Music, sea, sun, folk dance, art and a lot of colors – summer in India brings a lot more than scorching heat. With the variety of summer festivals in India, the country turns vibrant, colorful and replete with millions of tourists.
Here is the list of summer festivals in India in 2019 – some celebrate culture and some religion. However, one thing remains common to all – lots and lots of fun and enjoyment!
Gangaur
One of the unique festivals in India celebrated in summer is Gangaur. Celebrated in various parts of the royal state of Rajasthan, Gangaur is a festive affair of 16-18 days commencing from the day after Holi. The festival has a belief of worshipping Goddess Gauri with magnificent grandeur and serious devotion.
You will be amazed to see the beautiful celebrations – puppet shows, folk dance, music, splendid processions, sky-brightening fireworks and delectable food stalls.
Place: Rajasthan
Special attractions during the festival: Folk dances such as Kalbelia Dance and puppet shows
Dates: 21st March to 8th April, 2019
Baisakhi
One special thing about India is the categorization of Indian festivals according to seasons. The country denotes the festivals such as summer festivals, spring festivals, winter festivals and monsoon festivals. Getting back to the next festival on the list, Baisakhi is among the colorful festivals celebrated prominently in Punjab and Haryana. Also spelled Vaisakhi, the occasion marks the harvesting of the first rabi crop of the season – people cook scrumptious food, farmers celebrate wearing new clothes, traditional music and dance, etc.
Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi as the birth day of ‘Khalsa Brotherhood’ remembering the 10th Guru (who created the tradition), Guru Govind Singh in 1699. Kada Prasand, Seet semolina and langar is prepared to celebrate the auspicious day.
Place: Haryana and Punjab
Special attractions during the festival: Gidda and Bhangra dance
Date: 14th April, 2019
Chithirai Festival
Chithirai festival is one of the popular summer festivals in Tamil Nadu. It is a religious festival of the south Indian state celebrated in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. On the auspicious occasion, the golden chariot is pulled with idols of God; flowers, incense sticks and sweets are presented as offerings to the deity. A splendid procession with drum beats is carried on. The festival continues for 10 days making it a grand occasion.
Place: Madurai in Tamil Nadu
Special Attractions during the festival: Re-enactment of Lord Sundareshwar and Goddess Meenakshi’s wedding.
Date: 8th April to 22nd April, 2019
Moatsu Festival
Moatsu Festival is celebrated with an intention to bring fun, joy and excitement in the tribal community post stressful acts of burning jungles, clearing fields, clearing wells, sowing seeds and repairing houses. The festival is celebrated in the beginning of May for 3 days.
Place: Nagaland
Special attractions during the festival: Sangpangtu, a huge bonfire is lit around which women serve wine and meat to kids and men.
Date: 1st May to 3rd May, 2019
Mount Abu Summer Festival
The Mount Abu Summer Festival is held by the Rajasthan Tourism Department and is popular as one of the best cultural festivals during summer in India. It is 2-day affair featuring folk music and dance performances, magic shows, puppet shows, boat race, tug of war, exquisite firework and most importantly – a traditional rally near the Nakki Lake.
Place: Mount Abu in Rajasthan
Special Attractions during the Festival: Sham-e-Qawwali, folk music and dance performances like Ghoomar and Gair.
Date: 17th May and 18th May, 2019
Ooty Flower Festival
Ooty Flower Festival is among the most famous seasonal festivals in India, especially in the areas of the Nilgiris. Summer is the time when the charm of the always beautiful hill station doubles. The festive celebrations include interesting events like fairs, adventure activities and art exhibitions.
Place: Ooty in Tamil Nadu
Special attractions during the festival: Flower Show, vegetable carvings and flower rangolis
Date: 10th May or 26th May (Not yet finalized)
Yercaud Summer Festival
Yercaud Summer Festival is an exciting event organized in Yercaud for duration of 3 days. The event includes various activities like horse riding, flower shows, folk dance performances, dog shows, rangoli and cooking competitions and some more.
Place: Yercaud in Tamil Nadu
Special attractions during the festival: the floral arrangements with almost one lakh flowers.
Date: May 2nd week
Shimla Summer Festival
Moving towards the North, Shimla celebrates a soothing summer festival to attract and allure tourists. The several handicrafts (local) exhibition, ice skating shows, family games, flower shows, food exhibitions, poster making competitions, photography contest and live theatre – everything will excite you to be a part of the grand summer festival of Shimla.
Place: Shimla in Himachal Pradesh
Special attraction during the festival: Himachali Film Festival
Date: May or June, 2019 (Not yet announced)
Sikkim Summer Festival
Of the various summer festivals in India, the Sikkim Summer Festival is a grand celebration for a month. The summer grandeur involves local food festivals, cultural shows, folk dance performances, white-river rafting. Handicrafts exhibition, showing films on the state’s tourism, flower shows, etc.
Place: Gangtok in Sikkim
Special attraction during the festival: Thrilling Yak Safari
Date: Not yet announced officially
Hemis Festival
Hemis Festival is one of the most reputed festivals celebrated in the famous Hemis Monastery located in Ladakh. It is a cultural gathering where lamas wear attractive masks and silk apparels. There are dance performances depicting the achievements of the Buddhist master Padmasambhava of the eighth century. It is 2days festival that ends through a sacrificial offering.
Place: Hemis Monastery in Ladakh
Special attractions during the festival: Mask dances of the Monastery’s lamas
Date: 11th July and 12th July, 2019
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