7 Best Spring Festivals in India

Between winter and summer lies spring, a time when the coldness subsides and comfortable temperatures return.

When the weather starts becoming pleasant again, and the flowers start to bloom, that is when it's time to celebrate.      

In a country like India where diversity can be found in abundance, there are a number of festivals that are celebrated in the spring season.

Some of the best spring festivals in India–

1. Holi.

Holi is one of those festivals which are celebrated all over the country.

However, people in the Northern part of India celebrate it more enthusiastically than anywhere else in the country.

Smearing gulal on each others’ faces and hair, dropping water balloons from balconies, dancing and sharing sweets are integral parts of celebrating Holi.

The festival is observed in honour of Lord Krishna who used to play Holi with Gopis.

It is also celebrated as a triumph of good over evil. The festivities include burning of a idol of demoness Holika, who was defeated by Lord Vishnu and killed by fire.

Celebrated in the month of March, Holi is perhaps one of the most famous spring festivals of India.  

2. Vasant Panchami.

In the month of February, Vasant Panchami is celebrated in the states of West Bengal, Rajasthan and Punjab.

Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (the goddess of wisdom and learning), Vasant Panchami, or Basant Panchami, marks the beginning of the spring season on the Hindu calendar.

Depending on the state or region, Vasant Panchami is celebrated in a variety of ways.

The people of Punjab like to get dressed in traditional clothes of yellow colour to match with the yellow- coloured mustard fields which are in full bloom in the spring season.  

Vasant Panchami is deemed to be an auspicious day for new beginnings such as getting possession of a new house, starting a business, buying a car etc.

3. Bohag Bihu.

Celebrated by the people of Assam, Bohag Bihu is one of the most loved festivals of the state. It is observed in the month of April.

Marking the start of the Assamese New Year and the arrival of the spring season, Bohag Bihu is celebrated with much gusto.

Musical performances and folk dances entertain the locals and visitors alike.

Traditional foods such as Ladu and Peetha are things to be savoured during this festival.

Local men and women adorn Assamese traditional attire in order to complete the celebrations.

Bohag Bihu is also known as Rongali Bihu.

4. Khajuraho Dance Festival.    

Khajuraho Dance Festival is a week-long extravaganza celebrated beside the Khajuraho temples located at Chhatarpur district (Madhya Pradesh).

Like the name suggests, the festival showcases the great and varied classical dance styles of India.

Being a spectator at this dance festival, you would get to view some amazing dance forms such as Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Gaudiya Nritya.

Renowned classical dancers from all over the country come to this place to  gracefully perform and promote an important part of Indian culture.

It is one of those spring festivals of India that draws huge crowds— domestic and international both.

The festival is held from mid to end of February.    

5. Gudi Padwa.

The best place to experience the magnificent celebrations of Gudi Padwa is Mumbai, where a grand parade takes place.

The parade starts at Girgaum. It commences in the morning.

The parade includes floats that showcase the art and culture of the state.  

Locals get dressed up in traditional fineries to take part in the Gudi Padwa parade. You also get to see sari-clad women riding motorbikes at the parade.

Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the lunisolar new year for the Marathi and Konkani communities.

6. Tulip Festival.

One beautiful attribute of the spring season is the blooming of new flowers.

Hence, to welcome the season with open arms, the people of Kashmir organise the Tulip Festival.

It is an annual spring festival that is held in the first two weeks of April, at the Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden.

This particular garden holds the record of being the largest tulip garden in Asia. It boasts as many as 50 different sub-species of tulips.

When it comes to spring festivals in India, the Tulip Festival has got to be one of the most beautiful.

However, the Tulip Festival is not just about the beauty of the flowers.

It also offers spectators a chance to enjoy Kashmiri folk songs and taste some dishes from the exquisite local cuisine.

At this festival, visitors can also explore and purchase some traditional handicraft items.        

7. Vaisakhi.        

Observed on the 13th or 14th of April, Vaisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh. Celebrated annually, it also happens to be the Sikh New Year.    

The people of Punjab celebrate Vaisakhi with music, dance and a lot of funfare.

The famous Golden Temple in Amritsar lights up during Vaisakhi. Devotees visit the holy place to take a dip in its holy water and seek blessings on the New Year.

Vaisakhi is an important festival amongst the Panjabi community as it commemorates the founding of the Khalsa Order by the tenth Guru of Sikhism— Guru Gobind Singh.      

India is an amazing country with much to explore. So, book some flight tickets, train tickets or bus tickets and explore the lengths and breadths of the country.      

Or simply, get in your car and drive to the nearest spring festival you can find.

Get familiar with the best spring festivals in India while on your journey.