10 Festivals and Events in India in August 2024

Festivals are a crucial aspect of Indian culture, invoking divine blessings through varied activities and rituals. The festivals in August are particularly vibrant, featuring an array of festivals that blend religious devotion, communal harmony, and cultural exuberance. 

Below, you'll find a list of August 2024 festivals across India, highlighting the vibrant traditions observed during this festive month.

• Nag Panchami - August 9, 2024
• Raksha Bandhan - August 19, 2024
• Jhulan Purnima - August 19, 2024
• Independence Day - August 15, 2024
• Hariyali Teej - August 7, 2024
• Janmashtami - August 26, 2024
• Dahi Handi - August 27, 2024
• Parsi New Year (Navroz) - August 15, 2024

• Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of snakes, celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravan, which typically falls in July or August. On this day, devotees offer milk, sweets, and flowers to snake idols or live snakes in temples and snake pits. The festival is a way to honor snake gods and seek their blessings for protection and prosperity. It is observed all over India with special rituals, including fasting and prayer, and is especially significant in regions like Maharashtra, South India, and Bengal.

Date - August 9, 2024

State - Nag Panchami is celebrated in various Indian states, notably:

• Maharashtra
• Karnataka
• West Bengal
• Andhra Pradesh
• Gujarat

• Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a significant festival in August, highlighting the cherished bond between brothers and sisters. Celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, which typically aligns with August, this festival involves sisters tying a rakhi (a sacred thread) around their brothers' wrists as a symbol of protection. In return, brothers commit to protect their sisters and often present gifts. Recognized as a key August 2024 festival in India, Raksha Bandhan fosters family reunions, festive meals, and the exchange of sweets and Raksha Bandhan gifts, embodying the profound familial bonds and duties celebrated during this time.

Date - August 19, 2024

State - Raksha Bandhan is celebrated across all states of India.

• Jhulan Purnima

   

Jhulan Purnima, also known as the Swing Festival, is another festival in August celebrated during the full moon of the monsoon month of Shravana, particularly in West Bengal and Odisha. This Hindu festival honours the love of Lord Krishna and Radha. Idols of the divine couple are placed on swings and worshipped with songs and prayers, creating a festive atmosphere.

Date - August 19, 2024

State - Jhulan Purnima is primarily celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha.

• Independence Day

Independence Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on August 15th in India. It commemorates the country's independence from British rule, which was achieved on August 15, 1947. The day is marked by patriotic fervour, with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, cultural events, and speeches by political leaders. It serves as a reminder of India's struggle for freedom and the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. Independence Day is a time for Indians to reflect on their nation's progress and renew their commitment to democracy, unity, and development.

Date - August 15, 2024

State - Independence Day is celebrated throughout India

• Hariyali Teej 

Hariyali Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by married women in northern India, particularly in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. It falls on the third day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravana, usually in July or August. The festival marks the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is dedicated to marital harmony. Women observe fasting, wear colorful traditional attire, apply henna, and pray for the well-being of their spouses. It symbolizes the onset of the monsoon season and the lush greenery it brings, hence the name "Hariyali," meaning "greenery."

Date - August 7, 2024

State - Hariyali Teej is predominantly celebrated in the following state:

• Rajasthan
• Uttar Pradesh
• Bihar
• Madhya Pradesh

• Janmashtami 

Janmashtami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, is another festival in August 2024. It features fasting, prayers, and dramas depicting Krishna's childhood. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with enthusiasm throughout India.

Janmashtami holds immense cultural and religious significance across India, with devotees from all walks of life coming together to celebrate the divine incarnation of Lord Krishna and to seek his blessings for peace, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment.

Date - August 26, 2024

State -Janmashtami is celebrated in the following states of India:

• Uttar Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Gujarat
• Rajasthan
• West Bengal
• Karnataka

• Dahi Handi

Dahi Handi is a festive event celebrated mainly in the Indian state of Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat as part of the Krishna Janmashtami festival. It involves forming human pyramids to reach and break a high-hanging clay pot filled with buttermilk (dahi), symbolizing the child-god Krishna's love for butter. The event typically takes place on the second day of Janmashtami. Dahi Handi celebrations often feature enthusiastic teams called "Govinda pathaks" competing to break the handi. It's a vibrant and joyous occasion, accompanied by music, dancing, and cheering crowds, reflecting the playful spirit of Lord Krishna's childhood antics.

Date - August 27, 2024

State - Maharashtra

• Parsi New Year (Navroz)

Navroz or Nowruz, celebrated as Parsi New Year, is an age-old tradition observed by the Parsi community, signifying the onset of the Iranian calendar year. Festivities encompass visits to fire temples for prayers, household tidying, adorning spaces with flowers, and relishing cherished meals with family and friends. This occasion epitomizes cultural legacy, solidarity, and positive outlooks for the forthcoming year, underscoring themes of rejuvenation, progress, and abundance.

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

•  Friendship Day

Friendship Day in India is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. It’s a special day to honour and cherish friendships. Friends exchange bands, gifts, and heartfelt messages, strengthening their bonds. Many also celebrate with gatherings, parties, and outings. This day is a reminder of the importance of friends who support, share joy, and stand by each other through life's ups and downs.

Date- August 4, 2024

State- Throughout India.

• Sawan

Sawan celebrations in Bihar will take place during the holy month of Shravan, which runs from July 23 to August 21. This period is highly revered, especially among devotees of Lord Shiva. The entire month is marked by various rituals and religious festivities. 

Devotees observe fasts on every Monday of the month, known as Sawan Somwar, which are particularly auspicious. These days are dedicated to worshiping Lord Shiva with special prayers, hymns, and offerings like milk, holy water, and bilva leaves. Temples are adorned with flowers, and the air resonates with devotional songs and chants.

A significant tradition during this month is the Kanwar Yatra, where devotees undertake pilgrimages to fetch holy water from the Ganges, which they then offer at local Shiva temples. The spirit of devotion and celebration envelops the entire state, making it a profound spiritual experience.

Date: 23rd July to 21st August

State: It is celebrated throughout Northen India but primarily in: 

• Bihar
• Jharkhand
• Uttar Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh

India hosts a variety of festivals in August, each rich in tradition and cultural significance. From Raksha Bandhan to Independence Day, these events bring people together and celebrate unity and joy. Whether it's the swings of Jhulan Purnima or the feats of Dahi Handi, these festivals embody India's diverse heritage and invite everyone to join in the festivities.