India is a land of myriad festivals, in rhythm with the cycle of the seasons, with sowings and harvesting. and around them have grown legends, most depicting the victory of good over evil. These fairs and festivals lend color and gaiety to life. The liveliness of the people is reflected in the colorful vibrancy of the fairs and festivals. Processions, prayers, new attires, dance, music etc. are elements related to any such celebration.

The harvest festivals of the south, the immersion of Ganesh in Bombay, the Car Festival of Puri, Snake Boat races in Kerala, Republic Day in Delhi... every region, every religion has something to celebrate. Below is Month-Wise List of some Important Festivals :

Makar Sankranti
It's a time of great festivities throughout the nation with people taking a dip in the holy rivers and seas. In Gujarat particularly, it is the time to witness and extravaganza of Kite flying in what has become an International Kite Festival.

Republic Day
Held on 26th January every year, this is a National holiday that commemorates the establishment of the Indian Republic in 1950. It's a grand military parade and procession of colourful floats, dancers and so on.

Vasant Panchami
This is celebrated on a National level mainly in the Eastern region, it is a Hindu festival dedicated to Saraswati the Goddess of Learning. It is marked by people wearing yellow coloured clothes.

Shivaratri
It is celebrated on a National level. It marks the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. It's a day of fasting for devout Hindus. Special celebrations are held in Shiva temples throughout the country.

Holi
This is celebrated mainly in North India, this is a very popular festival of colours. It marks the advent of Spring. Lively and much throwing of coloured water and powders marks this 2-day festival. This festival is also associated with legends of Lord Krishna .

Good Friday / Easter
This is celebrated at a National level.

Baisakhi
It is celebrated mostly in North India, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, this marks the Hindu Solar New Year

Pooram
It is celebrated in Trichur, in the State of Kerala, it marks the New Moon. The main feature of the festival is the spectacular sight of large number of elephants carrying ceremonial umbrellas going round the temple and the midnight fireworks display.

Id-ul-Fitr
This is a Muslim festival that marks the end of the month of Ramzan, a month long period of fasting.

Rath Yatra
It is celebrated mainly at Puri in the State of Orissa, is one of the greatest temple festivals in the honour of Lord Jagannath. Three colossal chariots are drawn from the Jagannath temple by thousands of pilgrims. Similar festivals, take place at Ramnagar (near Varanasi), Serampore (near Calcutta) and Jagannathpur (near Ranchi).

Ganga Dussehra
During this festival ten days of the month are devoted to the worship of Holy River Ganga. Places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garh-Mukteswar, Prayag, Varanasi etc where Ganga flows hold special significance on this day. Devotees flock to these places, to touch the river water, bathe in it and take the river clay home to venerate. In Haridwar, 'aratis' are performed at twilight.

Guru - Purnima
It is celebrated as a mark of respect to the “Guru” i.e. a teacher or a preacher. The day is observed by devotees who offer pujas (worship) to their beloved Gurus. The auspicious day of Vyaasa Poornima has a great significance as everybody knows that the role of a Guru in real life is very much important.

Teej
It celebrated in North India particularly in Rajasthan, marks the onset of the monsoon. In Jaipur, processions of elephants, camels, dancers etc are taken out. It is a colourful festival especially for women.

Raksha Bandhan
This is celebrated mostly in North and West India. It's a legendary reenactment of sisters tying colourful 'rakhis' (bracelets or talisman) on their brother's wrists.

Janmashtami
This is celebrated nation wide marks the birth of Lord Krishna. It is a day of fasting, temple celebrations, plays and folk theatres and colourful floats depicting the life and times of Lord Krishna.

Gandhi Jayanti
This is a National holiday that marks the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.

Durga Pooja
Durga, the warrior Goddess is worshipped in colourful Puja pandals and the images are taken out in grand procession to the sea or rivers where they are immersed amidst chanting and singing

Diwali
It is a nation wide festival that comes after 20 days of Dussehra. It is one of the most lively and colourful festivals in India. In Eastern India, the goddess Kali is particularly worshipped; elsewhere, it is Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, who is venerated. Everywhere there are magnificent illuminations and fireworks.

Muharram
This is a Muslim festival that commemorates Imam Hussain's martyrdom. Tiger dancers lead processions of colourful replicas of the martyr's tomb. It is a nation wide celebration particularly colourful in Lucknow.

Pushkar Mela
It is an annual Cattle Fair held at Pushkar in the State of Rajasthan. It's a colourful fair attended by people from miles around. Camel races, acrobatics and folkdance and music are some of its highlights.

Christmas
It is a nation wide celebrated festival. It is most exuberantly celebrated in Goa, Bombay and South India.