MAhout Advice - Festivals

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

Rajasthan Festivals

Rajasthan Tourism

Festivals of India