Indian festivals and celebration days
There are a certain number of fantastic festivals and celebration days that can greatly enhance your stay in India if you coincide your visit with them.
Diwali – 9th of October, the Festival of Lights celebrates a certain historical figure Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom capital Ayodhya following a 14 year exile.
This great festival rivals the national level of Thanksgiving in USA or Yuletide celebrations worldwide as a sense of its sweeping rejoicing. Shopping, food, gift-giving, lights, houses decorated, glitter galore, its all there and what a treat to be in the midst of it.
Holi – February or March, the Festival of colour is a huge and important festival celebrated in North, Eastern and Western India. Attendance at temples and bonfires are on the first day however on the second day it is free-for-all melee of color sprayed or powdered on anything that moves – including unprepared travelers, so please know unless one holds up in a hotel room, there will be laundry to take care of the next day. Please know alcohol and cannabis often accompanies this festival so one may make prudent judgments accordingly.
More information about Holi festival!
Durga-Puja / Navarathri/Dussehara – September-October, this festival runs for 9 days, rounded out with the holy day of Dasara. On this day the deity Durga is worshiped and candy and sweets, gifts, clothing, cash bonuses are given out to workers. Also ostensibly, businesses observe this as the beginning of their new year. May your visit yield new horizons that could only be found in a trip to India.