India is a land of celebration. Owing to the many religions that thrive under the arms of Mother India, all year round you will find the merriment to be alive. March in general is a beautiful season in India. Spring just sets in with its many colors. The temperature is just perfect with a mild breeze reminding you of the winter while the mellow sun welcomes the summer season. This month is not just beautiful in terms of the beauty nature beholds but also has many festivals that magnify the festivity of the season.
Below are the 25 Top festivals in India in march 2020 to celebrate and experience:
1. International Yoga Festival
Date: 7th – 13th Mar, 2021
Location: Rishikesh
The land that gave the world the healing power of Yoga, celebrates world yoga week in style. Rishikesh is one of the most serene places on earth. With the Ganga river flowing on its side this city with its numerous temples gives calmness to anyone that visits. The International Yoga festival is a cherry on top if your objective is to get you mind, body and soul to synchronize. This is a week-long event at takes place at a many ashrams in Rishikesh. Experience this rejuvenating festival at the ashram that calls out to you.
Also Read : Top 10 Things To Do In Rishikesh
Rishikesh Travel Guide
- Culture of Rishikesh
- How to Reach Rishikesh
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- 3 Days – Rishikesh Rafting Package from Delhi
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2. Vairamudi Festival
Date: Not Confirmed
Location: Cheluvanarayana Temple of Melkote, Karnataka
This festival is celebrated along with the Brahmotsavam celebration of the temple. This is one of the most lively religious celebrations of Karnataka. The famous diamond crusted ancient crown of Mysore Kings is used to decorate the main deity of the temple and thus, this festival is also called the Diamond Crown Festival. The temples will be decorated and many processions will take place during this festival. The temple premises will have many shops selling simple souvenirs and toys.
Also Read : 20 Most Famous Temples in Karnataka
Suggested Tour :
- 11 Days – Karnataka and Kerala Tour
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3. Lathmar Holi
Date: 24th Mar, 2021
Location: Barsana and Nandgaon, Mathura
Another unique way in which the festival of colours or Holi is celebrated in India is Lathmar Holi. Holi is generally celebrated by throwing colours at one another. But here the tradition is that the women use bamboos on men when they charge at the women with colours. The ground becomes a fun battle field where men, women and children engage in the celebration of colours and at the same time show off their agility with the bamboo. This is an extremely fun festival to be part of but also fun if you are an audience. Another compelling reason to visit during this festival is the amazing assortment of food both sweet and savoury. You are guaranteed to go back with some terrific memories from this place and many great photographs.
Read More : Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India
Suggested Tour : 8 Days – Rajasthan, Agra with Mathura Vrindavan
4. Parippally Gajamela
Date: 4th Mar, 2021
Location: Paripally Kodimootil Sree Bhadrakaali Temple, Kollam district
Gajamela is a celebration of elephants observed a small district in the state of Kerala which lies in the southern part of India and is lined by the Arabian Sea. The word “Gajam” means elephant and “Mela” means fair. India has always been known to be a land where elephants are worshiped and used in wars. But due to modernization it is difficult to get a glimpse of the old traditions. The Parippally Gajamela is a perfect way to see India as was read in the old tales.
Gajamela was originally a procession where the affluent families of Kerala flaunted their grandeur by ornamenting their elephants and praying for prosperity. However this has now become just about an elephant procession. You will still be able to glimpse of the grandeur with which elephants are treated and decorated for the event.
Along with this procession of the majestic beasts you will also experience the harmony of five traditional instruments followed by cultural programs at night. This annual festival is a gorgeous way of turning back time where nature was cared for and worshiped.
Read More : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
Suggested Tour :
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5. Brij Festival
Date : 24th – 25th March, 2021
Location: Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Bharatpur becomes more colorful during Brij festival. This festival is associated with color, song and dance. This is the festival of color. Raslila dance is the iconic celebration of this festival. People dress as Lord Krishna and Radha and take part in dance performances. If you visit Banganga River in the morning, you can find many rituals and people taking a holy dip. This festival is also associated with many interesting rituals in temples of Bharatpur.
Read More : How to Reach Bharatpur
Suggested Tour :
- 4 Days – Jaipur Bharatpur Agra Tour
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6. Chapchar Kut
Date: 2th Mar, 2021
Location: Mizoram
This is a cultural festival with dance, song and other exciting celebrations by the locals. This festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of the beloved spring. This is also the time when the fields are at the post-harvest stage, where the farmers slash and burn the agricultural remains in the fields. This festival takes place on the first Friday of the month of March, every year.
This festival is famous for elegant cuisine, colorful cultural performances, and unique rituals. Many competitions will be conducted. Tourists are welcome to watch performances and competitions but, they are not included in the competition. Most of the competitions involve fast eating. The first Thursday night is the prime attraction of this festival. Young people of the land create large fires and dance around it. The Chai dance is an important tradition of this festival. A pageant is conducted as the last part of the festival.
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7. Holi
Date: 28th – 29th Mar 2021
Location: Throughout India
This festival indicates the end of winter after the Full Moon night of the last winter month. The eve of Holi is celebrated with a bonfire, which is a symbolic representation of burning everything evil from last year. The bonfire starts after sunset. Special rituals are performed on the day before Holi. According to mythology, the festival of Holi is enjoyed to celebrate the death of Holika, the demon aunt of Prahalada, who burnt to death while trying to kill the child.
Read More : Best Places to Celebrate Holi in India 2020
On the day of Holi, people splash colors at each other, take color fights and even ambush strangers with colors. This goes on until the afternoon. This is the most colorful festival of all in India. In the evening, people will start making delicacies. Although the festival is celebrated throughout the country, it is best enjoyed in Mathura, Vrindavan, Mumbai, Delhi, and others.
India Tour Packages by Destination to Celebrate Holi
8. Eternal Mewar Holika Dahan
Date: 28th Mar, 2021
Location: City Palace, Udaipur
Holi is among the most celebrated festival in the country. It is a two day celebration where on the first day the triumph of good over evil is celebrated by lighting a bonfire which is called the Holika Dahan. On the second day of celebration powdered color is used to play. Among all the places across India where Holika Dahan is done none is as grand as that of the Udaipur City Palace. The royal family of Udaipur till date has kept the tradition of grandeur alive with a procession that takes place in the city starting from their royal residence.
Read More : Top 10 Festival and Events in Rajasthan
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- Things To Do in Udaipur
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9. Velas Turtle Festival
Date: 9th – 31st Mar, 2021 (Every year)
Location: Velas Beach of Maharashtra
This is an annual festival celebrated to watch and excite about just-born turtles crawling their way into the sea, where they belong. This is the right time for photo-enthusiasts, tourists, nature lovers and children to watch their life journeys. The best time to visit the turtle walk is from 7 am to 7:30 am and from 6 to 6:30 pm. During this festival, NGOs and animal enthusiasts make sure that the hatchlings make their way towards the sea before getting attacked by animals, birds or even humans. A similar festival takes place at Anjarle Beach too.
Mumbai Travel Guide :
- How to Reach Mumbai
- What to Wear in Mumbai
- Famous Temples in Mumbai
- Things to do in Mumbai
- What to Eat in Mumbai
Suggested Mumbai Day Tours
10. Basanta Utsav
Date: 29th Mar, 2021
Location: Shantiniketan, West Bengal
The Basanta Utsav is a festival where music and colours are celebrated together in a small town in Eastern part of the country. This day in rest of the country celebrates the festival of Holi, where evil is burnt and good is celebrated with colours.
Shantiniketan is a quiet place in West Bengal which is dedicated to the study of fine arts. This place is famous for Vishwa bharati University which was started by the renowned Rabindranath Tagore. Every year on this day of the festival of Holi the student of the university perform variety cultural programs. The programs reflect on the long standing cultural heritage of the state of Bengal. The performers sing and dance to fuse the best of the past with the most creative of the present.
The entire ambiance of town during the festival is extremely lively. Even the trees around the area bloom with colourful flowers. It is almost as if the entire place starting from students to the animals are rejoicing in the amalgamation of spring and song. Being part of this occasion is exhilarating and will get you in touch with your inner being.
Also Read : Top Tourist Spots To Visit In West Bengal
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11. Gangaur Festival
Date: 29th Mar – 15th Apr, 2021
Location: Rajasthan
This festival celebrates Goddess Gauri (Parvati), marriage, love, and honor. During this festival, the locals create small clay figurines of Parvathi and Shiva. They dress and decorate them and offer prayers to the figurines throughout the festival. The most extravaganza of the celebrations start on the last day of the festival. In Udaipur, the last day is celebrated with a large boat procession, which takes place on the Lake Pichola. You can watch women carrying a small pitcher on their heads towards the lake. The parade ends with submerging and dissolving the clay figurines in the river. You can find music and dance performances during the procession. This is one of the liveliest festivals of Rajasthan.
In Jaipur, a parade is conducted to end the festival. The parade starts from City Palace and covers important cultural destinations of the land like Choti Chaupar, Tripolia Bazaar, Chaugan stadium, and others before ending at Talkatora. During this procession, Gauri and Shiva are taken on a palanquin. You can find bullock carts, elephants and chariot in this procession along with locals performing folk music and dance as they walk along with the crowd. This is one of the grand processions of Jaipur.
Popular Rajasthan Tours to Enjoy Gangaur Festival
12. Jaipur Elephant Festival
Date: 28th Mar, 2021
Location: Jaipur
Jaipur Elephant festival is about showing respect towards all living being. This festival is dedicated to the Indian deity Lord Ganesha who symbolised by the elephant. This festival takes place on the day of the festival of colours, Holi. During this day there are various cultural programs that take place and the animals are adorned with beautiful ornaments and take part in a ceremonial procession. The city comes alive with colours, music and dance which gives you the opportunity to lose yourself in the merriment.
Read More : Top Fairs and Festivals in Jaipur
Suggested Tour :
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13. Doljatra
Date: 28th Mar, 2021
Location: Sikkim
Doljatra or Dol Purnima is a full-moon celebration dedicated to Lord Krishna in Sikkim According to the Bengali calendar, this is the last festival of the year. This festival celebrates the cosmic love between Lord Krishna and Radha. This festival is also celebrated in Assam, Odhisha and other regions. This is similar to the festival of colors. According to mythology, Lord Krishna expressed his love for Radha on this day and to celebrate this love, people enjoy drenching each other with colors.
This festival is also called the Swing Festival. During this festival, the deities are decorated and are paraded around the city on the large palanquin. While women sing traditional ritual songs, the men in the procession spray colored powder on everyone in the procession.
Also Read : Sikkim International Flower Festival
Sikkim Travel Guide
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Suggested Tour :
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14. Hola Mohalla
Date: 29th – 31st March 2021
Location: Punjab; especially in Anandpur
This Sikh festival is celebrated as a tradition of Guru Gobind Singh in Punjab. This festival is considered as a masculine version of Holi. In Holi, people smear each other with colors and during Hola Mohalla, the Sikhs express their martial arts. Many simulated battle scenes will be conducted during this festival. Army processions, war drum performances, and other elements start from one Gurudwara and end in another. This festival started in the early 18th century and is continued until today.
This three-day celebration holds music competition, display of war weapons, exhibitions, mock battles, poetry competition, feats, horse riding competition, horse-based gymnast performances, and others. Many religious activities including rituals and lectures take place during this festival. Traditional cuisine of the land is served to the visitors of the temple during this festival. This festival concludes at Holgarh Fort where color fights take place similar to the Holi festival. You can also find many simulated fights during this festival.
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15. Arattu Festival
Date: Not Confirmed
Location: Ambalapuzha, Kerala
This ten-day festival is celebrated in the famous Krishna temple of Ambalappuzha. The festival starts with kodiyettam, a flag hoisting ceremony and ends with a holy bath. You can find many processions from the temple to the streets of the city and then back to the temple. Elephants, musical instruments, deities, dancers and much more will accompany the procession.
Velakali martial art and local instrumental music are performed during all the processions.On the Pallivettu day of this festival, a grand feast is served in the temple premises. Any visitor with no regard to religion or creed can take part in the feast. During this festival, the best delicacy of the region, paalpayasam is served to the visitors.
Numerous stalls will be erected outside the temple throughout the festival. These stalls are the best places to buy cultural souvenirs, religious articles, small statues of deities and much more. You can find many cultural performances throughout this festival.
Also Read : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
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16. Myoko Festival
Date: 16th Mar – 4th Apr 2021
Location: Ziro of Arunachal Pradesh
This festival is a celebration of fertility, sacrifice, and honor. This is celebrated by the tribes of the region and the main elements of this festival are dance music and cuisine. You can watch martial art performances, fireworks, drum performances and so on. This festival is celebrated in Apatani villages in the region. This festival indicates the time of paddy sowing. Animals are sacrificed to the god and the shaman of the village recites rituals while newlywed women take part in the process.
Also Read : 23 Major Tribes In India
17. Hoysala Mahotsava
Date: Not Confirmed
Location: Hoysala Temples and Halebidu Karnataka
This is an interesting tradition of music and dance, which is celebrated in the ancient temples of Hoysala, which were built in the 12th century. You can find interesting carvings, sculptures and other architectural features in this temple. This festival’s main aim is to celebrate this temple. The festival focuses on traditional performance arts and fine arts.
You can find many programs related to this genre conducted in and around the temple premises. You can also find similar smaller celebrations in hamlets of Halebidu too. This sacred festival provides a platform for the heritage art styles of the land. People from around the state and even other parts of the country visit Hoysala temples to enjoy this celebration.
The temples in this region will be decorated with lights, earthen lamps, and others. Thus, stay back after sunset to watch the place glitter.
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18. Ugadi or Gudi Padwa
Date: March 25th, 2020
Location: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and others
This is a celebration of the local new year in many states. Just like any other cultural celebration, this festival is filled with cultural activities, colorful cuisine, performances, rituals and much more. This festival is famous for dishes prepared only during this day. The Pachadi is the dish, which is said to have all six tastes into it to reflect that life has all sorts of elements in it. Other important delicacies to try during this celebration are Bobbattu, Holige, and others. In Maharashtra, this festival is celebrated with processions, decorations on floor, dancing, singing, flag-waving, and others.
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19. Chaitra Navratri or Vasanta Navratri or Rama Navratri
Date: 25th Mar – 3rd Apr 2020
Location: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Do not confuse it with the Navaratri celebration involving Dusshera. This is a similar nine-day festival celebrated as Rama Navratri to indicate the birth of Lord Ram. This festival starts with the celebration of New Year in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. On each day, a form of Durga is celebrated and special rituals are conducted for the deity. During this festival, many unique cuisines will be served like buckwheat poori, ragi delicacies, singhare ka halwa, sago, and others.
On the ninth day of the festival, the fasting is broken and the feast is conducted in many temples and households. This nine-day festival comes to an end on the tenth day called Navratri Parana. It is a farewell ceremony praying to Durga for her return, next year. This festival is celebrated as the beginning of the summer season and to prepare the human body for the change of climate.
Andhra Pradesh Travel Guide
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20. Attuvela Mahotsavam
Date: 26th – 27th Mar, 2020
Location: Elankavu Bhagavathy temple of Kerala
This is a temple fair combined with processions and traditional art forms celebration. This festival is celebrated as a water carnival and as a dedication to Goddess Kodungalloor. A huge replica structure of the temple is designed and let to float on the water to indicate how the Goddess and her sister reached the region. The procession of canoes is the main part of the festival and it starts 2 km away from the Elankavu Bhagavathy temple.
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21. Godwar Festival, Udaipur
Date: 27th – 28th Mar, 2020
Location: Udaipur
Godwar festival near Udaipur is the traditional mela that we were used to back in the 80s and 90s. First of all, the venue of this fiesta is the dry valley region Ranakpur. It brings out the best of Rajput heritage and opens up for an adventurous week. From turban-tying competition to bullock cart rides, Godwar festival imbibes the true show of a culturally rich country. The Rajasthani songs are accompanied with some heavy feasts ultimately letting you relax in the wildlife safaris. This festival will define a new meaning of party for you, which by the way is a million miles ahead from our lame booze discs.
Read More : How to Reach Ranakpur
Suggested Tour : 17 Days – Rajasthan Cultural and Wildlife Tour
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22. Mewar Festival, Udaipur
Date: 27th – 29th Mar, 2020
Location: Udaipur
This festival is perfection in itself and often coincides with the arrival of March. The enticing fact about the festival is that its history takes us to the foundation of Udaipur. The people of this city celebrate and love this commemoration as their very own. The occasion starts with a procession that is taken in various parts of the enigmatic city and culminates at the Lake Pichola. The event is marked by the confluence of graceful dancing, joyful singing and an exuberant celebration of cultural programmes. The forts and palaces of Udaipur just add to the charisma of Mewar festival.
Read More : Complete Info about Mewar Festival
Also Read : Festival and Events in Rajasthan
Suggested Tour :
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23. Kochi – Muzhiris Biennale
Date: 12th Dec – 29th Mar, 2020
Location: Fort Kochi
This is an extravaganza of contemporary art celebration in the country. This international festival takes place on the island of the Fort Kochi. During this festival, many art forms are expressed to the audience like sculptures, contemporary paintings, installations, media, and many others. This festival will be bombarded with trending youngsters and budding artists. More than 12 venues are set up and more than 76 artists will be participating in this festival, this year. This fiesta started in 2012 and has gained more hip popularity. Many art enthusiasts from around the world flock to the island to enjoy and explore the art forms. You can find endless galleries, exhibitions, shows and much more, throughout the day. The next celebration of the fiesta starts in December 2020.
24. Panikuni Festival
Date: 30th Mar – 8th Apr, 2020
Location: Shree Padmanabha Swamy temple of Kerala
This festival is linked with the history of the ancient princely state of the land, Travancore. This festival was initially celebrated by the Travancore’s royal family. This annual festival starts with flag hoisting. Large glass figurines of Pandava brothers (Mahabharatha) are made and are placed at the eastern gate of the temple. According to locals, these figures would please the rain god.
This ten-day festival celebrates unique rituals, every day. On the ninth day, a pallivetta (a royal hunt) ritual is conducted in the fort area. This is one of the iconic rituals to enjoy during this festival. On the last day, Aarattu procession takes place from the temple to the Shanghumugham Beach to dissolve the idol in the water. The royal families, dancers, music performers, elephants, palanquin and other elements can be easily identified in the procession.
Also Read : Top Fairs & Festivals Celebrated in India
25. Virupaksha Car Festival
Date: March-April
Location: Hampi
One of the numerous festivals related to Hampi is the Virupaksha Car Festival, which takes place inside the VIrupaksha Temple. This is the annual chariot festival of the temple and it is a religious celebration. The statues of the main deities are decorated with traditional jewelry and are taken on a procession through the region. This festival is also the annual wedding celebration of the main deities. Thus, a wedding ceremony is conducted for the two statues. People from around the country visit Hampi to take part in this festival. The giant wooden chariot procession is the main element of this festival, which starts from the temple and goes up to the bazaar region and back to the temple. The bazaar region will be filled with shops selling unique souvenirs, religious items, and others.
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Frequently Asked Questions about March Festivals
A. India is a mixture of many unique culture and festivals. Festivals like Holi, Shivratri, Shigmo, Kottamkulangara ChamayaVilakku, Holla Mohalla Anandpur sahib, Mahavir Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, are some main and famous festivals celebrated in March in India.
A. There are so many festivals celebrated in India in a calendar. But there are only about 20-25 popular festivals celebrated all over the nation. Festivals like Ramazan, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, Bakrid, Onam, Sankranthi are celebrated with great festive vibes.
A. Festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, Christmas, Ramazan, Onam, Holi, Ganesh Chaturti, Pongal, Durga Pooja, Raksha Bandhan, Gurupurab, Maha Shivratri, Bakrid are the main festivals celebrated in India.
A. Khajuraho, Leh-Ladakh, Munnar, Palakkad, Tawang, Varanasi, Rishikesh, Wayanad, Rameshwaram, Chikmaglur, Mount Abu, Kodaikanal, Coorg, Darjeeling, Shillong, Agra, Gangtok, Jaipur, Gokarna are some of the best places to visit in March in India.
A. Yes, it is always good to visit in March in India due to the weather conditions are so reliable and comfortable to travel with a clear sky and at a good temperature and humidity, while in the winter season the places are covered with snow and Fogg. Get complete details about March Weather in India.
A. It is late autumn season in March in India with a clear sky and good atmosphere.
A. Places like Leh-Ladakh, Nainital, Manali, North Sikkim, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Shimla, Katao, Almora, Tawang, Auli are some popular places where you can find snow in March in India.
A. You will find the average temperature from 18 c to 28 c in March in India with humidity and good climatic conditions.
The post 25 Famous Festivals in India in March 2021 appeared first on Travelogy India Blog.
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