Top 6 Indian Festivals to experience

India is undoubtedly one of the most colourful and culturally diverse countries in the world. With colours of all shades painting the streets and foods that vary with each state, there's no shortage of experiences to be shared in India. The festivals celebrated throughout the year bring together the people of this nation. Experiencing the vibrant festivals is a must, as the country starts welcoming tourists once again after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It's the perfect place to plan a family holiday with our Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol in place to keep your family safe and secure. Check out all the unforgettable festival experiences on your next trip to the world's second-most populous country. Holi Holi is arguably one of the most, if not the most colourful affair in India! The festival celebrates the arrival of spring after months of winter. On the night before Holi, bonfires are lit in people's homes and on streets to celebrate the victory of good over evil. With community at the core of this festival, people also take to the streets to play with colour and water, sing and dance. On the day of Holi, which is marked by the evening of Full Moon Day in the month of Falgun, families and friends welcome each other into their homes by dry smearing coloured powder on their faces. Parties are organized across the country but be sure to add Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar – located just a few minutes away from the popular city center in West Delhi – onto your itinerary. If you're looking for an adventure in the northeast of the country, head to Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati for a colourful Holi while still enjoying the tranquil settings of Assam.

Diwali The Festival of Lights, Diwali is India's biggest and most important festival of the year. Indian households throughout the country decorate and light up their houses with diyas (oil lamps) to signify the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. Preparations and rituals typically extend over a 5-day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu lunar calendar. It is also one of the biggest shopping seasons where people buy new clothes for themselves and gifts for their families and friends. If you're looking to join in on the shopping fun, discover more about why Asia is a shopper's paradise! As it is with most Indian festivals, the day and month differ with the calendar, and this year's celebration falls in November. Join the locals as they celebrate the festival by lighting their lamps and eating heart-warming food when you stay with Radisson Blu in Jaipur and Amritsar in the north of India. Psst! Taking a tour around Asia? Check out these other amazing festivals in Asia! Ganesh Chaturthi This festival is primarily celebrated in Maharashtra, India, but as the country is a complete amalgamation of languages, cultures and customs, the drums can be heard beating all over the country. It originated during the 1600s as a celebration of the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of beginnings and good luck. Just as other Indian festivals, the month and date differ based on the Gregorian calendar. Experience the energetic and colourful celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi with a comfortable stay at the Radisson Blu Pune Hinjewadi. Join the community as they adorn a giant idol of Ganesha with flowers and then submerge the statue in water, all while singing and chanting songs that echo through the city. Goa Carnival If you have experienced the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans and Venice, you might want to check out the one in Goa as well! Brought into the country originally by the Portuguese with the colonization of the state, it is now the biggest fiesta of the year as preparations for the carnival in February begin as early as December! A collection of dances, songs, parades and even plays are set up in the 4-day festival and participants can join in whenever they want without having to pay a ticket. The Carnival is usually set for 26 February – 1 March 2022, so be sure to plan your trip and stay at the Radisson Blu Resort Goa Cavelossim Beach so you can get to and from the carnival with ease. Dussehra This grand festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana on the tenth day of Navaratri. Celebrations vary in the different regions of the country, where in the north will see large effigies of Ravana being set on fire community fairs with rides, food stalls and games, and in the south large processions and parades accompany a large idols of the Goddess Sita. Whether you want to be part of the north Indian or south Indian celebration, stay comfortably at the Radisson Blu New Delhi Dwarka and Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore in October. At the end of the day, whether you are more intrigued by colour, fireworks, or just pure festival fun, there is something in store for you in India. Experience these festivals when you stay with Radisson Blu!