Upcoming Festivals of March

India is known for its rich cultural tapestry and festive diversity. Indians celebrate a myriad of festivals throughout the year, each offering a glimpse into its diverse traditions, customs, and heritage. From the riotous splashes of color during Holi to the serene spirituality of the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, each festival in the month of March offers a unique glimpse into India’s diverse traditions and customs. The celebrations resonate with joy, spirituality, and community bonding. Let’s take a peek at the Festivals of March.

Holi

March ushers in a whirlwind of festivities that showcase our rich heritage in all its glory. Holi, the festival of colors is perhaps the most popular of all festivals of March. It transcends barriers of age, gender, and social class, uniting people in a jubilant celebration of love and harmony. Observed on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Phalgun, typically falling in March, Holi marks the arrival of spring. Revelers drench each other in colored powders and water, dance to rhythmic music, and indulge in traditional sweets like Gujiya and Thandai. Holi is celebrated in various forms across the geography of India. Lathmar Holi, observed in Barsana and Nandgaon near Mathura, involves women playfully chasing men with bamboo sticks. While Pushkar in Rajasthan attracts innumerable foreign tourists for the exuberant Holi celebrations popularly known as Kapda Faad Holi.

Date – 26^th March, 2024

Shigmo Festival – Goa

In the coastal paradise of Goa, Shigmo heralds the arrival of spring with a vibrant procession of floats, traditional folk dances, and music. Rooted in Konkani Hindu traditions, this colorful carnival spans over two weeks, featuring performances of folk dances like Ghode Modni and Fugdi. The 5th day is called ‘Rang Panchami’. This day of rejoicing is celebrated with the abundant use of ‘Gulal’. Essentially, the event combines elements of both Holi and Goan carnival, resulting in a unique festival experience. The streets come alive with locals adorned in vibrant attire, showcasing Goa’s rich cultural heritage amidst a festive ambiance.

Date – 24^th March, 2024

Gangaur – Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s cultural landscape is adorned with the colorful festivities of Gangaur, dedicated to Goddess Gauri, an embodiment of marital bliss and fertility. Married and unmarried women worship the goddess, praying for the well-being of their spouses or for a suitable life partner. On the day of the Gangaur, women dressed in their finest clothes gather to dress the images of Lord Shiva and his consort Gangaur. These idols are then carried in a huge procession which begins from the clock tower and ends at Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichola. The Mewar festival in Udaipur, held every year in the month of March-April, coincides with the Gangaur festival. The ceremonies and the rituals associated with the Royal House of Mewar have been passed on unbroken for the past seven and a half decades.

Date – 25^th March to 11^th April, 2024

Maha Shivratri

Shivaratri, or the “Night of Lord Shiva,” is one of the most revered Hindu festivals of March, celebrated across India. Devotees of Lord Shiva observe this auspicious occasion with fasting, prayers, and vibrant festivities. This auspicious occasion venerates Lord Shiva and the divine union of Shiva and Shakti. All major temples dedicated to Lord Shiva attract devotees in huge numbers on this day.

Date – 8^th March, 2024

International Yoga Festival – Rishikesh

Nestled in the serene foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh hosts the International Yoga Festival, drawing yoga enthusiasts and spiritual seekers from across the globe. Participants engage in yoga sessions, meditation, spiritual discourses, and cultural performances. The festival serves as a platform to delve deeper into the holistic practices of yoga and Ayurveda, fostering physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The event gained a lot of traction in recent years and has thus become one of the most prominent festivals of March.

Date – 8^th to 14^th March, 2024

Arattu Festival – Kerala

Kerala, popularly called ‘God’s Own Country,’ reverberates with the spiritual fervor of Thirunakkara Arattu. It is a grand temple festival held at the Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam. Spanning ten days, this festival is a blend of rich traditions and vibrant festivities. The festival kicks off with majestic elephant processions, making the event grander than regular festivals. Devotees throng the temple premises to witness the ceremonial bath (Arattu) of the deity, seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being.  The temple premises come alive using ornamental silk umbrellas, creating a colorful and festive atmosphere. One of the most popular festivals of March, the Arattu Festival, is marked by Kathakali performances, a traditional dance form of Kerala, that takes center stage throughout the night. Travelers and spectators are mesmerized by the elaborate costumes and expressive movements of the performers.

Date – 23^rd March, 2024

Myoko Festival – Arunachal Pradesh

Myoko festival in Arunachal Pradesh is about friendship between Apatani villages. This is also the time when new paddy is sown in the terraced fields and residents pray for a good crop. The festival rotates between the eight Apatani villages. The villagers are traditionally animists and they worship nature. There is dancing and merry-making by the village folk, taking out processions in their traditional dresses.

Date – 20^th to 25^th March, 2024

Hola Mohalla – Anandpur Sahib

Hola Mohalla is a three-day long Sikh festival observed on the second day of the lunar month of Chett, usually around the day of. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji built upon the method of celebrating Holi by adding a martial element and creating Hola Mohalla to be celebrated a day after Holi. The fair held during Holi and Hola at Anandpur Sahib is traditionally a three-day event but participants attend Anandpur Sahib for a week, camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting prowess and bravery, and listening to kirtan, music, and poetry. Anandpur Sahib (lit. City of Bliss) is situated on one of the lower spurs of the Shiwalik Hills in the Rupnagar District of Punjab. It was here at Anandpur that on Baisakhi of 1699, Guru Gobind Singh inaugurated the Khalsa.

Date – 25^th to 27^th March, 2024

As spring unfolds its splendor across the Indian subcontinent, these festivals of March offer a glimpse into the nation’s cultural mosaic, fostering unity, harmony, and the spirit of celebration. Each festival encapsulates India’s ethos of inclusivity, spirituality, and reverence for tradition, beckoning travelers to immerse themselves in the joyous tapestry of Indian culture. Which one of these festivals of March are you adding to your bucket list?