India is a country with many religious and regional variations which have given birth to a wealth of culture and beliefs. Throughout the year different regions have different holidays - times when India comes to life with song, dance, procession and colour as locals celebrate with colourful and exotic festivals. Celebrated uniquely in cities, or widely across the country, people travel from far and wide to attend a particular festival pertaining to their religion, and a joyful atmosphere pervades.
Several festivals also take the form of fairs where locals come to buy and sell cattle, goats, camels and horses. Most festivals follow the Indian lunar calendar and dates therefore change from year to year. Aside from the major festivals listed here, there are others that are celebrated annually; unfortunately space does not permit us to mention them all.
Should you require information on other festivals, please contact us. There’s a MAhout Hotel to luxuriate in at every festival venue!
Month | Festival | Place to stay |
---|---|---|
Jan | Republic Day | All over India |
Mar | Holi | All over India |
Aug | Independence Day | All over India |
Sep | Dussehra | All over India |
October | Diwali | All over India |
Month | Festival | Place to stay |
---|---|---|
Jan | Desert Festival | Jaisalmer - The Serai |
Jan | Camel Festival | Bikaner - Narendra Bhawan |
Jan | Literature Festival | Jaipur - Samode Haveli or Samode Palace |
Jan | Kite Festival | Jaipur - Samode Haveli or Samode Palace |
Jan | Pongal | Svatma |
Jan | Thiruvaiyaru Festival | Svatma |
Jan | Shantadurga | Goa - Ahilya By The Sea |
Jan | Wine Festival | Goa - Ahilya By The Sea |
Feb | Dance Festival | Khajuraho - The Sarai at Toria |
Feb | Sacred River Festival | Maheshwar - Ahilya Fort |
Feb | Sufi Festival | Nagaur - Ranvas |
Feb | Cattle Fair | Nagaur - Ranvas |
Feb / Mar | Mardi Gras | Goa - Ahilya By The Sea |
Mar | Elephant Festival | Jaipur - Samode Haveli or Samode Palace |
Mar | Shigmo | Goa - Ahilya By The Sea |
Apr | Gangaur | Jodhpur - Mihir Garh, Rohet Garh, RAAS Jodhpur |
Jul | Hemis Festival | Ladakh - Shakti Ladakh |
Aug | Janmashtami | Jodhpur - Mihir Garh, Rohet Garh, RAAS Jodhpur |
Sep | Durga Puja | Kolkatta - The Penthouse |
Sep | Osian Cattle Fair | Jodhpur - Mihir Garh, Rohet Garh, RAAS Jodhpur |
Sep | Onam | Kerala - Neeleshwar Hermitage |
Oct | RIFF | Jodhpur - Mihir Garh, Rohet Garh, RAAS Jodhpur |
Oct | Marwar Festival | Jodhpur - Mihir Garh, Rohet Garh, RAAS Jodhpur |
Nov | Kolayat Cattle Fair | Jodhpur - Mihir Garh, Rohet Garh, RAAS Jodhpur |
Nov | Film Festival | Goa - Ahilya By The Sea |
Dec | Polo Season | Jodhpur - Mihir Garh, Rohet Garh, RAAS Jodhpur |