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Eco friendly festivals in India celebrate nature, agriculture, and sustainable traditions that have been followed for generations. These festivals focus on harmony with the environment and showcase the deep connection between communities and nature. From harvest festivals to tribal celebrations, each event reflects cultural values while promoting eco-conscious practices. Many of these famous Indian eco festivals involve rituals that honour crops, rivers, and forests. These traditions not only support biodiversity but also encourage sustainable living. Exploring these unique Indian celebrations helps us understand how traditional practices continue to shape the festival calendar of India today.
10 Eco Friendly Festivals In India
Explore 10 Eco friendly festivals in India that promote sustainability, nature conservation, and traditional
celebrations.
1. Nabanna
Photo: Balaram Mahalder / Wikimedia Commons
Nabanna is a traditional festival in India that marks the rice harvest in West Bengal. Farmers offer the first grains of the new crop to Goddess Lakshmi as a gesture of gratitude. Celebrated in the Bengali month of Agrahayana (November-December), it has been passed down for generations, strengthening the bond between farmers and their land. Nabanna also fosters community spirit, bringing people together to cook and share festive meals. With deep cultural significance, it highlights the role of agriculture in rural life and remains an essential part of India’s festival calendar.
Things To Do: Participate in community feasts
2. Hornbill Festival
Photo: Vikramjit Kakati / Wikimedia Commons
The Hornbill Festival is one of the most famous Indian eco festivals, held in Nagaland every December. It celebrates the rich traditions of the Naga tribes through dance, music, and handicrafts. First organised in 2000, the festival aims to preserve and promote tribal heritage. Named after the hornbill bird, a symbol of cultural significance in Naga folklore, the event supports sustainable tourism by showcasing eco-friendly traditions. Tribal communities unite to share their customs with visitors, making it a key event in India’s festival calendar. It plays a vital role in preserving indigenous practices and fostering unity among Naga tribes.
Things To Do: Witness traditional Naga dances, listen to folk songs
3. Indra Puja
Photo: Saroj Pandey / Wikimedia Commons
Indra Puja is a unique Indian festival dedicated to Lord Indra, the god of rain. Primarily observed in the northeastern states, it holds deep significance for tribal communities reliant on agriculture. Celebrated during the monsoon season (August-September), it is a time for prayers seeking good rainfall and a prosperous harvest. According to Hindu mythology, Indra governs rainfall, and this festival expresses gratitude for nature’s gifts. The celebrations include community prayers, music, and dance, fostering cultural unity. Indra Puja continues to be an integral part of India’s festival traditions.
Things To Do: Observe traditional rituals, enjoy folk dances and songs
4. Ladakh Harvest Festival
Photo: Jakar tshechu / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Ladakh Harvest Festival is a traditional festival in India, celebrated in September to mark the end of the farming season in the cold desert region. Locals come together to give thanks for a successful harvest and pray for a peaceful winter. Deeply tied to Buddhist culture, the festival centres around monasteries, where monks perform Cham dances — masked rituals symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The celebrations also include vibrant processions, traditional music, and archery. This lively event beautifully preserves Ladakh’s rich heritage and remains a cherished part of India’s cultural calendar.
Things To Do: Attend mask dance performances at monasteries
5. Chaitra Festivals
Photo: Government of Odisha / Wikimedia Commons
Chaitra festivals mark the start of the Hindu New Year in many states and hold great cultural significance in the festival calendar of India. Celebrated in Chaitra (March-April), they go by different names, like Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. These celebrations symbolise renewal and the arrival of spring. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. People clean their homes, hoist decorated Gudis, and prepare festive dishes, fostering cultural unity as communities come together to honor their heritage and traditions.
Things To Do: Participate in New Year processions, decorate homes with rangoli
6. Nuakhai
Photo: Dandy1022 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Nuakhai is a unique Indian festival celebrated in Odisha and Chhattisgarh to honor the arrival of the new rice harvest. Observed on the fifth day after Ganesh Chaturthi, it typically falls in August or September. The name comes from ‘Nua’ (new) and ‘Khai’ (food), emphasising its role as a harvest celebration. Dating back to ancient royal traditions, farmers first offer the freshly harvested grains to their village deity before eating them. The festival brings communities together through shared meals and cultural performances, preserving traditions and holding a special place in India’s vibrant festival calendar.
Things To Do: Offer prayers to local deities
7. Makar Sankranti
Photo: Joel’s Goa Pics / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Makar Sankranti is a famous Indian eco festival that marks the sun’s transition into the Capricorn zodiac. Celebrated on 14th or 15th January every year, it signifies the end of winter and the start of longer days. It is one of the oldest festivals in India, with references in ancient scriptures like the Mahabharata. The festival is associated with gratitude for the harvest season. People take holy dips in rivers, fly kites, and prepare sweets from sesame and jaggery. It also promotes eco-friendly traditions, making it a significant part of the festival calendar of India.
Things To Do: Fly kites
8. Lohri
Photo: Gursimrat Ganda / Unspalsh / Image For Representation Only
Lohri is a traditional festival in India, celebrated in Punjab on 13th January. It marks the peak of winter and is linked to the winter solstice. The festival honours Dulla Bhatti, a folk hero who helped poor girls by arranging their marriages and providing dowries. Lohri also celebrates the sugarcane harvest, an important crop in Punjab. Families gather around bonfires, tossing sesame seeds and popcorn into the flames while singing folk songs. This joyful celebration strengthens community bonds and holds a special place in India’s rich festival calendar.
Things To Do: Light bonfires, sing folk songs, perform Bhangra and Gidda
9. Dree Festival
Photo: San Fermin Pamplona – Navarra / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Dree Festival is a unique Indian festival celebrated by the Apatani tribe in Arunachal Pradesh. It takes place in July and is dedicated to agricultural deities like Tamu, Harniang, and Metii. The festival aims to ensure a good harvest by seeking protection from pests and natural disasters. Historically, it was a small ritual among the Apatani people but has now grown into a large community celebration. Traditional dances, prayers, and feasts are an essential part of the event. It highlights sustainable farming and plays a vital role in the festival calendar of India.
Things To Do: Offer prayers to agricultural deities, participate in folk dances
10. Sarhul
Photo: Gurpreet Singh Ranchi / Wikimedia Commons
Sarhul is a famous Indian eco festival celebrated by tribal communities in Jharkhand. It takes place in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April) and marks the arrival of spring. The festival is dedicated to nature, particularly Sal trees, which are worshipped as symbols of life. According to tribal beliefs, ancestors resided in trees and protected the community. During the festival, people offer flowers and fruits to the trees as a gesture of gratitude. Sarhul promotes environmental awareness and is an integral part of the festival calendar of India, reflecting the deep bond between indigenous communities and nature.
Things To Do: Worship Sal trees, participate in processions, perform tribal dances
India has a rich cultural heritage, and its festivals reflect a deep respect for nature and traditions. This list of tribal festivals in India highlights celebrations that promote sustainability, agriculture, and environmental awareness. These festivals continue to be an important part of community life, keeping ancient traditions alive. If you want to experience these unique celebrations, plan your visit with TripXL and witness India’s eco-friendly cultural heritage.
Cover Photo: Kaushik Mishra / Wikimedia Commons
