagar temple in
Alagar Koyil to Madurai.
✓ The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram. It is celebrated during
March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum
operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearing of the remnants of burning).
It is a spring festival celebrated with great favour and gaiety.
✓ Saga Dawa is one of the most famous and biggest festivals of
Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is the most significant
and sacred for the followers of Mahayana Buddhism who on this
auspicious occasion commemorate Lord Buddha’s birth, his
attainment of enlightenment and salvation from this corporeal
world.
✓ Mahamastakabhisheka is one of the biggest and important
festivals for Jain community, celebrated once every twelve years at
Shravanabelagola city situated in Karnataka.
✓ Phool Dei festival of Uttarakhand is a propitious society
celebration which respects the spring season in the state. The
celebration is praised on the primary day of the Hindu month,
Chaitra.
✓ Bwisagu, or is one of the most popular seasonal festivals of the
Bodos of Assam. The Bodos call this popular festival "Bwisagu",
which means the start of the new year.
✓ Yaosang is a festival celebrated in Manipur for five days in spring,
starting on the full moon day of the month of Lamda (February /
March). Yaosang is indigenous traditions of the Meitei people.
✓ Gowri Habba is a Hindu festival celebrated a day before Ganesh
Chaturthi. This festival celebrates the goddess Gowri or Gauri, who
 is venerated as the mother of Ganesha. It is usually observed by
married women and is a significant festival in Karnataka.
✓ At the Sonepur Cattle Fair, humans and animals meet to
celebrate myriad cultures and traditions. A fortnight after Diwali, on
the day of Kartik Poornima, a village in Bihar named Sonepur,
located at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Gandak, hosts
Asia's largest cattle fair.