Month wise Holiday destinations and Festivals in India

Here’s a list of holiday destinations in India categorized by month:

January:

January in India marks the beginning of the new year and the peak of winter in India.

1. Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir – Ideal for snowfall and winter sports
2. Auli Bugyal in Uttarakhand
3. Asia’s largest salt-water lagoon Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary in Odisha, when the migratory birds arrive at their wintering ground.
4. Parasailing and wind surfing at Nagao Beach and Ghoghla Beach in Diu
5. Jaipur, Rajasthan – Explore the vibrant culture and heritage
6. Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Enjoy pristine beaches and water sports
7. South Indian destinations like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Goa are relatively warmer.
8. Ahmedabad for Kite Festival.
9. Delhi for the Republic Day parade
10. Festivals in January
    1. Pongal – Tamil Nadu
    2. Makar Sankranti – Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other states
    3. Lohri – Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi
    4. Bikaner Camel Festival – Rajasthan
    5. Magh Bihu – Assam

February:

1. Udaipur, Rajasthan – Experience royal charm and historical landmarks
2. Munnar, Kerala – Explore lush tea gardens and pleasant weather
3. Agra, Uttar Pradesh – Visit iconic monuments like the Taj Mahal
4. Rajasthan, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Kodaikanal.
5. Sula Wine Festival in Nashik
6. Gulmarg –  snow boarding and skiing
7. Periyar Tiger reserve – Thekkady (top choice for wildlife and outdoor photography enthusiasts)
8. Velas Beach, Ratnagiri – Turtle festival
9. Festivals in February
   1. Goa Carnival – Goa
   2. Surajkund Crafts Mela – Haryana
   3. Khajuraho Dance Festival – Madhya Pradesh
   4. Taj Mahotsav – Uttar Pradesh
   5. Desert Festival – Rajasthan

March:

Festivals with vibrant colors and sweets – Mathura, Brindavan

1. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand – Adventure hub for river rafting and trekking (Rishikesh Yoga Festival)
2. Hampi, Karnataka – Discover ancient ruins and UNESCO sites
3. Coorg, Karnataka – Relax amidst coffee plantations and scenic landscapes
4. Kashmir, Leh, Shimla, Alleppey
5. Festivals in March
   1. Holi – All over India
   2. Elephant Festival – Jaipur, Rajasthan
   3. Myoko Festival – Arunachal Pradesh
   4. Chapchar Kut – Mizoram
   5. Hoysala Mahotsava – Karnataka
   6. Mon, Nagaland: The Aoleang festival of the Konyaks from Northern Nagaland is celebrated during the first week of April.
   7. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir Tulip Festival

April:

Summer knocks at the doors – visit the hill stations

1. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – Enjoy panoramic views and pleasant climate
2. Ooty, Tamil Nadu – Relax in the midst of lush greenery and botanical gardens
3. Darjeeling, West Bengal – Witness blooming rhododendrons and tea estates
4. Nainital, Shimla
5. South India – Trivandrum, Coonoor, Munnar
6. Festivals in April
   1. Baisakhi – Punjab
   2. Vishu – Kerala
   3. Bihu – Assam
   4. Mahavir Jayanti – Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
   5. Gangaur Festival – Rajasthan
   6. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir Tulip Festival

May:

Peak Summer Season

1. Manali, Himachal Pradesh – Escape the summer heat and admire scenic beauty
2. Darjeeling, West Bengal – Experience blooming flowers and serene lakes
3. Nainital, Uttarakhand – Enjoy boating and recreational activities by the lake
4. Kasol, Kullu, Kufri, Mussoorie, Wayanad, Ooty, Gangtok
5. Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani
6. Festivals in May
   1. Ganga Dussehra – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
   2. Urs Festival – Ajmer, Rajasthan
   3. Mount Abu Summer Festival – Rajasthan
   4. Thrissur Pooram – Kerala

June:

Summers get hotter in June and the scorching heat of the plains gets unbearable in places like Delhi.

1. Leh-Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir – Explore rugged terrain and high-altitude passes
2. Sikkim – Marvel at monasteries and Himalayan landscapes
3. Manali, and himla, Nainital, Coorg, Munnar, and Srinagar offer respite from the heat
4. Festivals in June
   1. Hemis Festival – Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
   2. Ambubachi Mela – Assam
   3. Rath Yatra – Puri, Odisha
   4. Sindhu Darshan Festival – Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir
   5. Ganga Dashahara – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

July:

monsoon picks up its pace.

1. Shillong, Meghalaya – Experience monsoon beauty and visit waterfalls / living root bridges
2. Wayanad, Kerala – Explore lush forests and spice plantations
3. Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu – Enjoy misty weather and scenic vistas
4. Khandala, Lonavala, Valley of Flowers, and Kodaikanal bloom into youthful beauty
5. Orchha, Madhya Pradesh (history, art and culture)
6. Valley Of Flowers trek in Uttarakhand
7. Festivals in July
   1. Teej – Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
   2. Bonalu – Telangana
   3. Rath Yatra – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
   4. Guru Purnima – All over India
   5. Hemis Festival – Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir

August:

bloom with lush greenery upon the arrival of the monsoon in August

1. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand – Witness blooming flowers and breathtaking landscapes
2. Coonoor, Tamil Nadu – Enjoy tranquil surroundings amidst tea gardens
3. Puri, Odisha – Witness Rath Yatra festival and relax on golden beaches
4. Ooty, Khajuraho, Pachmarhi, Darjeeling
5. Spiti Valley
6. Festivals in August
   1. Onam – Kerala
   2. Raksha Bandhan – All over India
   3. Janmashtami – All over India
   4. Nehru Trophy Boat Race – Kerala
   5. Kajli Teej – Rajasthan

September:

September is the last month of monsoon in India and places from North to South experience a tropical climate.

Religious festivals including Ganesh Chaturthi

1. Alleppey, Kerala – Experience backwater cruises and Ayurvedic treatments
2. Pondicherry – Explore French colonial architecture and serene beaches
3. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan – Spot wildlife on thrilling safaris
4. Kaas Plateau aka valley of flowers in Maharashtra – a UNESCO World Heritage site
5. Festivals in September
   1. Ganesh Chaturthi – Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
   2. Durga Puja – West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Odisha
   3. Navratri – Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
   4. Kullu Dussehra – Himachal Pradesh
   5. Pulikali – Kerala

October:

It is the time when the monsoon in India ends and the winter season begins.

Festivals and cultural events take place in Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh.

One can indulge in auspicious Dussehra, Navratri, and Durga Puja festivals.

1. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – Experience Diwali celebrations and Ganga Aarti
2. Pushkar, Rajasthan – Attend the vibrant Camel Fair and explore the holy town
3. Kutch, Gujarat – Witness the Rann Utsav festival and explore the White Desert
4. Festivals in October
   1. Dussehra – All over India
   2. Diwali – All over India
   3. Navratri – Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
   4. Rann Utsav – Gujarat
   5. Marwar Festival – Rajasthan

November:

The wind starts getting cooler and the skies become clearer. November invites surfers to pristine beaches in India and snow lovers can head to Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand. Find migratory birds and go for wild safari trips. Be a part of major festival celebrations in November including Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.

1. Auli, Uttarakhand – Enjoy skiing and breathtaking mountain views
2. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh – Explore intricate temple carvings and UNESCO sites
3. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan – Experience desert safaris and cultural festivities
4. Agumbe village in the Shimoga District of Karnataka – low land rainforests.
5. Festivals in November
   1. Pushkar Camel Fair – Rajasthan
   2. Chhath Puja – Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand
   3. Hornbill Festival – Nagaland
   4. Ganga Mahotsav – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
   5. Kartik Poornima – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

December:

While the North Indian regions like Ladakh, Himachal, and Sikkim are enveloped in snow, the beginning of December provides a long hour of sunshine in South India. For adventure enthusiasts, trekking is best done in December. Plus, many honeymooners visit Manali, Shimla, Munnar, Goa in India to romance amidst the pleasant and cool weather.

1. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat – Witness cultural performances at the Rann Utsav festival
2. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan – Spot wildlife, including tigers, in their natural habitat
3. Kolkata, West Bengal – Experience Christmas and New Year celebrations
4. Festivals in December
   1. Christmas – All over India
   2. Rann Utsav – Gujarat
   3. Konark Dance Festival – Odisha
   4. Chennai Music Festival – Tamil Nadu
   5. Tawang Festival – Arunachal Pradesh

Month wise Holiday destinations and Festivals in India

These are just a few suggestions, and India offers a diverse range of destinations suitable for every traveler’s preferences and interests throughout the year.