The Indian monsoon isn’t just about rain but about colours, festivals, and culture. Indians feel joy in their hearts when they see it raining or get wet in it. India has many beautiful events, from Ganesh Chaturthi (Maharashtra) to Rath Yatra (Puri), which show its true colours during this season. A variety of emotions express themselves through a variety of activities, ceremonies, and colours. Let’s check out the most popular monsoon festivals in India.
Famous Monsoon Festivals in India
Celebrating monsoon festivals will give your child an idea of the cultural background of the nation. Here are some of the most famous monsoon festivals in India.
- Puri Rath Yatra
The Puri Rath Yatra happens in Odisha; it is a big event that brings people from different places together. Lord Jagannath with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra are seen carried through the streets of Puri on huge chariots. It is a very beautiful sight to see. It is believed that a celebration of this kind redeems souls and washes away their sins. - Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Maharashtra’s most popular festivals. It celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birth. Lord Ganesha’s intricate statues and vibrant decorations illuminate homes and pandals. On the tenth day, the idols are submerged in water amid hoopla and chanting. - Teej
Women in places like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar celebrate Teej primarily. It is a celebration of marital love and marks the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. Women swing on adorned swings, sing folk music, apply henna, and dress traditionally. - Raksha Bandhan
The relationship between siblings is honoured during this celebration. To show brothers love and protection, sisters tie rakhi, a holy thread, around their wrists. Brothers promise to defend their sisters in exchange. This is a day of presents, sweets, and family get-togethers. - Onam
Onam is a harvest festival. It honours the legendary King Mahabali and is a significant celebration in Kerala. Boat races, vibrant flower displays, traditional dance (Kathakali), and a lavish feast known as Onasadya are all part of the celebration. - Janmashtami
Particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan, people mark Lord Krishna’s birth date with amazing passion. Devotees perform scenarios from Krishna’s life in temples decked with flowers and offerings, such as the well-known “Dahi Handi” in which young men build human pyramids to smash high pots of curd. - Hemis Festival
The Hemis Festival is held in Ladakh. It pays tribute to the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Padmasambhava. It includes cultural performances, traditional music, and vibrant mask dances. - Behdienkhlam
A festival of the Jaintia tribe in Meghalaya, Behdienkhlam is celebrated to drive away the Demon of Cholera and seek blessings for a bountiful harvest. It includes dance, music, and sports activities. - Sao Joao
Unique to Goa, Sao Joao celebrates the feast of St. John the Baptist. It involves jumping into wells and water bodies as a symbol of joy and thanksgiving for the arrival of the monsoon. - Ganga Dussehra
It is not especially a monsoon festival. Ganga Dussehra marks the earthbound descent of the river Ganges. The festival is observed through ablutions in the river and prayers to purify and call for blessings upon one. - Adiperukku
It is celebrated in Tamil Nadu. Adiperukku is a festival that is performed as an homage to water bodies since they represent what sustains life on earth. Hence act as consecrations towards appreciating the continued existence of various species including human beings. It is a time for supplication, feasting, and cultural ceremonies. - Bonalu
Celebrated mainly in Telangana, Bonalu is dedicated to Goddess Mahakali. Women offer food, clothes, and other gifts to the goddess, seeking her blessings for health and prosperity. - Ambubachi Mela
After being held at the Kamakhya Temple in Assam, this festival serves for worshipping goddess Kamakhya, who menstruates once a year. For three days, the temple stays closed, but on the fourth day, it is usually opened again amidst pomp and dancing. - Naga Panchami
It is a festival dedicated to the veneration of snakes. Naga Panchami is celebrated in different parts of India. This is when people offer prayers and even milk to snake holes in the hopes of protecting themselves from snake bites and serpent-related diseases. - Indra Jatra
Indra Jatra is worshipped in Nepal and certain parts of India as the god of rain. Celebrations involve the performance of hooded dances and the carrying of masks by performers atop their heads. You may also see installations of a ceremonial post called lingo.
Why Should You Introduce Your Kids with Monsoon Festivals in India
Teaching kids about these festivals celebrated in the monsoon season is a great way to transmit values and build community. It promotes cross-cultural understanding in addition to enjoying customs. Children get knowledge about mythology, history, and the importance of each festival by taking part in these events. They become more understanding and kind people as they grow to appreciate other people’s cultures and customs.
These events provide kids with a stage on which to express their creativity via dance, music, and art. They develop their aesthetic sense and inventiveness as they learn to appreciate the beauty of traditional arts and crafts. Moreover, observing these types of monsoon season festivals in India will strengthen family ties and produce priceless memories. As they celebrate with their families and communities, they discover the importance of unity and sharing.
India’s monsoon festivals are a way of life, ingrained in the rich cultural traditions of the nation, rather than just a time for celebration. Every event, from Teej’s vivid colours to Rath Yatra’s grandeur, has a tale to tell and morals to give. These festivities cheer up millions of people and bring them together in a celebration of life, love, and community, just as the rains give vitality to the soil. Soak in the magic of India’s festivities during this monsoon season and discover the real spirit of this amazing nation.
At Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, we believe in holistic education that encompasses cultural learning. Join us in celebrating the diversity of India’s festivals and give your child a truly enriching educational experience. Enrol now!
