As soon as monsoon starts easing off and waves a goodbye by the end of July, it is time for the festivals of India in August, 2019. We have picked the most popular and important festivals you can enjoy during the month of August.
Teej Festival
The first in the month is Teej, an important festival celebrated predominantly in Rajasthan. It is particularly a festival of women commemorating the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Women get dressed, apply Henna on their hands and feet and roam around happily. There are processions and fairs in different villages with cultural events like folk dance and songs, adding to the festivities.
Date: 3 and 4 August & 17 and 18 August, 2019
Place: Bundi and Jaipur. Rajasthan
Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is the festival of snakes celebrated mainly in Nagpur and nearby areas of the city in Maharashtra. Though an unusual festival, but it is believed worshipping snakes on this day wards off evil. There are areas where live snakes are worshipped as god.
Date: 5 August, 2019
Place: In most snake temples all across India, mainly Nagpur and the Batis Shirala village of Maharashtra.
Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race
The popular Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race held in Kerala is among the must have experiences in Indian in the month of August. The race is organized in memory of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. The first snake boat race was organized in Alleppey when Nehruji visited the city in the year 1952. He was so amazed and impressed by the arrangements and welcome race that he gave away a trophy and it is how the ritual of snake boat race started and is still celebrated as a commemoration to the late Prime Minister of India. Every year, on the second Saturday of August, the Nehru Snake Boat Race is organized in Alleppey. This year is the 67th year of the famous boat race.
Date: 10 August, 2019
Place: Punnamada Lake, Allapuzha, Kerala
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a festival to celebrate the love and bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, the sister ties a sacred thread on the brother’s wrist as a symbol of love and protection. The brother gifts his sister, promising to protect her from evil. It is a festival that brings families closer.
Date: 15 August, 2019
Place: All across the country
Jhapan Mela
It is another kind of snake festival where Jhapan meaning a stage is set to display tricks using snakes. The snake charmers, given the name Jhampanias perform surprising acts with king cobra and other kinds of snakes brought in cane baskets. The festival is celebrated as an honor of Manasa Mata, the serpent Goddess and the daughter of Lord Shiva. This tribal festival is observed as worship to the Goddess for a fertile land and good rainfall.
Date: 18 August, 2019
Place: Bankura District, West Bengal
Madras Week
Also called Madras Day, celebrated on 22 August, is the event of commemorating the founding of Madras City, now called Chennai. The celebration continues for a week and men and women in large numbers take part in exciting activities such as food festivals, heritage walks, bike tours and photo exhibitions.
Date: 22 August, 2019
Place: Chennai in Tamil Nadu
Covelong Point Surf, Music and Yoga Festival
Back to its seventh edition, the Covelong Point Surf, Music and Yoga Festival is going to be even bigger this year. There will be a national level surfing competition, yoga on the beach, massage, meditation workshops, fantastic musicians from across the world, Indian and international cinema, organic food stalls, healing music therapies and recreational activities such as kayak races, beach volleyball and water gun fights.
Date: 23-25 August, 2019
Place: Kovalam village in Tamil Nadu.
Krishna Janamashtami
Janamashtami is the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth. Also famous as Gokul Ashtami and Govinda in the state of Maharashtra, this festival holds great importance in Hinduism. Lord Krishna is worshipped for his life values and wisdom. It is a two-day festival and the second day of Dahi handi is a popular event organized all across the country, especially Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Clay Pots filled with butter, money and curd are strung high and young boys form a pyramid to reach the clay pots and break them.
Date: 25 August, 2019
Place: Mumbai in Maharashtra
It’s time to festival season this is the month that starts lot of festivals. People plan a trip to India to explore a different destination to celebrate festivals.