Monsoon Festivals in India: An Extravagant Celebration of Rain & Culture
Monsoon in India isn’t just about rain. It’s a time of rejuvenation, where nature blooms and the air is filled with ‘gili mitti ki khushboo‘. It’s a season when India comes alive with some of its most vibrant and culturally rich festivals. Not only do peacocks dance and celebrate the monsoon’s best holiday destinations in India, but so do humans with extravagant zeal and enthusiasm.
The rich diversity of the country ensures that every state and community has its own array of festivals to mark the monsoon season in India. From the heartfelt devotion of Teej to the lively festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi, these monsoon celebrations intertwine traditions, legends, and a strong sense of community. Each festival, steeped in ancient myths and beliefs, transforms the rain-drenched scenery into a stage for dance, music, feasting, and prayer. Get swept up in the enchanting world of monsoon festivals in India, where every raindrop whispers bliss.
Festivals of Monsoon in India
Are you trying to decide where to visit during the rainy season to celebrate the monsoon festival in India, steeped in deep-rooted culture and joy? Let’s explore the famous Indian monsoon festivals in July, August, and September – the most prominent months when India hosts extraordinary monsoon festivities.
1. Saputara Monsoon Festival
When: July to August
Where: Saputara, Gujarat
One of the prime festivals in Gujarat is hosted and organized annually by the Gujarat Tourism Department. The Saputara Monsoon festival is a one-month-long celebration of the rains. Saputara, a picturesque hill station in Gujarat located in the Western Ghats, is nearest to cities like Surat in Gujarat, approximately 156 km away, and Nashik in Maharashtra, about 79 km away, with the Maharashtra state line just 4 km from the town.
This festival celebrates the beauty and bounty of the Saputara in monsoon. The festival offers a variety of activities, including cultural performances, art exhibitions, and adventure sports like paragliding and boating. Visitors can also enjoy traditional dance and music performances, showcasing the rich tribal (Adivasi) culture of the region.
The Saputara Monsoon Festival promotes tourism and provides a platform for local artisans to showcase their crafts and products. The lush green landscapes, mist-covered hills, and vibrant cultural displays make it a perfect destination to experience the monsoon celebrations in India.
2. Teejh/ Teej
When: Between August to September as per the Hindu Calendar
Where: Predominantly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of North India
Teejh is among the principal festivals in India during the monsoon season. Celebrated primarily by married women, it symbolises the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva after 100 years of separation. Teej festival is renowned in various regions of India with different names like Hartalika Teej, Kajari Teej, Hariyali Teej, and more.
In Rajasthan, especially in cities like Jaipur and Bundi, it’s the best place for monsoon celebrations. Women dress up in their finest traditional attire, adorn themselves with jewellery, and apply intricate mehndi designs on their hands. They gather to sing traditional songs, dance, and swing on beautifully decorated swings tied to the branches of trees. The festival is also marked by fasting, where women pray for the well-being of their husbands and seek blessings for a happy married life.
Also, in the Pink City of Jaipur, the celebrations are a spectacle, with women participating in processions and enjoying the famous food of Rajasthan like Ghewar, Kheer, and Dal Bati Churma. The entire city paints itself in vibrant colours, and the atmosphere is brimming with joy and devotion. The combination of traditional attire, music, dance, and food makes Teej one of the most cherished festivals in August and September.
Suggested Reads: A Seasonal Guide to Jaipur: Monsoon Festivals in India: An Extravagant Celebration of Rain & Culture3. Nag Panchami
When: Either in August or September as per the Hindu Calendar
Where: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other parts of India
Nag Panchami is a revered monsoon celebration on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha (bright half, after the new moon) in the Shravan month. This ancient Indian festival is dedicated to worshipping snakes and the Snake God – the Shesh Nag, which holds sacred significance in Hindu mythology. It is widely celebrated in various parts of India, especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
During this festival, devotees visit snake temples and offer milk and flowers to snake idols. The Nag Panchami festival is based on the belief that honouring snakes will safeguard people from snake bites and bestow prosperity. The festivities feature folk dances, traditional music, and mesmerizing performances by snake charmers with live snakes, making it a truly captivating monsoon festival.
4. Raksha Bandhan
When: August
Where: Pan India
Raksha Bandhan is a beautiful festival in August that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a Rakhi (a sacred thread) on their brother’s wrists, symbolizing love and protection. In return, brothers pledge to protect and often give gifts on Rakshabandhan to their sisters as a token of affection.
The festival of Raksha Bandhan in India is celebrated during the monsoon season with great enthusiasm. Families come together to share meals and sweets and observe traditional customs and rituals, strengthening family bonds and fostering unity and love among siblings. Raksha Bandhan 2024 will be celebrated on August 19th this year.
5. Janmashtami
When: August
Where: Pan India, with grand celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan
Janam means birth and Ashtami means eight, symbolising the birth of Lord Krishna on the eighth day of the fortnight of the new moon in the Saavan month. Krishna Janmashtami is one of the important festivals of monsoon, celebrated with great zeal across India, particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The celebration involves fasting, singing devotional songs, and enacting scenes from Krishna’s life. The highlight of Janmashtami celebrations is the midnight birth of Krishna, when temples are decorated, and devotees gather to offer prayers and sweets like Makhan (white butter) and Mishri (sugar candy), which were Krishna’s favourites. Also, the little children are often dressed like Krishna and Radha ji to celebrate the festivities.
In Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai, the Dahi Handi festival is organised. During this festival, teams of young people form a human pyramid to break a pot filled with butter and curd hung at a great height. This reenacts Krishna’s playful nature and his love for makhan. The Indian festival of Janmashtami 2024 will take place on 26th August. So, get ready for some Krishna Leela!
6. Onam
When: Between August and September
Where: Kerala
Kerala is known for its rich culture and beauty. A rundown of the monsoon festivals in India cannot be completed without Onam. The 10-day-long festival in August and September commemorates the homecoming of King Mahabali, the mythical ruler of ancient Kerala who is believed to be the fifth avatar of the God Vishnu. It is also known as a renowned annual harvest festival celebrated in God’s Own Country.
This cultural festival includes Pookalam (floral decorations), Onam Sadhya (a traditional feast served on banana leaves), and various cultural performances such as elephant processions, strict age-old ceremonies held in sanctuaries, traditional music, people singing customary melodies, and course, Kerala’s famous Kathakali dance held across the state from villages to cities.
However, a significant highlight of the Onam festival is the Snake Boat Race or Vallam Kali, which takes place on the Pampa River. This thrilling event features long boats rowed by hundreds of oarsmen to the rhythmic beats of drums and the chanting of songs. The spectacle of synchronised rowing and fierce competition makes it a must-watch event. The Nehru Boat Race, held in Alappuzha, is another major tourist attraction in Kerala during Onam. Named after India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, this race draws massive crowds and showcases the spirit of teamwork and unity among the participants. People from across the world come here to witness this monsoon festival in Kerala.
7. Ganesh Chaturthi
When: Fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar
Where: Pan India, with grand celebrations in Mumbai and Pune
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav, is one of the most celebrated monsoon festivals in India, particularly in Maharashtra. Lord Ganesha is considered the primary deity and protector of the region. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 will be celebrated on 7th September. During this time, elaborate idols of Ganesha are brought into homes, offices, and large public pandals (temporary structures) where Lord Ganpati is worshipped for the following ten days.
The highlight of this festival in September is surely the Modaks and Ladoos, which are said to be Lord Ganesha’s favourites. The streets of Mumbai and Pune are decorated with bright lights and vibrant colours. On the tenth day, a grand farewell is given to the Lord before the idol is immersed in water bodies.
The immersion processions are a sight to behold, with music, dancing, and a sea of devotees bidding farewell to their beloved god with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” This 10-day-long monsoon festival is a world-famous phenomenon and a major tourist attraction in Mumbai, drawing people from across the globe to witness this grand affair.
Immerse Yourself in the Festive Spirit
Start planning your monsoon trip now! Book a stay with StayVista villas for a luxurious and personalised experience, and be a part of popular monsoon festivals in India. The monsoon season in India is a time of celebration and joy, filled with the country’s culture and traditions, inviting people of all ages to partake in the festive spirit. Whether you are captivated by the serene beauty of the Saputara Monsoon Festival or the lively streets during Ganesh Chaturthi, these festivals promise an unforgettable experience.
If you are planning to visit these cities during the monsoon season, be sure to enjoy these captivating festivals in India and explore the rich cultural tapestry of this beautiful land. Let the monsoon’s magic sweep you off your feet as you celebrate!
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