What are the Top 5 Monsoon Festivals in India? Festivals play a vital role in building community together. Several festivals are there that we do celebrate during monsoon, before welcoming rain. It seems like peacocks aren’t the only ones to dance but humans too are there. Different castes and states have their traditions and cultures and thus end up celebrating in their ways.
Here is the list of the Top 5 festivals that we celebrate in India during the monsoon season!
Top 5 Monsoon Festivals in India
1. Janmashtami
The first vital monsoon festival celebrated in India is Janmashtami. It is celebrated mostly in Mathura and Vrindavan, on the occasion of the birth of Lord Krishna. On this day, kids are dressed like Lord Krishna and Radha Ji. The temples recreate different scenes from Lord Krishna’s childhood. This counts as the lord stealing butter or killing his evil uncle. Moreover, people also participate in The ahi Handi competition. A human pyramid is formed to break the pot which is hung at a great height and filled with butter and curd. It’s too much fun!
2. Onam
The second most important monsoon festival is Onam, celebrated majorly in Kerala. It’s not just about Kathakali dance but plays a vital role for the farmers to rejoice after a long time on the farms. On this occasion, 21 types of homemade curries and payasam are prepared and later served on the leaf. Houses are decorated with rangolis and flowers, and traditional dresses are worn by people. Not to forget to mention the carnival of elephants and temple rituals which makes the event more special and happening.
3. Raksha Bandhan
This is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated during the monsoon. Rakshabandhan is an occasion for commemorating the relationship between sister and brother. It is the festival when sisters tie silk thread on the wrist of their brother for protecting them (raksha) throughout their lives. Sisters do bless them with long life. In some families, the sisters do prepare their brother’s favourite dishes on this day. Brothers in return get lavish gifts for their lovely sisters.
4. Rath Yatra
Have you ever not visited Puri and witnessed the grand celebration of Jagannath Rath Yatra? It is one of the best monsoon festivals celebrated in India. Thousands of people gather in the streets where the idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled in rath to take them to Gundicha Temple. The chariots are of massive height, that is 45.6 feet tall. Little did you know, it is so huge that it takes 18 wheels to be dragged. No wonder why people from different parts of the world come to take part in such an auspicious monsoon festival.
5. Teej
Last, but not least, Teej is mainly celebrated in the city of Bundi in Rajasthan. However, some other places like- Haryana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh also celebrate this monsoon festival. Talking more about it, Teej is a three-day occasion when the women fast for their husbands. They swing on the trees while singing songs and the men fly kites up in the sky. Delicious food items like dal-bati, kheer, etc are often prepared during this celebration.
Which of these above 5 monsoon festivals do you celebrate every year?
