5 Top Monsoon Festivals In India And Their Celebrations

The monsoon season brings gifts of happiness wrapped in earthly essence, among which are festivals. As per the old saying the dialect and culture of India change every 100 km. These festivals, celebrated nationwide, often feature varying rituals and customs. 

Holi for instance, is celebrated across India. Still, every city has its own essence like Pushkar Ki Holi, Lathmar Holi in Mathura, Ranga Panchami in Maharashtra, and the list goes on. However, the reason to celebrate any festival is the same, but the way to celebrate these festivals differs so much. In true essence, India is a diverse but a united Nation.

So, let’s explore the festivals in India during monsoon that are celebrated differently in every state.

Monsoon Festivals In India

1. Krishna Janmashtami

Story 

When Devaki delivered the eighth child the divine form was soon known to both the parents. The divine form ordered Vasudeva to take him to Gokul. While Vasudeva carried Lord Krishna in a basket over his head all the prison guards came under a spell of slumber and the prison gates were also opened. While taking Lord Krishna to the other side of the Yamuna to reach Gokul in heavy rain, Lord Vishnu’s Sheshnaag sheltered the infant Krishna and helped Vasudeva to reach Gokul.

Vasudeva swapped Krishna with Yogamaya, the daughter who had been born to Nanda and Yashoda on the very same day and returned to the cell. After the spell was worn out Kamsa stormed into the prison chamber of Vasudeva and Devaki, unaware of the fact that the children had been swapped he tried to kill Yogamaya, then Yashoda’s daughter transformed into an eight-armed goddess, and stated, “Fool, your destroyer has already been born elsewhere.” She subsequently vanished into the heavens.

How is It Celebrated In Different Places

In Mumbai

The second day is a major, monsoon season celebration which is celebrated as Gopal Kala where ‘Dahi Handi’ (pot of curd) is hung at a height and people make a human pyramid to break the handi (pot), resembling Shri. Krishna’s love for butter and the comic tales of him stealing butter from the earthen Pots. 

You would see many groups from Mumbai roam on the streets of Mumbai to break these pots, many of the Dahi Handi have crazy cash prizes and awards. 

Fun Fact – A group from Spain comes to Mumbai every year to participate in the competition of Gopal Kala to form a human chain. 

In Mathura And Vrindavan

Devotees flock to the Krishna temples on the eve of Janmashtami, especially the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura which is one of the best temples to visit in Mathura, where he is believed to have been born. The temples are beautifully decorated with enchanting floral arrangements and lighting.

Devotees in huge numbers put beautiful apparel on the idols of Shri. Krishna along with Radha Rani and Balarama. Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan and Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura which is considered the birthplace of Shri. Krishna is decorated beautifully with floral arrangements and lights.

In Dwarka

2. Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a large scale in Maharashtra. However, many people celebrate Ganesh Chathurthi in other countries like the USA, Canada, Pakistan, etc. Yes, you read it right, there is still a Hindu-Maharashtrian community living in Pakistan that celebrates Ganesh Chathurthi.

Every year during Ganesh Chathurthi you would see Lord Ganesha’s idol established on a raised house platform. The platform in the house is decorated beautifully, and the offerings of fruits and sweets are kept in front of the established idol. The most famous sweet you would find here is Ukdiche Modak (a steamed dumpling stuffed with jaggery, freshly grated coconut, and dry fruits).

People host Lord Ganesh for one and a half days, some for 5-7 days, and some for 10 days straight.

Story Time

However, establishing Lord Ganesha’s Idol communally was done in 1892 by Bhau Rangari, Vishvanath Khasgivale, and Ganesh Ghodavdekar which was praised by Lokmanya Tilak in one of his articles in 1893. In the following year, this communal event gained a lot of popularity after the article. 

He wrote that if all the people from the society irrespective of their caste and religion come together to celebrate such an event then it should be addressed and appreciated. He then established and started the Communcal Ganesh Chathurthi festival in 1894 at Vinchurkar Wada in Pune and from then we could see Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with pomp and grandeur every year. 

How is It Celebrated In Different Places

In Maharashtra

Some of the famous Ganesh pandals in Mumbai are Lalbaug Cha Raja, DGSBS Seva Mandal – Gold Ganesha of Mumbai, Khetwadicha Ganraj, Girgaon Cha Raja, and the list goes on. 

In Pune, the size of the Idols of Lord Ganesh Murti is not that huge as there is no sea to immerse the idol on the last day, but some of the beautiful pandal decoration is done in Pune. 

Being the major monsoon festival in India Ganesh Chathurthi is also celebrated in Konkan, Maharashtra as one of the major monsoon festivals. Here, the people of Konkan host Ganpati Bappa for 30 days straight.

In Canada And America

You could see many Indians celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi in Canada and America. Many procession chanting bhajans and Ganesha songs happens on the streets of Canada and America.

3. Raksha Bandhan

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

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

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. 

Suggest Read: Top Places Near Mumbai For A Perfect Monsoon Season Getaway!

In Jammu

In Gujarat

4. Teej

On the occasion of Teej women mostly observe fast at night and pray throughout the night. The highlights of this festival are the swings fixed to the branches of large trees, which women take turns to enjoy on swings. They gather together and sing songs dedicated to this festival.

Story Time

It’s believed that Goddess Sati’s 108th birth was in the form of Parvati, the reason why married women during this festival seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati on Teej festival for marital bliss.

How is It Celebrated In Different Places

North India

Suggest Read: Places To Visit In Karnataka During Monsoon

Western India

Eastern India

5. Onam

Story Time

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

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.