Top Festivals to Visit: India's Most Colorful Celebrations

India is not just a destination—it’s an experience of color, culture, and celebration. Every month brings a new festival, each with its own story, rituals, and flavors. From streets glowing with diyas during Diwali to the joyful color play of Holi, India’s festivals offer travelers a chance to witness living traditions at their most vibrant.

If you’re planning your next luxury journey, here are the top Indian festivals to experience, where culture, spirituality, and joy merge into unforgettable memories.

1. Holi – The Festival of Colors

When: March (date varies by lunar calendar)
Where: Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur, Delhi

Holi is India’s most joyful and visually stunning celebration. Marking the arrival of spring, locals come together to throw colored powders, dance, and enjoy festive sweets like gujiya. In Mathura and Vrindavan, where the legend of Lord Krishna began, Holi takes on a deeply spiritual yet playful tone.

Travel Tip: Elegant Journeys recommends a luxury heritage stay near Vrindavan for an authentic yet comfortable festival experience.

2. Diwali – The Festival of Lights

When: October or November
Where: Varanasi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi

Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Cities come alive with oil lamps, fireworks, and festive feasts. In Jaipur, markets glow with golden and pink lights, while Udaipur’s palaces reflect thousands of flickering diyas across Lake Pichola.

Travel Tip: Witness Diwali in Udaipur for its royal charm and lakeside illumination. Elegant Journeys curates exclusive Diwali tours with private celebrations at heritage hotels.

3. Durga Puja – Kolkata’s Grand Cultural Carnival

When: September or October
Where: Kolkata, West Bengal

Few festivals in India match the scale and artistry of Durga Puja. Over ten days, Kolkata transforms into a city-wide art gallery of elaborate pandals (temporary temples) and magnificent idols. Devotion, dance, and drama fill the air, while traditional Bengali cuisine adds rich flavors to the celebration.

Travel Tip: Experience Durga Puja through a guided cultural walk and stay at a colonial-style boutique hotel in Kolkata.

4. Pushkar Camel Fair – Rajasthan’s Desert Extravaganza

When: November
Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan

Held around the holy Pushkar Lake, this annual fair blends spirituality with rural spectacle. Thousands of camels, traders, musicians, and pilgrims converge for days of competitions, dance, and worship. It’s a photographer’s paradise and one of Rajasthan’s most iconic cultural events.

Travel Tip: Elegant Journeys offers luxury desert camps with private safaris and hot-air balloon rides for panoramic festival views.

5. Onam – Kerala’s Harvest Festival

When: August or September
Where: Across Kerala

Onam celebrates prosperity, unity, and Kerala’s legendary King Mahabali. The state comes alive with floral carpets, traditional dances, and the famous snake boat races. The highlight is the grand vegetarian feast, Onam Sadhya, served on banana leaves.

Travel Tip: Combine Onam celebrations with a luxury houseboat stay in Alleppey or a wellness retreat in Kumarakom.

6. Pongal – Tamil Nadu’s Harvest Thanksgiving

When: January
Where: Tamil Nadu, particularly Madurai and Thanjavur

Pongal honors the Sun God and nature’s abundance. Families decorate homes with colorful kolam designs and prepare sweet rice in earthen pots as a symbol of gratitude. Rural Tamil Nadu during Pongal offers travelers an authentic cultural immersion away from city crowds.

Travel Tip: Visit Chettinad for its architectural heritage and traditional Pongal celebrations.

7. Bihu – Assam’s Joyful Harvest Festival

When: April
Where: Assam, particularly Guwahati and Jorhat

Rangoli, folk dances, and traditional music fill the air as Assam welcomes the new year with Bihu. It’s a celebration of love, fertility, and agricultural success, offering a glimpse into the vibrant northeastern culture of India.

Travel Tip: Combine Bihu festivities with a visit to Kaziranga National Park or tea estates around Jorhat for a serene cultural escape.

8. Navratri & Dussehra – Dance and Devotion in Motion

When: September or October
Where: Gujarat, Mysuru, Delhi, and Northern India

Navratri celebrates the divine feminine through nine nights of music, dance, and devotion. In Gujarat, the rhythmic Garba and Dandiya Raas continue till dawn. In Mysuru, Dussehra takes a royal form with elephant processions, illuminated palaces, and cultural performances.

Travel Tip: Secure your stay early—Elegant Journeys’ curated Navratri and Dussehra tours include premium access to local festivities.

Celebrate India with Elegant Journeys

Each festival in India is a doorway into its soul—filled with warmth, color, and community. From sacred rituals to royal processions, these celebrations allow travelers to connect with India’s living heritage in the most enchanting way.

With Elegant Journeys, you can experience India’s festivals in comfort and style through tailor-made itineraries that include private guides, curated stays, and cultural experiences.

✨ Celebrate. Connect. Discover India’s vibrant traditions with Elegant Journeys. ✨

Why Travel with Elegant Journeys?

• Custom-designed festival itineraries across India
• Luxury stays at heritage hotels and palaces
• Expert cultural guides and immersive local experiences
• Private transfers and exclusive event access
• Personalized concierge service for seamless travel