Lip-smacking mangoes, heartwarming classical music, and adventuresome boat races – if all of this excites the culture vulture in you, then you must attend all the popular events & festivals in July in India. Instilling joy and thrill amongst the locals and attracting thousands of tourists worldwide, these festivals add all sorts of colours to the blue month of monsoon. So, if you wish to make the most of the month and do not wish to sit indoors, join in on all the festivities.
Top 15 Festivals In July In India In 2024
Check out this list of Indian festivals in July so you do not miss out on any. With loved ones, be a part of every festivity and have the best time.
- International Mango Festival: Mangoes And Fun
- Karsha Gustor Festival: A Unique Buddhist Festival
- Behdienkhlam Festival: A Traditional Meghalayan Festival
- Nishagandhi Monsoon Music Festival: Music & Dance Festival
- Puri Rath Yatra: A Rath Yatra
- Drupka Teshi Festival: A Northeastern Festival
- The Big Indian Food Festival: Food, Need We Say More
- Dree Festival: An Agricultural Festival
- Palkhi Festival: A Unique Maharashtrian Festival
- Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey: For All Adventure Lovers
- Phyang Tsedup Festival: Masks & Celebrations
- Teej Festival: For Married Women
- Bonalu Festival: For Everyone’s Well-Being
- Minjar Festival: The Harvest Festival
- Hemis Festival: Famous One Among Buddhists
1. International Mango Festival: Mangoes And Fun
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Summers in India are incomplete without mangoes and this festival proves that well. Showcasing more than 500 varieties of mangoes like Dussehra, Langra, Chausa, Fazli, Neelam, Banganpalli, Alphonso, and more, this annual extravaganza lets one indulge in not only the sweetness of the fruit but also of the Indian culture. Apart from tasting & buying some mango products, you can also participate in the mango eating competition that adds more fun to this event organized by Delhi Tourism. This festival in July in India is worth attending!
Where: New Delhi
Festival Highlights: Different types of mango and competitions
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2. Karsha Gustor Festival: A Unique Buddhist Festival
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The largest and most important monastery in Zanskar, the Karsha Monastery, celebrates this festival annually to recognize the victory of good over evil. This festivity is unique from a Black Hat Dance to a Masked Dance performance by the monks. Apart from the joyful music and dance, one also gets to witness the region’s vibrant colours during Karsha Gustor. This is one of the Indian festivals in July that are worth attending! Visiting this destination during this festival is one of the best things to do in Ladakh.
Where: Zanskar, Ladakh
Festival Highlights: Black hat dance performance
3. Behdienkhlam Festival: A Traditional Meghalayan Festival
One of the most important Indian festivals celebrated in July every year; the Behdienkhlam is a traditional celebration by the Pnar tribe of Meghalaya, which is done right after the agricultural sowing is over. Staying true to its name, wherein ‘khlam’ means plague and ‘behdien’ means to drive away with sticks, this festival is held only to drive away the negative things that may affect the crop. What’s worth witnessing about it is the football match held between the locals and the procession of chariots & ceremonial tree trunks that marks the end of this three-day festival.
Where: Jowai, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, Northeast India
Festival Highlights: Dance to drive away negativity
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4. Nishagandhi Monsoon Music Festival: Music And Dance
Kerala Tourism is launching this new festival this year to make it one of the most important festivals in July in India and attract more visitors to the state during the monsoon. Hosting some of the most eminent musicians from across the country, it will be a music and dance festival where one can witness all the famous and traditional music forms. So, if your heart beats for cultural music, this one’s got to be on your list!
Where: Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kanakakunnu Palace Grounds, Trivandrum, Kerala
Festival Highlights: Traditional dance & music
5. Puri Rath Yatra: A Rath Yatra
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If you’re looking for festivals in July that help you learn about the Indian religion and culture, then this 12-day-long Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is something you must be a part of. The exuberant festival celebrates the venturing out of Lord Jagannath and his elder brother Balabhadra & sister Subhadra off their abode in Puri’s Jagannath Temple. Amongst the most popular festivals in Odisha, this Yatra will also let you witness how chariots are made. This is also one of the grandest Indian festivals in July.
Where: Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa
Festival Highlights: Decorated chariots
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6. Drupka Teshi Festival: A Northeastern Festival
Commenced by the Buddhists, this festival is held to praise the three ultimate truths on the fourth day, Teshi of the 6th month Drukpa of the Tibetan date-book. The celebrations include petitions at Deer Park, an amusing Yak Race in Muguthang, and more. So, if you’re planning a trip to the Northeast, add this festival to your itinerary for an extraordinary experience.
Where: Gangtok, Sikkim
Festival Highlights: Celebrations & petitions
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7. The Big Indian Food Festival: Food, Need We Say More
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A celebration of the country’s rich culture and culinary diversity, this festival is nothing less than a gastronomic treat. The two-day-long event is a must-attend if you’re a foodie at heart. Showcasing the best cuisines of every state, this festival in July in India will make you fall in love with this country even more. It is also one of the best festivals in Karnataka that travellers must observe.
Where: Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation, Plo No. 121, Whitefield Industrial Area, Bangalore
Festival Highlights: Food
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8. Dree Festival: An Agricultural Festival
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One of the best July month festivals, Dree is an agriculture-related celebration of the Apatani Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Held annually, it is celebrated to seek the blessings of the gods & goddesses of crops for good harvest. It comprises singing, dancing, sacrificial offerings, prayers, and other cultural performances. Reflecting the rich culture of the tribe at its best, there’s no doubt that Dree is one of the most famous festivals in India.
Where: Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Festival Highlights: Celebrations & prayers for good harvest
9. Palkhi Festival: A Unique Maharashtrian Festival
Highlighting a unique feature of the Maharashtrian culture, this 1000-year-old festival celebrated in July in India is one of its kind. The palkhi begins at the start of the month, comprises of people singing and dancing until they reach Pandharpur, and ends on the 22nd day. If not anything, the custom of ‘wari’ and people wearing Dnyanba-Tukaram will amuse you.
Where: Pandharpur, Maharashtra
Festival Highlights: Decorated palkhi yatra with dancing & singing
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10. Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey: For All Adventure Lovers
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Not strictly a cultural festival but an event for adventure lovers and thrill seekers, this festival is the 15th edition of its kind this year. Unlike the others, this is an event you can ultimately participate in if you love tasting thrill via a bike ride. The 18-day journey takes bike riders through rough terrains and mountain passes, making them push their limits and celebrating their courage for the same.
Where: New Delhi to Ladakh
Festival Highlights: Bike rides
11. Phyang Tsedup Festival: Masks & Celebrations
This festival is celebrated in Ladakh’s Phyang Monastery, where Lamas smiles in beautiful attire. They represent different characters from a dance drama. Besides this, monks wear vibrant silk costumes, worship their deity, and perform Chham. The best part about this festival is the different masks and artefacts that portray the teachings of Buddha. Phyang Tsedup Festival is celebrated in July or August, whichever falls in the sixth month, according to the Tibetan Calendar. If you are looking for July festivals in North India, you must attend this vibrant festival.
Where: Phyang Monastery
Festival Highlights: Dance in vibrant costumes
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12. Teej Festival: For Married Women
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The Teej Festival begins with the onset of the monsoon season, which is mainly for married Hindu women. Dressed in their best colourful clothes, women pray and celebrate for the well-being of their partners. Several other names know the festival, celebrated in July, August, or September in different parts of India. Some famous names are Hartalika Teej, Haryali Teej, and Kajari Teej. Most of the women celebrate this Hindu festival in July.
Where: Jaipur and other parts of India
Festival Highlights: Celebration for the well-being of partners
13. Bonalu Festival: For Everyone’s Well-Being
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Celebrated in the Telangana state, mainly in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the Bonalu Festival is dedicated to Goddess Mahankali. The festivities are held at different places on different days and go on for the whole month of July. During this festival, women carry painted pots on their heads that are filled with offerings to thank the goddess and bless them. The celebration is marked by dance performances and big feasts that attract several people from all over the state. It is counted among the top festivals in July in India, celebrated by the citizens.
Where: Hyderabad
Festival Highlights: Prayer for everyone’s well-being
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14. Minjar Festival: The Harvest Festival
If you are wondering which festival comes in July and is celebrated in Himachal Pradesh, here it is—the Minjar Festival. It is a harvest festival celebrated since 935 in the Chamba district. During this festival, they honour the incarnation of Lord Rama, Raghuvir. With time, the festival has added processions, folk dance, a flea market, and some sports. This is also one of the most popular Indian festivals in July.
Where: Himachal Pradesh
Festival Highlights: Processions
15. Hemis Festival: Famous One Among Buddhists
The list of July festivals remains incomplete without the Hemis festival, celebrated on the 10th day of the Tse-Chu month according to the Tibetan Calendar. The two-day celebration marks the birth anniversary of the most revered Guru, Padmasambhava. During this festival, several performances are organized in the monastery, and people worldwide, especially Buddha followers, come to witness it.
Where: Hemis Gompa
Festival Highlights: Mask dance
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So, which of these festivals in July in India do you find the most fascinating? Don’t forget to include them in your trip to India for the best time.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In July In India
Which are the most important festivals celebrated in India?
Some of the most popular and important festivals celebrated in India are Holi, Diwali, Ramadan, Baisakhi, Christmas, and Durga Pooja.
Are there any winter festivals that are celebrated in India?
Some of the most famous winter festivals in India that you can attend are Lohri, Thai Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Bikaner Camel Fest, and a lot more!
Which are the national festivals of India?
Republic Day celebrated on 26th January, Independence Day celebrated on 15th August and Gandhi Jayanti celebrated on 2nd October every year are the three national festivals of India.
Which Indian city is known as the City of Festivals?
Madurai is known as both the City of Festivals and temples as it is home to over 100 temples. You should visit this one to know what a unique blend of cultures India makes up to be.
Which are the famous festivals celebrated in North India?
Lohri and Baisakhi in Punjab, Hemis Festival in Kashmir, Losar Festival in Ladakh, and Diwali and Christmas in Delhi are some of the most popular festivals celebrated in North India.
How many festivals are celebrated in India?
There are around 37 main festivals that are celebrated in India. As the country has a dynamic culture, several other festivals are celebrated by locals in small villages.
Which is the biggest festival in India?
Although all the festivals have their own importance, Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. It is the festival of light and the triumph of good over evil and light over dark.
Which festival in India is also known as the festival of flowers?
Onam, which takes place for 10 days in South India, is often referred to as the festival of flowers.
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