India is a country of traditions and festivals full of excitement and joy, with each festival having its own significance and way of celebration. Our culture and rituals make us unique, attracting travellers from far and wide. February is one of the months with lots of different and unique festivals and is a perfect time for celebrating festivity. There are numerous Indian festivals in February celebrated with lots of fun, excitement, and rituals. Be it the Vasant Panchami or the cultural Nishagandhi dance festival, these February festivals in India have much more to please visitors with beautiful memories.
Famous Indian Festivals in February
1. Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami is a festival celebrated by Hindus all over India. This is one of the famous festivals in February in India. It is celebrated in honour of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, language, music, and all arts, and also marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which takes place forty days after Vasant Panchami.
Vasant Panchami is celebrated every year on the 5th day of the Hindu calendar month Magha. In southern states, this day is known as Sri Panchami. The festival also marks an event for agricultural fields’ ripening with yellow flowers of mustard crop, which is associated with Goddess Saraswati’s favourite colour by Hindus. People celebrate this day in yellow sarees, attires or accessories and share yellow-coloured snacks and sweets.
2. Thaipusam, Tamil Nadu
Thaipusam is a colourful Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil community. It is one of the most important February festivals celebrated not just in India but also in countries like Malaysia, the USA, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other countries that have a major presence of the Tamil community. It is a major celebration of the Tamil community.
Thaipusam is celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month Thai, that is, January/February month of the English calendar. It is celebrated in the town of Pilani in Tamil Nadu with great excitement. People prepare themselves for the festival by spiritually cleansing through fasting and prayer for 48 days. The devotees shave their heads and set out for the pilgrimage while engaging in various acts of religious observance and carrying different types of kavadi (burdens) with them on this day.
People carry a pot of milk or burdens on flesh by piercing the skin, tongue, or cheeks with vel skewers. Vel kavadi is one of the hardest penances and the most amazing practice in this festival. It is a portable altar about two meters tall, adorned with peacock feathers and attached to the devotee’s body through 108 vels pierced into the skin on the chest and at the back. The devotees do not feel any pain, nor do they bleed from their wounds, even no scars are left behind. The pilgrims also practice fire walking and whipping to prove their devotion to Lord Murugan during the Thaipusam.
3. Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivratri is ‘The Great Night of Shiva’, and a Hindu festival celebrated annually all over India in the honour of lord Shiva. This festival is observed on the 14th day of the dark half-lunar month of Phalguna or Magha, according to the Hindu calendar.
Being one of the famous February festivals in India, it is observed by remembering Lord Shiva, praying, fasting, and meditating. On this day, chanting ‘Om Namah Shivay’ purifies the sins committed in past lives. This festival commemorates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. Devotees stay awake throughout this night.
Also Read – Maha Shivratri – History & Significance
4. Losar Festival
Losar festival is the celebration of the Tibetan New Year and is also known as the festival of swords. It is set according to the lunisolar Tibetan calendar. It lasts for around 15 days, with the main celebrations on the first three days. On the first day, a beverage named changkol made from chhaang is prepared and the second day is known as the king’s losar. The third day is New Year’s Day. People wake up early, wear new clothes, and offer prayers to god. It is celebrated on different days depending on the tradition of the location. It is also known as one of the important festivals in February in India.
It is celebrated in regions focusing on Tibetan Buddhism, such as Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Spiti, Kinnaur, and other Buddhist Himalayan regions in India. It is a time when families and friends gather to enjoy meals and drinks together. The Lama Jogis, who are revered religious figures in Tibetan Buddhism known for their spiritual knowledge, visit each house to offer wishes for prosperity during this festival.
5. Matho Nagrang Festival, Ladakh
The Buddhists of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir celebrate an annual religious festival called Matho Nagrang festival. It is an Indian festival in February which is celebrated on the 15th day of the Tibetan month of the monkey. This festival is marked by the sacred Buddhist rituals and dances by Lamas of the Matho monastery and hence is one of the most important Indian festivals in February.
The origin of the festival is in the 12th century when a monk called Rinchen Zangpo, a disciple of great translator Guru Rinpoche, is said to have created the Matho monastery. He is also credited for introducing Buddhism to the region and this festival is seen as a celebration of his teachings. Matho Nagrang starts with a procession from the Matho monastery to the main temple of shey palace. It is led by two monks wearing masks and holding a banner of the monastery. Then, a group of monks perform the sacred rituals and dances. An offering of sacred cakes and khatas to the local deities and reciting of mantras and chants are involved in the main ritual.
Other forms of entertainment, such as masked dances and traditional songs and music, are also included in the festival. There are various stalls set up selling religious items, traditional food, and other items throughout the festival. It is considered a time of purification and renewal for the local community. It is seen as a time for local monks to give spiritual guidance to the community and strengthen the bonds between Local people and their faith. It brings revenue from tourists who come to witness the festivities, and hence it is an important part of the local economy. It is a unique and special experience for those who visit Ladakh during this February festival.
6. Goa Carnival
Goa Carnival is a vibrant and colourful festival that takes place every year in Goa, India. It is a four-day February festival in India. It has become one of the well-known and most popular cultural events in India. This festival attracts a lot of visitors from all over the world.
Goa Carnival is one of the famous Indian festivals in February. It is a time of joy, celebration, and cultural expression and has become an important part of the Goan calendar. It has a variety of events and activities that show the unique heritage and traditions of Goa, including parades, music performances, dance competitions, food festivals, and cultural displays.
The parade of the carnival is the highlighted part of this festival that goes through the streets of major Goan towns and cities across the state. It features a variety of floats, dancers, and musicians, all dressed in elaborate costumes, and makes the streets of Goa come alive. This is led by a mythical figure, said to be the King of carnival, King Momo. There are various traditional Goan cuisines, including seafood delicacies and refreshing drinks for the visitors.
Also Read – From East To West – Different Types Of Holi Celebrations In India
7. Surajkund Crafts Mela, Haryana
Surajkund crafts mela captures the hearts of thousands of travellers from all over the world, with their mouth-watering Indian cuisines, traditional handicrafts, enthralling folk dancers and handloom products defined by years of traditional art. It is organised every year during the first half of the month of February and is organised by the Haryana Tourism Department in Faridabad, Haryana.
8. Garden Festival, Delhi
Garden Festival is a day celebrating the hues of mother nature and the fervour of the spring season organised by Delhi Tourism in association with the government of Delhi, with the objective of creating awareness about the environment and the rich floriculture of Delhi.
The Garden Festival is organised for three weeks. It shows different types of plants and flowers at the Garden of Five Senses in Saket. There are various activities organised for this festival, such as a display of terrariums, floral animals, potted plants, foliage, medicinal and herbal plants, dahlia, roses, etc., a garden bazaar, weekend cultural programs in the evenings, various food stalls, and art and craft offerings.
9. Rose Festival, Chandigarh
The Rose Festival is celebrated every year in the last week of February by the Department of Tourism in Chandigarh. It is a floral festival held in Zakir Hussain Rose Garden of Sector 16, Chandigarh. Celebrations activities such as setting up an amusement park and day-long cultural programs, including three mega musical nights.
10. Kala Ghoda Art Festival, Mumbai
Kala Ghoda Art Festival is Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street art festival. It is always set up in the Kala Ghoda area of South Mumbai, India. Organised by the Kala Ghoda Association, it is a nine-day-long annual festival that starts on the first Saturday of February and ends on the second Sunday of February.
This festival has grown its popularity, attracting visitors and participants from other parts of the country and the world, since its inception in 1999. Various activities are featured in this festival, such as visual arts, dance, music, theatre, cinema, literature, workshops, heritage walks, urban design, food, a children’s section, and a street section with eco-friendly stalls. There is no fee for entry.
The festival has expanded beyond Kala Ghoda, and venues include the National Gallery of Modern Art, David Sassoon Library, CSMVS, Museum, Cross Maidan, Horniman Circle garden, M C Ghia Hall, Cafeteria, Tata store, MMB Gallery, and Rampart Row. During the festival, Rampart Row is closed off to all the vehicles. The area becomes a beautiful street Mela, with multiple food stalls, artisans selling creations, artists who sketch instant portraits, and many like.
11. Deccan Festival, Andhra Pradesh
The Deccan festival is a five-day festival in February in India organised by the tourism department of Andhra Pradesh to keep the tradition and culture of the Deccan area alive with a riot of colours, music, spices and fairs. It is the most vibrant and enjoyable of all the Indian festivals in February.
Deccan festival is held in Hyderabad every year, also known as the Hyderabad festival. Programs for the cultural extravaganza are arranged to celebrate the Deccan festival in Andhra Pradesh, such as Ghazal nights and nights of qawwali and mushairas. There are food festivals that are an absolute treat for the foodies where you get to taste different varieties of appetizing and delicious cuisine, fairs of famous things of the city, radiant pearls of all varieties, and multi-coloured bangles.
12. Nishagandhi Dance Festival, Kerala
Nishagandhi Dance Festival is a one-week festival of classical dances organised by the Kerala Tourism Department annually in the Nishagandhi Amphitheatre, Kanakakunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram.
Nishagandhi Dance Festival is one of the important festivals in February in India that highlights the richness of Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Mohiniyattam, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, And Kathakali. A Kathakali fest is conducted inside the palace.
13. Desert Festival, Rajasthan
Desert festival, one of the most popular Indian festivals in February, is celebrated in the desert regions of India. In the Thar desert, in Rajasthan, it is celebrated as a large official occasion or ceremony with a great show. It is celebrated from 3rd to 5th February. It is a three-day celebration of colour, entertainment, and music held in the beautiful city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Tourists and local people witness the rich culture and heritage of the desert tribes like a large crowd during this festival in February.
This is one of the important February festivals in India. On this day, people of the desert gather together and celebrate the beauty of the desert. There are numerous traditional activities performed during this festival such as folk dances, camel rides, turban tying, and snake charming. There are also several competitions that people participate in with full joy and excitement, such as camel racing, kite flying, and tug of war. People also conduct traditional music performances and arts and crafts exhibitions. There are also varieties of delicious local cuisines on the food stalls where people can enjoy the taste of the traditional cuisines of Rajasthan.
Behind this beautiful festival, there is a history that only a few people are aware of. It is said that the ruler of the Yadav community, lord Krishna, told Arjuna that a successor belonging to the Yadav community would set up his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill. The prediction made by lord Krishna came true in 1196, when a descendant of the Yadav clan, Rawal Jaiswal, established his kingdom in Jaisalmer. There were celebrations organised in the kingdom, and eventually, people came to know about the prophecy that had come true. These celebrations soon became a festival that is now celebrated every year.
14. Taj Mahotsav, Agra
Taj Mahotsav is an annual 10-day festival that celebrates the rich culture and heritage of Uttar Pradesh, India. It takes place on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, the city of the iconic Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered the most beautiful historical place in India.
Taj Mahotsav shows the culture and tradition of Uttar Pradesh through a variety of colourful performances, folk dances and music, art exhibitions, and food stalls. This festival is inspired by the Mughal era and Nawabi style in Uttar Pradesh. It is organised by the Taj Mahotsav committee and presented by the commissioner, Agra division, Agra.
This festival is celebrated with great excitement and includes a variety of activities and performances that have evolved over the years. This festival attracts a lot of tourists from around the world. There are a variety of stalls, including food stalls, craft bazaars, sound and light shows, and cultural events such as classical music and dance performances, puppet shows, and qawwali performances.
Also Read – History, Story And Real Facts About Taj Mahal And Mumtaz Mahal
15. Khajuraho Dance Festival, Madhya Pradesh
The Khajuraho dance festival is a one-week festival of classical dances organised by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad. It is held annually beside the Khajuraho temples in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh in India. This is also one of the famous February festivals in India.
It highlights the rich Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Gaudiya Nritya, and Kathakali through performances of the best exponents in the field. The performances are done in an open-air auditorium, in front of the Chitragupta temple, dedicated to the sun god (Surya), and the Vishwanatha temple, dedicated to lord Shiva.
16. Elephanta Festival, Mumbai
The Elephanta festival is a feast of dance and music, held in the Elephanta islands in Mumbai right next to the Elephanta caves every February, organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation which promotes tourism and culture. Elephanta festival brings the whole country together and gives them a platform to show their talent which makes it unique. It is celebrated for two days.
17. International Yoga Week, Rishikesh
International Yoga Week is an event that keeps the legacy of yoga, the ancient science, alive. The state tourism department, along with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board in Rishikesh, brings together the practitioners of yoga every year. It is a rendering opportunity to attend yoga sessions conducted by renowned yoga teachers. So do not miss this important festival in February, as it will tender you the peace required for your body and mind.
Also Read – Ancient Yoga – Way To Spiritual And Physical Balance
Conclusion
Therefore, Festivals are an important part of Indian culture that brings everyone together for celebrations and joy, regardless of any discrimination. So This February make sure you do not miss any of the festivals and enjoy the colourful celebrations of all the Indian festivals in February.
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