Popular Festivals in India in November
November is the perfect time to plan for the holidays. The mood is all festive with New Year just around the corner and everything seems so cheerful and happy. Many religious and cultural festivals are celebrated in November as well. India is the breeding ground for so many cultures and festivals which are celebrated with utter joy and togetherness.
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Most Popular Festivals India in November
Each year brings with itself a myriad celebration spread across the country. Some of the popular festivals celebrated in November are listed as under:
Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is celebrated on the 6th day of Diwali dedicated to the Sun God. It is one of the important festivals of the people of Jharkhand, UP, and Bihar. It is a 4-day festival which comprises of holy dips in the Ganga and preparation of sweets like Thekua.
Women go to the rivers or ponds to offer Usha Arghya which is morning prayers to the Sun God. The Nahan Khan is referred to as the Holy dip in the Ganga.
Rann Utsav
Set in the backdrop of the white salt desert, Rann Utsav shows the region’s culture and heritage in the most epitome manner possible. Amidst activities like folk dances and music, this is a sure festival that will make you love Kutch to the extreme. Rann Utsav has many food stalls, camel rides, meditation, and yoga classes.
A luxury tent is also set up in the desert to accommodate the visitors. It is best to see during full moon nights to see the moon shining from above.
Diwali
Diwali is the biggest festival of India which marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya with Sita after 14 years in exile. On this day, diyas are lit and placed in houses. Lights are also used in decorating streets and houses. Fireworks are left off with people celebrated with high spirits and hopes. On this day, people wish each other, and sweets are also exchanged.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Pushkar Camel Fair is celebrated in Pushkar, Rajasthan, and is one of the biggest camel festivals celebrated in India. In this fair, villagers come and trade camels, horses, and cows, and many shows are performed in the process of merrymaking. Cow beauty contests, horse shows, camel races, etc. are celebrated with full enthusiasm. The camels are decorated beautifully. It is held between 22nd November to 30th November.
Wangala Festival
The Wangala Festival is celebrated in the Garo Hills of Shillong which marks the harvest season and beginning of winter season. The locals dress up in their traditional attires and pray to Sun God with 100 drums beating at the same time. The drums are played in the form of an orchestra and flutes, gongs are also played along with. Wangala Festival is celebrated on 13th November every year.
Dhokra Mela
Want to get to an offbeat place in West Bengal? Bikna is a small village located close to West Bengal where about 300 artisans live and they are the creators of Dhokra art which are figurines made from traditional art techniques. Visitors can come to this village and learn about the crafting process. The village has developed a rural crafts hub by the Government of West Bengal. It is held from November 6 to November 8 every year.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak Jayanti is the celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. It is celebrated throughout Punjab and mainly at the Golden Temple. On the eve of Jayanti, entire Punjab comes alive with a huge procession with singers and musicians. Apart also demonstrates Sikh Martial Arts. The illuminated Golden Temple looks gorgeous on this day. It is celebrated on 30th November every year.
Bali Jatra
The Bali Jatra depicts the ancient maritime exploration of the trade-in Orissa where merchants reached as far as Bali way back in 2nd century BC. When the winds settled for another direction during Kartik Purnima, then the merchants would make way for Indonesia. In the present times, families place oil lamps in boats at sunrise and sail them away. A large fair is organized with food stalls and handicraft items kept for sale.
These are some of the important festivals in November. Join in the festivities and enjoy these festivals.
