India is a country consisting of people from all
religions. With such vast geography and diverse communities, India is home to a number of festivals being celebrated here.
Festivals mark a special event to be celebrated either in each of the local communities or nationally.
There are many reasons why people celebrate a festival. Some festivals are celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil and some festivals are celebrations of the birth of Gods and great personalities that walked on earth.
While some festivals mark new beginnings or harvest seasons, some are celebrated to mark the importance of a relationship.
There are hundreds of festivals celebrated in India in various communities throughout the year.
Some festivals are celebrated locally and some are celebrated in Pan India or even across the world. Here we are going to look at such important festivals 2022 in India and on which day they will be celebrated in 2022.
List OF Indian Festivals 2022
1. Lohri
Date- Lohri is celebrated on the last day of the month of Paush in the Hindi Calendar. This festivals in 2022 13th Jan.
Celebrated where- Lohri is the major festival of Punjab and is mostly celebrated in Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, Himachalis, and nearby regions.
Significance- Known as Makar Sankranti in many places, Lohri marks the harvesting season in Punjab. It also marks the end of the winter season.
Things to do- Lohri is celebrated uniquely after the Rabi crops are harvested and the field is cleared.
Then on the night of Lohri, a huge bonfire is lit on the field and an idol of Goddess Lohri is placed beneath the fire.
People gather around the bonfire wearing traditional Punjabi clothes, they sing, dance, throw Gur (jaggery) and sesame seeds and pray to God to bless their land.
2. Pongal
Date- Pongal is a major festival in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu.
This festival typically spans 3 days dating 13th to the 16th of January and the main festival occurs on the 14th of January.
Celebrated where- It is celebrated mostly in South India and is a popular festival in Tamil Nadu.
Significance- Pongal is also known as Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal.
This festival is dedicated to the Sun God, Lord Surya and marks the harvest season in South India.
Pongal is celebrated all over India with different names such as Lohri in Punjab and Makar Sankranti in other parts of India. Things to do- On this day, people gather together to celebrate this festival.
They face the rising sun and make Pongal, a special dish for this festival. They offer Pongal to God and pray for abundance in their harvests.
3. Republic day
Date- Republic day is celebrated on 26th January every year.
Celebrated where - It is a national festival and celebrated in every part of India. A grand celebration is held at Janpath, Delhi.
Significance- The constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950. To mark this historic date, Republic Day is celebrated every year.
Things to do- On republic day, the Prime Minister of India unfurls the Indian flag
And then a magnificent parade is organized by the Indian Army, Navy, and Airforce showing depicting the culture of various states.
Flags are hoisted in schools and government offices. Various cultural programs are organized to celebrate Republic day in schools and sweets are distributed.
4. Vasant Panchami
Date- Basant Panchami dates according to calendar of 2022 with festivals 5th February in 2022.
Celebrated where - It is a popular festival which is celebrated all over India.
Significance- According to Hindi Calendar, Basant Panchami marks the end of winter and the arrival of the spring season.
Things to do- The idol of Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day. Many parents give their children their first education on this day.
Children in India offer their books in the Puja Pandal and pray for wisdom from Goddess Saraswati.
5. Holika Dahan
Date- Holika Dahan dates on 17th January 2022 according to 2022 festival calendar and is a major festival in India.
Celebrated where - Holika Dahan is celebrated all over India.
Significance- Hiranyakashyap wanted to kill his son Prahlad who was a great devotee of God Narayan.
So he asked his sister Holika to sit with Prahlad on a pyre of fire.
Since she was blessed, she couldn’t be burned by fire and only Prahlad was to burn. But the opposite happened. Prahlad survived the fire and Holika was burnt. This is celebrated as Holika Dahan.
Things to do- On the eve of Holika Dahan, people light a bonfire, apply gulal (colored powder) and feed sweets to each other. In some places, there is a tradition to abuse the bonfire representing Holika.
6. Holi
Date- Holi is the most popular festival among children celebrated on the 18th of march in 2022.
Celebrated where - Across India. The Grand celebration is held in Mathura and Vrindavan. Hindu Communities celebrate Holi worldwide as well.
Significance- People celebrate Holi to mark the victory of Good over evil as Holika was burnt in an attempt to kill little Prahlad.
It is also a festival where the eternal love of Radha and Krishna is celebrated.
Things to do- Though it is a Hindu festival people of all religions celebrate it with great enthusiasm.
They apply color to each other, play with water guns, and make delicious sweets like Gujia, malpua, and thandai.
7. Gudi padwa
Date- Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day in the month of Chaitra in the Hindu Calendar. This dates on 2nd April according to Hindu calendar 2022.
Celebrated where - this is a very popular festival celebrated in Maharashtra and the nearby region.
It is more popular among the Marathi community.
Significance- It is believed that the day on which Brahma
created the universe is celebrated as Gudi Padwa.
It is also the new year of Marathi and Konkani Hindus. Few legends also say Lord Rama was crowned as
King of Ayodhya after returning from exile on this day.
Things to do- Gudi padwa is celebrated by taking an oil bath, wearing new clothes, and praying to God. People clean and decorate their homes also on this day.
9. Ram Navami
Date- It is a popular Hindu festival that dates on 10th April in 2022.
Celebrated where - Ram Navami is celebrated all over India and a grand celebration is made in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama and Rameshwaram, where Lord Ram established the Rameshwaram Temple.
Significance- Ram Navami is a festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama.
Things to do- On this day people worship Lord Rama.
If there are Ram temples nearby, then people visit the temple and offer their prayers.
9. Good Friday
Date- Good Friday is a popular Christian festival and dates on 15 April 2022.
Celebrated where - It is celebrated in Pan India and is also celebrated worldwide.
Significance – Good Friday is observed to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.
Things to do – It is a major Christian festival but people from all communities and religions visit the church on this day to offer their prayers.
It is also known as Holy Friday. On this day, people do fasting to appreciate Christ’s sacrifice for mankind. There is a national public holiday on Good Friday.
10. Baisakhi
Date – A very famous Punjabi festival, Baisakhi is celebrated on 14th April in 2022.
Celebrated where – It is a popular festival celebrated in Punjab and parts of North India like Haryana and Himachal.
Significance- Baisakhi marks the beginning of Sikh New Year from this day.
Things to do – During Baisakhi, fairs are organized in various parts of the state.
People Visit Gurdwaras and offer their prayers.
Farmers pray to God for a good harvest in the coming seasons. People gather together, do the Bhangra, sing, dance, and prepare sweets.
11. Easter
Date - Easter dates on 17th April 2022.
Celebrated where - It is a popular Christian festival that is celebrated across India and around the world.
Significance- Easter marks the rebirth of Jesus Christ after he was crucified on the Cross.
It also marks the rebirth of Christianity.
Things to do- People around the world visit church and sing prayers to praise the Lord.
12. Ramzan
Date - In 2022, Ramzan dates on 2nd May.
Celebrated where - Ramzan is the most popular festival among Muslims and is celebrated worldwide.
Significance- Ramadan is the fasting month for Muslims. During Ramadan, they do not eat or drink anything during the daytime.
They offer Namaz in the evening and when the moon reappears then only they eat anything.
Ramzan is celebrated at the end of this Ramadan month. It also marks the start of Shawwal, an Islamic month.
Things to do – Not only Muslims, but Ramzan has become popular among people of all communities. On this day, Muslims offer Namaz and their Hindu friends come to them for the famous Biryani and Eid ki Seviyan.
13. Vesak
Date – Vesak is a famous Buddhist festival and dates on 16th May 2022.
Celebrated where – It is celebrated all over India and is a popular festival in south Asia.
Significance- This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth and enlightenment of Gautam Buddha.
Things to do- On this day, Buddhists visit the monks and listen to the verses of wisdom.
The temples are decorated with flowers and hymns are sung. Devotees offer simple gifts to their gurus in the temple.
14. Rath Yatra
Date - The famous Chariot Festival or Rath Yatra dates on 1st July in 2022.
Celebrated where - Rath Yatra is a major festival of Odisha. But it is celebrated worldwide now wherever there is a Jagannath temple.
Significance – It is said Krishna (Jagannath) and his siblings fall ill after bathing in the blazing sun.
And when they recover they feel hungry and wish to eat food cooked by her aunt that resides nearby.
Rath Yatra is a festival that celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Subhadra from Jagannath temple to Gundicha Temple which is their aunt’s residence.
Things to do- In Rath Yatra, the Lord Jagannath and his sibling are alighted on Rath or Chariot and roam around. People come to see this journey and pray to the lord.
15. Eid-al-Adha
Date - Eid-al-Adha is a famous Muslim festival celebrated on the 9th of July in 2022.
Celebrated where - Eid is the most famous Muslim Festival that is celebrated all around the world.
Significance- There was a prophet called Ibrahim, who was a great believer in Allah.
On Allah’s command, he sacrificed his life. Eid-al-Adha is celebrated to commemorate his sacrifice. Things to do- Haj is the greatest pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslims believe that it should be done at least once in a lifetime.
People end their haj on this day. Others read Namaz in Mosques. They prepare delicious Biryani and Sewai and serve friends of all religions.
16. Guru Purnima
Date – Guru Purnima is a festival dedicated to teachers and dates on 13th July in 2022.
Celebrated where – It is celebrated across India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Significance- Guru Purnima is celebrated to honor and respect the enlightened gurus who teach people to follow the right path.
Things to do- On this day people worship the guru, offer them sweets, and visit their ashrams or monasteries to offer their prayer.
17. Raksha Bandhan
Date - Raksha Bandhan is a popular festival among siblings and dates on 11th august 2022.
Celebrated where – This famous festival is celebrated all over India.
Significance- As the name suggests, Raksha means protection and Bandhan means bond.
So this festival celebrates the promise a brother makes to protect his sister.
According to Hindu mythology, once Krishna cut his finger and Draupadi tore her cloth to tie on the bleeding finger. And since that day, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated to honor the relationship between brothers and sisters.
Things to do- On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie rakhi on their brother’s hand. Brothers give gifts to their sisters. They feed sweets to each other. If sisters live in a different place, they visit their brother’s place to celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
18. Independence day
Date - Independence Day is a national festival celebrated on 15th August every year.
Celebrated where - All over India
Significance- Independence day is celebrated to commemorate the freedom of India from British rule.
India gained independence on 15th August and since then it is celebrated every year.
Things to do- Prime Minister unfurls flag in Red fort on this day. Flags are hoisted in government offices, schools, and other such places.
Many cultural programs, competitions, and parades are organized in schools and colleges to celebrate Independence day.
19. Janmashtami
Date- Janmashtami is a famous Hindu festival that dates on the 19th of August 2022.
Celebrated where – Janmashtami is celebrated all over India, especially in Vrindavan and Mathura.
Significance- Janmashtami is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
Things to do – The celebration of Janmashtami starts at midnight.
People observe fasting the whole day and at midnight they bathe and worship the idol of Bal Gopal (Little Krishna).
They break their fast after worshipping Krishna. Matki Phod or Dahi Handi competition is organized all over India to celebrate the mischievous nature of young Krishna.
20. Ganesh Chaturthi
Date - One of the most popular festivals in India, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on 31st august in 2022.
Celebrated where – It is celebrated all over India, especially in Maharashtra.
In some regions, it is celebrated for 2-3 days while in other regions it is celebrated for 10 days.
Significance- Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha.
Things to do – During Ganesh Chaturthi, huge pandals are made, where the idol of Ganesha is worshipped. People visit the Pandals to pray to God.
Aarti is done every evening during the entire festival, Prasad or sweets are distributed to the devotees.
Devotional songs are played that create an entirely spiritual environment for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, Visarjan is done by taking Ganesha out in a grand procession.
21. Onam
Date - Onam is celebrated on 8th September, Thursday in 2022.
Celebrated where – It is a major festival celebrated in Kerala.
Significance- According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu took the Vaman Avatar and visited King Mahabali, and sent him to the nether world.
But he was allowed to visit his people once a year.
Therefore Onam is celebrated to commemorate the Vaman Avatar and the homecoming of the king. Onam also marks the first month of the Malayalam calendar.
Things to do- On this day, people wear new clothes which is a tradition called Onakkodi. They decorate lamps and pray to god.
22. Gandhi Jayanti
Date - Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated all over India on 2nd October every year.
Celebrated where - All over India. It is a national holiday.
Significance- Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Things to do- On the day of Gandhi Jayanti, a public holiday is observed nationwide.
23. Maha Ashtami
Date - Maha Ashtami is the most awaited Hindu festival in Eastern India and dates on 3rd October 2022.
Celebrated where- Celebrated all over India. Grand celebrations are made in West Bengal and adjoining regions including Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand, etc.
Significance- Maha Ashtami or Durga Ashtami is celebrated because on this day Goddess Durga
killed the demon Mahisasur.
It marks the victory of Good over evil and honors the feminine energy in the form of Goddess Shakti.
Things to do- Maha Ashtami is the eighth day of Navratri. Many people perform Kanya Pujan on this day and break their 9 days of fasting.
Durgashtami is also the main day of the 5 days long Durga Puja observed in the country.
24. Maha Navami
Date - Maha Navami is dating on 4th October in 2022.
Celebrated where- Maha Navami is celebrated all over India, especially in West Bengal and nearby regions.
Significance- Maha Navami Marks the end of 9 days long Navratri Puja. Many devotees break their 9-day long fasting on this day.
It is also the last day of Durga Puja celebrated before Vijay Dashmi.
Things to do- Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Goddess Saraswati on this day. Fairs are organized all over India during the Navratri.
Maha Navami and Dussehra are the popular days when people go to enjoy the fair.
25. Dussehra
Date - Dussehra is one of the most popular festivals and dates on 5th October 2022.
Celebrated where- Dussehra is the national
festival celebrated all over India and around the world as well.
Significance- Dussehra celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is the day when Ram killed Ravan.
Things to do – On this day the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in water, marking the end of 10 days long Navratri and Durga Puja.
Also, the effigies of Ravana are burned in all parts of India resembling the destruction of evil.
26. Diwali
Date - The most famous festival of the Hindus and Indians dates on 24th October in 2022.
Celebrated where – Diwali is celebrated all over India and around the world too.
Significance- Diwali marks the day on which Lord Rama
returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of Vanvas and killing Ravan.
The whole of Ayodhya city was lit with lamps in the happiness of the arrival of Rama and therefore Diwali is considered the festival of lights.
Things to do- It is a festival of 5 days with the main Diwali being celebrated on the night of Amavasya or no moon night.
On this day children burn crackers, people worship goddesses Laxmi and Kali, and wear new dresses.
Many people buy new goods, vehicles, gold, etc on this day. It is a festival when everyone cleans their houses and paint their homes.
27. Bhai Dooj
Date -Bhai dooj is the festival of siblings and dates on 26th October 2022.
Celebrated where – This festival is celebrated throughout India.
Significance- It is a festival to celebrate the relationship, love, and bond between brothers and sisters.
Bhai dooj also marks the end of 5 day Diwali celebration.
Things to do – On Bhai dooj, sisters worship their brothers and pray for their wellbeing.
They apply tilak on their brother’s forehead, perform aarti and offer them, sweets. It is similar to Raksha Bandhan but without Rakhi.
28. Guru Nanak Jayanti
Date - Guru Nanak Jayanti is the popular Sikh festival falling on 8th November 2022.
Celebrated where – This is a national festival observed throughout India, and is one of the important festivals in Punjab.
Significance- Guru Nanak Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev.
Things to do- The celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated 2 days before the date of Jayanti. A non-stop 48 hours recitation of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs, is done. This is called Akhand Path.
In many parts of the state Nagar Kirtan or a parade is organized.
29. Christmas
Date - The most popular Christian festival and last festival of the year is celebrated on 25th December every year.
Celebrated where – Christmas is celebrated all over India and across the world.
Significance- Christmas is the festival to celebrate the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ, the son of God.
Things to do – People visit the church to offer midnight prayer.
A Christmas tree is decorated in every home. People give presents to each other, exchange sweets, cut cake and drink wine to celebrate Christmas.
Children wait for Santa Claus to get gifts from him. They hang socks on their bedside waiting for a gift from Santa. Not only Christians but people of all religions celebrate it enthusiastically.
Conclusion
India is a country where people of all religions, castes, and creeds live in harmony. Every community is unique and they celebrate their festivals with enthusiasm.
Some festivals don’t see any religion and are celebrated by all in unison.
Festivals 2022 is Holi, Diwali, Eid, Raksha Bandhan, Christmas, etc. are festivals that are celebrated worldwide by everyone. Be it a festival of colors or a festival of lights, the children and adults all are excited.
Festivals are not only significant for the reasons why they are celebrated, but they also act as a reason to celebrate life.
Festivals bring an opportunity for people to forget the hustle and bustle of life, take a pause, and celebrate their life. And in India, the people get several such opportunities because of the number of festivals being celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the famous Indian festival?
Holi, Diwali, Eid, and Christmas are some famous Indian festivals celebrated by people all across the country.
Q2. How many Indian festivals are there?
There are more than thousands of festivals in India at the local and national levels. Each community has its own culture and different festivals to celebrate. But there are around 50 festivals that are celebrated by everyone in the country.
Q3. What festivals do the Indians celebrate?
Indians celebrate all kinds of festivals of all religions. Starting from Makar Sankranti in January to Christmas in December, several festivals are celebrated in India throughout the year.
Q4. What are the national festivals?
Though many festivals are celebrated in India, there are only three national festivals that are Republic Day (26th January), Independence Day (15th August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October).
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