India is a land of diverse communities and religion. Festivals in India are celebrated with unmatched zeal among the people and tourists from all round the world desire to visit the country during the festive season. Among the several festivals celebrated on Indian soil, some of the most popular are celebrated in the month of September.
As the month is approaching soon, we have jotted down some of the biggest festivals in September 2018 in India. Plan a trip to experience the one appealing you the most.
Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in commemoration of Lord Krishna’s birthday, also named as Govinda. The festival is celebrated with great zeal in the devotees which is reflected in the ‘dahi handi’ event on the second day. People form a human pyramid by climbing on each other to break clay pots of dahi (curd) strung up from buildings.
Date: 2nd and 3rd September
Where: All over India but the best experience is at Mathura (Lord Krishna’s birth place) and Mumbai.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is a magnificent 11 day celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birth. Huge and beautiful statues of Lord Ganesha are installed on podiums in homes, offices and societies on the first day of the festival. The podiums are exquisitely decorated and crafted. On the 11th day of the festival, the statues are submerged in the ocean bidding farewell to the Lord. The walk to the ocean is paraded all the way with people dancing and singing throughout. “Ganapati Bapa Maurya” is all you will hear these 11 days, especially while submersion. Want to experience the grand festival? You still have time. Book your last minute flights to India and enjoy the festive occasion.
Date: 13th to 23rd September, 2018
Where: Mostly in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. If you want to experience the pomp and festivity at its best, go to Mumbai.
Nua Khai
Nuakhai is a reap celebration festival of Western Odisha. The agricultural festival is also named Nuakhai Bhetghat or Nuakhai Parab. The meaning of the word means ‘new food’ (Nua – new & khai – food) and has great significance for farmers and the whole agricultural community. The celebration takes place at a specific time of the day called ‘lagan’. People of Western Odisha prepare the famous Arsaa Pithaa to celebrate the festival. During the lagan, people remember their village dieties first and then have the food prepared from the ‘nua’ (new food grain).
It is celebrated all across Odisha but the best celebration is seen in the western end of the state –Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Nuapada and boudh district.
When: 14th September, 2018
Where: Regions of Western Odisha like Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Bolangir and others.
Muharram Festival
Muharram is a Muslim festival, remembering Hazrat Imam Hussain’s martyrdom – grandson of the Holy Prophet. The first month of Islamic Calender marks the commemorating festival. On the last day called Ashura (10th day), the Sunni muslims step out on procession holding taziyas (replica of Imam Hussain’s shrine) in the evening. S
Date: 21st September, 2018 (Ashura)
Where: Throughout India but especially in Udaipur, Rajasthan
Ramnagar Ramleela
In Ramnagar, a village near Varanasi, the oldest Ramleela of the world is runs every year. Ramleela is the story of Hindu epic Ramayana, which is running on the banks of Ganges for 200 years now. The festive occasion starts with Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Rama till the assassination of the demon King, Ravana by Lord Rama. The Ramleela continues for a month, starting from Anant Chaturdashi and ends on Poornima (full moon night).
Date: 23rd September to 24th October, 2018
Where: On the banks of Ganges (opposite Varanasi) in Ramnagar
Ziro Music Festival
Celebrated in the beautiful and picturesque Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, it is a popular outdoor music fest featuring almost 30 indie bands from all round the world. It is a great pleasure watching the top folk acts performed by artists from northeast India. Camping facilities are offered to the tourists.
Date: 27th to 30th September, 2018
Where: Zero Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Pune International Literary Festival
It will be the sixth year of the Pune International Literary Festival in September 2018 that offers a great opportunity to have interactions with the most popular Indian and foreign authors. Around 100 celebrated authors and creative personalities speak at the festival, held on an international level. The literary fest includes book launches, workshops and panel discussions. Have a business meeting in India during the literary festival? Book your business class flights and escape for the literary fest after the meeting.
Date: 28th to 30th September, 2018
Where: Pune, Maharashtra
Ladakh Festival
The cultural parody and showcase was started with an intention to have a prolonged tourist season. The Ladakh Festival offers a lot to the tourists and locals like music-concerts, archery, polo match, river rafting, mask dances from monasteries and folk dance. You can grab good discounts on accommodation and hotel during the festive season.
Date: Not yet announced (September)
Where: Leh
It’s a lot of festivity, fun, excitement and spirituality that make these festivals so grand and popular. Plan a trip to Mumbai, Rajasthan or the landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh to experience one of the best festivals in September 2018 in India.
