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When you think of Indian festivals, odds are, your mind often wanders to the cool, festive glow of Diwali or the beautiful rainbow that is Holi. But what if we told you that the summer season in India—despite the rising temperatures—is just as rich in celebration? While most of the country’s famous festivals are scattered across autumn and winter, like Diwali, Christmas, and even Holi, the summer festivals in India quietly bring their own spectacular parade of culture, colour, devotion, and community.
From sacred rituals around the births of deities and agrarian tributes to Mother Earth to high-energy street processions and deeply rooted traditions, summer festivals in India offer a glimpse into a wide variety of regional identities. Many of these summer festivals in India showcase the incredible agricultural wealth of the nation, while others pay homage to deities both familiar and local, both featuring performances, food, and attire that feel like pure magic under the sun.
Here’s a closer look at some of India’s most beautiful and lesser-known summer festivals that you absolutely must know about.
1. Hemis Festival- Ladakh
Among the most vibrant summer festivals in India that portrays the most fascinating blend of sights, sounds and colours, the Hemis Festival primarily celebrated in the mystical landscape of Ladakh is a spiritual spectacle absolutely worth witnessing. A two day Buddhist festival that features hypnotic masked dances called Cham, along with soul stirring music and intricate thangka displays, the Hemis festival is celebrated in the honor of Guru Padmasambhava. With the most surreal atmosphere that this festival creates amidst the stark landscape of Ladakh, the Hemis festival is the most captivating way to experience the diverse culture of India.
2. Mount Abu Summer Festival- Rajasthan
A summer season festival in India that boasts of folk dances, boat races on the Nakki Lake and ballads echoing across the Aravalli Hills, the Mount Abu Summer Festival offers to you the most refreshing contrast to Rajasthan’s sweltering plains. Celebrated against the stunning backdrop of Mount Abu, the highlight of this particular summer festival is the Sham-e-Qawwali night where renowned qawwali singers from the country set the stage with the most beautiful melodies. With colourful parades, exciting competitions and an overall mellow charm, the Mount Abu Summer Festival is a true hidden gem when it comes to celebrations.
3. Moatsu Festival- Nagaland
The Ao tribe ushers the sowing season in Nagaland with the Moatsu Festival, which features the most vibrant mix of warrior dances, communal feast, rice beer and traditional attire. A way of expressing gratitude for a prosperous harvest, being a part of the Moatsu festival is the perfect way to witness the age old traditions, customs and folklore of the Ao Nagas and get a glimpse into their native culture. A summer festival in India that offers you the most unforgettable experience, the Moatsu festival set against the stunning backdrop of the lush forested hills of Nagaland is the best possible way to immerse yourself into the rare culture of the tribal rhythms of northeast India.
4. Ooty Flower Show- Tamil Nadu
A botanical brilliance that takes place at the Nilgiris, the Ooty Flower Show is held in the Government Botanical Garden and features the most exotic blooms that are found in the country. Set against the crisp mountain air and verdant landscapes, this summer festival forms the stage for the most meticulously crafted floral arrangements, along with giant topiary structures. An extraordinary sight to witness, you are engulfed by the floral aroma in the atmosphere, making for a beautiful fragrant escape away from the sultry heat of the summers.
5. Thrissur Pooram- Kerala
With Kerala’s summers being brought to life through the thunderous beats of chenda drums and a dazzling parade of caparisoned elephants, the Thrissur Pooram is a spectacle worth witnessing. A summer season festival in India that is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, this summer festival exhibits a masterclass of coordination when it comes to traditions and theatrics. With fireworks lighting up the sky at night and rhythmic processions enchanting the onlookers, Thrissur Pooram is a display of culture and traditions at its best.
6. Goa Mango Festival- Goa
Summers are synonymous with mangoes, and what could possibly be a better way to celebrate the season than a mango festival itself?
The perfect kind of summer festival for all the food lovers out there, the Goa Mango Festival offers you a delightful summer experience. Showcasing a wide variety of mangoes that are grown in the union territory, visitors can sample rare and exotic mangoes along with attending various cooking demonstrations that perfectly utilise these delicacies. A haven for mango lovers, the Goa Mango Festival offers a refreshing way to do away with the summer heat.
7. Ganga Dussehra- Varanasi
A spiritual summer festival in India that is dedicated to the sacred river, devotees from across the country gather at the ghats of Varanasi to attend this holy celebration. A summer festival that is celebrated in Rishikesh and Haridwar as well, pilgrims take a holy dip at the Ganga that is believed to cleanse them of their sins. The grand Ganga Aarti forms the highlighting feature of this summer festival, with the chime of bells at the Dashashwamedh Ghat along with the mesmerizing sight of thousands of oil lamps floating on the river.