Joshimath · Uttarakhand
Festivities marking the annual opening of both Badrinath and Kedarnath temple doors, with the doli (palanquin) procession departing Joshimath for Badrinath.
May (varies)
Badrinath · Uttarakhand
The sacred temple doors open for the season after winter closure, marked by elaborate Vedic rituals and the arrival of the deity's idol from Joshimath.
Early May
Bangus Valley · Jammu & Kashmir
Celebration of the meadow wildflower bloom in the Bangus Valley with camping, folk music, and guided treks through what locals call Mini-Switzerland.
May (varies)
Dhauli · Odisha
Major Buddhist pilgrimage at Dhauli Shanti Stupa marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. Buddhists from across India and the world gather to pay respects at this sacred location.
First full moon of Vaisakha (May)
Sanchi · Madhya Pradesh
Festival at Sanchi Buddhist stupa celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing on the full moon day of Vaishakh month. Attracts monks and followers from Bhutan, China, Japan, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka who gather at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. District administration ensures comprehensive arrangements including security, cleanliness, water, and health facilities.
May (full moon in Vaishakh month)
Bodh Gaya · Bihar
The holiest day in Buddhism — celebrating Buddha birth, enlightenment, and death. Thousands gather at Mahabodhi Temple.
May (Vaishakha Purnima)
Sarnath · Uttar Pradesh
Commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana at the very site where he gave his first sermon. Monks from across the world gather for prayers and meditation.
May (full moon of Vaishakha)
Chail · Himachal Pradesh
Cricket matches and cultural events at the Chail Cricket Ground — the world's highest cricket pitch at 2,444m, built in 1893 by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.
May (varies)
Chaukori · Uttarakhand
Festival at the Chaukori tea gardens — among India's highest at 2,010m — with tea-tasting sessions, plantation tours, and Kumaoni cultural performances against Panchachuli peaks.
May (varies)
Coonoor · Tamil Nadu
Annual fruit exhibition at Sim's Park, Coonoor featuring colourful display of fruits sourced from across India, artistically arranged. Part of the broader Nilgiris Summer Festival celebrated across Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri, and Gudalur in May.
May (typically May 24-26; as part of Nilgiris Summer Festival)
Gangotri · Uttarakhand
The temple doors open for the pilgrimage season on Akshaya Tritiya with chanting, pujas, and the return of the sacred idol from Mukhba village.
Early May (Akshaya Tritiya)
Guptkashi · Uttarakhand
Celebrations at the ancient Vishwanath Temple when the Kedarnath pilgrimage season opens, with the deity's winter-seat rituals and devotional gatherings.
May (kapaat opening)
Kedarnath · Uttarakhand
Temple doors open after 6 months of winter. First darshan of the season. Deity carried back from Ukhimath.
Late April / Early May
Kodaikanal · Tamil Nadu
Major annual summer festival hosted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department at Kodaikanal hill station. Features elaborate flower structures planted with over 2.5 lakh seedlings, vegetable carvings, boat races on Kodai Lake, dog shows, and cultural folk dances at Bryant Park.
May (mid-to-late May; annual 10-day festival)
Mokokchung · Nagaland
Ao Naga post-sowing festival — warriors in full ceremonial dress, folk songs around bonfires, community bonding, and prayers for a good harvest. Mokokchung comes alive.
May 1-3
Nrusinghanath & Harishankar · Odisha
Annual fair and pilgrimage event at Nrusinghanath Temple on the Gandhamardan hills, celebrating the divine incarnation of Lord Nrusimhanath. Attracts thousands of pilgrims from across Odisha and neighboring states. Pilgrims trek the 16 km connection between the twin temples (Nrusinghanath in Bargarh and Harishankar in Balangir).
14th day of Vaisakha (May)
Ooty (Udagamandalam) · Tamil Nadu
Annual flower show at the Botanical Gardens featuring rare Nilgiri species, orchid displays, and competitive arrangements. 100,000+ visitors. Coincides with the Ooty summer festival.
May (3 days)
Gangtok · Sikkim
The holiest month in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. Monastery pujas, sacred Cham dances, circumambulation of sacred peaks, and the dramatic unfurling of the Thangka at Rumtek.
Full moon of 4th Tibetan month (May-Jun)
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) · Tamil Nadu
Annual Brahmotsavam celebrated at Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, located 17 km from Trichy. Thousands of devotees from various castes and communities gather to worship Goddess Mariamman during this major festival celebrating her divine power and blessings.
May-June (Tamil month Vaikasi)
Ukhrul · Manipur
Five-day cultural and ecological festival celebrating the delicate and endangered Lilium Mackliniae, which blooms only in the Shirui Hills of Ukhrul. The festival honors Manipur's state flower (declared in 1989) and showcases Tangkhul Naga culture. Activities include a Shirui Lily Literature Festival, trash collection marathon, traditional weaving exhibitions, SheChef cooking competition, drone light shows, and the Miss Shirui Lily pageant.
Last week of May through second week of June
Shimla · Himachal Pradesh
Celebrity performances, flower shows on the Ridge. Hot air balloons. Evening cultural shows.
Late May / June (5 days)
Yercaud · Tamil Nadu
Annual celebration held during mid-May coinciding with the festival of Lord Servarayan (Shevaroy), the presiding deity of the Shevaroy Hills. Features a 7-day exhibition including spectacular Flower Shows with thousands of potted flowering plants, dog shows, boating races, and village fairs. Traditional performances include Karakattam (an ancient Tamil folk dance) and Naiyandi Melam (percussion performances).
May (7-day festival)
Tosamaidan · Jammu & Kashmir
Opening of the Tosamaidan meadow — once an army firing range, now a reclaimed paradise — with wildflower walks, camping, and Gujjar pastoral culture displays.
May-June
Chopta · Uttarakhand
The kapaat (doors) of the world's highest Shiva temple at 3,680m open with Vedic rituals,ثم the deity is carried in a palanquin procession from Makkumath winter seat.
May (Akshaya Tritiya)
Tungnath · Uttarakhand
The world's highest Shiva temple opens after winter with ritثals and the return of the deity's idol from Makkumath village.
May (Akshaya Tritiya)
Kanchipuram · Tamil Nadu
Annual 10-day Brahmotsavam festival at Varadaraja Perumal Temple, with the spectacular Garuda Sevai procession on the third day where the deity is carried on the golden Garuda vahanam. The seventh day features the chariot (ther) festival through the streets of Kanchipuram.
May (Vaikasi month, typically mid-to-late May)
Tiruparankundram · Tamil Nadu
Fourteen-day Brahmotsavam celebrated during Vaikasi Vishakham, commemorating Lord Murugan's birth star (Vishakha nakshatra). The festival culminates in the Car Festival, a grand procession displaying the deity on elaborate mounts. Murugan is celebrated as the presiding power during this period.
May-June (14-day festival, Tamil month Vaikasi)
Yamunotri · Uttarakhand
The temple doors open for the Char Dham season with rituals at the hot springs and the sacred Divya Shila; pilgrims cook rice in the thermal water as prasad.
Early May (Akshaya Tritiya)