India, a land of diverse cultures and religions, celebrates a plethora of festivals and holidays throughout the year. The year 2024 is no exception, as it promises a lot of excitement and joy for the people of India. Here is a glimpse into some of the prominent events that will mark the calendar of India Festival Holidays 2024.
India Festival Holidays 2024
Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan
The first major festival of the year is Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 15, 2024. It is also known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Uttarayan in Gujarat. It is a harvest festival that marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. People celebrate this festival by flying kites, preparing sweet dishes, and offering prayers to the sun god.
Basant Panchami, Saraswati Puja
The next festival that will brighten up the month of February is Basant Panchami, which falls on February 14, 2024. It is also known as Saraswati Puja, as it is dedicated to the goddess of learning, music, and arts. People wear yellow clothes, offer flowers and sweets to the goddess, and seek her blessings for their education and career.
Holi
The most colorful and vibrant festival of the year is Holi, which falls on March 25, 2024. It is a festival of joy, love, and forgiveness, where people smear each other with colors, exchange greetings, and enjoy delicacies. Holi also commemorates the victory of good over evil, as it is associated with the legend of Prahlad and Holika.
Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti
The month of April will witness the celebration of two important festivals related to the epic Ramayana. Ram Navami, which falls on April 17, 2024, is the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Hanuman Jayanti, which falls on April 23, 2024, is the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman, the loyal devotee of Lord Rama. People observe fasts, recite the Ramayana, and worship the idols of Rama and Hanuman on these occasions.
Eid-al-Fitr, Eid-al-Adha
The Muslim community in India will celebrate two major festivals in 2024: Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha. Eid-al-Fitr, which falls on April 10, 2024, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Eid-al-Adha, which falls on June 17, 2024, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail for God. Both the festivals are celebrated by offering prayers, exchanging gifts, and feasting on delicacies.
Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami
The month of August will bring two festivals that celebrate the bond of love and protection between siblings and the divine love of Lord Krishna. Raksha Bandhan, which falls on August 19, 2024, is a festival where sisters tie a sacred thread called rakhi on their brothers’ wrists, and brothers promise to protect their sisters from all evils. Janmashtami, which falls on August 26, 2024, is the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People celebrate this festival by fasting, singing, dancing, and enacting the childhood pranks of Krishna.
Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra
The month of September will witness the celebration of two festivals that honor the elephant-headed god Ganesha and the victory of Rama over Ravana. Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on September 7, 2024, is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and success. People install clay idols of Ganesha in their homes and worship him for ten days, before immersing them in water. Dussehra, which falls on October 12, 2024, is the day when Rama killed the ten-headed demon king Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita. People celebrate this festival by burning effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad, and watching the theatrical performance of Ramayana.
Diwali
The most awaited and celebrated festival of the year is Diwali, which falls on November 1, 2024. It is a festival of lights, prosperity, and happiness, where people decorate their homes with lamps, candles, and rangoli, worship the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, and burst crackers. Diwali also marks the return of Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and the victory of light over darkness.
Christmas
The last festival of the year is Christmas, which falls on December 25, 2024. It is a festival of the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God, who came to save the world from sin and evil. People celebrate this festival by decorating a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, singing carols, and attending a midnight mass.
