Festivals in January.

Adivasi Mela

16-day tribal fair showcasing 62 Odisha tribes. Tribal art, dance, craft, food stalls. One of India's largest tribal cultural exhibitions.

January 26 - February 10

Auli Winter Carnival

Skiing competitions and snow sports festival at Auli's slopes at 2,500m, featuring national-level ski races, snowboarding, and après-ski cultural programs.

January (varies)

Bastar Tribal Haat

Weekly tribal markets where Gond, Muria, and Maria tribals trade forest produce, handicrafts, iron tools.

Weekly (every week, year-round)

Bekal Fort Festival

Cultural festival at the historic Bekal Fort. Theyyam performances, Yakshagana theatre, Kalaripayattu demonstrations, local food stalls, and folk art exhibitions against the fort-and-sea backdrop.

January (3 days)

Belum Caves Festival

Kandanavolu Sambaralu—a two-day festival hosted by the Andhra Pradesh Government at India's second-longest open cave system. Features competitions (bullock-cart races, rangoli, cooking), traditional tribal dances, and cultural exhibitions celebrating the historic Buddhist/Jain cave heritage.

January

Bikaner Camel Festival

Two-day festival celebrating the ship of the desert with camel races, fur-cutting designs, camel milk contests, and folk performances in Junagarh Fort area.

January 13-14

Binsar Makar Sankranti

Hill communities around Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary celebrate with bonfires, traditional Kumaoni folk songs, and exchange of khichari (lentil-rice dish) at dawn.

January 14

Bonbibi Mela (Forest Goddess Festival)

Annual festival honouring Bonbibi, the divine protector goddess of the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Celebrated with folk theatre, music, and dance performances narrating the legends of Bonbibi's protection of humans from tigers and forest dangers. Arranged with theatrics, music, and cultural programs.

April (Baisakhi month)

Chandipur Beach Festival

Four-day Golden Beach Festival celebrating Odisha's coastal culture through traditional music, classical and folk dance (Chhau, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi), handicraft exhibitions, and local sports. Features performances by local and national artists.

7-10 Jan

Cherai Pooram (Gowreeswara Temple Festival)

Annual festival at the 1912-built Gowreeswara Temple (also called South Pazhani) featuring Kavadi Utsavam honoring Lord Subramanian and the spectacular Pooram procession. The festival showcases 20–30 caparisoned elephants with gold-plated caparisons, decorated with bells and necklaces. Traditional offering: Ilaneer abhishekam (tender coconut ablution). Concludes with Arattu (ritual bathing of the deity).

Late January to early February; Pooram Nakshatra day (Makaram month)

Chilika Bird Festival

Annual festival celebrating migratory bird arrivals. Boat tours, birding workshops, photography exhibitions, cultural programs.

January (2 days)

Ellora-Ajanta Festival

An annual cultural festival at the UNESCO World Heritage Ellora Caves site celebrating Indian classical art, music, and dance. Features Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Kuchipudi performances, along with Hindustani and Carnatic music concerts against the backdrop of the ancient rock-cut monuments.

January–February

Feast of the Three Kings (Reis Magos)

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Our Lady of Cures), also known as the Three Kings Chapel, atop the Cuelim hillock near Reis Magos, hosts the most famous celebration. Three young boys enact the role of the Three Kings, traveling on horseback through different paths and converging near the chapel.

January 6 (Epiphany)

Flamingo Festival

Annual festival celebrating the arrival of migratory flamingos. Includes boat rides, birding tours, cultural programs, and photography exhibitions.

January (2 days)

Float Festival (Teppam)

Temple deities of Meenakshi are placed on illuminated floats on the Mariamman Teppakulam tank. Thousands of oil lamps reflect on water. One of the most visually spectacular temple festivals in India.

January-February (full moon night)

Gandikota Festival

Annual celebration at the 1000-year-old Gandikota Fort showcasing the 300-foot Pennar Gorge. Features historical dramas, folk performances, magic shows, paragliding, helicopter rides (360° aerial views), boating, and local craft/food stalls celebrating Kandanavolu heritage.

January (3 days)

Ganesh Jayanti (Maghi Ganesh)

Celebrated in Magha (January-February) at Siddhivinayak Temple, marking Ganesha's rebirth. Three-day palkhi (palanquin) procession with devotional singing.

Ganesh Jayanti (Maghi)

Festival celebrating rebirth of Lord Ganesha in Magha (January-February) with aartis, bhajans, and processions.

Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri (Kumbh legacy)

The spectacular daily Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri draws massive crowds; during Kumbh Mela years the gathering swells to tens of millions.

Year-round (Maha Kumbh every 12 years)

Gopalpur Beach Festival

Four-day coastal celebration blending tradition, culture, and modernity at this historic beach in Ganjam district. Features the first-ever Sea Aarti ceremony performed by Varanasi saints, torch processions from local temples, Star Nights with Bollywood and Odissi performances, traditional dances (Sambalpuri, Kuchipudi, Ghumura), and Pallishree Mela with 250+ handicraft and food stalls.

27-30 Jan

International Kite Festival (Uttarayan)

Ahmedabad sky fills with millions of kites. International kite flyers. Rooftop parties across the city. Undhiyu and jalebi on every corner.

January 14

Island Tourism Festival

10-day celebration featuring cultural performances from all island communities, water sports competitions, food stalls, and craft exhibitions at Netaji Stadium.

January 6-16

Jaipur Literature Festival

The world's largest free literary festival. 500+ speakers, authors, poets at Diggi Palace.

Late January (5 days)

Kalamkari Utsav

Festival showcasing Kalamkari art heritage. Live demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, and sales of authentic Kalamkari textiles.

January (3 days)

Kufri Winter Sports Festival

Skiing, tobogganing, and ice-skating competitions at Kufri near Shimla, with yak rides and snow sculpture contests.

January-February (varies)

Kullu Winter Carnival

A vibrant winter festival with folk music, traditional Nati dance, handicraft exhibitions, and adventure sports in the snow-clad valley.

January

Kutch Mahotsav

Cultural festival celebrating Kutchi crafts, music, dance. Showcases 16 tribal communities and their art forms.

January (Republic Day weekend)

Lava Dance Festival

Traditional Lava dance performed by men in colorful costumes. Unique to Minicoy.

January (during festivals)

Lokrang Festival

One of India's most anticipated cultural celebrations honoring tribal and folk traditions through music, dance, art, storytelling, and local cuisine. Held at Ravindra Bhavan Complex with performances, exhibitions, and cultural experiences reflecting rural and indigenous Indian heritage. Free admission. Running for over two decades.

January 26–30 (Republic Day week)

Magh Mela

Annual month-long religious fair at the Triveni Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) with ritual bathing, spiritual discourses, and tent city of saints.

January 14 - February 14 (Magh month)

Magh Mela

A week-long fair on the banks of the Bhagirathi with ritual bathing, folk performances, and a vibrant local market — one of Uttarkashi's biggest gatherings.

January (Makar Sankranti to Basant Panchami)

Magh Mela (Jaunsar)

Local winter harvest fair with bonfires, folk songs, and traditional Jaunsar food celebrations in the hill villages around Chakrata.

January (Makar Sankranti)

Maghi Chaturthi

Festival January-February at Chintamani Temple from Chaturthi to Ashtami with temple rituals and celebrations.

Maghi Ganesh (Maghi Chaturthi)

Festival celebrating Lord Ganesha in the month of Magh (January-February) at Vighnahar Ganapati Temple.

Maghi Ganesh Jayanti

A secondary but significant festival celebrating the rebirth/reappearance of Lord Ganesha in the Magh month. Marks another sacred occasion for the Ashtavinayak circuit, with special pujas and temple rituals.

January–February (Magh month, full moon day)

Maghi Ganesh Jayanti

Honors the birth/reappearance of Ganesha in the Magh month with special pujas, havans (fire rituals), recitation of sacred hymns, and a grand maha-aarti at the Varadvinayak temple.

January–February (Magh month, full moon day)

Maghi Ganesh Jayanti

Celebrates the birth/reappearance of Lord Ganesha in the Magh month. The festival includes special pujas, recitation of Ganesh Stotras (hymns), and deepdan (lighting of sacred lamps) at the Mayureshwar temple, drawing devotees across the Ashtavinayak circuit.

January–February (Magh month, full moon day)

Maghi Utsav (Magha Chaturthi)

Celebrated January-February at Ballaleshwar temple with rituals, devotional singing, bhajans, and kirtans.

Malabar Mahotsavam

Cultural festival celebrating Malabar's heritage. Classical music, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kalaripayattu, and a massive food festival featuring Malabar biryani and halwa competitions.

January (3 days)

Mamallapuram Dance Festival

Month-long dance and music festival held against the backdrop of the UNESCO monuments. Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi performed under floodlit Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance. One of India's most atmospheric dance festivals.

January-February (4 weeks)

Mandu Festival

Five-day cultural and heritage festival showcasing Mandu's Afghan-era architecture and local traditions. Features adventure sports, cycling expeditions, live music concerts, local art and craft exhibitions, food stalls, poetry readings, nature trails, and architecture-themed activities celebrating the region's rich cultural heritage.

January (typically early-to-mid January)

Me-Dam-Me-Phi

Ahom ancestor worship day — remembering 600 years of Ahom dynasty rule over Assam. Offerings at the Charaideo maidams (royal burial mounds), traditional Ahom cuisine, and cultural programs.

January 31

Paryaya Festival

Grand procession marking the transfer of leadership of the Krishna Mutt between 8 mathas. Elephant processions, music, lakhs of devotees.

January (every 2 years, even years)

Patnitop Winter Carnival

Snow festival at Patnitop with skiing, snowman-building, and cultural programs at this hill station that serves as Jammu's winter retreat at 2,024m.

January (varies)

Periyar Flower Show

Annual flower exhibition at Periyar featuring Western Ghats endemic species, orchid displays, and spice flower collections. Held against the backdrop of Periyar Lake.

January (3 days)

Pongal

Tamil Nadu's harvest festival — pots of rice boil over on open fires as families shout "Pongalo Pongal!" Jallikattu (bull-taming) events in rural areas. Kolam (rangoli) competitions. 4-day state holiday.

January 14-17 (4 days)

Pongal

Tamil harvest festival. Kolam, sweet pongal cooking, cultural events in French Quarter.

January 14-17

Republic Day Parade

Military parade on Rajpath. Cultural tableaux from every state. Breathtaking flypast. The nation's grandest spectacle.

January 26

Sankranti / Pongal

Three-day harvest festival with kite flying, rangoli competitions, and traditional food. Kanuma day celebrates cattle.

January 14-16

Sinthan Top Snow Festival

Winter celebration at the 3,800m pass connecting Kashmir and Kishtwar with snow trekking, photography contests, and hot kahwa (Kashmiri green tea) stalls.

January (varies)

Subhash Mela

Commemorating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Flag hoisting at Cellular Jail, patriotic events, cultural programs.

January 23

Thaipusam

Commemorates Lord Murugan receiving the divine spear (Vel) from his mother, Goddess Parvati. Celebrated at the hilltop Arupadai Veedu with beautiful temple decorations, grand processions, rituals, and masses of devotees undertaking the pilgrimage.

January (Tamil month Thai)

Thaipusam

Celebrates Lord Murugan's birthday and the day he received the divine spear (Vel) from Goddess Parvati. Devotees participate in elaborate rituals including ceremonial bathing of the deity and carrying kavadis (wooden frameworks) as offerings. Marked by processions and devoted worship.

January (Tamil month Thai)

Thaipusam

Major 10-day festival at Arulmigu Dandayudhapani Murugan Temple on the hill. Thaipusam attracts approximately 300,000 devotees who undertake pilgrimages to the hilltop temple and undergo religious rituals and offerings.

January/February (Tamil month Thai)

Toda Tribal Festival

The Toda people of the Nilgiris celebrate their harvest with traditional rituals, buffalo worship, and community feasts. Small-scale, authentic tribal gathering in the oldest Nilgiri settlement.

January

Torgya Festival

Three-day festival at Tawang Monastery featuring masked Cham dances performed by monks to drive away evil spirits and bring prosperity.

Late January (29th day of 11th Tibetan month)

Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

Six-day Sufi pilgrimage at the Ajmer Dargah Sharif with qawwali nights, langar distribution, and devotees from all faiths offering chadars at the saint's tomb.

January (1st-6th Rajab, Islamic calendar)

Uttarardh Mahotsav (Modhera Dance Festival)

A two-day classical dance festival celebrating the winter solstice at the ancient Sun Temple. The festival showcases diverse Indian classical dance forms including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Sattriya. Named after the astronomical halfway point of the sun's northward journey, honoring the sun god.

January (3rd week, typically Jan 17-19)

Uttarayani Fair

Makar Sankranti celebrations in the Kumaon hills with community bonfires, traditional Aipan art displays, and local markets selling woolen handicrafts.

January 14 (Makar Sankranti)

Uttarayani Mela

Harvest festival celebrated with local fairs, traditional food, folk songs, and community bonfire gatherings.

January 14 (Makar Sankranti)

Vivekananda Jayanti / National Youth Day

Special celebrations at Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Thousands of students visit. Cultural programs, meditation sessions, and memorial illumination. The sunrise that morning is watched by special gatherings.

January 12

Warli Art Festival

Exhibition and workshops of Warli tribal art. Local artisans demonstrate techniques.

January (dates vary)

Zanskar Chadar Trek Season

The frozen Zanskar River becomes a walkable highway — the legendary Chadar (ice sheet) trek connecting Zanskar to Leh, one of the world's most extreme winter treks.

January-February