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February in India is packed with festivals that bring together devotion, music, and tradition. From the lively beats of SulaFest in Nashik to the spiritual energy of Maha Shivaratri, each festival brings a different experience. The Jaisalmer Desert Festival fills the Thar with colour and music, while Madurai’s Float Festival lights up the water with shimmering reflections. Festivals in February in India showcase traditions, art, and community spirit, making this month one of the most exciting times to explore the country.
Top 10 Festivals In February In India
Here are the most vibrant festivals in February in India, filled with colour, music, and celebrations for a great cultural experience.
1. Vasant Panchami
Photo: BadhonCR / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Vasant Panchami marks the arrival of spring in India, usually falling in late January or early February. People wear yellow clothes symbolising mustard flowers and worship Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, music, and arts. Students place their books and instruments before her idol, seeking blessings. Educational institutions organise special prayers and cultural programs. Families fly kites, prepare sweet saffron rice, and children begin their education on this auspicious day. In Punjab, people celebrate by eating yellow rice and wearing yellow clothes to honour the mustard crops that are in bloom.
Celebrated In: North India
Main Attractions: Colourful kite flying, prayers to Goddess Saraswati, and mustard fields in full bloom
Traditions: Fasting, flying kites, and preparing yellow-themed sweets like saffron rice.
2. Maha Shivaratri
Photo: Bijay Chaurasia / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Maha Shivaratri honours Lord Shiva, celebrated on the 14th night of the new moon during February-March. Devotees fast all day and stay awake all night, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya.” Temples overflow with worshippers who perform abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the Shivalingam with milk, honey, and water. Some devotees consume bhang (cannabis preparation) as Lord Shiva is associated with it. Unmarried women pray for good husbands while married women pray for their husbands’ long lives. The festival celebrates the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, as well as Shiva’s cosmic dance.
Celebrated In: Across India
Main Attractions: Night-long prayers, temple rituals, and the sight of the faithful staying awake in devotion
Traditions: Fasting, chanting mantras, and special offerings to Lord Shiva
3. Guru Ravidas Jayanti
Photo: Amoster / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Guru Ravidas Jayanti celebrates the birth of Guru Ravidas, a 15th-century mystic poet-saint who fought against caste discrimination. His followers, especially from Dalit communities, visit temples dedicated to him, carry out processions with his portraits, and sing devotional songs he composed. The celebration is particularly grand in Varanasi, his birthplace, where a special bathing ritual in the Ganges is performed. His teachings promoting equality, compassion, and human dignity are remembered through community feasts (langars) where people from all castes eat together, challenging traditional barriers.
Celebrated In: Varanasi, Punjab
Main Attractions: Devotional processions, hymns, and community gatherings
Traditions: Singing devotional songs, processions with portraits of Guru Ravidas, and serving community meals
4. Taj Mahotsav
Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Taj Mahotsav is a 10-day cultural festival held annually at Shilpgram near the Taj Mahal in Agra. It showcases India’s diverse crafts, cuisine, and performing arts. Artisans from across India display marblework, wood carvings, brass sculptures, handmade carpets, and embroidery. Visitors enjoy folk dances like Kathakali, Lavani, and Nautanki alongside classical music performances. Elephant and camel rides entertain families, while food stalls serve regional delicacies. The festival begins with a colourful procession featuring decorated elephants, camels, and drum performers, representing India’s rich cultural heritage.
Celebrated In: Agra
Main Attractions: Art exhibitions, crafts displays, traditional dance performances, and a cultural procession
Traditions: Folk dances, workshops by artisans, and vibrant processions
5. Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Photo: Rishabh dev / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Jaisalmer Desert Festival brings the Thar Desert to life with three days of music, dance, and competitions against the golden sandstone backdrop of Jaisalmer Fort. Turban-tying contests, longest moustache competitions, and camel races draw tourists from around the world. Local Rajasthani men and women perform traditional Kalbeliya and Ghoomar dances in colourful attire. The desert echoes with folk music played on kamaicha and ravanhatha instruments. The highlight is the “Mr. Desert” competition to find the most handsome man with authentic Rajasthani features and the mesmerising puppet shows.
Celebrated In: Jaisalmer
Main Attractions: Camel races, turban-tying contests, folk music, and dance performances under the desert sun
Traditions: Camel rides, cultural performances, and traditional Rajasthani dances
6. Nagaur Festival
Photo: Kaushik Mishra / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Nagaur Festival combines a livestock fair and cultural celebration in Rajasthan. One of India’s largest cattle fairs, it features thousands of bullocks, camels, and horses traded. Animal owners decorate their livestock with colourful ornaments and cloth. The festival includes exciting camel races, tug-of-war competitions, and horse-riding displays. Evenings come alive with folk performances under starlit skies. Local craftsmen sell leather goods, camel decorations, and wooden items. Spectators enjoy traditional Rajasthani food like dal baati churma while watching jugglers, puppeteers, and musicians perform throughout the fairgrounds.
Celebrated In: Nagaur
Main Attractions: Livestock fairs, camel races, and traditional Rajasthani music
Traditions: Livestock trading, camel races, and folk performances under the desert sky
7. SulaFest
Photo: Puneets26 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
SulaFest is a contemporary music and wine festival held at Sula Vineyards in Nashik, Maharashtra. This two-day extravaganza combines international music, wine tasting, and gourmet food. Visitors enjoy performances from Indian and international artists across genres like rock, jazz, and electronic dance music while sampling Sula’s finest wines. The festival features grape-stomping activities, wine tours, and masterclasses on wine appreciation. Art installations and fashion pop-ups add to the experience. With its lovely vineyard setting and bohemian atmosphere, SulaFest attracts young urban professionals seeking a perfect weekend getaway.
Celebrated In: Nashik
Main Attractions: Wine tasting, live music performances, and gourmet food in the scenic Sula Vineyards
Traditions: Wine tasting, grape stomping, and enjoying regional music and food
8. Float Festival
Photo: రహ్మానుద్దీన్ / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Float Festival (Theppotsavam) celebrates Lord Kallazhagar and Goddess Meenakshi at Madurai’s Mariamman Teppakulam, a massive temple tank. The deities’ idols are placed on decorated floats illuminated with lamps and pulled around the tank while priests chant hymns. Thousands of devotees gather around the tank’s steps to witness this mesmerising spectacle. The water reflects countless oil lamps creating a magical atmosphere. The festival originated when a Nayak king found a Ganesh idol while excavating the tank and built a temple. Music performances, fireworks, and prasadam distribution complete the celebrations.
Celebrated In: Madurai
Main Attractions: Illuminated floats carrying idols of Lord Kallazhagar and Goddess Meenakshi, reflected in temple tank waters
Traditions: Floating the idols in water tanks, temple rituals, and grand firework displays
9. Attukal Pongal
Photo: Mmanishamary / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Attukal Pongal, also called Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Festival, is celebrated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of women for a religious activity. Millions of women prepare sweet pongal (rice pudding) in earthen pots over makeshift brick stoves in offering to Goddess Bhagavathy. The 10-day festival features cultural performances, colorful processions, and traditional drum ensembles. The highlight is Kuthiyottam ritual where young boys undergo penance before being symbolically offered to the Goddess. Women pray for their families’ prosperity, health, and happiness.
Celebrated In: Thiruvananthapuram
Main Attractions: The world’s largest gathering of women cooking Pongal, vibrant processions, and cultural performances
Traditions: Women prepare Pongal in unison as an offering to Goddess Bhagavathy, with traditional songs and dances
10. Surajkund International Crafts Mela
Photo: Cordavida / Wikimedia Commons
Surajkund International Crafts Mela is India’s largest crafts fair, held in Faridabad, Haryana. Over 1,000 artisans from India and worldwide showcase traditional handicrafts, textiles, and artwork in a recreated rural ambiance. Each year features a different Indian state as the “Theme State,” highlighting its cultural heritage. Visitors explore winding lanes with thatched-roof huts housing craftspeople demonstrating age-old techniques. Multiple stages feature folk dances and music throughout the day. Food stalls serve regional cuisines from across India. Multi-coloured fabrics, pottery, metalwork, and paintings create a vibrant shopping paradise for craft enthusiasts.
Celebrated In: Faridabad
Main Attractions: Handicraft displays, folk music performances, and food stalls representing various cultures
Traditions: Artisans display traditional crafts, with music, dance, and regional foods highlighting different states of India
Festivals in February in India bring temples, deserts, vineyards, and craft villages to life with music, rituals, and celebrations. Whether it’s the spiritual aura of Maha Shivaratri, the artistic showcase of Surajkund Mela, or the lively beats of SulaFest, each festival offers a unique experience. This is the month to see India’s diversity at its peak, where tradition and festivity blend seamlessly. Plan a trip with TripXL and dive into the celebrations.
Cover Photo: Nishta Sharma / Unsplash
