India is renowned around the world for its rich culture, ancient traditions and colourful festivals that not only make the country unique but also attract many admirers from places around the world.
It is impossible to define a day in India as boring since there are so many joys, happiness, smiles and enjoyments; you can be anything but bored!. India is blessed with several festivals almost every month; therefore, it can be said that our country is blessed with a multitude of exciting festivals that not only unite people but also bring them closer as patriots of the country. If you are planning a trip to India in August then you are on the right track as this month is blessed with tons of great occasions. Come on, let’s take a look at some of the best festivals ever!
1.) Athachamayam Festival
Date: August 12, 2021
The Athachamayam festival is part of the 10-day Onam celebration. This festival takes place in Thrippunithura. This cultural celebration is held to mark the start of the Onam Festival. There is a great procession where the idol of King Mahabali is carried through the city accompanied by elephants, musicians, dancers and thousands of people. There are several traditional art forms in Kerala, and many of these are exhibited during the Athachamayam procession. Some of the ancient art forms that are usually part of the processions are Theyyam, Kummattikali, Kavadi, Thiruvathirakali, Kathakali, Karakattam, Mayilattam, Ammankudam, Aattakavadi and Pulikali.
Locations of the main attractions: Tripunithura, Ernakulam, Kochi
What makes this festival special: The locals dress up as tigers and take part in rallies.
2.) Onam
Date: August 12 – August 23, 2021
Onam is an annual Hindu festival that traces its origins back to the state of Kerala, India. It falls during the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam and symbolizes Vishnu’s Vamana avatar, the subsequent homecoming of the legendary emperor Mahabali and Hindu mythologies related to Kashyapa and Parashurama. Onam is more of a cultural than a religious festival. Although it is a Hindu festival, people from different religions accept it with great love and respect. People wear traditional clothes and savour the traditional meal of rice poured onto banana leaves along with four different dishes. They also have a major boating competition to bring peace and harmony to their homes.
Locations of the main attractions: Kerala
What makes this festival special: Snake boat races, Traditional dance
3.) Nag Panchami
Date: August 13, 2021
Nag Panchami is a traditional Indian festival held in August that holds a special place among ancient Indian festivals. This is the most unique and courageous festival where people worship snakes. Nag Panchami, celebrated on an auspicious day in the lunar month of Shravana, is observed with full grandeur and splendour in rural India. As part of this festival, snakes are taken to the temple and worshipped by the people. This festival comes after Jhapan Mela, a tribal festival where you can see the worship of the goddess Manasa at Bankura district in West Bengal.
Locations of the main attractions: Rural Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala
What makes this festival special: Snakes are carried to the temple in processions and devotees dance to the snake charmer’s flute.
4.) Independence Day
Date: August 15, 2021
India is an independent country and it has celebrated its independence from Britishers on August 15 since 1947. It is one of the most significant occasions for Indian citizens, and on this day you can literally feel the presence of patriotism floating in the air. Traditionally, celebrations begin with a patriotic speech by the Indian President the day before and lasts until Independence Day when the Indian Prime Minister hoists the national flag and addresses the nation at the Red Fort. In honour of the national heroes, the Indian armed forces together with the paramilitaries put up a awe inspiring march past. Although major celebrations take place at the Red Fort in New Delhi, the day is celebrated with equal enthusiasm in all states, cities, schools and educational institutions in India.
Locations of the main attractions: New Delhi
5.) Parsi New Year
Date: August 16, 2021 This Iranian New Year is also called Navroz. This festival has been celebrated by Parsees and Iranians for more than 3000 years. Parsis are devout followers of Zoroastrianism founded by the Prophet Zarathustra in modern day Iran about 3,500 years ago; it is also considered to be one of the oldest known monotheistic religions on earth. Novroz is a significant festival for the Parsi community as on this day, King Jamshid was crowned as the King of Persia. Traditionally, the day of king Jamshid’s crowning marks the beginning of the Parsi new year. For Parsis, this is a significant day to start new relationships and business endeavours. This is the day of purification and celebration.
Locations of the main attractions: Gujarat and Maharashtra
What makes this festival special: People decorate their homes, create rangolis, prepare delicacies, people pray and visit fire temples to respect and honour them.
6.) Muharram
Date: August 20, 2021 Muharram, which is one of the major mourning festivals of the Muslims is celebrated throughout India in commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain- the grandson of Prophet Mohammad. During this festival, beautifully decorated Tazias are carried in processions. Tazias are structures made of paper and bamboo. The procession is taken to the Martyr’s tomb at Karbala. Sunni Muslims fast on this day, while Shia Muslims observe mourning, commemorating the rescue of the Israelites by Musa (Moses) from Pharaoh.
Locations of the main attractions: Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
7.) Raksha Bandhan
Date: August 22, 2021
Known by various names such as Nariyal Poornima and Kajari Poornima, but widely known as Raksha Bandhan, this is one of the most popular festivals all over India. As a symbol of pure love, all sisters, on this day, tie beautifully crafted rakhis, which can be a simple thread-like Moli or decorated with stones and stickers, on their brothers’ wrists to bring them luck. Several people believe that tying rakhi is a way for sisters to thank their brothers for always loving protecting them. This is one of the most important festivals that spread love across the country.
Locations of the main attractions: Presence across the nation, especially in the north, west and central part of the country
What makes this festival special: The sister performs aarti and applies tilak before tying the thread, to the contrary the brother gives gifts and sweets in exchange.
8.) Krishna Janmashtami
Date: August 30, 2021
This festival is celebrated on a large scale in India and some parts of the world to commemorate the birthday of Lord Krishna. The day is also called Gokulashtami in some places, and it is known as Govinda in Maharashtra. This is one of those joyful occasions that is celebrated with great vigour and there are children who dress up as lord Krishna and look charming in that attire.
Locations of the main attractions: Mumbai, Maharashtra
What makes this festival special: Dahi Handi, where the pot is filled with curd and hungover with a string. Young men and boys build a human pyramid and break an earthen pot with a stick.
The list of enticing festivals in August in India is right in front of you. For festivals in August in India, mark up your calendar and get ready. Experience India’s beauty and rich culture in August by participating in the vibrant and wonderful festivals that hold the country together. So plan a trip to India for an exciting experience in this country like never before.
1.) Athachamayam Festival
Date: August 12, 2021
The Athachamayam festival is part of the 10-day Onam celebration. This festival takes place in Thrippunithura. This cultural celebration is held to mark the start of the Onam Festival. There is a great procession where the idol of King Mahabali is carried through the city accompanied by elephants, musicians, dancers and thousands of people. There are several traditional art forms in Kerala, and many of these are exhibited during the Athachamayam procession. Some of the ancient art forms that are usually part of the processions are Theyyam, Kummattikali, Kavadi, Thiruvathirakali, Kathakali, Karakattam, Mayilattam, Ammankudam, Aattakavadi and Pulikali.
Locations of the main attractions: Tripunithura, Ernakulam, Kochi
What makes this festival special: The locals dress up as tigers and take part in rallies.
2.) Onam
Date: August 12 – August 23, 2021
Onam is an annual Hindu festival that traces its origins back to the state of Kerala, India. It falls during the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam and symbolizes Vishnu’s Vamana avatar, the subsequent homecoming of the legendary emperor Mahabali and Hindu mythologies related to Kashyapa and Parashurama. Onam is more of a cultural than a religious festival. Although it is a Hindu festival, people from different religions accept it with great love and respect. People wear traditional clothes and savour the traditional meal of rice poured onto banana leaves along with four different dishes. They also have a major boating competition to bring peace and harmony to their homes.
Locations of the main attractions: Kerala
What makes this festival special: Snake boat races, Traditional dance
3.) Nag Panchami
Date: August 13, 2021
Nag Panchami is a traditional Indian festival held in August that holds a special place among ancient Indian festivals. This is the most unique and courageous festival where people worship snakes. Nag Panchami, celebrated on an auspicious day in the lunar month of Shravana, is observed with full grandeur and splendour in rural India. As part of this festival, snakes are taken to the temple and worshipped by the people. This festival comes after Jhapan Mela, a tribal festival where you can see the worship of the goddess Manasa at Bankura district in West Bengal.
Locations of the main attractions: Rural Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala
What makes this festival special: Snakes are carried to the temple in processions and devotees dance to the snake charmer’s flute.
4.) Independence Day
Date: August 15, 2021
India is an independent country and it has celebrated its independence from Britishers on August 15 since 1947. It is one of the most significant occasions for Indian citizens, and on this day you can literally feel the presence of patriotism floating in the air. Traditionally, celebrations begin with a patriotic speech by the Indian President the day before and lasts until Independence Day when the Indian Prime Minister hoists the national flag and addresses the nation at the Red Fort. In honour of the national heroes, the Indian armed forces together with the paramilitaries put up a awe inspiring march past. Although major celebrations take place at the Red Fort in New Delhi, the day is celebrated with equal enthusiasm in all states, cities, schools and educational institutions in India.
Locations of the main attractions: New Delhi
5.) Parsi New Year
Date: August 16, 2021 This Iranian New Year is also called Navroz. This festival has been celebrated by Parsees and Iranians for more than 3000 years. Parsis are devout followers of Zoroastrianism founded by the Prophet Zarathustra in modern day Iran about 3,500 years ago; it is also considered to be one of the oldest known monotheistic religions on earth. Novroz is a significant festival for the Parsi community as on this day, King Jamshid was crowned as the King of Persia. Traditionally, the day of king Jamshid’s crowning marks the beginning of the Parsi new year. For Parsis, this is a significant day to start new relationships and business endeavours. This is the day of purification and celebration.
Locations of the main attractions: Gujarat and Maharashtra
What makes this festival special: People decorate their homes, create rangolis, prepare delicacies, people pray and visit fire temples to respect and honour them.
6.) Muharram
Date: August 20, 2021 Muharram, which is one of the major mourning festivals of the Muslims is celebrated throughout India in commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain- the grandson of Prophet Mohammad. During this festival, beautifully decorated Tazias are carried in processions. Tazias are structures made of paper and bamboo. The procession is taken to the Martyr’s tomb at Karbala. Sunni Muslims fast on this day, while Shia Muslims observe mourning, commemorating the rescue of the Israelites by Musa (Moses) from Pharaoh.
Locations of the main attractions: Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
7.) Raksha Bandhan
Date: August 22, 2021
Known by various names such as Nariyal Poornima and Kajari Poornima, but widely known as Raksha Bandhan, this is one of the most popular festivals all over India. As a symbol of pure love, all sisters, on this day, tie beautifully crafted rakhis, which can be a simple thread-like Moli or decorated with stones and stickers, on their brothers’ wrists to bring them luck. Several people believe that tying rakhi is a way for sisters to thank their brothers for always loving protecting them. This is one of the most important festivals that spread love across the country.
Locations of the main attractions: Presence across the nation, especially in the north, west and central part of the country
What makes this festival special: The sister performs aarti and applies tilak before tying the thread, to the contrary the brother gives gifts and sweets in exchange.
8.) Krishna Janmashtami
Date: August 30, 2021
This festival is celebrated on a large scale in India and some parts of the world to commemorate the birthday of Lord Krishna. The day is also called Gokulashtami in some places, and it is known as Govinda in Maharashtra. This is one of those joyful occasions that is celebrated with great vigour and there are children who dress up as lord Krishna and look charming in that attire.
Locations of the main attractions: Mumbai, Maharashtra
What makes this festival special: Dahi Handi, where the pot is filled with curd and hungover with a string. Young men and boys build a human pyramid and break an earthen pot with a stick.
The list of enticing festivals in August in India is right in front of you. For festivals in August in India, mark up your calendar and get ready. Experience India’s beauty and rich culture in August by participating in the vibrant and wonderful festivals that hold the country together. So plan a trip to India for an exciting experience in this country like never before.
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