Festivals have always been the most memorable and favorite part of a traveler’s journey through different countries and continents. Being the colorful nation that India is, the most vibrant harvest festivals of India involve interesting mythological legends and joyous celebrations. They are as incredible and diverse as its people and landscapes and let you experience the beauty of the Indian culture. However, dates for harvest festivals in different parts of the country vary due to diversity in climate. See the list of harvest festivals in India, may it be north, east, west or south!
Harvest Festivals Of India Calendar
The list is vast as there are various cultures in India. With such an amazing set of variety, there are several ways to celebrate the Harvest. Here is the list of harvest festivals of India with dates on which they are celebrated. Take a look!
| Festival |
Date (2021) |
| Makar Sankranti | 15th January |
| Baisakhi | 13th April |
| Ladakh Harvest Festival | Yet to be announced |
| Lohri | 13th January |
| Basant Panchami | 29th January |
| Bhogali Bihu | 16th January |
| Wangala | 2nd week of November |
| Ka Pomblang Nongkrem | 2nd or 3rd week of November |
| Nuakhai | 23rd August |
| Gudi Padwa | 25th March |
| Nabanna | Yet to be announced |
| Onam | 22nd August – 2nd September |
| Pongal | 15th January – 18th January |
| Ugadi | 25th March |
| Vishu | 14th April |
| Agera | 4th October |
| Dree Festival | 5th July |
18 Harvest Festivals Of North India
Here is a list of the different harvest festivals in India that you might be interested to know about for having a vibrant experience when you are on a vacation in North India. Take a look!
- Makar Sankranti – An Auspicious Day For Hindus
- Baisakhi – Celebrating With The Rhythms Of Dhol And Bhangra
- Ladakh Harvest Festival – Buddhist Tradition At Its Best
- Lohri – A Punjabi Folk Festival
- Basant Panchami – To Celebrate Birth Of Goddess Saraswati
1. Makar Sankranti – An Auspicious Day For Hindus
Image Source
Celebrated all over the country, Makar Sankranti is the oldest and the most colorful harvest festival in India. It is also the most celebrated harvest festival of North India making it the top harvest festival of Uttar Pradesh. As per Hindu mythology, this festival marks the end of an unfavorable phase and the beginning of a holy phase. Particularly in villages of Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Himachal, West Bengal, and Punjab, people celebrate the harvest of new crops with bonfire, carnivals, songs, dances, kite flying, and rallies.
Where is Makar Sankranti celebrated: Pan India in different ways but mainly in the north
Key attractions of Makar Sankranti festival: Kumbh Mela and various sumptuous sweet dishes made of sesame and jaggery
Date: 15th January 2020
Must Read: 14 Festivals In January In India That Reflect The Country’s Rich Culture (2021)
2. Baisakhi – Celebrating With The Rhythms Of Dhol And Bhangra
Image Source
People of Punjab and Haryana celebrate Baisakhi festival 2021 or Vaisakhi by thanking God for the good harvest. And the farmers of the country express their happiness and delight through this Indian harvest festival. People wear their best colorful dresses, sing the happiest songs, and dance to the melodious beats of Dhol. It is the most loved harvest festival of Punjab. Baisakhi fairs are also organized where acrobatics, wresting, algoza, and vanjli performances can be seen which makes it one of the most interesting harvest festivals celebrated in India.
Where is Baisakhi celebrated: Punjab and Haryana
Key attractions of Baisakhi festival: Bhangra by menfolk and Gidda by women
Date: 13th April 2020
Suggested Read:
3. Ladakh Harvest Festival – Buddhist Tradition At Its Best
Image Source
Ladakh Harvest Festival has gained immense popularity and fame all over the world. Ladakh looks bright, beautiful, and absolutely stunning with the commencement of this harvest festival. Monasteries and stupas are decorated and pilgrimages to Thangka of Kyabje Gombo are mandatory things as a part of this celebration. Archery along with old social & cultural ceremonies and art & handicrafts are the other features of the event. The festivals of Ladakh attracts travelers from across the world with their exclusive experiences.
Where Ladakh Harvest Festival celebrated: Ladakh, Zanskar, Kargil
Key attractions of Ladakh Harvest Festival: Dramas or ‘Chhams’ are performed to display life and teachings of Buddha and different dance forms of Tibetan culture
Date: Yet to be announced
Suggested Read:
4. Lohri – A Punjabi Folk Festival
Image Source
Lohri is a renowned harvest festival in Punjab that showcases traditional dance and songs. To kill the chills of winter, the entire family and neighbors gather around the bonfire and sing together and offers grains, corns, and nuts to respect and appreciate the grand harvest of sugarcane crops.
Where is Lohri celebrated: Punjab
Key attractions of Lohri festival: The Punjabi folklore Sunder Mundriye sung by everyone
Date: 13th January 2020
Suggested Read:
5. Basant Panchami – To Celebrate Birth Of Goddess Saraswati
Image Source
Basant Panchami marks the onset of spring season. Celebrated in different states of North India, it is considered an auspicious day. This festival is associated with yellow color, which is a color of spirituality. One can see the magnificent mustard crop fields in the countryside, especially rural areas of Haryana and Punjab.
Key attractions of Basant Panchami festival: Indian cuisine like Meethe Chawal, Maake ki Roti, and Sarso Ka Saag
Where is Basant Panchami celebrated: Eastern parts of India West Bengal & Bihar
Date: 29th January, 2020
Suggested Read: The Ultimate List of Adventure Holidays In India For Summer 2021
Harvest Festivals Of North-East India
Here is a list of the harvest festivals of North East India that will give you a heart-warming experience while exploring India. Take a look!
- Bhogali Bihu – Of Bliss And Cheerfulness
- Wangala – Echoes Of Drums And Songs Everywhere
- Ka Pomblang Nongkrem – The Dance Festival Of Meghalaya
6. Bhogali Bihu – Of Bliss And Cheerfulness
Image Source
Every year in January, the entire state of Assam showcases enthusiasm and delight in celebrating Bhogali Bihu. The farmers of Assam celebrate and cherish the efforts of cultivation and reap the benefits. The celebration starts one night before with Uruka—the community feast. On the day of Bihu, the mejis or pavilion made of clay and hay are burnt. Local women wear stunning mukhlas and participate in group songs and dance. Also known as Magh Bihu, this is an exotic and most vibrant name on the list of harvest festivals of India.
Where is Bihu celebrated: Assam
Key attractions of Bihu festival: Bihu dance, bullfight, bird fight and Sunga Pitha, Til Pitha and Laru
Date: 16th January 2020
Suggested Read: Top 12 Summer Festivals In India You Shouldn’t Miss In 2021
7. Wangala – Echoes Of Drums And Songs Everywhere
Image Source
Wangala is the merriment of 100 drums played by Garo tribes of northeast India. This is one of the popular harvest festivals of India marking the onset of winter. During this festival, Sun God is worshiped with immense devotion and zeal. Women wear their traditional colorful clothes and dance during this harvesting festival while men rhythmically drum their fingers on the traditional drum pads.
Where is Wangala celebrated: Meghalaya and Assam
Key attractions of the Wangala festival: Musical extravaganza with drums, flutes, and gongs
Date: second week of November
Suggested Read: 15 Festivals In November In India That Call For An Early Winter Vacay
8. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem – The Dance Festival Of Meghalaya
Image Source
The inhabitants of Khasi hills worship Goddess Ka Blei Synshar and celebrate the plentiful harvest with vigour and excitement. Ka Pomblang Nongkrem brings ultimate joy and happiness to the community. The celebration comprises of animal sacrifice and Nongkrem dance with sword in one hand and yak hair whisk on the other.
Where is Ka Pomblang Nongkrem celebrated: Meghalaya
Key attractions of Ka Pomblang Nongkrem festival: Pemblang ceremony and Ceremony of Tangmuri
Date: 2nd or 3rd week of November
Suggested Read: 52 Best Hill Stations In India In 2021 That You Must Explore At Least Once In Your Life
Festivals In East And West India
Here is a list of the harvest festivals 2020 of East and West India that will let you absorb the culture of the country and give you a soul-stirring experience. Take a look!
- Nuakhai – Worship Of Food Grains
- Gudi Padwa – A Springtime Ceremony
- Nabanna – The Festival Of The New Harvest
9. Nuakhai – Worship Of Food Grains
Image Source
Nuakhai is an age old harvest celebration in Odisha. Locally ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means food. This is not only a popular harvest festival in India, but also celebrated to appreciate the passing away of the past and evil days while welcoming the new and beautiful with open arms. The festival is also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat.
Where is Nuakhai celebrated: Orissa
Key attractions of Nuakhai festival: The delicious Arsaa Pitha (sweet pancakes)
Date: 23rd August 2020
Suggested Read:
Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!
10. Gudi Padwa – A Springtime Ceremony
Image Source
Gudi Padwa is a grand harvest festival of Maharashtra marking the beginning of an auspicious New Year. People make rangoli designs at the entrance of their homes and decorate it with flowers and a handmade doll . Folks meet friends and relatives, exchange wishes, and women cook sweets like Puran Poli, Shrikhand, and Sunth Paak.
Where is Gudi Padwa celebrated: Maharashtra
Key attractions of Gudi Padwa festival: Local people make Gudi (bamboo doll) using mango and neem leaves and hang them at the entrance.
Date: 25th March 2020
Suggested Read: 15 Spectacular Festivals In March 2021 That Will Tell You About The Greatness Of Culture
11. Nabanna – The Festival Of The New Harvest
Image Source
Nabana is amongst one of the crop festivals of India which is famous for the paddy plantations harvest. This is one of the most celebrated traditions of Bengal, where new rice is harvested with sheer joy and stocked in homes. Farmers from Bengal cheerfully participate in this harvest ritual in the Bengali month of Agrahayan and offer the first grains to Goddess Lakshmi while thanking her for all blessings. West Bengal Tourism has taken initiative to welcome tourists from around the country.
Where is Nabanna celebrated: West Bengal
Key attractions of Nabanna festival: Payesh (Kheer) made from the newly harvested rice and Nabanna fair.
Date: Yet to be announced
Suggested Read:
Harvest Festivals Of South India
Here is a list of the harvest festivals in 2020 that are celebrated in South India that will help you know the history and culture of south India. Take a look!
- Onam – The Harvest Festival Of India
- Pongal – Displaying Gratitude To Mother Nature
- Ugadi – A Festival To Thank The Deity
- Vishu – The Day Of Worshiping Lord Krishna
- Agera – Famed As The Thanksgiving Sunday
- Dree Festival – An Eminent Festival Of Apatani Tribe
- Holi – Festival Of Colours And Water
12. Onam – The Harvest Festival Of India
Image Source
Onam festival is a legendary harvest festival of Kerala celebrated with great enthusiasm in different parts of Kerala. The festival is celebrated for 10 days with the arrival of Mahabali. To relish the successful harvest, Malayalee people decorate their house entrance with floral rangoli, wear new traditional clothes, women cook delicious food, and celebrate with traditional music and dance.
Where is Onam celebrated: Some regions of Kerala
Key attractions of Onam festival: Traditional Kerala cuisine recipes like Rasam, Payasam, Avial, brown rice and parippu curry are offered to guests in traditional green leaf, snake boat race and tiger dance are also exciting to watch.
Date: 22nd August to 2nd September 2020
Suggested Read:
13. Pongal – Displaying Gratitude To Mother Nature
Image Source
Pongal is another name for Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated during the same time in various cities of Tamil Nadu. This is a thanksgiving celebration where people express their deep gratitude to mother nature for the produce of the year. This is one of the most colorful harvest festivals of India celebrated for 4 days. It is amongst the most popular
This post first appeared on Bullet Train In India: Here’s How It’s Going To Change Our Train Travel, please read the originial post: here
