UPSC Prelims 2020 Important Topics: Festival and States: India is a land of diversification. Every state has its unique art, culture, and tradition. The one thing that is common for all states is the celebration of individual culture and tradition.
Indians celebrate their beliefs, culture, and tradition in the form of festivals. Every festival has its own specific characteristics. Festivals in India are celebrated season-wise and state-wise.
The main reason for the celebration of these festivals is to spread happiness and strengthen the bond between friends and family. Many festivals are local and held at different dates each year. Few are set according to the lunar calendar. The relevance of festivals in India is to honor a deity at a particular temple, celebrate the agriculture cycle or a religious story or event.
- Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Motivational and New analysis videos
This is an important topic for UPSC Prelims and other government exams 2020-21
UPSC Prelims 2020 Important Topics
List of Indian Festivals
The list of the Indian festivals mentioned below is stated in the following order:
- State-specific
- Season-specific
The state-specific Indian festivals are listed below:
State | List of Indian Festivals |
Andhra Pradesh | Bhishma Ekadasi, Deccan Festival, Pitr, Brahmotsavam |
Arunachal Pradesh | Pongtu, Losar |
Assam | Bhogali Bihu |
Bihar | Chhath Puja |
Chhattisgarh | Maghi Purnima, Bastar |
Goa | Carnival, Sunburn festival |
Gujarat | Navratri, Janmashtami, Kutch Utsav |
Himachal Pradesh | Rakhadumni, Gochi Festival |
Haryana | Baisakhi, Surajkund Mela |
Jammu and Kashmir | Har Navami, Chhari, Bahu Mela |
Jharkhand | Karam Utsav, Holi |
Karnataka | Mysore Dasara, Ugadi |
Kerala | Onam, Vishu |
Madhya Pradesh | Lokrang utsav, Diwali |
Meghalaya | Nongkrem festival, Khasis festival |
Maharashtra | Ganesh Utsav, Gudi Padva |
Manipur | Yaoshang |
Mizoram | Chapcharkut Festival |
Nagaland | Hornbill festival |
Odisha | Rath Yatra, Raja Parba |
Punjab | Lohri, Baisakhi |
Rajasthan | Gangaur, Teej |
Sikkim | Losar, Saga Dawa |
Tamil Nadu | Pongal |
Telangana | Bonalu, Bathukamma |
Tripura | Kharchi Puja |
West Bengal | Durga Puja |
Uttaranchal | Ganga Dussehra, Kumbh Mela |
Uttar Pradesh | Ram Navmi, Ganga Mahotsav, Navaratri |
List of (Season-specific) Harvest Festivals in India
North India
Festival | Month |
Makar Sankranti | January |
Baisakhi | April |
Ladakh harvest festival | September |
Lohri | January |
Basant Panchami | January |
South India
Festival | Month |
Onam | August |
Pongal | January |
Ugadi | March |
Vishu | April |
East & West India
Festival | Month |
Bhogali Bihu | January |
Wangala | November |
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem | November |
Nuakhai | August |
Gudi Padwa | March |
Nabanna | November-December |
Interesting Facts about Festivals in India:
- Tihar is one of the festivals of India that is dedicated to certain animals and things. They are classified as day of dog, day of crow, day of cows, etc.
- Gotmar festival in Pandhurna is one of the festivals where two large villages perform an act of rivalry against one another by hurling rocks for 24 hours.
- Gajan festival is one such festival where devotees offer sacrifices and perform acts of devotion such as running over hot coals, lying on beds of nails, stepping over children, offering human remains and piercing themselves to win blessings from Hindu gods such as Lord Shiva.
- Snake Boat Races are held in Kerala and several dozens of men race on a boat in Kerala’s waterways and canals.