India’s Famous Festivals and Events in April 2019
The month of April is a sign of a new life. For many, spring is a recreational season. You can feel the energy in nature itself with trees, plants, animals and the eloquent insects coming into life after a torrid and harsh winter. People all over the globe cherish this time with Spring Breaks. This year, you should live this invigorating season with the festivals of India.
India is perhaps the best country to feel the energy of celebration with a mix of culture. After Holi, a carnival of jovial colours in March, the people of India are fastening their seat belts for some amazing celebrations in the month of April. Join them to savour a feast for you and your family.
Here, take a look at major upcoming festivals and events of India in April.
1. Tulip Festival, Srinagar
Date: 1st April – 5th May 2019
Location: Srinagar
Venue : Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar
Our very own Srinagar challenges the elegance of the popular tulip field in Amsterdam. Kashmir just cannot let the world relax when it comes to pristine beauty. Its annual tulip festival is well worth the reason to travel Srinagar. Given that tulips bloom for only a period of 2 weeks makes it a visit to the land of paradise a necessity. Spread over 5 hectares and an overlooking Dal Lake, the festival will overwhelm you with some florid loveliness. Crimson, golden, striped, purple, streaked, red, orange are just a few of the glorifying range the festival showcases. The fragrance of the occasion will definitely spell-bound you.
Suggested Tour :
- 7 Nights – Srinagar Ladakh Tour
- 9 Days – Trip to Leh Ladakh from Manali
- 12 Days – Srinagar Kargil Leh Tour
2. Mopin Festival, Arunachal Pradesh
Date: 5 April, 2019
Location: Arunachal Pradesh
You may have read countless stories of the captivating North-East Indians but every time a new story brings a series of unthinkable adventure. The story of Mopin festival in Arunachal Pradesh resembles so. The people of Along-Basar-Bame celebrate Mopin as a harvest festival and as a measure to keep the evil spirits away. It involves a folklore dance “popir dance” performed by some very skilful local tribes’ women. The locally made rice wine (apong) during the festival is a pleasure that comes once in a while.
Read More : 7 Best Places to Visit in North East India
Suggested Tour : 14 Days – East India Tour
4. Godwar Festival, Udaipur
Date: 6 – 7 April 2019
Location: Udaipur
Godwar festival near Udaipur is the traditional mela that we were used to back in the 80s and 90s. First of all, the venue of this fiesta is the dry valley region Ranakpur. It brings out the best of Rajput heritage and opens up for an adventurous week. From turban-tying competition to bullock cart rides, Godwar festival imbibes the true show of a culturally rich country. The Rajasthani songs are accompanied with some heavy feasts ultimately letting you relax in the wildlife safaris. This festival will define a new meaning of party for you, which by the way is a million miles ahead from our lame booze discs.
Read More : How to Reach Ranakpur
Suggested Tour : 17 Days – Rajasthan Cultural and Wildlife Tour
Popular Rajasthan Tours
3. Mewar Festival, Udaipur
Date: 6 – 8 April, 2019
Location: Udaipur
This festival is perfection in itself and often coincides with the arrival of March. The enticing fact about the festival is that its history takes us to the foundation of Udaipur. The people of this city celebrate and love this commemoration as their very own. The occasion starts with a procession that is taken in various parts of the enigmatic city and culminates at the Lake Pichola. The event is marked by the confluence of graceful dancing, joyful singing and an exuberant celebration of cultural programmes. The forts and palaces of Udaipur just add to the charisma of Mewar festival.
Read More : Complete Info about Mewar Festival
Also Read : Festival and Events in Rajasthan
Suggested Tour :
5. Attuvela Mahotsavam, Kerala
Date: 7 – 8 Apr, 2019
Location: Kerala
Another Keralan delight. This time we shift our focus from elephants to temples and waterways. Attuvela Mahotsavam is an engrossing water carnival that has its root connected to a legend in which Goddess of Kodungalloor is welcomed in the state with her sister. The event starts with festooned and illumined models of the temples of Kerala floating across the water bodies. The moving entourage is supported with the temple music playing inside each of the models. The lightening of the replicas combines with the dusky evenings to reciprocate a heavenly view. The spectacle is widely adored by the people of Kerala and definitely calls for a visit.
Read More : Top Things To Do in Kerala
Also Read : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
Suggested Tour : 13 Days – Kerala Beaches & Forests Tour
Popular Kerala Tours
6. Bihu
Date: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Assam
Equivalent to Baisakhi is Bihu, which is celebrated in Assam around April 14, 15 and 16, in the north eastern region of India. As celebrated in Mid April, it is called Bohag Bihu. It signifies the commencement of Assamese New Year and the approaching of spring season. It is celebrated for 7 days through folk music, bihu dance, merriment and feasting.
Also Read : 7 Best Places to Visit in North East India
7. Tamil Puthandu – Tamil New Year
Date: 14 April 2019 (Every Year)
Location: Throughout Tamil Nadu
On the day after Vernal equinox, the Tamil New Year is celebrated. This is the first day of the first month of Tamil Hindu calendar. The day starts with kanni – at the dawn, families place a large mirror and in front of it, a tray is filled with tropical fruits, coconut, gold ornaments, fruits, cash, beetal leaves and other auspicious things. People have to see the reflection of this tray through the mirror. The temples will be glowing with special rituals, food feast, flower decoration and much more.
Kumbakonam district celebrates the New Year with a grand temple car festival. Visit Madurai during this day to witness the cosmic marriage of Lord Sundereswara with Goddess Meenakshi. It is celebrated as Chitthirai festival and the temple of Madurai Meenakshi Amman will be surrounded by stalls and fair grounds filled with simple games. The iconic delicacy of this festival is maanga pachadi, a sweet-bitter-sour chutney made with raw mango, jaggery and neem flower.
Read more: Top 10 Tourist Places in Tamilnadu
Also Read : 10 Most Popular Festivals of South India
Popular Tamilnadu Tour
8. Baisakhi Mela, Punjab
Date: 14 April 2019
Location: Amritsar
Baisakhi is a harvest festival and it marks the beginning of the Sikh religion. It’s an old saying in India that the Punjabis know how to celebrate. Add Baisakhi Mela to their incorporated revelling DNA and you will witness one of the most heartfelt and wildly distinguished festivals in India. Being a harvest festival, Baisakhi itself rejoices life in its core form.
The culture of Punjab becomes its purest form during the festival with folklore music and Bhangra. People celebrate this festival with folk dance and music along with variety of food. Tough it is celebrated in all over the country; you can witness the best of this celebration at the Golden Temple of Amritsar. You can feel the thumping energy of people engraved in blissful enthusiasm. The multitude of cuisines in its saga of feast makes the festival an idyllic favourite.
Read More : Golden Temple Amritsar- The Most Visited Place in the World
Suggested Tour : 7 Days – Golden Triangle with Golden Temple Tour
9. Kadammanitta Padayani, Kerala
Date: 15 Apr – 24 Apr 2019
Location: Kerala
South India is never far from boasting off its celebrations. When the north oozes in its loud dramatic festivities, the south soothes itself with a mesmeric merriment of its local festivities. Kadammanitta Padavani is an event annually carried forward by the locals of Kerala. Kerala has always been attached with liberty, and this event’s dance form substantiates the same.
Padayani originated from the depth of Travancore and involves a rhythmic synchronisation between melodious folklore music and heavy drumming. The use of various masks engraving Kalan (God of death), Yakshi (fairy), Pakshi (birds) and Bhairavi (Kali) reminisces the core Hindu mythology.
Read More : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
Suggested Tour : 10 Nights Kerala Village Tour
Popular South India Tours
10. Mahavir Jayanti
Date: 17 April 2019
Location: Uttar Pradesh, India
It is one of the major festivals of the Jain community. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birth of Mahavira (the last Tirthankara). According to the Gregorian calendar, it is observed either in March or April. On this day, abhisheka (a ceremonial bath) of the statues of Mahavira takes place. People following Jainism, do charity in the name of Mahavir, they offer prayers and meditate in the temples.
11. Good Friday
Date: 19 April 2019
Location: India
Good Friday is celebrated in all over the world and India also observes the same on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It is celebrated by the Christians to mark the suffering, passion and death of Lord Jesus during his crucifixion on the cross. On this day, the Christians fast, pray, repent and meditate.
Major Fairs and Festivals in India
12. Easter
Date: 21 April 2019
Location: India
The Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. It is considered as the well-attended Sunday service every year. According to Christian belief, Easter is the day when Jesus raised from death. It is believed that Jesus paid penalty through his death, burial and resurrection for the sin of his followers and disciples.
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13. Sankat Mochan Music Festival, Varanasi
Date: 23 Apr – 29 Apr 2019
Location: Varanasi
The holy city Varanasi will never be behind when it comes to revelries. The Hanuman Jayanti in April brings an arrival of Sankat Mochan Music festival in the city toured by the river Ganga. The people who consist of the locals, pundits, and tourists come in tandem to highlight the musical event held from dawn till dusk. The participatory dance shows are just the evidence of how much raw energy this place has. The rituals consisting of aartis and the sights of monkeys looting fruits creates a euphoric pleasure which can only happen in Banaras. The carnival of Lord Hanuman just never ceases to boggle the onlookers.
Read More : Top 11 Things to Experience in Varanasi
Suggested Tour : 9 Days – Golden Triangle with Varanasi Tour (Ganges Tour)
14. Goa Food and Cultural Festival, Panaji
Date: To be Announced
Location: Goa
Goa is like the adrenaline state of India. You can feel the part of its history the moment you land. Its Food and culture festival is just an anecdote of the liveliest place in India. The food carnival is place spread with multi-national cuisines, sea foods, Goan specials, and also the homemade food. Cooking competitions, exotic cocktails and live feni distillation make up for a great time. Adding to that, many of the musical bands of India and foreign add to the cultural fiesta. The Goa festival lives up to its expectations and fashions a long lasting memory of its influence in the minds of people.
Read More : Major Events and Festivals in Goa
Suggested Tour : 4 Days – Goa Beaches Tour
15. Thrissur Pooram, Kerala
Date: 13 May 2019
Location: Kerala
Kerala is always associated with elephants. Thrissur Pooram is the place you should visit this April if you want to come closer to the enriching performance of man, elephant and music! As many as 30 elephants are decorated with every possible kind of traditional supplies. It becomes a visual treat to see how these lavishly bedecked elephants assemble in the tunes of 250 musical artists. Ornamental displays and drum concerts add to the appeal of the event. The ecstatic firework display as the sun takes a dip into the waters closes the evening with emphatic satisfaction.
Also Read : Monsoon Exclusive: Snake Boat Races, Kerala
Suggested Tour : 7 Days – Tamilnadu Kerala Culture Tour
As you can see, the arrival of April carries such vigour and colour into our senses. Be proactive and start to plan your days as these enchanting events only happen annually and you are too special to miss any of it.
Enjoy the vibrant colors of festivals celebrated by people of different religions of India by visiting the country during the festive season. Click here for India Tour Packages
Popular Tour Packages to Explore the Culture of India :
- 10 Days – India Cultural Tour Package
- 10 Days – South India Culture Tour
- 15 Days – North India Wildlife & Cultural Tour
- 17 Days – Rajasthan Cultural and Wildlife Tour
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April 14 Tamil New Year Celebrated in Tamilnadu is missing
Hi Gayathri,
Thanks for informing us. We have updated Tamil New Year Celebration in our post. Please check and let us know if something important is missing.