Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
India is a land of vibrant celebrations, and festivals in March in India bring an extra burst of color and energy. This month is packed with cultural events and religious gatherings that unite people through traditions, music, dance, and rituals. While some are celebrated nationwide, others are unique to specific regions. As winter bids farewell and the warmth of spring sets in, various regions of India celebrate festivals that are deeply rooted in history, mythology, and local customs. From Goa’s lively carnival to the joyful atmosphere of Holi, March offers endless opportunities to experience the country’s rich heritage.
Top 10 Festivals In March In India
Here are 10 vibrant festivals in March in India, bringing colour, tradition, and joy across the country:
1. Goa Carnival
Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Px Here / Image For Representation Only
Goa Carnival is a fun and lively event held before Lent in February or March. It started during Portuguese rule in India, combining European-style celebrations with a local twist. The festival is all about music, dance, and colourful parades. People dress in costumes, and there are street performances with drums and folk songs. The highlight is the grand parade with floats, dancers, and acrobats. This unique Indian festival reflects Goa’s culture, combining Christian traditions with local customs.
Things To Do: Watch the grand parade, enjoy live music, taste traditional Goan food, participate in street performances
Key Attractions: Colourful parades, themed floats, live music, traditional Goan dance performances
2. Lollapalooza India
Photo: Pexels / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Lollapalooza is a well-known global music festival that made its way to India in 2023. Lollapalooza India takes place in Mumbai, Maharashtra, bringing global music and cultural experiences to the city. It features international and Indian artists from various music genres. This event is part of the festival calendar of India, bringing together music fans for an energetic experience. It attracts thousands of people in India who enjoy live performances, art, and food.
Things To Do: Enjoy live music concerts, explore food stalls, participate in interactive art installations
Key Attractions: Performances by global artists, cultural exhibits, exciting crowd energy
3. International Yoga Festival
Photo: Joellepearson / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The International Yoga Festival is one of the most significant events celebrating India’s rich tradition of yoga and wellness. Held every March at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh — the Yoga Capital of the World — the festival draws yoga enthusiasts and experts from across the globe. The festival promotes the health benefits of yoga while fostering a deeper connection to India’s ancient traditions.
Things To Do: Join yoga sessions, learn meditation, attend spiritual talks, explore the Ganges River
Key Attractions: Yoga workshops, guided meditation, spiritual discourses
4. Holi
Photo: Skrrrrrtq / Wikimedia Commons
Holi is one of the most famous Indian festivals, celebrated with colours, music, and joy. It takes place in March, on the Hindu calendar’s full moon day of Phalguna. The festival marks the victory of good over evil, based on the story of Prahlad and Holika. During Holi, people throw coloured powders (gulal), splash water, and dance to lively music. The celebrations begin the night before with Holika Dahan, where bonfires are lit to symbolise the burning of negativity.
Things To Do: Play with colours, join street parties, enjoy sweets like gujiya, participate in Holika Dahan
Key Attractions: Colour fights, traditional sweets, music and dance events
5. Jaipur Elephant Festival
Photo: pradeep kumar chatte / Wikimedia Commons
The Jaipur Elephant Festival is a special event that happens on the eve of Holi in March. It is one of the most unique Indian festivals, showcasing India’s connection with elephants. The festival has a long history, as elephants were once used in royal ceremonies. The animals are beautifully decorated with colours and jewellery. This festival celebrates the royal heritage of Rajasthan.
Things To Do: Watch the elephant parade, enjoy folk dance performances, witness the tug-of-war between elephants and people
Key Attractions: Decorated elephants, Rajasthani folk music, lively cultural events
6. Shigmotsav
Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Px Here / Image For Representation Only
Shigmotsav is Goa’s spring festival, celebrated in March. It is a Hindu festival similar to Holi but with unique local traditions. The festival marks the arrival of spring and is a major part of Goa’s festival calendar of India. The celebrations include colourful parades, folk dances, and performances that tell stories from Hindu mythology. Today, the streets of Goa burst with life as vibrant floats, rhythmic drummers, and joyful crowds create an electric atmosphere.
Things To Do: Watch parades, enjoy folk music, see traditional dance performances, explore local cuisine
Key Attractions: Colourful processions, folk dances, traditional Goan food
7. Thirunakkara Arattu
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Thirunakkara Arattu is a ten-day temple festival held in March at the Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple in Kerala. It is an important part of traditional festival celebrations, honouring Lord Shiva. The festival follows old temple traditions, with processions of decorated elephants and classical dance performances. Devotees take part in rituals that have been practised for centuries. The highlight is the final day, when the temple idol is taken for a ceremonial bath, known as ‘Arattu.’
Things To Do: Watch Kathakali performances, see temple rituals, enjoy local street markets
Key Attractions: Temple procession, decorated elephants, classical dance performances
8. Paripally Gajmela
Photo: Shagil Kannur / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Paripally Gajmela is a unique elephant festival held in March at the Kodimoottil Bhagavathy Temple in Kerala. It is one of the most unique Indian festivals, with over fifty beautifully decorated elephants taking part in a grand procession. It is believed that donating elephants to the temple brings good fortune. The festival includes traditional music, drum performances, and rituals that have been followed for generations, making it an important event in Kerala’s religious and cultural traditions.
Things To Do: Witness the elephant procession, visit temples, enjoy local cultural performances
Key Attractions: Large elephant procession, traditional music, religious rituals
9. Ugadi
Photo: Pavanaja / Wikimedia Commons
Ugadi is the New Year festival celebrated in March by people in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It follows the Hindu lunar calendar, marking the beginning of a new year in the Chaitra month. The festival is based on an ancient belief that Lord Brahma started creating the universe on this day. People clean their homes, prepare special dishes, and visit temples to seek blessings for the new year. A special dish called ‘Ugadi Pachadi’ is made with different flavours.
Things To Do: Cook festive dishes, visit temples, clean and decorate homes, exchange greetings
Key Attractions: Special food preparations, temple visits, cultural performances
10. Phulera Dooj
Photo: Gupt Vrindavan Dham / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Phulera Dooj is a Hindu festival that falls between Vasant Panchami and Holi, usually in March. It is one of the traditional festival celebrations in India that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The festival is especially important in Vrindavan and Mathura, where Krishna is worshipped. It is believed that this day is free from negative influences, making it a lucky time for weddings and religious events. Temples are decorated with flowers, and devotees sing bhajans.
Things To Do: Participate in temple rituals, offer prayers, sing devotional songs
Key Attractions: Temple celebrations, special offerings, devotional singing
The festivals in March in India offer a variety of cultural, religious, and musical experiences. The month is filled with joy and traditions, from colourful Holi celebrations to grand temple festivals in Kerala. Exploring these lively and vibrant festivals is a great way to experience the country’s diverse heritage. Plan your trip with TripXL and be a part of these vibrant celebrations.
Cover Photo: Dibakar Roy / Pexels
