Ten Indian Festivals & Events in August 2024, take part in colorful festivals and events to honor India’s rich cultural tapestry. Celebrate these holidays with the customs, hues, and exuberance that characterize them, from Raksha Bandhan to Independence Day.
Ten Indian Festivals & Events in August 2024
An integral part of Indian culture, festivals evoke divine benefits through a variety of ceremonies and activities. August is a very colorful month with a wide variety of festivities that combine religious observance, social cohesion, and cultural merriment.
The Ten Indian Festivals & Events in August 2024 showcase the colorful customs followed during this joyous month.
- Friendship Day – August 4, 2024
- Sawan- 23rd July to 21st August
- Hariyali Teej – August 7, 2024
- Nag Panchami – August 9, 2024
- Independence Day – August 15, 2024
- Parsi New Year (Navroz) – August 15, 2024
- Raksha Bandhan – August 19, 2024
- Jhulan Purnima – August 19, 2024
- Janmashtami – August 26, 2024
- Dahi Handi – August 27, 2024
Friendship Day – August 4, 2024
India observes Friendship Day on the first Sunday in August. It’s a unique day to celebrate and value friendships. Friends strengthen their friendships by exchanging presents, bands, and sincere notes. Parties, get-togethers, and excursions are common ways that people celebrate. This day serves as a reminder of the value of friends who encourage, laugh with, and support one another through the highs and lows of life.
Date- August 4, 2024
State- Throughout India.
Sawan- 23rd July to 21st August
Bihar will celebrate Sawan during the holy month of Shravan, which falls between July 23 and August 21. Devotees of Lord Shiva widely venerate this period. Numerous customs and religious celebrations take place over the entire month.
Every Monday of the month is Sawan Somvar, when devotees observe fasts that are especially fortunate. Devotees worship Lord Shiva on these days with unique prayers, chants, and offerings such as bilva leaves, milk, and holy water. Flowers surround the temples, while chants and songs of devotion fill the air.
During this month, followers undertake the notable custom of Kanwar Yatra, traveling great distances to gather sacred water from the Ganges and present it to nearby Shiva temples. The state is imbued with a profound spiritual experience due to the overwhelming mood of celebration and dedication.
Date: 23rd July to 21st August
State: It is celebrated throughout Northen India but primarily in:
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
- Uttar Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
Hariyali Teej – August 7, 2024
Married women in northern India, especially in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, mostly observe the Hindu holiday of Hariyali Teej. Usually occurring in July or August, the festival takes place on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravana. Notably, it honors marital harmony and commemorates the nuptials of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. To observe the festival, ladies conduct fasts, don vibrant traditional clothing, apply henna, and offer prayers for their husbands’ wellbeing. Additionally, the term ‘Hariyali,’ which means ‘greenery,’ derives from its symbolic representation of the arrival of the monsoon season and the abundant greenery it brings.
Date – August 7, 2024
State – Hariyali Teej is predominantly celebrated in the following state:
- Rajasthan
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Madhya Pradesh
Nag Panchami – August 9, 2024
Traditionally, people observe Nag Panchami on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravan, which occurs in July or August. This Hindu festival is dedicated to the worship of snakes. On this day, believers offer live snakes in temples and snake pits milk, candy, and flowers. Consequently, the purpose of the celebration is to pay tribute to snake gods while also seeking their protection and wealth. People celebrate it with unique customs across India, including fasting and prayer, and it is particularly important in areas like Maharashtra, Bengal, and South India.
Date – August 9, 2024
State – Nag Panchami is celebrated in various Indian states, notably:
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- West Bengal
- Andhra Pradesh
- Gujarat
Independence Day – August 15, 2024
“India celebrates Independence Day, a national holiday, on August 15 every year. On August 15, 1947, the nation gained independence from British rule, and people commemorate this historic event on that day. Consequently, they mark the day with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, cultural activities, and speeches by political leaders, all celebrated with a fierce sense of patriotism. Furthermore, it serves as a remembrance of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters in India’s fight for independence. On this Independence Day, Indians also take a moment to reflect on the achievements of their country and reaffirm their dedication to democracy, unification, and growth.”
Date – August 15, 2024
State – Independence Day is celebrated throughout India
Parsi New Year (Navroz) – August 15, 2024
The Parsi community has a long-standing custom of celebrating Navroz, also known as Nowruz, as Parsi New Year, which marks the start of the Iranian calendar year. To begin with, celebrations include visiting fire temples to pray, cleaning the house, decorating with flowers, and sharing special meals with loved ones. Moreover, this event highlights themes of renewal, growth, and prosperity. By embodying cultural legacy, solidarity, and optimistic outlooks for the upcoming year, it underscores these important themes.
Date – August 15, 2024
State – Parsi New Year (Navroz) is celebrated by the Parsi community in various states of India, including:
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Karnataka
Raksha Bandhan – August 19, 2024
An important August event that celebrates the treasured relationship between brothers and sisters is Raksha Bandhan. Specifically, people observe this festival on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, which falls in August each year. During this time, sisters wrap their brothers’ wrists in a holy thread known as a rakhi as a sign of protection. In turn, brothers promise to watch out for their sisters and often give them gifts. raksha Bandhan, an important Indian festival observed in August 2024, promotes family get-togethers, joyous feasts, and the exchanging of sweets and presents as a way to symbolize the strong links and responsibilities that families share during this time.
Date – August 19, 2024
State – Raksha Bandhan is celebrated across all states of India.
Jhulan Purnima – August 19, 2024
Another August celebration, Jhulan Purnima, often called the Swing celebration, is observed in West Bengal and Odisha during the full moon of the monsoon month of Shravana. This Hindu holiday not only honors Lord Krishna but also celebrates Radha’s love. As a result, placing the divine couple’s idols on swings and revering them with hymns and prayers creates a joyous atmosphere.
Date – August 19, 2024
State – Jhulan Purnima is primarily celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha
Janmashtami – August 26, 2024
August 2024 will also see the celebration of Janmashtami, which honors the birth of Lord Krishna. It includes prayers, fasting, and plays that depict Krishna’s early years. furthermore, the event, which is widely observed across India, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
In India, people from all walks of life come together to commemorate the holy incarnation of Lord Krishna. Additionally, they gather to seek his blessings for a peaceful, prosperous, and enlightened life. this celebration occurs on Janmashtami, which is a day of great cultural and religious significance.
Date – August 26, 2024
State -Janmashtami is celebrated in the following states of India:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- West Bengal
- Karnataka
Dahi Handi – August 27, 2024
As part of the Krishna Janmashtami celebration, Dahi Handi is a joyous occasion that is primarily observed in the Indian states of Maharashtra and portions of Gujarat. To smash a high-hanging clay pot filled with buttermilk (dahi), participants must build human pyramids. consequently, this tradition represents the child god Krishna’s affection for butter. Additionally, the occasion usually falls on the second day of Janmashtami. Teams of fervent competitors known as “Govinda pathaks” compete to break the handi during Dahi Handi celebrations. With music, dancing, and enthusiastic spectators, it’s undeniably a lively and joyful event. Moreover, it beautifully captures the whimsical spirit of Lord Krishna’s early mischievous exploits.
Date – August 27, 2024
State – Maharashtra
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