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India, a land of infinite hues and traditions, is not just rich in its cultural and historical depth but also in its climatic variety. While the northern regions might witness cool breezes and drizzles, much of the country enjoys a tropical climate, especially during the monsoon season, when nature comes alive in its full glory.
The monsoons in India are more than just a weather phenomenon—they’re a celebration in themselves. They bring a refreshing change in the air, the aroma of wet soil, the blooming of flora, and a series of vibrant festivals that add to the magic. True to the saying that India’s dialect and culture change every 100 kilometers, so do the ways in which these festivals are celebrated.
Take for instance, the festival of Raksha Bandhan. While sisters across the country tie rakhi to their brothers, the traditions vary widely—from the colorful threads of Rajasthan to the elaborate rituals in Uttarakhand. Similarly, Teej is celebrated with grandeur in Jaipur, but it takes a completely different form in Bihar or Madhya Pradesh.
What binds these diverse customs is the shared spirit of joy and devotion. Despite the varied expressions, the essence of celebration remains the same—unity in diversity.
So, let’s embark on a journey to explore the monsoon festivals of India, discovering how each state brings its unique charm to these celebrations.
Let’s begin with Krishna Janmashtami, one of the most prominent monsoon festivals in India. Celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, this festival holds deep spiritual and cultural significance across the country. Observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapad (August–September), the number eight carries added importance—Krishna was also the eighth child of his mother, Devaki.
From midnight bhajans and temple rituals to the famous Dahi Handi celebrations in Maharashtra and devotional plays in Mathura and Vrindavan, every region adds its unique flavor to the festivities. Krishna Janmashtami truly reflects the diversity of Indian traditions during the monsoon season, uniting the nation in devotion and joy.
A two-day celebration of Janmashtami happens on the streets of Mumbai. On the first day, devotees keep a fast and break it at midnight.
The second day is celebrated as Gopal Kala, where Dahi Handi (pot of curd) is hung at a height, and people form a human pyramid to break it, resembling Shri Krishna’s love for butter and tales of him stealing it from earthen pots.
Many groups roam the streets of Mumbai to break these pots, and many Dahi Handis offer cash prizes and awards.
Fun Fact – A group from Spain comes to Mumbai every year to participate in the Gopal Kala competition by forming a human chain.
Being the birthplace of Shri Krishna and one of the major festivals in India during monsoon, celebrations begin 10 days before Janmashtami with Rasleelas, Bhajans, Kirtans, and Pravachans. The streets of Mathura and Vrindavan are decorated with lights and flowers. Rasleelas are dramatic adaptations of Krishna and Radha’s love stories and those with his Gopis.
Devotees gather at Krishna temples, especially Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura, believed to be his birthplace. The temples are beautifully decorated with floral arrangements and lights.
Devotees adorn the idols of Shri Krishna, Radha Rani, and Balarama with beautiful apparel. Banke Bihari Temple and Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple are the main attractions during Janmashtami.
Being one of the Indian rainy season festivals, devotees come to Dwarkadhish Temple to pray to the infant idol of Shri Krishna during Janmashtami. Dwarka is considered the kingdom of Shri Krishna. The Dwarkadhish Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The idol, known as Dwarkadhish, is embellished with gold and precious jewels.
On the occasion, women from all over Gujarat sit together to play cards.
Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to the elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha, who is worshipped for prosperity and wisdom. This festival begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar, and is one of the most celebrated monsoon festivals in India.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a grand scale in Maharashtra. However, many people across the globe also celebrate this festival with equal enthusiasm in countries like the USA, Canada, and even Pakistan. Yes, you read that right—there is a Hindu-Maharashtrian community in Pakistan that celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi.
Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha’s idol is established on a beautifully decorated raised platform in homes. Offerings of fruits and sweets are placed in front of the idol. The most famous sweet offered is Ukdiche Modak—a steamed dumpling filled with jaggery, freshly grated coconut, and dry fruits.
People host Lord Ganesha for different durations—some for one and a half days, others for 5-7 days, and some even for 10 days straight.
Story Time
The reason for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is not clearly confirmed. Interestingly, Lord Ganesha’s actual birthday falls on Ganesh Jayanti, not during Ganesh Chaturthi. Establishing Lord Ganesha’s idol in homes is one of the oldest monsoon rituals in India.
However, the tradition of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi as a public festival began in 1892 by Bhau Rangari, Vishvanath Khasgivale, and Ganesh Ghodavdekar. This initiative was later praised by Lokmanya Tilak in one of his articles in 1893.
Tilak wrote that such public celebrations unite society across caste and religion and should be encouraged. He then started the communal Ganesh Chaturthi festival in 1894 at Vinchurkar Wada in Pune. Since then, Ganesh Chaturthi has been celebrated every year with great pomp and devotion.
How is it Celebrated in Different Places?
In Maharashtra
If you truly want to witness the spirit of Mumbai, you should visit during Ganesh Chaturthi—one of the major monsoon festivals in India. The city hosts numerous Ganesh Pandals, where devotees gather to offer prayers.
Some of the famous Ganesh Pandals in Mumbai include:
In Pune, although the size of the idols is smaller due to the lack of a sea for immersion, the pandal decorations are stunning and full of artistic expression.
In Konkan, Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated as one of the key monsoon festivals. People in Konkan host Ganpati Bappa for 30 days straight.
In Canada and America
As one of the beloved monsoon festivals in India, Ganesh Chaturthi is joyfully celebrated by Indian-origin communities in Canada and the USA. The Indian diaspora celebrates with processions, devotional songs, and bhajans in the streets, keeping their cultural roots alive.
Raksha Bandhan is one such festival that is celebrated throughout the nation and is one of the most happening festivals in India during monsoon. Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Shravana, which typically falls in August.
On this day you could see peace settling at the frontier with sisters tying Rakhis to their brothers depicting the protection of the sisters. During the Indian rainy season festivals like Raksha Bandhan make the whole family come together and rediscover the bond they have with their family, especially with their siblings. The most nostalgic thing about one of these monsoon festivals celebrated in India is the courier with Rakhi inside it coming from sisters who now live far away.
Story Time
So, there are two famous stories of Raksha Bandhan one of the major monsoon festivals celebrated in India. Let’s start with the first one. After Shri Krishna killed Shishupal by striking his Sudarshan Chakra when he crossed all the limits and kept on saying bad words to Shri Krishna. In a fit of anger, Shri Krishna’s finger was cut by the chakra and blood started gushing out, after seeing this Draupadi tore a piece of her saree and tied it to Shri Krishna’s finger. After seeing this Krishna got emotional and promised her that he would always protect her.
When Duryodhan and Dusshasan were pulling the saree of Draupadi after winning the bet over Pandavas, Shri Krishna fulfilled his promise by protecting Draupadi’s respect with an infinite saree.
Being his prime devotee Maharaj Bali obeyed Lord Vishnu and penance even in Patallok. Pleased with his devotion Lord Vishnu asked for a boon. On this, King Bali requested Lord Vishnu to become his gatekeeper as he wanted to see Lord Vishnu all the time. Fulfilling his wish Lord Vishnu becomes his gatekeeper.
After becoming the doorkeeper of Maharaj Bali in Patallok, one day Maa Lakshmi reached Patallok in search of Lord Vishnu on the day of Shravan Shukla Pournima and tied Rakhee on Maharaj Bali’s wrist, considering him as his brother.
As soon as Bali asked Maa Lakshmi what gift he could give her, Maa Lakshmi then asked King Bali to take Lord Vishnu with her back to Vaikhunta. Since then on this date, a beautiful relationship between brothers and sisters has been celebrated with huge affection.
How is It Celebrated In Different Places
In Coastal Maharashtra
One of the monsoon season celebrations Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated as Narali Pournima by the Koli people (indigenous people of Mumbai) the celebration starts by offering coconuts to the sea as fish is the main business of Koli people and during this time the breeding of the fish happens in the sea.
Furthermore, delicacies made from coconut are made. One of the favorite delicacies is Narali Bhaat (Coconut rice) made of coconut and jaggery and is sweet.
In Jammu
Although Raksha Bandhan is one of the Indian rainy season festivals. In the Jammu region of India on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan Kite flying festival happens which begins a month before the main festival with the active participation of the locals. People fly a wide range of kites that are of different shapes, colours, and designs. These kites are also flown with special strings by the people.
In Gujarat
In Gujarat ‘Pavitropana’ is celebrated alongside Raksha Bandhan. Women worship the Lord Shiva by pouring water and placing offerings on the Shivlinga. They visit the temples on this day and ask forgiveness for their past sins.
Teej is another one of the joyful monsoon festivals celebrated in India with full devotion and feminine grace. It is primarily celebrated by women in the northern states of India, especially in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana. This festival is celebrated during the monsoon season in the month of Sawan (July-August), which marks the arrival of rain, greenery, and fertility.
This festival honors the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is a symbol of a married woman’s devotion to her husband’s well-being and long life. Women dress up in traditional attire, wear green bangles, apply mehndi (henna), and sing traditional Teej songs while swinging on beautifully decorated swings hung on tree branches.
Story Time
Let’s dive into the story behind this beautiful monsoon festival celebrated in India. It is believed that Goddess Parvati underwent rigorous penance for several lifetimes to win Lord Shiva as her husband. Impressed by her unwavering dedication and devotion, Lord Shiva accepted her as his wife. Their reunion is celebrated as Teej, especially by married women, who fast on this day for a happy and prosperous married life.
On this day, women observe a nirjala vrat (fast without food or water) for the long life of their husbands. Unmarried girls also observe this fast, praying to get an ideal husband like Lord Shiva. The fast is broken only after sighting the moon and performing rituals with devotion.
How Is It Celebrated In Different Places
In Rajasthan
One of the most vibrant celebrations of Teej takes place in Rajasthan, especially in Jaipur. A grand royal procession of the Teej Mata (an idol of Goddess Parvati) is carried out through the old city, adorned with traditional Rajasthani decor, elephants, camels, and folk musicians. Women participate in the procession, wearing leheriya sarees, singing folk songs, and dancing with joy. The entire city comes alive with colors, sweets like ghewar are shared, and markets are decked up with bangles, jewelry, and festive wear.
In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
Here, Teej is also celebrated with a lot of devotion and enthusiasm. Women clean their homes, decorate puja thalis, and make beautiful rangolis. In many households, women gather together, sing songs, and perform Teej rituals collectively. Special folk songs are sung describing the story of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the beauty of the monsoon.
In Punjab and Haryana
In Punjab and Haryana, Teej is celebrated as Hariyali Teej, where swings are tied to trees and young girls and women enjoy the rainy weather by swinging and singing traditional songs. Cultural fairs and dance events like Gidda and Bhangra are organized. The festival is also seen as a way to welcome the monsoon and celebrate nature’s bounty.
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated in the god’s own country ‘Kerala’ and is one of the well-known Festivals in India during Monsoon. It falls in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam, which overlaps with August-September. It is a harvest festival in Kerala along with numerous other festivals. It is one of the ancient Monsoon rituals in India.
Story Time
As the legend goes, Maharaj Mahabali, a descendant of Prahlad, was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and wanted to perform 101 Yagas, all the demigods went to Lord Vishnu and told him that his King Bali kept on performing sacrificial fire like this, then one day he will steal the throne of heaven.
After hearing this Lord Vishnu got an idea and disguised himself as a small Brahmin which was an incarnation also known as Vamana Avatar, and went to Maharaj Bali. After seeing Lord Vamana Maharaj Bali asked him to ask for anything. Lord Vamana asked for three steps of land to which Maharaj Bali agreed.
Lord Vamana expended so much that in just two steps he measured the entire earth and heaven. Bali came to know that Lord Vishnu was in front of him and requested him to keep his third step on his head. Lord Vamana kept his third step on King Bali’s head and sent him to Patallok. By obeying Lord Vishnu Maharaj Bali settled in Patal Lok.
Impressed by the devotion of Maharaj Bali, Lord Vishnu accepted his wish to let him visit his subjects once a year, and that day of his return has come to be celebrated as Onam.
How is It Celebrated In Different Places
In Kerala
One of the important monsoon festivals celebrated in India is the Onam which should be added to your itinerary. Apart from exploring Kerala in March, it is a magnificent heaven during monsoon.
There are many fun activities you can find in Kerala on Onam including Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower Rangoli), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (women’s dance), Kummattikali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and other celebrations.
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