Discover the vibrant and diverse celebrations of spring with our guide to India’s May festivals, highlighting traditions, food, and colourful cultural experiences.
As the sun gets brighter and the days warmer, India prepares to celebrate some of its most colourful festivals in May, from Buddha Purnima to Ganga Dussehra. These festivals are celebrated on a large scale and are a big part of the month. Hindus also observe monthly fasts as part of their rituals, while Sikhs honour significant events tied to the history of their ten Gurus.
May is a special month that showcases the unity of India’s diverse cultures and highlights our common values. It’s a time for joy, getting together with loved ones, and engaging in community festivities. Whether you’re a traveller keen on discovering India’s cultural depth or a local excited to join in the local celebrations, there’s something for everyone in May’s festivals.
Come along as we guide you through India’s May festivals, diving into the unique customs, traditions, and beliefs that make each one special.
International Flower Festival
Even though Sikkim makes up only 0.2% of India’s total land area, it is considered important for its rich variety of plants and animals.
Every year, people look forward to Sikkim’s International Flower Festival, which features hundreds of flower species. It’s a true celebration of what nature has offered Gangtok. You can spend a whole day at the festival enjoying a stunning display of unique and rare flowers. The day is made even better with a delicious food festival that highlights Sikkim’s local cuisine and culture.
At this festival, you can see more than 500 types of orchids, 30 kinds of rhododendrons, and 240 varieties of trees, along with a diverse collection of ferns, magnolias, roses, gladioli, cacti, alpine plants, climbers, and herbs. The Flower Festival in Sikkim is a burst of colours that delights the eyes and offers a peaceful escape for the mind and soul.
Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is an important festival in the Buddhist tradition, celebrated across South, Southeast, and East Asia. This festival marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
This peaceful celebration is marked with great devotion and respect by Buddhists. During the festival, monks in monasteries read Buddhist scriptures and conducted prayers and sermons. Celebrations take place in notable Buddhist sites like Bodh Gaya and Sarnath. Homes and temples are adorned with colourful lanterns and lamps. Devotees also make offerings of fruits, flowers, candles, and incense to honour Lord Buddha.
In India, Buddha Purnima is particularly significant in Maharashtra, where 77% of the country’s Buddhist population resides, but it is also observed in other parts of the country according to the Indian calendar.
Chithirai Festival – May Festivals
The Chithirai Festival, also known as Chithirai Thiruvizha, Meenakshi Kalyanam, or Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, is a vibrant annual celebration held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu during the Tamil month of Chithirai. This festival honours the Meenakshi Temple and its deities: Parvati, who is worshipped here as Meenakshi, and Shiva, who is adored as Sundareshwar. It’s a splendid event that reflects the divine beauty and majesty of these figures.
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu rode a golden horse to Madurai to attend the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar. During the festival, a beautifully decorated chariot carrying the idols of the divine couple parades through the city, greeted enthusiastically by the crowds.
The rhythm of drums, the spiritual atmosphere, and the offerings of coconuts, flowers, and camphor by the people all contribute to the festive spirit. Additionally, trade fairs and exhibitions are set up, adding to the allure for visitors.
The festival lasts for a full month, with the first 15 days dedicated to celebrating Meenakshi’s coronation as a divine ruler and her marriage to Sundareshwar. The remaining 15 days focus on Kallalagar (or Alagar), an avatar of Vishnu, and his journey from Alagarkoyil to Madurai.
Basava Jayanti May festivals
Basava Jayanti is a special day that celebrates the birth of Basavanna, a 12th-century Hindu Kannada poet and philosopher born in 1134 AD. He is also considered the founding saint of the Lingayat sect. This year, Basava Jayanti falls on May 14th and is primarily celebrated in the Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. In Karnataka, it’s recognized as a government holiday.
On this day, people visit nearby Lord Basaveshwar temples to pray and celebrate. Members of the Lingayat community organize various events to mark the occasion, sharing greetings and sweets. Special lectures are held in prayer halls where Basavanna’s life and teachings are discussed.
Many followers make a pilgrimage to Kudalasangama, a site of great significance where celebrations last for about seven days. Here, numerous spiritual and cultural activities take place in the Basavanna temples.
Ganga Dussehra – May festivals
According to legend, the Ganges River descended to Earth during this time, coming down reluctantly. To temper her force, Lord Shiva caught her in his matted hair, allowing her to flow gently to Earth in seven streams. This event is considered very auspicious, and many devotees travel to holy cities like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh to bathe in the sacred waters.
In Haridwar, as evening falls, ‘artis’ (ceremonial worship) are performed, and many people meditate along the riverbanks. It’s a perfect time to experience the purity of nature.
Akshaya Tritiya – May festivals
Also known as Akha Teej, is a highly auspicious Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga according to Hindu mythology and is also celebrated as Parashurama Jayanti, commemorating the birthday of Lord Vishnu’s sixth incarnation, Parashurama. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu took the form of Parashurama to rid the Earth of evil.
Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day after the new moon, known as Amavasi. In 2022, it will be celebrated on April 3. The term “Akshaya” means ‘that which never diminishes,’ symbolizing eternal prosperity. It is considered an ideal day to start new projects, get married, or invest in valuable items like diamonds and gold.
Moatsu Festival – May festivals
The Moatsu Festival, also known as Moatsu Mong, is a vibrant celebration held by the Ao Naga tribes of Nagaland in May. It marks the conclusion of the sowing season and is a time to celebrate fertility, renewal, and peace. During the festival, men and women dress in traditional attire, complete with elaborate headgear.
The festivities span three days, starting with traditional dances, folk songs, and the playing of musical instruments like horns, drums, and cymbals to usher in the summer. Another highlight is the Moatsu Mong Food Festival, where attendees can enjoy a variety of dishes made from freshly harvested grains.
Activities include brewing rice beer, preparing pigs and other animals for feasting, and singing praises of traditional heroes. An expert also predicts the days for the village, forecasting good or bad times.
The festival attracts visitors from across India, making it a perfect opportunity to experience the unique culture of Nagaland. It’s an event full of joy, laughter, and memorable experiences.
No matter your location or the festival you’re celebrating, May is a month filled with joy, laughter, and unity! So set a reminder and get ready to enjoy the wonderful festivals of India this May.
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