As you all know, India is a diverse country with a rich and unique heritage! It is always grounded in its roots, with its culture, history, or traditions woven into the way of life here. Summers in India are a bundle of joy when talking about celebrations and festivals. From Holi to Gudi Padwa to the numerous summer festivals, the country has a lot to offer. So if you’re looking for the top summer festivals in India, this one is for you!
Top Summer Festivals In India That You Must Check Out!
- Summer Festival, Mount Abu
- Summer Festival, Ooty
- Summer Festival, Shimla
- International Flower Festival, Sikkim
- Summer Festival, Yercaud
- Ganga Dussehra
- Moatsu Festival, Nagaland
1. Summer Festival, Mount Abu
Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan known for pleasant climate. The Mount Abu Summer Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Rajasthan, celebrated by the tribal community. It is a two-day festival that is held every summer in May. The inspiration for this summer festival is taken from the city’s traditions and culture.
This summer festival is conducted every year during Buddha Purnima. Mount Abu Summer Festival presents the city’s abundant natural beauty, colorfulness, and vibrancy during these 2 days. Hindus and Buddhists celebrate the summer festival with a lot of passion and merriment. The festivals include several exciting activities and competitions. You will see various folk dances, Panihari Matka race, boat races at the Nakki Lake, the famous CRPF band shows, beautiful fireworks, and more, which must certainly not be missed!
Venue: Nakki Lake Chowk, Mount Abu.
Date: May 12 and 13
How To Get Here:
By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur (about 177 km away) is the closest to Mount Abu
By Train: Abu Road Railway Station is the closest station that connects other cities to Mount Abu.
By Road: NH 14 connects Mount Abu to most cities in Rajasthan and other states.
2. Summer Festival, Ooty
Known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’, Ooty is one of the most popular hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Every year, for the past 125 years, the Ooty Summer Festival is celebrated with enthusiasm. Conducted by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of India, the festival is visited by tourists from all over the world. It is celebrated around May and goes on for about two weeks.
The event takes place at the Government Botanical Garden of Ooty, one of the largest gardens in Ooty. The festival showcases the vibrant culture of Ooty and displays artworks like floral sculptures and contemporary floral artistry. At this festival, you get to see the lifestyle of the native folk here. You can explore the rose show, fruit show, flower show, and spice show. The flower show displays flower sculptures made from 300 different roses. You also get to explore Ooty and take a boat ride in the lake or take a stroll around Avalanche Lake.
Venue: Federal Government Botanical Garden (GBG), Udhagamandalam, Ooty.
Date: May 17 to 22, 2024.
How To Get Here:
By Air: The nearest airport is the Coimbatore International Airport (about 88 km away).
By Train: Mettupalayam Railway Station in Coimbatore is the closest to Ooty (about 58 km away).
By Road: Ooty is well connecting different cities in the South through National Highways 181, 209, 275, and 275K.
3. Summer Festival, Shimla
One of the most visited places by tourists during the summer is the Shimla Summer Festival. Both locals and tourists take the initiative to organize this festival to its best. During the festival days, you get to witness the entire town as it soaks in music and festivities. If you’re planning a trip to Shimla, summer is the best time to visit and get a chance to experience the stunning summer festival as well.
The festival welcomes the summer with warmth and joy in the hill station. Famous singers and artists grace the stage with their mind-blowing performances. From fashion shows, flower shows, exhibitions, and sports activities, tourists have a variety of things to experience here.
Venue: The Ridge, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Date: June 1 to 4 2024
How To Get Here:
By Air: The nearest functional airport is Chandigarh Airport situated at a distance of about 120 kms.
By Train: Shimla is connected by a narrow gauge line with Kalka which in turn is connected with the major cities in India.
By Road: Shimla is connected to major cities in North India by several bus services including Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses as well as private operators
4. International Flower Festival, Sikkim
The northeastern city of Gangtok hosts the International Flower Festival in Sikkim every year. If you’re a flower lover and simply want to lose yourself in the bountiful floral landscapes, then the Flower Festival in Sikkim is the place to be! You get to see a wide variety of flowers like orchids, roses, gladioli, cacti, rhododendrons, creepers, ferns, climbers, etc. Organized by the Government of Sikkim, the festival is a celebration of the blooming season in the state.
Apart from the flowers, the festival has several seminars where famous scientists and speakers talk about botany. You can also enjoy the local cuisine offered at the food stalls at the festival. If you’re an adventurous spirit then you must partake in river rafting or go hiking, which guides also offer during the festival.
Venue: Flower Exhibition Complex, Arithang, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Time: May 1 to 31 2024
How To Get Here:
By Air: Bagdogra Airport is the closest airport to Gangtok (about 123 km away). You’ll have to pre-book taxis or opt for shared ones for a 4-hour ride to Gangtok from Bagdogra.
By Train: The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri. Taxis are available and connect well to major cities.
By Road: NH10 links Gangtok to Siliguri.
5. Yercaud Summer Festival
Yercaud offers a variety of tourist attractions like the Boat House, Annamalaiyar Temple, Pagoda Point, and Shervaroyan Temple. This six-day festival offers various shows like dog shows, flower shows, and so many other things to do. The month of May is a time when this festival takes place every year, with a lot of tourists visiting from different parts of India.
If you are a wildlife enthusiast you must check out the diverse flower show with more than 2 lakh flowers! The festival also has a 3D art installation that will highlight the life cycle of butterflies leading up to the making of silk sarees. For some adrenaline rush, you must check out the various hiking trails around Yercaud as well as the Kiliyur Falls and the Karadiyur View Point.
Time: May 21 to 28 2024
How To Get Here:
By Air: Coimbatore Airport is the primary airport for people traveling to Yercaud. It connects to major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, etc.
By Train: Coimbatore junction is the major railhead in the region and is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, etc. The station is about 4 hours from Yercaud.
By Road: You can also travel by Tamil Nadu state buses. These buses connect to the nearby major towns and cities making traveling by road much more convenient.
6. Ganga Dussehra
If you were starting to think that all summer festivals are about flowers and everything pretty, allow us to tell you about a festival that’ll take you back in time. Let’s celebrate Ganga Dussehra across several states in North India like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. As per Hindu mythology, this festival marks the descent of River Ganga on Earth. This festival starts on Amavasya or the no-moon night as per the Hindu calendar.
On this day, it’s recommended you wake up early and head to the ghats of river Ganga in Haridwar or Rishikesh to witness the magnificent Aarti. Following that you’ll see several diyas afloat on the river with silent prayers and wishes filling the air. You can join in the singing sessions where devotees come together to chant the Lord’s name and sing bhajans together. One event that makes the festival complete is the ritualistic practice of taking a dip in the holy water of the river Ganga.
Venue: Ghats of River Ganga
Date: June 16 2024
7. Moatsu Festival, Nagaland
Last but not least, another festival that you absolutely must attend at least once is the Moatsu Festival in Mokokchung, Nagaland. People of the Ao tribe celebrate this festival in an attempt to foster healthier bonds between each other after a hectic sowing season. Here, you’ll see people initiating conversations, making new friends, dancing around bonfires, and relishing feasts. It’s a time to unwind after the hard work of field clearing, sowing seeds, and other chores. Today, Moatsu remains a joyous occasion filled with merrymaking and traditions.
Venue: Mokokchung
Date: May 1 to 3 2024
How To Get Here:
By Air: The nearest airport to Mokokchung is Dimapur Airport (DMU). Once you arrive at Dimapur, you can either hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Mokokchung.
By Train: The Dimapur Railway Station is the nearest and is well-connected to several major cities across India. From Dimapur railway station, you can opt for road transport to get to Mokokchung.
By Road: Mokokchung is connected by road and can be reached via NH 61. Buses, shared taxis, and private vehicles are the common modes of transportation to reach Mokokchung by road.
Summing Up
India is popular for celebrating different festivals throughout the year. Every festival is special, showcasing the culture, tradition, community, and heritage. Summer is an ideal time when people usually take a break, and these top summer festivals must surely be on your list of events to go to this summer. So, pack your bags, get into your festive mood, and check out these amazing places and their summer festivals!
FAQs
What Are The Famous Festivals Of South India?
The five most important festivals in South India are as follows:
- Onam
- Pongal
- Vishu
- Ugadi
- Dussehra
Which Is The No. 1 Festival In India?
Diwali, a festival full of lights and joy is the most celebrated festival worldwide.
What Are The Seasonal Festivals Of India?
Makar Sankranti, Bhogali Bihu, and Basant Panchami are some seasonal festivals in India.
Which Indian Festival Comes In The Summer Season?
One of the most celebrated festivals in India in the summer season is Holi.
Which Festivals Does West Bengal Celebrate In The Summer Season?
Summer festivals celebrated in West Bengal are Noboborsho and Dol Purnima.
