5 Festivals of India That You Shouldn’t Miss

There’s something about Indian festivals that make for both beautiful photographs and experiences alike. So hopping down to India during the festive season is a great idea for travel and photography enthusiasts. You could create postcards or even your own personalized collages with any online photo collage maker for a more charming effect. What could be a better souvenir than a collection of festive memories to take back with you?

With that in mind, we’ve shortlisted five picture-perfect festivals you can check out if you’re planning a visit India.

** 1. DIWALI: Lighting up the streets and the skies ** 

Diwali usually takes place sometime at the end of October or the beginning of November. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and in turn, light over darkness. Streets and homes are lit up with festive lamps, lanterns, and decorative lights, while thresholds will play host to intricate designs and patterns made from powdered color and chalk. In the southern states, you can spot “Narkasurs” or devilish figurines destined to meet their fiery fate on the day of celebration!

You can check out Mumbai, Varanasi, Jaisalmer for an authentic Diwali experience. However, watch out for traffic and keep a safe distance from fireworks and crackers to avoid injury.

** 2. HOLI : Bringing a splash of color ** 

The festival of colors is celebrated in honor of the God Vishnu and usually takes place in March. The celebrations involve crowds gathering to throw bright shades of colored powder or sometimes even liquids at each other. While most places in India observe Holi with vigor and enthusiasm, the north Indian celebrations in Vrindavan are particularly spectacular.

For avid photographers who will be hunting photos during the festival, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance and ensure sufficient protection for your cameras to avoid any damage caused by color.

** 3. DURGA PUJA: Where religion meets art ** 

Durga Puja is all about celebrating the feminine power of the goddess, Durga. The celebrations take place somewhere around the months of September and October.

This is an especially popular festival in Bengal, where carefully set up stages (pandals) displaying her idols will be dotted across cities. These feature intricate artwork and live music as well. In Gujarat, on the other hand, celebrations take a different shape featuring more traditional forms of dance by the locals.

** 4. SHIGMOTSAV: Festive marches and mythology ** 

Unlike the above festivals, Shigmotsav is a festival exclusively celebrated in the beautiful little state of Goa. Closely following another popular celebration, “the Goan carnival”, this festival occurs in March. It features people paying tribute to various deities and personas from Hindu mythology as they dance to folk music, alongside displays of artistic floats on the streets of Goa.

Head over to the lanes of Panaji or Ponda as early as you can to get yourself a good spot for capturing these colorful displays of tradition.

** 5. GANESHA CHATURTHI – Celebrations with the God of good luck ** 

Ganesha Chaturthi is guaranteed to intrigue anyone who hasn’t witnessed this style of celebration before. Each community has varying days of worship dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha. During this time the idol will be decorated with a charming array of fruit, leaves and regular Pujas will be performed. After this period, however, processions are held where people carry out their idols to be immersed in the local bodies of water.

Some of the best places to witness these celebrations include Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai.

Some of these festivals might get a bit out of hand, but as long as you gauge the crowd you’re with and are relatively alert, there should be nothing stopping you from having a good time!

Have a look through Photojaanic.com to see how you can compile memories from your travels into photo books and other prints!

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