Celebrate the festivals of November with these top 10 vibrant events, showcasing the rich cultural heritage from India’s northern hills to its southern shores.
North India Festivals in November
Diwali (Deepavali)
- Significance: Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is one of India’s most important and widely celebrated festivals. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali also marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. On this day, homes are lit up with oil lamps (diyas), and people decorate their houses with rangoli, exchange sweets and gifts, and burst firecrackers. Families gather for Lakshmi Puja, praying for prosperity and wealth.
- Date: November 1, 2024 (sometimes in late October).
- Celebration: The entire country, especially North India, is transformed into a glittering display of lights. The streets, homes, and temples are adorned with decorations. Fireworks light up the sky, and the air is filled with joy and festive spirit.
Bhai Dooj
- Significance: Bhai Dooj is a festival that celebrates the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. It is similar to Raksha Bandhan but has its unique rituals. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being, long life, and prosperity by applying a ceremonial tikka (mark) on their foreheads. In return, brothers give gifts and promise to protect their sisters. This festival strengthens the emotional bond between siblings and promotes love and care within the family.
- Date: November 3, 2024 (two days after Diwali).
- Celebration: Families come together for a special meal, and brothers and sisters exchange gifts. The festival is marked by laughter, sweets, and traditional food.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
- Significance: Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It is one of the most important festivals for Sikhs, celebrated with great reverence and devotion. Sikhs honour Guru Nanak’s teachings of peace, equality, and compassion. The celebrations include prayers, processions, and langar (community meals), where free food is served to people from all walks of life.
- Date: November 15, 2024.
- Celebration: The day begins with early morning processions called Prabhat Pheris, followed by continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. Nagar Kirtans (religious processions) are held, with devotees singing hymns. Gurudwaras are beautifully illuminated, and langars are organized for the community.
Kartik Purnima
- Significance: Kartik Purnima, celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, is an auspicious day for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. It marks the end of the holy month of Kartik, a period dedicated to religious activities, fasting, and charity. For Hindus, Kartik Purnima is a day to offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, while for Jains, it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira. Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak’s visit to Varanasi on this day.
- Regions: Celebrated nationwide, particularly in Varanasi and Rajasthan.
- Date: November 15, 2024.
- Celebration: Devotees take holy dips in rivers, especially in the Ganges, and offer lamps and prayers. The festival also coincides with fairs and cultural performances, including the famous Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan.
Dev Deepawali
- Significance: Dev Deepawali is celebrated fifteen days after Diwali in Varanasi. It is called the “Festival of Lights for the Gods” and is a grand spectacle where the ghats of the Ganges River are illuminated with thousands of oil lamps (diyas). The festival honours the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura, and it is believed that gods descend to the earth on this day. Devotees perform rituals and prayers on the ghats to seek blessings.
- Date: November 15, 2024.
- Celebration: The ghats of Varanasi glow with oil lamps, and the river Ganges is filled with floating lamps. Devotees participate in the Ganga Aarti, and cultural performances take place along the riverbanks.
Pushkar Fair
- Significance: The Pushkar Fair, also known as the Pushkar Camel Fair, is one of the largest livestock fairs in the world. It is held in the holy town of Pushkar, Rajasthan, on the banks of the Pushkar Lake. The fair is famous for camel trading, cultural performances, and religious rituals. Pilgrims also visit Pushkar to take a holy dip in the lake and offer prayers at the Brahma Temple, one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma.
- Regions: Pushkar, Rajasthan.
- Date: November 1–9, 2024.
- Celebration: The fair is a vibrant blend of cultural and religious activities. Visitors can witness camel races, folk performances, and traditional games. It is also a time for devotees to bathe in the sacred Pushkar Lake and seek blessings.
Sonepur Mela
- Significance: The Sonepur Mela, held in Bihar, is one of the largest cattle fairs in Asia. It takes place at the confluence of the Ganges and Gandak rivers and attracts traders and visitors from across India. While cattle trading is a significant part of the fair, the event also includes cultural performances, folk dances, exhibitions, and a vibrant display of local crafts. The fair is a reminder of India’s agrarian roots and the importance of livestock in rural life.
- Regions: Sonepur, Bihar.
- Date: Begins on Kartik Purnima (November 15, 2024).
- Celebration: Traders bring cattle, elephants, and other livestock to the fair, and the event includes religious rituals and a grand fairground atmosphere. Visitors enjoy cultural events, food stalls, and handicraft exhibitions.
West India Festivals in November
Tulsi Vivah
- Significance: Tulsi Vivah marks the ceremonial marriage of the Tulsi (holy basil) plant to Lord Vishnu, symbolizing the union of nature and divinity. It also marks the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. The festival is celebrated with devotion, particularly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of North India. On this day, the Tulsi plant is decorated like a bride, and rituals are performed, including prayers and offerings.
- Regions: Maharashtra, Gujarat, and North India.
- Date: November 10, 2024.
- Celebration: The Tulsi plant is decorated with flowers and garlands, and a small clay idol of Lord Vishnu is placed beside it. The ceremony is conducted with the same rituals as a Hindu wedding, and families gather to celebrate the symbolic union with sweets and prayers.
East India Festivals in November
Chhath Puja
- Significance: Just as in North India, Chhath Puja is widely celebrated in parts of East India, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and involves offering prayers to the setting and rising sun for health, prosperity, and happiness. Devotees take holy dips in rivers and perform rituals on riverbanks, fasting for several days.
- Date: November 5 to 7, 2024.
- Celebration: In East India, Chhath Puja is observed with great devotion. People gather along rivers and ponds to offer fruits, sweets, and water to the Sun God. The rituals are marked by devotion and involve the entire family.
Jagaddhatri Puja
- Significance: Jagaddhatri Puja is a festival dedicated to Goddess Jagaddhatri, an incarnation of Durga. It is primarily celebrated in West Bengal, especially in the cities of Chandannagar and Krishnanagar. The festival is similar to Durga Puja, with large idols of the goddess being worshipped in elaborate pandals. Processions and cultural events are organized, and the festival is marked by devotion and artistic expression.
- Regions: West Bengal.
- Date: Early November.
- Celebration: Elaborate pandals are set up, and devotees offer prayers to Goddess Jagaddhatri. The streets are decorated with lights, and processions with the goddess’s idol take place. The festival is also a showcase of Bengali art and culture.
South India Festivals in November
Karthigai Deepam
- Significance: Karthigai Deepam is known as the festival of lights in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated by lighting oil lamps (diyas) in homes and temples, and it honours the appearance of Lord Shiva as a divine flame. The festival is especially important in the temple town of Thiruvannamalai, where a giant lamp is lit on the hilltop of the Arunachala mountain, symbolizing Lord Shiva’s presence.
- Regions: Tamil Nadu.
- Date: Late November (varies by year).
- Celebration: Homes and temples are illuminated with oil lamps, and devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The lighting of the giant lamp at Arunachala is a major attraction, drawing thousands of pilgrims.
Ayyappa Mandala Pooja
- Significance: Ayyappa Mandala Pooja marks the beginning of the Mandala season, where devotees of Lord Ayyappa observe 41 days of fasting, prayer, and penance. The pilgrimage to Sabarimala in Kerala is an integral part of the Mandala season. The devotees wear black clothes and follow a strict vegetarian diet during this period. The festival concludes with the Makaravilakku in January.
- Regions: Kerala.
- Date: Starts in November and ends in December
- Celebration: Devotees perform special prayers and rituals in temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is marked by devotion and austerity.
Northeast India Festivals in November
Wangala Festival
- Significance: The Wangala Festival is the harvest festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. It is celebrated to honour the Sun God, Misi Saljong, for a bountiful harvest. The festival is marked by traditional music, dance, and rituals. The highlight of the celebration is the playing of traditional drums called Dama, and the Wangala dance, which involves rhythmic movements in groups.
- Regions: Meghalaya.
- Date: 8th November, 2024
- Celebration: The festival is a vibrant display of Garo culture, with community feasts, dances, and music. The Wangala dance is performed with great enthusiasm, and the entire community comes together to celebrate the harvest.
Ningol Chakouba
- Significance: Ningol Chakouba is a family reunion festival celebrated in Manipur. It is a day when married daughters are invited back to their parental homes for a grand feast, symbolizing the importance of family ties. The festival strengthens the bond between daughters and their parents, and it is an occasion for joyous family gatherings.
- Regions: Manipur.
- Date: 3 November, 2024.
- Celebration: Families prepare lavish meals for their daughters, and gifts are exchanged. The festival is a celebration of love, respect, and family values.
Sangai Festival
- Significance: The Sangai Festival is celebrated to showcase the cultural richness, traditions, and heritage of Manipur. The festival is named after the Sangai, the endangered brow-antlered deer that is native to the state. The festival features art exhibitions, dance performances, sports events, and food fairs, highlighting Manipur’s unique cultural identity.
- Regions: Manipur.
- Date: 21st to 30th of November, 2024.
- Celebration: The festival includes cultural performances, traditional games, and exhibitions of local crafts. It is a major tourist attraction and promotes the conservation of the Sangai deer.
Raas Leela
- Significance: Raas Leela is a festival celebrating the playful dance of Lord Krishna with the gopis (cowherd maidens) in Vrindavan. It is primarily celebrated in Manipur, Assam, and Tripura. The festival includes traditional dance performances that depict scenes from Krishna’s life, particularly his divine love for the gopis. Raas Leela is both a religious and cultural celebration, with devotion and joy.
- Regions: Manipur, Assam, and Tripura.
- Date: November (dates vary).
- Celebration: The festival is marked by performances of Raas Leela, where artists dress as Lord Krishna, Radha, and the gopis. The dances are performed with devotion and grace, accompanied by traditional music.
Tihar (Nepalese Diwali)
- Significance: Tihar, also known as Nepalese Diwali, is celebrated similarly to Diwali, but with unique rituals. It involves worshipping animals such as crows, cows, and dogs, which are seen as messengers of the gods. The festival is celebrated with lights, flowers, and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
- Regions: Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Nepalese communities in India.
- Date: 31st Oct & 1st November, 2024.
- Celebration: The five-day festival includes Kukur Tihar (worship of dogs), Gai Tihar (worship of cows), and Laxmi Puja. Homes are lit up with lamps, and people offer prayers and gifts.
Children’s Day
- Significance: Children’s Day in India is celebrated on November 14, marking the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. Nehru was fond of children, and the day is dedicated to their well-being, education, and rights. Schools and educational institutions organize various events, including cultural programs, games, and activities for children.
- Regions: Nationwide.
- Date: November 14, 2024.
- Celebration: Schools hold special events, and children participate in games, competitions, and performances. The day is celebrated with joy, and sweets are often distributed to students.
These November festivals reflect India’s rich cultural diversity, with each celebration rooted in unique traditions and beliefs. Whether celebrating the harvest, lights, religious devotion, or family bonds, these festivals bring communities together in vibrant and joyous ways. From the grand spectacle of Diwali to the simplicity of Tulsi Vivah and the cultural richness of the Sangai Festival, November is a month filled with festive spirit, offering a glimpse into the heart of India’s diverse cultural heritage.
Read more: Latest
