Festivals & Events in India in July 2025

India in July is a vibrant fusion of culture, spirituality, and the refreshing charm of the monsoon season. As the rains breathe new life into the land, the country celebrates some of its most iconic festivals and events. From the sacred rituals of Guru Purnima to the energetic Ulta Rath Yatra, the month is filled with rich traditions, festive music, and colourful processions.

If you are looking for festivals in India in July 2025 or searching for cultural events during the monsoon, this guide has you covered. These experiences are perfect for families, culture enthusiasts, and spiritual seekers. To make the most of your journey, stay at a Club Mahindra resort, where comfort meets local flavour. With scenic locations close to major festival hubs, Club Mahindra is your ideal partner for a festive July getaway in India.

In this blog you will learn about 

• Festivals in India in July 2025
• Other Festive Events In July 2025
• Experience July 2025 Festivals Best with Club Mahindra Resorts
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Festivals in India in July 2025

1. Guru Purnima

Date of Festival: July 10, 2025

Guru Purnima honours spiritual and academic teachers. It marks the day Lord Shiva, as the first guru, taught the Saptarishis. The festival also commemorates the birth of Ved Vyasa, author of the Mahabharata. For Buddhists, it's the day of Lord Buddha's first sermon at Sarnath, while for Jains, it signifies Lord Mahavira gaining his first disciple. Essentially, it is a day to express gratitude to gurus for knowledge and guidance on the path to spiritual enlightenment. The spiritual ambience is calm, reflective, and filled with devotional energy. It’s one of the most significant religious festivals in July in India, ideal for spiritual travellers.

Where to best experience this festival: The sacred cities of Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Rishikesh host elaborate rituals and spiritual gatherings during Guru Purnima celebrations in India in July 2025.

Club Mahindra Resorts Nearby: Experience the spiritual essence of Guru Purnima up close while enjoying a comfortable stay at the best resort in Ayodhya- Club Mahindra Praveg Tent City Ayodhya Brahma Kund Resort.

2. Hemis Festival, Ladakh

Date of Festival: July 6–7, 2025

Hemis Festival is the most celebrated Buddhist festival in Ladakh. It is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, the revered figure credited with introducing Tantric Buddhism to the Himalayan region. Celebrated at the ancient Hemis Monastery, the festival is known for its dramatic Cham dances, vibrant silk costumes, large thangka paintings, and spiritual rituals. Monks perform traditional masked dances that symbolize the victory of good over evil. With a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and centuries-old monastic chants, this is one of the most captivating cultural festivals in India in July 2025.

Where to best experience this festival: The Hemis Monastery in Ladakh offers the most immersive and authentic experience of the Hemis Festival in July 2025.

3. Ulta Rath Yatra, Odisha

Date of Festival: July 5, 2025

Ulta Rath Yatra, also known as Bahuda Yatra, marks the return journey of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple after their annual visit to Gundicha Temple during the Rath Yatra. Celebrated with the same grandeur and devotion, the idols are brought back in massive wooden chariots pulled by thousands of devotees. This symbolic return is just as spiritually significant as the main procession, making it one of the most powerful and devotional religious events in India in July 2025.

Where to best experience this festival: Puri in Odisha is the epicentre of Ulta Rath Yatra celebrations in July 2025, with grand processions, chants, and temple rituals.

4. Ashadha Gupt Navratri

Date of Festival: June 26 – July 4, 2025

Ashadha Gupt Navratri is a "secret" nine-night festival focused on introspective worship of Goddess Durga. Its core legend involves invoking the ten formidable Mahavidyas, powerful forms of Shakti that emerged from Goddess Sati's rage when her father, Daksha, insulted Lord Shiva. This esoteric period is revered by spiritual seekers who undertake private fasts, chants, and tantric rituals for inner strength and enlightenment. Another legend links this worship to Lord Rama seeking Durga's blessings for victory over Ravana. It remains a deeply personal and potent time for spiritual transformation rather than public celebration.

Where to best experience this festival: Temples in Gujarat hold spiritually charged rituals during Ashadha Gupt Navratri in India in July 2025.

Club Mahindra Resorts nearby: For a serene festive stay, choose Club Mahindra Dwarka, one of the finest resorts in Gujarat.

5. Champakulam Boat Race, Kerala

Date of Festival: July 9, 2025

The Champakulam Boat Race marks the start of Kerala’s much-loved snake boat racing season. Held on the scenic Pampa River, this event showcases long, elegantly crafted chundan vallams (snake boats) powered by dozens of oarsmen rowing in perfect rhythm. Traditional songs, cheering crowds, and vibrant decorations create an exhilarating atmosphere. The race is steeped in history and celebrates the installation of a sacred idol at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple. It is one of the most exciting cultural events in India in July 2025, combining tradition, community, and spirited competition.

Where to best experience this festival: Champakulam, located near Alleppey, offers front-row views of the Champakulam Boat Race in Kerala during July 2025.

Club Mahindra Resorts nearby: Among the top waterfront resorts in Kerala, Club Mahindra Arookutty in Alleppey stands out as the perfect place to stay close to the lively boat race action.

6. Dree Festival, Arunachal Pradesh

Date of Festival: July 3- July 6, 2025

Dree Festival is a vibrant agricultural celebration observed by the Apatani tribe in the scenic Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. It marks a prayer for a bountiful harvest and the well-being of the community. Traditional rituals are performed to appease the gods, accompanied by indigenous music, folk dances, and sports competitions. Locally brewed rice beer and tribal feasts add to the cultural charm. The Dree Festival offers an immersive glimpse into Northeast India’s tribal heritage, making it a unique regional festival in India in July 2025 for culturally curious travellers.

Where to best experience this festival: Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is the epicentre of Dree Festival celebrations in July 2025, offering a rich blend of tradition and natural beauty.

7. Bonalu Festival, Telangana

Date of Festival: 29 June- 20 July, 2025

Bonalu is a colourful folk festival dedicated to Goddess Mahakali, celebrated with great fervour in Telangana, especially in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Women carry decorated pots of food offerings on their heads as a mark of gratitude, while the streets come alive with drumming, dancing, and traditional processions. Rituals are intense and deeply rooted in local beliefs, making it one of the most spirited and visually striking religious festivals in India in July 2025. The festive energy in the city is contagious, blending devotion with lively cultural performances.

Where to best experience this festival: Hyderabad and Secunderabad are the cultural centres of Bonalu Festival in India in July 2025, with processions at temples like Ujjaini Mahakali and Pochamma.

8. Sawan Month

Date of Event: Begins July 11, 2025

Sawan, also known as Shravan, is one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar, entirely dedicated to Lord Shiva. Beginning in mid-July, this period is marked by deep devotion, fasting, and temple visits. Mondays during Sawan, known as Sawan Somvar, are especially sacred, with devotees observing fasts and offering milk, water, and bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. Temples across India echo with chants of "Om Namah Shivaya" as spiritual energy peaks throughout the month. Sawan also aligns with other major religious events like Guru Purnima and the Kanwar Yatra, enhancing its spiritual significance.

Where to best experience this event: Visit renowned Shiva temples in Varanasi, Ujjain, Deoghar, Haridwar, and Nashik to truly experience the sacred vibe of Sawan celebrations in India in July 2025.

Other Festive Events In July 2025

1. Kargil Vijay Diwas

Date of Event: July 26, 2025

Kargil Vijay Diwas is a significant national event that honours India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War. It commemorates the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who defended the nation in the high-altitude terrains of Ladakh. Wreath-laying ceremonies, patriotic parades, and tributes take place across India. The Kargil War Memorial in Dras becomes the focal point for remembrance, drawing visitors from all over the country. It is one of the most important national events in India in July 2025.

2. Kanwar Yatra

Date of Event: Begins July 11, 2025

Kanwar Yatra is a devotional pilgrimage where thousands of Lord Shiva devotees, known as Kanwariyas, collect holy water from the Ganges River to offer at Shiva temples. Dressed in saffron, they travel barefoot or on foot from places like Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri. The yatra brings roads across northern India alive with chants, music, and spiritual energy. It is one of the most visually striking and devotional religious events in India in July 2025.

3. Amarnath Yatra 2025

Date of Event: Starts July 3, 2025

Amarnath Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism. Devotees undertake a challenging trek through the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir to reach the Amarnath Cave, home to a naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam. The yatra is a test of faith and endurance, attracting spiritual seekers from across the country.

Experience July 2025 Festivals Best with Club Mahindra Resorts

Staying at Club Mahindra resorts is the perfect way to experience the vibrancy of festivals in India in July 2025. With properties located near major cultural destinations such as scenic resorts in Kerala, vibrant resorts in Gujarat, and the spiritual resort in Ayodhya, you can enjoy close access to celebrations with complete comfort. Whether it’s watching boat races or attending Guru Purnima rituals, Club Mahindra offers authentic experiences, local cuisine, and warm hospitality for a memorable festive holiday.

Conclusion

From sacred Himalayan rituals to monsoon boat races and vibrant street festivals, India’s July 2025 festivals offer unforgettable cultural experiences across the country. Whether it’s spiritual gatherings in Ayodhya, folk parades in Telangana, or traditional celebrations in Kerala, every moment is worth witnessing. With a Club Mahindra membership, you can stay close to these festivities at beautiful resorts throughout India. Embrace every celebration in comfort, explore new destinations, and make every July a festive journey with Club Mahindra by your side.