1. International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh
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When: March 9th to 15th, 2025By the Ganges, the birthplace of Yoga hosts one of its most global and awaited celebrations. Spread over a week, IYF sees trainers and experts from over the world, Ganga Arti, speakers, saints and more. Also, the way Rishikesh effortlessly turns from a religious hub to a cluster of cafes outlined by hushed hippie culture will let you open another layer to this one by landing here this Holi. Registrations for IYF remain strictly online.
Where:Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Website: www.internationalyogafestival.com
2. Holi
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When: March 14th, 2025
Where: All over India
Holi is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. It starts with lighting a bonfire 'Holika Dahan' to celebrate the victory of good over evil. On the next day, the celebrations involve applying colours to each other. To experience grand Holika Dahan, visit City Palace in Udaipur where the royal family of Udaipur celebrates it with full zest and zeal.
3. Jaipur Elephant Festival
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For a March, which has elephant festivals marked all over its calendars here is another colourful, grand and glittering one, a day before Holi. This one, however, managed to stumble over multiple animal rights groups and has also been cancelled due to the same in the past. At the same time, while a festival may take place, the elephants may be missing. There isn't much news at the moment, but make sure you check with the proper authorities before planning your trip around this one.
4. Arattu Festival
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When: Dates yet to be announced
Where: Janardhana Swamy Temple, Varkala
One of the most significant festivals in Kerala, the 5-day Arattu festival is celebrated in the Janardhan Swamy temple with elephant processions, ornamental silk umbrellas and all night kathakali dances.
5. Shigmotsav
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When: From Febraury 26th to March 8th, 2025
Where: Goa
Essentially a festival of masses, Shigmotsav marks the coming of the spring season in Goa. Dressed in flashy and colourful traditional costumes, the local folk groups give splendid dance performances. The float parade is the highlight of the festival. If you want to enjoy the true spirit of Goan culture, then join Goa during this festival.
6. Thirunakkara Arattu
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When: March 23rd, 2025
Where: Kottayam, Kerala
Thirunakkara Arattu is a significant festival in Kerala, celebrated in Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple in Kottayam. A 10 - day long celebration where elephant rallies are organised and people dance to the beats of the dummers. Local people perform Folk Arts like Mayilattom (peacock dance), Velakali etc during the celebration.
7. Hoysala Mahotsav
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When: March or April
Where: Belur-Halebid, Karnataka
With some of the most celebrated artists like Hema Malini, Sudha Chandran, Shobhana, this is a one-day celebration of classical and folk dances and music, as enchanting as its location.
8. Paripally Gajmela
When: March 10th, 2025Know of more fests that should be on the list? Let us know in the comments section below.
Where: Paripally Kodimoottil Bhagavathy Temple, Kollam district, Kerala
9. Ugadi
Ugadi is the time of the year when people of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana usher New Year in festive spirits. Ugadi - a celebration of the oncoming New Year, falls in the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar, that loosely corresponds to the months of March-April according to the Gregorian calendar. The term Ugadi is said to originate from the Sanskrit word Yugadi, that is a confluence of the term Yuga (era; period) and Adi (the beginning). Yugadi, or Ugadi then literally means the beginning of a new (year) period.
When: March 30th, 2025
Where: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana