India’s Famous Festivals and Events in April 2024
The month of April is a sign of a new life. For many, spring is a recreational season. You can feel the energy in nature itself with trees, plants, animals and the eloquent insects coming into life after a torrid and harsh winter. People all over the globe cherish this time with Spring Breaks. This year, you should live this invigorating season with the festivals of India.
India is perhaps the best country to feel the energy of celebration with a mix of culture. After Holi, a carnival of jovial colours in March, the people of India are fastening their seat belts for some amazing celebrations in the month of April. Join them to savour a feast for you and your family.
Here, take a look at major upcoming festivals and events of India in April.
1. Aoling Festival
Date: 2nd to 12th April - 2024
Location: Nagaland
This festival is celebrated by the Konyak tribe. This festival marks the beginning of spring and many rituals are conducted for requesting God for a better harvest. This festival falls on the New Year of the tribal people. Tourists can visit the tribal villages, take part in the rituals along with the tribes. Top activities to enjoy during this festival are dance and music performances, feasts, ancient rituals, and many others.
Aoling Festival, Nagaland
Also Read : 23 Major Tribes In India
2. Mopin Festival, Arunachal Pradesh
Date: 5th Apr, 2024
Location: Arunachal Pradesh
You may have read countless stories of the captivating North-East Indians but every time a new story brings a series of unthinkable adventure. The story of Mopin festival in Arunachal Pradesh resembles so. The people of Along-Basar-Bame celebrate Mopin as a harvest festival and as a measure to keep the evil spirits away. It involves a folklore dance “popir dance” performed by some very skilful local tribes’ women. The locally made rice wine (apong) during the festival is a pleasure that comes once in a while.
Read More : 7 Best Places to Visit in North East India
Suggested Tour : 14 Days - East India Tour
3. Mahavir Jayanti
Date: 21st April, 2024
Location: Uttar Pradesh, India
It is one of the major festivals of the Jain community. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birth of Mahavira (the last Tirthankara). According to the Gregorian calendar, it is observed either in March or April. On this day, abhisheka (a ceremonial bath) of the statues of Mahavira takes place. People following Jainism, do charity in the name of Mahavir, they offer prayers and meditate in the temples.
Also Read : 20 Most Famous Jain Temples in India
4. Good Friday
Date - 29th March 2024
Location: Throughout India
Good Friday is celebrated in all over the world and India also observes the same on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It is celebrated by the Christians to mark the suffering, passion and death of Lord Jesus during his crucifixion on the cross. On this day, the Christians fast, pray, repent and meditate.
5. Shad Suk Mynsiem
Date: Not Confirmed
Location: Meghalaya
This festival is celebrated to thank Mother Nature for providing a good harvest. You can enjoy tribal dance performances, musical instruments performances, and many others. This festival is celebrated by the tribal clan, Khasi. Numerous local and international tourists take part in this celebration to witness the grand fertility dance. The fertility dance is considered as a representation of nature, in which the women represent the seed and the men are the farmers, who nourish and protect the seed until harvest.
Also Read : Top 10 Places To Visit In Meghalaya
6. Tulip Festival, Srinagar
Date: 19th March - 30th Apr, 2024
Location: Srinagar
Venue : Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar
Our very own Srinagar challenges the elegance of the popular tulip field in Amsterdam. Kashmir just cannot let the world relax when it comes to pristine beauty. Its annual tulip festival is well worth the reason to travel Srinagar. Given that tulips bloom for only a period of 2 weeks makes it a visit to the land of paradise a necessity. Spread over 5 hectares and an overlooking Dal Lake, the festival will overwhelm you with some florid loveliness. Crimson, golden, striped, purple, streaked, red, orange are just a few of the glorifying range the festival showcases. The fragrance of the occasion will definitely spell-bound you.
Suggested Tour :
- 7 Nights - Srinagar Ladakh Tour
- 9 Days - Trip to Leh Ladakh from Manali
- 12 Days - Srinagar Kargil Leh Tour
7. Easter
Date: 31st March , 2024
Location: India
The Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. It is considered as the well-attended Sunday service every year. According to Christian belief, Easter is the day when Jesus raised from death. It is believed that Jesus paid penalty through his death, burial and resurrection for the sin of his followers and disciples.
Also Read : 10 Most Famous Churches in India
8. Sankat Mochan Music Festival, Varanasi
Date: 12th Apr to 17th April, 2024
Location: Varanasi
The holy city Varanasi will never be behind when it comes to revelries. The Hanuman Jayanti in April brings an arrival of Sankat Mochan Music festival in the city toured by the river Ganga. The people who consist of the locals, pundits, and tourists come in tandem to highlight the musical event held from dawn till dusk. The participatory dance shows are just the evidence of how much raw energy this place has. The rituals consisting of aartis and the sights of monkeys looting fruits creates a euphoric pleasure which can only happen in Banaras. The carnival of Lord Hanuman just never ceases to boggle the onlookers.
Read More : Top 11 Things to Experience in Varanasi
Suggested Tour : 9 Days - Golden Triangle with Varanasi Tour (Ganges Tour)
9. Baisakhi Mela, Punjab
Date: 13th Apr, 2024
Location: Amritsar
Baisakhi is a harvest festival and it marks the beginning of the Sikh religion. It’s an old saying in India that the Punjabis know how to celebrate. Add Baisakhi Mela to their incorporated revelling DNA and you will witness one of the most heartfelt and wildly distinguished festivals in India. Being a harvest festival, Baisakhi itself rejoices life in its core form.
The culture of Punjab becomes its purest form during the festival with folklore music and Bhangra. People celebrate this festival with folk dance and music along with variety of food. Tough it is celebrated in all over the country; you can witness the best of this celebration at the Golden Temple of Amritsar. You can feel the thumping energy of people engraved in blissful enthusiasm. The multitude of cuisines in its saga of feast makes the festival an idyllic favourite.
Read More: Golden Temple Amritsar- The Most Visited Place in the World
Suggested Tour: 7 Days - Golden Triangle with Golden Temple Tour
10. Bihu
Date: 14th - 20th Apr, 2024
Location: Assam
Equivalent to Baisakhi is Bihu, which is celebrated in Assam around April 14, 15 and 16, in the north eastern region of India. As celebrated in Mid April, it is called Bohag Bihu. It signifies the commencement of Assamese New Year and the approaching of spring season. It is celebrated for 7 days through folk music, bihu dance, merriment and feasting.
Also Read :
- 7 Best Places to Visit in North East India
- Seven Sisters of India – Complete Information About North East India States
11. Tamil Puthandu - Tamil New Year
Date: 14th Apr, 2024 (Every Year)
Location: Throughout Tamil Nadu
On the day after Vernal equinox, the Tamil New Year is celebrated. This is the first day of the first month of Tamil Hindu calendar. The day starts with kanni - at the dawn, families place a large mirror and in front of it, a tray is filled with tropical fruits, coconut, gold ornaments, fruits, cash, beetal leaves and other auspicious things. People have to see the reflection of this tray through the mirror. The temples will be glowing with special rituals, food feast, flower decoration and much more.
Kumbakonam district celebrates the New Year with a grand temple car festival. Visit Madurai during this day to witness the cosmic marriage of Lord Sundereswara with Goddess Meenakshi. It is celebrated as Chitthirai festival and the temple of Madurai Meenakshi Amman will be surrounded by stalls and fair grounds filled with simple games. The iconic delicacy of this festival is maanga pachadi, a sweet-bitter-sour chutney made with raw mango, jaggery and neem flower.
Read more: Top 10 Tourist Places in Tamilnadu
12. Naba Barsha
Date: 14th Apr, 2024
Location: West Bengal
This is the regional new year of West Bengal. This festival is celebrated with dance, music, regional games, and other cultural programs. Each community celebrates this festival in a unique way. The locals decorate their doorway with beautiful color art and many interesting traditions and rituals take place in the temples. You can see womenfolk in white and red dresses and men in traditional kurta and dhoti during this festival.
Also Read : Top Tourist Spots To Visit In West Bengal
13. Mariamman Temple Festival
Date: Not Confirmed
Location: Ooty and Coonoor, Tamilnadu
The Mariamman is a local protective deity of Ooty and Coonoor. She is believed to be the Rain God and special rituals take place during the festival to seek her blessings. Firewalk is the most epic pilgrim activity during this festival in which, the pilgrims walk barefooted on a layer or burning red charcoal. Processions, celebrations, and feasts are conducted in the temple during this festival. This is one of the important summer festivals of the hill stations.
Also Read : 10 Most Popular Festivals of South India
14. Ambedkar Jayanti
Date: 14th Apr, 2024
Location: Throughout the country
This annual celebration marks the birth of Dr. Ambedkhar. Processions are carried out in many cities of the country to spread awareness about his contribution to the democratic India. The best places to take part in the procession are Mumbai and Nagpur. You can find political leaders paying tribute to statues of Dr. Ambedkar. Many stage shows, lectures, and other activities are performed to spread his works to the public.
15. Urs Festival
Date: Shifted in January
Location: Ajmer
Urs festival is celebrated by the Islamic community as a memory of the Chisti Saint Khawaja Moinuddin. This festival is celebrated for six days and during which, a large fair is conducted at his Dargah in Ajmer. On the final day, a grand celebration takes place and unique rituals are conducted. You can spot pilgrims singing traditional religious songs. Mass prayers are conducted and this is one of the unique festivals to enjoy the lifestyle and custom of the Sufi community. Religious processions take place through the city. Male tourists can take part in this procession.
Ajmer Travel Guide
Suggested Tour : 9 Days - Golden Triangle with Pushkar Tour
16. Vishu
Date: 14th Apr, 2024
Location: Kerala
Vishu is the regional New Year of Kerala. This festival is started by creating rangolis with flowers on the doorway of homes. Many rituals take place in houses and temples. A large feast with 13 to 20 items will be served during this festival. You can find such feasts in many hotels during this festival. You can find dance, music and other cultural performances in many major destinations of Kerala. Religious and traditional dance forms are performed during this festival in many religious sites.
Also Read : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
17. Kadammanitta Padayani, Kerala
Date: 14th to 23rd April 2024
Location: Kerala
South India is never far from boasting off its celebrations. When the north oozes in its loud dramatic festivities, the south soothes itself with a mesmeric merriment of its local festivities. Kadammanitta Padavani is an event annually carried forward by the locals of Kerala. Kerala has always been attached with liberty, and this event’s dance form substantiates the same.
Padayani originated from the depth of Travancore and involves a rhythmic synchronisation between melodious folklore music and heavy drumming. The use of various masks engraving Kalan (God of death), Yakshi (fairy), Pakshi (birds) and Bhairavi (Kali) reminisces the core Hindu mythology.
Read More : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
Suggested Tour : 10 Nights Kerala Village Tour
18. Kaliyoottu Mahotsavam
Date: 1st to 10th April 2024
Location: Vellayani Devi Temple, Trivandrum
This temple festival is celebrated once in every three years. This festival is celebrated for about 50-60 days. This festival is dedicated to a ritual art form called Kaliyootu. You can find many unique local dance and music performances by local artists at this festival. The best of all is the Paranett ceremony, which is conducted on the last day of the festival. During this ceremony, the idol is taken on a grand procession with music, dance, and showers of flowers through the street. Taking part in this procession is considered as a spiritual activity. Fairs are conducted right outside the temple, where you can find numerous souvenirs.
Trivandrum Travel Guide
Suggested Tour :
19. Ramadan
Date: 10th March - 9th April, 2024
Location: Throughout the country
This month-long fasting is an important festival of the Islamic community. The holy month of Ramadan is celebrated with fasting and feasting. You can visit any religious sites to take part in the feast at sunset. Many delicacies are made at home and are shared with people with no differentiation by their religion or creed. On the final day of the festival, a grand feast is conducted and delicacies are shared with each other.
20. Chithirai Festival
Date: 14th April 2024
Location: Madurai
This festival is celebrated in two phases. The first phase is dedicated to the coronation of Meenakshi Amman and her celestial wedding with Lord Sundareswara. The second phase is the celebration of the Alagar festival in Alagar Koyil. The festival starts with flag hoisting in Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Top activities to enjoy during this festival are the procession, dance and music shows, flower decorations, exhibitions, trade fairs, car procession (temple chariot) and many others. Each day, many cultural performances, spiritual lectures, and dramas are conducted in the temple.
Also Read : The Most Spiritual Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Suggested Tour :
- Private Day Tour of Madurai
- 4 Days - Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari Temple Tour
- 12 Days - South India Temple Tour
21. 14th Dabasaheb Phalke Film Festival
Date: 30th April 2024
Location: Delhi
As the name indicates, this is a film festival and the only independent festival of films in India. This festival marks the birth anniversary of Dhundiraj Govind Saheb Phalke, the father of Indian Cinema. During this festival, many films, music videos, animations, and other visual displays are shown and ranked. This festival is embraced by many major film industry personalities and film critics. This event is seen as a platform for budding artists to showcase their work to the public.
22. Jodhpur Flamenco and Gypsy Festival
Date: 3rd April 2024
Location: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
This festival takes place for three days and the main agenda of this festival is to celebrate the link between Rajasthan and Spain. This festival celebrates the culture of Spain and India. Celebrated since 2014, this festival brings musicians and dancers together for the audience. Starting from drum solo to electrifying group dances, you can find numerous cultural performances during this festival. Gypsy artists also perform during this festival. Numerous local and international tourists take part in this celebration, every year.
Also Read : About Marwar Festival of Jodhpur
Suggested Tour:
23. Kollam Pooram
Date:15th April 2024
Location: Kollam
This is a weeklong annual celebration of Sri Krishnaswamy temple of Asramam Maidan. This festival is famous for the elephant show, traditional music performance, and ritual. This festival’s procession is the main event. The idol of the temple is taken on a grand palanquin, followed by many decorated elephants, dancers, and musicians who perform throughout the route. The process takes a specific route, which connects numerous temples on the way. The festival ends with bursting fireworks. Stalls will be erected around the temple area for souvenir and religious item shopping.
24. Goa Food and Cultural Festival, Panaji
Date: To be Announced
Location: Goa
Goa is like the adrenaline state of India. You can feel the part of its history the moment you land. Its Food and culture festival is just an anecdote of the liveliest place in India. The food carnival is place spread with multi-national cuisines, sea foods, Goan specials, and also the homemade food. Cooking competitions, exotic cocktails and live feni distillation make up for a great time. Adding to that, many of the musical bands of India and foreign add to the cultural fiesta. The Goa festival lives up to its expectations and fashions a long lasting memory of its influence in the minds of people.
Read More : Major Events and Festivals in Goa
Suggested Tour : 4 Days - Goa Beaches Tour
25. Thrissur Pooram, Kerala
Date: 19th May 2024
Location: Kerala
Kerala is always associated with elephants. Thrissur Pooram is the place you should visit this April if you want to come closer to the enriching performance of man, elephant and music! As many as 30 elephants are decorated with every possible kind of traditional supplies. It becomes a visual treat to see how these lavishly bedecked elephants assemble in the tunes of 250 musical artists. Ornamental displays and drum concerts add to the appeal of the event. The ecstatic firework display as the sun takes a dip into the waters closes the evening with emphatic satisfaction.
Also Read : Monsoon Exclusive: Snake Boat Races, Kerala
Suggested Tour : 7 Days - Tamilnadu Kerala Culture Tour
26. Attuvela Mahotsavam, Kerala
Date: 9th April 2024
Location: Kerala
Another Keralan delight. This time we shift our focus from elephants to temples and waterways. Attuvela Mahotsavam is an engrossing water carnival that has its root connected to a legend in which Goddess of Kodungalloor is welcomed in the state with her sister. The event starts with festooned and illumined models of the temples of Kerala floating across the water bodies. The moving entourage is supported with the temple music playing inside each of the models. The lightening of the replicas combines with the dusky evenings to reciprocate a heavenly view. The spectacle is widely adored by the people of Kerala and definitely calls for a visit.
Note : In 2020, This festival will be celebrated in March.
Read More : Top Things To Do in Kerala
Also Read : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
Suggested Tour : 13 Days - Kerala Beaches & Forests Tour
As you can see, the arrival of April carries such vigour and colour into our senses. Be proactive and start to plan your days as these enchanting events only happen annually and you are too special to miss any of it.
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