India, a land of diverse cultures and religions, is known for its vibrant and colourful festivals.
The Indian festival calendar for 2023 is filled with a variety of celebrations that are steeped in tradition and history. From religious festivals to harvest festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here is a look at some of the most popular festivals that will be celebrated in India in 2023.
Pongal: Pongal is a four-day harvest festival that is celebrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated in the month of January and marks the beginning of the sun’s six-month-long journey northwards. People prepare sweet rice dishes and decorate their homes with traditional rangolis (colourful floor designs).
Makar Sankranti: Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the month of January, it marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) and is celebrated as a festival of harvest and thanksgiving. It is celebrated all over India with different names and customs. In Gujarat, it is celebrated as Uttarayan, in which people fly kites to mark the occasion.
Vasant Panchami: Vasant Panchami is celebrated in the month of January or February and marks the arrival of spring. It is celebrated with great fervour in northern India and is dedicated to the goddess of learning, Saraswati. People dress in yellow and offer prayers to the goddess.
Holi: Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated in the month of March. It marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated by smearing coloured powder and water on each other. People also light bonfires and sing and dance around them.
Ram Navami: Ram Navami is celebrated in the month of April and marks the birthday of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. People read the Ramayana, the epic poem that tells the story of Lord Rama, and offer prayers in temples.
Mahavir Jayanti: Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated in the month of April and marks the birthday of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. It is celebrated with great fervour by the Jain community and is a day of fasting and prayer.
Eid-ul-Fitr: Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim community in the month of June. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is a day of feasting and prayer.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the month of August or September and marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity. It is celebrated with great fervour in Maharashtra and other parts of western India.
Navaratri: Navaratri is a nine-day festival that is celebrated in the month of September or October. It is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and is celebrated with great fervour in the western and northern states of India.
Diwali: Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in the month of October or November. It marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated by lighting diyas (small clay lamps) and bursting firecrackers. It is one of the most important festivals in India and is celebrated by people of all religions.
Dhanteras: Dhanteras is celebrated two days before Diwali and marks the beginning of the Diwali celebrations. It is considered an auspicious day to buy new things, particularly gold and silver items.
Bhai Dooj: Bhai Dooj is celebrated two days after Diwali and is a day for brothers and sisters to exchange gifts and express their love and affection for each other.
Chhath Puja: Chhath Puja is celebrated in the month of November and is dedicated to the worship of the sun god. It is particularly popular in the northern states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Guru Nanak Jayanti: Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated in the month of November and marks the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It is a major festival for the Sikh community and is celebrated with prayers and processions.
Christmas: Christmas is celebrated on December 25th by Christians all over India. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with church services, carol singing, and the exchange of gifts.
New Year’s Eve: New Year’s Eve is celebrated on December 31st and marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year. It is celebrated with parties, fireworks, and the exchange of greetings.
These are just a few examples of the many festivals that will be celebrated in India in 2023. Each festival has its own unique customs and traditions, and they all serve to bring people together in a spirit of celebration of joy.
Therefore, to view the festival calendar list or calendar, scroll down.
January 2023
- January 14 – Lohri
- January 15 – Makar Sankranti / Pongal
- January 26 – Basant Panchami
February 2023
- February 05 Guru Ravidas Jayanti
- February 18 – Mahashivaratri
March 2023
- March 08 – Holi
- March 22 – Chaitra Navratri
- March 30 – Ram Navami
April 2023
- April 04 – Mahavir Jayanti
- April 07- Good Friday
- April 09 – Easter
- April 14 – Baisakhi
- April 22- Akshaya Tritiya
- April 22- Eid-ul-Fitr
May 2023
- May 05 – Buddha Purnima
June 2023
- June 20 – Jagannath Rath Yatra
- June 29 – Bakrid
July 2023
- July 03- Guru Purnima
- July 28 – Muharram
August 2023
- August 21 – Nag Panchami
- August 29 – Onam
- August 30 – Raksha Bandhan
September 2023
- September 07- Janmashtami
- September 19 – Ganesh Chaturthi
October 2023
- October 15 – Sharad Navratri
- October 23 – Mahanavami
- October 24 – Dussehra
- October 28 – Valmiki Jayanti
November 2023
- November 01 – Karva Chauth
- November 10- Dhanteras
- November 12 – Diwali
- November 14 – Govardhan Puja
- November 14 – Bhai Dooj
- November 19 – Chhath Puja
- November 19 – Guru Nanak Jayanti
December 2023
- December 25 – Christmas